Gumi ga nani!? SpringFest 2012

Kira~☆!!

At least, that's what was supposed to happen.
Last Saturday was SpringFest 2012, an anime convention held by NYU Poly's Anime Club!
It qualified as one of the few things that Vida is willing to wake up early to go to...not gracefully, but up.

Second time at NYU-Poly, first time being PasCon, and this time we had time to roam and do a photoshoot! Those odd sculptures and peaceful courtyard beckoned us despite the cold. We probably spent more time out than in. My friend's polaroids came out really pretty, but they aren't scanned up yet, so here's a digital shot preview:

We had lots of nice artsy shots together (thanks to my posing sense, ufufu), but let's keep their faces hidden for now, okay?

I got to test-run my new Gumi wig -- really nice, I have to say! Didn't slip at all and an appropriate brightness. I had one of my skilled friends cut the bangs for me, who you'll be able to see come AnimeNext time ^^
Since I don't have the pieces yet, I simply threw together the closest I could get to Gumi's Happy Synthesizer outfit. I still got recognized, which was fun! Lots of picture-worthy cosplays to see there.

I wish I had the stomach to enjoy the day more, but you know, I was really nervous--!! Deciding on my own to sing/dance Seikan Hikou for the contest...ahh...in the end, I was so shaky I couldn't even smile well, let alone project into the terrible mic. My idol dreams were crushed by unexpected nerves!? Next time, next time definitely I will shine!! Once I find a good video, I will REDO the song on Youtube...semi-cheating there.

Overall, I didn't talk a lot about the actual convention, did I? Then let's give a shout-out to the great talent in the Artist Alley, which made me want to cave and throw my entire wallet in everyone's faces. Only thing is, I only brought $20 (a good or bad thing?), so the Alpaca hat, leafeon hat, various beautiful prints (recognized a Natsume Yuujinchou piece, you have to read that!), Vocaloid everywhere and Liechtenstein Hetalia keychain did NOT go home with me. This is what did:

Hahaha...if you can't tell, it's a SHINee and Donghae phone strap so that my phone and my sister's phone can match beyond the cakes (Donghae was for meeee). 50 cents, how could you resist from all the tasteful K-Pop choices?

The Maid Cafe looked pretty legit, and the two butlers there seemed pretty cute, lanky glasses-guy types...too bad we didn't get anything, otherwise I'd love to have them serve me!
Sneko also did a song performance, for which I admire her steady nerves and lyric-memorizing ability...and I approve her song choices. More Supercell/DECO*27 next time, please?

This was another fun adventure to go down in our New York Analects...and caught artistically on camera.
I will show you a better cosplay at AnimeNext, so patiently anticipate it!

The Shield, Sword, and Crown

Hilari Bell's Juvenile/YA trilogy, The Shield, Sword, and Crown is a recent find of mine that I believe deserves a spotlight. Although taking place in a fictional kingdom, it is not a magical piece and the characters rely on wits alone, which demonstrates the author's tactical planning prowess.

After snapping up the last two volumes for one-two bucks a piece at the Strand NY (gotta love those new book deals), I willingly stayed up till five in the morning to finish Sword of Waters. Not that 363 pages is a lot to read, but I started around 1-2 AM. This being a Tuesday school night for a college student I'm talking about folks, spent on pleasure reading.

Here's a not-so-high-quality-but-compact picture of the covers, which along with the YA Fantasy sticker in my library is what drew me to Shield of Stars:

Click for bigger


Well drawn, a promise of adventure, and child protagonists. But it gets better!

While each book is told from one of the three character's point of view, you start off with Weasel, an ex-thief who you discover really does have a soft heart. Does that stop him from using his skills? Not at all, in fact you're never left at a standstill with Weasel's pickpocketing experience and quick wit. Of course, mix in Arisa, one of those brawlin', no-nonsense, I-will-keep-you-in-your-place-sharp-tongued girls, the characters are fun and unforgettable.

And another great thing about thief main characters? They are not self-righteous, they don't experience a debilitating cultural shock at every injustice, and they will always choose the path of action that surprises you. They bring you to the grit-and-dirt side of cities, that is until you discover the world of well-dressed adults isn't quite so stainless either.

One thing about Hilari Bell that makes her plot-lines so successful: You can never predict what will happen.
Just try. I mean, you'll get lucky here and there, as not every book is really investigative-based, but then you get to the second book. It has enough turns already with the whole mystery-investigation deal, but BAM. The last 50 pages turn EVERYTHING upside down. I can only brace myself for more shocks - and laughs - in the third one.

A last and somewhat inspirational note: The use of tarot or "arcana" cards in the book was an element that hit just the right percentage of foreshadowing without giving it away. One of the best things about social networking is that after finishing the book I could up and find the wonderful Hilari Bell on twitter and her website. Admittedly, she hasn't responded yet to my tweet, so I can only guess by the names that the cards she used was based at least a part on the Gaian Tarot Deck.

Silly inexperienced me rushed off after the first book and got myself the standard Rider-Waite Deck - yes, all because this book influenced me to give tarot a try. I have to say I love it, perhaps all English Majors should love a chance at practical interpretation, but now I want to get my hands on the Gaian Deck (if it's the right one) used in the book.

If you think the juvenile-young adult fantasy label makes this too young for you, then your inner child has died. Admittedly, the target audience is children and up - the reading level is witty, but no difficult - but there is a lot to enjoy. The voice, style, world-building, characterization, and particularly the creative handling of plot leaves you excited and ready for high fantasy, treachery, and royal courts.
*please excuse the overuse of the word "wit" in the post, which is truly the best word to describe the books, along with AMAZING that is

Tales of the Night - NY Children Film's Festival 2012

It really pays to be part of a club in NYU in times like these.
The Contemporary East Asian Media Society "CEAMS" paid for tickets to see "Tales of the Night", conveniently showing in the Cantor NYU Film Center nearby (Tisch can share). Free tickets for movies in NYC? Score!

A French film with animation done by Michel Ocelot, "Tales of the Night" features a unique animation style that is 2D and portrays black silhouettes in the place of characters. A little hard to get used to at first, but they bring out the golds in the background. In the layout of the movie, it fits very well - the film is actually a framed story with three actors enacting several plays of all different international settings, and faceless characters fit each of the stories. There is also no set standards for "beauty", and the universal nature of the tales really come through.

To avoid spoilers, and the fact that I don't recall all of the storylines, here is an overview of the experience.

Many of the plays are drawn from actual legends from varied, often underrepresented cultures. The details of the clothing, architecture, and music flesh out the fables. Cathedrals from Medieval Europe, sunrise reflecting off the mountains of Tibet, etc. There is care taken to be historically accurate while the story itself is a fairy tale.

However, as the characters explain, there are tweaks to the tales. This is mostly to end the story with a message or theme that the original tale may have lacked or left unfinished, although in one instance an African story was brought to life in the Aztec cities instead (that one needed the tweaking though).

While humorous and dark tomes are evoked throughout, there are common themes to it all. As expected, "love conquers all", but also messages of the importance of generosity, honesty, joy and life. More often than not, you are left with a strong taste of irony at the end. In fact, some of the tales ran so deep I couldn't believe I was watching it with a room full of mostly children under four feet. Or the fact that they could sit still reading faded white subtitles that ran like "You caressed me so gently".

You really fell in love with the French language as the voice actors lull you with their smooth readings. I love myself a good fable, and each one was rendered short but sweet.
It's true that the interspersed, quick plays offer some more memorable than the others - funny is great, but the injustice and difficulties of the darker ones bother me even now. Particularly, the Tibetan tale with the horse is unforgettably disturbing: the actress kicks up a fuss about acting the part beforehand, and you definitely see why. Even their attempt at resolving it does not help the fact that I want to run and stab the girl. It leaves me reflecting on what that says about Tibet's traditions and values...okay, I actually went something like "Why Tibet whyyyyyyy". Watch it and cry.

In the end, I really wish I could've watched more of the other films - they all are quality pieces!
Particularly, "Children Who Chase Lost Voices from Deep Below", "A Letter to Momo", "Magic Piano", and the feature they used for their posters, "Le Tableu".

French, Japanese, and other international animation and claymation are really impressive works. The story lines are mind-blowingly creative, in my opinion far exceeding that of America's.
It's definitely worth the time to look these movies up if they release on DVD or online otherwise.

Clockwork Prince releases Dec 6!!

And this is the first time I'm anywhere near the launch!

Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare, releasing in NY Barnes&Nobles Union Square.

Here's the launch event link at Union Square:
http://store-locator.barnesandnoble.com/event/72295

By the term "Barnes & Nobles Exclusive Edition", I'm guessing you have to buy your book there especially...not that you can get it any earlier anyway, but the online preorder price looks tempting right now.

The funny thing is, Inheritance (Christopher Paolini) also releases at the same place on November 8th.

I'm afraid there'll be too many people, but I've marked it off on my calender anyway.
I've never been to this sort of thing, but it sounds super exciting. A signed copy and meeting the author, even for just a few seconds!!

My writer's heart is so full right now <3