Comic Fiesta 2008

I cant really recall if I've to any of the previous comic fiesta or not. Maybe i might mistook it from other event I been to :P

Nonetheless, whether Comic Fiesta 2008 was my 1st or second, it was truly a blast and I really enjoyed myself last Sunday ( though I attended on the 1st day but it was work related XD ) The massive gathering of local doujinshi artists, illustrators, cos-players, anime fans, animators and the comedic (and slightly perverted) duo, Alfred and Chuck as emcees, all under one roof- the RM 15 one-day admission fee was chicken-feed to me (kinda sarcastic -_-" - Ed)

It only thing that was unforgivable was, my own lack of a decent camera (boohoo, who ask you to spent all on figurines- Ed) and working Saturday.

Animasia Booth

Not much about Day 1 though since I pretty much working that morning, manning the booth of our company along with some fellow colleagues. But it nice to see how all the other booth been set up and getting ready to face the big turnout. Took a moment too, to find my other friends whose with their own doujinshi groups - Rose Sakura, Fazuu and Noir Mystere respectively. But most of my time there i spent promoting and selling my company's artbook- Doodle 2008. By noon, time to head back to work in the studio... *cries*

Vocaloid Cosplayer

Day 2- Head back there with everything readied sans the camera with Sakura whose surprisingly was driving, with one year plus experience to boot ( better start to keep in touch with your old friends often, you hermit- Ed). Once I get there, I thought I was in some otaku event on far away eastern land with all the multiple Haruhis, Rankas, and Mikus (which you only notice, perv- Ed) walking around. At the same time brought back to reality the moment the emcees spurting Manglish. Yeah, those guys really did a good job entertaining the crowds especially veteran Alfred and his skirt rising stint (his own skirt, mind you- Ed).

While, Sakura was busy chasing around her obsession with Kaito (of Vocaloid) cosplayers with low-on-battery camera phone around the hall, I chosen to browse the doujinshi artworks one booth at a time. I was kinda surprised to see most of the doujinshi works were on D-Gray Man, Katekyo Hitman Reborn and Vocaloid while fangirl fav Mobile Suit Gundam 00 and Tengga Toppa Gurren Lagann was hardly making a presence. Before we take a break for lunch, Sakura managed to take an autograph from Kaoru during the Gempak autograph session and some pics of both of them. Not to mention Kaito's (where's those pics?- Ed).

Me, Sakura and Yanyan

Yanyan finally able to make it later in the afternoon and we also meet up with a couple of old online friends- Mahata and aDerein, as they too selling their doujinshi stuffs. Sakura spent the rest of the day sitting and doodling at the booth while Yanyan and I looked around.

Sketching something for aDerien

Cosplayers came in good variety and in better quality too, though the usual parade of Bleach and Naruto seems to be absent this year. Instead we got Resident Evil, Final Fantasy, cosplayer favs- Katekyo Hitman Reborn and D-gray Man, Sengoku Basara and a lot more. Even Kauser sama made an appearance from hell. Some were quite daring in their cosplay choice too which were quite attention seeking ( Stop staring, you ero hermit- Ed). Later that day, I managed to borrow a camera from my colleague, Yip to catch some pics of my own. Yatta.

Lady and Nero from the game Devil May Cry

Yuna (behind) and Rikku from Final Fantrasy X-2

Beauties and an Otaku

Sadana Yukimura and Dante Masamure from the game Sengoku Basara

A cute girl cosplaying as Itsuki from the game Sengoku Basara

Taking the opportunity to pose with her since she in a hurry to join back her group XD

Cool female guitar slinger cosplay as Toshiya, the bassist of a Jrock band- Dir En Grey. (Thanks to Yanyan)

Ahsoka Tano from Star War

Team Sailor Moon Complete

I didnt watch much of the stage show but i did manage to catch some of the solo cosplayer final round which were really entertaining. Though I didnt stick long to find out the winner (which was Sheryl Nome from Macross Frontier- Ed) as I did some last minute shopping. But since Chinese New Year is around the corner, I dun dare to spent too much ( not that you gonna spent it on new year clothes- Ed). With the final hour looming and it's better to get back early to rest our sour feet, we finally bid goodbye to CF '08. It's been a great day , thanks.
Before we go, Sakura and I had dinner at Sushi King as Yanyan have to leave earlier for another appointment. Well, till next time then.

P.S : Sorry for the lack of pics. you can look for more searching online :P

Comic Fiesta 2008 Countdown

In couple of days (this Sunday) I'll be attending the biggest end year event of 2008- Comic Fiesta 2008 which will be held on 20-21st of Dec at Sunway Pyramid. Too bad I can't make it on the 1st day due top work commitment *cries*, though some of my friends will be taking the Saturday off.

Anyway, I cant wait for the day to arrive and most probably I'll will spend the whole day there (arrive the moment the ticket booth opens, hopefully still available) :D
Look forward to my post on this event soon ;)



Edited: I have been confirmed as one of morning shift team to man our company booth, Animasia Sdn Bhd tomorrow (1st day). Yatta~

Dragonball (D)Evolution

They always said the first impression is important and judging from the new highly anticipated trailer of the anime fanboy movie of the year 2009- I'm not really impressed. Even when I first saw the the promotional pics months back, I get the feeling that this movie is gonna be so so or worst. And I was hoping the newest debut trailer is gonna live up my expectation. So much for that.

Yeah, I just watched the first official Dragonball Evolution (wtf) trailer on the net. Though I got to preview some rather cool special effect (capsulize bike, city gone nuked, one-hand hamekameha (wtf) but to me, the whole thing looks like a remake of the life action Mortal Combat movie eons back or god forbids, the Street Fighter movie.

Some may say- it just the trailer, not the entire movie. But like I said, first impression counts.




P.S. I never heard of this movie before and it's starring a very Bollywood actor. But at least its first trailer got me impressed and excited XD

Tadaima

I'm back. It been some time since my last post. And now, my working schedule has been somewhat relaxed, i hope i can get back to frequent blogging like last year :3


And so, yesterday i went to watch the new Disney's 3D animation movie- Bolt at the Berjaya Times Square. In my opinion, this new movie was one of the better movies of the year though not as good as Dreamworks' Kung Fu Panda nor Pixar's Wall-E. Under the watchful eyes of Pixar's John Lassenter, the movie scores with its very cute and very endearing main characters, charming but predictable storyline and a visual feast :3
Pet lovers or not, i really recommend this above the other recent one :)

After the movie, I went around the other 2 shopping centers in the area- Low Yat Plaza and Sungei Wang Plaza- browsing for new collective figurines :3 In the end, I went back to Times Square to purchased a newly arrived figure from Revoltech- Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann.


I so gonna make some place at my working desk.. it getting really crowded :P By the way, I'll gonna blog about my job soon. So, till next time ;)

Still AWOL

Sorry for the absent of posts in the recent months. Guess i'm kinda have my hands full (anime, psp, artworks, sleep) during these few months especially after the long hours at work >.<"

But i'll promise to get back to regular posting in a month or two, or even earlier. Thanks and sorry to those who regularly drop by only to see the long out-dated post.

Spending Sunday

With me on the payroll, it's hard not to spent any of it on something. But then again, i'm not the person who spent his hard earn cash on reckless abandon. Well, hopefully i dun end up being like that *laughs*
So for lunch today (since we sick and tired of eating at the same old place every week), we went down memory lane, to one place that we like to eat during our childhood family outing- the A&W restaurant beside Taman Jaya LRT station. Well, actually, we went there only because i offer to buy him lunch as well. Figures.
Btw, we woke up late.

After lunch, he went back home 1st since he got thing to attend to. While I was shopping some essential stuffs at the nearby Amcorp Mall. Well, that what I thought. But after I browsed around the figurine shop located there, I couldnt help myself anymore. So in the end, after some budget calculation, i decided to buy, not one but two figurines.

Yeah, my own Gurren Lagann (Ignore the ugly bloke holding the figurine).

Gurren Lagann and Lazengann, both from the mecha anime Toppa Tenga Gurren Lagann and the figurines are a part of the Revoltech figurine series which is famous for its high degree of articulation. Spent Rm 150 on both of them. *Grins*

Lazengann vs Gurren Lagann

Since i started working, i been collecting some for a while (the cheap Gashapon mostly) and puts them up on my workplace since it's the place we can show off each other's ones. Guess i have to start packing them up for tomorrow *Grin*
Now, if only Revoltech come out with the Nirvash figurine too and i'll be in otaku heaven.

Celebrating 27 Years of Existence

Well, not that I was celebrating anything today as the day went past quite normally. The only thing that made today more significant was that i have been around for the full 27 years. So yeah, today's my birthday. Then again, the day went on as usual, save for a few wishes from my colleages. The only birthday gift i received today was the fact i got my salary banked in. Yippee~ At least i got to spent for a present to myself this weekend. Haha. Kinda like a lonely fella isn't it? Lolz

So, a few more years i gonna hit the big 30. Sigh~
Guess I have to work a lot harder and since i have a stable, nice job now, i should be more than grateful. Life better now than 1 year ago. An improvement, i'll say. :D A lot better. Hopefully, it will be great next year and that same day will be a celebration.

And thanks all for the birthday wishes.

Diablo 3 - It's Official

Finally good old Blizzard announced the sequel to one of fav pc game of all time which was made during an event, 2008 Blizzard Invitational in France yesterday. Some fans already expecting it but as for me, I totally shouted out loud when i saw the headline yesterday nite.

Apart from Ragnarok Online, I spent most of my life's gaming time on Diablo 2 which i still playing now occasionally. During that period, me and my bro talk nothing else but Diablo. That was the extent of our "passion". When the expansion, Lord of Destruction came out, i was doing my Form Six at KTAR. Needless to say, i spent more time in cybercafe hacking monsters than studying even till wee hours of the morning :P
Sigh, those was the days.

As for now, spent most of my time on anime, surfing the net and playing on PS2. But when Diablo 3 came out, you bet this otaku gonna be a full time gameboy.

Got Tagged

It been a while since I browse around people's blog and then found out that i been tagged by Sakura chan . Usually I dun even bother to reply to tags. But for the sake of fun and the tags seems rather interesting, so i give it a go.
Btw, there actually 4 tags but i left out the last 2 since both involved editing a picture and i dun feel like starting up my photoshop now. Maybe next time. Gome ne, Sakura chan ;)

1st tag
list (8) random facts about yourself :

1. I'm a shy, quiet guy which kinda boring to have around.. me think. But drop me among my siblings or close friends and i can be quite annoying and loud.
2. Plain blur like sotong. But sometimes, it's best to act blur.
3. Slow and steady. I like to take my time working at something- which might not a good thing on a job with a deadline. But my works almost always turn out above average.
4. Spent RM 2000 ++ on multi-level marketing products which turn out useless in the end. Sworn never to get myself into any of those again.
5. I'm fashion blind. My clothes are mostly hands-me-down from my relatives. And dun really interested in buying new clothes even on Chinese New Year. Plain simple and comfortable.
6. Three must-go-places when I'm in the shopping complex- general book store, scale model/ hobby shop and anime or manga related shop.
7. Usually watch movies alone in the cinema.
8. Can be really indecisive at times. But usually like to act at the spur of the moment.

2nd Tag
8 things I’m passionate about:

1. Jaw-dropping digital illustrations and trying reach that greatness myself.
2. Anime and manga. They are what which drives me on this road called life. Anything related to them, be it toys, music, magazines, events etc etc. It's good to be an otaku.
3. My current love- my 6 years old PC. Spent most of my free time in front of it. Extremely protective of its well being. Regreted of leaving it in the hand of my bro for almost a year while i'm in hometown. So sorry, dear.
4. Going online. Blogging, chatting, sharing stuffs, playing games, reading- almost everything i did i did them online. If only i can work online too.
5. Friends and family. I learned that to fully enjoy life, you must have them both. Appreciate them well.
6. Video games espesially RPGs. Real life can be extremly dull without them. Living through different lives at the price of one.
7. Sci-fi and fantasy movies. Nothing beats the feeling of watching fantastic creatures and epic stories on the big srceen.
8. Reading newspaper, book or mag while having breakfast, lunch or dinner. It's one of those moments that i like to be left alone till i finish either of them or both.

8 things i say often:

1. shoot !
2. erm..
3. ah/ hah?
4. yo~
5. honto ni?
6. wa sai~
7. i know...
8. kk

8 books or mag I’ve read recently:

1. 50 Robots To Draw & Paint
2. Venom vs Carnage paperback
3. The Animator's Survival Kit
4. Dik Cergas (Crayon Shin Chan) Vol. 47
5. GameAxis March 08 Vol 4 Issue 12
6. Capcom Design Works artbook
7. Gempak Isu 201
8. Powder Isu 5

8 things to do before I die:

1. Win an Oscar in any category, especially Best Animation :D
2. Publish a few graphic novels.
3. Travel around Japan.
4. Fall in love, get married, and live happily ever after.
5. Own a least 2 properties.
6. Create my own video games or at least have my own designed characters in them.
7. Six pack abs.
8. Have the resources to collect anime related figurines that fill up a big sized room.

8 songs I could listen to over and over again:

1. Houshi Boushi by Younha
2. Sorairo Days by Shoko Nakagawa
3. Sen no Yoru wo Koete by Aqua Timez
4. Chance To Shine by Akino
5. Every Little Thing by Grip!
6. Home Sweet Home by Yuki
7. Sakura Kiss by Chieco Kawabe
8. Say Nothing At All by Ronan Keating

8 things I learn in the last year:

1. Never let anyone decide for me that can alter my life. Make my own damn decision and stick to it.
2. Never get too rely on others- even close relatives.
3. A slacker's life sucks. No money, no purpose, no friends, no life.
4. Asks and be enlightened or choose to remain quiet and ignorant.
5. Of all the good things while living in Singapore, it can't beat the familiarity and comfort of my own country. And it's overated.
6. Divine counseling can be quite intimating and surreal experience. Especially facing with the priest acted as a medium for a an underworld deity. Then again, what he know about the 21st century mortal world.
7. There's a lot more budding artists with great talents locally than I have imagined. So better buck up.
8. "A digital illustrator using a mouse to paint is akin to a chef using a hammer to cook although they can get the job done in the end."- a member of Imaginary Friends studio. Meaning, get the best tool for the job.

So there is it. Apparently i have to tag another 8 people but i really dun like things that work like a chain letter. So if anyone of you wish to reply these tags, do let me know :D

Hisasiburi Dana

Finally getting the mood to blog again. Since the last update, I've either been busy , having a mental block or just plain lazy. Anyway enough of the excuses, since it's pointless. Heh~
Anyway, during the period, my life was having a transition of sorts. And hopefully a turn for the better. Seems my life got too many turns . Like going into circles.

I'm now back in PJ, staying the same place i left behind a year ago. Kinda ironic issit. And got myself a new job now with even more hectic schedule and longer working hours than any job i work on so far. Well, it least the job is within the industry i into.

To be precise, I'm working in Animasia Studio- an animation house specialized in using flash for making animated tv series. Right now, we are in the middle of a big international project with tight deadline. Great timing. Anyway, been working for almost a month now and kinda settled in. But one thing I yet to get used to is the fast working speed on a assigned job. Well, I'm a slow and steady kinda guy and quite worry that this may cost me the job. But still, my colleagues there are kinda supportive which made my day a little less stressful. As long i try a bit hard everyday, I'll think i can improve sooner or later.

Well, it kinda late and I not sure what to write about. But there another posting that i took the time previously to write, right after this post :)

Btw, been playing Cabal Online these days... Care to join me?

CJ7 Review

It's hard not to compare Stephen Chow Sing Chi latest movie, CJ7 with his previous blockbuster kungfu flick, Kungfu Hustle. Then again, comparing the two was like comparing an apple with a orange. Unlike all his previous movies, this time Stephen Chow aims not only to make the audience laugh but to cry as well. So expectation for this movie was very high which might not a very good thing.

CJ7 was a heart warming sci-fi comedy about a single father trying to give the best to his son dispite being a hardcore poor. Working as a construction labourer by day and rubbish savanger by night, Ting (Stephen Chow) placed his son, Dicky (Xu Jiao) in the best school, hoping to give him a better future. But Dicky, bullied often by his rich classmates and fed up with his father's moral naggings, wish to be able to compare with his better-off peers. But things changed when, Ti pick something from the rubbish dump and brought it home to Dicky which turn out to be an alien toy-like creature.
In this movie, Stephen Chow took a backseat and let his new child actress to take the limelight. Xu Jiao play the role of the son very well, in both comic and heart-tearing moments. As for Chow, his supporting role of a doting father was a far cry from his previous over-the-top main characters. The usual "mou lei tao" or nonsense have been toned down to make way for Disney-like feeling of this movie. Still, the movie has its geniunely funny moments.
Visually, well, honestly it was not quite on par with the effects you seen on Kungfu Hustle or even Shaolin Soccer. While Kungfu's effect was to enhance its contents to be mind blowing, CJ7's only serve as a essential ingredient to the story such as the alien "dog" which can only to be created via CG. Then again, we already seen a lots of cutesy CG characters running around in live-action movies these days. Then again, the dog, CJ7 hence the title, was made very cute and adorable. I can imagine what kind plush doll to a be hit in this season's Valentine.
Overall, the movie really lacks the fun and the grand feeling of the previous movies. The variety of the weird characters, the pictureque location sets, the "cool" dance moves, real mean villains, mind blowing special effect and action sequence, all seems to be missing in this movie. CJ7 was not bad actually and can really serve as great Father's Day movie. But we want a movie that was damn infection to watch and talk about for a long time over a cup of tea tarik. Still, CJ7 did make many of the audience cry and that's what Stephen Chow wants in this movie. Excuse me, but i think i gonna watch Kungfu Hustle for the upteenth time.

Cloverfield Review

It can be said as the first most anticipated blockbuster movie of the year 2008. Cloverfield started out a year ago a secretive movie project, codenamed "01.18.08." by the director, Matt Reeves -fueled by a rather smart online marketing ploy involving a soft drink and "leaked" info and pics. Even though hardly anything know about this movie apart from the official poster, trailer and casting, the movie was hyped to the stratosphere by the movie fans online.

So how was the movie fare to the audience when it was finally released a few days ago. For me, this monster movie really doesnt deserved the hype it created. No, it not a bad movie, just it can be better especially the storyline. More on that later.

Cloverfield was shown like viewing though a hand held video camera. It's about a group of friends in Manhattan, New York, planning and video taping a surprise farewell party for Rob Hawkins, who was going to Japan to hold a high ranking job. This previously upset his girlfriend Beth McIntyre , who did show up in the party but in the end left after a argument with Rob. It beginning to feel almost like a romantic comedy scenario when suddenly things gone very bad. A Godzilla-sized monster appeared and went on a unstoppable rampage through Manhattan. Worried about Beth's safely, Rob, along with a couple of close friends, set out to her apartment miles away to rescue her.

Technically, the movie really shine here. The "Blair Witch Project" camera view throughout the movie really get u into the action. You almost feel you were there with the characters, living through their most intense and dangerous moments of their lives. Still, the jerking and spinning around of the view can really put off some people. While people like me, who clocked hundreds of hours playing first person view video games (Half-Life, Quake, Halo etc) can truly enjoy the experience.

The SFX department really work hard to bring the monster to live and create the destruction it brought. The creature was far more intimating and invincible than the Hollywood version of Godzilla. And those little things it spawn really reminded me of Starcraft's zerdlings. How cool is that.

Still, great SFX doesnt make great movie and storywise, there a lot of work to be done. While the flow of plot was rather good, there a lot of loose ends. The whole plot was too generic if u ask me- boy and friends find girl, one by one friend drop death, boy finally found girl, tragic twist in the end etc etc.

By the end of the movie, it may leave you feeling unsatisfied which many of the audiences did. I got the feeling this movie act like a introduction to a sequel. Well, that's what i think. It a decent movie and one of the best monster ride out there nonetheless.

Back To Singapore..... Again

I went to Singapore the other day... last Saturday actually, to attend a career fair held at Suntech City Convention Hall during the weekend. So any result this time? Well, i can say it was a tiresome experience that doesnt worth the trouble i went into.

Prior to the visit, i not very optimistic about the chances that this job fair got to offer. The fact is, i went online to find out more about the companies which involved in the fair. Well, mostly from the manufacturing, hospitality and insurance industry. Almost none from the creative industry. Well, almost b'cos there one particular company with the word "art" in its company name ( as it turn out later, it wasnt worth even to remembering its full name). Nonetheless, i gave chance a chance and prepare myself to go there- portfolio burning, resume printing etc etc.

When i arrive there at noon, there was already throngs of people waiting in line to get themselves registered (which was required for any big fair like this). After registering which took a while, i went in and browse around to familiarize myself and to look around the companies' respective booths. Nothing here interest me much, which was rather disappointing. Anyway, there was a lot of people here, from different walks of life. Young parents who brought their misbehaving kids, middle aged uncles, fresh grads and foreigners apart from Malaysians like myself. The most troublesome thing that u required to do here before you apply for any job was u have to upload your resume in the main sponsor site- JobsDB.com. Since you have registered earlier, they gave out a id card with a barcode to hand round ur neck and filmsy cloth bag with the big sponsor logo to put in ur "goodies" (flyers, bousers, free angpow packets etc etc).

There were a lot of laptop booths set upped for the upload purposes but so were there hundreds of people waiting in line for the same reason too. Things didnt help when most took their own sweet time to even type out their name. Luckily there 're helpers hired to help to speed things up but not much anyway. After waiting for almost eternity for my turn, I just whipped out my id card, scan it, took out my pendrive and just load my resume, filled in some info and then log off. All that just took at most 2 minutes. I cant even believe some people can spent more than half an hour to did theirs- i waited behind one before getting off to somewhere else. And when you done you'll get a green sticker from another counter to prove you have uploaded ur resume. Did it worth it? Well, i can only applied for one suitable job of all the jobs out there. Sigh~~~ And that job was not even from the company which the word "art" in its name. The booth was there all rite, but the staffs seems to be MIA the whole time.

Hungry, tired and frustrated, i spent my remaining day McD'ing, window shopping and browsing creative related magazines which yield better experiences and worthwhileness before retiring to my aunt's house. And no, i dun even want to write what my aunt nag this time for my unemployment. Not worth mentioning them. This time i went back home the next day.