The Ogoh Ogoh Demigod of Cartoon Movies

I was blown out of the water by the above illustration by Juan Molinet which is titled The Ogoh Ogoh Demigod of Cartoon Movies (it’s always a pleasure to see an icon like Mickey Mouse reinvented). Jaun is based out of Argentina and you can find his Flickr site here.

Highly Animated Olympic Monkey Movie

The above BBC animation for the Olympics was designed by Jamie Hewlett (who is best known for the comic book Tank Girl and co-creator of the band Gorillaz). I’m not blown away by the animation, but the character designs look great!

Lucky Star vs. NES

Man I’d love to play a retro game staring the Luck Star crew!

Lucky Star vs. Super Mario World

There seems to be an internet meme in japan with combining Lucky Star with Super Mario:

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Everyone’s Songs: An Anime Music Video from 1987

The above animated short is from the long running Japanese series Minna no Uta (みんなのうた) which translates as Everyone’s Songs and has been on the air since 1961. The show is interstitial programming which runs there’s a five minute gap on NHK and the series focuses on introducing new songs and animators. The above 1987 film was animated by Taku Furukawa and the featured song is Kumo ha Haretara by Etsuko Sai. What I love about the animation is that it’s very Japanese in style and approach yet it’s not the typical look that you associate with anime. The other nice thing about is that the animation isn’t dated, which is pretty amazing since this music video is over 20 years old!

Space Cruiser Yamato to Rise Again

At long last it looks like Yoshinobu Nishizaki has come to a legal agreement under which he can revive Space Battleship Yamato (which is known to American fanboys as Star Blazers). As a long time fan of the show I have mixed feelings about this: On one hand I love the idea of the show being brought back to life for the first time in a serious way since the 80s — but yet Nishizaki has a record for making somewhat lackluster films like Odin and the fact that Leiji Matsumoto doesn’t bode well for me.

Here’s the official press release (which is from here and here) from a quick translation by my old friend Ed Hawkins:

Press Release – Yoshinobu Nishizaki

“In 2220 of the Christian Era … A crisis is approaching Earth, it is seen as the expansion of a moving black hole. An operation of immigration as progressed with moving over 300 million people from Earth … The latest transportation fleet is attacked during the immigration effort, yet is counter attacked by Space Battleship Yamato, now commanded by Susumo Kodai (38). Aboard, is daughter Miyuki … Child of Susumo and Yuki.”
 
The animated masterpiece “Space Battleship Yamato”, last scene in theaters 25 years ago, 73-year-old producer Yoshinobu Nishizaki, who worked on that film and the original anime series, declared that he wants his last work to be a new “Yamato” film. He said he hopes to surpass Hayao Miyazaki’s latest effort, “Gake no Ue no Ponyo.” To achieve that, Nishizaki has founded Yamato Studio, based in Nerima, Tokyo.

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The Princess and The Frog: New Teaser Trailer

The idea of Disney getting back to 2D animation makes me happy and I think the idea of some diversity in the princess department is long overdue, but this latest trailer for The Princess and The Frog seems a bit lacking. Well until I see more I’ll have to give them the benefit of the doubt…

Susie Q Smiles

I just love the character designs in this mid-century modernist Pepsodent commercial — it’s amazing when you think of how much work that was put into a TV spot at the dawn of the medium. The animators also did a nice job with Susie’s walk cycle and those potential geeky boyfriends (one wearing a bow tie!) coming in from off screen just add to the energy which is pumped up by the cool Jazz drum beats.

Galaxy Boy Troop: Ancient Anime Puppetry

Before the classic anime version “Astro Boy” (“Tetsuwan Atomu”) in 1963, there were a couple of partially animated tries at bringing Tezuka’s manga creations to TV. Previously “Tetsuwan Atomu” had been adapted as a live action TV series with an animated prologue in 1959 (shown above). Then in 1963, Mushi Production teamed up with the Takeda Puppet Troupe to adapt his manga “Galaxy Boy Troop” (“Ginga Shonen Tai”) for 2 seasons of TV:

What caught my interest besides the puppet work was most of the effects are being cel animated. It’s well known that TV posed an enormous challange for animation production since the schedule and budgets were extremely tight. So one assumes that the puppets were cheaper and very likely faster than animation.

However in this circumstance, while cel animation was economic for special effects, I’m guessing that miniature effects weren’t. Then again all those miniature effects really ace it for Gerry Anderson’s science fiction puppet shows (“Thunderbirds”, etc.). Though perhaps the cel animation was something to give Tezuka’s Mushi Animation company a piece of the pie. The first episode actually aired after the all anime “Astro Boy”
premiered and for all intents eclipsed it.

Apparently most of the ninety-two 15 minute episodes have been lost or destroyed. Only some examples subtitled for French broadcast in 1964-5 have survived, hence the giant French subtitles from the 1960s. …Hmmm, the notion of a subtitled kids shows is something to think about.

Kinosuke Takeda (1921-1979) was the man behind the puppets. I’ve not run into much info about him though the Takeda name has been associated with mechanical dolls since the 17th Century and there is a museum theater displaying his work. Another Takeda still performs there, most probably his brother. He and his team made other science fiction puppet series in the 1960s that were not based on Tezuka’s characters. I’ve seen an episode of “Spaceship Silica” from 1961 and “Aerial City 008” from 1969 on NHK’s “Puppet Chronicles” series of DVDs. All have scores by Isao Tomita who’s best known for his “Kimba the White Lion” music as well as his excellent synthesizer arrangements of classical music from the 70s. Recently he scored a “Black Jack” anime feature based on Tezuka’s characters.

Nick Kent is a New York based artist who works with electronic media and is an occasional pop culture pundit.

An Amazing Converse Commercial

I was watching Adult Swim and came across this amazing commercial for Converse sneakers. As a youth as a designer I use to look down my nose at ad agencies which had long since passed their golden age of creativity in the 60s, but I have to say over the last few years the creative work I’ve been seeing is putting most designers to shame.

This spot incorporates a black and white xerox feel combined with cut out paper animation (like what you;d see in an 80s MTV music video). The entire commercial would be impossible with a computer, yet the animators managed to make it look like traditional animation. The second you get use to the technique in the spot they pull another trick to take the animation to the next level. As a designer I also love the fact that branding isn’t pushed in your face — in fact you want to watch the spot until the end to find out who the sponsor of the spot is.

Credit for the commercial (which is titled Converse: My Drive-Thru) goes to Psyop. The song is performed by N*E*R*D*, Santogold and Julian Casablancas.

Found via dekku.blogspot.com.

Wallace & Gromit’s Grand Adventures

I’m damned impressed with this: It’s a trailer for the game Wallace & Gromit’s Grand Adventures by Telltale Games and I’m blown away by how good a job they did of capturing the look-and-feel of Aardman Animations famous claymation technique.

Trailer for Pixar’s Next Film: Up

This is just a teaser trailer — but it gives an interesting taste of what’s next for Pixar.

Found via blogs.popzara.com.

San Diego Comic Con 2008: Robotech Toy Prototypes

These are a big improvement in detail for Robotech…

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Mobile Suit Gundam Portable Speakers

Banpresto has just released these nifty looking Mobile Suit Gundam portable speakers which are based on the Zaku suit. Sadly these will onlybe available in Japan at arcade centers.

Found via akihabaranews.com.

Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea: Commercial

At long last we’re getting our first good look at the upcoming film Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea and it’s looking like Miyazaki fanboys and fangurls won’t be disappointed. Although I have to say that the animation looks amazing the ever so cute theme song is getting to me!

Hollywood Live Action Versions of Naruto, Bleach and Death Note?

If you’re an anime fanboy this may be good news: With this news we could be seeing Hollywood live action versions of Bleach, Naruto and Death Note:

VIZ Media enters movie business

“VIZ Media, a San Francisco-based publisher of Japanese manga and graphic novels, has formed a production company to exploit its huge content catalog. Based in Hollywood, VIZ Prods. will be run by Jason Hoffs, a former production exec at Amblin and DreamWorks, who most recently had his own producing deal at Sony.

Hoffs will serve as a liaison between Japanese creative licensors and Hollywood, and the company will develop to produce some of the titles inhouse. VIZ effort is another recent example of publishers, from the New York Times to vidgame companies such Capcom, becoming proactive in exploiting film projects hatched from their content.”

…It’s clear that Viz is looking at not only how well Marvel has been doing these days, but also at other blockbuster movies like Speed Racer. Hollywood knows how to make multi million dollar CGI superhero epics, so it would seem natural for them to tackle anime properties — which in turn would do well in the international market.

Mobile Suit Gundam 00: Season 2

Shown above is a recent commercial for the 2nd season of Mobile Suit Gundam 00.

Animated Beatles: I Met The Walrus

As a Beatles fanboy I got quite a kick out of this animated short film — it uses the soundtrack of a recording made of 1969 interview of John Lennon which was done by a 14 year old snuck into a hotel room in Toronto.

Metalocalypse Goes Vinyl

Metalocalypse fanboys rejoice! You can now collect every band member from Dethklok:

Shocker Toys Releases Final Art for “Metalocalypse” SDCC Exclusive Figures

“Metalocalypse Limited to 500 sets, selling for $80 and available only at San Diego Comic Con Booth #3849. This all-new line features fully painted vinyl action figures of Dethklok, the undisputed greatest animated metal band in the galaxy featured on Adult Swim’s hit series, Metalocalypse. The 5.5″ collectible action figure line will consist of band members Nathan Explosion, Skwisgaar Skwigelf, Toki Wartooth, Pickles and William Murderface and a secret pack-in!”

Have a Happy Fanboy Fourth of July

Rockin’ and a-rollin’, splishin’ and a-splashin’,
Over the horizon, what can it be?
Looks like it’s going to be a free country.

Shown above is a vintage 1975 Schoolhouse Rock animated interstitial on the subject of No More Kings. The music and lyrics are by Lynn Ahrens, and the animation is by Kim & Gifford Productions.

Of Muppets & Musicians

Johnny Cash meets Oscar the Grouch.

Furry Happy Monsters! REM parodies their smash hit Shiny Happy People…

Alice Cooper on the Muppet Show in 1978 performing School’s Out for Summer.

Elton John playing his 70s hit Crocodile Rock on the Muppet Show.

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Clever Wall-E Advert

This advert on the side of a bus shows how Pixar knows how to get all the details just right, I love the concept of this giant version of the character holding onto the door while moving through NYC traffic. Just click on the image to see it as full size.

Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea: First Trailer

Calling all Miyazaki fanboys and fangurls: this is the first trailer for the upcoming film Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea and it’s looking pretty cute! This video below shows off quite a bit of pre-production art:

…and I know you can’t get enough of that catchy theme song:

Czech Animation Revival

It seems there’s a boom in Czech animation going on right now: Above is a clip of Alois Nebel which is based on a graphic novel set in World War II. Variety has a great article on the what’s going on there:

Czech animation undergoing revival
Fresh coin funds new wave of edgy features

“Whether weird, provocative or simply a national calling card, animation Czech-style is undergoing a renaissance, with at least 10 features slated to bow throughout the next year. “Czech filmmakers were always ready to take off in terms of creativity and stories, but were held back by a lack of sufficient funding,” says the center’s Jana Cernikova. But with the Czech Film Fund now granting $18.5 million in support, four times the level from just two years ago, filmmakers are finally free to delve into more expensive genres such as animation.”

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