Steam Punk ... Rules of Engagement

So! There's good news and then there's bad news. I'd ask which you'd like to know first, but the good news that I am getting some good tips on dressing Steampunk and marrying it with Lolita. However ... it's gonne be EXPENSIVE! I'm not too sure kiddies that I'll be able to pull off looks the way I would like. But future cosplay at San Diego Comic Con may be a great place for some outfit critiques.

For now, I'll take this time to give you a head's up about Steampunk and we can set a hot date and try it ... togther?

Fortunately for us, I've found some rules to live by and some other gems to be shared in the near future.

{Rule One: Steampunk fashion is a real-world reproduction of the clothing that is or could be found in steampunk literature. It's that simple.

Rule Two: When in doubt, dress Victorian and then add. The Victorians were the first people to fully capitalize upon steam technology in a way that affected everyday life, so it is no surprise that most steampunk writing either takes place in the Victorian world or is strongly inspired by it. If you're afraid that your outfit is "too Victorian" you're probably doing it right.

Rule Three: Steampunk fashion is about creating an outfit that delights the senses, entertains the wearer, and engages the viewer. Never feel obliged to take away from the style or appeal of an outfit simply because you fear it will be "not steampunk enough." Do not be misled, coerced, or second-guessed into including a collection of "steampunk status symbols" (goggles are the most infamous, though we do love them) if they do not fit with the outfit, or with the vision you are attempting to produce.
  
Rule Four: There is no "steampunk color." Some people have claimed that steampunk is only brown, or only black, or only white, or only light, or only dark. They are wrong. Virtually any color can be steampunk (though perhaps one might balk at neon). If you like to wear black, there is a steampunk justification; if you like to wear brown, there is a steampunk justification; if you like to wear bright colors, there is a steampunk justification. Remember, steampunk is set in a world of comparatively advanced technology, so it is perfectly reasonable to have vibrant colors and complicated machine-made patterns.


Rule Five: You are allowed to like other genres. If you like a style of fashion that does not fit into steampunk (Enlightenment era, Pulp Adventure, Mod 60s, Medieval, etc.) be proud of it. Do not feel compelled to try and wedge it under the steampunk caption. These are all genres that people have worked very hard to create, expand, and explore; so we rather owe it to them to respect the diversity and uniqueness of their differences. You are all diverse and well-rounded people with differing interests. Let that be a source of pride.


Rule Six: Have fun and be yourself. That's what this is about. Don't feel compelled to conform with everyone else. Don't feel shy about posting just because you don't want to dress like the other people who you've seen post. And don't post with the question "do you guys think this is steampunk enough?" Post with the statement "I feel that this is steampunk, and here is why I think so." At worst, someone will disagree and then the two of you can discuss your conflicting views, get to know each other, and come to an understanding; or, you can simply feel free to ignore them, and you have every right to do so if you don't feel like arguing over a simple difference of opinion.}

Don't worry! There'll be more to come for next week as we wrap up! PROMISE ^.^

until then ...
~je t'adore!

Vocaloid 3DS

Hey Otakus and Gamers, I was just doing a little surfing and came across this game for the Nintendo 3DS. It's called "Hatsune Miku Project Mirai." This is a Vocaloid rhythm and dance game, and I want it! It will be brought to buy Sega, and I really hope that this comes over the USA. Check out the trailer below.

Resident Evil 6 Announced

Wow what a way to start the year, Resident 6 is officially announced, here is the details, some pics and the official trailer. It's going shooting genre for sure, but you what I stop complaining about the direction. I will be buying this as well, shooter or not.


Details - It has been ten years since the Raccoon City incident and the President of the United States has decided to reveal the truth behind what took place in the belief that it will curb the current resurgence in bioterrorist activity. Due to be by the President’s side is his personal friend and Raccoon City survivor, Leon S. Kennedy, but when the venue suffers a bioterrorist attack, Leon is forced to face a President transformed beyond recognition and make his hardest ever decision. At the same time, Bioterrorism Security Assessment Alliance member Chris Redfield arrives in China, itself under threat of a bioterrorist attack. With no country safe from these attacks and the ensuing outbreaks, the entire world’s population is united by a common fear that there is no hope left. In a first for the franchise, Resident Evil 6 sees series favorites Leon and Chris come together to face this unprecedented threat. They will be joined by new characters, each with their own unique perspective and involvement, in this relentless dramatic horror experience enacted on a global scale. 








“From the outset the team’s intention was to create an experience that delivers a gripping storyline, tense single-player and co-op action all set against a constant theme of horror. We are calling this fusion dramatic horror and are confident it will resonate with both existing fans of the series as well as newcomers.” Producer Hiroyuki Kobayashi
 

Cosplay: An Underrated Art Form (A Salute To Cosplay)

If you've been a frequent reader then there is one thing you know about OtakusandGeeks.com, we love, we respect and salute cosplay. For the past two years we've had Cosplay Girl and Boy Of The Week, this is where we showcase some of the best cosplayers that we can find. However till this day cosplay is viewed as a "geeky" thing. It's not really taken seriously outside the geek arena in some cases, till this day many people don't even understand cosplaying at all. Whether you believe it or not, cosplaying is more than just putting on an outfit and taking picture. Cosplay is a form of art, it's a form of expression and it's very overlooked an underrated.


Cosplay Is More Than An Outfit: For those who take cosplaying seriously, it takes more than just putting on an outfit and calling it cosplay. Those who take cosplay seriously get into character, and that is in the category of performance arts. Usually when you go to cons, events in geek culture, you have a lot of cosplayers, some good and some not, then you meet those special cosplayers that really dive in deep into the character. These cosplayers change they persona, mannerism and some even change they voice to give the audience one hell of a performance. Cosplaying takes talent believe or not. It takes a little bit of acting, a little bit of modeling skills, designing talent and a whole lot of charisma. If you ever been to a con, then you know the passion cosplayers have for the characters they portray. If you think cosplaying is just a bunch of geeks dressing up as Anime, Comic or Videogame characters, then clearly you have not see then the true art in cosplaying. I would suggest you take a look at some of the Cosplay Girls Or Boys Of The Week or visit the con, and see how wonderful these men and women get into character.


Why We Love Cosplay: We love cosplay because you get to see your favorite characters come to life. Like previous stated it's a great form of performance arts. How cool it is to see a live action Vocaloid Miku, or a live action Piccolo that's not a paid actor. We love cosplay because it's not only a celebration in things we love, but its a chance to see another form of entertainment. Cosplay whether you take it seriously or not, its a style, a statement and a form of expression. It's something that you have to experience for yourself to understand, and once you start cosplaying it will be hard to stop.


A Salute To Cosplayers: A salute to the cosplayers that work hard to bring there characters to life. A salute to the cosplayers that spend hours, days and even month perfecting their outfits, working on mannerism and voices to entertain the masses. A salute to cosplayers that continue to prove to naysayers that cosplay is a form of art, that cosplay is not just about wearing an outfit like it's Halloween. A salute to all the cosplayers who love what they do, we love ya and will continue to support it. 

Spirit Camera: The Cursed Memoir

Well horror fans the Nintendo 3DS is getting a horror game that will seem very similar to previous PS2 Entry (Fatal Frame), but let's not call it that. This game is called "Spirit Camera": The Cursed Memoir. Here is the official details below and some screenshots. Let's just call this a Fatal Frame spinoff.

Fatal Frame 3DS


Details: Spirit Camera: The Cursed Memoir introduces a mysterious girl named Maya who has been hiding in the shadows of an old house. Players must help Maya break free from a terrifying curse by aiding her escape from the clutches of a malevolent woman in black. By using the Nintendo 3DS system's built-in camera, players can view Maya in their own surroundings as the game's eerie events unfold. Included with the game is a 16-page AR Book, known as the "diary of faces" in the game's Story Mode, which serves as a gateway into this haunting experience. As players view the book's images through the lenses of the Nintendo 3DS camera, they enter its pages using augmented reality. At times, pages will come to life in the form of movies, revealing past events that offer insights into the mysteries surrounding the diary. In other moments, characters will emerge from the pages into the player’s world via augmented reality in the form of evil spirits that attack from all directions.

Spirit Camera: The Cursed Memoir Screenshots









Steampunk + Lolita = Heaven?

Happy SUNDAY!!!!!!

So, it's no secret that I am thoroughly obsessed with Lolita fashion. It's been a little over a year and being bored is no where in sight. Consequently, last night I was watching Firefly and started paying attention to the fashion. In allllll the times I've loved to curl up to this series, I've never once taken notice to that fashion. Of course, the setting allows for something very Steampunk

To make a long story short, it's my latest sub-obesession in fashion. I promise, it could not have come at a better time. I've been looking through my closet and while I love the Lolita pieces I have acquired ... it is definitely time for more. And now that I am comfortable in some of my latest fashion skin, I feel like its time for some more "grown-up" fanciness.

Since Steampunk fashion is a happy marriage of goth meets victorian ... we'll pair it with Lolita & blast off into fashion heaven! Here are a few of my inspirations and next week I'll share some of what's in my closet that can be all Steampunk dressed up.


Let's have some fun shall we!
~je t'adore

X-Men Vs The Avengers (Pick Your Side)

April will be a month for comics fans, Marvel's highly anticipated battle will finally come true. The X-Men will face The Avengers. Here is the synoposis "The Avengers and X-Men have learned that the all-powerful embodiment of both death and rebirth known as the Phoenix Force is on a crash course for Earth…and it needs a new host to unleash its immeasurable power. But what is the shocking decision tied to the Phoenix’s return that will pit the Avengers against the X-Men? And when good friends become bitter enemies, what does this mean for the future of the Marvel Universe?" Who will you side with geeks? I tell you one thing, this geek is team X-Men! Here is some pics for you guys, to see who will be fighting who.














What A Wonderful World Vol 1 & 2 (Manga Review)

Title: What A Wonderful Vol 1 & 2
Author: Inio Asano
Illustrator: Inio Asano
Pages: 418

Story -  "What A Wonderful World" is a collection of stories that center around young adults, going through some awkward moments, depressed moments and going head to head on with life. Inio Asano once again takes you into the lives of teenagers who have the odds against them. Unlike his other Manga "Solanin", this Manga has a wider range of characters to examine and study. "What A Wonderful World" has various tales throughout it's two volumes, but the one that stands out the most is the short story "What A Wonderful World." This tells the tale of a young man really on rock bottom, he loses his job, he still is in love with his ex and he's depressed. Inio Asano does a great job weaving characters that anyone can relate too, the only problem is with this Manga is by time you get to the second volume, you grow tired of the depress stories, you grow tired of characters attempting to kill themselves. This doesn't take away how great the theme is, or take away from the story, it's just gets stale after a while. The story is crafted very well, mixing reality and non reality to make the readers wonder whether a character really has gone crazy. Asano uses this method by featuring animals as nagging antagonist that try to get the character to end their lives. "What A Wonderful World" is dark, depressing but in Asano style gives you hope and makes you look at the outlook in life.

Art - The art is very lovely, once again Inio Asano captures the normal life of Japan very well. I love the details in the characters, however sometimes it's hard to tell with the girls since they look very similar to each other. Asano is great when it comes to expression on the characters faces, you will really feel the emotion of pain, laughter and tears. Overall the style is very similar to "Solanin" and there is nothing wrong with that.



Final Grade B-/8.0 - "What A Wonderful World" is dark, gritty but also is very lighthearted and funny at the same time. The art style is great, but the depressed stories can get stale after a while and theme can repeat itself. Overall this a Manga worth checking out, for anyone who needs a little light in the dark.




Last Day Of The Robot Chicken Live Webcam Event

With the upcoming 100th Episode of Robot Chicken on the way. Their has been an online live event from the guys at Robot Chicken. If you have missed the story of Quincy the chicken and the humping robot, watch the video below and catch up. Today is the last day to view the event of Quincy and his humping robot friend. You view the live event here http://robotchicken.com/webcam/ at 2pm EST.  The best part is that Seth Green will be taking questions at 4pm EST. Be sure to watch Robot Chicken 100th Episode this Sunday 11:30 AM on Adult Swim.

Gantz Review

If you are chosen by the bizarre black sphere known as the Gantz, you are already dead. You remember dying, yet you can eat, sleep, have sex; it feels a lot like life. Strangers join you in this limbo. While some are good, some are very bad. All are dead like you for now. You might be able to reclaim your mortality. But first, the Gantz demands that you undertake missions of brutality and madness, killing aliens hidden among the population. It is your only chance and you have no choice. You must play this disturbing game. You must experience this nightmare. And if you die again and you likely will it's permanent. Check out the review below.

Robotech: The Macross Saga Review

Justin reviews the beloved series Robotech: The Macross Saga. In the year 1999, Earth has been ravaged by a global war. Brother battled brother as the conflict raged across the planet, but the devastation paled in comparison to a new threat which appeared to alter the course of human history forever. Astronomers discovered an alien spaceship that had broken through hyperspace on a collision course with Earth. Alarm increased as reports of the giant spaceship were confirmed by scientists around the planet. Eventually, they determined that the landing site would be Macross Island in the South Pacific. Here is our review.

Take a SUGAR PILL!

We're always yapping about clothes and fashion and blah blah blah girly stuff! Not that this week is annnnyyyyy different. But we've seemingly forgot that any girl who IS a girly girl, will not leave the house without putting her "face" on.

Now, I'll be the first to say that I am a girly girl at heart. However on a daily, despite the ruffles, bows, and excessive amounts of pink, I am truly a tomboy. So! When I put my face on, I look for make-up that accents the important facial features ... Eyes, cheeks, lips. that's it! That's all I got! I want to spend less than 15 minutes in the mirror, still look the same when I'm done, but a bit enhanced and somewhat on the colorful side (occasionally).



With all of that being said, my FAVORITE make-up obsessions are eyeshadows and eyelashes. usually a M.A.C girl, I have finally found another that makes my heart stop and my mouth water. with some of the BRIGHTEST colors I've seen by far. That would be the goodness of SugarPill! Now, M.A.C has the everyday and not so everyday make-up items from beginning to end. But what I love, love, LOVE about SugarPill is that they're "eye" specific, specializing in luxury eyeshadows and a few pair of lashes to die for! They offer bold colors in a great formula that last forever in a day! Ladies ... do you KNOW how hard that is to find?! ... 
I won't say too much more, but here are some pics I've been able to grab of Sugarpill at work, via Facebook! And while I was not able to catch up to Amy, just yet for an interview, here's what she's shared with the public via Cinnamon Kitten



Be sure to check out SugarPill's Make-Up Tutorials. Follow them on Twitter & Like 'em on Facebook! You'll never lose with these goods ... for sure!

~je t'adore! <3 IKB

AM2 Con Announces Screening of "FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST: THE SACRED STAR OF MILOS


Hey Otakus check this out news, for those who went to the AM2 Con last year, well they're back and getting bigger and better.


AM2 ANNOUNCES SCREENING OF ³FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST: THE SACRED STAR OF MILOS²
AT THIS YEAR¹S CONVENTION

Get Your Passport Today and Automatically Enter the AM2 Pre-Registration
Contest to Win Two Tickets to the Red Carpet Premiere Event in Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (January 5, 2012) ­2012¹s most anticipated animation,
music and manga convention in Southern California, AM2 (June 15-17, 2012 at
the Anaheim Convention Center and Hotels) continues to bring more fun to
fans with the screening of the long-awaited ³FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST: THE SACRED
STAR OF MILOS² to this year¹s event!  Passport purchasers will also have a
chance to attend the official premiere event in Los Angeles on January 20,
2012.  More information and online registration at www.am2con.org


Passport purchasers will be automatically entered into the AM2
Pre-Registration contest to potentially win two (2) tickets to the
³FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST: THE SACRED STAR OF MILOS² Red Carpet Premiere Event.
Information for the event is as follows:

Date: January 20, 2012
Location: Downtown Independent (251 S. Main St.; Los Angeles, CA
90012); Hey Otakus check this out news, for those who went to the AM2 Con last year, well they're back and getting bigger and better.


AM2 ANNOUNCES SCREENING OF ³FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST: THE SACRED STAR OF MILOS²
AT THIS YEAR¹S CONVENTION

Get Your Passport Today and Automatically Enter the AM2 Pre-Registration
Contest to Win Two Tickets to the Red Carpet Premiere Event in Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (January 5, 2012) ­2012¹s most anticipated animation,
music and manga convention in Southern California, AM2 (June 15-17, 2012 at
the Anaheim Convention Center and Hotels) continues to bring more fun to
fans with the screening of the long-awaited ³FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST: THE SACRED
STAR OF MILOS² to this year¹s event!  Passport purchasers will also have a
chance to attend the official premiere event in Los Angeles on January 20,
2012.  More information and online registration at www.am2con.org


Passport purchasers will be automatically entered into the AM2
Pre-Registration contest to potentially win two (2) tickets to the
³FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST: THE SACRED STAR OF MILOS² Red Carpet Premiere Event.
Information for the event is as follows:

Date: January 20, 2012
Location: Downtown Independent (251 S. Main St.; Los Angeles, CA
90012); http://www.downtownindependent.com/
Time:  8:00 pm; Screeing at 9:00 pm followed by Q&A with
production & cast members

It will be a night of entertainment for fans of the popular Fullmetal
Alchemist franchise featuring an opportunity to walk the carpet, movie
presentation, and a Q & A with both the Japanese director Kazuya Murata and
the US Director Mike McFarland as well as members of the US voice cast
including Vic Mignogna and BONES president, Masahiko Minami.
Time:  8:00 pm; Screeing at 9:00 pm followed by Q&A with
production & cast members

It will be a night of entertainment for fans of the popular Fullmetal
Alchemist franchise featuring an opportunity to walk the carpet, movie
presentation, and a Q & A with both the Japanese director Kazuya Murata and
the US Director Mike McFarland as well as members of the US voice cast
including Vic Mignogna and BONES president, Masahiko Minami.

Comic News: Image Comics-WITCHBLADE'S NEW START

WITCHBLADE'S NEW START






Witchblade Moves to Chicago and Invites New Fans To Join Her




Berkeley, CA – 4 January 2011 – The New Year brings a slew of fresh starts and Witchblade bearer, Sara Pezzini, is no exception. Pezzini will start 2012 in Chicago with a new job and brand new life, thanks to the fresh ongoing creative team of Tim Seeley (HACK/SLASH) and Diego Bernard (The Man With No Name).





Sara Pezzini has always been a born and bred New York City detective, in addition to wielding the ancient Artifacts, the Witchblade. That all changes with WITCHBLADE #151, the first issue by Seeley and Bernard, which finds Pezzini living outside of the Big Apple for the first time in the series history and working as a private detective. The mystery of how and why Sara is in Chicago, as well as what else has changed about her situation, will drive the story and reader interest for the coming year. This issue kicks off the 5-part story arc, entitled “Unbalanced Pieces,” in which Sara must find a way to balance her new role in the Windy City.





"WITCHBLADE is a dream project or me: A great character, an epic art and editorial team, and an important legacy in the history of comic books!" said Seeley. "Top Cow is giving me an awesome opportunity to reintroduce Sara Pezzini to new fans, old readers, and to a whole new setting!"





WITCHBLADE #151 is the first issue in Top Cow’s REBIRTH, an initiative spinning out of the end of the ARTIFACTS event, which concludes in ARTIFACTS #13. REBIRTH will provide ground-level entry points for each of Top Cow’s Universe titles - WITCHBLADE, THE DARKNESS, and ARTIFACTS - and ushers in a bold new age of story-telling to coincide with Top Cow’s 20th Anniversary. In addition to containing the full first story by Seeley and Bernard, the issue will include a five page bridging sequence by Ron Marz (MAGDALENA) and John Tyler Christopher (ARTIFACTS) and an ongoing prose story backup feature by Seeley.





WITCHBLADE #151 is a 32-page full-color comic with no ads for $2.99, and will be available in comic stores and digitally today. This issue ships with two wraparound covers by regular cover artist Christopher. For more information, please visit www.topcow.com.

The Secret World Of Arrietty NYICFF Screening

Hey New York Otakus and Studio Ghibli fans check this out.


THE SECRET WORLD OF ARRIETTY
SPECIAL NYICFF EVENT - ONE SHOW ONLY!

Saturday, January 21, 1:00pm - Symphony Space
In English - Recommended All Ages 

Arrietty is a girl of 14, one of the "little people" living secretly with her parents under the floors of an English-style country house. They survive by "borrowing" food and finding ingenious uses for household objects dropped by its inhabitants - a single cube of sugar can last for weeks and a pin makes a great sword for fighting off hungry insects!  But one day a new visitor moves into the empty room upstairs.  Shawn is a delicate, handsome teenage boy who has come to the house to rest and build his strength before a heart operation. When he catches sight of Arreitty he is entranced, and the two begin to form a bond. But with their secret now exposed, the Borrower family worries that they may need to move away and find a new home.  In English, with voice cast including Will Arnett, Carol Burnett, and Amy Poehler. 



Tickets can be brought here http://gkids.tv/intheaters.cfm

Trailer

Are Fillers Good For Anime?

If your an Otaku and watch Anime constantly, then eventually you will come across an Anime that has fillers. For those who don't know Anime fillers is when the story strays away from the original source material, or plays catch up with the original source material. As many of you know when an Anime is produce sometimes the Manga is still going. This leaves writers and producers with a situation where they must stray away from the story. That means we get plots that have nothing to do with the story, new characters who shouldn't have been created and even the worst of it all an ending that shouldn't have been the ending (Elfen Lied). Fillers are something many Otakus can't stand about Anime, especially when the filler is totally pointless. Some fillers are just a couple of episodes, then there is some that have an entire series of fillers (Naruto, Bleach). Fillers can make or break an Anime, the question is are fillers any good for Anime? Let's examine why fillers might have to happen.


Why Fillers Might Have To Happen: Like stated before a filler can happen due to the Manga series is still ongoing. This leaves the writer of the show to either consult with the Manga writer for the material. Or basically go their own direction with plots and stories that has nothing to do with the original source material. One thing Otakus forget when it comes to Anime, is that the Anime is an adaptation of the Manga. It works the same way in movies. When a movie adapts from a book there will scenes, plots and even characters kept in the book and not seen in the movie. Why is that? Well if everything was adapted one hundred percent, you will not get any real joy from the adaptation would you? You will know everything that happens, there will be no surprises, in some cases to keep a story fresh changes have to be made and fillers must be added.


Are Fillers Good For Anime?: The filler is only good if it makes sense, doesn't contradict the source material and isn't pointless. Seeing an episode in "Dragonball Z" Goku and Piccolo getting there driver's license was pretty pointless, since neither of them ever drove a car again. It didn't move the story along and it wasn't important. A filler needs to have significant, not something to just keep the series running longer. If it's pointless then it should be left out all together. A filler can be good if it has meaning or moves the story along, otherwise it just comes off as an unwanted side mission. Truthfully a filler can be entertaining, but if it drags and takes away from the core story people will lose interest. Fillers is a coin toss up, some fillers win and others lose.

XXX Comic Book Movies

Hey Otakus and Geeks Fans, with the Avengers movie out this summer and other comic book movies, XXX industry are making their own Comic Book parody's. Some of these film are already out,but for those like me who might have missed them here are some titles you might want to check out.

The Avengers XXX Photos Featuring Ms. Marvel, Black Widow, and Nick Fury


As long as there are horny comic nerds out there, there will always be comic book porn parodies. Here are the photos from the upcoming Avengers XXX, being directed by Axel Braun (Superman XXX, Batman XXX), featuring Lexi Swallows as Ms. Marvel, Brooklyn Lee as Black Widow, and Lexington Steele as Nick Fury.


Ms. Marvel



Natasha Romanoff, AKA Black Widow




Nick Fury



Source: Geekscape.net


Supergirl XXX Parody





Supergirl XXX starring Alanah Rae. For those that enjoy a little story and sexy comic fantasy in their porn, this should be on your watch list. Even Supergirl XXX gets a better flying scene than Smallville. Also starring are Sunny Lane, Andy San Dimas, India Summer, Nina Hartley, Dale Dabone and Buck Fuddy.



Check out the trailer at this link on Youtube:


Source: ComicBookMovie.com