[Categories: Site Announcements]
Looking ahead to 2009, and my new blog
The wheels are set in motion: this is the last post for this blog before I launch my new one proper. Everyone who has read, commented or lurked over the past two and a half years has my deepest thanks; all I ask is update your RSS feed subscriptions to those of my new one when I’ve published some more posts and the RSS plugin’s cache straightens itself out and updates. Over the next couple of weeks I’ll be taking a short break from posting to spend time relaxing with my family over christmas and work on the old viewing backlog; I’ll probably still lurk around on other people’s blogs and AB IRC but while the posts here won’t be deleted or anything, there won’t be any more updates here.
Time to sit back and take a quick break
There are already several good reasons to come back to blogging next month, not least some really interesting things recently announced that I think are well worth looking forward to, and will give plenty to write about. I can’t not write it seems, so here are some of the things that will kick the latest bout of Hiatus Disease out into the ether where it belongs.
Valkyria Chronicles
I know video game adaptations have a shocking track record but something tells me that this particular take on the excellent Valkyria Chronicles RPG might be quite good, or at least I hope it will be (for what it’s worth, this game has single-handedly made me want a PS3…seriously). From what I’ve seen of the game the visuals are superb and a lot of attention has been paid to creating a cast of memorable characters; the story is set in an alternate-history of 1930s Europe too so there’s a lot of scope for playing around with military history in front of a backdrop that anime shows don’t portray very often.
If Alicia features prominently I’ll be happy. I <3 the artwork
My hopes for this hinge on the studio staff’s ability to capture the aspects of the game that make it outstanding from the storytelling, characterisation and artistic standpoints, which is a bit of a tall order. Even so, if it works out we’ll have something quite special: an engaging cast, a fascinating worldview and lots of edge-of-your-seat combat. And winged pigs. Fortunately neither Gonzo nor Paul W S Anderson will be involved in this one, which allays my fears a bit.
Summer Wars
Not much to go apart from the vague promo pic below, and the roll-call of staff involved. It’s slated for release sometime during the summer of next year, but that’s all we have to go on at the moment.
So, who is involved? It’s all being put together under Madhouse’s roof, and will be another collaboration between director Mamoru Hosoda, screenplay writer Satoko Okudera and character designer Yoshiyuki Sadamoto. Yeah. Go read that last bit again. This will feature the key staff who produced The Girl Who Leapt Through Time. Need I say more?
Natsume Yuujinchou and Kaiji: second seasons
I’m hoping for more of the same for these. The next outing for Natsume and his spiritual cat-god companion is allegedly one of the first new shows to hit the schedules, and I can’t think of a reason not to have high expectations for it. If it picks up where the first left off there ought to be a pleasant mix of comedy, supernatural goings-on and moments of genuine emotion too. The Mulleted One is set to make a return at some point but it’s too early to say when exactly he’s going to exact his revenge for the finger-slicing Epic Fail of the tissue box raffle. Again, it was one of my favourite shows of the year so I can’t wait to see more.
So, that’s a wrap as they say. I hope you have a happy christmas and best wishes for the new year ahead. Seeya in 2009! ^_^
Posted on December 13th, 2008 @ 6:40 pm
You’ll be missed for as long as it takes the rest of us to get into “missing you” mode–which is quite a long time, I’d say. I can’t really think of anything else to add here without this comment degenerating into questionably mushy content, so… I’ll be sure to keep tabs on your new blog. Love the minimalist design.
Bon voyage, as they say. See ya when I see ya!
Owen Ss last blog post..Fate/stay night, Heaven’s Feel Route
Posted on December 13th, 2008 @ 6:53 pm
What Owen said, and thanks for reminding me about the second season of Kaiji - which is only appropriate really, as it was your blogging that got me to watch the first season.
IKnights last blog post..Powering Down
Posted on December 13th, 2008 @ 7:04 pm
Can’t say I’m so into the rest of Japanese pop culture, but looking forward to the new blog anyway. I hadn’t heard of Summer Wars, but am now rather excited.
coburns last blog post..‘SPLOSION
Posted on December 13th, 2008 @ 8:12 pm
It’s my deepest pleasure and honor to be the first to comment on your first post on Mono no Aware. Thanks for the memories and I eagerly wait your future work.
Posted on December 13th, 2008 @ 11:22 pm
Ah, we won’t have too long to wait for your return, then. Some people take that long to post even when they aren’t on hiatus (cough cough). Anyhow, enjoy your convalescence and see you shortly. :3
Higes last blog post..C-Bombs and Modified Vespas [Detroit Metal City and Michiko to Hatchin]
Posted on December 14th, 2008 @ 6:11 am
So it’s the end to “The End of the World.”
The holidays! The perfect time to relax and reflect and regenerate. Looking forward to your return. In the meantime:
“We wish you a merry Christmas
We wish you a merry Christmas
We wish you a merry Christmas
And a happy New Year!”
(Sung by Sheryl and Ranka. I wish there WAS a version of this)
Posted on December 14th, 2008 @ 7:14 am
You will most definitely be missed! Christmas is a great time to spend time with your family, and a great excuse to buy dresses/new clothes to wear to parties
blissmos last blog post..Manga=Jail?!
Posted on December 14th, 2008 @ 7:37 am
Just remember to have fun with the new blog, and make sure that it’s quintessential you. That’s all you need. :3
TheBigNs last blog post..Jim Morrison, John Paul II, and….. er… Zange-chan
Posted on December 14th, 2008 @ 8:56 am
I was tentatively hopeful for a second season of Kaiji, so this is good news. Have a great Christmas.
Omisyths last blog post..Capitalising Is A Capital Idea.
Posted on December 14th, 2008 @ 2:35 pm
@Owen S: I must confess the minimalist design is partly down to “Hmm, must catch up on Tytania. Damn, need sleep too…” but yeah, it’s not going to be a flashy layout, at least not outwardly fancy. I’m especially happy about how the kana in the title turned out.
@IKnight: I’m not sure when Kaiji #2 will air but the sequel is sorely needed. One Outs is gar and psychological and all, but it doesn’t have the mullets.
@Coburn: I’m hoping to post interesting stuff that’s different enough to be a refreshing change but still interesting to anime bloggers/readers. Summer Wars got my interest purely through the TGWLTT connection, but I think that’s sufficient!
@Ghostlightning: much appreciated. See you on the other side!
@Hige: thanks. I’ve avoided RPGs because they’re such time suckers but Valkyria Chronicles is tempting, regardless of how the anime adaptation turns out. In reply to your twitter, I’m sooo looking forward to Summer Wars.
@Peter S: happy christmas to you too!
@Blissmo: I’m afraid I can’t do new dresses at christmas! I don’t have the knees for it…
@TheBigN: yeah, I’ll be very mindful of keeping the ‘personal touch’ that gives every blog its identity. Getting the same level of readership that this one did will take time and effort but it’s always worth it in the end!
@Omisyth: happy christmas to you too. 2009 needs moar Kaiji. ^_^
Posted on December 14th, 2008 @ 3:03 pm
Your absence will be sorely missed! Looking forward to more great things to come, as you start this new chapter in your blogging life.
I’ve been thinking a lot about the way I blog too as of late (I’d like to think of you as one of those who brought me enlightenment about this), wanting to embrace a certain change, and all that jazz. Hope I can finally move on from this blogging crossroad, the same way you did, but in my own way of course
P.S. the first pic reminds me of the time you mentioned about your ‘gothic lolita’ (mis)image… or am I just imagining things? @__@
usagijens last blog post..The Final Countdown Before the JLPT1 Doomsday
Posted on December 15th, 2008 @ 8:21 pm
@usagijen: it’s strange to think of my writing as being influential but eh, good to hear I might have helped your blogging somehow! I have a lot of admiration for the gothic-lolita aesthetic, although I get worried that people might misinterpret it as “does that make you a lolicon, then?” or something. Or are you referring to the time I was mistaken for a girl when travelling on the Tube…?
Posted on December 16th, 2008 @ 10:56 am
You’re far more influential than you think you are, methinks ^^
Oh and what I remember was that story of you being mistaken as a girl, but eh, memory’s pretty fuzzy, not like it’ll matter anyway lol.
usagijens last blog post..Stabbing Bloggers Behind Their Backs, the Google Notes Way
Posted on December 16th, 2008 @ 4:09 pm
Ahh, a nice compromise. Have a refreshing break and I look forward to your new blog (links updated!) next year =D.
Kabitzins last blog post..Michiko to Hatchin 08
Posted on December 16th, 2008 @ 9:51 pm
Good luck, Martin. It’s amazing what a fresh start can do to re-engage one’s enthusiasm.
bateszis last blog post..Let’s cancel Christmas
Posted on December 27th, 2008 @ 6:46 am
[...] I Blog Looking ahead to 2009, and my new blog ’Anime isn’t deep. It’s just entertainment.’ Anime Blogging and Prosody: An Inappropriate [...]
Posted on May 30th, 2009 @ 10:00 pm
hope youll have lots of fun with your new blog…good luck
Animenerdzs last blog post..Goldenboy
Posted on December 15th, 2009 @ 8:35 pm
interesting story!
Posted on May 28th, 2010 @ 3:22 pm
It’s been months now since I last visited this blog and felt sad that you did really left this blog for a new one… we missed you dearly
Posted on August 14th, 2010 @ 8:38 pm
great story!