Category: Editorials

Otaku NYC: Book-Off

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hisuiconOtaku are creatures of infinite wants but limited means. We want all the cool anime, manga, art books, toys, CDs, and assorted paraphernalia of our favorite hobbies but few can afford everything on their wish list. For the otaku on a budget (or really any otaku who is smart) there is a solution; Book-Off in Manhattan is a Japanese used book store that is a treasure trove for all sorts of Japanese goods that any fan of Japanese merchandise will love.

hisuiconThe store recently moved to 49 W 45th and is 3 floors. The first floor is CDs, DVDs and video games. The basement has manga, art books, and figures. The 2nd floor is mostly regular Japanese books. My biggest praise for the new store it is 100% less stifling than the old one. You never felt comfortable in the old store as it always felt sort of like a sauna. Since almost everything in the store is used the prices are far cheaper than anywhere else. I have bought legitimate merchandise for well below cost many a times. Nothing beats buying an art book you would pay 60 dollars for online for 15 bucks.

hisuiconThere are only two downsides to the store. The first is everything in the store is used so some items have a bit of ware and tear on them. This also means you can’t get the latest and greatest releases. For those items you can go to Kinokuniya (which will be my next article). The other problem is the selection is totally random. You will go in one day and see 20 things you can’t live without and go back a month later and not see anything the grabs your attention. Such is the luck of the draw.

hisuiconBut despite all that when you go on a good day you can find some amazing things. I have seen items I never even knew existed at dirt cheap prices. If you are in Manhattan it is definitely a place to visit because you never are quite sure what you will turn up inside.

The Speakeasy: A Reverse Thieves Podcast – Drink #012

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Anime 3000 presents The Speakeasy Podcast:
Drink #012: New Year Holiday Punch, The Final Fight

Every December Hisui and Narutaki gather round the fireplace in the stately Tohno Mansion and open a bottle of L’Esprit de Courvoisier and a box of Montecristo Robustos Millenium after indulging in a 12-course banquet to offer some relief from the cold weather outside. During this time the two luminaries discuss events of the past and plans for the year ahead. This is a recording of their fireside chat in which they discuss the events that have shaped the anime and manga fandom over the course of 2010 including changes in the industry and fandom. They also muse about the future, and mourn the loss of those artists who changed the medium forever. Let us all toast the passing of 2010 and usher in a better 2011.

(Listen) (Show Notes)

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

New Year Holiday Punch

Ingredients:

4 cups diet ginger ale, or equivalent product
4 cups grapefruit-mango juice
2 2/3 tablespoons frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed
4 ounces rum, preferably white, 80 proof
1 lime, sliced
1 lime, juice of
1 small grapefruits, red, sliced
1 oranges, sliced

Directions:

Combine ginger ale, juice, concentrate, rum and lime juice. Slice remaining lime. Garnish punch with sliced lime, grapefruit and orange.

A Disney podcast that only scratches the surface of Narutaki’s love.

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A Twitter conversation recently sparked the desire in me to discuss Disney animation. Luckily for me Patz of Insert Disc was also eager to host such a thing. Add in Mike from Anime Dream plus a whole lot of Disney love and you come out with a podcast that is really long. And it easily could have gone on longer. Seriously, I could have done a 10-hour podcast. We start off talking about the upcoming Oscar animated feature nomination race for a mere 3 slots this year and then jump into all kinds of Disney related topics including but not limited to the revival in the late 80’s/early-90’s, the different designs of their animation over the years, Walt’s waning interest in animation leading to Disney’s “dark period,” and our personal favorite films. There may or may not be random tangents about Pixar, Dreamworks, and us forgetting to talk about the Lion King.

Podlabor Episode 4 – Disney, Disney, and More Disney