Anime Winter 2015 - [All Upcoming TV Series with PVs / CMs / Trailers]

Source: Snowical ❄ (youtube ch.)

Dog Days'' / Dog Days 3

Cosplay 2014 - [A year end compilation video and some outtakes]

A year end compilation video and some outtakes. Doesn't include Winter Comiket.

By: Rescue the Princess! (youtube ch.)

Japanese Myths & Monsters - [The more unusual ...]

Source: RadioOkinawa (youtube ch.)

Hands down Japan has some of the weirdest myths in the world, from phantoms who lick your bathroom clean to raccoons with magical scrotum, from haunted umbrellas, to poems that kill anyone who recites them out loud. This video represents some of the more unusual legends and highlights why, in my opinion, Japan leads the world in horror.

Follow me on https://twitter.com/DelunaCafe
Or visit me at http://delunabooks.com/

• Music: "The Secret Of Sound" by Psycraft 

Winter 2015 - UPCOMING ANIME - [list]

Source: animeclick.it

1. Tantei Kageki Milky Holmes TD 03.01.2015
2. Absolute Duo 04.01.2015
3. Minna Atsumare! Falcom Gakuen SC 04.01.2015
4. Doamaiger D 05.01.2015 
5. Kami-sama Hajimemashita ◎ / Kamisama Kiss ◎ 05.01.2015 
6. Yuri Kuma Arashi 05.01.2015 
7. Binan Koukou Chikyuu Bouei Bu Love! 06.01.2015 
8. Q Transformers: Kaette Kita Convoy no Nazo 06.01.2015 
9. Kantai Collection - Kan Colle  07.01.2015 (preair 27.12.2014)
10. Militari! / Miritari!  07.01.2015
11. Shinmai Maou no Testament / The Testament of Sister New Devil  07.01.2015
12. Tokyo Ghoul √A 08.01.2015
13. Ketsuekigata-kun! 2  - 08.01.2015
14. Pankis! 2 Jigen 08.01.2015
15. Saenai Heroine no Sodatekata  08.01.2015
16. Juo (Juuou) Mujin no Fafnir / Unlimited Fafnir 08.01.2015
17. Koufuku Graffiti 08.01.2015
18. Ansatsu Kyoushitsu  / Assassination Classroom 09.01.2015
19. Death Parade 09.01.2015
20. iDOLM@STER: Cinderella Girls 09.01.2015
21. JoJo no Kimyou na Bouken: Stardust Crusaders – Egypt Arc  09.01.2015
22. Soukyuu (Sokyu) no Fafner: Dead Aggressor - Exodus 09.01.2015
23. Aldnoah.Zero 2 10.01.2015
24. Dog Days'' 10.01.2015 
25. Durarara!!x2  10.01.2015 
26. Kuroko's Basketball 3 
27. Shounen Hollywood: Holly Stage for 50 - 10.01.2015 
28. The Rolling Girls 10.01.2015  (preair 04.01.2015)
29. Junketsu no Maria / Maria the Virgin Witch 11.01.2015 
30. Seiken Tsukai no World Break 11.01.2015 
31. Sengoku Musou / Samurai Wars 11.01.2015 
32. Yoru no Yatterman 11.01.2015
33. Isuka 23.01.2015 (preair 05.01.2015)
34. Anime de Wakaru Shinryounaika / Comical Psychosomatic Medicine  - 13.02.2015
35. Go! Princess Precure  (February)

MAN - [Steve Cutts, 2012]

Animation created in Flash and After Effects looking at mans relationship with the natural world.

Music: In the Hall of the Mountain King by Edvard Grieg.

Source: freefromharm.org

The animated short known as MAN is a darkly comic, disturbing view of our species who wreaks havoc on other species and on nature itself. MAN is a parable of a man in conflict with the world at large, seeking power over rather than unity with it. MAN offers a biting commentary on this male character’s destructive and violent pathos. MAN shows a human being at his worst, creating vast suffering for animals at every turn. And in the end, MAN, sitting on his throne, is dealt a karmic blow. He is destroyed by beings from another planet who land on earth, squish him into a welcome mat, then shuffle off in their spaceship.

As this video reaches almost 1.5 million views on Facebook, some interesting commentary has emerged. In her blog post about MAN, Zoe Weil wrote, “[A]s I watched this animated film, I found myself thinking how behind the times it was; how dystopian, when what we need right now are visionary ideas and examples of solutionaries doing the important work that lies ahead.”

At the very least, MAN will get many people thinking about how arrogant we are as a species. Yet, as Weil points, MAN offers no solution to the mess we’ve created.

MAN was produced by Steve Cutts, a London-based freelance artist who specializes in animation, illustration, and fine art. MAN was published on December 21, 2012. For more information on Steve Cutts and his work, see www.stevecutts.com.

“I travel around the world 300 days a year, doing my best to make more people realize the harm we humans are doing to our planet. How is it possible that the most intellectual species that has ever existed is destroying its only home? I think one of the main reasons is selfishness and short-term thinking. By thinking only of the next quarter’s profit or our immediate wants, we are ignoring the impact of the choices we make today on generations to come. We are using up the resources of the planet as though they are inexhaustible – which is not true. This clever cartoon provides a chilling commentary of our selfish behavior.”

Jane Goodall, Ph.D., DBE Founder, the Jane Goodall Institute & UN Messenger of Peace

自主制作アニメーション『待ち時間 - Waiting Time - [Takuya Hagihara]

Independently produced animation “waiting time”

0:22

Girl: Hello? Haven’t you found the wallet yet?

Friend: Sorry, I’m looking for sash belt. So, please wait a little longer.

Girl: Hurry up.

Friend: Please. For a little bit.

2:33

Friend: Hey, sorry to keep you waiting.

Friend: What’s this? Aw, what’s this?

Friend: What’s the matter with this snow? Did something happen?

Friend: Are you okay?

Japanese Ghosts, Monsters, Demons

Song credits

Henry Hall - hush hush hush here comes the bogey man

Maximum To Hormone - whats up people

Amano Tsukiko - Chou - Fatal frame 2 OST

Source: wiki/List_of_legendary_creatures_from_Japan

The following is a list of demons, ghosts, yōkai, obake, yūrei and other legendary creatures, which are notable in Japanese folklore and mythology.

A

• Abumi-guchi - A furry creature formed from the stirrup of a mounted military commander who worked for Yamata no Orochi.
• Abura-akago - An infant ghost who licks the oil out of andon lamps.
• Abura-sumashi - A spirit who lives on a mountain pass in Kumamoto Prefecture.
• Aka Manto - A malicious spirit who haunts bathrooms and asks the cubicle occupants if they want red or blue paper.
• Akabeko - A red cow involved in the construction of Enzō-ji in Yanaizu, Fukushima.
• Akaname - A spirit who licks off filth in untidy bathrooms.
• Akashita - A creature that looms in a black cloud over a floodgate.
• Akateko - A red hand dangling out of a tree.
• Akkorokamui - An Ainu monster resembling a fish or octopus.
• Akurojin-no-hi - A ghostly fire from Mie Prefecture.
• Amabie - A Japanese mermaid yokai.
• Amaburakosagi - A ritual-disciplinary demon from Shikoku.
• Amamehagi - A ritual-disciplinary demon from Hokuriku.
• Amanojaku - A small demon that instigates people into wickedness.
• Amanozako - A monstrous goddess mentioned in the Kujiki.
• Amazake-babaa - An old woman who asks for sweet sake and brings disease.
• Amefurikozō - A little boy spirit who plays in the rain.
• Amemasu - An Ainu creature resembling a fish or whale.
• Ameonna - A rain making female spirit.
• Amikiri - A net-cutting crustacean-like spirit.
• Amorōnagu - A Tennyo from the island of Amami Ōshima.
• Amaterasu - A sun goddess.
• Anmo - A ritual-disciplinary demon from Iwate Prefecture.
• Aoandon - The demonic spirit which arises from an andon lamp at the end of a Hyakumonogatari Kaidankai.
• Aobōzu - The blue monk who kidnaps children.
• Aonyōbō - A female ghost who lurks in an abandoned imperial palace.
• Aosaginohi - A luminescent heron.
• Arikura-no-baba - An old woman with magical powers.
• Ashimagari - A spirit which entangles the legs of travelers.
• Ashinagatenaga - A pair of characters, one with long legs and the other with long arms.
• Ayakashi (yōkai) - A phenomenon considered to be the funayurei.
• Azukiarai (or Azukitogi) - A spirit that washes azuki beans.

Nuggets - [Andreas Hykade] - [Studio FILM BILDER, 2014]

Script, direction, animation:Andreas Hykade
Animation, artwork: Angela Steffen
Technical Director: Ralf Bohde
Music, sound: Heiko Maile
Production: Thomas Meyer-Hermann
Studio FILM BILDER 2014

Someone Made An Interesting Animation About The Dangers Of Addiction

Adorable Animation ‘Nuggets’ Is A Sad Allegory About Addiction
- A cute kiwi bird walking down the road minding his own business discovers a golden nugget. After poking and prodding the strange nugget, the kiwi decides to drink it. Suddenly, all is yellow and warm, and the kiwi can fly for the first time. Soon, the kiwi is running to find his next nugget even if he stumbles after the brief flight. The only problem is, after each nugget the flights keep getting shorter and the falls keep getting harder.
- The cartoon, titled Nuggets, was published by German animators Film Bilder.

Original Title:

Nuggets

Director(s):	Andreas Hykade
Production Company:	Studio FILM BILDER GmbH
Distribution Company:	Studio FILM BILDER GmbH
Year of Production:	2014
Nationality:	Germany
Screening Format:	DIGITAL
Running Time:	05:17
Techniques:	2D Computer
Category:	Narrative Short Animation

About Andreas Hykade  Born in Altötting, Bavaria, Andreas Hykade studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Stuttgart and soon found himself working as an animator in London. After attending the Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg for Animation from 1992-1995, Hykade has gone on to teach and give workshops on animation as well as working as a freelance animator of shorts, features and animated films for children.

Somewhere in Dreamland - [Max Fleischer's Color Classics series] - [1936]

Sources: wiki/Somewhere_in_Dreamland, archive.org, 

Somewhere in Dreamland was a 1936 film based on the titular song. This film was part of Max Fleischer's Color Classics series. The film was produced by Max Fleischer, directed by Dave Fleischer, and was animated by Fleischer veterans Seymour Kneitel and Roland Crandall.^[1]

Plot

A young brother and sister carry a wagon with pieces of wood, gathering them for their stove. They pass by five merchants' shops: a tinker's, a tailor's, a toy merchant's, a butcher's, and a baker's. The children see confectionaries at the window. They lick the window to pretend they're tasting the cupcakes. As he sees the children, the friendly baker comes out with cupcakes for them, but they already left. The merchants gather to make a plan because they want to help those poor children. The children reach home, and they are welcomed by their mother with a kiss. Then, they eat dinner: hard bread and flat water. The children eat quickly, with the boy saying "I'm still hungry, Ma." She then cries, because they are very poor, due to the Great Depression. The boy tries to make her feel better by assuring her that he was "only foolin'" and their mother kisses them good night. They get in their pyjamas, and they each sing a part of the song, as they fall asleep beneath their very tattered sheets. She turns off the candle light, and goes to bed so sadly.

In their sleep, they enter a land with a welcome sign, an arch of pillows with the word "Dreamland". They walk happily through the wondrous land, which includes trees where they can pick beautiful clothes and shoes, a syrup river, an ice cream cone field with lilies pouring chocolate and caramel syrups, an animal cracker carousel with doughnuts, a field of popcorn-making corn stalks accompanied of flowers filled with melt butter to dip the popcorn in, wonderful toys, and two luxurious beds. They laugh happily, and fall asleep, only to wake up the next morning. To their surprise, a large feast is on the kitchen table, provided by the Merchants. They ask, "All for us?" The merchants say, "All for you." They shout in joy, but the boy sticks a fork on his bottom, to check if they weren't dreaming again. The children then laugh as a chorus sings "Somewhere in Dreamland, tonight."

Song's lyrics

I'll see you somewhere in dreamland

Somewhere in dreamland tonight

Over a bridge made of moonbeams

We'll find our clouds are silver lined

Each little star in the cosmos

Shining our welcome so bright

Dreams will come true for me and you

Somewhere in dreamland tonight

Trivia

• Unlike most Color Classics, which were produced in two-strip Technicolor, with the exception of Poor Cinderella (1934) which was filmed in Cinecolor, this was Fleischer Studios' first film in three-strip Technicolor.

• This cartoon is available on numerous public domain cartoon compilation DVDs and VHS tapes, but some of the included prints omit the first three minutes of the cartoon, instead starting with the children singing "Somewhere In Dreamland" in their beds before going to sleep.

• Some copies of Somewhere In Dreamland circulate with NTA openings and closings, with the "in TECHNICOLOR" and "COPYRIGHT 1936 PARAMOUNT PRODUCTIONS. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED." bylines censored with a black bar on the main title card, while others circulate with original Paramount openings and closings. This is one of very few Color Classics to widely circulate with original Paramount title cards, whereas the rest had to have their openings digitally recreated.

 Source: fleischerstudios.com

Color Classics Series Fleischer Studios Run time: 8:56 

Released in 1936, this enchanting film offers a prime example of Max Fleischer’s patented set-backprocess (sometimes erroneously called the ‘stereoptical process’). Using this pioneering system in which animation cels were filmed against actual 3-dimensional sets, Fleischer animators were able to create a depth of field and lushness unique to animation at the time. 
This was also the Studios’ first film using three-strip Technicolor; a complex process that involved an overhaul of the entire machinery and processing of filming. Although the process, invented by Herbert Thomas Kalmus, had been in use for a few years, Disney had secured exclusive use of the process through 1935.
The film's story, in turn both moving and playful, follows two impoverished children who go to bed hungry and dreaming of a better life, and awaken to find their dreams come to life. In contrasting the daily hardships of urban life with the magical enormity of a child’s fantasy world -- full of delicacies and delights --Somewhere in Dreamland creates a moving and poignant portrait of life in Depression-era America.
Rather brilliantly, the animators increase the impact of this contrast by waiting until the Dreamland sequence to take full advantage of the magical, 3-D effect created by the set-back process. To see this, pay attention to how the flat, somewhat monochromatic background of the film's early urban scenes gives way to the expansive and more intricately detailed layers and colors of Dreamland.
The title song, with music by Murray Mencher and lyrics by Charles Newman, was written specifically for the film.  

Somewhere in Dreamland

I'll see you somewhere in dreamland

Somewhere in dreamland tonight

Over a bridge made of moonbeams

We'll find our clouds are silver lined

Each little star in the cosmos

Shining our welcome so bright

Dreams will come true for me and you

Somewhere in dreamland tonight

The film is part of the Color Classics Series that started in 1934 and continued for seven years. A total of 36 films were produced for the series and two were nominated for an Academy Award: Best Short Subject (Cartoons): Educated Fish (in 1938) and Hunky and Spunky (in 1939).

Directed by
Dave Fleischer
Produced by
Max Fleischer
Adolph Zukor (executive)
Voices by
Mae Questel
(uncredited)
Music by
Murray Mencher
Charles Newman
Animation by
Seymour Kneitel
Roland Crandall
Distributed by
Paramount Pictures
Release date(s)
January 17, 1936
Color process
Technicolor
Running time
8 minutes 55 seconds
Language
English

Patent drawing for the set-back process

 

からくり - [Gimmick] - [Shuhei Nishizawa, 2010]

これは、友人と制作した『合作のアニメーション』です。テーマは、再生や循環です。全­て手描きで、鉛筆・色鉛筆・水彩絵具で表現。ぜひ感想等お聞かせ下さい。
This is a collaboration animation was created by a friend. A theme is a rebirth and regeneration. Is all hand-painted. We expressed in pencil colored pencil watercolors mainly.

アニメーション作品【 I wonder why 】公式 - [music by Amamania - animation by Artmic8neo(Shiro Tomura)] - [2012]

《詳細》特設ページ＞http://artmic8neo.jougennotuki.com/I_...
音楽ユニット amamaniaの楽曲『I wonder why』official music videoとして作ったアニメーション作品です。
●Shamian Hideko/Voice ●Aki/Synthesizer,Programming ●Kyoko Oikawa/Violin 

【歌詞】 I wonder why / amamania
I wonder why we want to know love.
何故私たちは愛を知りたがるの？
I wonder why there's love everywhere.
愛はどこにでもあるものでしょう？
I wonder why we can't let fear and sorrow go.
どうして私たちは恐れや悲しみを手放せないの？
We hold the universe inside of our hearts and soul.
心と魂のなかには宇宙があるんだよ。
I wonder why there's war in this world.
なぜ世界中に争いがあるの？
Can't we see that we can see ourselves inside everyone?
みんなの中に私たち自身を見る事ができないのかな
I wonder why the light of heart fades away.
私たちの心の光は消え去ったのかしら？
I wonder why our hopes go astray.
希望はどこにいってしまったのか。
I wonder why we are crying.
私たちはどうして泣いているの？
If we create happy future, we'll all have light in our hearts.
もし、幸せな未来を作るとしたら、私たちすべてがそれぞれの光を灯そう。
Turn on the light of love, let's connect like a flap of abutterfly.
愛の光を灯そうよ。そして蝶の羽ばたきのようにつながろうよ。

●Artmic8neo(Shiro Tomura) / animation

http://artmic8neo.jougennotuki.com/

Site of Art works by Artmic8neo(Shiro Tomura).

The real name has been opened to the public only in the alphabet. Existence like shadow.

"8" means "Infinity" seen from a different angle. Pleasure and sadness continue infinitely. 

I want to express it.

Artmic8neo (Shiro Tomura)による、アニメーションとイラストレーションのサイト。

漢字による実名の公開は行っていません。使用画材は、主に平面作品にアクリルガッシュ、色鉛筆。アニメーションは手書きアニメーションと3DCG。Artmic8neoの”8”は数字ではなく、違う角度から見た”無限”を意味しています。無限に続く喜びと悲しみ。そんなものを表現して行けたらいいなあ、って思います。

Otogizoshi: The Fairy Tale Book of Dazai Osamu - [1945]

by Osamu Dazai, Joel Cohn (Introduction), Ralph F. McCarthy (Translator)

Dazai Osamu wrote The Fairy Tale Book (Otogizoshi) in the last months of the Pacific War. The traditional tales upon which Dazai's retellings are based are well known to every Japanese schoolchild, but this is no children's book. In Dazai's hands such stock characters as the kindhearted Oji-san to Oba-san ("Grandmother and Grandfather"), the mischievous tanuki badger, the fearsome Oni ogres, the greedy old man, the "tongue-cut" sparrow, and of course Urashima Taro (the Japanese Rip van Winkle) become complex individuals facing difficult and nuanced moral dilemmas. The resulting stories are thought-provoking, slyly subversive, and often hilarious.

In spite of the "gloom and doom" atmosphere always cited in reviews of The Setting Sun and the later No Longer Human, though, Dazai's cutting wit and rich humor are evident in the entire body of his work. His literature depicts the human condition in painfully blunt and realistic terms, but, like life itself, is often accompanied by a smile.

Osamu Dazai

born

in Tsugaru /Kanagi, Japan , June 19, 1909

died                                        June 13, 1948

gender                                   male

genre                                     Literature & Fiction

About this author

Osamu DAZAI (太宰 治) was the pen name of Shūji Tsushima. Although his father wanted him to be a politician, he insisted on being an author. When he applied to the Tokyo University French Literature Department, he was 20 years old. For most of his lifetime, he was a drug addict, an alcoholic and a sufferer of tubercolosis.

His last book Ningen Shikkaku (No Longer Human)(1948) is an authobiography. It documents his childhood, university years, and the time in which he acquires tuberculosis in detail.

In 1948, he committed suicide with his mistress.

Osamu Dazai is still one of the most popular authors in Japan.