I have to say, first of all, sorry to Ed as I was so wrapped in my own little world that I didn’t notice his blog post about this. I usually read all his posts but this one slipped by me. I consider everyone whose reviews I read for opinion to be my captains in this endevour. That I failed to noticed one of my captains leaving the battlefield for a respite is inexcusable. Sorry, Ed.

Second, I’m gutted about this news as Ed is someone whom I derive a lot of guidance about the few reviews that I post every so often. More than anyone that I can think of, Ed proved to me that you could be a bloke and still review non-blokey manga. He also proved that you could treat people with respect on Twitter and not feel cross enough to lower yourself to an ungentlemanly level when someone crossed you (I already knew this from growing up but Ed simply helped, along with others, to re-enforce it). I remember when I “discovered” Ed on Twitter, it was a bit of chatter between him and @hisuiRT, I believe, and I decided to read more of his tweets (I can’t remember if I read his reviews first or his tweets so I’m going with his Tweets). After I followed him on Twitter, there followed a period where I actually checked if he had followed me back (an aside: if I follow you and you don’t follow me back in a quick time frame, I instantly begin to worry that you saw the new follow email, read some of my tweets and decided you don’t like me). One day, I get an email saying that Ed was now following me. Awesome! Now we can chat on Twitter and I can pick his brains! But reading more of his reviews was the best way of getting to know Ed. Still, to this day, if you’ve never had the honour and pleasure of meeting Ed, then the reviews are the best way of gaining an insight into who Ed is. Being on his podcast was one of the highlights of Otakon 2011 and I will continually curse the fact I didn’t get to spend more time with people at the con like Ed. Cries of next year ring hollow when the sheer distance for a European to traverse is taken into account. When you guys in the US hang out together at cons, remember to, I don’t know, not so much cherish but be mindful of the fact that some people you may not see for some time. For people like me, it’s usually a case of year long gaps.

Reading his reviews on comicsworthreading.com, I mean…do you know when you search for his name on the site, you get 31 PAGES OF CONTENT!?!!! I haven’t even crested at 10 ten worth of review content, alone, on my site! If only we could all be that good. Ed’s also the reason why I doggedly keep reviewing and reporting (meagre as my efforts are)on events that happen in the anime and manga industry. Because of something he reported on, I’ll keep writing in this field of endeavour if only to disprove the theories of people who maintain that only those trained in journalism can report in so open a field as anime/manga journalism. Every review I write, it’s because of people I respect, like Ed, who help me become a better, more eloquent writer. Every review I write is one more imaginary battle to be fought where the enemy is a closed mind and a closed opinion and victory brings the chance for more literary battle.

Thirdly, I figure Ed stepping down should be my call to step my game and put more of an effort into reviews as well as podcasts. I like discovering new stuff and write about it when I feel brave enough but week after week, Ed just put out review after review of stuff he’d discovered. And made it seem easy. I should be better at reviewing with that kind of ease. I CAN be better at reviewing with that kind of ease. I’m getting ready to tackle a project that frankly is making my legs turn to jelly at the prospect. But people who review other stuff give me confidence. Ed gives me confidence. Would that we all have a captain like that?

Ed has said that his podcast, Manga Out Loud, is taking a brief hiatus after which he’ll decide how or in which direction to take it. However Ed decides to call it, I will respect his decision. In the meantime, I can still enjoy his podcast archives until he reaches a decision. And for the record, I’m glad that Ed shared his written insight into manga with his reviews and I don’t, in any way, feel let down that he’s stepping down. Because there’s always the chance he’ll come back for a guest review sometime.

In closing, I hope I don’t come across as gushy in this text as that’s not how I feel in this regard. More like respectful and glad to be able to say that I know of a particular person and that they inform and shape aspects of my personality for the better.

So, one of my captains has left the battlefield. And I will await his return in whatever form he takes.

Direct Download

Download audio file (evan_minto_changing_faces_of_anime_panel_NYAF_2010.mp3)

@Eeeperschoice	Woody
@hisuiRT	Fraiser
@edsizemore	Cliff
@CrusherJ	Norm
@mangacast	Sam

Now, we’re gone as far as we can. We’re not assigning some of our female podcasters and bloggers roles as I feel we’re not that stupid to risk our necks over it plus I’d like them to answer for themselves(SEE EDIT). Remember the exercise here is not to pick the Cheers character you most look like rather the one you most feel like. Remember like the post title says it’s just for fun. Also it helps if you’ve seen Cheers.

EDIT: It’s just occurred to me that you guys might like a female character if you’re male and/or a male character if you’re female. My apologies for not spotting this sooner.

The exercise is open to all. If a character has already been chosen, no matter. I’ll attach you to that character and you’ll share the picture with someone else. If you want to leave a comment with your twitter link, I can then upload your most recent Twitter user image to the table.

P.S. Ed Chavez got the Sam Malone pick because he’s awesome and we nominated him to the role. So there.

Today we tackle Ocean Waves (or I Can Hear the Sea) from Studio Ghibli, our first review from that studio. I hope we did ok with the review but you lot can me tell other wise. While talking about Ocean Waves, Oni makes a connection in the roles of Liam Neeson of late.

Direct Download

From this:

to this:

and this:

finally:

Sense a pattern forming here?

We briefly touch off the passing of Robotech producer, Carl Macek. We will talk about Mr. Macek on another show but Oni does share some opinions on the man. In the meantime check out the tributes to Carl on Robotech.com.

We also tackle the thorny issue of what will Oni review for the next show. We had a fair few suggestions. Which one won? You’ll have to watch it and see!

Download audio file (ECP_Season_2_Official_02.mp3)

Promos played:
Up A Paddle
Ani-Gamers

The email address to send the request to Oni!

If you’re wondering what I’m chewing on during the show it’s a yoghurt desert.

1) Get a glass, like a whiskey glass, fill the base with fruit preserve.
2) Fill in with fresh yoghurt (flavoured or not).
3) Top with crushed biscuit.
4) Leave in fridge (uncovered) for two to three hours.
5) Enjoy!

Now see, you do learn something new!

Apologies for Oni’s poor audio. Mic change soon.

And Oni can be found on Twitter here

Links:
Fan Subbing
Early fansubbing techniques
Modern fansubbing techniques
Also check out Dave Merrill’s oldschool blog Most of my info on old school fansubs comes from him.

Magazines
(marked as defunct)
Newtype USA
PiQ Magazine
Otaku USA
Anime Insider
Animerica
Shonen Jump
Shojo Beat

Cosplay
Cosplay.com
Cosplay Wiki

And in case anyone wanted to see what it was that I was looking at during the panel:
Fan-Culture Panel Powerpoint file

I can’t remember any other links at the moment. If you do please email me. Thanks.

This time round I interview Keith, the con director for Eirtakon 2007. I must say that Keith and the rest of the staff helped me immensely recording and photographing the event. Shoutout goes to Ross! Shoutout goes to Barry!

I’ll add more links later today. It’s 3:20am now and I’m tired.

Promos

• Destroy All Podcasts DX(I’m on the latest show!)
• Northern Virginia Anime With Ataru

Shoutout goes to Barry!

Direct Download

Download audio file (ECP_eirtakon_con_director_interview.mp3)

If you’re into Gothic Lolita fashion or cosplay in general in Ireland then check out this forum on Eirtaku

Things mentioned on the panel:
Cons in Ireland:

• Q-Con
• Tomo-Dachi
• Eirtakon

Lolita/Cosplay:

• Gothic Lolita Bible
• Irish Bebo Lolita Page
• Lolita Snap, Huge Lolita Community and Gallery(Requires Sign up)
• Cosplay.com(Huge cosplay community – Warning Flaming ahead!)

Thanks to Butterscotch @ Eirtaku for the lolita/cosplay links!

UPDATE:In relation to Lolita clothing, Sinead pointed out that a person dressing lolita should never show off skin however this is not true. There is a genre of Lolita clothing that shows of a lot of skin and it is called Erololita. A good name for it Burlesque Lolita. See the image at the top of the post for an example.

Download here

Download audio file (ECP_eirtakon_lolita_cosplay_panel.mp3)

Next time:


Do you trust this man with your con?