Scrambled Recommendations

I have added a three film science fiction anime feature series and the three novels it was based on to my recommended titles listings.

These are for the Mardock Scramble novels, released in English as one large volume, and the three animated features of the same name.

An interesting read and viewing, plus Hayashibara Megumi does a great playing the main role in the anime. I hope folks will find these interesting.

Dora-Heita

I have added another recommended title to my live action movie recommendation lists. This one is Dora-Heita, directed by Ichikawa Kon. If you are looking for a fun character driven film set in the Edo Period this is a good choice.

Still not convinced? Check out who co-wrote the screenplay: Ichikawa Kon, Kinoshita Keisuke, Kobayashi Masaki, Kurosawa Akira.

Japanese Animation Guide: The History of Robot Anime

Japan's Agency for Cultural Affairs has published a report on super robots written by nime critic Ryusuke Hikawa. An English translation was done by Matt Alt.

The original and translation are available at:

http://mediag.jp/project/project/robotanimation.html

I've downloaded it an put it on my iPad for commute reading.

A Scoundrel of a Barber

I have just added a new title to my recommended live action movie page. This one a recording of a kabuki play Tsuyu Kosode Mukashi Hachijō - Kamiyui Shinza.

Nakamura Kanzaburō XVIII, one of my favorite actors in kabuki and movies, is so good as the villainous main character that you want to grab the nearest stick and smash him on the head with it. The play was written by Kawatake Mokuami  who also scripted the masterpiece Shiranami Gonin Otoko 

Mizuki x 4

I have added four manga by Mizuki Shigeru to my recommended manga page.

These are:
Kitaro
NonNonBa
Onward Towards Our Noble Deaths
Showa 1926-1939: A History of Japan
It is good to finally be getting works in English by this modern giant of the manga world.

Planes of The Wind Rises

Last night I saw The Wind Rises in San Francisco, the Sundance Kabuki has it in three theaters. Two for the subtitled version and one for the English re-dub.

Some of the more unusual planes we saw in the movie were real.

Caproni Ca.60.

Caproni Ca.90.

Junkers G.38.

Lotsa Lupin

I have created a section on my recommended anime page devoted to various Lupin III anime.

Titles I recommend in the section include:

Lupin the 3rd: First TV Series [1971-1972]

Lupin the 3rd: The Mystery of Mamo [1978]

Lupin the III: The Castle of Cagliostro [1979]

Lupin the 3rd: The Fuma Conspiracy [1987]

Lupin the 3rd: Crisis in Tokyo [1998]

Lupin The 3rd Episode 0: The First Contact [2002]

Lupin the 3rd: Green vs Red [2008]

Lupin the Third: Woman Called Fujiko Mine [2012]