Sakura Con 09' Video

I sometimes get behind on what's happening in the world of anime, so I usually turn to Anime News Network to catch up on what I've missed, and I almost missed a classic.

I was browsing the "Chicks on Anime", a section where a group of girls give there opinion on various trends and news in the anime world, and I almost missed a rather interesting column about a commercial for Sakura Con 09 directed by famous attention whore, Vic Mignogna. Seems harmless enough right? Well that's what I though at first, so I watched said video. Wow Vic, did ya cram enough stereotypes of anime fans in there? The video also features a cameo by Tiffany Grant, another voice actor, probably most famous for her role as Asuka in Neon Genesis Evangelion.

Before I offer a few opinions on said commercial, I would like to say that I fully agree that the video is pointless and nothing to get worked up about, but the video certainly gets under my skin, mainly because it sends a rather negative message to non anime fans that all anime fans are sushi eating, Japan worshiping Japanophile weeaboo fucktards.

In the span of around 31 seconds I witnessed enough stereotypes to make your head spin and promptly fly off. If your average Joe happened to see this, I'm pretty sure they would think anime fans are a bunch a insane weeaboo's. The video starts with Tiffany Grants saying how much she loves sushi, then some random dude saying he loves Japan period, a comment about J-Rock, followed by some mall emo mentioning shitty J-Metal band Garugamesh(Gilgamesh), random stuff about anime and manga, gaming, and other assorted stuff, hell they should have mentioned JRPG's as well, cause most JRPG fan boys are huge weeaboo's as well. What's really sad is that even though it's a commercial full of stereotypes, most of them are in fact spot on.

I remember my first (and last) con, I went to Anime Weekend Atlanta. It was pretty fun, managed to pick up some neat stuff, a few T shirts, catch up on my Berserk manga, and some other nick nacks, however I just took in the sights and didn't bother talking to anyone. The whole experience was pretty cool, and i did have good time, but the stares I would get, you know the "your not a true fan" stare, man I was so glad to leave, and I doubt I will go back. Which brings me to another point....

While I said that the video portrays a lot of stereotypes in regard to anime fans, but at the same time it's true. Over the years I I would stand up and say "Not all anime fans are like that!" but I had to come to the sad realization that a huge chunk, if not the vast majority of anime fans are like the video portrays them, hell I'd go as far to say it actually encourages this type of absurd behavior. This is probably why a lot of my friends aren't anime fans.

Now, I'm sure some people are wondering, "but don't you like anime Richard?". Yes I do, and I like JRPG's, and various aspect of Japanese history and culture such as the Genpei Wars and The Tale of Heikei. I also enjoy music by various Japanese composers such as Yasunori Mitsunda, however is pretty much loathe JPOP and JROCK and find it to be a bunch of uninspired drivel. I don't care if someone if interested in Japanese culture, honestly I find it to be interesting as well, but if you think Japanese culture is just cartoons, comic, raw fish (sushi), and cardboard covered in chocolate (pocky), then you need help.

In closing, I have to say, I'm glad my weeaboo days are long gone and youtube has some really awesome parody video's such as Sakura-Con 40k: Dawn of Weeabo, check it out!

Ummm Shuster...

So it seems David "Slippery" Shuster accused Fox News of having no standards and saying this, "The inflammatory rhetoric from the wing nuts, is it merely entertaining or seriously dangerous?....Shouldn't there be some standards at some of these other networks? I mean, that's a problem, isn't it? There's no standards."

Ummm...Shuster, you do know which network you are on don't you? You know, the same network that on the March 12th edition of Countdown with Keith Olbermann was pushing some half-cocked conspiracy theory that Dick Cheney was leading an "executive assassination ring". This absurd theory was put forth by famous libtard Seymour Hersh. Yeah MSNBC is just oozing with standards aren't they Shuster.Hypocrisy much Shuster?

Todd Howard at D.I.C.E. 09'.

It seems like Todd "The Hype Machine" Howard gave a 25 minute presentation at D.I.C.E, and I'd like to share some thoughts on some of his more colorful comments.

"The first two Fallout games sold poorly."

Oh really Todd, that's funny since when is 500k apiece considered a failure? I'm sorry to break it to you Toddy but the first two Fallouts did not fail. They actually sold very well for the time they where released back in 97'.

"Culture of Quality"

For priding themselves is quality, it certainly is lacking at Bethesda. If they have such a "culture of quality", then why are Oblivion and Fallout 3 such bug filled and glitch ridden messes? I've played both the PS3 version and the 360 version, and both version are full of bugs and glitches, even after several patches. It's not like the glitches are minor, several of them are annoying such as enemies falling threw the floor and dead enemies getting stuck in the floor, the wall, and several times spazzing out and going all rubbery and shooting up in the air and those are just a handful and humorous glitches. I could write a essay on the sheer amount of bugs and glitches in both Oblivion and Fallout 3, and to think several reviewers and gamers have the gall to say they aren't that major.

"Great games are played, not made."

Todd is partially correct on this. Indeed great games are played and enjoyed by millions the world over, however they are also made. Todd also goes on about how worthless design documents are and how they are a waste of time. Really, design documents are a waste of time? Honestly why say such a thing? Design documents are a good way to see what direction the game is going in, although this would explain why Fallout 3 is such a mess of random parts of FO1, FO2, and FoT all rolled into a mess random fan service.

"We went back and played the old games."

Sure you did Bethesda, sure you did. Just like all the hardcore FO3 fans claims that they played the old ones right? You know the same FO3 fans that call you a fan boy and tell you to stop complaining if you dare criticize FO3. This also reminds me of the making of DVD/Bluray that game with that limited edition, which basically had Todd talking about about how they love the old games as it played on a loop in the back ground. Given the amount of plot holes in FO3, I doubt this comment, but hey maybe he did and just hand picked what was cool about the older titles such as violence, swearing, and the retro 50's future....oh wait.

"We wanted to make looking at stats entertaining with pipboy."

Sadly, they didn't. Humor is not something Bethesda does well at all and I don't see that improving anytime in the near future. The game is littered with unfunniness from start to finish.

"The old games where violent as well."

Yes they certainly where, however it wasn't the main selling point either. In FO3, Bethesda added V.A.T.S, a system that everyone calls tactical and useful, but in the real world it's a god mod that lets you see the same damn death animation(s) over and over again. Why? well to quote Todd "Violence done right is fucking hilarious". To be fair, it can be...however FO3 fails at having funny violence.

"I was backstage, giving out more awards to LBP - cause they don't have enough."

Awww. Poor Todd, what's the matter? Upset that Little Big Planet won awards it deserved? I have a feeling Todd was simply joking around, however he did seemed a bit pissed that FO3 wasn't winning for innovation. If Bethesda expected to win awards for innovation, the I would have to ask the question, what about Fo3 was innovative? It certainly wasn't V.A.T.S, and it sure as hell wasn't the overall game design. Face it Bethesda, FO3 was in no way innovative. It was a cookie cutter McRPG that Bethesda does best.

Peace out bitches.