6 Lessons from The Rose of Versailles

We dreamed the impossible dream: someone licensing  The Rose of Versailles. But against all odds that dream came true. If you remember back in October, we submitted some questions to Riyoko Ikeda when the series was licensed by Nozomi Entertainment and even posted our questions in celebration of the announcement. Now that the first DVD set is out we’ve decided to remind you to picked them up.

The Rose of Versailles is more than just one of the seminal shojo series that has shaped countless titles. It is also a wonderous and unique life manual filled with universal truisms and precautionary tales for any age.

Oh. Watch out. We so have some major spoilers for the series beyond the death of historical characters whose deaths should be shocking to no one.

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REPOST – The Speakeasy #008: The Joker, Making Sense of Humor

Drink #008: The Joker,
Making Sense of Humor

We are talking about comedy this month. We are not talking about the Shakespearean comedy, the Divine Comedy, or the Studio 4C short film but comedy as it relates to anime. So often anime comedy strikes viewers as quite different than the comedy they are used to but why is the question. What about the aesthetic makes it so different from the comedy we know? What makes it so different from the comedy you see on Japanese dramas as well? We will also examine the different styles of humor you see in anime. Plus the most important question: Why do people think K-ON! is funny?

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And now your helpful bartenders at The Speakeasy present your drink:

The Joker

2 shots vodka
2 shots cointreau
2 shots advocaat
6 parts orange soda
Top up with lemonade

Mix together with lots of ice and stir.

The April 2013 Line-Up

This is one of those months where most of the news I remember is related to the new season of anime, like what titles are simulcasting and what Sentai Filmworks has decided to grab up (practically) sight unseen.

In this new digital world, if your are not licensing things almost immediately, you’re licensing them too late. That is the currently reality. I am wondering how quickly this will happen with manga that still has breathing room.

The Line-Up is a monthly rundown of newly licensed in the U.S., newly streaming in the U.S., and newly announced anime and manga projects.

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