Impressions: Master Keaton – The Half Blood Prince

So there are occasionally shows that seem to float around the Otakusphere like poorly kept secrets and creep up every time someone mentions a latent desire for a particular brand of program that isn’t widely represented in anime. Master Keaton is one of those shows. Now, I’ll admit that I’d heard about Master Keaton well […]

Otakon or Bust

I’m going down to Okaton. Going to eat me lots of… dangos? Pocky? What is the preferred food of anime conventions anyway? So yes, for the second time of my life I am actually going to an anime convention and I’m pretty excited. I mean it’s not a real big stretch, I live 20 miles […]

On Mecha design and heroes

So The Animanachronism’s recent post on the nature of mecha brought to mind a set of posts I did a while back on the role of the citizen solider and the Arthurian hero in anime (a set of posts I’m still a bit proud of.) It’s got me thinking about what is the role of […]

In My View: On PiQ, ADV and sentimentalism

So I meant to write this when it was a bit more topical, but I got distracted by Final Fantasy V. And to be honest, there’s something really fun about 16-bit graphics and turned-based combat. Something that reminds me of a time before computer RPGs got complicated by having to make sure you hit the […]

Shampoo Planet: The siren song of Ergo Proxy

So I’m seriously starting to question my taste. Ever since I ventured into the Otakusphere last October, I’ve seen almost nothing but derision for Ergo Proxy. I’ve seen it called heavy-handed, tedious and downright coma-inducing. In fact, the only good thing I ever read about it came from Anime Sophist, who called it the best […]

In My View: The myth of supporting the industry

(Please note: I’m arguing from a Libertarian ethical standpoint. Your mileage may vary.) So there’s been something that’s been bothering me for the last couple of months, but I haven’t really been able to put a finger on it. It wasn’t until I watched the special features on the Haruhi DVDs that it struck me. […]

In My View: Escapism? Don’t we all need a break sometimes?

“A lot of people don’t like their job Peter. What is important is finding something that does make you happy.” – Roughly quoted from Office Space First before I write this post, I want to apologize to the women for butting into their conversation. But I think they’ve offered a fascinating range of views on the idea of escapism and how people […]

My take on Haruhism

“Yeah, right… What’s a cubit?” – Noah to God in a Bill Cosby sketch I’ve always had a fascination with religion. Now, I’m not a really religious person, I’ve just been a bit too skeptical for that, but I don’t fault anyone who is. In fact, I tend to find it more a failing with […]