Category: Video Games

The Bill 156 Factor

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After listening to the podcast about the Tokyo Youth Ordinance, we realized there was even more to be discussed and there will continue to be more to be talked about for many moons to come. In some ways I feel like a crazy fear-monger but at the same time I worry lots of fans don’t think this bill will impact them. But despite any of that, I personally am very worried about it and it’s not going away so I just have more questions. Always more.

Heck, right after the podcast was recorded we already had a slew of new points of conversation. We were sill debating various points of the bill and what we think they mean. Now that Bill 156 has been passed everyone is waiting to see what exactly the ramification will be. How much is the bill is just a dog and pony show to make international critics happy? How much is this going to used as tool to beat certain unpopular groups and artists in submission? How many of those are groups that the bill was supposedly designed to regulate? How much of an immediate economic and creative impact with the bill have on anime, manga, and video game industries? How much will of an impact will it have down the line? Everyone watching the bill has an opinion on what will happen but until the first round of enforcement takes place it is all speculation. Lets dig a little deeper until we have some answers.

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The Speakeasy #014: Kill Bill, The Tokyo Youth Ordinance Bill

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Anime 3000 presents The Speakeasy Podcast:
Drink #014: Kill Bill, The Tokyo Youth Ordinance Bill

Get comfortable because our first podcast with guests is over 2-hours long so it is perfect for long commutes or a hard day at work. Our two guest are Ed Sizemore of Manga Worth Reading and Eeeper of the Eeeper’s Choice podcast. We also started our mailbag segment, the Interrogation Room, so feel free to send in your questions and comments so we can discuss them on the next podcast!

The Tokyo Youth Ordinance Bill was passed at the end of 2010 and goes into effect this April. It has been a controversial bill in the anime and manga communities for both the U.S. and Japan. Is this a bill that will act as a savior that clears the industry of harmful perversions or is it a stifling straitjacket on the creativity of a medium? We talk about the history of the bill, the facts and misconceptions surrounding it, and what we think ramifications of the bill will be.

(Listen) (Show Notes)

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

Kill Bill

Shake and strain into a cocktail (martini) glass filled with cracked ice. Garnish with lemon and lime peel, and serve.

Ongoing Investigations: Case #111

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Since the 7th game of Umineko is so game changing I am going to try to just discuss the essence of the episode without giving away major spoilers especially for people who read the blog but are a few games behind. The two new characters seen in the portrait above are Willard H Wright and Lion Ushiromiya. Lion is a fascinating character that is essentially several huge reveals just by existing. Will is the Battler stand in for this chapter and I thought his big entrance was fairly entertaining and cool. Lion and Will’s interaction is playful although all the butt pinching going on has solidified that they will be shipped forever. When we get into the meat of the story we learn Kinzo’s back story, the identity of Beatrice, Battler’s sin, get some hits as to the solutions to some of the locked room mysteries, and the probable confirmation of one of the mostly hotly debated theories in the series. We also get some powerful scenes that I thought were quite moving. Also unless we are being misled there is some seriously twisted relationships in Umineko and the people involved do not realize are as twisted as they are.  It probably makes me a weenie but I found parts of the end of Requiem of the Golden Witch really hard to read. If you have come to love these characters the last chapter is brutal. Although how authentic how authentic that ending is has yet to be seen.  When the last game comes out I will probably do a total spoiler filled review of the series a whole but until then I just have to wait to see what answers 2011 finally gives us with Twilight of the Golden Witch.

I picked up How to Train Your Dragon in a Black Friday sale but didn’t get around to watching it till the Christmas holidays. The animation of the film really stands out, especially from some of the other Dreamworks properties, it was lush and gorgeous; the dragons were very animated and their designs were quirky; plus the flying scenes were breath-taking. The story is a simple one of trying to fit in to your dragon-killing village of vikings (we’ve all been there, right?) but Hiccup is much happier inventing things which often gets him into trouble. After one of his inventions actually works and takes down a rare dragon, their fates become intertwined when he realizes he can’t bring himself to hurt the creature. This story has a classic feel of acceptance, growing up, and having the bravery to do what is right. While I did find the relationships between Hiccup and the other kids a little too easier resolved, it was enough. I found it a very enjoyable ride! After seeing it, I do imagine it will be an Oscar contender this year. Continue reading →