Evangelion – Retrenders

Jpopilicious: Utada Hikaru x Evangelion = Music Video

December 3, 2014 by Stephen Jang Leave a Comment

It’s been awhile since I watched an AMV (anime music video) and it’s been a really long time since I’d listened to Jpop. Before the Kpop domination, I grew up listening to Jpop of every genre and bought crazy expensive import CDs by Jpop acts like Ayumi Hamasaki, Namie Amuro, Crystal Kay, SPEED, D&D, DaPump, Smap, Exile, Mai Kuraki, M-Flo, Do As Infinity, ZARD, MAX, Heartsdales, Orange Range, Every Little Thing, Bonnie Pink, MOVE … okay you readers get my drift, but I digress. I remember like it was yesterday vacationing in Hong Kong 1999 and I was at a HMV record store, and I picked-up the very first album “First Love” by then 16-year old Utada Hikaru. I was blown away by that album and played that CD the whole summer on my AIWA CD player.

Recently released is this new music video by Studio Khara and directed by Kazuya Tsurumaki featuring Utada Hikaru’s song “Beautiful World.” Neon Genesis Evangelion fans will jump for joy at this new video featuring new clips and footage from the “Rebuild of Evangelion” films. And Trivia Pursuit tidbit, Utada’s song “Beautiful World” was used in the 2007 Evangelion: 1.0 You Are [Not] Alone.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Entertainment, Music, PopAsia Tagged With: AMV, anime, Beautiful World, Evangelion, Hikaru, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Jpop, Utada

Eva Maid Outfits @ FanimeCon 2014

July 2, 2014 by Stephen Jang Leave a Comment

If you’re an experienced ‘con-goer then you know it’s a mad blitz of fun all day all night. Like at Fanime – you never sleep! Our Ramen & a Half crew roamed around the late evening around the convention floor and our cosplaying host Jonelle spotted these 3 interesting cosplayers. Meet cosplayers Ashley Fee, Christine Deatrick and Jessie Blaufus as they get inventive with their cosplay outfits. These custom French Maid-inspired costumes are from the hit anime Neon Genesis Evangelion.

Filed Under: Otakudom, Ramen and a Half, Shows Tagged With: anime, Cosplay, cosplaying, Eva, Evangelion, fanime, FanimeCon, French Maid, maid, manga, Neon Genesis, San Jose

Interview with Legendary Character Designer: Yoshiyuki Sadamoto

September 4, 2013 by Stephen Jang 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.

+++++++++++++++++++++

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.