I usually do a Viral Video Friday, but this is our Viral Video Friday – a video tour of FanimeCon 2014! Our Ramen & a Half crew takes you around what is the biggest anime convention in NorCal every year – FanimeCon. We take to the Dearlers Hall, Artist Alley, Game Room and more! We also interview Vice-Chair of FanimeCon 2014 Gary de Guzman and the man in charge of Stage Zero – Wendell Nacnac.
The Tour of FanimeCon 2014
June 6, 2014 by Leave a Comment
Sailor Moon Crystal Teaser Trailer
June 5, 2014 by Leave a Comment
Here’s the first trailer for the much anticipated anime Sailor Moon Crystal. Look for July 2014 release in Japan. The trailer maybe only in Japanese, but I’m already very excited.
FanimeCon 2014 Recap
June 3, 2014 by Leave a Comment
Our Ramen & a Half crew of Eddie Ballar, Ramon Angel and Jonelle recap the NorCal anime extravaganza that is FanimeCon! No long lines this year, now that’s a big plus! The team reviews their adventure and we throw in some cosplay highlights as well.
FanimeCon 2014
May 28, 2014 by Leave a Comment
I’m kinda of still recovering from the 4-day anime extravaganza in NorCal – FanimeCon 2014. In the coming weeks ahead, our Ramen & a Half team of Eddie, Ramon and Jonelle will bring us video highlights, recaps, interviews and everything in between from FanimeCon. Look for it on our website here on Retrenders and our Retrenders YouTube Channel.
Patlabor attacking the streets of Japan
April 21, 2014 by Leave a Comment
A couple of weeks ago a full-size AV-98 Ingram mecha from the live-action series Patlabor created a buzz in the crowd and caused a ruckus of a traffic jam.
Monster Massacre Vol. 2 “East Meets West”
April 1, 2014 by 1 Comment
Monster Massacre is back with more deadly femme fatales and sexy gun grinding action. Monster Massacre Volume 2 showcases the top two art studios in Asia. The top creative talents in Asia at Imaginary Friends Studios based in Singapore and Stellar Labs based in Jakarta team-up for this monster anthology. Many of these writers, artists, colorists, letterers and designers have work with the likes of DC and Marvel comics.
Hayao Miyazaki Resin Statue
January 24, 2014 by Leave a Comment
Hayao Miyazaki is a living icon, his animated films have brought fun, joy and tears and now a cute tribute statue is available.
Viral Video Friday: Simpsons Anime Tribute
January 10, 2014 by Leave a Comment
A Simpsons tribute to anime and all things Hayao Miyazaki.
Everybody needs some Space Dandy!
January 6, 2014 by Leave a Comment
I really don’t know what I just watched, but I dig the funky music and animation of Space Dandy. It must be good? Space Dandy is produced the powerhouse animation studio BONES and is directed by Shinichiro Watanabe (Cowboy Bebop) and character designs by Yoshiyuki Ito. Look for the anime in Japan this month.
Viral Video Friday: Animated Fun
January 3, 2014 by 1 Comment
What if Star Wars had a 80’s-style cartoon feel? Well, this is it by Nacho Punch – the Star Wars: The Lost 1980’s Anime:
The Ultimate Voltron Hoodie
December 27, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Hoodies are something I like to wear and for those of you who remember the 1980s cartoon Voltron, this is really cool Voltron hoodie.
Live-Action Kiki’s Delivery Service!
December 10, 2013 by Leave a Comment
We get a first look of the live-action film Kiki’s Delivery Service in this mini-teaser trailer.
Kaneda’s Bike from Akira built with LEGO
December 9, 2013 by Leave a Comment
The iconic 1988 anime-film Akira also had the famous red bike that the character Kaneda rode and now, LEGO builders the Arvo Brothers have built the bike from LEGO pieces.
Do you want to build this bike? Everybody can now! The Arvo Brothers will be releasing a book of how-to-instructions on December 14, 2013.
Interview with Voice Actor – Darrel Guilbeau
September 7, 2013 by Leave a Comment
The Ramen Crew caught up with Darrel Guilbeau at FanimeCon for a one on one interview on voice acting for Anime. 
He has been a voice actor for several anime series such as Durarara!, Nura, and even video games, and continues to take on new projects. The Ramen crew completely sees Darrel doing just about anything – not just anime, but television comedy to film. He’s completely down to earth and has a kid-around personality.
Recorded May 25th 2013 at FanimeCon.
Host, The “Eddie” Ballar with Co-host, Reyson Sioson.
Produced by Johnny Moreno.
Ramen goes Snack Tasting @ Japan Expo 2013
September 4, 2013 by Leave a Comment
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.
Uniqlo Tezuka Osamu Graphic Tee
August 29, 2013 by Leave a Comment
It’s been 50 years since the debut of Tezuka Osamu’s iconic creation Astro Boy. Uniqlo celebrates the anime legend Tezuka Osamu with a line-up of UT graphic tees that feature some of Tezuka’s most popular characters. The first out of the gates is commemorating the 50 years of Astro Boy. Look for more US releases from this UT x Tezuka Osamu Collection.
Giant Gundams drop by Hong Kong’s Times Square
August 21, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Image via Gundam.Info – Gundam Docks at Hong Kong
This past summer 2013 Bandai H.K. and Times Square presented Gundam Docks at Hong Kong Exhibition. This is one of biggest Gundam showcases outside of Japan. The Gundam Exhibtion runs through September 1st, 2013. So, if you’re on the Hong Kong island side, stop by Times Square to see the large diorama. Take the MTR and stop at Causeway Bay station!
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!
S.H. Figuarts’ Sailor Moon Figure
August 6, 2013 by Leave a Comment
With Sailor Moon celebrating it’s 20th anniversary, S.H. Figuarts known for their Power Rangers action figures, will be releasing this classic Sailor Scout – Sailor Moon action figure these next few months. The Sailor Moon will feature various points of articulation, 3 interchangeable faces, 3 interchangeable left hands, 5 interchangeable right hands, 2 Moon sticks and her friend Luna.
Attack on Titan Playset!
August 1, 2013 by 1 Comment
Everybody’s been talking about this anime Attack on Titan (Shingeki no Kyojin) and at anime conventions I see many cosplayers dressing as characters from this anime, so I think it’s about time I start watching it once I finish watching my kdramas. Fans of the anime can pick up this cool diorama piece by the Good Smile Company.
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!
AX 2013: Captain Falcon & Crew!
July 24, 2013 by 1 Comment
From Anime Expo 2013 at the Los Angeles Convention Center, we interview 3 cosplayers – Captain Falcon, Zero Suit Samus and Fox McCloud. We also hit-up downtown LA for the Anime Expo after-party at the Exchange. The drinks were on and the bass was pumping.
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.
Johnny Moreno
Edward Ballar
GuestContributor
kellyannbrooke
Ramon Angel
Al Woo
Stephen Jang
SW biko
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