Well. It’s that time of the year.

The end of 2009 is almost drawing to a close and a new year is just around the corner. Gosh it’s amazing to know how quick the whole year has gotten by. Many things to cast plenty of reflection on what things should or should not happened this year such as do many people lose jobs due to redundancies, businesses taking several cost-cutting measures to save businesses, and more and more people facing lines of unemployment, hoping to find work so they can get back up on their feet again.

Just like myself. I too heard the words of redundancy crept up in my ear as soon as I found out my services were no longer required by my company and they could not keep me anymore…

It was an unfortunate fact I’m part of that statistics.

It was difficult….

The year 2009 was certainly the most difficult year to date for many businesses and ordinary people like you and me.  And there are many times where I find blogging can be struggle when you have distractions like these.

But despite what happened, I convinced myself that I will get through just like everybody who went through as well. Everyone’s gotta move on and learn that this ‘experience’ will make them stronger along the way. With my current work as a contractor (which I found less than 3 months ago after I was made redundant), it’s allowed me to look at so many broad options how I want to lead my life forward along with my work on my anime blog.

So let’s forget all the toils and troubles everyone’s gotten through this year and focus on bringing new hopes and dreams of the new year.

I know I certainly do! For there will be exciting goals and dreams to look forward to attaining, everybody’s gotta keep their chins held up high.

So with that, I’d say it’s easy to admit this year hasn’t been easy for anyone whether you’re student studying for job you’ve always wanted but couldn’t get it or you’re worker recently been left out of work for a while due to companies’ restructure etc, etc. We all need our friends and families more than ever to keep them by your side.

They’re the ones who will always help you when you need them. To pick up your feet and move forward. Moving forward to a bright future.  Onwards to more great anime blogging.

And what better way to do this is celebrate yourself a great Christmas with your family and friends.

With that, I wish everyone Merry Christmas and have a safe holiday!!

This from Generation Mech’s blogger.^^

Merry Christmas Everyone! See you all next year in 2010!

Well… Not on all facets of them yet anyway.

Just starting with TV program first.

At least that’s what I understand after reading the blog from AltJapan and LightSabre.

The top chart reads out that males’ top 5 anime preferences are

1. K-On!
2. The Melancholy of Suzumiya Haruhi
3. Lucky Star
4. Gundam (all series)
5. Saki

Whilst for girls, theirs are

1. Gundam (All series)
2. K-On!
3. Code Geass
4. Macross Frontier
5. Evangelion / Toradora

After reading the above blogs, there’s a somewhat general consensus that we’re seeing a ‘reversing’ trend of male vs female otakudom.  Males are usually(and always will be) attracted to high-tech items, gadgets, toys, male-leading roles in various animes whilst girls are attracted to several romance, gentle characters (both male and female), and teenage-type dramas in several anime.

Couldn’t reach a final comment to say this is necessarily a good thing or a bad thing….

All I can say is that it’s a different kind of the generation for the youth in this modern day.   Tastes have certainly changed (or rather, evolved) and many people within the anime business community will have to be smart enough to follow where the youth market of the future is heading  to (and capitalize on their changing needs).  It’s bold step for them to engage new types of anime business activity for the youth of both sexes.

Perhaps it’s also another way of breaking down the barrier in gender differences for the first time in history and that both sexes don’t have to feel awkward when exchanging tastes between the two?  Perhaps they’re more open-minded now than they were many years back…

Source: AltJapan, LightSabre

Macross Frontier (MF) are at it again.  Now with their new film that’s just been released a few weeks ago, according to this blog,  it’s come to dazzle the audience with incredibly stunning cutting-edge animation, wide array of VF-fighter jets flying all over the cinematic screens with its impressive air dog-fight sequences and the mesmerizing story-telling elements by none other than Shoji Kawamori, our legendary Macross director, himself.

Lots of character casts were there for the glorious evening. Shoji Kawamori is amongst the crew.

Following this anime fan’s blog, the entire MF gang were there to enlighten the MF-crazed crowd. You can see them performing the PR stage from the beginning to the every end.

What’s interesting of this blog, as you scroll down the pages while skim reading, you are reading the translated script of the individual voice actors (and Shoji Kawamori) who presented their speeches in front of large audience.  This way, you get the rough sense of what they were truly saying while the premier was going on.

It’s sure was a major hit for the crowd during that day!

As you slowly get to know the main voice actors of MF representing the film, there’s one particular (how should I say) star of the show really wowed the audience! And it’s this person’s cosplay as Ranka Lee.

And… IT’S NOT A GIRL!

I just dropped myself dead on the floor laughing hard out how hilarious this turns out to be!!! :)

Apparently, this ‘gentleman’ is a Japanese kickboxer who’s well known in the boxing community, hence he’s pretty butch.  And he likes anime too.  One of his obvious favourite category in anime is the cosplay.   Looking at the above pictures, he’s certainly knows how to get in touch with his feminine side so acutely… :)  (He’s also got his own personal blog, if you’re keen to find more about his secondary life as an otaku)

So there you have it folks.  The MF movie premier for ya!

Source:  Networkedblogs.com, Gigazine.net

Not long ago, J.J. Abrams (Lost, Alias), one of the executive producers/directors, are in talks with Hasbro making a live-action film based on the Microman series.  Hasbro bought the license over the 70’s classic series as it was part of the company’s long term strategy which lead to its phenomenal debut of Transformers G1 in the 80s, thanks to Takara’s (blessed) efforts in expanding Microman product lines into this range of vehicle-transforming robots called Diaclone series.

After reading their article,  I decided (with plenty of enthusiastic reasons) to go online and research further what made Microman such a hit in the late 70s….

And here’s what I encountered!

Microman series 1976-1980

From the look of this video, it consolidates all the great Microman commercial series, showcasing all the different models were made during that 4-5 year tenure.  Here are some of them.

Microman Vintage Commercial – One

Microman Vintage  Commercial – Two

Microman Vintage Commericial – Three

Later on, Takara,( its original company name before being rebranded as TakaraTomy) saw its Microman toylines’ potential to expand them, and eventually created an entirely new brand of toylines called the Diaclones, which are the shape-shifting miniatures that can disguise themselves into any toy vehicles ie cars, devices, airplanes, trucks etc.

Aka that’s how Transformers G1 series was born.

Here’s a couple of interesting early making of Transformers.

First Jazz Appearance

First Optimus Prime Appearance

First Dinobot Appearance

So, there you have it. Plenty of history going on here behind these vintage Japanese TV ads and how Transformers’ evolution gotten here.

Rest assured I’m certainly looking forward to watch Transformers G1’s predecessor in the big screen!!

Source: ANN.com