Not all anime-cons are about cosplay, manga, buying toys and going to the different panels, our Ramen and a Half team goes snack tasting at Japan Expo 2013. The convention took place August 23-25th, 2013 at the Santa Clara Convention Center, CA. Our host Eddie and Jonelle hit-up JFC International to taste all the yummy snacks and candies. With their stomachs full, they also headed to the Yakult booth to drink the healthy yogurt drink.
Interview with Legendary Character Designer: Yoshiyuki Sadamoto
September 4, 2013 by Leave a Comment
At Japan Expo 1st Impact 2013, Jonelle from “Ramen & a Half” had the pleasure of interviewing iconic artist and character designer Yoshiyuki Sadamoto. His famous works include Nadia, Neon Genesis Evangelion, FLCL, The Girl Who Leapt Through Time and Summer Wars. Emanuel, the agent for Yoshiyuki Sadamoto was our translator during the interview.
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RTNDR: What was your background and inspiration in becoming a character designer and artist?
Sadamoto: First, it was the director Yamaga Hiroyuki, the director of The Wings of Honneamise who asked him to do the character design. It started here. Up to that time, it was manga that had led him to draw his own characters for his personal works and this, in turn, led him to work in character design.
The Highlights from Japan Expo 1st Impact 2013!
September 2, 2013 by Leave a Comment
The anime convention imported from France, Japan Expo (JX) landed into Santa Clara, CA on August 23-25th, 2013 and our Ramen crew recapped the highlights from the 3-day event.
For more info, go to: Japan Expo.
Interview with Animal Man and Red Hood artist Timothy Green
August 16, 2013 by 3 Comments
Day One of Stockton-Con 2013 … wait, it’s the same joke again. I’ll stop it. Our Ramen crew took a road trip to the one-day comic convention to Stockton, CA – Stockton-Con 2013 held in the Stockton Sports Arena.
ANIME EXPO 2013 : Simul TV – The Next Generation of the Social Television Experience is Here!
August 10, 2013 by Leave a Comment
I’ve sat in front of the television with my laptop and literally chatted via skpe, twitter, and even shot a facebook comment while watching a FIFA world cup soccer game. In some cases I made a long distant call to rub a score into my best friend’s face! Wouldn’t it be nice if there was an available platform with the game on screen with updated twitter & facebook comments, and Skyping with friends or family joining in on the game to have the ultimate social game experience! Well look no further – Steven Turner has developed the platfom and it’s called Simul TV. “The Eddie” gets the scoop!
This segment opens up with the Ramen crew’s “The Eddie” finally getting Alodia Gosiengfiao to give our Ramen and a Half show a shout out.
Thor Dark World & Captain America Winter Soldier Artist Ron Lim
August 8, 2013 by 2 Comments
Day One of Stockton-Con 2013, wait a minute … the ‘con is only ONE day, anyways, our Ramen crew is in Artist Alley and we grab an interview with comic book artist Ron Lim. Ron has been drawing various Marvel Universe characters for many years now and has worked on iconic projects like Marvel’s big crossover series Infinity Gauntlet with writer Jim Starlin and fellow artist George Pérez. Ron also talks about his other Marvel movie comic book tie-in projects and his special Jollibee Avengers issue.
For more info and projects by Ron check out his site at Ron Lim Art.
The Ramen Crew visits Stockton-Con 2013
August 8, 2013 by Leave a Comment
The Ramen crew heads up to Stockton-Con 2013 in downtown Stockton, CA. This is the second year of Stockton-Con, the last one was held in a high school gym, now the ‘con has moved to the Stockton Arena. They guys walked around looking for comics and other neat stuff. Ramon interviews J Salvador of SuperEmoFriends. Along for the ride, is Ramen friend and comic book shop owner Juan from CFA (Comic & Figure Addicts).
Alodia Panel Interview CUTS 2 : The Mistress of Cosplay
August 6, 2013 by Leave a Comment
The Ramen crew felt a bit like a paparazzi, though we haven’t exactly dodged crowds, leaped over people, or body-checked anyone aside at any convention yet! The only thing we managed to dodge are off topic questions, loud hand-clapping and voices that over powered us from hearing our subject, Alodia Gosiengfiao FHM.
In this segment we get plenty of new surfacing information about our Mistress of Cosplay.
So here’s Panel Interview CUTS 2 – raw and lightly cut – which means I did very little editing. So it’s
STRICKLY FOR THE FANS to hear first hand answers from Alodia herself :
– Her Cosplay beginnings
– What she likes about being a Cosplayer
– Her stumbled upon opportunities
– Video Game influences like Final Fantasy
– Cosplay pointers
– Her first reaction as Guest of Honor at AX 2013
– The Fan that came all the way from Germany to see her
– Costume making
– Her make up – her eyes & contact lens of choice and why?
PREVIOUS MAGAZINE STORIES FROM ANIME EXPO 2013:
Alodia Panel Interview CUTS: Finally we get some answers!
ANIME EXPO 2013: Sleeping Cosplay? Batman & Spiderman duo? Mortal Come back?
AX 2013: Adventure Time & X-Men Cosplayers Collide
AX 2013: Captain Falcon & Crew!
ANIME EXPO 2013 : In line to see Alodia and we meet Kirito & Asuna Cosplayers
ANIME EXPO 2013 Masquerade: Thomas Depetrillo’s EVA-01
Jessica Nigri : Part 1 of 3
Jessica Nigri : Part 2 of 3
Jessica Nigri : Part 3 of 3
ANIME EXPO 2013 Masquerade : Ornament Tree Wings
Hey Hey Alodia from ANIME EXPO!
Each story is not just an interview, but one of the many interesting and entertaining things that happen at Anime Conventions. They’re short, sweet and you might find yourself liking our content!
Ramen and a Half @ Jpop Summit 2013 SF
August 2, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Jpop Summit 2013 was held in San Francisco’s Japantown and Union Square districts simultaneously on July 27-28, 2013. The Ramen crew was there to check out this thriving event. We also see Eddie hyped up for Jpop superstar singer Kyary Pamyu Pamyu and Ramon tasting some drinks and having a frightening fun interview with “The Killer Wolf.”
ANIME EXPO 2013: Sleeping Cosplay? Batman & Spiderman duo? Mortal Come back?
August 1, 2013 by 1 Comment
What’s going on here? Well, it’s early in the evening and some cosplayers are snoozing while others are trying to keep up with photographers. We lead in with cosplay model, Vampy Bit Me, who happens to be from the San Francisco Bay Area.
In this segment the Ramen Crew really caught some random images, a cosplay snoozing, and of course the other 99 percent getting their photo’s taken every which way and loving it. Interestingly enough, we caught a Batman and Spiderman dynamic duo cosplaying on the ground floor. Ryan Turney tells us how he used dye sublimated lycra to create his outfit and Danny Lopez shows off his Batman cowl mask which is made by professional prop maker, Shawn Reeves. Then we get a flash back taste of Mortal Kombat!
We pretty much interviewed the obvious of course… other than eat breakfast then cosplay, eat lunch then cosplay and then catch dinner and hit the cosplay night life, but for those who come from afar or from next door to the Anime Expo convention center and perhaps maybe stayed up a wee bit too late the night before excitingly undecided in what cosplay will do …Well, we got one person to explain that!
Alodia Panel Interview CUTS: Finally we get some answers!
August 1, 2013 by 1 Comment
Alodia Gosiengfiao’s image blew up with her sleek and sexy cosplay of the Cobra Baroness at 2010’s Comic-Con in San Diego and was recently featured as FHM magazine’s Cover Girl for the July 2013 issue, but she has been cosplaying for years in her home country, the Philippines, where she’s literally the Queen of Cosplay!
The Ramen crew was really hoping to get a one-on-one interview with Alodia, especially our host, The Eddie, but under the hierarchy of certain press privileges some things just didn’t work out. So instead The Eddie and Ame Garrucho caught up with a panel interview and made the best of what they could get!
During this interactive panel discussion, find out how Alodia got her start in cosplay and why? She even mentions wanting to work with Jessica Nigri! Which makes sense, because both of these girls are at the top of their Cosplay fame and continue to be creative and entertaining in their world of ubiquitous cosplay.
GETTING THE PANEL INTERVIEW: This interview panel CUT was shot on the fly with a Canon t3i DSLR and a Sony Bloggie respectively by our on the spot camera persons, Ame Garrucho and our Host- now in our credits as camera person, Eddie Ballar. Look forward for a STRICKLY FOR FANS Panel CUT of Alodia with our camera operator Johnny Moreno. I guess the Ramen Crew and The Eddie just couldn’t get enough of Alodia and would like to share whatever we could get for the FANS.
WEIRD TECH NOTE: The Sony Bloggie is far from being sharp compared to the to the Canon t3i DSLR, but The Eddie did give us the effect of being inside his mind like the movie “Being John Malkovich”. Obviously from asking question directly from behind the camera, and it doesn’t help that he’s closer to the bloggie mic than Alodia, who is like 20 feet away… “still entertaining and informational though.”
Frankie’s Garage: Wekfest SF San Jose 2013
July 31, 2013 by Leave a Comment
This past weekend, the aftermarket auto and lifestyle event Wekfest rolled into San Jose, CA. Wekfest celebrates 5 years here in the Bay, which started in the Japantown Garage in San Francisco. The Ramen crew hits up Wekfest for the tuned cars and hot import models.
AX 2013: Adventure Time & X-Men Cosplayers Collide
July 25, 2013 by 1 Comment
Our Ramen crew Ame and RJ interview more cosplayers from Anime Expo 2013. They interview a couple of groups – The Adventure Time group: Fiona, Marceline, IceQueen and IceKing; and the X-Men: Mystique, Jean Grey, Jubilee, Storm, Pixie, Bishop and Deadpool drops by with Starbucks coffee and Cyclops chit chats with fans. Plus RJ sprinkles a few random interviews with anime swimmer Haruka and Darius from League of Legends. Now that’s a jam pack Ramen episode!
Jessica Nigri : Part 3 of 3
July 25, 2013 by 2 Comments
As I’ve heard, “Third time’s the charm!” I also believe that being persistent is always key. So finally, our Host, “The Eddie” interviews Jessica Nigri!
The Ramen crew had their doubts, but we persevered and got to find out that Jessica is just an all around fun and down to earth person. She’s just a busy-body when it comes to working at conventions, especially when Anime Expo 2013 hit an all time high attendance rate this year!
ANIME EXPO 2013 : In line to see Alodia and we meet Kirito & Asuna Cosplayers
July 20, 2013 by 3 Comments
We get in line with Host “The Eddie” in hopes to get an exclusive interview with Alodia Gosiengfiao as Co-Host Reyson Sioson introduces us to Casey Cabuco and Kim Caboom, who bring us a real live re-enactment of cosplaying their characters “Kirito kissing Asuna“!
ANIME EXPO 2013 Masquerade: Thomas Depetrillo’s EVA-01
July 18, 2013 by 1 Comment
Dragon Ball Z narrator Kyle Hebert promotes Ramen and a Half at Retrenders as we get to see Thomas Depetrillo in his EVA 01 TEST literally put to the test as he performs on stage at Anime Expo’s 2013 Masquerade. This is probably the most wildly entertaining-rock out skit done in a 10 foot tall life size replica of an Evangelion!
Jessica Nigri : Part 2 of 3
July 15, 2013 by 1 Comment
It could be the air, it could be ANIME EXPO, or it can simply be she’s Jessica Nigri. Yes, we’ve certainly established our ground and we definitely got Jessica Nigri’s word for an interview in so many words including her friend’s word. You can see for yourself as our host “The Eddie” approaches Jessica for our interview date in this episode!
This is also a split story package, because we also introduce you to Kelsie Lahti, a local of the greater Los Angeles area in her unique Spyro the Dragon costume. She’s one of the many on the grounds of Anime Expo enjoying the art of cosplay.
ANIME EXPO 2013 Masquerade : Ornament Tree Wings
July 15, 2013 by 2 Comments
Cristina Vee promotes Ramen and a Half at Retrenders and we get to see a one of the few pieces that the Ramen Crew was able to catch at the Masquerade Show at Anime Expo 2013. We call this one “Ornament Tree Wings”.
It’s amazing at just how cosplayers risk their backs to put on a show and display their articulate and detailed costumes that in real-life, it’s shape and balance is just not gravity conformed.
This is one of our editor’s (Johnny Moreno) favorite, because the costume artist almost loses her balance holding up her tree trunk-bullhorn shaped wings. We didn’t get a chance to find out who the artists were, but if anyone knows, please send us their facebook so we can link and address them in this article.
Hey Hey Alodia from ANIME EXPO!
July 13, 2013 by 1 Comment
Our Ramen and a Half host “The Eddie” sings the popular song Hey Hey Alodia by Segatron from the Philippines which is dedicated to cosplayer Alodia Gosiengfiao.
I call this our one take wonder even though it wasn’t our first take, but because Alodia by coincidence came up from behind Eddie and does a surprise cameo. I just managed to keep the camera recording as Eddie kept playing. It was a wonderful moment… some may even say magical!
The people in the background are actually waiting in line for Alodia Gosiengfiao’s panel discussion at ANIME EXPO 2013
Here’s the original music video “Hey Hey Alodia” by Segatron. Click here to visit Segatron’s facebook page.
Jessica Nigri : Part 1 of 3
July 13, 2013 by 1 Comment
Okay, this first take is just a tease, but you really get to experience what it’s like to approach cosplayers of celebrity status at conventions.
Here we have Jessica Nigri who just so happens to be one of three cosplayers on our list to talk to at ANIME EXPO, including Alodia Gosiengfiao from the Philippines and Vampy from San Francisco’s Bay Area.
Again, I apologize if this video is a bit of a tease, but it’s interesting! You get to see “The Eddie” maneuver his way up to Jessica Nigiri’s booth like a fan and wait to be acknowledged in order to ask – “Jessica can we can possibly get an interview with you?”
Check back with us at http://www.retrenders.com because the next take, we actually have a conversation with her as she happens to be in her Lollipop Chainsaw outfit?
AX 2013 – Alodia! Porno Graffitti! CARAT!
July 10, 2013 by Leave a Comment
This past weekend one of the biggest anime conventions here in the States – Anime Expo took place in SoCal, the LA Convention Center. Our team was ushered in and out of press conferences asking questions and taking pictures with Anime Expo’s special guests – world famous cosplayer Alodia Gosiengfiao, Jrock band Porno Graffitti and Jpop girl group CARAT.
Comic Artist Daniel Parada draws up a dynamic duo of Mayan heroes!
July 5, 2013 by 1 Comment
Daniel Parada’s comic, ZOTZ: Serpent and Shield, is about the mystical world of Maya. The comic is cultural influenced from Parada’s research of Mayan ancient history where he has plotted themes without the impacts of the Spanish yet?
The tale of Zotz: Serpent and Shield awaits anyone willing to open the mysteries of the comic and walk into a past before Maya was discovered and unravel an adventure with two heroic characters, Pakal and Kaan, who lead us into a world much more phenomenal than we think.
Other than an adventurous story drawn up from historical elements, the comic is full of fantastic art!
The Fastest Comic Illustrator in the Country quick-draws the Green Lantern!
June 26, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Bordin (Mark) Marsinkul, also known as Hyperbooster, astonishingly produces up to 50 commission drawings in a day at a comic or anime convention.
His hybrid technique of calligraphy and Japanese style manga brush strokes creates his uniquely textured drawings with anything he can get his hands on from paint, pencil to marker! He works intensely fast and he’s amazing if you get a chance to watch him. His drawings begin with abstract scribbles, marks and accents, but then it begins to reveal itself before your eyes with every scribble, mark and accent of intention. The image becomes animated, three dimensional and before you know it – it magically appears! Watch the video and you’ll experience what I’m talking about as he quickly draws a fantastic image of the Green Lantern!
For more information about Bordin (Mark) Marsinkul and where to catch him at his next convention visit www.facebook.com/hyperbooster
The FLASH – Hardcover bounded comics from Herring and Robinson Bookbinders!
June 24, 2013 by Leave a Comment
As the Ramen crew weaved their way through Big Wow’s ComicFest, we found something that FLASH fan, Sheldon Cooper, from the popular television hit series The Big Bang Theory would wonderfully appreciate. And that’s having your collected comic books bounded into a single volume for that utmost presentation. I would also like to mention that the longevity of a professionally bound hardcover will also help preserve and protect your favorite comics for future readings and sharing. However, if you can’t bare the fact of having your comics punctured and sewn together, they also have other wonderful alternatives!
For information about Herring and Robinson Bookbinders, and how to get your comics bound, go to their website:
The Youngest Spider-man Comic Artist – Ethan Castillo!
June 17, 2013 by 2 Comments
The Ramen crew may have not been the first to stumble upon the fascinating eight year old Spidey-artist, but we still stumbled!
This kid was amazing and we felt this is one of the things that Big Wow Comicfest’s opens up to, and that’s passion and talent from everywhere under the umbrella of comics. On the floor at Big Wow Comicfest, you can’t help but feel inspired by all the people that are there introducing new stories, new artists, new genres, new characters, and it becomes an absolute gift when you run into someone as young as Ethan Castillo drawing Spider-man or Marvel Comic characters because he loves to! You actually start to feel the kid in yourself while watching him draw! “It’s just fun!” – He says.
We also recognized the extent of love and support that Ethan’s parents give him and we can’t help but strongly say, great talent can come from self-ambition, but it also comes from parents that nurture and encourage it!
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