Throughout its history, the beloved Pokemon media franchise has been involved in numerous collaborations, spanning an array of industries and captivating fans across the globe. From vibrant Pokemon-themed cafes and exclusive high-end apparel collections to food collaborations, the reach of Pokemon knows no bounds. Beyond merchandise, the franchise has even ventured into the realm of video game consoles, creating special edition Pokemon-themed devices that truly immerse fans in the world they love.
With each new collaboration, the Pokemon franchise continues to amaze and inspire, inviting fans of all ages to dive deeper into its rich lore and captivating new Pokemon. Continuing to expand their artistic horizons, The Pokemon Company has joined forces with renowned artists from Japan with diverse backgrounds in the art of Kogei (Crafts), to answer the following question, ‘‘What would happen when Pokémon meets kogei (Japanese craft)?’
Work by artist KASUMI UEBA | Pottery, Hand Building overgalse enamels
Kogei, pronounced as ko-gay, is a term used in Japan to refer to the exquisite art of artisan crafts, it represents the dedication and mastery of traditional craft traditions in specific regions. Over the course of many centuries, Kogei has played a crucial role in enhancing japan’s daily lives, combining both utilitarian and aesthetic values. As time has passed, Kogei has, like Pokemon, evolved into a distinct art form using traditional methods, showcasing Japan’s exceptional diversity and artistic prowess. The profound reverence for materials, impeccable craftsmanship, and unwavering dedication are evident in numerous creations.
Under the careful curation of the National Crafts Museum in Kanazawa, Japan, and with full support of The Pokémon Company, artists crafted 70 artwork pieces using an array of materials and age-old techniques by twenty of Japan’s most skilled artisans.
Art by TAIICHIRO YOSHIDA | Metal Work
POKEMON X Kogei debuted at National Crafts Museum earlier this year, and now its available in Los Angeles for all to see! The exhibition combines the elemental relationship between Pokemon and the materials used in Kogei. Similar to the various types of Pokémon such as Grass, Fire, Water, Ground (Earth), Steel (or Metal), and Electric, Koegi also incorporates these same elements with electricity added as craft has evolved in the modern times.
Art by TERUMASA IKEDA
In homage to the mechanics of Pokemon, the exhibition is also divided into three sections; Appearance, Life and Stories, that showcase the artists’ “battle” between their craft and the Pokemon.
In the Appearance category, the artists took on the captivating task of portraying the various forms intricate details of skin or fur, lively gestures, and vivid expressions of the Pokémon.
Art by TAIICHIRO YOSHIDA
In the Lifecategory, artists use Pokémon into crafts used in contemporary life. These pieces often have a type of use in life.
Art by TAKURO KUWATA
Lastly, the Storiescategory, artists are tasked with weaving imaginative tales that delve into the wondrous world of Pokémon, venturing into their awe-inspiring journeys, vibrant lives, mesmerizing evolutions, and unique inherent qualities of the Pokemon games themselves.
Art by REIKO SUDOArt by REIKO SUDO
We have hand-picked a few pieces from the exhibit’s opening night to share with you. Take a look at the photo gallery below and get a glimpse for what’s in store for you at Pokemon X Kogei exhibit. Click on the arrows to browse through the images.
1 / 15
The Pokemon Company CEO, Tsunekazu Ishihara and National Crafts Museum director, Masahiro Karasawa were in attendance during the exhibition’s opening night. During a panel, those who attended, received insight knowledge on the production behind the exhibit and insight the some of the art pieces and what they represented. Towards the end of the panel, I had one lingering question, “After the art tour is over, what will happen to the wonderful art pieces?” this was their response. (Please note, Audio has some echo)
Don’t miss this exciting, once in a life-time, exhibit and experience Pokemon like never before and best of all, its FREE! That’s right, make your reservations now HERE. After the exhibit, we highly recommend you purchase the Pokemon X Kogei guide book that gives readers an in-depth insight on the development of the exhibition and insight on each and every Kogei art piece. The book is in both English and Japanese and ONLY available in Japan but exclusively available for purchase at Japan House Los Angeles for this special exhibit! The exhibit is available now til January 7th, 2024 only at JAPAN HOUSE Gallery and is located at Level 2 of the Ovation Hollywood.
Subscribe to our articles below, and don’t miss any upcoming exclusive content!
When “Miraculous Ladybug” first debuted in 2015, it instantly captured the attention of anime enthusiasts and garnered a significant cult following. This captivating animated series was brought to life through the collaboration of ZAGtoon and Method Animation, with the renowned Japanese animation company, Toei Animation, serving as a co-producer. Thomas Astruc, a talented cartoonist, developed the character of Ladybug and played an integral role in shaping the TV series alongside Jeremy Zag, the CEO, director, and producer of ZAGtoon.
“Miraculous Ladybug” revolves around the lives of two teenagers, Marinette Dupain-Cheng and Adrien Agreste. When duty calls, they transform into the fearless superheroes Ladybug and Cat Noir. Together, they valiantly protect the city from the clutches of supervillains. While the series was initially intended to be in a 2D anime style, it ultimately evolved into a CGI production, a decision made by the French producers. However, fans can still find the original anime-style promotional OVA video on YouTube, animated by Toei Animation.Over time, “Miraculous Ladybug” has cultivated a devoted fandom, including passionate cosplayers and artists who proudly call themselves “Miraculers.” The series has expanded into a successful media franchise, encompassing comics, a web series, novels, video games, a manga series, and most recently, the highly anticipated motion picture, “Ladybug & Cat Noir: The Movie“. With its growing popularity and array of merchandise, “Miraculous Ladybug” has firmly established itself as an enchanting world that continues to captivate audiences of all ages.
The Highly Anticipated Motion Picture Film
Embark on a captivating cinematic experience as you delve into this highly anticipated animated film of the year! The film follows the thrilling journey of two teenagers, Marinette Dupain-Cheng and Adrien Agreste, who must uncover the truth about themselves and harness their extraordinary powers to safeguard the illustrious city of Paris. The film is a heartfelt tribute to the dedicated Miraculous Ladybug fandom while appealing to newcomers.
The film briefly introduces the Miraculous and showcases the various Miraculous, leaving room for potential future film projects. As an origin story, the film explores the beginnings of our main protagonists, Marinette and Adrien, and their journey to becoming superheroes and reveals how they obtained their Miraculous. The film touches on universal teenage themes of courage and selflessness, capturing the challenges of adolescence, such as fitting in and facing one’s fear.
It becomes apparent that the film’s narrative adheres to a relatively straightforward and predictable trajectory, albeit keeping in mind its intended target audience encompassing the younger demographic. However, the animation compensates for its anticipated plot developments. Distinct from its television counterpart, where character portrayal tends to lean towards stylized plasticity, the film’s creative team dedicatedly strived for meticulous detailing and hyper-realistic verisimilitude in rendering both Marinette Dupain-Cheng and Adrien Agreste. Their meticulously crafted appearances feature nuanced facial expressions, lustrous hair, and mesmeric eyes. Noteworthy locations such as The Cheng’s boulangerie (French for “bakery”) and Adrien’s mansion beautifully showcase opulent French architectural design and, in certain instances, timeworn interiors, lending an air of “lived-in” authenticity.
In addition, characters’ facial expressions play a crucial role in conveying their emotions and setting the overall mood of the scenes; this is further supported by the production team, animating characters with detailed and realistic skin textures, making them come to life and feel more like lifelike on the screen.
The animators strived for realism, at least more than the TV series. An interesting and subtle highlight is that the animators animated the characters’ hair in various directions, ensuring the hair is not perfectly styled. By adding intersecting strands and different hair directions, the animators created a more natural and authentic look for the characters, once again bringing them to life on the screen.
While there is no official confirmation, avid followers of the series may find several sequences within the film that bear a striking resemblance to scenes from an unaired 2D anime-style ‘OVA Promotional Video’ dating back to 2015. The uncanny similarities between the two raise the possibility that the film’s storyline was initially intended to serve as the introductory episode for the projected 2D anime series. Of course, the speculation surrounding this potential connection is pure conjecture, as the 2D anime iteration never came to fruition, and ZAG has never mentioned the 2D project since.
The Music
One prominent aspect of the film that deserves special mention is its captivating musical score. It becomes evident from the very beginning that the melodic voices of the main characters differ from their spoken voices, adding an intriguing layer to the overall experience. Marinette is brought to life through the talented voice acting of Cristina Vee, while the prolific Bryce Papenbrook voices the charming Adrien. The singing voice of Marinette is portrayed by the French singer Lou Jean while Drew Ryan Scott performs Adrien’s singing voice with music composed by CEO and film director Jeremy Zag himself with assistance from Australian filmmaker Michael Gracey.
Noam Kaniel, the talented cartoon music composer, was surprisingly not involved in the film’s musical score. Despite his previous success composing the theme song for the TV series, his unique musical style was unfortunately absent from the film’s soundtrack.
The Plot
The film’s storyline might be predictable for more experienced viewers, but it remains highly enjoyable and entertaining. While the film does contain a few gaps in the plot, it serves as a compelling introduction to the TV series. Towards the end, there are some noticeable inconsistencies when compared to the TV show’s plotline. Nevertheless, with a bit of imagination, it gives room for speculation and wonder about what might have occurred after the film’s iconic and intense climax.It is not surprising that there is a romantic element between Ladybug and Cat Noir, although the TV series does not delve deeply into it in the first two seasons. However, the film takes the opportunity to explore their relationship in greater detail. Every emotional response from the characters is given careful attention, ensuring that romantic and conflicting feelings resonate with the audience.
Now on NETFLIX!
The movie premiered in Paris, France, on June 11th of this year with a limited release in theaters worldwide. As reported by the French magazine Paris Match, the film was produced with a budget of €80 million (or about $86 million), making it the second most expensive French film in history, second only to the 2017 movie Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets.
Need a new phone wallpaper?
If you are captivated by this review, prepare to immerse yourself in the enchanting world of Miraculous Ladybug, as both the captivating TV series and thrilling film are now streaming on Netflix! Be ready to join forces with the courageous heroes of Paris as Marinette Dupain-Cheng and Adrien Agreste transform into the extraordinary Ladybug and Cat Noir. Together, they stand as beacons of hope, defending the beautiful city Paris from the clutches of menacing supervillains orchestrated by the nefarious Hawk Moth. All this while struggling with their teenage life! Get ready for an exhilarating adventure that will keep you on the edge of your seat!
Our History with ZAG Studios and Miraculous Ladybug
I would like to express my gratitude to ZAG Animation and its Glendale-based Studio. Even before the release of season two of the TV series, The Kitsune Network has collaborated with Zag Studios to bring our subscribers and followers exclusive interviews and an insider’s perspective on Miraculous Ladybug since 2015. We began by conducting an interview with Jared Wolfson, formerly the Head of the TV Division at ZAG. This was followed by a delightful interview with voice actress Cristina Vee at ZAG studios! Ever since then, The Kitsune Network has been actively covering various, major, Miraculous Ladybug events. Most recently, we attended the exciting grand opening of the Miraculous Ladybug store in Santa Monica, CA. Congratulations to the entire team over at ZAG Studios for this incredible milestone! Let’s take a look at some of the memorable moments from those interviews and other Miraculous Ladybug coverage articles here.
Subscribe to our articles below, and don’t miss any upcoming exclusive content!
MIREI, also known as Touyama Mirei in Japan, is a prominent artist in the Japanese music industry. Since 2014, she has been releasing chart-topping hits under Sony Music label. MIREI’s unique approach to music is characterized by her English-language releases, which offer a fresh and unapologetic perspective on Japan and its people. Having spent time living in New York City, she draws inspiration from both American and Japanese music cultures, resulting in a captivating and distinct artistic vision.
MIREI
MIREI performed at NOVO in LA Live on July 2nd as part of the Anime Expo 2023 Summer Fest. For first time, MIREI’s set consisted of both English and Japanese language songs mixed in. This appearance marked her first performance in the US after COVID, and her second LA appearance since BET Awards in 2014.
MIREI made her English-language debut with the 2020 album “Take Me Away,” which received an overwhelming response from fans and media worldwide, including Teen Vogue. The album include the hit single, Lonely In Tokyo.
Latest Single – LONELY IN TOKYO
“Lonely In Tokyo” is a song that explores the dark side of the Japanese idol industry. It tells a story of loneliness and isolation, resonating with listeners all over the world. MIREI recorded and released the song in English in 2020, and it has gained a strong fanbase. The song reflects on the loneliness felt by many people, especially in the changing world. MIREI hopes that her music can inspire and give courage to those who feel alone.
Fans in Japan can finally rejoice as the much-awaited track, “Lonely In Tokyo,” from her globally acclaimed album, Take Me Away, is now available in Japanese. After a long three-year wait, the EP has been released, featuring a Japanese edition of the song and an exciting Phonk House Remix with BENXNI from STARKIDS, a renowned underground group known for their innovative music.
MIREI AUDIO INTERVIEW
We had the opportunity to catch up with MIREI, a day after her successful performance at The NOVO, and speak on her recent successes and her latest single, “Lonely in Tokyo“, Listen to our interview,
You can listen to “Lonely in Tokyo” and more from MIREI on Spotify and on other platforms here. Learn more about MIREI and her work by visiting her website at https://mireinyc.com/
Subscribe to our articles below, and don’t miss any upcoming exclusive content!
BLEACH took over at Matte Black Coffee, an art-inspired cafe located on the famous Sunset strip in Hollywood.
In celebration of the hit anime series BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War, Matte Black Coffee and VIZ Media have partnered for the first time to deliver the collaboration of all BLEACH anime fans dreams – everyone’s favorite Soul Reaper, Ichigo, meets a culinary art experience. The lineup includes a custom co-branded menu inspired by BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War as well as limited-edition merchandise.
Now through August 10th, fans can enjoy BLEACH inspired items, which include, “Ichigo’s OJ Espresso”, “Ichigo’s Strawberry Lemonade”, and “TYBW Toast – ABCookies style”
Initially announced on Pokemon Day, POKÉMON CONCIERGE is the first ever stop-motion animated Pokemon series, which diverts from its 2-D animated counterpart. This series marks the first collaborative production between Netflix and The Pokémon Company. Pokemon Concierge is produced by critically acclaimed dwarf studios known for Mr. Osomatsu (TV Series) and Rilakkuma and Kaoru (stop-motion ONA).
The series expands on the Pokémon world and follows Haru, a concierge at the ‘Pokémon Resort,’ and her interactions with Pokémon and their owners who visit as guests. Currently, there is not much information that has been released on the series itself.
During Netflix’s From Japan to the World panel at Anime Expo 2023, it was revealed that NONwill be voicing Haru. NON is a voice actress and musician from Japan. She is known for portraying Suzu in the 2016 critically acclaimed animated film “In This Corner of the World,.” In 2017, she founded her music label, “KAIWA (RE)CORD.” and released her debut single, “Ohirome Pack,” along with her debut album “Superhero’s” in 2018.
NON INTERVIEW – Experience Voicing HARU
During Anime Expo this year, I had an opportunity to ask NON about her experience voicing HARU,
NON and Psyduck during Anime Expo 2023 Roundtable Press Junket
Krystal: Can you speak on your experience voicing HARU for this unique Pokemon series?
NON:When I was working on Haru, I was told there would be many scenes where Haru is kind of struggling, trying to figure out what she should do. They asked me to ‘DO THAT’ in a gesture by using my body language, so I was dropping my head, doing those various movements to try to express how she was having a hard time. I was also told that they would film my movements and they would utilize that in the stop-motion animation, and that was a very fun thing to be a part of! Once I saw the final, complete, finished scenes, they were really different from what you usually see in 2D/3D CGI animation.
NON , Psyduck and Interpreters during Anime Expo 2023 Roundtable Press Junket
The footage that I saw was stop motion animation, and the movements are totally different from 2D/3D animation. I thought, ‘Oh, this is how you can also enjoy Pokemon in this format, this art form”. I found Haru’s movements very interesting, and it’s done perfectly, and it’s shot frame by frame; when you see that in action, I thought that it was totally believable and it was convincing.
The Production Team
The series is directed by Iku Ogawa (Rilakkuma and Kaoru) and written by Harumi Doki (Cyborg 009 Call of Justice, Ultraman, Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045) with character design by Tadahiro Uesugi (Coraline, Big Hero 6, Luca). The series is set to be released this December, with no exact date currently unavailable.
Take a look behind the scenes with NON, as she explores the POKÉMON CONCIERGE set at dwarf studios,
Will this series resonate with Pokemon fans? Perhaps. As NON stated, this is a different way to enjoy Pokemon. Although not all Pokemon fans will be onboard, we do not think the series will underperform, especially with the incredible talent behind its production and the magic of stop-motion animation. Watch the official teaser below,
Subscribe to our articles below, and don’t miss any upcoming exclusive content!
The biggest Anime event returns to Los Angeles, Anime Expo 2023.
Fans and industry members from around the world come together to participate in this four-day celebration of anime and Japanese pop culture, jam-packed with announcements, special guests, exclusive premieres, interactive events, and more. With 300,000+ sq. ft of Exhibit Hall and 1000+ hours of programming, Anime Expo has become a must-see destination for any avid anime fan.
We got early access to the convention center as AX staff members, exhibitors, and industry staff continued building booths and sets.
Although the convention center halls were empty, hard-working SPJA staff prepared the center for its anticipated 350,000+ attendees.
In the Exhibit Hall, industry members set up their booths and get their activities ready for tomorrow, Day 0.
Our final stop was the iconic, South Lobby, where promotional booths and events are being set up.
View our FULL Behind the Scenes of Anime Expo Day -1
Subscribe to our articles below, and don’t miss any upcoming exclusive content!
Pixiv, the famous Japanese online community for artists, will host two panels at this year’s Anime Expo, covering the rising of new upcoming illustrators and how to support them, among other various topics. The panel schedule is as follows,
“Rising Stars: Up-and-coming Creators in Asia”
Sunday, July 2nd: 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Location: 408 AB
The panel will feature the special guest Modare and focus on the activities of up-and-coming creators from Asia, including Taiwan and South Korea, who are expanding their global presence. In addition, the panel will discuss the growing interest in Japanese anime art in Asia and its increasing popularity in English-speaking countries, as well as introduce the Kickstarter collaboration between pixiv Inc. and the American publishing company Clover Press.
Modare is an Anime Art Artist from Korea, who enjoys creating artwork that radiates a cute and endearing charm. He is a leading figure in the 100 Day Challenge trend on Twitter and an avid illustrator of various popular games such as “Genshin Impact,” “Azure Lane,” and “Girl’s Frontline.” Modare is widely recognized for his distinctive drawing technique that yields exceptional illustrations. In addition to his artistic endeavors, he is also actively involved in teaching art.
“pixiv’s Initiatives: Supporting Creators”
Monday, July 3rd: 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Location: 408 AB
The panel will feature the special guest Oshioshio and will focus on the latest trends in Japanese anime art and its growing popularity in English-speaking countries, as well as introduce the art book “Artists in the Americas”, a collaboration between pixiv Inc. and the publishing company PIE International. In response to the increasing number of freelance illustrators, the panel will discuss issues like how to find work and how to appeal to the Asian market.
Oshioshio is a talented illustrator and manga artist based in Kanagawa, Japan. He primarily focuses on creating artworks that depict characters rich with emotions. A lover of cats, dogs, and animals in general, his passions clearly influence his creations. Some of his notable works include the character design of Amane Kanata from Hololive and Sorahoshi Kirame from Nijisanji. He also created the series, “My Deer Friend Nokotan,” which is serialized in Kodansha’s Shonen Magazine Edge, among other works.
ARTIST ALLEY BOOTH #AA01
Additionally, Pixiv will have an interactive booth, located in the Anime Expo Artist Alley at #AA01. Their booth will feature an Omikuji (Japanese fortune-telling paper slips) activation with Artist Alley creators, featuring five different prizes, as well as an iFace Deco-case workshop. At the workshop, each participant will receive two stickers of their choice featuring artworks from “Artists in the Americas” that can be customized with the iFace Reflection transparent glass smartphone case. Amy Wang, Pixiv’s Manager, International marketing and Brand Team, stated the following,
pixiv will host an Omikuji project across all participating booths at the Artist Alley. Attendees who make purchases at any booth within the Artists Alley stand a chance to obtain a limited edition ticket , which can be redeemed for prizes at the Pixiv booth, while supplies last” Wang continues “The intention behind this project is to encourage attendees to visit numerous booths, discover new creators, and immerse themselves in the wealth of creativity on display.
Amy Wang, Pixiv’s Manager, International marketing and Brand Team
EXHIBIT BOOTH – Exhibition Hall, No. 4506
Pixiv will also be present in exhibit hall and will be located at Exhibition Hall, No. 4506. This exhibit booth will showcase Genshin Impact key visual and in-game scenery, In addition to, showcasing approximately 80 illustrations, carefully hand-picked from about 250,000 Genshin Impact artworks posted on pixiv. The exhibit booth is also set to host live drawing sessions of Genshin Impact fan art by popular illustrators, as well as autograph signing sessions for each artist.
The live drawing sessions will take place over four days, with Modare participating on July 1st (Sat) and July 2nd (Sun), and Oshioshio taking part on July 3rd (Mon) and July 4th (Tue). Pixiv will also host two additional signings at the autograph area at Kentia Hall. Fans who attend the autograph session will receive a poster. Schedule is as follows,
Modare, an illustrator from South Korea, will sign Sunday, July 2nd, 2023 3:15 pm – 4:15 pm
Oshioshio, an illustrator and manga artist from Kanagawa, Japan, will sign Monday, July 3rd, 2023 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm
INTERVIEWS WITH MODARE & OSHIOSHIO
I had the wonderful opportunity to interview featured artists, Modare and Oshioshio for their upcoming appearance at Anime Expo 2023!
MODARE INTERVIEW
Krystal: You’re known for your distinctive and unique work, expressive and emotional. Can you discuss the creative process for creating your work?
Modare: I think that being creative is, after all, making a new thing by combining things that I know well. Most of the things I know, other people know, so the most important thing is to combine them well. And, no matter how hard you try to put things together, it’s still hard to create something completely new. Because there are already so many creative works in the world. Even when we don’t want to be duplicated, it can be duplicated. It’s important to focus on expressing what I want to convey, without being conscious of other people’s work, and making choices based on personal judgment. If I can depict that combination through my unique expression, I believe it becomes a creative work.
K: Having participated in the 100th-day challenge on Twitter, what was hard about participating in that challenge?
M: At first, I started drawing with the aim of drawing steadily, without thinking about continuing for a long time. I didn’t even have a goal of 100 days. But as I progressed every day, I felt that it was meaningless if I didn’t do it properly so my goal became for me to draw as many things as I could. This made my 100-day challenge more fulfilling, but it also meant I had very little time for my daily routine. I would stay up all night drawing if I had plans during the day, and this was the most challenging aspect for me. The most difficult part about drawing is probablyto keep drawing new things. I think it took me hours to come up with something new because I’m always trying to draw without recycling what I’ve already drawn.
K: You’ve created many wonderful art pieces and released various art books. Have you ever considered releasing a manga?
M: Being a manga artist is a very interesting job, but I think what I’ve been going through is quite far from being a manga artist. I rarely read manga in the first place. However, I think I will try it when I successfully finish the current tasks and when I can afford to challenge something new.
K: As an art instructor, what advice would you give to upcoming artists?
M: I haven’t been alive very long, but I at least know the rest of my life is long. Some eager artists forget this out of desperation. I stake my life and death on today’s drawing, and I feel extremely depressed if the drawing doesn’t come out well. This might help improve the drawing for that moment, but in the long run, it might make the painting less pleasant and eventually could make you quit. Take a long look and relax. If you learn one thing at a time and study one thing at a time, I think you will achieve a lot.
K: You’re traveling to the U.S. for the annual Anime Expo; what are you most excited to see here in Los Angeles?
M: It’s the first time in my life that I’ll be traveling so far. It’s almost on the other side of the world. I expect that everything will be different. Landscape, culture, language, people, everything is expected. The whole trip is exciting because everything I’ve experienced here will be a good nourishment for me. But if I have to pick one, I’m looking forward to In-n-Out Burger.
OSHIOSHIO INTERVIEW
Krystal: Can you discuss your creative process and the influences you use for creating your artwork?
Oshioshio: I am influenced by everything I have experienced. The manga I read as a child, the anime I have watched, video games I have played, and the scenery I have traveled to, are all sources of my creativity. I will be drawing fan art of “Genshin Impact” at AX, and I have been very influenced by “Genshin Impact” recently. The beautiful landscapes and unique characters of Hara-Kami always make me think “I want to draw! I am always inspired by the beautiful landscapes and unique characters of “Genshin Impact”.
K: For fans, who might be reading this interview, what advice would you give them to become better artists?
O: Don’t hesitate to put in the effort. Keep drawing and keep trying. I believe that all the great artists I know are those who continue to practice these things. It takes courage to try anything, but people grow through repetition of trial and error. The results come when you keep trying, so let’s do our best together!
K: Your manga “My Deer Friend Nokatan” is currently being published in English; What inspired you to write the story, and why did you make Nokotan a Deer?
O: One day, by chance, I came up with the idea of a girl character whose antlers were stuck on a door. I thought this could be interesting, so I thought of a story and other characters, and the work “My Deer Friend Nokotan” was born. Nokotan was not just any creature with horns, but I wanted it to be familiar and new, so I decided on a deer. In Japan, there are tourist attractions where deer are famous, which everyone knows, so I thought it would be familiar.
K: You’re traveling to the U.S. for the annual Anime Expo; what are you most excited to see here in Los Angeles?
O: This is my first time in the U.S., so I am looking forward to everything I see! I want to enjoy feeling the American air, food, people, and everything. I also love the Japanese Comic Market so much that I attend almost every year, and I am really looking forward to seeing Artist Alley, which has a similar atmosphere to Comiket. I am very interested to see how overseas otaku do their doujin activities.
Thank you for reading our excellent interview with Modare and Oshioshio! Going to AX? Stop by Pixiv’s booths and check their panels on Sunday and Monday! Don’t miss the opportunity to participate in the autograph sessions, see you there!
Subscribe to our articles below, and don’t miss any upcoming ANIME EXPO’23 content!
Subscribe to our articles below, and don’t miss any upcoming exclusive content!
To celebrate the union of The Justice League and RWBY, Warner Bros. hosted the world premiere of the first ever collaboration between The Justice League & anime inspired series, RWBY at this year’s WonderCon!
A post-screening panel was headlined by the voice talent of Natalie Alyn Lind (Big Sky, The Goldbergs, Gotham) as Wonder Woman/Diana Prince and RWBY’s long-running cast – Lindsay Jones (Camp Camp) as Ruby, Kara Eberle (RWBY: Ice Queendom) as Weiss, Arryn Zech (The Detective is Already Dead) as Blake, and Barbara Dunkelman (Blood Fest) as Yang – alongside Jeannie Tirado (Soul, Saints Row) as Green Lantern, and Tru Valentino (The Rookie, The Cuphead Show!) as Cyborg.
Also included on the panel are producer/director Kerry Shawcross (RWBY franchise) and screenwriter Meghan Fitzmartin. Watch the FULL panel below,
Film Synopsis
Justice League x RWBY: Super Heroes & Huntsmen, Part One finds the Justice League facing off against a new horror: adolescence! Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Flash, Cyborg, Green Lantern and Vixen are surprised to find that not only have they materialized on a strange world called Remnant, but they’ve also been transformed into teenagers. Meanwhile, the heroes of Remnant – Ruby, Weiss, Blake and Yang – find their world has been mysteriously altered. Can the combined forces of the Justice League and Team RWBY return Remnant to normal before a superpowered Grimm destroys everything they know?
Release Date
Produced by Warner Bros. Animation, Rooster Teeth Animation, DC and Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment, Justice League x RWBY: Super Heroes & Huntsmen, Part One, available to purchase Digitally and on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Combo Pack and Blu-ray on April 25, 2023. Available to preorder on Amazon:
Subscribe to our articles below, and don’t miss any upcoming exclusive content!
From the renowned animation powerhouse Telecom Animation Film, director Masaki Tachibana and Kana Ozawa, comes a captivating new anime adventure, BLUE THERMAL.
The film is an adaptation of Kana Ozawa’s popular manga series, BLUE THERMAL: Aonagi College Sports Festival Aviation Club, which ran in Shinchosha’s Monthly Comic @Bunch Magazine between April 2015 and November 2017. The series was also published in five book volumes or Tankōbon.
This artful and beautiful coming-of-age movie captures the tension and excitement of a young college student who joins the school’s aviation club flying for the first time, and the beauty and exhilaration of the aerial scenery as seen from the pilot’s seat. The film is directed by Masaki Tachibana, known for Tokyo Magnitude 8.0, Princess Principal, and Barakamon.
BLUE THERMAL opened in Japan in March 2022 and will now make its North American home entertainment debut on Blu-ray and digital download from Eleven Arts and Shout! Factory on March 14, 2023, following its theatrical release.
BLUE THERMAL features the Japanese voice talents of Mayu Hotta (Kaguya-sama: Love Is War 2019), Nobunaga Shimazaki (Summer Ghost), Junya Enoki (My Hero Academia: World Heroes’ Mission), and more.
Mayu Hotta as Tamaki TsuruNobunaga Shimazaki as Jun KuramochiJunya Enoki as Daisuke Sorachi
The Blu-ray will contain an exciting movie presentation and special bonus content, including an interview with director Tachibana and character profiles. A must-have for anime fans, collectors, and pop-culture enthusiasts, BLUE THERMAL, is available for pre-order now at Amazon.com and will be available in stores and other fine retailers.
Movie Synopsis
“I want to experience a love that sparkles!” Arriving from Nagasaki with her wishful mantra is Tamaki Tsuru, who in high school could think only about volleyball. Things don’t begin well, however, when she looks for an extracurricular club to join and proceeds to immediately ding a glider at aviation club tryouts ending up having to work it off. She is initially disillusioned with campus life. Then Kuramochi, the club leader and glider pilot, takes Tamaki under his wing, and from the moment he takes her up for a flight in a glider, Tamaki becomes a captive of the vast beauty of the skies.
Watch the trailer below!
Preorder “Blue Thermal”
Subscribe to our articles below, and don’t miss any upcoming exclusive content!
2023 kicked off for Californian Otakus with Anime Los Angeles 18 held from January 4th through 8th, at the Long Beach Convention Center. The LBCC has been ALA’s home for the past 3 years, since 2018. Anime Los Angeles had over 12K+ attendees and over 20 guests who included voice actress Kayleigh McKee, anime influencer Kaho Shibuya And japanese animators Mamoru Yokota & Kenji Yokoyama, among others.
INTERVIEWS
During the convention we sat down to speak with guest of honor, Kayleigh McKee. Kayleigh is best known for playing the fan favorite character Yuta Okkotsu in the hit anime movie Jujutsu Kaisen 0, as Pina in Netflix’s highly successful BEASTARS, and as Testament in the classic fighting game Guilty Gear Strive. She is one of few Transgender women in professional voice over blazing a new path in the realm of acting for anime, cartoons, and games. Watch our exclusive interview with Kayleigh, as we discuss about her role in Guilty Gear Strive as Testament!
This interview has an on-going giveaway opportunity, visit our giveaway page for more details.
Anime Legends – Mamoru Yokota & Kenji Yokoyama
Where would anime be without its legendary animators; during ALA 2023, we had the opportunity to speak with Japanese animators Mamoru Yokota & Kenji Yokoyama about their working in the anime industry for over 25 years. Mamoru Yokota has been involved in a great number of shows mainly as animator, but also as producer, character designer, illustrator and game director. As animation director, he’s best known for multiple episodes of Death Note, NARUTO Shippuden, and 2020’s Dragon Quest: The Adventure of Dai. He was also one of the animation directors for ONE PIECE STAMPEDE and most recently, ONE PIECE FILM: RED.
Kenji Yokoyama made his very first appearance at anime convention, after more than 40 years of dedication in the industry as a noted animator. Mr.Yokoyama. has worked on Gatchaman II and F, Dragon Ball Z, Dr. Slump, Dragon Quest: The Adventure of Dai, Jigoku Sensei Nūbē and SLAM DUNK, Toriko throughout 1970s and 1990s additionally, he has worked on One Piece in the last 25 years and most recently, in Yashahime.
We apologize for potato audio quality.
Anime Los Angeles 2023 Cosplay, Ani-Ambiance & More
Our coverage of Anime Los Angeles 2023, would not be complete without cosplay photos! During our Journey at this year’s ALA, we collaborated with cosplay photographer Jonathcon Photography. Check out his work at this year’s ALA 2023 with these amazing con photos!
2 / 14
Jonathcon Photography has been taking on any & every cosplay photo gig during Anime Conventions for the last two years. He’s often known for being a fan’s photographer, not only scouting the perfect locations for shoots but also researching the subject and material source of each cosplay. If you’re interested in hiring him as your personal cosplay photographer in or outside of convention, visit his official Instagram at, https://www.instagram.com/jonatcon_photos/ and sent him a direct message to schedule your next, spectacular cosplay photoshoot!
Thank you for reading our article, for more interviews visit our interview page
Subscribe to our articles below, and don’t miss any upcoming exclusive content!
