Contest! Win OSOMBIE on Blu-ray! Watch Bin Laden Rises from His Watery Grave to Lead an Undead Horde
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HUMAN BEINGS ARE VILE, Disgusting Creatures Who Should Be Burned By Fire...And Here's The Proof
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Smallville: Random, Awesome and WTF?! - S9E12: Warrior
A magic comic book makes a kid who touches it become the real Warrior Angel at Comic Con in an episode that brings Zatanna back, much to every redblooded male in America’s delight while Chloe and Ollie start getting a little closer.
For the record, this totally never happens at Comic Con. Lame.
The Random:
1. It’s a good thing comic fans aren’t reduced to one note stereotypes in this epis…oh. Wait. Nevermind…
2. Let’s just come out and say it: the plot of this episode is a bit ridiculous. But, even still, Warrior Angel being just a kid is a nice little nod to Billy Batson and Captain Marvel, or as he’s known now, Shazam. It’s pretty amusing watching the man child try to adjust. Besides, what’s not funny about a superhero giving a bully a wedgie?
3. Pretty hard to believe there’s an issue of what’s probably the most popular comic book around that no one has ever read or knows anything about. Where’s Lex when you really need him?
For the record, this totally never happens at Comic Con. Lame.
The Random:
1. It’s a good thing comic fans aren’t reduced to one note stereotypes in this epis…oh. Wait. Nevermind…
2. Let’s just come out and say it: the plot of this episode is a bit ridiculous. But, even still, Warrior Angel being just a kid is a nice little nod to Billy Batson and Captain Marvel, or as he’s known now, Shazam. It’s pretty amusing watching the man child try to adjust. Besides, what’s not funny about a superhero giving a bully a wedgie?
3. Pretty hard to believe there’s an issue of what’s probably the most popular comic book around that no one has ever read or knows anything about. Where’s Lex when you really need him?
 |
“OK, who wants an atomic wedgie?” |
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THE STANLEY STEEMER VARIATIONS: A Musical Ode to the Franchise That Removes Cat Pee From Your Shag Carpet
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Otaku Lounge: DEFINING "MOE"
Since I’ve used the word myself several times in previous articles here on Otaku Lounge, it’s probably high time I explained the term further.
As with my first article for Otaku Lounge in which I delved into the word ‘Otaku’, the best way to tackle ‘moe’ is to first start with its linguistic roots.
Pronounced “mo-eh”, the kanji used to write it is with the characters that literally translate as “to sprout” or “to bud”. There’s also been some argument that ‘moe’ originated from ‘moeru’, meaning “to burn”. Hence moe with regards specifically to anime can be regarded as a young, innocent female character who is in the midst of reaching maturity, and who incites a burning passion from her fans.
How the term ‘moe’ came about at all is something of a mystery, but suggestions include that it stems from the character of Sagisawa Moe (Kyouryuu Wakusei, 1993), or from the character of Tomoe Hotaru (the Sailor Moon metaseries). Both of these characters are not only cute but also delicate or fragile, triggering a protective reaction from male fans – much like one might feel if they came across a tiny bedraggled kitten, or to put it in more human terms, something like an older brother might ideally feel for his adorably innocent sister.
It’s nothing to do with logic or rational thinking, but rather an instinctual emotive response.
I feel it’s also important to note that this reaction is not an inherently sexual one, although this too is possible. I want to cuddle the super cute baby seal, not make a pass at it.
Granted, moe characters are human in form, but they’re also fictional figures, and I trust that most viewers can easily recognise this.
Of course, in order to elicit such as a reaction from a viewer, an anime character must somehow represent everything that is cute and endearing.
She cannot be too tough or independent, since otherwise she is in no need of protection. She cannot be too old, because she will then be past the age of being ‘in bloom’, so to speak. If the concept of moe is grounded in childlike charm and sexual innocence, it must be obvious in her physical, and usually also behavioural traits – a generous spirit paired with a blushing naivety, or sweetly exuberant characters with silly yet adorable speech patterns. Perhaps she is earnestly clumsy, or maybe she even has some kind of superhuman gift and is in need of someone to defend her.
For this reason, most moe characters fit certain physical stereotypes: a petit figure with a comparatively large head, enormous eyes, and a tiny nose and mouth.
Occasionally, these characteristics are blended in to an anime and the rest of its cast without seeming too out of place, as with Sakura from Cardcaptor Sakura, Saya from Peacemaker Kurogane, and Chii from Chobits. At other times, the moe ideal is taken to a far more extreme level, resulting in most of the cast of Lucky Star and Higurashi no Naku Koro ni (i.e. bobble-headed freaks). But then, Sakura’s moe qualities are more or less incidental, whereas in Lucky Star, moe is essentially the entire point of the show.
Meanwhile, recent moe-centric anime seem to be aiming for character designs who fall somewhere between the two ‘levels’, as in titles such as K-On!, Angel Beats!, and The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya.
Like many concepts that originated or were popularised by anime and manga, moe seems to be a constantly evolving one.
While it may have begun as a form of protective adoration, moe has more recently started as a word that can be applied to just about anything that ignites the viewer’s intense fervour over something perceived as cute – glasses-wearing moe (Yuki from Haruhi Suzumiya), cat-ears wearing moe (that infamous scene in K-On! involving Azusa), maid moe (Sanae from Ladies versus Butlers!), or bandaged moe (made fashionable by Neon Genesis Evangelion’s Rei and used again as a base concept for the likes of Chise from Saikano).
Moe has also become widespread enough for many anime to parody the idea, often explicitly using the word itself as a shout-out to the viewers.
The host club customers of Ouran High School Host Club produce “flames of moe” after seeing what they believe to be a young man’s awkwardly burgeoning love for another male; Haruhi recruits Mikuru for the S.O.S Brigade in Haruhi Suzumiya precisely because she wants a moe mascot character (specifically, a babyfaced female with large breasts who can conveniently be stuffed into a maid outfit and made to pour tea); and the two main male characters in Welcome to the NHK attempt to create a character for a dating sim by combining nearly every single moe-type ever to be invented, with hilarious results (a bandaged, glasses-wearing maid-robot). And then there’s the moe anime that are downright weird enough that you know they just have to be tongue-in-cheek like Upotte!!, whose cast is made of anthropomorphised guns.
In all fairness however, I should point out that moe is not limited to a male audience.
One only needs to look at anime such as the previously mentioned Ouran High School Host Club, or Hetalia: Axis Powers to see that moe can also be aimed specifically at a female audience – in fact, it could be argued that a lot of anime involving effeminate bishounen and implication of boys love (not to mention all that crossdressing) could be a form of moe in itself. Even titles which are catered primarily to a male audience, like the Kuroshitsuji manga, have plenty of male moe moments.
Moe can certainly be a confusing concept. I’ve seen the word used as an adjective (“that character is so moe”), a noun (“that’s a Moe anime”), and an interjection (“mooooeeee!!!”). The easiest way to understand the idea is probably to recognise that moe has more to do with the feeling the viewer gets rather than a definition of an anime or character.
Of course, the best way to learn is always through example.
This is Otaku Lounge signing off for 2012, and wishing all its readers a very Moe Christmas!
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THE MOSTLY GERMAN Philosophers Love Song
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Mixtapes From The Midwest: Like Loving a Woman With a Broken Nose
Chicago. Chicago.
That toddlin'...nevermind.
Chicago, home to some of the finest music ever made in the US of A.
Chicago, my former home, and forever the home of my heart.
The other week, a friend of mine asked me to choose my favorite Chicago punk rock band.
It was nearly impossible. I made a whole long list, and it hurt my heart to have to narrow it down to just one band. Which got me to thinking: why not do my next column on Chicago punk rock? I
t only makes sense, as the two things I write (and think) about the most are Chicago, and punk rock.
These are some of my favorite Chicago punk bands. Be sure to tune into the first-ever installment of Mix Tapes from the Midwest: The Podcast, as it features many songs and bands that I could not fit into this column, as well as verges out of punk territory just a little bit.
Even with the podcast, though - there are many, many bands I couldn't cover. So many I may do a second volume, eventually.
In the meantime, crack open an Old Style and remember: 'you may well find lovelier lovelies, but never a lovely so real.'
Read more »
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TEXTING LESSONS For The Older, More Crotchety Folks Among Us
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Comic News: Image Reprints PAUL POPE's Early Work in THE ONE TRICK RIP-OFF/DEEP CUTS
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Contest! Win Smith Micro ANIME STUDIO DEBUT 9 & MANGA STUDIO DEBUT 4!
If your New Year's resolution has anything to do with settling down and finally getting serious about your fledging comic or animation career, FOG! has teamed up with Smith Micro software to make that dream a reality.
We're giving away three copies of Anime Studio Debut 9 and three copies of Manga Studio Debut 4!
Read more »
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PACIFIC RIM Trailer Brings on the Mech and The Monsters!
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Contest! Win MONSTER MYTHS Graphic Novel From COM.X!
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Smallville: Random, Awesome and WTF?! - S9E13: Persuasion
Kryptonite dust and mind control?
And it’s Valentine’s Day?
Yup, that sounds about right for Smallville. Be prepared for misunderstandings, apologies, borderline betrayals, and all around awkwardness.
Can’t they ever just have a normal holiday on this show?
The Random:
1. Where exactly did Lois get her Alice Kramden outfit anyway? I don’t think the Legion ring can be used to go back into the past all willy-nilly…
2. Did Tess just call for security when she saw Zod walk into her mansion bathroom? Oh, Tess, you’re such a kidder!
3. Let’s get a running tally started—how many people is Tess going to go toe to toe with during her time on the show? Follow up—how many glass tables will be destroyed in the process?
And it’s Valentine’s Day?
Yup, that sounds about right for Smallville. Be prepared for misunderstandings, apologies, borderline betrayals, and all around awkwardness.
Can’t they ever just have a normal holiday on this show?
The Random:
1. Where exactly did Lois get her Alice Kramden outfit anyway? I don’t think the Legion ring can be used to go back into the past all willy-nilly…
2. Did Tess just call for security when she saw Zod walk into her mansion bathroom? Oh, Tess, you’re such a kidder!
3. Let’s get a running tally started—how many people is Tess going to go toe to toe with during her time on the show? Follow up—how many glass tables will be destroyed in the process?
 | ||
Sorry, Lois, the Honeymooners thing just isn’t working for you… |
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SANTA TEAM SIX: Santa, Rudolph, Jesus and Frosty Are Sent To Save Xmas From Hitler In This Fantastic Animated Short
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INSPIRATIONAL LIFE CHANGE Comes From the Film 'Fireplace For Your Home'
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JEFFREY BROWN Returns to the Ultra-Cute Star Wars Universe With 'Vader's Little Princess'
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GOYA MEETS MARVEL In 'Galactus Devouring His Herald'
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DVD/Blu-ray News: This March WILLOW Comes to Blu-ray & DVD!
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The Best Video Games Put You In The Holiday Spirit
Christmas is fast approaching and for most that means it's Baby Jesus' birthday - a day when we all get to eat copious amounts of Turkey, fight with our families and give each other gifts.However, some of us (myself included) will spend the day playing games we've received in a desperate bid to drown out the world, stay warm and dry inside and enjoy this rare day off work.
We feel the need to immerse ourselves in that saccharin, card company Christmas that doesn't really exist.
There's only one problem; most new releases fail to capture that festive spirit and lack a certain seasonal atmosphere.
So here's my pick of the best games, old and new, to get you through the Christmas period.
So here's my pick of the best games, old and new, to get you through the Christmas period.
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Contest! Win KILL 'EM ALL on Blu-ray!
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More Pages to Explore .....
