We're back. I mean; we never really left. We were only gone for a day or two.
Download episode 9, here.
The American War for Independence was but a dot point in history when compared to the scale of the UK vs USA dub-war. This episode, the UK and US dubs of KO Century Beast face each other in mortal combat. This one is longer than usual, but trust us: it deserves to be.
We also discuss:
Patalliro! in 4K!
Mandarake!
Finally, Dane was able to obtain the classic "Aura Fhantasm"!
Created by the short-lived Studio Unicorn, and heavily influenced by the art of Eizin Suzuki, California Crisis stands as a pretty fantastic time capsule of the 1980's, the Japanese impression of the USA, the OVA bubble-economy boom and City-pop.
After an extended sabbatical; we return! Download episode 8, here.
This episode, after discussing the death of Takao Saito, we listen to the award-winning dubs of Hades Project Zeorymer.
Review: Project Zeorymer
To this day, Zeorymer merchandise is still readily available. What was it about this manga that resonated? Why did an incomplete manga that ran in the loli-centric magazine, Lemon People, get a wonderfully produced OAV four years later? We try to answer this question by reviewing both the original manga and the subsequent OAV.
Featured FansubbersLonelyChaser Fansubs: Sonic Soldier Borgman is finally being fansubbed (again).
Just in time for the end of May, thus sticking to our one episode a month promise.
Download episode 7, here.
This episode, we discuss the tragic death of Kentaro Miura,the return of Macross and the dual dubs of Wicked City face off in our continuing war between Britain and USA.
Review: The Enemies The Pirates!
This episode, we prove just how hip and in touch with the kids we are by reviewing a book that almost no one in the English speaking world is ever going to read coupled with a six-episode anime series that very few have seen.
The Enemy The Pirates is a six episode series based upon one of the books of the same name. Kitty media pushed this title pretty hard overseas. However, lacking some beneficial context given by the original novels may leave many scratching their heads. The now-infamous UK produced dub is the primary reason that there's at least a small degree of awareness of this series in the English speaking world to this day.
The first novel, in what would would become a multi-Seiun Award winning series and the precurssor to the six episode anime series, is a brisk, entertaining read that deals with parallel dimensions, egg-hatching angels, demon weaponsmiths and a talking cat. The easiest way to obtain it is via BookWalker.
Whilst the American Revolutionary War has long ended, it was but a prelude to a much more serious war: UK dubs vs USA dubs. In our new recurring segment, we bravely report from the frontlines of this epic conflict. In the case of this episode, we look at original OVA series of AD Police, where the ADV and Manga UK dubs face each other in mortal combat. Who emerges the victor? Listen and find out.
A bluecoat veteran gives a pep talk to his disenfranchised fellow minutemen; reminding them that if Great Britain maintains its grip on the colonies, the Manga UK Violence Jack dub will be the only selectable option on the DVD.
In the distance, Militiaman Porter considers whether to interject with, "But their Patlabor 2 dub is a masterpiece!"
We also touch upon some classic super robot titles such as Daitarn 3 and Voltes V and Project A-Ko's upcoming BluRay release.
Featured Fansubbers:
Soldado Subs: Ninku seemed like a title that was destined to never be fully translated. Well, life is full of surprises.
Johnny English Subs: We are cheating slightly because this project is listed as "stalled". Yume Senshi Wingman is an early 80's Tatsunoko title that was a bit hit in France. This release, at twelve episodes, is incomplete, but it's further than anyone else has gotten. Here's hoping the project continues.
/m/subs: Definitely one of the more high profile fansubbers we've featured.
Mini-Review: Green Legend Ran
Back in the early to mid Neolithic period 1990's, the OVA format reigned supreme amongst English speaking anime fans. Even a cursory glance (as cursory as one could be with a dial-up modem) at the Anime Web Turnpike featured dozens of "fansites" for titles such as Moldiver, All Purpose Cultural Cat Girl Nuku Nuku and Green Legend Ran.
Saturday Anime's Anime Bingo post reminded us of this glaring hole in our retro Anime repertoire.
Green Legend Ran is a fascinating mélange of interesting worldbuilding, animation, ecological and transhumanist themes coupled with a degree of violence that stands in juxtaposition with its "innocent" character designs and overall aesthetic.
Imperfections aside, this contains all the ingredients that got us into Anime in the first place.
This episode we discuss All The Anime's release of the Cyber City Oedo 808 Blu-ray. A lot of the extras included in the box are aimed at fans in PAL territories who enjoyed Rory McFarlaine's soundtrack, which was not included in the US version, which retained the original soundtrack.
We also discuss the recent trailer of Godzilla VS King Kong; of which Hong Kong features prominently. Regan is a hardcore Kaiju fan and weighs in. Of course, in real life, if Godzilla and King Kong did make their way to Hong Kong, they would be absolutely annihilated upon arrival by the mightiest of them all: The Mighty Peking Man.
Want to feel just like the Mighty Peking Man? (And let's be honest: who doesn't?) Buy some awesome retro models of Hong Kong! Dane spotted these whilst enabling his friend's bus toy addiction.
Listener Feedback
Dane gets a question regarding fansubs which is a great time to once again plug, Bubby-Subs!
We also get a great message from longtime listener (and former podcaster) Jake regarding modern anime.
We seldom delve into much of the latest stuff, but here are some fantastic (relatively) recent Anime:
Review: Hoshi Neko Full House (Starcat Full House)
This delightful anime tackles the age old question: Can a Dave Coulier-free Full House work? Plato reportedly died from the sheer mental taxation this question inflicted upon him.
Directed by anime legend, Noboru Ishiguro, Starcat Full House is a delightful, charming, entertaining 80's science fiction musical.
That's right: musical; aside from directing and screenplay duties, Ishiguro also wrote the lyrics for the songs sung throughout the show. Performed by LISP; an idol group (reputedly) formed specifically for this OVA series, who also voice the three main female characters. This remains their only voice acting roles.
Featured Fansubbers
Shiteater Subs, bringing Dr. Slump to the English speaking world.
GoodAnimeNeverGetsOld, have released a classic Anime that European listeners might be familiar with: Bosco Adventure.
This episode, we discuss something on the TIP (pun intended) of every Anime fan's tongue: circumcision.
Dane ordered the original Project Zeorymer manga from Japan. Zeorymer merchandise is still pretty hot stuff to this day. Unlike the OVA, this manga is straight up hardcore Hentai; originally running in the now defunct, Lemon People.
Lensman actually aired on Australian TV; this sparks a discussion on Australian cartoons and depictions of Australia during the Australian New Wave, where every American cartoon had to have *the Australian* episode, where the characters visit Australia. It was never accurate.
The Karate Kid animated TV show was the worst offender.
Review: Heavy (ヘヴィ)
Created at the beginning of the run of Motoka Murakami's (JIN, Musashi no ken)
eight volume manga and directed by the late and great, Noboru Ishiguro,
Heavy is that very special brand of manly melodrama and very much a product of its time. Like California Crisis, it provides a fascinating insight into how Japanese perceived America.
This OVA, addressing issues such as homosexuality, the AIDS epidemic, prostitution and racism, might seem a little clumsy when viewed through a contemporary lens; but Murakami addresses each issue and character empathetically; an overlooked aspect of his work.
Dane worked on the translation, so grab the torrent, here.
Do note, it's not meant to be the greatest translation ever.
