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Below are the 10 most recent journal entries recorded in
fifaychu's LiveJournal:
| Friday, December 16th, 2005 | | 9:45 pm |
Well...
I recently revisited the semi-official website of China Animation Association and read some quite interesting "news": 1) A creative animation company in Shengzheng (the famous Chinese city grew into a metropolitan from a fishing village in 20 years) signed a contract with PLA Film Company to adapt an old movie into the animation format. The old movie and the current Chaname is called "Sparkling Red Stars". It is about a little boy's quest to find his father, a Red Army officer after his mother was killed by KMT army in late 20's because she was a communist. You can safely call it a propaganda film. But, the interesting point is that to sign a contract with a PLA propaganda unit is a safe way to make money though it is not easy. Nobody would reward you a government contract without connections. This company certainly has to be politically "acceptable" by China’s propaganda department and PLA. 2) Walter Disney signed a contract with a Hong Kong animation company to finance and create an animation film called "Secrets of A Treasure Gourd". Sounds good? Well, the original novel was written for Chinese Young Pioneers and very popular among Chinese youths in 50's and 60's. But, nobody probably ever heard of it outside of China. Right! It is a semi-propaganda novel for kids although it was really well-written. What is the point? To make money in China is the bottom line. As Chinese say: "The Disney of US finally walked its first step of trying." And, Walter Disney is responsible for the oversea distribution. I wonder how much they have to change to artistically get rid of the "communist" (though barely) contents without offending Chinese government. | | Sunday, December 11th, 2005 | | 1:02 am |
Mm? Mm...
My last entrance was in May? Oh, well, my life is boring, so there is no big deal if I do not update anything. Actually, my life is full of interesting points. My three birds are getting really fat because of lacking of exercises even when they are outside of the cages all day long. They just do not have to find food. Their food is there waiting for them. The danger of leaving birds running wild is always there. But, at this stage, I do not think I have to worry about the potential dangers. They are fat and lazy. They sit on certain spots for hours and hours. When they feel hungry, they go back to the cages and eat. Sometimes, they stay in the cages and doze after the meals. Like my birds, I am getting fat too. Cold winters always promote my interests in chocolates. Here, we go, I keep eating chocolates and gain pounds. However, I think one does need extra fat in winters. We are not too far away from penguins from the viewpoint of ptotecting ourselves in bone-chilling winters. Long live chocolates. I promise myself that I will work hard to trim back when the spring comes. | | Thursday, May 5th, 2005 | | 1:49 pm |
The last chapter of Naked Truth by Ayano Yamane
I was very slow on following up Yamane's writing because the most of her previous works are kind of mm....hmm... not in my taste except the "flower" arc of Viewfinder - I called it "splendor" arc due to different interpretations. Yamane put down a heavy plot for the future development in chapter 5 of Naked Truth. It was a pleasant surprise. Once again, she was at the top of her sketch&CG game. Fewer mangakas can portrait images in such superb skills as she does. All her eyes, lips and entire faces can talk (ignore torsos and limbs, please. They are sort of deformed like all manga characters). But, what made me really surprised was that she had written down some beautiful and meaningful sentences! Yes, I need a spiked bubble to emphasize it. To be honest, she started the exercise much earlier, but her writing had regularly been ignored in West partially due to her not well-written series or one-shots in her early days and partially due to inartistic translations (Well, it is the reason that we must read many things in original languages in case of "lost-in-translations"). But, her writing is getting better and better as I can see, especially, if she can concentrate on Viewfinder storylines. All characters started getting their fleshes and emotions. They are not only sex machines anymore. Liu Feilong is twisted more than ever. Well, I think I will forever like this character regardless how twisted personality he gets under Yamane's pencil and mouse. By the way, I am still not impressed by her "Crimson Spell" series regardless how much the magaka herself likes this work. Well, do I ever like a fantasy story? Maybe, in my younger days? This reminds me why we like or dislike some authors or series. I personally prefer good writings including the plots and the contents, such as: Motoni Modoru - "Detective Bluecat" and "Poison Cherry Drive": both are YAOI - wonderful plots and humors; Chen Mou - "Fire Phoenix"/"The Ravages of Time": historical epic - invincible (what else can you say?); Ima Ichikno - several her stories about homosexuality: I just can't stop laughing when reading them. But her images are arguably "unimpressive" to me. And, certainly, Oki Mamiya - "Demian Syndrome": I wish Takayama and Azuma were forever at 16 and forever in platonic love. The torment of waiting as Azuma is such a concealed person makes this story uniquely good. Poor Takayama, how long does he have to wait for that love, it may not be what as he desires, from Azuma? I suddenly recall the OVAs of Mirage of Blaze that we recently watched. In the end, I yelled out: "I 'hate' Takaya!". It was very not like me to hate a lovely character, but it turned out to be. The same feeling I have now toward Azuma and Asami of Viewfinder. Yes, watch the OVA, you will find why. They are in the same category of skillful tormentors. Maybe, they are just very JAPANESE. The complexion of a Japanese man is beyond my comprehension? | | Sunday, March 13th, 2005 | | 8:23 pm |
I am stuffed and pleased
Finally, Rem and I moved our lazy butts and went to our favorite Japanese Restaurant - Tomo again. We were stuffed and very pleased after two hours of non-stop eating and made fun of Japanese English like "Do you know how to say 'beer' in Japanese?" or "Do you know how to say 'door' in Japanese?" Tomo is a small Japanese restaurant in our area owned by either Taiwanese or Hong Konger. The owner and all his waitresses speak English, Mandarin (with perfect accents) or Cantonese. Regardless, the food in Tomo is always incredibly delicious and fresh! Toronto is a very strange place. Torontonians adore Japanese food like worshiping a religion. But, at least, in my understanding, 2/3 of small J. Restaurants are owned by Chinese-Canadian or Korean-Canadian other than Japanese-Canadian. Tomo is probably one of them. I do not know how authentic the food is, probably not very much Japanese except the fish is raw. Our Japanese friends probably will complain about the taste. I understand it perfectly as that old Japanese lady (a family friend) pointed out once "they" put too much sugar into "sushi" (the vinegared rice). At that time, "they" meant to be Koreans. Today, I found Tomo's sushi was too sweet even to my sweets-loving taste buds. But, I was still very pleased. Rem paid bill. Did I use too much "probably"? I will try out that famous Sushi Bar besides "Four Seasons" someday. I have to prepare $$$ for "a dinner for two" according to a piece of news that I read 10 years ago. But, I am really curious what the superb Japanese sushi tastes like. Current Mood:  chipper | | Tuesday, February 15th, 2005 | | 11:22 pm |
"Demian Syndrome" by Oki Mamiya
Have anyone read "Demian" by Hermann Hesse? Currently, the Storm in Heaven is scanlating a shounen-ai series "Demian Syndrome" by Oki Mamiya. If you have read Hesse's "Demian", you will understand why the manga is called "Demian Syndrome". In general, I do not like muddy stories of school boy + shounen-ai. But, I like this one. I go for Oki Mamiya (sounds pretty simple-minded *grinning*). I will read anything Mamiya writes or illustrates like novels of Kawahara Tsubasa. I have repeated for many times that I like Tsubasa's "Platonic Dance" (novel series). It is also illustrated by Mamiya. I really wish Mamiya could turn P. D. to a manga series (it would be a juicy yaoi). Is there any Oki's shrine? | | Monday, February 7th, 2005 | | 11:22 pm |
| | Sunday, February 6th, 2005 | | 4:01 pm |
Shigurui and 駿河城御前試合
Did anybody by any chance read this 60 year old novel - "Surugajou Gozenjiai" (駿河城御前試合)by Nario Nanjo? I just skimmed a manga version called Shigurui (シグルイ). It (blew me up) really reminds me Jun Yong's novels. I wonder if there was/is a Chinese version of the novel. If anybody have read this novel, please tell me whether it is any good and what is all about. From manga viewpoint, it is beautiful in its own way. The technique is similar to the Ravages of Time - being heavily PhotoShopped for sure. When it is beautiful, it is stunningly beautiful. When it is ugly, it is grossly ugly (made me want to skip the pages). I can't forget a couple images because of the expression on character's faces. I still love RoT and "Getsu Mei Sei Ki" (I always root for Hijikata), but this is my current favorite besides Oki Mamiya's "Demian Syndrom" (yeah, a weird combination. Let's say, I love pretty boys and handsome men). I highly recommend this series to all Bushido/Kungfu lovers. Hmmm, the mangaka is a man, so you are safe from yaoi and will get a "muscle feast" (yes!) Current Mood:  blah | | Monday, January 24th, 2005 | | 2:43 pm |
Recently, I am trying to find friends in the Livejournal who are interested in the combination of Kawahara Tsubasa and Oki Mamiya. I only found 10 or so pathetic persons (including myself) who are interested in Oki Mamiya, probably out of the interests in "Ja Dou". That is not what I need. Ok, BxB mangas are easily getting fans allover the globe, but not novels. I really like Kawahara's "Platonic Dance" series and want to chatt with somebody. Where are those Japanese study students? If you can translate Yamane Ayano and Motoni Modoru, you certainly can read Kawahara's novels and summarize something for us. The novels make boy's loves hotter! Besides, Oki Mamiya's artworks are superb! Please give me a shout if you are a fan of Kawahara Tsubasa. | | Tuesday, August 10th, 2004 | | 10:55 am |
MC needs translations of SIPM
Mangacity is looking for a translator or translations for Shinsengumi Imon Peacemaker. Their old translator is moving on (shocker!). If you are interested in helping out as a translator (Japanese to English) of SIPM, please contact Mangacity. SIPM is not licensed at this moment although ADV has licensed both anime and manga of Peacemaker Kurogane as we knew. Thanks for helping out. | | Friday, August 6th, 2004 | | 5:38 pm |
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