Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan on VIZAnime.com and Hulu

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), is showing Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan on VIZAnime.com just hours after the episodes are shown in Japan.
This will happen every Monday.

The videos are hosted on Hulu, as you can see on the player at VIZAnime.com.
After getting to the page, I waited...and waited...and got nothing on the player but a black screen.

So I went to Hulu and did a search on Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan, found the page there and it loaded right up.

Maybe VIZAnime.com was just having a glitch that day.

By the way, it says on the Hulu site...
" Each Monday Hulu will add -- direct from Japan -- subtitled episodes of Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan, one episode per week immediately following their original Japanese airdates."

So if you go to VIZ and can't see the anime, just go to Hulu.



Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan on VIZAnime.com and Hulu, posted to http://anime-times.blogspot.com/ on July 7th, 2010

Are Anime and Manga Going Live Action?

Since DC and Marvel are rolling out (usually successful) films based on their superheroes, why wouldn't Hollywood start mining Anime?
Well they are.
Steven Spielberg is working on Ghost in the Shell, James Cameron is working on Battle Angel Alita, Peter Segal and Michael Ewing are working on Bleach and The Hughes Brothers are working on Akira.

Over at indieWIRE, guest blogger Cameron Carlson has an article about the upcoming live action films based on Anime, and a whole lot more that are in development...

" Would you buy a ticket for a big-budget, live-action anime feature? What if there were four of them released at the same time? That could be the plight facing anime fans in 2011, and while the fans of japanimation recognize the difference between a cyborg and a mobile battle suit, the general public does not."

You can read the full article here:
http://blogs.indiewire.com/thompsononhollywood/2010/05/04/anime_next_big_thing/

So with that in mind, here are a few Anime/Manga projects that have already made the leap to the big screen...

Lady Snowblood (1973)
Based on the manga by writer Kazuo Koike and artist Kazuo Kamimura.
There was a sequel, Lady Snowblood 2: Love Song of Vengeance in 1974, and a science fiction remake in 2001, released in the US as The Princess Blade.
Quentin Tarantino has said the film was a major inspiration for his Kill Bill films.

The Guyver (1991)
Based on the Bio-Booster Armor Guyver manga series written by Yoshiki Takaya, it spawned a sequel, Guyver: Dark Hero in 1994.

City Hunter (1993)
A Hong Kong martial arts action comedy film based on the manga series written and illustrated by Tsukasa Hojo.
Notable because it starred Jackie Chan as Ryo Saeba.

Hana Yori Dango (1995)
Based on the shōjo manga series Boys Over Flowers by Yoko Kamio
In 2008, Hana Yori Dango Final was released in theatres on as the end of the live action Japanese TV series.

Crying Freeman (1995)
A French and Canadian produced action film based on the manga by Kazuo Koike & Ryoichi Ikegami.

Blue (2001)
A Japanese romantic drama based on the manga Blue by Kiriko Nananan.

Blue Spring (2001)
A Japanese film based on a manga by Taiyō Matsumoto.

Doing Time (2002)
Based on the manga by Kazuichi Hanawa.

Cutie Honey (2004)
Starring Japanese model Eriko Sato and based on the manga and anime series Cutie Honey.

A Battle of Wits (2006)
This Hong Kong historical action drama film, was based upon a Japanese historical novel and a manga series written by Hideki Mori.

Death Note (2006)
Not one, but three films were based on the manga and anime series by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata.
Death Note was released on June 17, 2006, Death Note: The Last Name was released on November 3, 2006 and a spin-off L: Change the World, was released on February 9, 2008.
This film is one of those set for a remake by Warner Bros.

Dragonball Evolution (2009)
Based of course on the Japanese manga and anime series written and illustrated by Akira Toriyama.
Despite the fact the film flopped at the box office, with critic and with fans, there is a sequel rumored

The Top Ten Anime Girls, Sakura, But Which One?

Well the number one female anime / manga character on this list is kinda hard to figure out.
At number seven, we had Sakura from Naruto.
But, the name Sakura comes in at number one.
Is it Naruro's Sakura?
Or is it Sakura Kinomoto, from Cardcaptor Sakura?
That's the question.

Is it Sakura Haruno from Naruto?

It looks like both of them have a loyal fanbase, and with both being named Sakura, how can I tell the difference?
I really hate ties, I like to see one clear winner, but the only thing I can think of is to call it a draw and list both Naruto's Sakura and Cardcaptor's Sakura as a tie for number one.

Is it Sakura Kinomoto, from Cardcaptor Sakura?

This is kinda like DC comics and Marvel both having a character named Batman, and trying to figure out which companies character is the most popular.

Personally, I'd have to give the nod to Sakura Haruno from Naruto, but like I said Sakura Kinomoto seems to have just as much popularity.

Or is it this?

Of course since Sakura means Cherry Blossom, so maybe it's just that cherry trees are really popular.

The Top Ten Anime Girls, Sakura, But Which One? , posted to http://anime-times.blogspot.com/ on April 16th, 2010.

The Top Ten Anime Girls - Eve - Black Cat

Number Two - Eve (Black Cat)

Eve, the genetically engineered bio-weapon that looks like a young girl from the Anime and Manga Black Cat comes in at number number two on the list.
Using nanotechnology Eve can transform her body into various types of offensive and defensive weapons.
At first she could only do parts, but later, she developed the ability to transform her entire body into a weapon, though it puts quite a strain on her.

You have to admit, having a person on your side that can turn her arms into blades, hammers, shields etc., and turn her hair into fists and more blades, turn her skin into steel, sprout wings and swim underwater like a mermaid has it's advantages.

Eve was raised to be an emotionless killing machine and designed to be the ultimate soldier.

She is usually called "Princess", or "Hime-chan" by Train.

Eve versus Leon (Black Cat)



Eve - Black Cat, posted to http://anime-times.blogspot.com/ on April 1st, 2010

Roobarb Anime Wallpapers

Roobarb picture

Roobarb and custard image

Roobarb and custard wallpaper

Bobby Hill Anime Wallpapers

Bobby Hill cartoon

Bobby Hill the movie picture

Bobby Hill photo

Bobby Hill alone picture

Clangers Anime Wallpapers

Clangers picture

Clangers wallpaper

Clangers anime gallery

Clangers the movie

Pucca Anime Wallpapers

Pucca wallpaper

Pucca picture

Pucca poster

Pucca image

Angelica Pickles - Best Anime Wallpapers

Angelica Pickles picture

Angelica Pickles the movie

Angelica Pickles wallpaper

Danger Mouse Anime Wallpapers

Danger Mouse picture

Danger Mouse photo

Danger Mouse anime

Naruto Live Action

Naruto Live Action
via Sankaku Complex:

Universal Studios Japan has just announced its live action cast for their adaptation of the hugely popular and never seems to end anime Naruto.
The actors have been selected for a stage play to feature at the Universal Studio Japan theme park. The play will run from late summer till end August and will feature animated video sequences as well.

I wonder if Hollywood has set their eyes on Naruto yet.... since there were other adaptations the likes of King of Fighters, Blood the Last Vampire, Dragonball, Street Fighter...

The Top Ten Anime Girls,Orihime Inoue (Bleach)

Number 3. Orihime Inoue (Bleach)

Number three on the list is Orihime Inoue from the anime and manga series Bleach created by Tite Kubo.

Besides the manga and anime series, Orihime has appeared in Bleach video games and animated films.
Her likeness has also been made into items like action figures, figurines, key chains and you can even buy replicas of her ever present hair pins.
She has also ranked very high in popularity polls among readers.
Outside of Bleach, she has appeared in Gin Tama created by Hideaki Sorachi.

Bleach: Excellent Model Series Inoue Orihime & Yoruichi PVC Figure 1/8 Scale

The Top Ten Anime Girls, Misa Amane / Death Note

Misa Amane, Manga

Number 4. Misa Amane (Death Note)

The Japanese manga, anime and film series Death Note was created by writer Tsugumi Ohba and illustrator Takeshi Obata.
The female protagonist in the Death Note series, Misa Amane, is very popular.
Popular enough to come in at number 4 at least.

Misa Amane, Anime

In the series, Misa is a famous model, singer and actress and is infatuated with Light Yagami.
She usually refers to herself in the third person by calling herself "Misa-Misa" to be cute and she leans toward being hyperactive.

Misa Amane, Film

In the film adaptations of Death Note, Death Note (2006), Death Note: The Last Name (2006) and the spin off movie, L: Change the World (2008) , Misa was portrayed by Erika Toda.

The Top Ten Anime Girls, Chi

Number 5. Chi (Chobits)

Chi (or Chii) is a character from the manga and anime series Chobits, that also appears in the series Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle and Kobato.
She is a Chobit (a persocom or personal computer) created by Ichiro Mihara.
The name Chobit comes from her creator who called anything "small and hopelessly adorable" Chobi.
So two Chobi, Chi and her sister Freya, became "Chobits".

Chobits - Persocom (Vol. 1)

The Top Ten Anime Girls, Yuki Nagato

http://blogs.ign.com/foxrevolution/2008/03/29/85340/


6. Yuki Nagato (The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya)

The catgirl Yuki Nagato from The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya comes in at number six on the list.
This introverted, but supernaturally powered young lady seems to be pretty popular.
She's popular enough that several PVC Statues of her have been released, one of which you can see below.

Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya Yuki Nagato White Bunny 1/6 Scale Figure

The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, Vol. 1

Training with Hinako

Training with Hinako
[Issho-ni Training] or [いっしょにとれーにんぐ]
via Dannychoo and SankakuComplex:
For those of you guys out there who need motivational help in exercising, Issho-ni Training puts you in the company of bra-less Hinako who'll work out with you... (no, not on you...)Thousands of otakus have jumped on the wagon to Amazon.com to get their hands on this anime DVD for a modest ¥2,100 (approx. S$33.00).
Sankaku advised to expect a rapid succession of sequels and the inevitable game adaptions to following... A very good Marketing franchise is born...

View the anime clip below and judge for yourself how much you'll be attracted to the fluid motion of the charminly athletic Hinako~


DVD is available at Amazon Japan here: Issho-ni Training.

Watch the Otaku below as he follows the workout routine with Hinako:


Q: Also good for learning how to say in Japanese from 1 until 24...

The Top Ten Anime Girls, Sakura

I'm dead sexy.....

The seventh most popular anime girl is Sakura from Naruto.
Really?
I don't see it.
I guess she has a nice personality.

I mean even Masashi Kishimoto says he has had difficulty drawing her, resulting in her having a huge forehead.
But she ranked high enough to be number seven.

Dragon Ball Kai

Dragon Ball Kai
龙珠改
via AniDB.net and Wikipedia

Just premiered on the 5th April 2009, Dragon Ball Kai is a remastered version of the original animation - Dragon Ball - in celebration of its 20th anniversary.
Formatted with extended frames for HDTV, sound effects was updated, the opening and ending were completely redone, and the original Japanese cast was re-grouped to re-voice the show, where available (unfortunately not including those that has passed on, such as Hirotaka Suzuoki [Tenshinhan] ).
New content features a brief look at the last moments of Bardock (Goku's father), and Planet Vegeta (planet of the Saiyans), and also an overview of young Goku's growing up years (Dragon Ball, the pre-Z period) until his victory over King Piccolo (比克大魔王) at the Tenkaichi-Bokudai (天下第一武道会).

What went missing is that young Goku's little willy wouldn't be going on TV~

Bardock (Father of Goku);

The Dragon Ball Kai story is re-edited (from the orginal Dragon Ball Z footage) to more closely follow Akira Toriyama's original manga. There will be no fillers, hence resulting in a faster-moving story-development. Kai begins with the invasion of the Saiyans~



Fast Facts via Wikipedia:

Dragon Ball : 153 episodes from 26 February 1986 to 12 April 1989, covering the first 16 volumes of the 42 volume manga series written and illustrated by Akira Toriyama.

Dragon Ball Z : 291 episodes from 26 April 1989 to 31 January 1996, final 26 volumes of the 42 volume manga series.

Dragon Ball GT : 64 episodes from 2 February 1996 to 19 November 1997, produced by Toei Animation and not based on the manga.

All in all, the Dragon Ball legacy is a total of 508 episodes (excluding the special episodes), lasting 11 years~ this is one anime title I grew up with~ ^^

The Top Ten Anime Girls, Galatea

http://www.animegalleries.net/

8. Galatea from the Claymore anime.

Claymore is a dark fantasy manga series written and illustrated by Norihiro Yagi and a twenty-six episode anime directed by Hiroyuki Tanaka.
One of the more kind-hearted Claymores, Galatea starts out in the series as Claymore Number 3.
She is able to sense other Claymores from a long distance, read their emotions, and see their actions as if she were there.

Claymore, Starter Set (includes Vol. 1)

The Top Ten Anime Girls, Rei Ayanami

9. Rei Ayanami
If you don't know what Neon Genesis Evangelion is, you must be new to anime.
Rei Ayanami is just one of the characters in the series.
But the pilot of Evangelion Unit 00 appears to be very popular.
Just based on sculptures alone, everybody seems to want her in some form.