Category: Editorials

The Speakeasy: A Reverse Thieves Podcast – Drink #010

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Anime 3000 presents The Speakeasy Podcast:
Drink #010: The Red Comet, Romance in the various Gundam Universes

When you think of Gundam you usually think of a mixture of real robot battles and politics as the foundation of the various series that make up the franchise. But the relationships between the characters is an equally important part that is easily overlooked because of all the cool robot fights. High on the list of debate are the romantic relationships; some are praised as highly realistic and touching, others are viewed as melodramatic but engaging, while still others are seen as travesties. The problem is that few fans agree which relationships from which show go in which category. In this episode we will examine the relationships that stand out the most in our minds from all the Gundam series we have seen. We start with the works of Tomino and go up to the present with Gundam Unicorn and Gundam 00.

(Listen) (Show Notes)

And now your helpful bartenders at The Speakeasy present you a drink invented by Hisui:

The Red Comet (It gets you feeling toasty three times as fast)

6 oz. vodka
1 can Red Bull

Drop a shotglass of vodka into a Highball glass of Red Bull. Bonus points are given for being dressed as Casval Rem Deikun with a mask or at least wearing all red. Anyone dressed as Quattro Bajeena has to drink a Hyaku Shiki.

NY Anime Festival & Comic Con 2010: Panels

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Getting to see your favorite comic creators speak and answer questions is one of the great highlights of big events like New York Comic Con and Anime Fest. But not only do they have the people behind comics, but plenty of knowledge professionals in my fields giving talks as well. There is much promotion and celebration but also you just might learn something by checking out the myriad of panels at this convention.

hisuiconBig conventions mean equally big panels and panelists. NYCC had some big names in the comics industry talking about what they are doing alongside television and video games properties having high-profile panels as well. Despite all this I tried to stick NYAF side of the convention for panels this year considering the fact we are an anime and manga blog. More than any other aspect of the show it was the panels were I felt I missed out the most due to conflicted schedules. You can see a premiere later down the road but a panel is sometimes a once only opportunity. So here are the once only opportunities I got to see.

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NY Anime Festival 2010: Artist Alley – Making it Big!

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GUEST POST BY SKEITH

For better or worse, the New York Anime Festival certainly shook things up this year by merging with the New York Comic Con. Thankfully, my usual haunt – the Artists Alley – was also on the winning end of this merger, taking advantage of the Jacob Javits Center’s layout to get as many of the 90,000+ attendees to take a look and perhaps buy some art from the many booths. I saw a lot of familiar faces, but more and more I’m beginning to see them making the transition from amateur artist to full-time professionals, making me wonder just how they made the jump.

“It’s a lot of work,” said  Sarah Moulder of Stuido Kitsu. “You have to look at it like a full-time job and put in the extra hours to do it.” Moulder started simply, making odds and ends such as Kingdom Hearts dangles. Now she peddles a wide variety of anime-inspired hoodies, costume pieces and more. Sharing a booth with Moulder are Carolann Voltarel and Carrie Wink of Athena’s Wink who also claim crafting as a full-time job – and not an easy one.

“The both of us sit [at home] 8 hours, Monday through Friday, sewing hats most weeks,” said Voltarel. “And half of our weekends we’re selling at conventions.” When asked if they could be considered a success story of the Artists Alley, Wink responded, “We’re still working on the success part.”

Sarah Moulder, Carolann Voltarel and Carrie Wink

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