Otaku no Podcast » manga

What The iPad Will Mean For Otaku

Donald Burr — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 17:38:37 +0000

If you haven’t heard of the Apple iPad, which is due to hit store shelves tomorrow morning, then you’ve probably just returned from a long journey into another dimension fighting an impossibly tough foe on behalf of a civilization that considers you their only hope for survival. Or perhaps you were off frolicking with your mail order bride who turned out to be a powerful goddess who can grant your every wish (and get you into a ton of mischief while doing so). Or [insert other random contrived anime plot here].

In brief, the iPad is Apple’s answer to the tablet and netbook. Based on the iPhone OS, it’s a tablet computer that Apple is positioning to fill a perceived gap in functionality between a smartphone and a laptop computer. Since it’s based on the iPhone OS, and uses similar (though scaled-up) hardware, it has many features similar to the iPhone and iPod touch; however many user interface elements have been designed to take advantage of the much larger screen (a 9.7-inch (25 cm) LED backlit multi-touch display at 1024×768). And at $499 for the base model, the price is really quite reasonable considering the power and capabilities of what you get (IMHO of course).

Of course, reaction on the Internet to the device is bitterly divided. (Kind of like American politics. Sigh.) The true fanboys are lauding it as the best thing since sliced bread, while the haters are calling it “just a giant iPod touch.” But I think that the detractors are missing the point here. Yes, it IS a giant iPod touch. And that giantness is what makes the device work. There are things that you just can’t do (or you can do, but very poorly) on the iPhone or iPod touch because of its limited screen size. The larger screen of the iPad makes these applications possible. (Yes, she was right when she said “size matters.”) Here is why you, the otaku, should get really fired up about this device.

The first, and most obvious, is video playback. Sure, you can play video on your iPhone and iPod touch (or even video iPod). But you’ll probably lose your eyesight trying to watch it on that tiny screen. There are, of course, dedicated video players with bigger screens such as the Archos. But even those pale in comparison to the iPad’s generous 9.7 incher.

Where do you get video content then? Well, the iTunes Store has a fairly decent selection of anime titles, and at $1.99 per episode or roughly $35 for a full season, the prices are pretty reasonable. (Insert standard disclaimer about how different regions have different content in their respective iTunes stores.) Of course, you could always convert your own DVD’s into H.264 video files and load them on yourself, using tools such as HandBrake, RipIt, and AnyDVD. (Insert standard disclaimer about how, technically speaking, this is against the law thanks to the DMCA, but unless you’re planning on selling them, you probably won’t get caught, but it’s still technically illegal, and how you should only do this with DVD’s that you honest-to-God own.)

Then there’s always streaming video. Two major streaming video providers have already tossed their hat in the ring. Netflix, the uber-popular DVD-rental-by-mail outfit, has been offering streaming video to go along with its rental service for several years now; and yes, they do have some decent anime content. Not a whole lot, but it’s growing day by day. They now have an iPad app (free even!) that will let you stream any of Netflix’s streaming titles to your device. The best part is, if you start watching something on your computer, and then have to leave the house or something, you can pick up on your iPad right from where you left off, and vice versa.

And everybody’s anime streaming site Crunchyroll has also committed to creating an iPad app. Currently they have an app for the iPhone and iPod touch (also free!) that will let you watch any of their streaming titles; this app should work on the iPad’s compatibility mode, so you can get your Crunchyroll on until they finish their iPad-native app.

Also, it is rumored that Hulu will be making an iPad app too.

Of course, there are plenty of other sites out there that stream anime, legally or otherwise, including the websites of most (all?) of the big anime licensors (FUNimation, Bandai, etc.). The problem with these, of course, is that they use Adobe’s Flash, which the iPad will not support. But this won’t always be the case. The web is moving in its own slow, ponderous way to adopt the HTML 5 standard, which includes built-in support for streaming video, obviating the need for Flash. And the iPad supports HTML 5 perfectly. I suspect that once the iPad hits the masses, there will be a flurry of websites converting over to HTML 5. In fact, some of the big players have already done just that.

Are you into manga? Well then you’ve got reason to sit up and take notice too. Manga is definitely something that does NOT work well on an iPhone or similarly sized device. The screen is just too darn small. Either you have to squint and try to read micro-print on a full-page display, or you can zoom in and be faced with the prospect of having to scroll around to read everything. This is probably why those very few manga/comics forays on the iPhone failed so miserably. Of course there are e-readers such as the Amazon Kindle and Barnes and Noble Nook. Sure, they have bigger screens; but they are (so far anyway) only black and white, and the weird “flashing” effect when the e-ink screens refresh is off-putting to some.

Well, there are some exciting things afoot. Marvel Comics has released an iPad app (free!) based on the Comixology technology. And it looks really awesome. In portrait mode, you get the full page, though at about 80% of the size of a traditional comics page. Even so, text and graphics are crisp and easily readable thanks to the iPad’s excellent screen technology. But turn the unit on its side (in landscape mode), and a new viewing mode becomes available. You zoom into each panel of a strip, and tapping on the screen brings you to the next panel in logical order, all the while highlighting moments of dialogue or action. This is a fantastic way of viewing comics, and Andy Ihnatko, beloved tech pundit and well-known comics fan, really likes it. I’m sure that manga publishers will soon sit up and take notice.

If you’re an artist, you have cause to celebrate as well. Using the giant iPad screen and touch surface as an artist’s canvas is only natural, and with programs such as SketchBook Pro and Brushes, it’s really quite simple yet powerful. Several months back, an artist made a big splash in both the tech and art community, by creating a New Yorker cover using an iPhone. Imagine what you can do with an iPad! I wonder when we’ll start seeing people sitting at Artists’ Alley not with paintbrush or pen, but with an iPad instead.

And finally, with its large screen and native PDF support, the iPad makes an excellent PDF reader. When you consider that many anime conventions make their schedules, program guidebooks, etc. available in PDF format, this can be quite a handy thing to have. It’s admittedly a small thing, and wouldn’t make sense as the sole reason to buy an iPad; but if you bought one for any of the reasons above (or other reasons of your own, perhaps) it’s a nice extra.

Tablet computers are certainly nothing new – Microsoft has been trying to market them for years. But they have always failed miserably in the common consumer market. One possible reason why is because they were trying to extend the desktop computer metaphor onto the tablet, by using standard desktop operating systems (i.e. Windows). In taking their already-successful mobile iPhone OS and scaling it up to tablet size, Apple has done what Microsoft and countless other companies have failed to do — deliver a compelling tablet experience that just *works*.

Exciting times are upon us!

TOKYOPOP announces its 2010 Digital Media Production and Marketing Summer Internship!

Donald Burr — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 21:43:15 +0000

ATTENTION ALL COLLEGE STUDENTS!! Looking for a unique and fun way to earn some internship credits and — maybe, just maybe — break into the anime/manga industry? The TOKYOPOP 2010 Digital Media Production and Marketing Summer Internship might just be your golden ticket! From May 28 through September 6 of this year, TOKYOPOP will be hitting the road and touring America, stopping at just about any place that’ll have them — anime/manga conventions, bookstores, libraries, parking lots, you name it — to promote their properties and characters. But this isn’t any old roadshow – this is a multimedia experience – and that’s where you come in! TOKYOPOP is looking for a few good fans to join them and help “create a viral grassroots experience the likes of which have never been seen before.”

Some of the things you’ll be doing include:

Working under the supervision and guidelines of a real-world production company to plan, shoot, edit, and upload video for a web-based “reality show”-styled grassroots marketing endeavor
Using social media tools to promote and market your videos, TOKYOPOP products, and the TOKYOPOP Tour
Hosting contests and events at conventions, bookstores, etc., nationwide
Assisting the Tour Managers to set-up, tear down, and troubleshoot all events
And more!

What qualifications do you need to have? You…

Must be a manga/anime/Japan enthusiast
Must be comfortable on camera and able to energize a crowd
Must be a skillful user of Facebook, Twitter, blogs, and YouTube
Must be able to plan, shoot, edit, and upload video
Must be available for most if not all of the Tour: May 22-September 7
Must like to travel
Must have lots and lots of energy!
Film or film marketing studies a plus
Japanese speakers a plus
Must receive course credit; this is an unpaid internship (travel expenses will be covered)
Must receive verifiable college credit for an internship; this internship is unpaid (travel expenses are covered)
Must enter into a TOKYOPOP Tour Internship agreement with TOKYOPOP

To apply:

Become a member of the TOKYOPOP Tour Ning group and join the Intern Applicants Group
Upload your resume and a writing sample as a blog post to your TOKYOPOP Tour profile
Upload a video telling us why you’re the right person for the internship to your TOKYOPOP Tour profile. Show us your most positive attributes, the ones that you think will make you a great spokesperson for TOKYOPOP on the road. (Note: Both TOKYOPOP and Ning prohibit the use of profanity in your video. All other Ning terms of service apply.)
Send and email to Tour@TOKYOPOP.com with the subject line “TOKYOPOP Tour Internship Application” confirming that you have submitted an application

Better hurry tho – deadline for application is this coming Wednesday, March 31! (Sorry for this last minute post. Somehow I missed this story until now.)

For full details, check out the announcement.

Project 760 Productions and Pop Japan Travel Present The Tokyo International Anime Fair Tour!

Donald Burr — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 07:50:07 +0000

Psst! Hey… wanna go to Japan? I know you do! So listen up!

Project 760 Productions, the group behind many otaku-centric events in the San Francisco Bay area including JTAF, is teaming up with Pop Japan Travel to offer you a chance to travel to Japan to attend the 2010 Tokyo International Anime Fair, one of the largest anime trade fairs in the world! You’ll get to take a sneak peek at the latest anime projects and series scheduled for the Spring and Summer TV seasons in Japan.

In addition, the tour will include visits to famous otaku landmarks, including Akihabara, the so-called “Electric Town,” a major shopping area for electronics and consumer goods, and now a hotbed of otaku activity, with many anime and manga shops, maid and cosplay cafés, and the like; Nakano Broadway, a ginormous building chock full of otaku-worthy shops — arcades, manga, anime, idol, music, toy, etc.; the Ghibli Museum, shrine of all things Studio Ghibli; a dinner at a cosplay café, a picnic by the sakura (cherry blossoms), a visit to an animation studio, and more!

This 9 day tour will take place between March 24 – April 1, and will run you $1,985, which includes all costs including round-trip airfare from Los Angeles, transportation, interpreters/tour guides, entrance fees, etc. You’ll also get a customized guidebook created exclusively for the tour. If you like, you can arrange your own travel plans to Japan, which drops the price to $1,360.

If there’s enough interest, they will also make several tour extensions available, including a tour of the port city of Yokohama and the history-filled city of Kamakura; and a tour of Studio Pierrot. (Tour extension is contingent on whether or not there is enough interest in it, and will incur an extra charge.)

Also, to commemorate the Studio Pierrot Tour, Pop Japan Travel is hosting a special contest through their YouTube channel.
The fan that submits the best video with a question for Studio Pierrot will receive their choice of three books courtesy of Digital Manga, Inc. and will get to visit Studio Pierrot free if they take the tour. Winners will receive a PJT credit towards a future tour if they cannot attend the TAF tour. The contest concludes on February 14, 2010.

For more information, visit the Pop Japan Travel website or email popjapantravel@gmail.com for more information. Mention Project 760 and get a $50 discount.

Better hurry – all applications are due by February 23, 2010

Manga artist Junko Mizuno will be signing books TOMORROW in San Francisco Japantown!

Donald Burr — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 02:13:13 +0000

Psst – do you live in or near San Francisco? Are you a manga fan? If so, then you might want to visit the New People J-Pop Complex in San Francisco’s Japantown TOMORROW! Manga artist Junko Mizuno will be signing copies of her latest work, “Fluffy Little Gigolo PELU,” at the New People center starting TOMORROW – August 22nd – at 2:00 PM.

If you’re unfamiliar with Ms. Mizuno’s works, she is known for her unusual blending of childish cutesy sweetness and – blood and terror!!! This style, known as “Gothic kawaii” or “kawaii noir” can be seen in her works, including “Hell Babies, “Cinderella-chan,” and “Pure Trance.” She also draws the eyecatch art for the BBC program “Japanorama.” Her latest work, “Fluffy Little Gigolo PELU,” chronicles the story of PELU, a cute alien, as he searches for a bride on Earth.

The New People complex is located at 1746 Post St, in San Franisco’s Japantown.

“PixelPerfect” shows you how to draw and color Manga in Photoshop

Donald Burr — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 05:55:56 +0000

Bert Monroy is one of the world’s premier digital artists. Using the Adobe Creative Suite (mostly Photoshop and Illustrator), he creates incredibly detailed scenes, “digital paintings” of a sort. They look so incredibly lifelike – so much so that someone who is not familiar with Monroy’s works would call them photographs. They are not. Every object in a Bert Monroy scene – be it a soda can, beer bottle, billboard, city skyline, whatever, is completely created by hand using the Adobe software – these are not digital photographs or scans.

Anyway, he hosts a show on the Revision3 IPTV network called PixelPerfect, in which he demonstrates and teaches his Photoshop and Illustrator techniques. His latest episode features a tutorial on how, using Photoshop, you can draw and color manga characters, and turn them into a marquee-like biillboard. You can watch the show on the Revision3 website or in the embedded player below. Or you can subscribe in iTunes or your favorite podcatcher of choice.

EDIT: Here is the earlier episode on colorizing Bert mentioned (link goes directly to that show’s page, or view the embedded version below).

Episode #0004 – JTAF 5 Review

The Ghost in the Machine — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 20:53:39 +0000

If you are a new listener, and heard about us through either the Feeble Force network of podcasts, or Allison Sheridan’s excellent NosillaCast… welcome! Thank you for taking the time to download this episode, and we hope you stick around for many more to come!

In this episode, I discuss my review and impressions of the JTAF 5 (formerly JapanTown Anime Faire) anime convention, held November 10-11, 2007 at the Fort Mason center in San Francisco, CA. On the whole it was an enjoyable convention, but had some notable problems in terms of location and crowd control. Sadly, JTAF is going on hiatus, and have put all plans for next year’s JTAF on hold until further notice. I certainly hope this does not spell the end of what I consider a very friendly and fun convention.

Pictures from the event can be found on my Flickr page, and a highlights video will be posted here soon.

We also discuss some of the latest news in the anime and manga community, including the following stories: