Gay Fanboi

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

2010-10-31T16:45:00.000-07:00

By the time it's Halloween, it seems like all the parties are already over! Perhaps you're nursing a hangover or doing Sunday night homework, but here's a little treat for you nonetheless.

For those of us who grew up thriving on N64, Banjo Kazooie was a staple. It came at a time when Rare and Nintendo still worked together to create highly original games and storylines... Not to mention the memorable musical scores. Here's a Halloween-esque piece from BK's Mad Monster Mansion. Enjoy!

And in case your nostalgia has been piqued, here's some gameplay footage for you:

Is it OK to call fictional characters "sexy"?

2010-10-23T09:17:00.000-07:00

Sebastian Michaelis: Hot or Not?

I was talking to a friend recently, and my anime reviews came up in conversation. My friend criticized my "The Gay" section as paraphrased here:

And when there's nothing specifically gay, you start talking about how attractive characters are, or you call them "sexy." No - you're not allowed to say that. Calling animated people "sexy" is not acceptable. That's just creepy and wrong.

Now, I understand what he's saying, but I disagree with the premise of his argument. Don't get me wrong - actually finding a cartoonish depiction of someone sexy, as in, "I am sexually attracted to and could find sexual gratification from said digitally-rendered or animated character" ... I agree - that is legitimately creepy.

However, that's not what I'm saying when I refer to an anime or video game character as sexy.

She's so cute! ^_^

We talk about fictional characters all the time as if they were real. Master Chief (Halo) is bad ass. Rika Furude (Higurashi no Naku Koro ni) is adorable (albeit at times creepy). Link (Legend of Zelda) is clever and highly capable. I could go on and on. Attributing human characteristics to fictional entities is nothing new. However, when I say zombies are scary, am I implying I experience a fight or flight response when I turn on Left 4 Dead 2? No - far from it.

Therefore, how is calling Sebastian Michaelis (Black Butler) hot somehow weird or unreasonable? When I make such a remark, I'm merely implying that I find his animated rendition attractive (not to mention his personality). The mere sight of Boba Fett (Star Wars) does not make me hot and bothered. I do, however, find him sexy.

I could go on and on. But rather than beat a dead horse, I'll simply end with this:

Yeah. I'd let him collect my bounty.

Part of being a fanboi is developing an intimate connection to the fictional people, places, and stories we encounter when - say, reading a comic or playing a video game. While we (generally) retain a grasp of reality, we do genuinely immerse ourselves in the fantasy worlds created by artists, designers, and writers. Their universes become real to us. Thus, attributing human qualities (including "sexiness") to an anime character should not be met with hostile apprehension. Rather, it should be met, at the very most, with indifference, because it's something we all do. And for those of us who are fanbois - well, we may get smirks from common folk when we dress up as a Jedi for Halloween, or cry at the end of a Final Fantasy... But that's what makes us awesome.

So, yeah. Don't get all in my face just because my flux capacitor is bigger than your quantum recombobulator. Suck it, n00b. You've been pwned.

Sneak Peak at Sonic 4!

2010-09-28T15:38:00.000-07:00

Our favorite hedgehog is back!

What's looking to be the first good sonic game in well over a decade (Sonic 3 was released in 1994 for Sega Genesis), I thought I'd write a little about Sonic's return as a side-scroller (Sega 4 will be 2D, using sprites from a pre-rendered 3D model).

As you may know, Sega announced in September 2009 that it would be creating an episodic sequel to Sonic 3. Broken apart, it allows gamers to experience the game without the cost associated with purchasing a full game. This seems to be a new trend amongst gaming studios (I'm looking at you, Blizzard). I suspect it's purpose is twofold - a long, drawn out release keeps the game in the spotlight longer; and additionally, each game has a cost associated with it, which may not be comparable to releasing - say, all episodes together at once. In other words, more $$$.

Sonic 4: Episode 1 will be arriving shortly, with scheduled releases on October 7 (iTunes App Store), followed by WiiWare on October 11, PSN on October 12, and XBLA on October 13.

I must say it's great to see our favorite hedgehog once again collecting rings, freeing woodland creatures, and thwarting Dr. Robotnik!

While Sonic is the only playable character in Episode 1, the throwback to the original Sonic formula (which has worked very well) is refreshing. This seems to have worked nicely for Nintendo's New! Super Mario Bros. Wii, and it will hopefully work for Sega (fingers crossed).

Here's a sneak peak at the new Casino Street Zone. Enjoy!

Game Review: "Metroid Prime: Trilogy"

2010-09-27T08:53:00.000-07:00

This is an awesome game.
Buy it.. Now.

What do you get when you combine three of the top rated games spanning two separate platforms? Well, if you read the title, you probably have a good clue...

Metroid Prime and Metroid Prime 2: Echoes were ranked by IGN as #1 and #15, respectively, on the list of The Top 25 GameCube Games of All Time. That speaks for itself. Take those two highly successful games and put them on a disc with Metroid Prime 3: Corruption (rated 9.5 out of 10 by IGN), and you've just set yourself up for one of the best gaming collections of all time. No joke.

If that weren't enough, Nintendo packed in extra features to make this game truly extraordinary. The two GameCube games were given a Wii-makeover. It's been said that Metroid Prime 3: Corruption is the standard of how Wii controls ought to be utilized - the game's controls feel natural on the WiiMote and Nunchuck. The two GameCube games were streamlined with these same controls, making for a seamless and enjoyable gaming experience. If you've already played MP 1 and 2 on the GameCube, you've just been given a great excuse for replaying them (as if you needed one).

Samus is totally bad ass

Nintendo has been criticized (and rightly so) for lacking a gaming award system - like Xbox 360's Achievements or PS3's Trophies. Despite this drawback, the team over at Retro Studios was able to create its own achievement system for Metroid Prime: Trilogy. While not as solid as Xbox's system, it's a great example of how achievements could (and ought to) be implemented on the Wii. For the gamers who identify as "Completionists," this is a much appreciated feature.

Other updates for the GameCube components include shorter load times, upgraded textures, bloom lighting, altered visual effects, and 16:9 widescreen capabilities.

The Verdict
Buy this game. If you're not too sentimental, sell your old copies of MP 1, 2, and 3 and use the cash to invest in this collection. The gorgeous visuals and atmospheric music are unforgettable. Do yourself a favor and purchase this game. You will not regret it.

DUB versus SUB: Which is superior?

2010-09-26T21:50:00.000-07:00

"Samurai Champloo" - Example
of good English dubbing

It's the age-old question... Ok, maybe it's not quite that epic, but it's definitely been debated since anime began its migration from East to West.

Obviously, most Americans do not speak Japanese. Thus, the dilemma arises when distribution companies must decide how to market their product to American viewers. Do you leave it as is, with the addition of subtitles (Henceforth referred to as "sub")? Or, do you hire a whole cast of voice actors to perform the anime in English (Henceforth called "dub")? Here are the pros and cons of each.

SUB
Pros
Subbed anime is first and foremost more economical for distribution companies. Hiring a whole cast of English-speaking voice actors is not cheap. This, in turn, often results in the high cost of production being passed on to the consumer.

Keeping the original audio also preserves what I call the "soul" of the anime. While the Japanese writers and animators may not have played much of a role in deciding who voiced their characters, it would seem likely that at least some input from the creators was put into it. To create English-dubbed anime, a North America distribution company often is the facilitator of translation and audio production. It's hard to ascertain how much time was put into finding a voice cast that accurately captures and replicates the original Japanese version of the anime. Case in point, if you have ever watched the same anime twice - once dubbed and the second time subbed - you can attest to the fact that the "feel" of the anime changes drastically. A character may have a high-pitched, girly voice in the Japanese audio but a deeper, more womanly voice in English.

"Trigun"

A minor point to make, but potentially significant nonetheless is that subbing requires you to read the dialogue. This means you often know exactly how names are spelled and what dialogue was spoken, in addition to being forced to actually pay close attention throughout the story - you can't look away or be distracted as easily.

Cons
Simply put, you have to read. While some of us do not mind so much, you do have to invest more time and energy into watching the anime. Also, when dialogue is quick, it can be easy to miss something that was only momentarily flashed across the screen. In summary, due to the necessity of paying attention, it's difficult to multi-task when watching anime.

Another problem is when subbing is rushed, translation can suffer resulting in difficult-to-understand wording and dialogue. Of course, commercially-produced anime usually doesn't have this problem. However, fan-subbed anime is more prone to such errors.

"Death Note" - Opt for the
subbed version if you can

DUB
Pros
It's easier to watch. With less time spent reading, the viewer can spend more time paying attention to the animation. Consequently, the viewer develops a greater appreciation of the art technique and animation style. On the flip side, you can get away with not paying attention to the visuals. If multi-tasking, you can look away and still pay attention to the sound effects and dialogue.

Cons
You lose the Japanese essence, or "soul," of the characters. Also, you are more easily distracted from paying close attention to the story.

The Verdict

"Howl's Moving Castle" -
Studio Ghibli does good
English dubbing

It really depends on the anime. When watching TV series, it is almost always preferable to watch a subbed version. Stories with a lot of depth often require an intimate following of the story - a feat made easier when forced to read the dialogue. It is also preferable to maintain the essence of the characters' Japanese voices.

Great anime to watch with subtitles: Death Note, When They Cry, Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion

Some anime, however, is really good when experienced with English dubbing. Disney and Studio Ghibli do an amazing job at casting voices for their productions.

Great anime with English dubbing: Spirited Away, Howl's Moving Castle, Samurai Champloo

For more information, go here: http://www.usaanime.us/References/Sub-Dub.htm

Anime Review: "Strait Jacket"

2010-09-26T13:42:00.000-07:00

Not just for straight jackets...
(there's a pun here)

Synopsis

Strait Jacket is set an alternate history where magic was proven to exist in the year 1899. The use of sorcery spread throughout society and changed the social and technological development of the world.

It was quickly discovered that abuse/overuse of magic can lead to the sorcerer being turned into a hideous, crazed abomination, generally referred to as a Demon. Demons have the undesirable characteristic of slaughtering anyone and everyone in their vicinity. Seen as a tool, a terrorist group - the Ottoman Organization - starts using Demons to deliver coordinated mayhem.

To control these dangerous outbursts, the Magic Administration Bureau creates and trains an elite force of tactical sorcerers (AKA "Sorcerists," also "Strait Jackets"). However, as these attacks become more frequent and more numerous, Sorcerists become over-burdened and under-equipped. Reluctantly, the Bureau must ask an unlicensed, rogue Sorcerist named Leiot Steinberg to help out. Steinberg's methods are unorthodox, and friction soon develops between him and head Sorcerist Isaac Hammond.

The Good

"I challenge the laws of nature and reason... !"

Full of bloody gore and violence, Strait Jacket is fun for the whole family. The badass Strait Jackets look awesome. It helps that they have a collection of destructive spells for engaging in bloody awesome battle.

The story centers on themes of Sin and Redemption. Consequently, there is plenty of intriguing dialogue.

Set in a steam-punk universe, the imagery of what the world could have looked like had magic been discovered during the Industrial Revolution is an interesting concept.

Don't mess with this guy.
He'll seriously f*#@ you up.

The Bad

A general lack of character development detracts from any depth or connection the viewer may have liked to have gained from the story.

The Gay

Sorcerist Isaac Hammond's blonde hair and stunning blue eyes are candy for the viewer. Even without a handsome man behind the mask, the Strait Jacket armor is sexy in its own right.

The Verdict

See it if you have the chance. Being a feature length film, this anime is a minimal investment of time. Despite its lack of depth, the violence and action are fun for viewing. While not as memorable, Strait Jacket would appear to have gained inspiration from greats like Full Metal Alchemist and Akira. Available via instant streaming on Netflix, check it out if you're in the mood for gory Japanese animation.

Anime Review: "Aquarion"

2010-09-25T15:21:00.000-07:00

A cast of interesting characters
makes Aquarion a fun story

Synopsis

Set sometime in the future, it is 11 years after "The Great Catastophe," a disaster of unknown origin that has destroyed much of the planet and its inhabitants. Following the destruction, an ancient race of technologically-advanced winged humanoids, called Shadow Angels, has been awakened after a 12,000 year slumber in their city of Atlandia. The Shadow Angels view humans ("The Wingless Ones") as cattle, harvesting them for their prana (life force). Prana serves as nutrition for the legendary Tree of Life. The Shadow Angels facilitate their harvesting via large vessels called Harvest Beasts, which are closely guarded by sentient mecha called Cherubim Soldiers. Ordinary weapons prove ineffective, and humanity quickly falls into chaos and fear.

Fortunately for humans, right about this time an expedition led by Gen Fudou uncovers and excavates three technologically advanced fighter planes, called Vectors. Gen Fudou disappears, but an organization called DEAVA (Division for EArth Vitalization Advancement) starts researching the Vectors. DEAVA discovers only people with special powers, called Elements, can control the Vectors. The three Vectors, manned by Elements, can then merge to form a single mecha called Aquarion, which is capable of fighting the Cherubim Soldiers.

During the first merge of Aquarion, a boy named Apollo is discovered who may be the reincarnation of a Shadow Angel named Apollonius, who betrayed his brethren 12,000 years ago for his love of the human warrior Seliane. Apollo may be the key to defeating the Shadow Angels and saving humanity...

Solar Aquarion - bad ass mecha warrior

The Good

The animation is beautiful. Consequently, the dreamy landscapes are effectively rendered, which is greatly appreciated by frequent anime viewers.

The story draws heavily from Judeo-Christian, Roman, and Indian mythology, making for an interesting backdrop of themes. Additionally, there are plenty of characters, so that the story remains interesting - but not too many characters that it becomes confusing.

The Bad

Episodes tend to follow the same formula - Shadow Angels harvest humans; DEAVA tries to stop them but fails due to new, mysterious Shadow Angel technology; the Elements must learn something about themselves and about teamwork yadda yadda; they beat the Shadow Angels... for now. It gets a little repetitive at times. Fortunately, the series is only one season long, so the writers have to break things up to move the story along.

Toma and Apollonius

The Gay

The series includes a homoerotic story arc involving two male Shadow Angel lovers. Holy Angel Toma (the main antagonist) is a scorned lover. This handsome guy was dumped by his dreamy lover Apollonius, who left him for the female human Seliane. If it wasn't bad enough that he was replaced by a female, it definitely added insult to injury that she was a lowly Wingless One.

The Verdict

Check it out. A decent story with great animation, Aquarion requires only a modest investment of time. The series is broken up into 26 half-hour episodes, meaning you can easily squeeze episodes into your schedule. In addition to an intriguing backdrop of interwoven mythological threads, the story includes a shameless homosexual story arc. More sophisticated than the Power Rangers, Aquarion is a great intro to Japanese mecha action. To top things off - you can view it for FREE (and legally!) on Funimation's YouTube channel.