Giant Robot Store and GR2 News
For the bunch of you who went to the Biennale 4 and didn't examine the Giant Robot Store Installation. Here's one angle of it. There are tons of details within so I'll make an effort in the next few days...
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The pocket edition of Tekkonkinkreet is out this week, featuring new cover art by Taiyō Matsumoto, some rarely-seen color artwork, and an afterword that I wrote (humbly) for this edition. These beautiful little books are currently available only in Japan, but the folks at Shogakukan Comics have seen fit to print my contribution in both Japanese and English. This has already been an unusually prolific year for Taiyō, with pocket editions of older works coming out regularly and Sunny, his newest, currently serialized in Shogakukan’s IKKI comics (the 3rd collected volume of Sunny has just been released in Japan and an English edition is in the works). As if that weren’t enough, the Toronto Comic Arts Festival have announced a gallery show of original Taiyō artwork as well as a screening of my filmed adaptation of Tekkonkinkreet. Taiyo Matsumoto is a Japanese comics creator whose kinetic style and thoughtful, considered narratives have won him fans across the world. Drawing on a wide range of artistic influences from Japan and Europe, Matsumoto’s graphic novels evidence a deep knowledge and appreciation of the entire world of comics. Matsumoto is best known to English-reading audiences for his work Tekkonkinkreet, which was adapted into an Academy Award-nominated animated film in 2007. Originally released in English as “Black & White”, the graphic novel and film have drawn wide acclaim thanks to their beauty and unique style. His other English-language works include Blue Spring, GoGo Monster, and No.5. Matsumoto also has an extensive bibliography of works translated into French, including all of his English works and the additional series’ Ping Pong (5 volumes), Le Samourai Bambou (8 volumes), and Freres du Japon. Matsumoto has also had live-action film adaptations of his works Blue Spring and Ping Pong, both of which are available on DVD in North America. Taiyo Matsumoto will debut his brand new ongoing manga series Sunny at TCAF, published in English by Viz Media. The World of Taiyo Matsumoto: This talented and prolific cartoonist’s career will be explored through a full program of Festival events, headlined by an exhibition of original artwork and goods, to be held at and in conjunction with The Japan Foundation, Toronto. Further events will include a special screening of the film Tekkonkinkreet with Director Michael Arias and Screenwriter Anthony Weintraub in attendance. Toronto Comics Art Festival website I can’t praise Taiyō Matsumoto and his unique work enough. from Michael at michaelarias.net
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While production for the fan maligned live-action Akira adaptation may have screeched to a halt as of January 5, 2012, Otomo Katsuhiro–the original creator for the manga and anime–is ever busy with an upcoming art exhibit at the 3331 Chiyoda Arts Centre in Tokyo, Japan, showcased between April 9th to March 30th, 2012. The Genga Exhibition, as it is called, already has a catalogue available for pre-order on Amazon.co.jp. So far, unpublished art for Kaba 2 will be showcased alongside pieces from his other work. In addition to that, a special discussion will occur live on UStream between Katsuhiro-san, Blood: The Last Vampire‘s Katsuya Terada, and Perfect Blue‘s Hisashi Higuchi on April 9th, 8 p.m. Japan local time. Guests are required to purchase their tickets in advance at Lawson’s convenience stores for admittance at a designated time. What’s better is that this is an opportunity to geek out for a good cause. Thirty percent of ticket proceeds go towards helping victims of the 3/11 Earthquake. Nothing’s set in stone, but I’ll definitely try to make it out there sometime in April or May and report further on the exhibit. Tickets are on sale 1500円 for adults, 800円 for students, and 500円 for junior high school students. For more information, visit 3331 Chiyoda Arts homepage or follow them on Twitter and Facebook. 6-11-14 Sotokanda Chiyoda-Ku Tokyo 101-0021 TEL：+81(0)3-6803-2441 / FAX：+81(0)3-6803-2442 / E-MAIL：info@3331.jp
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Lone Wolf and Cub acquired. Yes, is the lead going to be DeNiro? Will it be whitewashed? We hope not, but most likely it’ll end up being a dark haired non Asian. Perhaps it’ll be a half Asian. That said, Kotaku then published something funny. Not all films are whitewashed! They provide some examples. Plenty of it is classic Americana crap, and it’s mostly old. Oh well, we’ll see what happens to this classic manga and movies. Will this be an action packed samurai movie?
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