Animax: Project ‘LaMB’

Youth cable channel Animax today announces the launch of a groundbreaking new project titled LaMB, an entertainment showcase that is spread across three screens – TV, online and mobile. LaMB is Animax’s first original production in High Definition, and promises to revolutionize the entire entertainment experience via how content is delivered and marketed to consumers.

Encompassing a series of multi-platform, multi-disciplinary, and multi-media activities that revolves around the launch of an animation movie on Animax, LaMB aims to redefine the entire entertainment experience for consumers from pre-premiere to post-premiere of the show. The extensiveness of the LaMB campaign was in fact inspired by a 50-page script written by amateur writer Carmelo S. J. Juinio from the Philippines. From a mere text-heavy script to a comprehensive three-screen campaign that is expected to last for at least six months – such is the power of user-generated content.

What is LaMB?
LaMB is the brainchild of amateur writer Filipino Carmelo S. J. Juinio, who submitted his 50-page entry for a regional script-writing competition organized by Animax last year, called Animax Awards. Although he lost out to eventual winner Hayato Takamaga from Japan, Carmelo’s script impressed and captivated Japanese industry experts with its dark beauty and soulful depth, and was accorded a Special Award recognition for his amazing talent. Handpicked from over 3,000 entries across Asia, Carmelo’s LaMB has a storyline that is not only innovative and intriguing, but extremely thought-provoking as well, as it touches on all aspects of concern to today’s young adults – environment, politics, technology and of course, romance.

The story of LaMB centres around the life of a protagonist who can barely speak nor make her own decisions – she being one of the many felons sealed in a ‘laminated’ suit, known as LaMBs for short. The virtual slavery that is Lamination ensures that those convicted of serious crimes remain productive, if not free, members of society, making both jails and the death penalty unnecessary in a world where human ingenuity, creativity and labour continue to be precious commodities that cannot be replaced by robots or any form of “artificial” intelligence.

REVIEW: The Otaku Critiques KOUTETSU SANGOKUSHI!

THE SIX STEEDS OF GO FROM KOUTETSU SANGOKUSHI [COPYRIGHT INDICATED IN PHOTO] Koutetsu Sangokushi (pronounced "ko-tet-soo san-gok-shi"). Never did I expect that I would find myself getting so hooked on it that I watched it not just once, but THRICE. As a result, the DVD player went POP! Koutetsu Sangokushi belongs to that genre of anime called "shounen-ai" (literally means "boy's love"), which hints at or actually depicts romantic relationships between boys or men. So, aside from the peasant woman who dies in the first episode, you won't find a single female in this anime. The story takes place in Ancient China, specifically the war-torn kingdom of Go, which is being attacked from its borders by rival kingdoms who are hell-bent on getting the Imperial Seal -- an ornate dragon box with a glowing orb inside that has the power to bestow upon the person it favors the powerful Flame Armor. Enter Rikuson Hakugen who, as the "Crimson Warrior", has been traveling all over the country with his Master, the flamboyant Shoukatsuryou Koumei, helping the oppressed people in the land. Upon his return to Go, Rikuson has become bitter by the realization that he could not help everyone. Koumei convinces the young hero to ally himself with Go, only to have Rikuson witness the assassination of its King and the Imperial Seal stolen by mysterious thugs. Before long, Rikuson -- together with five other misfit warriors -- pledges to retrieve the Imperial Seal, and defend Go and its new boy king Sonken from all invaders...one of whom may be his own beloved Master Koumei. Most of the anime blog sites who have reviewed Koutetsu Sangokushi have done it a great disservice by labeling it boring. Far from it! This is character-driven storytelling at its finest. It may seem to drag for those who prefer action non-stop and the dialogue straightforward, but if you want to appreciate this anime to its fullest, you have to play close attention to the interactions between the characters. It is such a multi-layered story that you won't be able to grasp the numerous messages it wants to convey with just one watching alone. Stick with it and you won't regret it! While Koutetsu Sangokushi may be considered as a visual treat for the ladies who want their anime loaded with bishounen ("pretty boys"), credit for its success in pulling off a very difficult character-driven plotline falls exclusively on the shoulders of its all-male leads and the seiyuu who portray them. Mamoru Miyano -- who wowed fans with his portrayal of Light Yagami in Death Note -- provides great emotional depth and heartbreaking vulnerability to Rikuson. Not surprisingly, it is for this role -- and two others -- that Miyano won the Best Male Seiyuu Award at the recent Seiyuu Awards in Japan. Voice actress Mitsuki Saiga is in her element as the bratty Ryoutou, although her portrayal is remarkably reminiscent of Wolfram in Kyou Kara Maou! A particular treat for me was the hilarious repartee between Taishiji (played with boisterous perfection by Kentarou Itou, who is more known as Ensei in Saiunkoku Monogatari) and the wimpy Ryomou (portrayed by fan favorite Akira Ishida, who played Hakkai in the Saiyuki anime). Also brilliant were Takehito Koyasu and Koji Yusa, who portrayed rival siblings Koumei and Shoukatsukin, respectively. Masaya Onosaka and Noriaki Sugiyama, who played star-crossed brothers-in-arms Chouhi and Choun respectively, had me weeping buckets. Oh, my nephew wants me to mention seiyuu Rina Satou as the irritating tranvestite boy king Ryuubi. Says Enzo, "An actress who could play such an annoying character as Ryuubi is darned good in my book." I must admit that the one seiyuu whose acting really bowled me over was that of Junichi Suwabe, who played the ex-pirate Kannei. Suwabe is more known to fans for playing strong male characters -- Grimmjow from Bleach, Atobe from Prince of Tennis and Archer from Fate/Stay Night, just to name a few. So to see him acting out an emotionally vulnerable character was quite an accomplishment. Personally, I would like to see him playing more roles like this. Koutetsu Sangokushi, for all its complexity, is a story about love in all its forms. You have love for one's sibling, love for power, the love that a student has for his teacher, love for one's country, and -- yes, the hints are too strong to be ignored -- even love between two men. It's a compelling story of how love can be used to achieve one's selfish gains. But on the other hand, it is also love that can right all wrongs, even if it entails a noble but heartbreaking sacrifice in the very end.

INTERVIEW: SCOTT EVANS: The Challenge of Being A Voice Actor

Scott Evans with his anime counterpart Van from Gun X Sword. [PHOTO CREDITS: © 2005 AIC • Team DannChester/ Gun Sword Partners] When Scott Evans joined the team of Animax VAs, he had a monumental task ahead of him. He was put in the unenviable position of being the replacement for Darren Pleavin (a.k.a. Louis), who is much loved by the channel's viewers. However, Scott took it as a challenge, and at present has been playing lead roles, which include Hanamichi Sakuragi in Slam Dunk, Van in Gun X Sword, and Ovan in .Hack//Roots. (Check the program sked for this shows.) Get to know a little more about Scott in this interview… What prompted you to decide to become a voice actor? Did you get formal training and for how many years? I’m trained as a sound engineer. When I came back to Hong Kong to live, I had the opportunity to work with various dubbers and voice-over artists throughout Hong Kong. It struck me as a challenging and exciting job, one that had more creative outlet than just sitting in the studio control room. I learned how to dub and act by exposing myself to more talented people than me, and really trying to get better and better. Being a musician for the past 16 years, I’m no stranger to having a microphone in front of me, and it felt like a natural progression to go from the mixing desk to the dubbing table! You joined the Animax voice talents when you took over the role of Sano in Law of Ueki from the original voice actor who portrayed the character. Given that Animax fans have a tendency of being overly critical, did you feel any pressure in taking over a part that was played by one of the early voice talents of Animax? You’re definitely aware of the fact that people are going to notice. The people who enjoy anime are fairly discerning, so you know that there are going to be people out there who don’t like the fact that one of the voices in their favourite show has changed. I also took over the role of Yamcha in Dragon Ball from the same voice actor, so I had two pairs of shoes to fill. It’s very much a part of the industry though. Not just dubbing, but regular television as well. Actors have lives too, and sometimes that means moving on and creating new opportunities. Among the characters you have voiced for Animax, who is a) your favorite, b) the most challenging you've ever done, and c) the most memorable, and why? (A) I would definitely have to say Hanamichi Sakuragi has been one of my favourite characters up to date. The rest of the characters in the show are pretty straight forward, very much in the style of most of the anime sports shows. Hanamichi is completely off the rails though. Laughing, crying, screaming and completely unaware of his limitations. That makes it pretty fun. (B) He would also be the most challenging character that I’ve ever had to play. Mainly because all that screaming and laughing is very hard to keep up in an 8-hour day. He’s a particularly difficult character to dub because he’s so unpredictable too. We may have a script, but it’s not always possible to write down exactly what he’s doing. So some scenes require more takes than others, just because I have to watch what he’s doing a few times before I can actually do it. (C) Train Hartnett from Black Cat would have to be my most memorable character because it was the first time I got to play the main character in a series. I received a lot of positive feedback from anime fans (I personally thought you were fantastic!) about the way you performed the stirring monologue in that scene from Gun X Sword wherein Van came close to losing his sanity in that abandoned town (with those church bells). How did you prepare yourself – both acting-wise and mentally – for that heavy scene? Acting-wise, I approach most scenes pretty much the same way. As a dubber, it’s important to take cues from the original Japanese version. They were, after all, the original actors in the scene. So being aware of the mood and scope of the scene helps to give an authentic performance that people find credible. It also helps to understand the show in a larger context than just the episode you’re working on. This reduces character twists from taking you by surprise and allows you give a consistent performance throughout the scene, the episode and ultimately the whole series. The emotional side is quite different though. If you’re doing a scene like the one you mentioned in Gun X Sword, you want to put more of yourself into it. It’s obviously very important to try and feel the way the character feels to the best of your ability. But I may deviate slightly from the original Japanese version in order to give the best performance I can in my own style. I think with the really emotional stuff, being yourself is the key to coming across as convincing to the audience. Anime fans are pretty smart, they can tell when you’re displaying genuine emotion or not. Hanamichi Sakuragi of Slam Dunk is also quite a challenging character to play. Did portraying this well-loved anime icon present any problems for you and how did you overcome them? Hanamichi presents daily problems in terms of just being able to make my words fit his mouth! That’s definitely what I find so fun about the character though. I’d say the challenge is just working with the director to make each performance as funny, energetic and fast-paced as the original. He’s by no means the only character in the show though, so I guess not accidentally spitting on my colleagues while in the middle of a trademark Hanamichi tirade would be the second challenge! In your opinion, why do you think that considerable attention is now being given to voice actors compared to past decades? Do you feel any pressure from a much divided anime "fandom" who can't seem to get along on which is better – subtitled or dubbed anime? I think the companies behind the really famous animation shows over the decades realize that the people watching are actually interested in the people portraying their favourite characters. Voice acting used to be considered a fairly lowly position to have in the animation process, and only recently have the more famous voice actors been given the credit and exposure that their talent deserves. As far as the divide over the “Subtitle VS Dubbing” debate, I think it’s just important that people have a choice. There’s always going to be people who want to keep everything as it was originally created, and that’s important. But I think dubbing a an anime into another language allows the viewer to see the anime a way that’s a bit closer to the original experience, in terms of having someone act the scene to you, instead of reading subtitles. As long as people have the choice, I think everyone will be happy.

INTERVIEW: Animax Angst Master DAVID ADAM BRIDGES

David Adam Bridges side by side with one of his anime counterparts -- Le Chevalier D'Eon's Durand [PHOTO CREDIT © TOW UBAKATA • Production I.G/ Project Chevalier 2006] It should be said that one of the reasons why The Count of Monte Cristo became so popular was because of David Adam Bridges, the voice actor who stirred fans' hearts with his heart-rending portrayal of Franz D'Epinay. Although he later on did a wide variety of dramatic and comedic characters, he remains, in the opinion of many anime fans (including yours truly!), to be THE voice actor who could portray death scenes with great intensity. Just see how he handled Le Chevalier D'Eon's Durand so marvelously. Let's get to know Animax voice actor David Adam Bridges in this week's blog... What prompted you to decide to become a voice actor? Did you get formal training and for how many years? Honestly, I found this job online. I'd never done it before, but I did have some acting experience both professionally and leisurely. But it's not something I'd never even considered until I saw the advertisement. But as soon as I did, I thought I'd be good at it and it'd be a lot of fun. And as it turns out, I was and it is. So here I am now. Many fans have the impression that anyone could become a voice actor. Some have even gone so far as to say that "Voice actors are born and not made." Is this true or not? And why? I don’t know. I certainly think that anyone can do anything if they try hard enough. The thing is, some people would have to try and practice a lot harder than others. For me it was that I could just do it from the start, but of course since then, I've grown and learned more and experimented with different voices and things. There's a lot more to it than just speaking though. You have to be able to read the other actors you're working with to know who's going to do what and when. You have to be able to read the script, interpret, then speak with the right meaning and inflection in your voice in an instant while at the same time trying to sound interesting. You need range in voice to be able to do it, as is so often needed -- a big tough mean sounding deep gruff guy for this line, a high soft airy lighthearted boy for that line, an confused old man for this, a nerdy kid for that, a heroic strong yet cool guy for the other and something random for a guy in the crowd. And then you have to remember the exact voices you've done for the next week after having done three other cartoons in between. It's easy in a way and you get used to it, but it's tiring sometimes as you can understand. So, what I mean is, though I believe anyone could do it, if they practiced and trained and trained and practiced, it takes a special kind of person to be able to do it well from the start. Among the characters you have voiced for Animax, who is a) your favorite, b) the most challenging you've ever done, and c) the most memorable, and why? That's a hard question. Do you know just how many characters I've done over the years? 'Cause I don't. Probably almost a thousand if you count all of them. And personally I don't have a lot of favorites. Just things I like and things I don't as much. But let's try. My favorite. Alright, you're not going to like this but two of these are going to be from the same cartoon. My favorite would be Master Roshi from Dragonball. He was a super fun character to play because 1. He was so strange and quirky all the time and 2. He’s like Yoda. He's the ultimate master who never loses. He sometimes gives up of his own accord to teach a lesson, but you just know he's the man regardless. I can't think of any specifics for the most challenging, but it would definitely be a character who's realistic and emotional. Funny and goofy is easy, but realistic is hard. Especially if that character has a very serious personality. I'm not a serious person in life so seriousness is something that really takes it out of me. And when I act emotional I really feel that emotion and sometimes it's hard to recover from that. Crazy psychotic bad guys like Creed Diskenth from Black Cat who I did. Most memorable would be grown up Goku, also from Dragonball just because he's my favorite anime character from my favorite show. I was so psyched to be able to play him. So I'm sure he'll be the character I remember most. In the past, you have moved TV viewers with your heartbreaking acting as Franz in "Count of Monte Cristo", in particular, the climactic death scene in the anime. Your acting chops were also put to the test in your role as Durand in "Le Chevalier D'Eon". Some fans have said that when it comes to angst or dying characters, you are obviously the "Master". How do you prepare yourself - both acting-wise and mentally - for such heavy scenes? Gosh, The Master of Angst, eh? That's a pretty cool title. Hehe. Well, as an actor, and especially a voice actor where anything could happen, you just have to be ready to play any type of person. But when it comes to major roles like these where the characters are so serious, I just have to put myself into their world and, as I said before, literally feel as an actor what they feel as a character. It does make me uncomfortable to do that (no one likes to feel sorrow or anger or helplessness), but it's not about me, is it? It's about the audience. So I give what I can. What dream anime project would you like to undertake? If you have an anime character you would like to play, who would it be? Right. This one's easy. It'd have to be the later Dragonball chronicles as Goku. I only got to play him for a few episodes as he was a little kid for most of the series we did and was played by Andrea. But that'd be what I'd like to do most. Goku, Dragonball. My favorite character. After a long, hard day in the studio, what do you do to unwind? Do you hang out with the other voice actors? Who is your best friend among the Animax voice actors? Who among them is the most fun to be with? Hmm. After work I usually just go home. But if I really want to unwind, I'll go catch a movie or something. I try to practice Muay Thai regularly if I can be bothered and I've recently taken up bowling, usually with David Lee McKinney and Emily Woo Zeller, and golf, or I go hang out with Scott Evans, all of whom are other voice actors I work with. They're all cool people though, everybody I work with including the boss and the technicians at the studio. [WRITER'S NOTE: All the voice actors whom David mentioned will be featured in future blogs.] In your opinion, would you recommend voice acting as a career? For you, what are the qualities of a voice actor? Yeah sure, why not? If you can do it well and it comes naturally to you, if you enjoy it give it a shot. It's pretty low stress, you're an integral part of production and, for the most part, it's fun. Voice actors are like any other actors. They're not your average run of the mill employees. A voice actor needs to seek perfection in his (or her) craft and has to stay on his toes, is always ready for a challenge and is versatile in character. He's got to be focused but relaxed and calm yet energetic. And, just like any actor, has to be able and willing to put himself in anyone's shoes. [Catch David's performance as Goku in Dragonball, Ryota Miyagi in Slam Dunk, and Gord in .Hack//Roots. Just check your local listings for the schedules of these shows.]

REVIEW: The Obataku Critiques MONONOKE!

ALL PHOTOS © MONONOKE COMMITTEE

Anime, unlike cartoons and other western styles of animation, hold the distinction for innovativeness. If you are more accustomed to traditional anime styles, however, these experimentations with new styles may at first be jarring to the senses. I remember the first time I watched Gankutsuou (The Count of Monte Cristo), I developed a bad headache from watching all those computer-applied textures. After a few episodes, I grew accustomed to its unique animation style, and it remains my favorite anime of all time.

Which brings us to Mononoke. This 12-episode anime was the offshoot of the final story arc "Bakeneko" in the horror trilogy, Ayakashi, which will soon be aired on Animax. Because of its distinctive anime style and riveting plot, "Bakeneko" reaped critical acclaim. It's only expected that an anime will be developed from it.

First, just what is an "ayakashi" and a "mononoke"? Ayakashi are malevolent spirits that plague mankind with curses and evil ills. When an ayakashi combines with the grudge, hatred and anger that exists in a human heart, it transforms into a monster known as a mononoke.

Mononoke continues the adventures of the mysterious Medicine Seller, who seeks out these evil creatures. He must first reveal the mononoke's physical shape or Form ("Katachi"), the reason for its rage or Truth ("Makoto"), and the state of its soul or Regret ("Kotowari") before he could unsheathe his formidable Sword of Exorcism and destroy the evil spirit.

The anime consists of five spine-chilling stories:

1) "Zashiki Warashi", about a pregnant woman who seeks shelter in an inn with a bloody past

2) "Umibouzu", about the passengers of a merchant vessel who find themselves trapped in the infamous Devil's Triangle (Japan's version of the Bermuda Triangle)

3) "Noppera-bo", about a woman who confesses to murdering her samurai husband and his entire family

4) "Nue", about three men who embark on an incense-smelling test in order to win the hand of a noblewoman

5) "Bakeneko", about the passengers on the maiden voyage of a spooky subway train

Mononoke is both a visual and an intellectual treat. Visually, it's like watching a moving Japanese tapestry on your TV screens. Except for "Bakeneko" which utilizes the color black, the use of pastel colors heightens the creepy ambience of the anime. People who say that originality in books and film is dead would be pleased to know that it is alive and kicking in Mononoke. All the stories are refreshingly new, and it does not need gratuitous violence or gore to scare you out of your wits. The tight plot will keep you on edge, only to drop you off the precipice with an unexpected twist or cliffhanger.

Credit to Mononoke's appeal falls squarely on the shoulders of the talented seiyuu voicing the characters, making this one anime that I would prefer NOT to be dubbed in English. For one, you will get to appreciate seiyuu Sakurai Takahiro's ability to pitch his voice very low without falling into a mumble, like other voice actors are prone to do. Also, his line delivery ranges from dry sarcasm to the blusterous delivery characteristic of actors in traditional Japanese Noh plays. To those who are particularly interested in how Japanese dialects sound like, the fourth story "Nue" has all the characters speaking in Kansai-ben, which is often disastrously rendered with an American country twang when dubbed in English.

Admittedly, Mononoke is not for all audiences. The mature themes hinted at in the story arcs makes this anime more for older teens and adults. This is also not advisable for those who don't want their brain cells stimulated. I've had a friend call it "boring", but as a more overly critical acquaintance said, and I quote her, "Those who complain about boredom are lazy people to begin with."

In any case, to those who want to give Mononoke a chance, mark my words! This is one anime that you will find mentally stimulating. If there is a message that Mononoke would like to convey to its viewers, it's that the most fiercesome monsters are created from the darkness that exists in the human heart. In fact, the most terrifying monsters of all might just be humans themselves.

VALENTINE'S SPECIAL: Memorable Anime Love Teams!

Ouran High School Host Club © Hatori Bisco, BONES, VAP, ANIMAX/NTV. The blog you are reading today was requested by my niece. She asked me why don't I write a blog about anime love teams, it being Valentine's Day and all. However, not being exactly a huge fan of romance in general, I had to rely on the opinions of a few friends who are diehard otaku as to who are the most memorable love teams in anime. Here are everyone's choices in ascending order... 15. Gennosuke and Oboro (Basilisk) When you say "star-crossed lovers", the term most definitely describes Gennosuke and Oboro of the samurai action drama Basilisk, which makes Romeo and Juliet seem mild in comparison. Same as in Shakespeare's play, our lovers come from rival ninja families, who are hoping for their clans to be unified with their coming marriage...until the nasty emperor decides to rekindle the centuries old feud by choosing them to represent his two sons who are line for the throne. Whichever clans win, the son they represented will become the new emperor. Sadly, Gennosuke and Oboro are forced to become bitter enemies, which leads to a heartbreaking ending. 14. Van and Wendy (GUNXSWORD); Saiga and Kagura (Speed Grapher) These two anime came dangerously close to portraying romances between middle-aged men and girls half their age. In the case of Van and Wendy, it's pretty obvious in the way Wendy dotes on Van and her apparent jealousy towards Carmen 99 and Priscilla. On the other hand, Kagura clings desperately to Saiga as they are pursued by evil villains. Love, however, triumphs in the end despite the age difference...by letting the male characters wait a bunch of years until their teenaged sweetheart comes of LEGAL age. That's the power of the scriptwriter for you! 13. Tenchi and Ryoko (Tenchi Muyo!); Keiichi and Belldandy (Ah! My Goddess); Kei and Mizuho (Please! Teacher) It's a time-honored anime tradition to pair off a clueless, clumsy, somewhat nerdy High School boy with a bombshell, whether she is a hot-blooded alien or a sweet goddess. The fact remains that it's a pairing that ALWAYS clicks among fans. However, fans would always remember Tenchi and Ryoko, Keiichi and Belldandy, and Kei and Mizuho as the best couples of this lot. 12. Hitomi and Van (Vision of Escaflowne) Behind every angsty prince from another dimension is a kind-hearted Earth girl to always bring him back to his senses. Credit to Escaflowne's success lies in the fact that Hitomi is not like your everyday damsel-in-distress who counts on the man in her life to save her. Nope, she also gets into action and ends up saving not only Van and Allen, but a whole universe as well. 11. Yusuke and Keiko; Kuwabara and Yukina (Yu Yu Hakusho) Bit of an argument developed with this one. While many obviously loved the pairing of battle-crazy Yusuke and level-headed Keiko, quite a few defended the unlikely pairing of brash Kuwabara and timid Yukina. I don't think Hiei was happy about his little sister being paired off with Kuwabara though. 10. Pete Pumps and Tazusa Sakurano (Ginban Kaleidoscope) Although a relatively new pairing, Pete and Tazusa of Ginban Kaleidoscope deserved to be mentioned for being quite a lively and funny couple, despite the fact that poor Pete is just a spirit. Too bad the scriptwriter couldn't think of a nice ending to the story by actually bringing the two of them together...like having Pete get reincarnated? Or maybe Pete has had enough of the tomatoes that Tazusa had been shoving down his throat? 9. Ranma and Akane (Ranma 1/2) There's a kind of citrusy taste to Ranma and Akane's relationship -- sweet but with a touch of sourness that is not only caused by martial arts rivalry, but by the natural envy of a girl (Akane) towards another girl (female Ranma) who is better endowed beauty-wise than she. Of course, you don't see Kunou complaining, even if he gets punched and kicked to kingdom come. 8. Seiji and Midori (Midori Days) They say it's nice to have a girlfriend on hand, but this is ridiculous. Still, it cannot be denied that Seiji and Midori were a very memorable couple, simply owing to the fact that Midori was so patient enough to endure Seiji's immaturity and even saw being stuck to his right hand as a blessing in disguise. Unlike Pete and Tazusa, however, they DID get together in the end. Happy, happy! 7. Tamaki and Haruhi (Ouran High School Host Club); Kyouhei and Sunako (Yamato Nadeshiko Shichihenge) There's a saying that "Opposites attract." This statement aptly describes these two love teams, who are as different as night and day. From Ouran High School Host Club, you have level-headed commoner Haruhi being paired off with bubble-headed rich boy Tamaki. (Personally, I preferred the Kyouya/Haruhi pairing). Then, in Yamato Nadeshiko Shichihenge, pretty bully boy Kyouhei ends up falling for horror queen wannabe Sunako. Certainly makes for romance that is funny and bittersweet at the same time. 6. Shiro and Saber (Fate/Stay Night) The dynamics of the Shiro and Saber love team is pretty unique...because you have a lovely young lady defending a gallant Magician who, in true male fashion, wants to defend her. In the end, they joined forces to help destroy an evil menace. Sadly, they too split up at the anime's conclusion. 5. Kenshin and Kaoru (Samurai X) Ask any Samurai X fan and they would tell you how much they loved the fact that the love of Kenshin and Kaoru endured through all the villains and uprisings that were thrown their way. Even when their love story ended in tragedy, they stuck together up till the very end of their young lives that were cut abruptly short. Nuff said or else I'll start blubbering like an idiot. 4. Ryuuki and Shuurei (Colourcloud Palace) Everyone just loves Ryuuki and Shuurei, and with good reason. It's not every day that you get to see an immature emperor taught the ways of the world by a poor, but very intelligent young lady (who has a tendency to nag as well). It should be mentioned that while this pairing is very popular, I've got friends who are also rooting for Seiran and Shuurei and Sakujun and Shuurei. Aaaaah...just let Shuurei choose the man she'll love, will ya?! 3. Syaoran and Sakura (Card Captor Sakura & Chronicles of the Wings); Hideki and Chee (Chobits) CLAMP certainly do know how to create real memorable love teams. While Syaoran and Sakura are top favorites among fans, I have a soft spot in my heart for the cyber-love team of Hideki and Chee from Chobits. 2. Inuyasha and Kagome (Inuyasha) Although I'm not a fan of Inuyasha, I've always found the love team of Inuyasha and Kagome very refreshing to watch. Kagome especially is probably one of the few female anime characters that I like because she is no damsel-in-distress who relies on Inuyasha to get her out of any tight predicament; she tries to do something herself. Of course, I always get a kick out of Kagome telling a nagging Inuyasha to "Sit, boy!" Now, that's a woman who knows how to put her man in his place!! 1. Tamahome and Miaka (Fushigi Yuugi) Let it be said that everyone was unanimous in choosing Tamahome and Miaka as the most memorable anime love team of all-time. Personally, I found Miaka irritating and she always needs to be saved by the Seven Star Warriors. Still, I guess every female anime fan loves the idea of a strong, handsome man coming to the rescue of a helpless (groan!) female.

INTERVIEW: Meet ANDREA -- The Voice Behind Sakura!

Sakura & Syaoran in Chronicles of the Wings © CLAMP • KODANSHA/NHK • NEP

What prompted you to become a voice actress? Did you get formal training?

I was very lucky and fell into voice acting when I moved to Hong Kong from Canada in 1997. Unlike most of the team I worked with in the company, I had no formal acting training to start with, but by paying attention and working hard, I‘ve now had 11 years of ‘on the job’ training in voice acting (dubbing) and also directing. I made up for my lack of formal training by doing the best I can when I’m in the studio.

You are in the core group of voice talents since Animax decided to go English. Did you feel any pressure then, given the huge clamor from diehard anime fans for Animax to return to the subtitled format?

My attitude towards both dubbing and directing is to do the best that I can. I can’t say whether ‘subs’ or ‘dub’ is better, everyone has their preference and I can enjoy both [whether it is anime or film]. Hollywood films also make use of dubbing or in technical terms, ADR [audio dialogue replacement], when a scene requires it. What I can say is that both the actors and the company I work for try to be as true to the original version as we can, not just with Animax projects but with other projects we work on. That involves the character voice and acting performance, as well as the script. We’re lucky in this aspect as we have one of the best ‘dubbing’ scriptwriters around - Ranma 1/2 and recently Yakitate! Japan. We work in a team setting, rather than as individuals, so that the actors can play off one another. One of the best recent examples of this was my team members as the female and male leads of Ginban Kaleidoscope. I felt their performances were enhanced by the fact that they dubbed their dialogue together.

A lot of anime fans are awed by your vocal techniques, especially with the way you easily switch from a child's voice to a young lady's voice. When you play multiple characters, do you record them individually or all of them in one take? Please describe to us the vocal technique by which one could change from a low to a high pitch and vice versa.

If the dialogue of my characters doesn’t overlap, then I can switch back and forth without too much trouble and without changing vocal tracks (record separately). But sometimes when your characters speak back to back it’s kind of fun to see if you’re up to the challenge of doing it in one take! I’ve been associated with the same company now for 11 years, Omni Productions, and I’m currently working with one of the most talented incarnations of ‘the team’ that I’ve had the pleasure of working with, they can all voice back to back characters without having to stop and switch tracks.

As for ‘how one changes from a high to a low voice’, I can only speak for myself when I say that it has a lot to do with squeezing or relaxing the muscles in my throat as I’m talking. I’ve never asked my team members how they change their voices, perhaps they have different methods. Because of all this ‘squeezing’ I actually prefer to do little boys voices in the morning rather then female voices – it’s easier on my throat. J

You obviously take great care of your voice. What health tips could you give for the voice?

I don’t smoke and I very rarely drink so those factors have never been a concern for me. I like to drink lots of water or herbal tea and I rarely stay up late. I’m not much of a partier so you won’t find me out in Lan Kwai Fong but on occasion I can be found on Xbox live having a late night of shooting, crashing or being killed! That may not have anything to do with taking care of my voice, but it sure is a great way to unwind.

Among the characters you have voiced, who is a) your favorite, b) the most challenging, and c) the most memorable, and why?

I think the character I liked best was the female incarnation of ‘Ranma’ in Ranma1/2. I thought that was a great series and was very sad to see the end of it. I enjoyed voicing her because she had reactions which were boy-like, which makes sense if you know the series. I also think she was one of my more challenging characters because I had to try and portray her the same way her ‘male’ half was portrayed. At the beginning of the series I often found myself thinking how would he [the male voice actor] sound if he said that line or did that reaction? The fact that we dub as a team helped me understand and play off my male counterpart in his male Ranma role.

I also found ‘Major Motoko Kusanagi’ from Ghost in the Shell challenging because I have a really hard time playing ‘straight’ characters; I like to be the ditzy or weird one. J

The most memorable character for me was a girl named ‘Remy’ that I played a few years ago. The cartoon was titled Nobody’s Girl and was about an orphan. In one scene her adopted uncle was dying of a heart attack and trying to reassure her, meanwhile she was in tears begging him not to die. At the end of that scene the male actor and I shed a few tears because we were so moved by her story. That’s my most memorable moment.

Would you recommend voice acting as a career? For you, what are the qualities of a voice actor?

Sure, I don’t see why not. Voice acting’s been good to me, but I also think I’m lucky in that I’m able to do it. I think a lot of people think that voice acting is just pure fun and that there’s no hard work involved, or that dubbing is ‘easy’. That’s not always the truth.

For me a good voice actor/actress should have a decent range of voices. For actresses this means they should be able to do an old woman’s voice, their own voice, a teenage girl, a teenage boy, a little girl and a little boy, plus a number of variations of all of those. The same goes for men, although not too many men can do a convincing little girl’s voice...

Any advice you would like to give to those who aspire to become voice actors?

Be professional about your work, show up on time and be productive, not disruptive in the workplace. Dubbing and voice work may sound like fun, but there’s a time for work and a time for play. J

[Catch Andrea's voice work in Chronicles of the Wings and Slam Dunk, Mon to Fri, 5-6pm.]

COMMENTARY: Qualities of a Voice Actor

REC © Hanamizawa Q-tarou/Shaft/TBS.

1. A voice actor should sound good on tape. Take note this does not have anything to do with a person's voice type. Preference for voice types ranging from high pitched to baritones is purely subjective ("listener's choice"). What I mean is that while your voice may sound good to your ears, its quality changes when recorded on tape. You have to sound just as good on tape as you do in real life.

2. A voice actor should have perfect enunciation. Voice actors should pronounce words correctly and clearly so that the listener understands every syllable that comes out of your mouth. In the case of English dubbing, any type of accent that causes a word/s to be mispronounced is a "no no". That is why a dictionary is a voice actor's best friend in case he is unsure as to how to pronounce a word. If you have a distinct accent, it's best to take speech studies first in order to correct it. For example, during his Mad Max days, actor Mel Gibson used to have a distinct Austalian accent, which he had lost years later after extensive speech training. Compare his voice in Mad Max to his latest films, including the animated ones he did, such as Pocahontas.

3. A voice actor should know how to speak properly. A voice professor once told me that there is little difference between singing and correct speaking. When you speak in the right way, the power of the voice is exerted not through the vocal cords, but via the diaphragm and respiratory muscles. If a dubber's voice sounds rough, strained, or excessively breathy, or just listening to them makes your throat ache, your ears wince, or makes you want to gasp along with them, chances are they are not employing correct vocal techniques. Learning vocal techniques from a voice coach will allow you to change the speed of line delivery, pitch, volume, timbre and tone of your voice effortlessly and without causing damage to your vocal cords. It is especially effective for those shouting and screaming scenes.

4. Be aware of any weaknesses. Newbie voice actors have a tendency to stutter, stammer, trip their tongues over words, or even run out of air in order to keep up with the "mouths" of the character on screen. Again, these flaws can be corrected by voice exercises.

5. Know how to correctly pronounce character names. I am particularly nitpicky about this because I've observed that western voice actors have problems pronouncing the names of Japanese characters. That is why it is best to listen to the original Japanese dialogue first in order to get the names right. The most common error is the way three0syllable names are pronounced. Except for a select few, most three-syllable Japanese names are pronounced with the accent on the FIRST syllable. Western dubbers always put the accent on the second syllable. So instead of saying "Ko-GU-re", it should be "KO-gure." "Sa-KU-ra" should be "SA-kura."

6. Know the character and interpret him/her the way you see fit. It is always important to get to know the character first -- like is the heroine the shy, quiet type or the tomboyish type, or the hero could be the boisterous type or the dark, brooding type. Researching by reading character profiles or, better yet, reading one or two manga volumes or watching one or two anime episodes will help you to understand him or her, so that you could correctly interpret his/her personality. NEVER COPY THE PERFORMANCE OF THE ORIGINAL JAPANESE VOICE ACTOR. Some diehard otaku always compare the seiyuu to the English voice actors. Judge voice actors ON THEIR OWN MERITS and NEVER basing it on the performances of others, even if they are the original talents to play the role.

7. Never make the mistake of dubbing an anime like a cartoon. Most cartoons are dubbed in a sing song, emphatic, over-the-top, or bombastic manner. Except for comedy anime and when certain scenes call for exaggerated expressions, dialogue is best delivered in a natural, conversational manner.

8. Foreign accents are a double-edged sword. If done effectively and applied to the right character, foreign accents are a boon to any production, aside from anime. However, to my horror, most voice actors make the mistake of going over the top with their accents or, worse, use them for characters who are of a different nationality altogether. The French accent is the most horridly abused of all foreign accents. If it is not spoken in an exaggerated manner that makes you think of that amorous skunk Pepe Le Pew, it is always used for villains, who end up sounding "cheesy" instead of "sleazy and sneaky". One good example is Van Argeno in Blood+. If you want to get the French accent right, pay close attention to how actors Jean Reno or Gerard Depardieu speak. Sorry, but I have to admit that while I was impressed with the accents used in Le Chevalier D'Eon, some of the characters to which they were used were wrong. For example, Louis XV's wife Marie Leszczynska is Polish and should not be speaking with a British accent.

9. Same with foreign accents, apply "special voices" to appropriate characters, but avoid stereotyping. Sounds contradicting, but allow me to explain. This is usually a problem for men. Admittedly, I am not fond of men pinching their voices to make it sound higher-pitched. While men with high-pitched voices are great for comedic characters, I wince whenever it is used for stereotypes, especially 1) sneaky, sleazy characters and 2) gay characters. Case in point, Chronicles of the Wing's Fye Flowright, especially in the second season. The use of the pinched voice did not suit Fye at all. Although "rumored" to be a gay character on account of his connection to the god Ashura, he is a refined intellectual which warrants a soft-spoken vocal performance with a sharp edge to it, something which the first voice actor was able to achieve. Another example is Kou Reishin in Colourcloud Palace. While he may have a penchant for sneakiness, the fact that he is a stern court official warrants a lower-pitched voice.

10. FINALLY, in voice acting, it's not how you "sound" that matters, but how you "act". You may have the versatility and the vocal chops of Robin Williams, but if you don't know how to use your voice to convey emotion and connect with and evoke emotion from your audience, then you are a failure as a voice actor. Let's take one Animax voice actor who is being dissed by some overly opinionated viewers just because he possesses a baritone voice. It is the opinion of many that a youthful character should always have a "young voice", but this is not true in real life. Some develop baritones and other low-pitched voices in their youth. So, arguably, a baritone can also be applied to a young, but mature character like Nomiya from Honey & Clover. In fact, baritone aside, the voice actor was not only able to capture Nomiya's maturity, but also his gentle compassion and sympathy towards Yamada. This made his performance very effective in my book. One very good exercise was shown in Sakura Wars, wherein Sakura was made to repeat one line over and over again, but in different emotions. Try getting a line from a book and practice saying it while happy, sad, lonely, angry, furious, etc. Believe me! It works!!

Still want to become a voice actor? The bottomline is it's still important to get an education, especially drama and speech studies. Professors will not only teach you voice techniques and exercises, but also how to take care of your voice. Last but not least, when you go around looking for voice jobs, don't limit yourself to dubbing anime. There are careers for voice talents in advertising and radio. Try to gain more experience, training, and broaden your horizons!

JIGOKU SHOUJO - GIRL FROM HELL (Season 2)

Do you really want to be scared? Watch Jigoku Shoujo 2 premiering from 23 Oct Tue 8pm (PH) 24 Oct Wed 10.30pm (S.E.A.) if you dare... http://hellgirl.animax-asia.com/

ANIMAX WALLPAPERS

New Boy's Love Magazine in Japan

It cannot be denied that the Boy's Love genre is one of the most popular among female manga and anime fans.

Mediation, a publisher in Japan will be launching a new Boy's Love magazine called "Hug" this May 12. The fans of this genre are looking forward to "Hug"'s release since the maiden issue will contain "Border" by Kazuma Kodaka ("Kizuna") and the highly anticipated "FAKE Second Season" by Sanami Matoh, the sequel to her popular FAKE series which was originally published by the now defunct Biblos and translated into English by TokyoPop. As a preview of the new series, Matoh has recently been publishing new chapters of FAKE in the re-release of the original manga. Lead characters Detectives Dee Laytner and Ryo MacLane are both sporting stylish new looks for the upcoming sequel.

From Clovers to Lions

If you were one of those who got hooked to the bittersweet romance manga and anime "Honey And Clover", you'll be very happy to learn that artist Chika Umino will be starting a new manga that is tentatively titled, "Sangatsu no Raion" or "The Lion of March".

According to Umino, "'Honey And Clover' is a story about a world I already knew without having to extend myself, whereas 'Sangatsu no Raion' is a story based on researching and hearing various stories about worlds I don't know."

More "Kyou Kara Maou" OVA News!

f you're a "Kyou Kara Maou"/"God (?) Save Our King" fan, you might as well save up your mucho dinero this early. October 26 marks the release of the first volume in the five-part "Kyou Kara Maou OVA". A special live event is planned for February 24, 2008 in Nippon Seinen-Kan in Tokyo, which would feature a talk show style interview with the original Japanese seiyuus. Plus, the voice talents will even be performing a vocal drama onstage live.

Also in conjunction with the release of the first OVA, there will be a special DVD Box of the first 11 episodes of the series. Set to hit video shelves on September 28, the DVD box has a lot of freebies including original cover art and postcards by original character designer Matsumoto Temari and animation character designer Kudo Yuka and a special CD of the live vocal drama performance from the 2004 Maou Birthday Festival.

Death Note Triumphs Anew!

The two live action films of the hugely popular "Death Note" saga continue to reap accolades. The first "Death Note Movie" recently won The Pegasus ("Le Pégase") audience award at the 25th Brussels International Festival of Fantastic Film in Belgium. "Death Note: The Last Name" was the runner-up. Ironically Director Shusuke Kaneko attended the festival as a juror. "I was surprised when my own name was called out." Meanwhile, it has been confirmed that Hideo Nakata, director of the original "The Ring" Trilogy will be directing the "Death Note" spinoff, tentatively titled "L", which is scheduled for release in 2008. Ken'ichi Matsuyama will be reprising his role of genius detective L, together with Erika Toda as Misa Amane. Death Note Movies Trivia: If you've watched the movies, you would've seen Takeshi Kaga's passionate portrayal of Yagami Souichiro, Light's father. Kaga has tried his hand at being a voice talent ("seiyuu"). He dubbed the voice of Jirarudan in "Pokemon 2000 – The Movie" and took over the Dr. Kiriko role (in place of original seiyuu Hayami Shou) in "Black Jack: Two Doctors of Darkness."

VOICE ACTING WITH ANIMAX: A DREAM COME TRUE FOR AN ANIME FAN!

Next to creating a manga or an anime, anime fans dream of becoming a seiyuu or voice actor. One such fan is Louis (not his real name), who is living his dream as one of the Animax voice talents. He is a member of the core group chosen to dub the Animax shows following the network's decision to go English. Louis has voiced a wide range of characters, both young and old, starting with Ginji Amano in GetBackers, Ranma Saotome in Ranma ½ and Capt. Shwanhelt Bulge in The Galaxy Railways.

Forum critics (who have no experience in dubbing) have the erroneous belief that voice acting is easy, that the dubbers just march into the studio and record. As Louis explains, this is not true. "People have to receive some special training before they can go into the dubbing career. The basic training is how to synchronize (speak/act) with the characters’ dialogue.

Firstly, you have to adjust your own speaking tempo and response quick enough in order to speak simultaneously as the characters do. Secondly, you must have the same mood as what the characters expressed in the stories and I think this is the hardest part. Thirdly, you have to adjust your own voice in order to match the characters’ age."

Before the voice actors record their parts, they undergo a "rehearsal", which entails watching the episode first. Says Louis, "This is very important. Without rehearsal, we cannot grasp what we need to perform. We do the rehearsal inside the studio together with the script."

Recording is done either individually or together with the team, depending upon the scene and could take from a few hours to a whole day. One difficult aspect of recording is timing their voices with the character's speaking on the screen. "This is the integration of reaction: your understanding the content of the dialogue, the coordination of your brain, eyes, and mouth. The rehearsal itself can make you better adapted to the dubbing situation."

Louis explains that voice acting is a challenging profession. "I have to dub different characters. Each character is new to me. Some of them are very demanding in skills and feeling."

Of course, Louis has his own favorites among the characters he had done. "I enjoyed doing the voice of Albert in The Count of Monte Cristo because it gave me the opportunity to do a serious character who portrayed a lot of emotions. He was innocent, and was forced to grow up quickly as a result of the situation he found himself in. Which of course is quite different from InuYasha, who’s a definite favorite of mine, because he’s more brash and sure of himself even in the face of mortal danger. Doing the voice of InuYasha really allowed me to let loose with my acting, and try to represent his personality through voice alone.

"The most challenging, the most difficult, character I’ve done so far has to be Yusuke Urameshi from Yu Yu Hakusho. Like InuYasha, I really had the ability to pour myself into the role, but on the other hand Yusuke had a lot more introspection. Sometimes, especially later in the series, there was a real human side to the character. Quiet and endearing. I found it challenging to portray so many sides of such a complex character."

Among the Animax projects he had been involved with, Louis enjoyed working on Ghost In The Shell: Stand Alone Complex. "The most memorable project we’ve worked on so far is definitely Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex and its sequel 2nd Gig. Unlike most of the anime I’ve worked on, this particular show is more like an animated television drama. This really gave the actors the ability to be a lot more serious about their characters in a dark, gritty show. The other great part about it is that the animation style and background that Shirow Masamune has created has both deep dramatic elements to it, as well as high-octane action. The double dose of drama and action really makes this project stand out in my mind."

The Animax dubbers have been receiving criticisms from certain fans who prefer the anime subtitled. However, for Louis and the Animax voice talents, they do not allow these criticisms to faze them and, instead, they learn from these constructive comments.

"A dubbing talent should be open and should not be afraid to face criticisms especially those constructive opinions," says Louis. "In fact this is good. It helps to improve your dubbing skills. We should be humble. If we think we are excellent and flawless, then we will make no progress. If this is the case, it would be a pity for ourselves."

(Rory would like to thank Animax Asia's Marlene Ee for her assistance in helping secure this interview with Louis. I do hope I'll get to interview the gentleman who dubs Black Jack and The Count of Monte Cristo as well.)

(For those who want to read the complete transcript of Rory's interview with Louis, you may visit her blog at http://animaxcafe.multiply.com)

Anime Spring Season 2007 - New Titles & Reviews

In

Japan

, spring is a season that is observed by both the Japanese and nature lovers from all over the world because of the lovely cherry blossoms. For the average otaku, however, spring means that a bumper crop of spanking new anime are sure to hit their TV screens.

Thanks to a relative living in

Okinawa

, I was able to preview some of these new anime. Believe me! If you're sick with pneumonia, what better way to recuperate than by watching these great new shows?

Anyway, the anime that you'll read here are my top picks. Hopefully, we'll get to see them on Animax very soon.

ROMEO X JULIET

Gonzo's Romeo X Juliet is certainly living up to all the hype surrounding it. Although it does not utilize the elaborate textures from Gankutsuou, the animation is still high quality as only the studio can deliver. The anime's main draw, however, is its refreshing plot, transforming Shakespeare's classic

Verona

into a breathtaking aerial city that combines Renaissance and hi-tech architecture. Another plus is the remaking of the characters, especially Juliet. If you are not a fan of the original dreamy-eyed rendition of the heroine, you will love the gutsy, martial arts assassin that she has been turned into. Little has been revealed about Romeo's character so far, but he seems to be a likeable young man who has developed a quick interest in Juliet with their first encounter. Fans (including yours truly) are eagerly awaiting the appearance of Romeo's nemesis Tybalt (said to be played with blood-chilling evil by talented Okiayu Ryoutarou). Romeo X Juliet is a definite must watch.

SEIREI NO MORIBITO

There are two anime with historical themes this spring. Production I.G's Seirei No Moribito is the first, using an Ancient Korea type setting. (The second is Koutetsu Sangokushi, which I really want to watch but, unfortunately, don't have a copy of.) The art closely resembles that of a previous offering Otogi Zoshi: The Legend Of Magatama, combining traditional animation with breathtaking CGI effects. But what leaves you hankering for more is the story.

Basra

(who looks like a gentler version of Saya from Blood: The Last Vampire) is a female warrior, who suddenly finds herself tasked with protecting a boy who has a spirit guardian slumbering inside his body. If the first episode is any indication, this anime promises a fantastic plot with a lot of action scenes. Needless to say, I am really dying to know what happens to

Basra

and her young ward as they go on their journey.

CLAYMORE

I must admit that I am not particularly fond of anime with women as lead characters (with the notable exception of Saya from Blood: The Last Vampire and Blood+), but I was truly impressed with Claymore. The plot is relatively simple: The world is being besieged by evil monsters, known as youma. These youma can only be defeated by a special breed of female warriors known as Claymores, who are half-human and half youma. I was practically blown away by the spectacular art and action scenes. Clare, the lead Claymore, is a formidable character whom you cannot help but admire for her bravery. It would be very interesting to see how this anime's story would progress.

DARKER THAN BLACK ~Kuro No Keiyakusha~

Out of the bumper crop of video games-turned-anime this season, I am thankful that there is a horror thriller among them. I must admit this anime reminds me of another series that I just finished watching recently called NightHead Genesis. Darker Than Black focuses on a psychic agent named Hei who, together with his blind partner Yin, is trying to unravel the secrets surrounding the enigmatic Hell's Gate that had given them their powers. I found myself getting glued to Darker Than Black because of the mysteries surrounding the characters and their relation to the Hell's Gate. Thankfully, unlike NightHead Genesis, it doesn't go into psychological mode, making the story still easy to follow.

LOVELY COMPLEX

I've always had a fondness for the animation style of One Piece. How appropriate that it is used for this hilarious anime that I am really enjoying immensely! Lovely Complex is a comedy about two friends Koizumi Risa and Atsushi Ootani. What makes them distinct is that Risa is a very tall girl (she's 170 cm in height) while Ootani is…well…short (at 156 cm). Because they also have a flair for comedy, they become known as the comedy duo in school. The appeal of the anime lies in that both Risa and Ootani are in a kind of duel to find a girlfriend/boyfriend, but always end up playing matchmaker to their blind dates. The question is: When will this statuesque beauty and her diminutive partner realize that they are meant for each other?

OTHER ANIME TO LOOK FORWARD TO

There are still a lot of brand new anime to look forward to, and which I'm harassing my nice relative to tape for me. Blue Dragon, the anime based on the XBox video game, looks pretty interesting, especially since one of its creators is Dragonball's Akira Toriyama. If you're one of those left hanging by the six episode Saint Beast OVAs, now you can look forward to more adventures (and shounen ai hints galore) in Saint Beast: Kouin Jojishi Tenshi Tan. Of course, expect more shenanigans from Haruhi Suzumiya and co. as the second season of The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya rolls in. Finally, if you're one of those disappointed by the tearful ending of Emma: A Victorian Romance, you can finally find out what happens to Emma and William's love affair as Emma: A Victorian Romance Second Act premieres this spring. I definitely know whom I'll be rooting for, and it's definitely not William. I'd really like to see Emma end up with dashing butler, Max. If you want to see what Max looks like, head on over to the official website at http://www.emma-victorian.com

Anime Encourages Creativity Among Fans

Fans are a unique breed of Homo sapiens. Once something in media catches their hearts – whether it be an anime, a manga, a video game, TV show, or a celebrity, they become living, breathing parts of its universe. When they meet individuals who share their interests, they create a thriving community known as a "fandom."

Fandoms can be seen in many different forms in the anime universe. A good example of these are the various cosplay communities, which exist in every corner of the glove. There are two specific communities that have received both high praises and criticisms, particularly from manga and anime producers and distributors. These are the fanfic and fanart communities.

Fanfic artists and fan artists are ordinary people who, inspired by their favorite anime, pay tribute to it by writing stories and drawing pictures based within the universe of said anime. While most fanfics and fanarts are fairly simple, you also stumble upon rare gems – fanfics that are exceptionally written and whose plots even surpass that of the original's and fanarts that are visually stunning that they could qualify as masterpieces. On the Internet, there are thousands of sites hosting fanfics and fanarts, and they are truly a joy to explore. A number of prominent authors – Stephen King and J.K. Rowling, just to name two – have visited such sites and even gave encouragement to these budding talents.

Sadly, many publishers and other media companies have sought to squash fanfic writers and fan artists with the full force of intellectual property laws. However, fanfics and fanarts continue to flourish, and whether the powers that be want to admit it or not, these writers and artists actually help promote an anime or manga by generating greater interest among the public. After all, if an anime could inspire these talented individuals to write these exceptional stories and draw these fantastic arts, then it really must be THAT good.

Fanfics and fanarts have become steppingstones for writers and artists to go original. In Japan, a number of artists who have done fan manga (known as "doujinshi") have gone on to become legitimate manga artists. Good examples are artists who belong to the shounen ai/Boy's Love genre. Mangakas (manga artists) like Kazuma Kodaka, Youka Nitta and Naono Bohra had done doujinshis of Slam Dunk, Naruto and Prince of Tennis, just to name a few. Even anime director Mahiro Maeda recognizes the talents of these artists. Former doujinshikas (doujinshi artists) banded together to come up with "Gankutsuou Comic Anthology" in tribute to Gankutsuou (Known in Asia and India as The Count of Monte Cristo). Mahiro Maeda himself wrote an introduction to the compilation.

This said, how could such a well-spring of talent remain unexplored?

Now, Animax is finally tapping into this pool of talent with the first ever "Animax Awards Pan-Asian Animation Competition". This time, they have expanded the area of competition to include entries from select countries in Asia.

If you are a writer or an artist, here is your opportunity to fulfill your dream of seeing your story come alive as an anime. For contest details, visit http://www.animaxawards.com. Don't let this once in a lifetime opportunity pass you by! Send your entry in now!

Major Anime Studios Announce Big Projects!

Three top anime studios in Japan recently announced big projects that they have planned for release this year.

Production I.G., which is celebrating its 20^th Anniversary this year, will be premiering its latest 26-episode anime series Seirei No Moribito ("Guardian of the Sacred Spirit") on April 7. Based on the original novel by Nahoko Umehashi, the anime will be helmed by Ghost In The Shell: Stand Alone Complex director Kenji Kamiyama. The anime already has its own website, which you can check out at http://www.moribito.com In line with the studio's 20^th Anniversary, they will be premiering the anime Ghost Hound, which is written by the creator of Ghost In The Shell himself Shirow Masamune.

Studio Ghibli's big announcement is that they will be co-producing (with Toho) Hayao Miyazaki's next full-length animation feature Gake No Ueno Ponyo ("Ponyo On A Cliff"), which is slated for release in July, 2008. This tells the story of an unlikely friendship between a 5-year old boy and a mermaid. The film is probably the most personal that Miyazaki will direct because the story draws upon his experiences with his eldest son Goro Miyazaki (who is himself an anime director) when he was five years old.

Following the huge success of Death Note, Madhouse has several big projects lined up. One major project is the anime version of the ultra-violent samurai manga Shigurui. They have also confirmed that there will be a sequel to the popular Cannes Festival nominated film, Nasu: Summer In Andalusia, with Studio Ghibli's Yoshida Kenichi serving as animation director. This time, the sequel will find champion biker Pepe Benengeli competing in the prestigious Utsunomiya Japan Cup. One Madhouse production that anime fans are looking forward to is the anime version of the hit PS2 game Devil May Cry. Seiyuu fans are especially anticipating the June 14 premiere of the anime because it boasts the voice talents of Morikawa Toshiyuki (Conrad Weller of Kyou Kara Maou) as Dante and Akio Ohtsuka (the award-winning seiyuu of Black Jack) as Morrison. Morimori-san (as Morikawa is lovingly called by his fans) is no stranger to game dubbing. He is credited as the voice actor for popular Final Fantasy VII villain, Sephiroth.

Black Jack Trivia

Are you a huge fan of Black Jack like I am? You're probably not aware of this but the Black Jack series that Animax is presently airing features cameo appearances of creator Osamu Tezuka's most popular characters. In Karte 20 "Tetsu of the Yamanote Line", AstroBoy and Inspector Tawashi make a brief "walk through" appearance in the scene where Tetsu (who is more popularly known as Daddy Walrus on AstroBoy) is running down the stairs of the train station as he tries to escape from a couple of angry pickpockets. Princess Sapphire is one of supercomputer U-18's patients in Black Jack: 4 Miracles of Life. One particularly memorable episode is Karte 23: "Love in the Pouring Rain", which was aired last week. Dr. Kiyomi Shimizu's brother Okuro is actually Hyakkimaru from Tezuka's popular samurai manga, Dororo. The design of Hyakkimaru served as the basis for the creation of Dr. Black Jack. Even the blanket that Black Jack used in that same episode had the "same anchors on violet background" design that Tezuka originally used for Hyakkimaru's kimono. Needless to say, Black Jack fans have remarked that seeing Hyakkimaru and Black Jack together in one anime episode is like seeing twins.

Kyou Kara Maou!/God(?) Save Our King!

If you're one of those fans who are hankering for more Kyou Kara Maou!/God(?) Save Our King!, you'll be delighted to know that a 5-episode OAV is currently in production in Japan.

Although very little is known about these OAVs, I've heard from a reliable source that joining Shibuya Yuuri, Wolfram von Bielefelt, Conrad Weller and co. in this limited series is King Saralegui of Small Shimaron, who was first introduced in the very popular KKM Playstation 2 Game and who has acquired quite a number of loyal female fans. Not surprising, since he is quite a cute bespectacled young blond who could give Wolfram a run for his money. If you want to see how he looks like, I highly recommend you proceed to Portrait of A Demon King at

http://pdk.broken-sunshine.net/index.php

Check out the link labeled "PS 2 Game Images". He's the long-haired blond guy wearing lavender shades. I must admit that what has made me curious is how Saralegui became quite a hunk from the old fart that he was in the series. Just check out the re-air of the episode where Yuuri was able to get the first Forbidden Box. Saralegui was the old guy being shown around by "Cropped Pony" Bad Guy Maxine.