I just had to make a reference to Douglas Adams here somewhere when it came to this episode…our 42nd as Anime Diet Radio! And because it’s so special, it’s also extra long, at over an hour and with a 7 minute extra reel to go along with it. In this episode, we talk about one serious news item–the breakup of ADV–and two more about the wackiness of Japan’s first lady and what just might be lurking in that closet of yours. You never know who might be hiding in there, an angel or a homeless middle-aged woman….
Our roundtable is special, because the topic was suggested one of our listeners! “dork at large” deserves credit for giving us the idea to talk about the “5 animes you must see before you die.” We’d also like to get your input, dear listeners, as to what you think everyone ought to watch before they die. Send us your comments!
We’d also like to take the time to inform our podcast audience that Anime Diet is indeed hiring new writers! If you are interested, send two sample articles to writers@animediet.net, and we will consider your application. We’re looking for writers who can update regularly and who can write well, so send us your best!
Finally–a special shout-out to our listener Aaya, who sent us some adorable fanart inspired by our ramblings. You saw at at the beginning of this article, and you can download that pic and close-ups of it here [http://animediet.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/aaya_fanart_animediet.zip]. Thanks so much! We love it. (Any resemblances or non-resemblances to the hosts’ real-life personae are purely or not purely coincidental.)
Show Order
- (00:00) Introduction
- (04:25) News 1: The Breakup of ADV Films
- (15:17) News 2: Japan’s Strange First Lady
- (23:20) News 3: The “Angel” in the Closet
- (33:49) Mailbag
- (45:02) Roundtable: 5 Anime to Watch Before You Die
- (67:06) Conclusion
Xtras Reel Order
- (00:00) “The Stuff”–a cheesy 80s horror movie
- (00:48) The Prime Minister and Thunderbirds
- (01:38) More on Cowboy Bebop
- (03:11) On Rumiko Takahashi and the harem genre
- (04:49) Honorable Mentions for Top 5 Anime
- (07:03) Chocolate Panic Picture Show
Show Notes
- –OP, ED are from Princess Lover.
- –ADV Films’ breakup is explained in some detail both at ANN [http://is.gd/3aYvB] and at Videobusiness.com [http://is.gd/3aYAE].
- –The depths of the First Lady’s kookiness is found at none other than the New York Times Lede Blog [http://is.gd/3aYEF] and the Times (of London) [http://is.gd/3aYJk]. Real news sources for a change!
- –Sankaku Complex [http://is.gd/3aYPz] carries the rather old and odd story about the homeless woman living in the closet.
Comments and Trackbacks
So it seems my comment spam… er, I mean, witty remarks, managed to inspire a discussion.
In regards to your recent post which mentioned a “…divide at this year’s SDCC between Twilight fangirls” and comics fanboys — I say bring on the fangirls. Let the fandom grow. It would not bother me if people who fall outside the mainstream comics demographic show up at non-anime conventions. The way I figure it, if the only people who attend cons are the people who like all-plot, no-fanservice science fiction, or people who like serious comic books with ridiculously proportioned characters, then the audience will slowly fade. (Hopefully that sentence made sense.)
A somewhat related thought on why I’m okay with fangirls in cons: If you follow mainstream video games, then you’ve probably noticed that since 2004 or so, there’s been concerted efforts to publish games which don’t appeal to the audience who likes Halo and Grand Theft Auto. There’s some cynics who may say this has ruined video game fandom. To them, I say, “Go away.” I’d rather have the option of purchasing a game like Diss and Make Up for the DS, then be stuck with the same old action/MMO/FPS games. And besides, if certain weird people in the media want to portray all gamers as obnoxious, violent idiots… then doesn’t it make sense to publish games which appeal to parents, kids, and girls?
I know there’s some Higurashi fans on the Anime Diet podcast. Some months after most of the original visual novels were fan translated, they are now planned for an official translation. Would you be willing to pay for an official release of this version of Higurashi?
If you want a complex topic to tackle in your next episode, here’s one that’s been on my mind: difficulties in being both a Christian and an anime fan. I’ve struggled with this for years. I’ve been a believer, but I’ve been pestered by the thought that God is afraid of art, sex, and weird fanboys. This is complex. What do you think?
Oh great…That’s just what we need…one less anime distributor in america. *cries*
and by the way….I am a girl! gosh.
If she eats the sun does that imply shes part plant and eats using photosynthesis? If so what kind of plant do you think she is…? Venus Fly Trap perhaps?
Anime’s for torture…hmmm perhaps strike witches..wait… guys would probably enjoy small girls with no pants and explosions.
Hey, more than one reply per post. That’s great.
I didn’t realize until it was too late that my first reply didn’t really have paragraph breaks. Hopefully you can tell where each paragraph was supposed to start.
It’s funny that none of you guys mentioned Ranma 1/2 in your roundtable. It’s like all the big anime genres in one show. Plus the show is THE anime crackstory. Eh to each his own
Azumanga Daioh’s one I would recommend as well. It’s not so much how it affected anime as a whole as how it was just so well done.
And Grave of the Fireflies. Always, always Grave of the Fireflies.
I eat the sun every morning and the moon at night. Har har har juz kidding.
I’d recommend ef, a tale of memories for a more refined style.
I just wanted to say that I really appreciated this episode. I’m not usually a enthusiastic about top five lists of any variety, but your roundtable discussion of the five anime each of you recommend otaku to watch before they die was excellent. I was quite impressed by that segment! Try to keep discussion a part of your future lists!