Evidence #26: Newtype USA Vol. 3 No. 2 (Feb 2004)

Download .pdf HERE! (Total size: 940mb)

I'd figure I would do a post to bring in the new year of 2016, and to also break that 3 or so month silence I usually do for content downtime. This was something I have been wanting to scan since I started this blog almost 5 years ago, and its high time some of these issues see the light of day. There is also a bit of history I can add for my first ever posting of a Newtype USA magazine, so here it goes.

Newtype USA was my second time seeing an American anime magazine, but was the first magazine I stayed with for a year and half before eventually losing interest. When I started to get into anime in 2002, Newtype magazine (especially the issues in Japan) always fascinated me to always check it out and to own, but to this day I never have acquired a single issue. But to my surprise, I heard that in America we were going to get our own Newtype magazine, so I was pretty surprised at first. So once a month, I would take part of my lawn care money and put towards getting the next monthly issue of Newtype from my local Borders bookstore in Cary, North Carolina (which today I think stands as a fitness gym of some kind in its place). I never did a subscription to Newtype because to my 16 year old understanding, it was ideal for me to get an issue every month with the money I had on hand than to pay for a year subscription I couldn't afford at the time.

Newtype USA opened my world up in giving me variety on whats out there that would interest me. The issues would do small write ups on episode synopsis of shows airing in Japan, DVD's and video games coming out, model kit and toy reviews, nice size glossy printed posters and postcards and some good write ups on studios of interest that month. It also helped that at the beginning and towards the end of Newtype USA run, sample DVD's were included in the plastic seal of each issue so that I can sample anime shows that were coming out. I still have all those DVD's in a CD spindle on one of my shelves from the early issues that I bought. Eventually, Newtype stopped doing DVD's due to people stealing them from the shrink wrap at bookstores, which ment people like me who did the honest thing of buying the magazine to get the DVD were screwed over in the end. The thought of stealing occurred to me once, but I was a pretty honest kid, and I liked getting the magazine to read at school and at home. With the DVD's not being added in the magazine for a few issues, my interested in reading Newtype slowly dwindled to the point that I stopped buying them after my junior year of high school. It seemed that I only used the issues to read a few things in there that caught my interest, while everything else was just advertising and positive write ups on harem anime shows that I had zero interest in.

This eventually came a problem for me, as I noticed that Newtype USA was just one giant catalog of the same kind of show write ups in every issue. Newtype USA was the example of having hard promotions for shows coming out in Japan as was a way of ADV saying "Oh yea, were gonna get this property one day, just you wait!!" N/USA (im just gonna abbreviate from this point on) is looked on now as the replacement to Viz Animerica magazine, and wasn't ashamed to show how it blatantly advertised itself to appeal to the popular anime trend at the time, which was harem shows. I believe David F Smith, a former freelance writer, explained on an episode of Alpha Counter how he would have to write a positive review of a movie or show that was "complete trash" in order to positively promote a product in order for it to sell. That was one thing that I remembered about N/USA was the fact that you won't see any negativity on a show that they would promote, which to be honest was again, mostly harem shows.

However, in the mist of big boobed bad anime comedy show reviews and bigger boobed terrible anime comedy shows ads, N/USA had some areas of interest that I still remember to this day when it came to some really good articles. In this issue, we have a write up about studio Sunrise, which is mostly a collective article about how and why Yoshiyuki Tomino got his start (and hate) at Sunrise, a brief monthly write up from anime historian Fred Patton who writes up his thoughts on live action anime adaptations because a rumored Tetsujin 28 movie that maybe was gonna be made, a small write up about Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence, and the real reason why I picked this article to scan: a write up of Robotech history. That particular write up has been on my mind for years now, so now I get to show it to the internet masses.

This issue in particular was out of my collection for a time and in my brothers hands, which is why its banged up the way it is (don't worry, my other issues are in fine condition for being in a box for a decade at this point). I plan on doing more scans of the issues I own, which were from the beginning runs of N/USA in 2003. I will say that a hand full of issues contain information about Evangelion (because that series was ADV cash cow for a number of years), including the "supposed" live action film they never made, but there's some pretty concept art to go with it.

This issue was taken from my camera, because I don't have a wide enough scanner to capture the magazine entirely. Hopefully I can get a hold of a scanner the next time I scan the next issue, but we'll see about that. Above is the download link to the file, so it's open for everyone. Hope you enjoy and see you next time, which should be on the 5th anniversary next month, but well see about that!!

It's official, we're on Tumblr now!!!

The idea of putting this blog on Tumblr has been on my mind for... a really long time. So, I'd figured it was high time it gets done. The way I figure, it couldn't hurt to get more traffic to the site and get some fresh faces to check out whats here. The only problem about that is, if you can guess, is how often and consistent I will update the site in which those updates go to Tumblr. I guess I am so lazy enough that if I do not find the time to find a blogspot/tumblr plug in, then I will forget to post up stuff on the Tumblr site. Knowing me, it will be a reality. But hey, lets just see how this goes, couldn't hurt.

Here is the Tumblr page for this blog, and I will make a side link on the page so people can get to it also: Anime of Yesteryear Blog: http://animeofyesteryearblog.tumblr.com/

In terms of posting, I might do something for Christmas. I did get some recent goodies, so well see if any of that makes the list. Plus, I have my old stuff when I was in high school to scan, so that might make the cut next time, but we shall see. Take care everyone, and Marry Christmas!!!

Evidence #25: (You can still) Rock in Animerica Segment (Vol. 4, No. 2, 1996?)

It's been almost a year since the last Animerica, but better late than never...

Download Here! (size: 74.3mb)

I've been meaning to get this out for months at this point, but better now than later. I say that because November 18th will mark the 20th anniversary of Mamoru Oshii Ghost in the Shell. And what a better way to celebrate an occasion on this site by having a scan of the Animerica issue it's based upon.

I first saw Ghost in the Shell in high school when I was able to rent anime from Blockbuster, and I wasn't too sure about the film other than looking at it as another "right of passage" to becoming an anime fan at that time. I have seen the movie a couple of times here and there in the past 13 or so years since my first showing, but it wasn't until last semester when I saw the film again for my Contemporary Art class, where I discussed essential films by Mamoru Oshii. Thanks to the help of the film and Brian Run book Stray Dog of Anime, really helped me understand the film in a much different light than I had before. There is also an article on studio Gainax, Street Fighter II, and much more.

This is also a good time to point out that I am putting out this issue as a .pdf file instead of filling up my blog post with tons and tons of pages. I have been wanting to do that for a long time now, and with it being almost 5 years too late, better start now than later. This was also an issue that was autographed by Trish Ledoux at some past Animazement, and I am not even sure where I found this issue to begin with. It might have been at a local con for all I know years ago. Also, the corner of the book has some wear on it, and you can thank my cat Bubbles for wanting to chew on it because she is a dumb cat. The interview with Oshii by Carl Horn at the time this issue came out is really interesting to read, which I have lifted quotes from Oshii in the interview for my school project, which was most helpful.

The next release might either be during Christmas, or on our 5th anniversary, who knows at this point. But I will go ahead and let you guys enjoy your post-Halloween blues.

Evidence #24: A-ni-me: The Berkeley Journal of Japanese Animation (Vol.1, Issue.1, 1990)

Download File HERE!!

(Total Size: 158 mb)

Well, now that Animazement has come and gone, I do have a gem that I got from the convention, what was from over a year ago that I haven't gotten around to scanning until just now. I also mention this story and the book in my con report from last year, so give that episode a listen if you care too.

So here is my story on that: I remember walking around the dealers room floor before they closed that Sunday of Animazement 2014, and I came across a dealer who usually sells model kits and unique die-cast Japanese toys that are at the usual prices in Japan. This same dealer also happens to sell hobby magazines and the like, which these kinda cons is where I get one issue a year from Hobby Link Japan. I remember looking at the bottom of the magazine shelf and seeing this book, which is something I had never laid eyes upon and started flipping through it. It was then that I realized it had translated transcripts and synopsis from anime series like Ranma 1/2 and Nadia, to OVA's like Bubblegum Crisis, Dragon's Heaven, MegaZone 23, Gunbuster and Outlanders.

I went over to the dealer and asked him about this book, which he told me that this was something he had and sold long ago, but had it been sold back to him sometime after. When I got home from my usual long drive back from the con to my home South Carolina, I was able to look at the book further. What I found most interesting on the back was advertisements for AnimeCon '91, including a print out of guests that would be coming, and an application to attend. So I decided to do what I normally do in this situation when I get something this cool, and that's to put it on the shelf to not be seen or hardly remembered for a certain period of time. 

It wasn't until I talked to Trish Ledoux over on her Twitch.tv channel one night months later that I mentioned this book to her, which I also found that her husband Toshifumi Yoshida was credited as a "special thanks" in the book. So to my curiosity, I wondered how much involvement he had with this book? I was able to get my answer at this years Animazement when I showed him and Trish this book, which they both seemed to be pleased with this relic of the past. Toshi was cool enough to sign it for me and Trish seemed interested in wanting this to archived on the blog.

So now that the tl;dr story is outta the way, I can let you guys see this for yourselves. I went ahead and scanned everything into a .pdf file so anyone who is interested can see this for themselves. I'm not sure when my next post will be after this one, which is really to say in the coming months. Hope you guys enjoy this anime relic, and see you next time!

Pre - Animazement 2015 Post: This Site Credibility is Totally Legit...

I know that just about every single post on this blog is dedicated to scanning and uploading my personal collection, followed by my lack of interesting opinions for certain columns, but I thought I would share this with you today. With a week away from Animazement 2015 to again make its mark on Raleigh NC (and my roughly 6 hour drive to get there), I occurred to me that on a random youtube search for "trish ledoux animazement," I came across a video someone did of one of her and Toshifumi Yoshida Saturday panel from last year's Animazement that my magazines were featured in this video.

To sum up the story, I usually bring a handful of Animag or Animerica stuff for Toshi and Trish to autograph every year if there at the convention, and last year I was willing enough to have them use some of the issues I had as a prop for one of their panels. I'm just happy that it was featured in someones video that was literally a few feet from me on the first row with out me ever knowing about it till today. Even though this isn't a full panel video, it does briefly explain Toshi and Trish back story on how they got into the anime industry.If you want more on my convention report from last year, here is my podcast episode about it. See you guys in a while, because I'll have plenty to scan...

Evidence #23: The ANIMAG Saga (Issue #11)

HAPPY BELATED 4TH ANNIVERSARY GUYS!!

So, this site has existed for 4 years and... 8 days. Yea, so I'm a little late to the party, I apologize for that. So, what could I be putting up for this late special occasion for this year? Well, I realized its been almost 2 years since I posted anything related to ANIMAG, and it's high time she had another debut once more. 

If you can't tell based on the image of the cover, or the red text next on the bottom right, this is an issue focused on famed character designer Haruhiiko Mikimoto. I had a chance to shake the hand of Mikimoto at Animazement 2013, and even had him sign a copy of Macross: Clash of the Bionoids (aka, the only "legit" copy of Macross DYRL we ever got in the states). I told this story of my experience meeting Mikimoto in the podcast I did about that Animazement 2 years ago, so give that a listen when you can. In short, he didn't have a clue that a version existed in the states, and happily signed it for me, BREAKING the DREADED "One Autograph Per Person" rule Animazement seems to tack onto con-goers when a line is past a certain point for them. So, let's see what's inside this issue:

I want to say this was autographed at either Animazement 2013 or 2014 (might be the former), and here we have Trish synopsis of a rundown of what happened at the first A-Kon for her. If you wanna know who this "...unairconditioned Ford Mustang" owner really is, then you are in luck. Robert Gibson was on an episode of the Anime World Order podcast not to long ago, and also did a blogspot about his past in anime fandom and what he did to contribute to it, which all of it is really interesting to read and hear. It's also interesting to point out that even at the earliest times of anime information on print, you still had rumors of "anti-ANIMAG" people. I guess in anime journalism, you still have your die-hard critics.

Here we have some info about anime at the time, ranging from City Hunter to Yotoden (aka Wrath of the Ninja in the states). What's interesting is the fact that there is a written piece on OVA's coming out that include some obscure ones that you might find online like the racing OVA Goddamn!, Riki-Oh and Iczer-3. The others besides Gall Force and Wild 7, I'm not too familiar with on these titles. There is also the releases of Viz Media "manga-to-comics" style printing that is being released during this time. 

Here we got the highlight of this issue, and thats a good write up on works by Mikimoto at this time. It's interesting that they have a timeline period on how Macross and Robotech came to be, and even all the history behind Robotech earliest failures that Harmony Gold just seems to still be tripping over 30 some years later. I highly doubt the people working on this magazine 25 years ago would've predicted that Robotech would still be some huge thing in anime and that HG would find ways to keep screwing that up. If someone there did make that prediction in the middle of a poker game one night, they would be happy to know it's still true today.

It's also interesting they bring up the differences of the english dubs in the Macross part regarding the international dub of Megazone 23 Part 2 and Macross DYRL. The ending they mention about animation company Idol doing the bonus material to the Robotech: The Movie is up on youtube to see. And from what I have heard, it's some kinda of bonus on the laserdisc for the international dub for Megazone 23 Part 2. If I am hearing things wrong, then let me know in the comments.

Here is a nice write up about the classic Speed Racer, breaking down the Valkyrie for mecha heads, and a write up by Votoms/Yamato fanatic Tim Eldred. 

The Anime Ja Nai part is pretty much there to let you know what your favorite VA has been in other than the main roles. I did see Ikeda at Animazement 2014 for the big Gundam Reunion thing, but I didn't get a chance to interact with him sadly. I did have Furukawa sign my Bubblegum Crisis DVD set that same year Mikimoto was there, so that' in that same podcast episode where I talk about that. 

And now everyone's favorite, advertisements for anime products. These ad's are such a time capsule to see many years later, and they still have their charm to them.

So I think that's gonna wrap it up for this segment of The Anime of Yesteryear. This is usually the part where I state what iv'e been doing since the last post, and its pretty much the same: school, the podcast, love life, social life, etc. I'll usually try and score some more Animag/Animerica issues when I go to Raleigh for this years Animazement, even though the backlog of material I have will last for a good while. So, thanks for sticking around, and letting you know that this site and our love for you isn't a lie...