The talents of French Animation

The talents of French Animation

Japanese animation holds a special place in the world scene and among fandoms for its diversity and championing of 2D animation techniques. This is very justified and has only become a stronger tendency now that an increasing number of animation creators outside Japan...
Belle: Mamoru Hosoda’s Most International Film

Belle: Mamoru Hosoda’s Most International Film

Mamoru Hosoda has truly become “the new Miyazaki.” By that, I do not mean that he is or has become Hayao Miyazaki’s heir or that his work follows up on that of the studio Ghibli director. Rather, I mean that Hosoda has taken Miyazaki’s place in...
Nightmare made film: Phil Tippet’s Mad God

Nightmare made film: Phil Tippet’s Mad God

Mad God is a nightmare-made film. Quite literally so, as director Phil Tippett, one of the most renowned animators and special effects artists in American film history, confessed that his long-awaited movie was inspired by a nightmare he repeatedly made as a child. It...
Keiichi Arawi’s animated works

Keiichi Arawi’s animated works

With his unique sense of humor and round, cute character designs, Keiichi Arawi is an artist whose work always makes you feel good whenever you encounter it. Among animation fans, he’s mostly known for being the original creator of Nichijou, a hit manga that became,...
From lolicon to moe: the adventures of the bishoujo

From lolicon to moe: the adventures of the bishoujo

Japanese otaku fans are often associated with two controversial concepts: lolicon and moe. Outside of otaku circles, both terms are associated with some sort of abnormal attraction for fictional characters. To put it bluntly, they are perceived as two equivalent forms...