The recent theft of costumes and props from an AKB48 set highlights an interesting behavioral pattern. Viewed in a harsh light, it might be seen as a kind of voodoo, a ritual shamanism: obtaining relics of important people so as to be nearer to them and draw upon their power.

Mainichi Japan concludes its article on the incident with a tell-tale quote: “We intended to sell the items after getting tired of looking at them.” At once the frivolity of the exercise is laid bare: having no practical use for girls’ clothing or specially made signboards, all the boys really could do is look at the objects.

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The whole principle is wrong; it’s like demanding that grown men live on skim milk because the baby can’t eat steak.

- Robert Heinlein (commonly attributed to Mark Twain)

Fans raged on twitter and IRC channels today as FUNimation announced that Dance in the Vampire Bund DVDs would be released censored. Ordinarily, broadcast versions of risque anime are censored, and DVD versions contain the full content as an extra enticement for fans to purchase the DVDs. In an age of increasing backlash against the sexualization of minors, however, FUNimation may be feeling the pressure to conform to Western social norms.

The announcement was made at the official FUNimation blog:

After viewing the unedited as well as the Japanese broadcast edit of the series Dance in the Vampire Bund, we have determined the series contains controversial elements which, when taken out of context, could be objectionable to some audiences.

With this in mind and with approval of the licensor, we will edit select scenes from the series in streaming and home entertainment release. These are scenes which are inappropriate for U.S. viewing and are not essential to the storyline.

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Good artists copy; great artists steal.

- Attributed to Pablo Picasso

What is the difference between copying something and stealing it?  To copy is to mimic, to ape, at all steps being cognizant of the fact that the thing you are copying is not your own.  To steal is to take something and make it your own.  Therein lies the fundamental difference in attitude between the technically competent and the great: an artist who merely copies without making a work his own has not imparted his own style and has not truly produced something worthy of being called art.  He is a failure as an artist.  A great artist, no matter how much he may superficially use the styles of others, leaves his own mark on things.

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Okay, I realize that despite all of the kind words & love shared about on these pages pertaining to the origin of our excellent mascot, that it perhaps requires explanation. To be completely honest, a lot of this screed comes from where we as lovers of such a medium come to get our regular fix. Whether it be within the confines of a local video outlet, or from the comfort of our own homes. Whether we enjoy harem shows, or straight slice-of-life dramas. The fact of the matter remains that Lucky Star never had a chance in a Top Ten of my composition.

And so comes the requisite “Whys” that this recent icon has slipped the grasp of this potentially perplexed writer.

So fess up. Did you just not enjoy Lucky Star? What the what?

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Our correspondent Kona-chan (tukasakagami) just informed us that thanks to Lucky Star and its usage of the shrine at the Town of Washimyiya, Saitama, they have gained 10 billion yen in total thanks to the Lucky Star Phenomenon.

We all know that Otaku from all over Japan travels to the shrine thanks to the success of the anime. The highest number of visitors reached 450,000.

Knowing that aside from the New Years Pilgrimage, usually people don’t really care to go to shrines in Japan. But thanks to Lucky Star, the amount of visitors going to the shrine has been amazing.

A certain Mr. Sakata sold sweet buns to the visitors.

Cards of the Hiiragi sisters were sold for great success.

The number of people increased 50000 to 1400000 in ‘08.

Just goes to show the power of anime, eh?

For rest of the facts and stats, see Manichi JP.

In case you didn’t know this already, a 15 year-old-guy, a high school freshmen, (allegedly) publiclly raped a 26-year-old woman in broad daylight in Toledo, Ohio, last week (no, it’s not quite current news).

Courtesy of CNN

 

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I just feel that I have to say something, particularly because I enjoyed Detroit Metal City Anime and its antics. But this is…Just wrong, man.

Article by Toledo Blade

Article by the Associated Press via The San Diego Union-Tribune, LLC

Mary Mitchell’s column on Chicago Sun-Time page

Oh Crap.

Ahem…

As promised on my mother site, this is the unfettered, unbound version of a Top Ten TV Anime Of The 2000’s I’ve been stewing over since December. Not all of these favorites may be surprises by any stretch, but the reason behind these choices might make some eyebrows defy gravity. (But then wasn’t that pretty much how this whole decade played itself out?)

So let’s get down to it. These are the winners, the champions, the survivors of the ever-brutal Zeroes(2000-2009). So break out the plastic, it just might get a little juicy in here! (don’t forget to hit Show for all the gory details!)

Let The Carnage Begin !(Click Me First)
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Is Pat Robertson moe?

Is Kafuka Fuura moe?

On the surface, these are unrelated questions.  And yet, there are more similarities between the two than may be apparent at first glance.

Not, in fact, Pat Robertson.

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A certain “Yui Horie 堀江 由衣” signed “her” name for the Claymore Season 2 petition:

Fun stuff. Please sign the petition – Instruction is here.

Claymore manga and merchandise at Toylet, Claymore DVDs at Just Manga, At Amazon (with reviews), Collectables and Character Songs CD at CDJapan

Here’s the signature from “Kaori Mizuhashi 水橋かおり/水橋香里” – Ogiue Chika from Genshiken manga and Genshiken Season 2 below.

I wish they’d use better nicknames. But anyway, we’re over the 10,000 mark. Let’s make 15,000 so they will know we are really serious!

…is actually pretty amusing, I have to admit. This is how you sell a show that might encounter a skeptical audience here for various reasons. Including characters not wearing any pants. Moe anime tends to be popular in the blogosphere but less so when it comes to actual DVD sales and so it’s understandable that they’ll have to take a different tack.

I can only imagine what an English ad for Queen’s Blade might have to be like.

(HT: Janaiblog)