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Saturday, June 3, 2023

The Guardians of Wonder

 

 Yeesh, Hollywood Fringe stuff sneaks up on you fast, especially when it takes place before Fringe!

Rena Kaneta & Hiroshi Hosokawa’s
「THE GUARDIANS OF WONDER」
Produced by ALICE IN PROJECT

McCadden Theatre
1157 N. McCadden Pl, Los Angeles, CA 90038

 ”FREE ADMISSION”

Saturday June 3 – 8:00 PM
Sunday June 4 – 7:30 PM
Friday June 9 – 6:00 PM
Saturday June 10 – 9:30 PM

STORY
A timid girl named 【Miko】 finds herself lost in a different world after being noticed by a mysterious being named 【Rei】. With the help of the righteous warriors, 【Hana】 and 【Sora】, who reside in this world, Miko’s adventure begins.
“I’m just…” “You’re a special person.”
“I’m shy and I’m not brave.” “You’re a delicate and pure child, and I’ll watch over you.”
Will Miko confront and overcome her weaknesses? What is Rei’s goal? Will Miko be able to return to reality?


“FROM TOKYO”
Tokyo’s Highly Anticipated Girls Sword Action Stage Play
Makes Its Debut at the Hollywood Fringe Festival!

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Friday, June 2, 2023

JAnime + Anime Expo 2023 Updates: One Piece Episode 1000 Dub, The First Slam Dunk & Helck Premiere

 
Look like Little Tokyo wants some of that Anime Expo run-off! We don't recall it happening before, but JAnime is taking over the JACCC on Sunday July 2nd. It looks to be a mix of Japanese cultural activities and some old-school anime/live-action to watch. I'm just glad the Aratani Theatere is being used to watched old Ultraman. Seriously, that place should be showing anime every weekend.
 
In any case, if you want to chill away from AX, you might have a hotel room nearby, or just want to enjoy some Japanese culture outside of the convention center, there isn't a better place in LA.

Sun, Jul 2, 2023 12:00 pm - 8:00 pm
JACCC Campus
244 S. San Pedro St., Los Angeles, CA, 90012
Some events are $, many are free

Info: JACCC invites you to join us for JAnime™, a celebration of Japanese and Japanese American culture through the lens of anime. This event immerses all in the history of Japanese and Japanese American anime culture through art, food, history and performances set against the backdrop of the Japanese season of tanabata.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Toei Animation and Crunchyroll will co-host the “One Piece Episode 1000 Dub World Premiere” on July 2 at the GRAMMY Museum at L.A. LIVE during Anime Expo 2023. Now this is open to everyone, even common folk without badges, so be ready for big numbers. Oh, and Toei is gonna have a huge booth in the convention, so take that, non-coners.

Here's the press release:

LOS ANGELES – May 31, 2023. It’s official: Anime’s favorite pirates—Monkey D. Luffy and his Straw Hats crew—will drop anchor in Los Angeles this July. Legendary anime studio Toei Animation revealed today plans to host a major “One Piece” celebration as the headline event of its Anime Expo programming schedule this year. “One Piece” has achieved a production milestone with completion of the series’ 1000th dub episode and to commemorate this momentous occasion Toei Animation and Crunchyroll will co-host the “One Piece Episode 1000 Dub World Premiere” on July 2 at the GRAMMY Museum at L.A. LIVE during Anime Expo 2023. Along with the 1000th dub episode screening, this specially produced celebration will feature a variety of fan experiences, including an autograph signing session with Toei Animation animators and dub actors Sonny Strait, Patrick Sietz and Ian Sinclair, a live drawing showcase and Q&A with “One Piece” animators, a Luffy & Shanks statue display, a ONE PIECE CARD GAME demo, One Piece Odyssey demo stations and much more. This event is open to the public and an AX badge is not required. Entry will be on a first come, first served basis and is limited to the maximum venue capacity.

"The 1000th dub episode is a historic milestone for ‘One Piece’ and we’re thrilled to be back at Anime Expo to commemorate this occasion with a major franchise celebration," said Lisa Yamatoya, senior director of global marketing for Toei Animation Inc. "Together with the North American premiere of ‘THE FIRST SLAM DUNK’ and our immersive exhibit space, fans will enjoy a wide array of experiences featuring some of Toei Animation’s most popular properties.”

In addition to the “One Piece” celebration, Anime Expo attendees will have a chance to be part of the


first audience in North America to watch Toei Animation’s blockbuster film “THE FIRST SLAM DUNK.” On July 3, Toei Animation and GKIDS will co-host “THE FIRST SLAM DUNK North American Premiere” ahead of the film’s  U.S. and Canadian release later this summer. As a special gift, the first 2,500 guests to arrive at the premiere screening will receive a copy of the 32-page official Japanese “THE FIRST SLAM DUNK” souvenir booklet. Plus, throughout the convention, fans are invited to visit Toei Animation’s exhibit booth. Spanning 1,600 square feet, this year’s exhibit space is an immersive showcase of “One Piece,” “Dragon Ball Super,” and “THE FIRST SLAM DUNK,” that offers numerous experiences ranging from special displays and statues to GIF photo booth and pop-up shopping experience.

Fans are encouraged to use the hashtag #TOEIANIMEAX2023 in their social posts when attending a Toei Animation event or visiting the Toei Animation exhibit booth.


And we have another premiere to look forward to, HELCK. As absurd as it sounds some sort of legendary hero wants to help destroy the world?
 
Press release.
HOUSTON, TX — June 1, 2023 — Anime streaming service HIDIVE, in partnership with Nippon TV, revealed today its plans for the North American premiere of Episodes 1 & 2 of new action-fantasy series HELCK at Anime Expo 2023 next month. The screening of HELCK will be presented in English subtitles and take place on Saturday, July 1 in the Platinum Ballroom at the JW Marriott in Los Angeles, Calif. Earlier this year, HIDIVE announced its acquisition of HELCK, which is based on the popular shōnen manga written and illustrated by Nanaki Nanao. The new series will debut after Anime Expo as part of HIDIVE’s Summer 2023 Simulcast Season.
 

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Cheez-It Stop Pop Up Store June 5th-11th Joshua Tree

 

If you're on Summer Break and want to get out, why not stop here? The Cheez-It Stop Pop-Up Store? Yup, it's real and taking over a Joshua Tree tourist trap called The Station at 61943 Twentynine Palms Highway. It oddly runs from Monday June 5-Sunday the 11th, 10am -6pm daily. So head on over on your trip to Joshua Tree or past it.

 

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Thursday, June 1, 2023

Hype: Devolver Digital: The Return of Volvy, Slayers X: Terminal Aftermath: Vengance of the Slayer & More

 

Devolver Digital's Livesteam is always the complete nonsense you need it to be and usually quite bloody. Can't wait to see what they do this year. 

"Devolver Digital, proud purveyors of hand-crafted indie games and weapons-grade chili dogs, are beyond ecstatic to announce that their critically received, award-snubbing annual presentation will return to surprise and delight gamers around the world on June 8 at 3PM Pacific Time, as part of Summer Game Fest, live at summergamefest.com." 

Slayers X: Terminal Aftermath: Vengance of the Slayer is a spin-off from Hypnospace Outlaw. It's dripping late 90's nostalgia and looks like the nice Doom Clone you've seen from that era. It's out June 1st.

 

Yokai Show 2023: An Art Exhibition of Folklore & Fables is a group exhibition at GR2 Gallery running from May 27th to June 4th, 2023

How To With John Wilson Season 3, sadly, the final season, is out July 28, 2023. Here's hoping for future projects.

Did anyone care about Citadel? Love this post on /Film for Season 2.

Citadel Season 2 Is Coming, Because Amazon Spent Too Much Money On This Bad Show To Give Up Now


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Wednesday, May 31, 2023

Weekly What To Do: Capcom Got Cheap, No Street Fighter 6 Launch In LA


Wednesday, May 31st
Select Theaters

A lot of hype in Japanese fandom circles for this one. Shin Kamen Rider from Hideaki Anno (Evangelion) will have a a one night showing this May. Kamen Rider, is like the first Japanese super hero, and had new versions appear year after year. Sort of like our version of Power Rangers and sort of like Doctor Who, as new people and stories come out every year. This is a reboot of the original Kamen Rider and it's supposed to be bloody.

Shin Kamen Rider-Synopsis

Hongo Takeshi awakens to discover he has been transformed into a grasshopper-hybrid cyborg. Becoming the Masked Rider, he must fight the mysterious evil organization SHOCKER to protect all of mankind. "SHIN KAMEN RIDER" is Anno Hideaki’s ode to the legendary Tokusatsu franchise, Japan’s biggest hero, and his dearest childhood icon. Go! Go! Let’s go! 
 
Vidiots, the beloved Los Angeles video store and non-profit film organization, has completed renovations on its new home, the historic Eagle Theatre in L.A.’s beautiful Eagle Rock neighborhood, and will open June 1, 2023.
 
Bringing the much-loved community movie house back to its original purpose, and restoring public access to its treasured 50,000-title physical media library, Vidiots’ new home, located at 4884 Eagle Rock Boulevard, will include a 271-seat, state-of-the-art movie theater (35mm, 16mm, and digital projection), a beer and wine bar with concessions and a light menu, a flexible micro-cinema and community space, and of course, the legendary video store. The almost-11,000 square-foot venue will provide flexibility for various screenings, special events, workshops, and community gatherings.
 
June 1 - June 7
Aero Theatre
1328 Montana Ave Santa Monica, CA 90403
Los Feliz Theatre
1822 N Vermont Ave Los Angeles, CA 90027
$
 
We always love these special curated content from the American Cinematheque . We're just wondering why the don't change it to a more befitting local name, we've come up with, June Gloom. Apparently, it's a California only thing. Maybe, next year, they'll just go local for their sad films and just call it bleak week: June Gloom year 3.

The American Cinematheque is thrilled to present its second annual ‘Bleak Week: Cinema of Despair,’ a weeklong festival that spotlights some of the greatest films from around the world that explore the darkest sides of humanity, as well as some of the bleakest points in human history. A harrowing, yet powerful lineup of films defined by stark imagery, unimaginable tragedies, existential fear, nihilism and shocking acts of brutality, this series features the world’s leading filmmakers who wholly embrace a cinema of despair in pursuit of unpleasant truths and raw empathy.
 
 
Gallery 1988's
Aaron Craig's Up, Up & Away
Idiot Box
Friday, June 2, 7-10 PM
355 N. Fairfax in Hollywood THIS FRIDAY night from
 
Aaaron's juxtaposition of pop culture iconography, with incredible line work and craftsmanship, is new to G1988, but the Australian artist is a fixture in the scene of pop art. In addition to the impressive new Aaron Craig collection, we'll be debuting the newest installment of Idiot Box, a tribute to the current Golden Age of television.
 
 
 
 
Natural History Museum
$20 Non-members
Free for Members

The Natural World vs Fantasy Worlds: This season we focus on how nature and science influence the creation of our favorite imagined worlds. From dragons and witchcraft to superheroes and giant monsters, First Fridays 2023 is where the fans come out to celebrate the intersection of pop-culture fandom with the work and collections of NHM. 
 
June 2 (opening)
Atwater Village Theatre
3269 Casitas Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90039
General Admission: $35
FREE parking in the ATX (Atwater Crossing) lot one block south of the theater.
 
Open Fist Theatre Company presents a new production of Starmites, the joyous, 1989 Tony-nominated sci-fi fantasy musical adventure that’s a comic book come-to-life. Shy teenager Eleanor dreams her way into a comic book quest to save the galaxy, where teams up with Space Punk, The Starmites and a lizard man named Trinkulus to fight the evil Shak Graa and The Banshees — weird women with dangerous hair-dos — led by Diva.
Friday, June 2 from 2pm to 8pm 
Academy Museum
Free
 
To officially kick off the summer season, the Academy Museum will host a party on Friday, June 2 from 2pm to 8pm. Summer Jam will take place on The Walt Disney Company Piazza and feature art-making activities, photo fun, and music—all free and open to the public—along with food and beverages by Fanny’s available for purchase.

Attendees will have free access to the museum’s galleries from 4pm to 8pm on a first-come, first-served basis; capacity is limited. No advanced reservations required, but highly encouraged!

June 1st-4th
Paramount Studios in Hollywood
Free, just register online 

With 260+ exhibitors, 20+ educational panels, screenings and endless networking opportunities and invite you to experience in person and geek out on the newest technology!
 
Friday, June 2 Doors open at 7 PM.
Jennie Kwan signing starts at 8 pm
Bracket starts at 9/9:30 pm!
Venue Fee is $15
Pot Fee $10
Spectator Fee $10
GAME REALMS
137 N Victory Blvd
Burbank CA 91502
 
MONSTERPALOOZA - Pasadena - 2023
June 2 - June 4
Pasadena Convention Center 300 E. Green Street Pasadena, CA 91101
$35 – $50
 
Possibly the largest horror convention you see on the west coast. It's bigger than version of the one held in Burbank.

Celebrate the Art of Monsters and Movie Magic with Over 450 Exhibitors, Monster Museum, Makeup Demos, Celebrity Guests & Much More!
 
 
 
 
 
 

OPENING RECEPTION
June 3, 2023 | 7:00 pm – 11:00 pm
ON VIEW
June 3 – July 8, 2023
COREY HELFORD GALLERY
571 S. Anderson St. Los Angeles, CA 90033
 
On Saturday, June 3rd, downtown Los Angeles’ Corey Helford Gallery (CHG) will proudly unveil a four-artist show in Gallery 3 featuring new works from Australian artist kelogsloops, Los Angeles’ own Robert Palacios, Thai artist Tarntara Sudadung, and Japanese artist Yuka Sakuma. Alongside a solo show from Adrian Cox, titled The Brush and the Torch, in the Main Gallery.
 
Charlie Immer Glow Up and Down (Gallery II)
Sentrock Two Birds, One Stone (Gallery III)
Toyameg The Pinkish Paradise (Gallery IV)
Mister Toledo New Works (The Doghouse Gallery)
Opening Reception with the Artist(s):
Saturday, June 3, 2023 6:00-10:00pm 
THINKSPACE PROJECTS
4207 W. Jefferson Blvd + 4217 W. Jefferson Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90016
 
Experience Goopmassta’s ‘Courtyard Sessions’ between our two spaces with Mr. B Baby live painting alongside a mini artist mart + amazing grub from Kabob Senpai + open bar + Venice Beats on the 1’s and 2’s + video projections from Digital Debris Gallery + check out the Dog House Gallery with new works from Mister Toldeo
 
Extra:
 
WeHo Pride Weekend will run from Friday, June 2 through Sunday, June 4 with OUTLOUD @ WeHo Pride produced by JJLA and the free WeHo Pride Street Fair.
 
June 3 SAT, 8:30 PM
$25*
 
 
Saturday, June 3 · 10am - 5pm 
LA Convention Center - Hall K 1201 S Figueroa St Los Angeles, CA 90015
$12 – $30

The #1 Vintage Clothing and Collectible Convention in the WORLD!
 
Films you might want to check out:
 
Tokyo Stories
A thrilling encounter with one of the world’s great art capitals.

Based on a major exhibition at the Ashmolean in Oxford, Tokyo Stories spans 400 years of incredibly dynamic art – ranging from the delicate woodblock prints of Hokusai and Hiroshige, to Pop Art posters, contemporary photography, Manga, film, and brand-new artworks that were created on the streets.
 
White Balls on Walls
The slogan “Meet the Icons of Modern Art” needs to be scraped off the glass wall of the Stedelijk, Amsterdam’s Museum of Modern Art. Because precisely who these icons of modern art are is very much the question.

Who gets to decide? And who loses out? In 2019, as director Sarah Vos started shooting her documentary, more than 90 percent of the art at the Stedelijk was made by white men. That must change, the museum’s director Rein Wolfs believes. But it’s easier said than done—as becomes clear when the film’s director Sarah Vos follows Wolfs and his team as they strive for greater diversity in the collection, as well as among their staff.


Time for a good 'ol fashioned Swap Meet. We’re bringing in local LA vendors, a caricature artist, and a DJ for a Swap Meet in Video Vortex this Friday (5 PM - 10 PM) and Saturday (2 PM - 10PM). Come hang with us!


UCB, a cheapo comedy show almost every night, see comedians before they make podcasts and have
stories about the UCB and before they hit the big time.
 

 
Cinespia -Just came back this week for a new season.
This hosts screenings outside at iconic venues including The Hollywood Forever Cemetery, The Greek Theatre, and Los Angeles Historic Park.
 
Check out classics and cult movies just a few stories above street level.


 
American Cinematheque-A celebrated independent theater group that brings both the talent and catalog of films to make for some of LA's best movie nights.
Secret Movie Club-Special edition posters and a large swatch of films to see.

Street Food Cinema-Outdoor cult or recent hits you'll love

 New Bev-Tarantino owned independent theater with old school style

Cinelounge-Hollywood based tiny theater, showing off indies you've never heard of
 
Brain Dead Studios-Newcomer that manages to fill its schedule almost every night.
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Tuesday, May 30, 2023

Anime Riverside 2023 Cosplay

 

Here's cosplay from Anime Riverside 2023!






more photos after the jump

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Anime Riverside 2023: Starts Off Summer Right!

 By Jonathan Bilski

Didn't expect to see that giant frog from Naruto or so many fans at the 2nd Anime Riverside. Taking place over Memorial Day weekend, this only 2-day con got people from all over the Inland Empire to celebrate anime. Every part of the Riverside Convention Center was used for the event, including its lovely outdoor area and it was hardly enough to contain so many folks. This con already looks like its already outgrown its location.

If you've been to downtown Riverside, you know there's a stretch that has all the food and isn't far from the modern arcade/food hall Game Lab and Food Lab. We found ourselves walking past those places into a farmer's market. When we started seeing the cosplayers past the fresh fruit we spotted a celebration. A giant orange frog, a giant missing his skin and huge swath of fans. We found Anime Riverside.

Getting in was easy enough, badge pick-up and registration seemed easy to get through. We didn't see any long linen, except for people wanting for autographs on the other side of the convention center.

The Exhibit Hall and Artist Alley barely contained its audience. Artist Alley was breezier and easier to
move around in, but you could tell a lot more artists could've made it there if it had the space. Vendors filled up the Exhibit Hall, though it wasn't all Funko Pops. Strange booths about Furby's and other collectibles made it fun to look for that special item you could only get from Japan or was hard to find over on Etsy. It seemed liked a lot of Artist Alley booths went big and just became vendors. Both were crammed with people and there wasn't much you could do, but go at a slow pace.

The main stage couldn't even be inside. It was tented outside and had panels from the voice actors from Helluva Boss and Demon Slayers, who also happened to have a big autograph area. The autograph area was so big it had it's own outdoor lines. So, really, main events took place outside in the garden area for the most part. Very differnt from your typical con.

The smaller panel rooms inside were comfortable enough, but they could only fit two panel rooms inside.

We caught a panel, if you can believe it, on the Okamoto Kitchen OVA First Look. This is an anime based on the anime style food truck you've seen around LA. And, gotta say it was funny as Hell. You wouldn't think an anime about a food truck would be as  funny as it is, but it worked. We laughed out loud so much as a young Japanese girl in a maid outfit is trying to make it in LA, by working on a food truck. The jokes about LA culture are spot on, they nailed are idiotic parking signs. And, the bitter rivalries of food trucks makes this something we hope gets picked up as a series. Right now, it'll be a completed 30-minute anime this Fall, from a Kickstarter. One of the owners of the food trucks, Gerald Abraham and one of the writers behind it Mykal Williams were there answering the Q & A. And, of course the food trucks were outside in the parking lot.

Not too far from them was the Anime Wrestling. Seeing cosplayers knock-sense into each other from afar led us straight to the wrestling arena. Known as the Anime Wrestle-Verse from Knok Pro, throughout the day different wrestlers fought each other for the crowd's amusement for the dumbest of storylines. After the main event, we though all fights were over, but then Bowser showed up to challenge the champion wrestler. Yes, Bowser from Mario. And then, of course, Michael Myers music came on and he shortly appeared after taking down all wrestler in his wake. You don't know what fun an anime convention is until you see wrestling cosplayers duke it out like the WWE. They need to do this at all anime conventions.

 

Below the Anime Wrestle-Verse was The Four Empires, this was another fun concept where you sorted into one of four groups, much like Harry Potter's Houses or one of the Knights at Medieval Times. You could go on various "quests" to earn points for your side. A fun side option if you want to play along like your in a fantasy game while at the con.

Headed over to the hotel nearby to check out Anime Karaoke, that was filled to the brim with people, it was also where the Maid Cafe was and a small arcade. We were amazed, once again, how much could be crammed into basically the front of a hotel.

Karaoke came to life as people signed up so much that people were warned forget the waiting list.
 

There was the adult cosplay contest ending the day and it was a long day, but still there was a separate after-party you could go to if you wanted more.
For its setting, of a huge chunk of the con be set outside. Using every inch of the convention center it could and then some and getting that many anime fans in one place were floored. We had an amazing time, but saw that everyone who want dressed as Mario or Dante from Devil May Cry has a good time too.
Anime Riverside sets itself up to be hopefully even bigger next year. It's what an anime con should strive to be and should aim just to be able do more with maybe more tents outside. Hopefully, they can build or grab more room nearby. It was a great way to start of the Summer as an anime fan.

Just extra issues

The convention is convenient enough that you can find parking in the surrounding area. Anime Riverside tried to warn the best it could with a parking map, but maybe a deal with an existing lot/s could be struck. For newcomers to the area; they might have had trouble finding places to park.

Though outside food and drink, except water, wasn't allowed in, you were walking distance to grab food at reasonable prices. Some places even had deals with Anime Riverside.
 
 
 

more photos
 
















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