UlasanAnime.com – The author is considering pre-ordering three items from CD Japan for early next year, listing them for personal reference with affiliate links.
- WUG Best Collection: This collection features most of the songs from Wake Up, Girls! (WUG), which the author views as a music industry entity rather than solely an anime.
- Haramii’s First Live BD: Primarily for the bonus content (tokutens), but also because the author finds Haramii to be a lovely performer.
- IM@S CG St@rter Best: This album contains 14 existing character songs from The Idolmaster Cinderella Girls, focusing on the main 14 idols featured in the anime.
Additionally, a few recent items are mentioned:
- Ongaku Shoujo album: The author recalls a conversation at AWA with someone involved in Ongaku Shoujo and expresses satisfaction with Seto’s singing.
- Yanagi Nagi’s Polyomino: This is a new album by Yanagi Nagi, which includes bonus CD content.
The author admits to being less consistent with purchasing merchandise this year, with purchases often leaning towards less conventional items like doujinshi or happi coats from events they did not attend, describing these as “swag.”
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The author recently watched the 3DCG movie “Expelled from Paradise,” directed by Seiji Mizushima and written by Urobuchi. The film was produced by Graphinica, a studio known for its photography and CG work on various anime, including the movie and TV versions of The Idolmaster, and the CG for “Your Lie in April.” Graphinica is also credited for the memorable transformation sequence in “Penguindrum.”
A significant aspect highlighted is Itano’s role as the chief CG action director, leading a dedicated team for all action CG sequences. This expertise is evident throughout the film, particularly for fans of Itano’s action choreography and designs. The movie follows a conventional Hollywood-esque plot, offering ample opportunities for visually striking and action-packed scenes, with the latter half featuring several “jaw-dropping” sequences.
Witnessing the credits evoked a “Shirobako moment” for the author.
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On a less technical note, Mizushima’s direction incorporates many of his signature stylistic elements, resulting in a fast-paced narrative. While the film is action-heavy, the author questions whether the initial 90 minutes adequately set the stage for the potentially “corny” elements towards the end. Despite being a mainstream Japanese film, the crafting retains Urobuchi’s distinct style, characterized by a direct and forceful approach.
The protagonist is described as a tsundere teenage girl with blonde twintails and a large bust, voiced by Kugyuu. The author playfully points out that this description, when analyzed allegorically, reflects a core issue within “Expelled from Paradise.”
Clarifying further, “Expelled from Paradise” is a Toei Animation film, though Graphinica handled much of the production. The movie is not entirely 3DCG, incorporating some 2D animation, particularly for facial expressions. This mix occasionally strikes the author as humorous, similar to how the cartoony elements in “Karen Senki” sometimes felt incongruous with the show’s overall tone.
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The promotional efforts for Lantis Festival Vegas are in full effect, evidenced by the author receiving press releases and Otakon’s related social media activity. Additionally, a “rumors” channel the author is part of has indicated that individuals have been hired to promote Lantis Festival Vegas across various online platforms.
The author also notes the release of preview videos for Otakon Vegas/Lantis Festival, expressing a sentiment that Otakon could produce more compelling promotional material, suggesting Das Feenreich might need a larger PR budget. It is strongly implied, though not explicitly confirmed, that there will be a panel or signing event on Sunday at Otakon Vegas.
The presence of Sushio at the convention is anticipated to contribute to a positive and enjoyable experience.
