Of Good Music and Animation

This is actually an OLD POST in an OLD BLOG.  I hope you guys find this useful...

Yup, I've been watching anime since high school and I'm a fanatic.  But because of my love for the traditional art, I only get hooked to anime series with stories that touches the human soul and art that exceeds 'cuteness.'  More than anything, I love a story that is believable, if not in the 'practical reality', in the emotion at least.  There are three...ONLY three creators that touches me very much to the point that I will cry, hover over their work for days, sulk because of the ending, and wonder in amazement.  Those three people are, SATOSHI KON, HAYAO MIYAZAKI and SHINICHIRO WATANABE.

Hayao Miyazaki's creations are astounding due to that fact that most of them are still 2D animation.  MOST!  "How's Moving Castle" was taken from a book written by Diana Wynn Jones <---one of my favorite authors.  When I heard about this, I was so...overjoyed.  Well...the story is a bit different than what it was in the book.  Miyazaki sure did give it a unique touch of his own.  Like all the others that he made..."Spirited Away" and "Mononoke Hime"...they're all magnificent.  It's rare nowadays to see a 2D animation what with all the technologies, right?  But HELL! His creations are...WOOOOOOooooOOOOWWWW!  Take the scenery for example...

This one is from SPIRITED AWAY.  The Town of Spirits.  Look at all the details in this pic.  It looks like a normal town like what we have here in Bacolod...  A bit tacky...totally screwed up colors. Pffft~  But the way he conveys it through is what matters.  It's as if he's saying, "Yes, I know this world exists in yours..."  And YES!  I can totally understand that.  But in another light, he gives it a mysterious air...  And not only to children...BUT to adults as well. 

I mean, you were once a kid, right???  And anybody must have wished their parents can turn to pigs for all they care.  HAHAHHAHA! Yeah.

Not only does he understand the very nature of what a kid see through their eyes, he can also get adults to understand the kids more.  Get my Aunt for example...she's a doctor and she is NOT interested in cartoons.  I was watching Spirited Away for the nth time in her house because unfortunately, our TV is not as COOL as theirs... T_T  And when she saw it, it amazed her.  Before I know it, she's already watching with me and eating up my movie grub. HUhuhuuu...  And also...my most feared...and probably the only animation of his that I DID NOT WATCH again since I cried a BUCKET O TEARS!  "Grave of the Fireflies" *CRIES* 

Oops! Now, my entry is all about GOOD MUSIC and GOOD ANIMATION.  YEAH!  Sorry, was sidetracked by how I adore these animators....

Now the real MACOY here is SHINICHIRO WATANABE.  I was watching Cowboy Bebop last night...for the NTH time again...  It was released 1998...and we're 2011 now...yet I still prefer to watch it than what they're offering me now.  THE STORY IS JUST TOO DAMN GOOD!  And don't get me started with the OST!

Yup.  Been watching this series last night.  And again, this is the only anime series that I DO NOT fast-forward the opening and ending song!  Yes, people...I love jazz and the blues.  But it's not only that...  If you go and listen to this series' soundtrack, you're sure to be hooked.  The compositions and the varieties of tunes are so addicting!  Most of them are in English, by the way...  If you watched this already...remember the scene where Vicious and Spike fought in the broken down Cathedral???  That episode was named, "Ballad of the Fallen Angel"  And the OST there is just to die for!!! The scoring is just... *faints*

One of the most idolized composers...YOKO KANNO... T_T  I love her....  Sigh~

So, from bountry hunter Cowboys to sexy voluptuous fugitives to rapping samurais...  Shinichiro Watanabe has awed me to MAX level.  And it's not only because the art , story and the music is good...  BUT BECAUSE IT ALL TELLS A STORY TOGETHER AND INDIVIDUALLY! I don't know how I can explain that...  But you get what I mean right?  Right?  I hope you do...

SAMURAI CHAMPLOO <---  A story of Fuu, a girl who wants to find the "Samurai who smells like Sunflowers" saved the lives of two warriors.  One is a lecherous pirate named Mugen and the other is a Ronin, Jin.  Because they owe the girl a lot, they decided to help her in her journey filled with weird...surreal...experiences that's gonna blow your heads off.  The realities that they encounter will definitely tweak your mind as you watch the series...and though the rapping (in English) really sounds baaaahhhddd...It's a FUNNY kind of bad.  So, you wouldn't mind it coz you'll be cracking yourself off.

MICHIKO TO HATCHIN <----  is basically a story about love and friendship.  From how the criminal Michiko gets her heart broken by playboys to how Hatchin begins to understand how life works...  The setting is an alternate world of Mexico and I just love the scenes here...reminds me much of the Philippines. LOL! Squatters everywhere!

All in all...  DAMN YOU SHINICHIRO WATANABE for being so GOOOOOHHHHDDDD! I thank God for giving you such brilliance to enlighten us and touch us in a way that we appreciate the world as it is and accept life's difficulties.

Me?  I'm just being emotional today...  I'm such an otaku!   I love delving deeper into the story and understanding what the animator/ creator really want to convey...  I hope the younger generations will come to appreciate these little pleasures.   Most young people tend to idolize animations because the characters are powerful etc, etc...  But ya know...the reality of THE REALITY that no one's perfect?  If an animator can pass it on to you, he's not just trying to coax you into worshiping his work...  That animator has a deeper cause...and message, a story for you to understand. It's not all FACE VALUE...it's the whole package.  Hmmm...  Pretty faces never hurts though...so a lil dab of it might do us good too.  HAHHAHHAAHA!  Makes you wonder why OUR ASWANG never grew as popular as the Japanese' Demons, huh?  Take for example...Sesshoumaru?  HAHAHHAHAH!  

Well, I'm just wrapping this up because I just wanna watch more pioneer animes... HHAHAHAHA!  I'm OUTTA HERE!

signing out,

SHIN OE

Raging Hormones

Hi guys!  it's been a while and I know people are wondering what's been happening within the STAFF.  Well, we're totally in a RUSH, so to speak.  Apart from preparing for the coming 6th Issue that will be taking our stories into a whole new level, we are also preparing for several important things.  

This coming October, the Manga-Making Competition is taking it's toll on me along with the AniMotion2011.  I'm sure the other staff members are also having a hard time given that we have our separate REGULAR works in the morning.  Here's the MECHANICS of the MM Competition.

 __________________________________

MANGA-MAKING

Stories should be in theme of the MASSKARA festival. Stories must contain one or more elements that are related to the festival; Story setting, history, Festival-culture, icon, landmarks, Events or any other ideas / concept that is strong and relevant to the MASSKARA "Celebration".

Story Categories are:
1. Love Story
2. Comedy
3. Action Adventure

CONTEST GUIDELINES

*ENTRIES Should be:
MANGA MAKING: 6-12 pages in 8.5" x 11" (Letter) Paper size.
*The work should be in Black and White
*Story should be one shot, not serialized.
*Work must be clean and texts are readable.
*No Nudity / Sex, Gore. Extreme Violence / explicit or vulgar words or ideas.
*Submit your entries on or before October 14, 2011.

REGISTRATION will be at the 888 China Town Square
Bacolod Admin’s office before October 8, 2011. Look for Ms Katz Tecson

Deadline of submission of entries is on October 12, 2011 4am @ the 888 China Town Square submit it to Ms. Katz Tecson.

One winner will be chosen on each category. Each winning entry will be publish on the Ice Cream Indie Issue 7.5 (New Year’s Special issue) and will receive certificates and ICI Issues and goodies. Pepsi Products and other sponsors freebies.

 _____________________________

It's funny when the VOTING for the KOMIKON AWARDS started.  I was so in HOT mode that I actually promoted Ice Cream Indie to all my officemates and FORCED them to vote. HAHAHAH!  Well, not really forced...more like, pushed them.  They do have loads of work so they said to assist them in voting, which I did.  Please vote for us:

Step 1: register here http://www.komikon.org/wp-login.php
Step 2: claim password from your email-ad
Step 3: Log-in here http://www.komikon.org/wp-login.php
... Step 4: click here to vote http://www.komikon.org/vote-for-2011-grassroot-award/

check the box - Kristone Bayoneta & Emil Dela Cruz

KOMIKON › Log In
www.komikon.org

So, yeah~  I hope you guys support us all the way and THANK YOU SO MUCH!  With this renewed strength and the good reviews of Rook of the Rats, Jay and I took our time last night into starting the sketches for the 6th Issue.

RAW COVER: Art by: Jay Wong | Inked by: Shin Oe

ROOK of the RATS will be welcoming THE NEW ROOK (Look) XD heheehe~  I know there are several groans and complaints regarding the cover of the 5th Issue - the contents of that issue is about Rook and Nameless' past before they entered the Guild of Rats.  My apologies.  Teeheee~ But that's called, PREPARATORY LEAP.  Ehem!  Anyway!  So yeah, since we've finished sketches...we're pretty happy that's ONE DOWN for the hundreds of work coming in. 

For the coming issue of RR, we're presenting the relationship of each thief, the bond between Rook and Nameless (who, by that time...will have a NAME already) and the start of something dangerous.  Thank you for always staying with us and keeping up with our issues <--- pffft~!  

With the response I'm accepting through text, emails, twits and FBs, I'm very happy and no matter what the result of the KOMIKON 2011 will be, I'm already glad to see so much support from you all!  

Thank you!

SHIN OE

 

who is SHIDA SHINPAN?

As promised, here's the profile of Shida-kun!!! At last! (0,0)  Anyway, hope you guys enjoy!

Hmmm...is that me? HAHAHAH!

NAME: Shida Shinpan

JOB: Art Director | Mangaka (In Her World/ Rising Underground/ One Step Closer)

GENDER: Male

HEIGHT: ---

WEIGHT: ----

HAIR: Black

EYES: Dark Brown

ALL ABOUT SHIDA-KUN:

First off, let's talk about Shida-kun.  Everyone seems to be mysteriously attracted to our boy here...  Well, he loves to draw in his spare time, playing online games, watching anime, doing pakour and...sleeping.  Here's a downer...he relishes in being ALONE.  You heard that right!  We can't even get him to share a bit of his Alone Time with us.  (glares at Shida)  But don't fret, women!  Being alone helps Shida think and boosts his imagination 90% thus, pleasing you all with the issues to come. 

"...my imagination boost to 90% if I spend my time alone, that's very important as a mangaka." Shida said. 

Shida-kun is a Fine Arts Major in Advertising graduate.  He took it because at the time that is the only course for artists that are not good in math.  SHIDA!  We got the same idea! HAHAHAH!  But seriously, I'm happy to know we somehow got this united love for HATING MATH.

He says he want his Alone Time.

"...never thought that it would be so useful after I graduated, everything that I have learned from anatomy and perspective are so applicable for me now that I'm making Manga."  This is one big advice to take heed, young artists!  Always value your education...  MOU!  I truly envy you for learning anatomy!  

Most of us have our views on what an artist is and when I asked Shida-kun about what he thinks he said that being an artist is aesthetically pleasing.  That as an advertising graduate, he was trained to please the mass media with his works.  It is the difference between advertising artists and visual artists like painters and sculptors - "...while they do art to express themselves, we do it for others..." He said.  Hmmm...  Now I feel like I'm a millennium away from Shida-kun. (TTATT)  I am a visual artist...

Unlike Shin Oe, Shida-kun didn't have anyone who influenced him in his art style except maybe he got the hang of the art style from Japanese Comics (manga) and did his own personal touch.  He concentrated within this form of art since he was in high school.

I asked him about exhibits and the like but he chuckled and answered, "...our art is displayed on billboards and posters! HAHAHAHAH!" In short, their ART SELLS!  Another thing to envy Shida-kun.  My list is slowly getting longer! 

Despite how people see him and despite how we actually see he's problem-free-fluttering here and there, Shida, like all humans...yes you....unless you're an alien, have turning points in their lives be it terrible or ground-breaking.  So I asked him about this and by gods!  He never disappoints me!  He kept the terrible one and only shared the good one.  DEMMET, SHIDA!

"...it was September of 2010...a month before ICI was formed when I found a job that requires my skill as a graphic artist.  Just before I slept that night I told myself that tomorrow, my life will change, and I know how..."  Shida answered.  I remembered that time! 

So how did the dream start in Shida-kun's mind?  You know, about being a Mangaka...  He smiled and answered me quite cheerfully for Shida-kun, "In 2002 our dream started, we wanted to make a comic and it was all in full-color not a manga.  Years go by, Yelo and I went our separate ways.  Eventually, we forgot about the dream.  I wanted to an animator and get my stories to be animated.  In 2006, I found out about anime stated as serialized comic called [drum rolls] "MANGA"  That's the time I started to do a manga-style webcomic."  Shida did tell me more about that one...but I chose not to share it.  BLEH!  Seriously, if you want spoilers, go ahead and SPOIL YOURSELF...but I'm not helping. Humph!

Shida is not really keen on giving me an answer when I asked him what he can suggest to others with regards to planning their lives.  He reasoned out that he's not good in suggesting but dropped a hint that WE ALL MUST BE USEFUL IN OUR EVERYDAY LIVES.

"...whatever you do, always remind yourself if what you are doing now will eventually help you in achieving your dream someday."  Shida, I nearly cried here because I always say that to all the young ones I encounter.  Truly, it goes with experience.  We might sound like old people...but these words are heartily given and are gifts from experiences earned through the years.  Treasure them...most especially because the SILENT SHIDA-KUN shared it!



You better be grateful, scumbags!  I demand a free muster Ice Cream for this piece of blog post!  Shida-kun is a LEVEL 5 SILENT TYPE.  I'm lucky his mood changes and I managed to get him to answer these questions.  And...Shida, I'm not sharing that lil bit about the outburst~ gomen, neh?  If you're asking what it is, well...  It's for me and Shida to know and you...to STALK. HAHAHAHAH!

When asked what he thinks about the STAFF and his relationship with them...

"Yelo is my always and forever partner in crime!  He needs training in his artwork but he learns so fast!  Shin Oe is always energetic, I guess she's a reinforce type, her power level just keeps getting higher!  Jay is cute in every way.  What she looks like and what's going on in her head makes her a complete character! (horns suits her well)  I want the relationship of the STAFF in ICI to be like a relationship between officemates.  I don't want it to be too close basically because I don't want to change my lifestyle."

KUDOS to the "HORNS" bit, Shids! ROFLMAO!  Shida-kun also tells me of the different stories within ICI and he thinks all these stories makes ICI complete.  The five stories with different genres were not planned.  It so happened that the STAFF has them.

When asked about his favorite character in each story...

"In Wishful Thinking...for me, it's AIMEE.  I don't know but I've always liked girls with long dark brown hair.  In Rook of the Rats...I like NAMELESS.  She's the silent type and mysterious.  The next three stories are my creations.  That's why I like them all (because I made each of them - LOL).  I'm just going to talk about some interesting characters on each story.  In One Step Closer, It's RYO.  I'm experimenting on making a cool looking character to be not what you expect...ehehehe...  In Rising Underground, there is MIKA, soon to appear, she's a specialist and she can make any tool into a weapon - even a bubblegum.  And last!  There are interesting character that will soon appear in IN HER WORLD.  They're the Northlight Band members that are going to visit Green Leaf High School."

Shida-kuns hobbies are Parkour, Internet, Procrastination and firing LASERZZZ?! Wait a minuto! WHAT THE HELL IS THAT!? 0,0  Anyway, I hate to be the target of that one~

What can you say about ICI being a part of your life?


"I'm enjoying it.  Ever heard of 'I'm living my dream'?"

Dreams.  I love that word!  YUP! I know the feeling and it's HELL-O-GOOD...  So, any last words, Shida-chan...OOPS!  I mean, Shida-kun!? 

 

"OH MY GOD!  Don't kill me!  It's in the basement, you can have it...just don't kill me!!!!"

(((( ；ﾟДﾟ)))

Oh-kahayyyy~ >.>  <,<  ANYWAY!  Well, folks?  I finally did my job and I'm off to rest for a bit until I go back to reality a few hours from now. I hope that Shida-kun shared enough ---- because honestly, it burns me out asking for his time...  BE GRATEFUL!!!!  I'm leaving you guys with Shida-kun's artworks! Ja matta~

Signing Off~

SHIN OE

the DATU project: prologue behind-the-scenes

And so here I am after 2-days of working with the project.  I know people are slowly getting the hang of ROOK OF THE RATS and I'm glad that I got positive responses.  Thank you all.  Remember that if not for you guys, we won't have the drive to finish the race.  Thank you.  Now, for this EPIC work that we're tackling....

I'm going to give you a little background on THE DATU.  Written by Vivi Villegas when she was 20 years old, the Datu talks about the Philippine Mythology - their deities of old and heroes untold.  Despite the obvious Filipino History roots, this is an original work.  If you managed to get your hands on one of the first releases this coming November, you'll know what I'm talking about.

PROLOGUE SCRIPT - MASSACRED

I was dubbed the Project Director of this ICI project and I am very honored to work with MUTED COLORS: Offbeat and Offhand.  They practically blow me away with how they're illustrating the story.  It was fun discussing several dos and don't s with them throughout the weekend.  So yeah, as promised I'm here to show you progress with regards to this project.

As soon as we get the script for the Prologue, we massacred it.  For me, I can't help scribbling within the paper and yes~  I know it looks really bad.  But that's how we do it.  We scribble notes and little important details near the lines or arrow it.  

SCRIBBLES

We recently decided on the final LOOK of the first hero, PANAY.  He will be the main focus in the Prologue and I hope people will slowly warm up to THEIR OWN CULTURE.  I really hate when I see Pinoys cry over Japanese Kimonos.  I mean, I do have one in the closet but...it's clear in my head that IT IS NOT A PART OF MY CULTURE.

I also saw a comment saying that THIS PROJECT WILL NOT WORK.  Sigh~  What?  Because it's Filipino Based?  It's really ironic when people KILL THEIR OWN CULTURE.  Don't they realize that they're killing their identity?  Anyway, I'm not gonna rant away this post for that person.  

Yes.  We have already finished with the initial design and look of the DATU.  You might be surprised with regards to the PLOT and the Legends...so I am hoping you guys will open your minds.  Here are some of the designs made for the project.  Of course, I promised these...so yeah~  Here goes...

THE WARRIORS

 THE MONSTERS

 THE LADIES

 THE LOCATIONS AND STORY BOARD

 So yeah!  I hope it interests you guys!  This will be my last update till we get the VERY FIRST COLORED PAGE.  And I'll update you with the ROUGH.  Then, after that I won't be updating the progress.  You'll see it by next month by then.  Thank you all for your support!  AND FOR THAT, Here's the wonderful SUMAKWEL!

Shin Oe

 

INSIDER: MUTED COLORS + BLOTS Inc.

Apart from taking care of this blog, there are several projects that we have in our hands.  Ice Cream Indie has not only proved to the Bacolodnons that WE CAN DO IT, but also open up a chance, an opportunity for other artists to be a part of this company.   Of course, the company does not accept artists immediately.  As I recall, Oya (Kouyuki-Kun Yelo) requires a proposal and several studies of the art to be published.

A Study of SALATAN by Offbeat

Ice Cream Indie is known for its 'manga'-style art and yes, it did start with a fondness for the art style.  But the company doesn't close its door to other styles.  One of the upcoming projects that will be running under the ICI banner is a project created by Vivi Villegas.  The working title of this project: THE DATU, illustrated by Offbeat (MUTED COLORS), Offhand (MUTED COLORS), Jay Wong (BLOTS Inc.) and guided by Shin Oe (BLOTS Inc.).   

This project is scheduled to be released this November 2011 and will be having its debut in the Komikon Awards Event.  The Bacolod Readers will have to wait till after the event for the distribution in the region.   

So what's THE DATU about?  

Vivi Villegas explained that this project was created to remind the younger generation that we, Filipinos do have our own Mythology and that they are, if not more...as interesting as those of the Greeks.  But Villegas said that unlike all the 'ALAMAT' that were made to entertain the children  years back, she opted to create her own yet still stay true to the very nature of the deities. 

The artists actually met each other in another project that was delayed and because of the time they spent with each other, they decided to do this project while waiting for the first one to begin.  

A Study of SULAYMAN by Offbeat

THE DATU is based on several Filipino Legends and will be using the 'HILIGAYNON' language I heard.  It's going to be one of the firsts!  The story centers around the Visayan Islands mainly because it is the birthplace of the artists and the writer that created it.

"For the younger generation to forget our legends, it's a sad thing.  We need to rekindle the fire that is dying out."  Vivi said.  "You can just imagine to what lengths the Japanese do to their legends just to keep them alive.  Samurai X and most of their anime series and mangas were based on these stories.  A good friend of mine even told me, why not make Rizal 6 ft. tall with cool hair?  HAHAHAH!  Now that's a great idea!"

It's true that as artists it is one of our duties to nurture the culture that is 'us.'  Indeed, it can not only be seen in Japan but also around the world.  Vivi said it's not enough that we draw good and we write interesting stories.  She believes that in every story we write, in every stroke of our brushes...we must give out a part of who we are.  

What then will happen now that all cultures are basically clashing and mashing together?

A Study of PANAY from Offhand

"Most people will then be tempted to embrace other cultures.  It's normal...really.  But then again, let's try to keep Ours living.  I don't deny the fact that I read manga and adore the Japanese culture."  Vivi laughed.  "But I always make it a point to remember who I am...thus, I always want to put in Filipino traces in the stories I write."  

 

When asked about the story, Vivi told me she doesn't want to give any hints of what the story is about.  She'd rather have the readers find out for themselves.  THE DATU will be produced by ICI and will be in stores by November 2011.  I've attached some studies that were made for this project.  

See ya around,

Shin Oe

A Study of Princesa Manai-a by Shin Oe

A Study of Sumakwel by Offbeat

A scene from the 1st release. A study by Offhand

MADAMO NA SALAMAT (Maraming Salamat - Thank you very much)

 http://www.komikon.org/2011-nominess-for-grassroot-award/

WOW!  I mean... W.O.W. <-- WALLOWING OVER WILLIES... HAHAHHAHA!  I checked the KOMIKON2011 Awards site earlier this day because Oya told me to check the competition.  FTW!?  The first thing that SLAPPED me is that we're competing with MY IDOL!!!! 0,0  MY IDOL!!!! *crawling into my personal cavern of doom now....

Yeah~  Anyway!  We need your support.  I know that we're not yet THERE...we need more improvements and more ideas...NOT TO SAY....STAMINA! HAhahahahahha~  So yeah.  Guys, thank you so much for supporting us through the months...  We'll do our best to cater to all of you!

Here's what I thought first when I saw that the creator of PASIG is competing with us...

"We're competing with the very person that inspired me to enter the world of comics.... At first I was like, OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG! Then, hmmm....does that mean we're doing something right...we're on the right track... Then, I CAN MEET HIM!!!! *takes out pen and paper.... KACHING! FAN MODE!"

Again, there are no other words that could express our gratitude...  THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!  GOD BLESS US ALL!

Shin Oe 

Ps# I'm working on the interview with Shids-kun...don't worry~  I'll post it this week.  Domo~