Animation Insider Interviews Frederik L. Schodt

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Animation Insider has posted one of the most extensive interviews yet with Japan expert Frederik L. Schodt, author of The Astro Boy Essays. With Osamu Tezuka, Japan's "God of Manga," gaining more and more popularity in the West, the timing for this interview with one of Tezuka's main translators couldn't be better. In the interview, Schodt says:

Tezuka had a real gift for being able to communicate with people on an equal level. When I worked with him, I was always struck by the way he could communicate with small children--and adults too--from what seemed to be all walks of life. I think that he was genuinely interested in people, and that made them feel comfortable. They probably didn't realize it, of course, but when they were talking to Tezuka, he was also sucking ideas out of their brains for future stories.
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Robotech News

We are pleased to report great news on the Robotech front, related to the gorgeous, glossy release The Art of Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles:

Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles will be showing at a theater near you on September 19th as a part of the Anime Bento Festival!
(more info)

Also, Warner Bros. is going to make a live action Robotech feature, produced by Tobey Maguire through Maguire Entertainment!
(more info)

The Astro Boy Essays in Frames Per Second

Aaron H. Bynum reviews Frederik L. Schodt's The Astro Boy Essays in the insightful animation magazine, Frames Per Second, writing:

Schodt accurately documents the knowledge, experiences, and inspirations of a Japanese artist whose personal meditations have largely been out of the reach of Western readers....With engaging examples, meaningful analysis and excellent research, Fred Schodt offers readers a 360-degree perspective on the man whose nation calls him the God of Manga...
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September issue of Animation Magazine highlights The Art of Robotech and The Astro Boy Essays

The Art of Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles and The Astro Boy Essays both get prime treatment from reviewer Ramin Zahed in the September issue of Animation Magazine.

On The Art of Robotech:
A visually arresting collection....Packed in the glossy 140-plus pages of [The Art of Robotech] are numerous images and insightful essays on the evolution of the show and the anime world over the past three decades.

On The Astro Boy Essays:
We're lucky to have Frederik L. Schodt, a long-time American friend and translator guide us to the world of Tezuka and his creation in [this] charming volume....Schodt's essays take us through the exquisite, beautifully crafted world of Astro and reveal the people, events and beliefs that shaped the Japanese master's world.

Animetion dubs Anime Encyclopedia "the single most essential anime reference book on the market"

Animetion recently posted a glowing review of The Anime Encyclopedia, Revised and Expanded Edition, by Jonathan Clements and Helen McCarthy:

When I reviewed the Anime Encyclopedia last year I commented on how it was very good, but in serious need of an update. Well, now that update is here.

The additions and revisions serve to turn an extremely useful reference book into the single most essential anime reference book on the market.
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Abe to Step Down

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced today that he will resign after less than a year in power.

Struggling with understanding modern Japan? Trying to make sense of news stories like this? We can't recommend Astro Boy Essays author Frederik L. Schodt's America and the Four Japans highly enough.

Buy it from Cody's.

International Taiko Festival a KQED Spark TV Pick!

We were excited to see that KQED's Spark TV has made the upcoming International Taiko Festival an event pick! Heidi Varian, author of The Way of Taiko, will be there and Seiichi Tanaka, who wrote the foreword, will be signing copies of the book live! Come for the booksigning and stay for the completely amazing taiko performances...

International Taiko Festival
sftaiko.com
The (39th annual) International Taiko Festival showcases the thundering power of taiko musicians from around the world. Under the guidance of Grand Master Seiichi Tanaka, The San Francisco Taiko Dojo along with special guests, will perform traditional and contemporary drum rhythms, dance and martial arts.
Where: Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Theater, 700 Howard St., San Francisco
When: September 15 at 2pm & 7:00pm and September 16 at 2pm
Phone: (415) 978-2787
Cost: $42 & $36, senior & student discounts available

Also, Heidi Varian's appearance on the radio show "Pacific Time" is now online!

Frederik L. Schodt on The Four Immigrants Manga, Thursday, September 13th in San Francisco

Frederik L. Schodt On Henry Kiyama’s The Four Immigrants Manga: A San Francisco Japanese Experience 1904-1924

When: Thursday, September 13, 6:30 p.m. • Free
But Reservations Required at smcneil@afsc.org
or call (415) 565-0201 extension 12

Where: Hotel Tomo ( wheelchair accessible) 1800 Sutter Street at Buchanan (Japantown), San Francisco

Google map

What: Manga authority and The Astro Boy Essays author Frederik L. Schodt has translated one of America’s first comic books, published in San Francisco. Henry “Yoshitaka” Kiyama lived at 1901 Sutter Street for nearly 20 years before returning to Japan. Hear Schodt speak on this immigrant’s take on the U.S. and S.F. in the stunning environment of the newly renovated J-Pop Hotel Tomo.

The Four Immigrants Manga will be for sale at this event.

Sponsored by American Friends Service Committee, Nihonmachi Little Friends, and Hotel Tomo

Teachers and others who enjoy the talk are encouraged to download the Four Immigrants Manga Study Guide (PDF) for free!