Yes, this about the long awaited OVA for a lot of us, including myself. It has created quite a buzz around these parts, so without any more waiting, here’s my review.
The OVA opens to a scene of the sky as it rushes towards the island in the sea. (This is important.) This is where we first see Black Rock shooter inside fighting a girl. Where she is taken down. After the death of her comes our world. Mato awakes and starts her normal day. This OVA repeats this over the showing. It is quite good, but used often. The use of this technique I thought was something to get used to, but good none the less.
There are two parts to this story, the regular paced story of the real world, then there is the story of the other world, where BRS fights in. It’s seems to be full of holes, you don’t really know what is going on in the other world, but in our world, it’s pretty fluid. This makes it really confusing until the last 5 minutes of the OVA. Then, the lines converge and makes sense.
Before watching, I already figured out who it the Dead Master and who is Black Rock Shooter. It’s the process that is what I wanted to see fleshed out in this OVA. But the holes left me the impression that this is a pilot to a future series. This may or may not happen, but the way pilots go, the actual series might be totally different, or the asynchronous story line becomes linearized and a real story is told.This also left an opening for more development to tie up the plot lines in the future.
In the end, if you were anticipating the release over the past year or so, it satisfies your time, or like these types of plots, it’s a much watch, but if not, wait for the regular series. Pretty much what I said earlier about the rushing towards the island. It’s what is the goal of this OVA.
Sorry for the long delay, but I still need to finish the Spring Series. See you later!
OK, I have really busy with work. That means I was hired by my friend and fellow blogger at Pancake Landing for her wedding. I have a lot of work ahead of me, ~400 photos to be looked over, 200 to be processed, then 50 to be given the OK for showing. I can’t show you the photos since I have not received permission, but I’ll post some of them when I get the OK from them.
Now for a little YouTube for you.
Third time, when I am done with the Spring 2010 season, I’ll tell you. Also I am going to a Local Convention, called SCAARE, http://www.scare-con.org on the Thanksgiving Day Weekend.
I know there are very little people who do think that New Mexico is a big con place. Looking back, it sure is. So I am going to give some current info/rumors about these three cons.
#1 SWACE
I got two dates for when is this con is supposed to be held. Either in November of 2010, or in the Spring of 2011. This is not to interfere with the timing of Otakumex, or the Akimatsuri.
#2 Otaku Mex
OK, since I have given my info to them as the official con photographer, it has as much weight as a damn neutrino, I still have got any information from them at all. I looked and talked to others about it, and no one knows. I guess it would be around the same time as last year, but I won’t hold my breath on that.
#3 The Bro Committee.
This is the con dreamed up by the UNM Anime Club, it would have been a thing for the club to be proud of, but yeah, a con requires a lot of work years before formation. These people seem to not have the grapes to do it. So, naturally it failed without as so much as a whimper. It would have featured some panels form the local groups, I love those guys and gals, Maid Cafe, viewings of Anime and other Otaku stuff. This con died as the current club pres, Twikite, is leaving this Fall and no one knows what to do.
Club Politics (What is what I see)
The current Officer status: Never take this personally, it is a club issue, not yours.
I think that Twikite has some issues to work out. Two years ago, he was good headstrong guy. He always had stuff done, and had a “Vision” on what the club wanted and needed to get done. Now, since he’s going to graduate, is a biy sloppy on some of things he has to do. For one, he shaped the club that only he can run, or the previous President can run. Since nobody wants to run this club, since the current officers are somewhat not really have been competent in the duties, as I, a Club Member, entrust in them. I would like to run for this position, but it requires someone who has been an officer, and knows how to get the Student Government at all. Also, I have more things to be focused on than this. Although serving a small community of Anime Otaku for their sake is a noble job, but I can’t.
The current officers, oh boy this is an eclectic bunch. The three I think are the best to be the new president are leaving, for various, and good reasons that I do hold dear for myself. The rest, are for a better word, incompetent as officers. The current constitution allows club members to elect officers into the positions. That means, only the known and popular ever even get a chance to be on the ballot. The officers really don’t have any real skills on those positions they were elected for. A lot saw an open position and decided to run for it.
The future is that this club will be here, but not in it’s current form. This are some of the things I have heard from others and what I think should be noted. The Officers get appointed by the president for their skills, not popularity. It is a really simple concept, have the run club be run by people who now what they are doing and what they need to do.
Rant over, now on to more pleasant things, like a fun summer. So go ahead, I have to finish the Spring 2010 Series and make another post about that later. I have been very busy with things. ;-)
Just a little picture post here, I want to show that I have found these two shots pretty alluring. That I find myself almost lost in these two as I have seen as I took them.
As seen from Huning Ranch.
An amber moon, over the lights.
Just something for now, as I prepare for the Spring 2010 review.
This is the last post for FanimeCon 2010, I really don’t want to write this, but I have to finish. I know, it’s going to be a short one.
Monday, 05/31/2010: Night Driving, or “Do you know the way to Laughlin, NV?”
We headed south to leave San Jose, CA, remembering what highway to go to Bakersfield. Drove by the little farms and fruit stands as I made a getaway from the con. We were about two hours away from Bakersfield when my car found out that the other cars that left before us went down the wrong highway and one of them ended up in Los Angeles. So, the car that left San Jose last was now pretty much in the lead.
As the sun set in California, I thought that my lesson from this trip is that even though you had a clear objective and could overcome the problems. Still, the other party still has to reach halfway, and I cannot bridge that distance. Also, brought home the point just a little series of words do really have to potential to sink ships and people. When I did not receive those words at that time, I felt like I could not anything right, after all what I did before. I truly regretted that happened but I cannot change that, and neither can they.
We were headed towards Barstow, CA and wanted to see that sign that showed how far it was from there to the end of I-40. This time I did not catch it in time as we headed out across the Mojave Desert, seeing the distant glow of the cities and the stars. Talked about various things in the car. As we turned into Laughlin, NV, the Hotel this time seemed inviting. Twikite just got there before my car. Checked in, and went upstairs for the night. As I looked, on the bed, all I could think of was Albuquerque, NM and what might have been.
Tuesday, 06/01/2010: Back Home! “How can I forget that trip?”
After a cup of the room coffee, a quick shower, some breakfast, and gathered my things. Our car went downstairs, to my car. Loaded up, checked my twitter for the last time before filling up for gas. Headed off to Albuquerque, from there, saw the usual things like the funky radio stations around Winslow, AZ, the Walgreen’s Distribution Center, and we stopped at the Dairy Queen in Flagstaff for an ice cream. We became the first car to arrive into Albuquerque.
I dropped each person back their homes, and I got a quick bite. I went back home, empty as I unloaded my stuff. When my roommates came back, I showed them some things and started to relax. This was the first time in a long time, that I was not really happy when I was at a place to have fun. I was elated when I went back home, and when I went back to sleep, all I could think of was my photography, my friends, and what could have been a great trip.
After word, Thursday, 06/17/2010. Final Thoughts, “What do I think?”
After being back for two weeks, I have come to terms on what happened. I talked it over with some people I think of quite dearly, and came to the conclusion that it would have been improbable for if it would have happened. All I have to say is that I still have dreams, even after this OK trip, and that enough for me to go on. Now, I must think of the future, not on the past. After spending these past two weeks, my body still trying to adjust to the stress and the environment. I feel pretty good now, I can go to Fanime Con 2011, without any regrets or melancholy, and go forward.
Thanks, to those who understand and to those who helped me through this perilous journey.
This is the dairy of what I did and mostly thought about it.
Friday, 05/28/2010: First day.
Woke up, got ready for the day. Setting up my photo gear, checking the Twitter and mail, found out some things. Maridah et al. are leaving towards Fanime by that afternoon. Proceeded to eat breakfast with the Anime club, and I went off to take photos for while till lunch. After some fun photo taking, I headed off to wander the con, looked at the Dealer’s room and the Artist alley.
I took a quick lunch at the Pita Pit, I was enjoying my payday and vacation in San Jose, reading a local paper that featured Fanime 2010. Checked my mail and Twitter. Then I headed back to the con. Took a photo of a nice Cosplay, have to send her something nice. Several more hours of photo taking, then I went to the Vocaloid Panel run by Chun, from Chunism.blogspot.org. Found the panel very interesting. talking about the various Vocaloids, the memes, and other things. Including these photos of the panel, and Chun.
Chun gets a gift.
Sadly his panel was at the same time as Momoi’s concert, and some other things, I wanted to go too, but I liked Vocaloid more, and wanted to say “Hi” to Chun. His panel started a little late and ran into the next panel. After that, I went to the Hilton, had a coffee, and then went to dinner. Took some more photos of the club members celebrating their birthdays and went back to the room to relax in anticipation of the next day.
Saturday, 05/29/2010: Second Day, “Woah!”
Wow, still, this image would not fade, no matter what.
Yes, I woke up, got the gear together and talked to a photographer about some things while in the hotel about things and I parted ways towards breakfast two blocks away. I went back to the con and took a lot of photos in the sun. That was exciting, and was hot. I went inside, and saw that Cosplay in America’s booth was set up. I decided to say “Hi” and bought the book. He signed it, I took his photo, and he took mine on to Twitter. I then left to outside again to take photos for a little while longer. I decided to go back into the Artist Alley, and the is where I found Cosplayshots and Maridah next to the photo booths. We exchanged some words, and cards .(I am sorry that I lost your card Maridah!) I took some photos of Maridah in her Saber Lily and went out towards Stage Zero where I took that photo I posted earlier while a the con. She had some problems with the costume, and went back to room. While me and Cosplayshots went outside and talked some more about the gear and somethings. We proceeded to part ways and agreed to keep in touch via Twitter and see each other later.
After that, I decided towards the Dealer’s room and then I went back outside. Took some more photos and headed off to the room. Came back to the con to watch “Ladies vs. Butlers” till ~2 AM, went back to my room after some problems with Twikite not being able to back into the room, and went back to the video room to finish it out. Came back to the hotel room, wondered where Twikite went too, then fell asleep.
Sunday, 05/30/2010: The Final Full day. “What?”
I started the day a bit late, but I went down there again, ate breakfast, proceeded to take photos. I was waiting for a reply from Maridah and Cosplayshots after I sent them a DM via Twitter about what were the plans for the day. I went inside and talked to some people who were Sony Alpha fans, took photos of them. See the Sony at the Bottom.
Some Sony Alpha fans.
The Touhou Gathering.
After some more time at the Artist Alley, took some photos of the artists there and had some fun too. I proceeded to follow the Touhou gathering for the rest of the day, really. After that, I made a comment on my Twitter about two people forever being mysterious while I was at the Hilton, at the bar. Blue Moon can be so refreshing after a hot day in the sun. Yeah, then I went to another Touhou Panel after I ate dinner. I still need to send him the request to get his thesis about Japanese Mythology in Touhou.
Went back to room to unload some things, and then proceeded back to the video room to watch “B Gata H Kei”, “Ladies vs. Butlers” and some “Detroit Metal City”. Went back to the room, on to the floor again and thought how could it get any worse. After long preparation and anticipation, it came down to only a hand full of shots. I felt relieved that I am going back to New Mexico the next day, and pretty much would try to forget about it.
Monday, 05/31/2010: Time to go home, “Not a Second time.”
The UNM Anime Club's trip to Fanime Con 2010
The last day on the con, we gathered the UNM Anime Club in front took some photos and decided to start the packing. I went to the garage to pick up my car to the hotel for the others to load. I went to the room, loaded my car, and waited for about 30 minutes for the other cars to show up. The club gathered around my car during that time and just waited in the cool morning for the word.
The last photo of Fanime Con 2010 trip.
The word came out, we went to Denny’s for breakfast. We ate food, had fun with Gar, and then when the time to leave, I checked my Twitter, and found out that Maridah was going back. I jumped at the chance, I sent her a reply and went back to the con. We went back, my car wondered for about 45 minutes looking for her. Nothing. I got frustrated, went back to the car, and then headed out. I went to a gas station, reset my trip odometer, and left San Jose, CA.
Thanks for reading my rant. I felt this was going a post full of hate, but it was not. Just utter disappointment. In the end, it was for the better I guess. The next post is about the trip back to Albuquerque, NM and my final thoughts on the trip as a whole.
This is the story of the trip there, as told by the driver of the Orange Chevy HHR…
My HHR at the Crowne Hotel.
After I picked up the riders for my car, Jon, Kim and Mattlock, we headed towards the Wally World at San Mateo and Central to meet up with the other cars. I guess me car was early since We were there for about 45 minutes before the Club Pres, Twikite, showed with his car while almost the three other cars were there before He showed up. We got the folders that had information and gas money and my car departed for the nearest gas station.
My car left Albuquerque before 11 am, and I ran into a little problem, my tires were low on air. The car was weaving and a bit hard to control, and I had to stop immediately to fix it. I went to two gas stations before finding one to fill up on air, $1.50 was spent on full tires. After that was solved, had an uneventful drive to the next place for gas except for the poor roads out there.
We arrived in Winslow, AZ, again, picked up some gas and a little bit of food. Not much to this place, but it’s a nice place to stop once in a while. I have Google Maps installed on my phone and the maps and directions were great, more on this later. Reading the directions to make sure I don’t end up on the highway to Los Angeles and the roads towards Laughlin, NV for the the night.
We arrived at the hotel in Laughlin, NV, around 6:30 PM. Unloaded for the night and went to In-N-Out for dinner. Took photos, ate food, and had a gay fun time! Went back to the room, unwinding from the drive, and just chilling out. When it was time to go to sleep, I had the bed, tried to go to sleep, did some exercises, but the noise kept me up and the anticipation of “Fanime”. Dozed off, and then peace for three hours. So many thoughts ran through my mind, about the photography, the panels, Cosplayers, the riders the driving, money and the stuff to get. Just so much, that I could barely handle it.
We went on our way to I-40 via the Needles Hwy, after some gas and some food, and started to drive to San Jose, CA towards the Convention Center. We driven across the Mojave Desert, stopped at Barstow, CA for some food, and then made our way to Bakersfield, CA. We went across some abandoned houses, Edwards AFB, Boron, and saw a lot of windmills and a bit of rain. We arrived at Bakersfield, I missed an exit, drove in and got some gas. Used Google Maps for directions out of there, found it and drove out. It was that easy, I wish the other cars had it, more on that later.
We were driving up north I-5, about three hours from San Jose, when I heard that Twikite’s Taurus broke down at a gas station an hour away. So, I picked up speed and proceeded to go there and meet up. I saw that his car was already to go and I did not know if the other cars had to pick up another person. No one was telling me what I needed to know, so I had to ask Erica what was going on and go the dirt and were heading towards Los Banos, CA at the auto shop. We headed off to there and when I got there, I had Mattlock ask where the place was. A big yellow building on the left of the road, from Rob. We arrived at Los Banos, I asked the address of the place, but no one knew it. I drove about 10 miles off and went to the towing place to ask where was Twilite’s car. But they did not know, at this point was in almost a full blown rage and started to drive a bit erratic. I spun the wheels quite well when I drove off, I looked at the map of the city, found the connecting street, and after some furious things were said. I found the place, you could not even see this from the main road. You would have to drive about 500 ft. before finding this, and the other two cars behind us were still lost, because they did not have a map of Los Banos, I did via Google Maps, got there, I was texting my brother too, and sent him a furious message about Twikite. I did a little talk to the others on what was happening. Talked to Kim about it, felt much better about it, thanks Kim! Off we went to San Jose after the little diversion. Twikite stayed with the car until it was done and would come later that day to San Jose. We then called Twikite’s Taurus the THT, the Two Hour Taurus. It always fails two hours before arrival, kind of like Twikite himself!
Driving through the hills, rain, the farms and the funny dirty signs that lined the roads. Turned off onto the hwy to San Jose and found our way to Woz St. and turned into Crowne Plaza, and waited. We were the first to arrive and waited until everyone else came. That was the way there, crazy, stressful and I had more sleep than the last time.
Later this week, what and how I felt about the Con, and the cause about my current condition. Finally, the trip back, off to take a break from the first 100 degree day in Albuquerque, NM in 2010.
I have uploaded pretty much all of the photos on to the Flicker Account under “Cadha13″. Under my American Cosplay Paradise page, due to the smaller file size requirement, that might take longer.
I have got this done much faster than I did the last time due to the Beta of Adobe Lightroom 3, and that one program has saved my butt. On this page, I will post a little bit of what I have done, but I wont post all of it. If you like my photos, send me an e-mail or call me if I took your photo and gave you my card. I you want to buy my photos, just send an order via e-mail and I’ll send you an invoice via PayPal.
The things I did at the con were of course, at the video room for a little bit, the Touhou and Vocaloid Panels. The Vocaloid panel, is run by Chun, and I enjoyed very much, as it was informational and full of fun things. More people should look into Vocaloid. The Touhou Panels were very much full of new information to me and saw some good things too.
This year’s Fanime went off without any serious problems besides a few things that I have done and car problems. I’ll explain later about that, anyways, I have taken over 500 photos already, and have been posted on to my Flicker Account. I just need to post those photos when I re-size them later this week.
For those who just met me while at the Con, I have some rough spots time and again, but I hope you have enjoyed your photos, a testament to your work and dedication to the form. I have a long ways to go, and tend to lose the path.
#1. The president’s car broke down about two hours away from San Jose, and towed from the gas station from there to another place an hour later. I drove my car out there, got lost and got very frustrated. The directions I received were bad, I got mad and barely held it in since it was is birthday and getting hot blooded about it won’t get me to San Jose faster.
#2. For Maridah, there were some misunderstanding. I just got your side of the story, I now know what happened, I feel sorry for what happened to you and that the next time would not be so full of problems. I hope that we can enjoy our time at the con, instead of being caught up in our problems. I cannot take back on what I said, and the other things too. I had fun at the other parts of the con, but the highlight was lost, and we know that. ごめんなさい。 (Edited, 06/02/2010)
This is just a brief update, and a Apology.
Now I must prepare for the last day and for the drive to Laughlin, NV Good night!
By the time most of my readers are reading this, I am on my way to San Jose, CA. The drive there is spread over two days as said in my previous posts, and I want to have this post as a reflection.
Last year was my first time at a Anime Convention, Fanime will always have a place in m heart as the one I have truly found a community that shares the interests as me. I have found that taking photos of the event were just a way that I can pour my energy into and create something that no one else has seen. Meeting people that I have only talked via internet and having fun with my fellow New Mexicans. I have learned many things about cons, road trips and the other things so important I cannot mention.
This year, I will put forth an effort to act upon what I have learned over the year. I will pace myself, spend more time with friends, make new friends, and take better photos that I can only take. I will make nearly daily posts via my phone and photos of certain things from the con on to my Flicker and try to have fun wth my photography and some spending cash.
Now, I must go for now, I am going to leave something for you.
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