'Only Yesterday' Review

'Only Yesterday' was shown as one of the films in Film 4's Studio Ghibli Season. Right from the start of the film it appears to be a break from tradition for the team as the film is based more on normal life than the fantasy worlds or situations that Studio Ghibli are famous for.

The film revolves around an office worker from Tokyo called Taeko Okajima, who wants to finally make a second trip to the countryside to pick safflower plants that she had been dreaming of ever since she was a girl. During the trip she reminisces about her school days, and all the trivial things that adults wouldn't think twice about any more. For example, the girls get told that they will start having periods soon whilst in a school assembly, and the boys then start diving at the floor to look up the girls skirts to see if they have their period, or telling one of Taeko's friends not to pick up the ball as they will 'catch her period'.

Once in the countryside Taeko begins work on a farm with her friend Toshio, who has worked on a farm for a large amount of his life, and the other woman who pick the safflower plants. 

This setting looks very peaceful, and is very well animated as some of the scenes show an amazing amount of detail on all of the greenery. All of the flashbacks actually feel older, as the palette used seems to be paler than the modern parts of the story, giving the feeling that the memories are possibly a little cloudy in Taeko's mind.

The story is very easy to follow, and as such is a film that can be put on at any time of day and enjoyed. The flashback sequences may take up a large part of the film, but they do not detract anything from the storyline (which has been the case in a few other films) and are implemented incredibly well.

All in all, it may not be one of Studio Ghibli's best and most enjoyable films, but it is a very good film none-the-less, and shows a slice of the Japanese lifestyle, something that Otaku's love.

New 'Redline' english dub trailer pre-US release

Hyper-speed, death defying, amazingly beautiful film Redline is yet to hit the US shores yet, after having been released in Asia and Europe, and with the release date of 17th January creeping ever closer entertainment website 'Buzz Focus' has posted a new clip to tantalise more fans.

The clip is of the climatic race of the film, with JP trying to win the Redline race. If you have not seen the film I would recommend you buy it on blu-ray, as the film looks absolutely amazing in high definition.

The new trailer is viewable here

'Street Fighter' charity tournament for 'Aid for Japan'

The charity 'Aid for Japan' have arranged a Street Fighter tournament this coming Saturday (17th December) in London, UK. All the proceeds will go to their charity, which will help children who were orphaned after the March Tsunami.

The tournament will be a 2v2 format on Super Street Fighter 4, with each team needing to pay a minimum of one pound for entry. The prize for the top 3 teams will be an Xbox 360 console and accessories.

The tournament is being held at Beaufort House, 354 Kings Road in Chelsea (near Battersea Bridge). The venue will be open between 1pm and 6pm, with the tournament starting at 2.30pm.

Source

'Little Norse Prince' Review

One of the films as part of the Studio Ghibli season on Film 4 is one of the earliest titles created by the studio, and that is Little Norse Prince. Released in 1968, it is a prime example of how Studio Ghibli have become one of the most loved anime studios in the business.

'Little Norse Prince' starts with our hero Horusu trying to escape a pack of wolves, with nothing more than his hatchet that his father passed on to him, and the rope it is attached to. This is brought to an abrupt end by an appearance of a Stone God who quickly overshadows all the wolves, who know better than to attempt to take him on just to get the boy. Horusu then helps the Stone God with a 'thorn' in his shoulder that is actually The Sword of the Sun, which when forged properly will become a tremendously powerful weapon. And so the quest begins...

Horusu travels to another village in search of someone to help him forge the sword, and in the process meets Hiruda, a girl with a beautiful singing voice but hides a sinister side, and an evil sibling who forces her to do his dirty work.

Although the character design does look dated, and the animation does look a little worse-for-wear when the action really kicks off, it is still a really good example of what Studio Ghibli do best. There are scenes that tug at your heart-strings, scenes that shock you (the first time you realise everything is not as it seems with Hiruda is prime example of this) and scenes that make you think 'so this is where *insert anime title* got an idea from then!'. Definitely not one to be missed.

'Metal Gear Rising' becomes 'Metal Gear Revengeance' - Interview

Recently Kojima-san of Kojima Productions came out to tell everyone that 'Metal Gear Rising' was still in works but now called 'Metal Gear Revengeance'. The original trailer for the game was shown a while ago now (remember Raiden cutting up the watermelon with his sword?), and all press sources had been very quiet since that day. Kojima-san also came on to twitter to tell all the fans that it will NOT be a direct sequel to MGS4, and will merely be a side story of the franchise focusing on Raiden.

Now, Konami have posted a video online of both Hideo Kojima and Atsushi Inaba, of Platinum Games, giving more information regarding the project. The game is now being developed by Platinum Games, who already have stylised action game Bayonetta under their belt, and is looking very promising.

Here is the link to the interview: Source