Mt-Maigetsu: Issue No 4
banner made by MapleRose
CONTENTS
Wassup in this issue?
A/ i/Recently in Minitokyo:
Answers to the MT Knowledge Quiz
A/ ii/Ask a Mod Mai-chan's Mail bag!
Mai-chan loves getting mail
B/ What Not to Do in MT
PoPuLaR-chan explores groups!
C/ Cult Classic
The new and cool in the anime world?
D/ Featured Member
Vexels are the way to go
E/ Featured Group
Support Doujinshi!
F/ Get to Know Your MT Staff!
Revan's turn!
G/ Competitions and Projects
Are you missing out on the fun? Join on in while you can
H/ Group Ads
Looking for a new group to join, or to make new friends?
I/ Have your say!
Remember, we need you to keep sending us PMs <3
J/ The Usual Stuff
Crunchy links you can't live without!
======
A/ i/RECENTLY IN MINITOKYO...
And here's the results from last issue's MT Knowledge Quiz. The best answers were sent in by Ull. Thanks for those who participated!
And here are the answers, did you get them right?
1. Where are MiniTokyo Servers Located?
Singapore
2. When was MiniTokyo created?
January 2004
3. What version of MiniTokyo is currently running?
3.2
4. How many admins are currently on Minitokyo?
3 - sheqel is the main admin who does most of the programming
5. Who is/are the longest serving moderator(s).
Marissa, more than 175 weeks
6. Name 7 different moderators.
littlejonny100, Spystreak, Chloe-chan, bromithia, unicorn2006, eunasahng,
kuroimisa (A more complete list of moderators can be found here)
7. The MTM is 1 of 3 sister accounts on MT. Who are the other 2?
botchii and bot-freya
8. Who made this quiz?
Mt-Maigetsu
======
A/ ii/ASK A MOD! Mai-chan's mailbag
The following was answered by fireflywishes
Quote by kykyopjI saw a great deal of artwork that should have been in the elite gallery, but they aren't. What does a submission need to have to get into the elite gallery?
Our overarching principle for members is that if you see any artwork that you feel should be in the Elite gallery, you can always PM the Mod in charge of that particular section and explain why you think it should be in there.
As for qualifications...
Quote by POLICY The following criteria determine the inclusion of artwork in the Elite Gallery:
* Completed artwork which shows no immediately apparent or significant technical or compositional weaknesses.
* Artwork that demonstrate thoughtful incorporation of a variety of techniques, proper placement of focal point, balanced composition, and expression of concepts or emotions.
* Proper descriptions must be included for consideration for inclusion in the Elite Gallery. Proper descriptions should generally include: number of layers, brushes/effects/techniques used, links to scans or stock images in the submission, proper credit to members for scans/scan websites/vectors, collaborating artists if relevant, difficulties and obstacles encountered in creating the artwork, time spent, and the artist's personal judgment on how effectively the piece achieve the original concepts.
Specific PMs
Answered by kuroimisa
Quote by MapleRoseWhat's the difference between "Anime wallpapers" and "General wallpapers"? I thought Anime Wallpapers are walls that feature at least one anime/manga/game (?) character, and General Wallpapers are everything else. But lately I'm seeing artist walls like from Kunie Kanbara and Amano, in Anime Wallpapers, when I would've thought they belonged in General Wallpapers, since they technically don't feature anime/manga/game characters. So what distinguishes between the two categories?
Kunie Kanbara and Yoshitaka Amano should indeed probably belong to the more "General wallpaper" part of Minitokyo.
It's generally a hard call to draw the line between "Anime" and "General". I guess your best bet is that those artworks in the "Anime" section are outrightly drawn with an intention to look like anime or animation. "General" can be more abstract and more realistic (take Chen Shu Fen for example), or with very little intention of making it look like anime (Yoshitaka Amano).
It's a bit like how some people can't tell the difference between comics and manga... >_>'' Seriously, Yoshitaka Amano sketches in b/w seriously look more comic-like than manga. Kunie Kanbara artwork has some aspects of anime, but she's aiming for a more abstracted realism more than anime- of course it's still sort of borderline because there are manga artists with a similar kind of approach and we put them in anime. In that case we can simply argue that the Kunie scans are from an artbook that is neither manga in nature, or documenting an animation
Quote by kokuyuWhat privileges do Retired Moderators have? Can they change the status of other members?
Retired Mods are pretty much the same as Elite members. Like Elite Members, Retired Moderators are not part of Minitokyo
staff, so they will not be able to process reports or give warnings. They have pretty much the same privileges but
won't be able to access the reports or member controls so they are unable to change members' statuses.
The term "Retired Moderator" simply recognises particular members of Minitokyo for their past service to
Minitokyo as a staff member, which is why it is in italics, just like Elite Members.
----
That concludes October's "Your Voice - Ask-A-Mod" section. We thank all members who contributed even if we were unable to acknowledge you. Remember: If you don't ask, we wont tell so keep those mails coming!
======
B/ WHAT NOT TO DO IN MT
Part IV: Groups and Making Art
When you get home from school, the first thing you do after throwing your bags down is to log onto MT. You're a bit
surprised to find that your credit isn't quite at zero. It seems that some people have posted it in your guestbook
again, thanking you for the faving their stuff, and you've got a few replies to your fun forum thread. However, one
of the replies was from someone who's name is in dark yellow (which is sort of hard to see on your bright pink and
purple background). You've learned from your experiences that those names are from moderators. Uh oh, this
can't be good.
You go to your thread, and hey look, there are other people who think Sasuke is hawt. Yay you're not the only one! The very last message, the one from the moderator, said that your thread is being closed because threads are supposed to have meaningful content, and as such, you're not supposed to create favourite or versus threads. Aww... that sucks. Now where are you going to vent out your opinion to the world (or at least, the Internet)?
Since you can't upload any of those scans anymore (for fear of being restricted), you decide to explore MT a bit more. At the top menu, you wonder what the "Groups" is for. You click on a link that says "Naruto", hoping it would lead to something Sasuke-related. You come to a page much like a user page, except the left side menu looks different. Reading the content on the page, it seems that this thing is for people who like the anime Naruto. Ah, so these groups are like a club sort of thing for people with similar interests. Cool! You like Sasuke, so you decide to apply.
You wonder if there is a group for Sasuke fans. So you do a search, but you don't find a group dedicated to Sasuke...Well, maybe you'll just have to create your own group then, you remember seeing a thing that says "New Group" on the Groups page. So you click on it, but it gives you an error, saying you don't have enough credits.
Oh. You need 100 credits to create a group. Shoot.
So for now, you decide to join groups that have already been created, and you post in the group guestbooks ranting out your opinions and interests. There, that ought to catch some attention and thus make you more popular.
You go to your own page to see just how popular you are. Hey cool, you already have 342 pageviews, and you've only been here for less than a week. You see that your "Participating level" is at 20. However, your "Artistic Level" and "Favorites Received" are still at 0,. Well, you can't have that, POpUlaR-cHaN needs to be popular, therefore, those levels need to be at least 50, and you need to have received at least 1000 faves!
You can't submit scans you found on those websites, you can't find better ones by Google Images, and you don't have anything to scan in yourself. And the name "Artistic Level" seems to suggest that you need to submit art.
So you set out on a mission: POpUlaR-cHaN is now going to submit wallpapers!
You open up Photoshop, and start doing a collage dedicated to Sasuke from all those scans you've downloaded a while ago, as well as cool screenshots you have in your archives. Then you play around with those fun and useful filters in Photoshop to make a background. As a final touch, you use some bright shiny sparkles and cool effects and brushes to make it all fancy-looking. There! A masterpiece!
You upload it as a wallpaper to your MT gallery, and dream of the number of faves and comments you would get, and how your "Artistic Level" would shoot way up, thus making you even more popular.
But before you can see the reactions to your work, you hear your mom calling you to dinner. So you're forced to log off. Oh well, it doesn't matter, you're gonna receive lots of faves anyway!
To be continued...
Article written by MapleRose
======
C/ CULT CLASSIC
Anime Fans Far & Wide!
The 4th volume of MTM's Cult
Classic is upon us!
It's silver, it's shiny, it's brand new and so hot off the press we couldn't pick it up without
wearing protective gear.
This month CC revs into ultra modern mode as we take a look at Hollywood's invasion on Japanese anime and explore
this bicultural collaboration in a series that knows its steel like the back of its hands - Afro Samurai rips up the headline!
And in CC: By Request the enormously
popular series: Bleach in its debut to silver screen will take the hot seat,
slam-style!
Buckle up; we're about to test drive a thousand CCs of pure adrenaline.
Sharpening Blades,
I'm your Cult Classic writer,
UV ^___^
This Month: Cult Classic Presents An All Modern Feature
REVENGE SERVED COLD // Afro Samurai
RATING ADVICE: Viewers Please Note: The following anime title has been rated MA 15+ All episodes within this series are recommended for an audience 15 years of age and up. This series contains strong animated violence, strong course language and strong sexual references. Retail outlets may refuse the sale of this title prior to seeing Age Verifying Identification.
"In a strange world of swords, guns & kimonos, cell phones and cybernetics, a black samurai, Afro Samurai, seeks revenge from a man named Justice, who killed his father and is the #1 fighter in the world. After Afro earns the rank of #2 and the right to challenge Justice, he faces bounty hunters, bar thugs and mad monks who covet the #2 title. With sidekick Ninja Ninja in tow, backed by killer Hip-Hop, Afro cuts a bloody path of revenge!"
In 2004, director Shinichiro Watanabe together with Bandai Entertainment and
Gonzo Studios joined forces to create a new chapter in anime modern history.
That chapter became the world-renowned production of the absolutely stunning series, 'Samurai Champloo'. Needless to hammer the point home, 'Samurai Champloo', with its cut
and smooth Hip-Hop tracks, break dance madcap combat sequences (with thanks to front-fighter, Mugan) and Edo Japanese
historic fusion made sure that 'Samurai Champloo' arguably became one of the greatest modern anime classics in
the world. Enough said.
This year on the 3rd of May 2007, director Fuminori Kizaki decided the time had come to cut an entirely new path in streetwise, outside-the-square anime history. Leagues apart from its mishap adventure trio in 'Samurai Champloo', 'Afro Samurai' is a stand-alone combatant bent on bloody revenge in a mission to lay his father's memory to rest honourably once and for all. However, similarities ring true, for 'Afro Samurai', like 'Samurai Champloo', continues the highly popular trend of merging Hip-Hop with historic feudal Japanese settings.
Let's illuminate: Backed by a cutting edge Hip-Hop soundtrack produced by multi talented rapper The RZA (Kill Bill & Wu Tang Clan) - the creation of 'Afro Samurai' is remarkable in it's making. Unlike any other modern anime feature, 'Afro Samurai' is a first to have been intentionally produced with an all-star, all American cast. With powerful vocal performances by Academy Award nominated, Samuel L. Jackson as both Afro Samurai and Ninja Ninja - this highly renowned and super hard-working actor is faultlessly supported by Ron Perlman (Hellboy & Alien Resurrection) as Justice, Kelly Hu (The Scorpian King & CSI: NY) as Okiku and Phil LaMarr (Futurama and Samurai Jack) as Kuro among other characters.
Costing a staggering 119,580,000 YEN, 'Afro Samurai' is in fact an adaptation from the manga series penned and painted by Takashi Okazaki. Furthering this, Gonzo Studios and STUDIOPOLIS. Inc took their customary seats in the helm insuring that the quality of animation was nothing short of flawless. A highly valuable operation considering the breath-taking intensity of the combat sequences this series attacks its audience with. State-of-the-Art real time frame-by-frame technology insures hyper realistic in-sequence animation. The backgrounds are equally lavish in their fluid texture construction giving this entire series a heart-pounding, polymorphic CGI appearance.
Speaking of series, 'Afro Samurai' slips into the 'miniseries' category. With only five episodes
running at twenty-five minutes each, intensity is kept short, sharp and dangerously overflowing.
Naturally, this bi-cultural, futuristic Japanese endeavour has met with a vast host of hype and speculation being bourn
of mixed reviews.
Monsters and Critics.com announced: "Afro
Samurai is a really good series that plays on the aura of star Jackson."
While The Washington Times stated: "Hip and
very cool animation, in the most Quentin Tarantino of ways..."
Newsarama shared their slightly darker view by illustrating that: "...one can see the flaws as well as the what made this series so
fierce."
But perhaps, most accurately of all come from the words of Ain't It Cool
News whom objectively discussed that: "Afro Samurai does not kid around.
The confident series is a set multi-cultural polymer, aggressively violent and interested in getting as much impact out
of every scene as possible."
Words well spoken!
Undoubtedly 'Afro Samurai' will be an acquired taste and some may argue that the 'Americanization'
of anime is a realm that perhaps should not be crossed. However there is no doubting that whichever way you slice it,
(and viewers will find that Afro proves himself most prolific in the task) 'Afro Samurai' is a series of bold
and aggressive new scope whose dynamic angles and awe-inspiring sequences are sure to pen themselves as a modern cult
classic long after the hype has worn its self into silence.
Cut Through These Links:
Japan's Official Afro
Samurai Site
America's Official Afro Samurai Site
Japan's WOWOW Online Official Afro Samurai
Site
Australia's Madman Entertainment
Afro Samurai Sales Page
Cult Classic: By Request
CLEANER THAN THOU // Bleach
RATING ADVICE: Viewers Please Note: The following anime title has been rated M (On Average). All episodes within this series are recommended for a mature audience. This series contains mild to moderate level animated violence, mild course language and mild themes. Parental guidance is required for viewers under 15 years of age.
"For as long as he can remember, Ichigo Kurosaki has been able to see ghosts. But when he meets Rukia, a Soul Reaper from the Soul Society who battles evil spirits known as Hollows, his life changes forever. Now, with a newfound wealth of spiritual energy, Ichigo discovers his true calling: to protect the living and the dead from evil at all costs!"
Visionary author and artist Kubo Tite released the first manga volume of the mega series 'Bleach' on the 1st of May 2002 in Japan. Since that day the 'Bleach' series has confidently taken the manga world by storm. With a further 29 (and on-going) volumes of multi-faceted, hard-hitting good vs. evil battles having proved potent enough to gain the approval of even the staunchest of manga critics. In June 2004 Shonen Jump Advanced and Viz Media Publishing gained licensing of this super-series whose fever-pitch popularity across Japan, Australia, Europe and the United States made it very clear to fellow production companies that 'Bleach' was yet another gemstone series that simply couldn't be contained within the pages of a 2D medium.
Thus, 'Bleach' became more than just a story. True to Japanese multimedia cross producing, 'Bleach' insured its self a mega-popular enterprise on rivalling par with the likes of ever powerful titles such as 'Full Metal Alchemist', 'Naruto' and 'Dragon Ball Z'.
As part of a simply massive on-going project, the 'Bleach' series was adapted into anime by director Noriyuki Abe with the assistance of series composer Masashi Sogo. Production alone was nothing short of a monumental effort enlisting the tireless talent and expertise of more than seven animation companies including the renowned Studio Perriot, Han Jin Animation and Jiwoo Production.
A complex Japanese and English vocal cast of over eighty actors exhibiting their talents throughout a massive 154 episodes (and possibly counting) at 23 minutes a piece. The story's intricate matrix of Shounen protagonist hard and fast supernatural action with smatterings of comedy won great applause to its myriad of fans.
Finally in September 2006 the wait for English fans was at last over, for 'Bleach' had won its English licence with thanks to Viz Media and ADR Producers STUDIOPOLIS. Inc. The Adult Swim feature of Cartoon Network was pleased to host the series while Bionix presented the series for YTV in Canada. Meanwhile, Australian and British fans had the pleasure of series ownership delayed as Madman Entertainment Australia and New Zealand released Volume 1 on DVD on the 4th of April 2007 to triumphant applause.
Thus, 'Bleach' has met with a vast array of rave reviews.
Active Anime said: "Bleach is a sure fire
hit. The anime will appeal to a wide range of fans with its blend of action, supernatural suspense, and sharp
comedy."
While Newtype USA elaborated: "Bleach is
just plain good at giving each situation the right amount of emotional punch..."
And if that wasn't enough to clean malignant spirits right out of business, 'Bleach' decided to extend their talent across a host of films, OVAs and even a live action musical special!
Not necessarily to order the Bleach filmography checks off like so:
Bleach: Running approximately 154 Episodes
Bleach: Memories in The Rain OVA
Bleach: The Sealed Sword Frenzy OVA
Bleach: Memories of Nobody (The Movie)
Bleach: The Diamond Dust Rebellion (Sequel To The Movie)
Wanna Separate Good From Evil?:
Japan's Official Bleach
Website
Cartoon Network's Official Adult Swim
PageCanada's Official YTV Bleach
Site
Madman
Entertainment Australia's Official Bleach Sales Site
Article written by UV
======
D/ FEATURED MEMBER
The Minitokyo staff would like to recognize gaara-no-shukaku as MTM's Featured Member for October 2007. Although he has never been highlighted, gaara has contributed to the MT community by creating high-quality and unique vectors and wallpapers using a blend of vectoring and painting techniques, such as Origin - The Beginning.
Besides walling, he helps other MT members by creating tutorials, as well as giving useful and constructive comments on other people's work and suggestions in the Sandbox.
Currently, gaara-no-shukaku is working to promote Vexelling (a style of vectoring), and is planning a project to do so (stay tuned).
Banner and article by MapleRose
======
E/ FEATURED GROUP
is one of the
largest art groups on MT, and focuses on an area on MT that needs more love: doujinshi. The group believes in trust and
faith, which is why all members of the group are administrators.
To support doujinshi, the group runs monthly (or bi-monthly) contests, with a black/white category and a coloured category. The winners of the contest have their works displayed on the group page, and the current winner of the coloured category is used for the group layout. Besides the Monthly Display, the group has held various projects and contests, such as WAR, and Tips for Doujinshi Artists
Remember, support and appreciate works from MT's talented artists!
Banner and article by MapleRose
======
F/ GET TO KNOW YOUR MT STAFF!
This month we catch up with one of our dear Retired Mods, Revan!
--------------------------------
fireflywishes (F): So, to refresh those who may have forgotten (or those who may
not know) you used to be a Moderator here. What sections did you moderate?
Revan (R): Scans, Sheqel like added my name to Female, Couple and Misc sections
but I looked over all of them. Oh yeah, Monochrome as well once it came out. Once in a while I also did some wall ripper
hunting. But I don't know, I think I ended up doing a bit of everything once in a while, like even closing some
threads.
F: During the time that you were a Mod, did you ever see a scan that made you
think "I'm an idiot if I don't comment/fav"?
R: Yeah, actually there were many, the last I recall were ones from Okama's
recent artbook: Okamarble. The art was gorgeous. But there are so many great scans. I always comment on Hakua stuff
:D
F: What would you say is the most common problem scanners make when submitting
things to the gallery?
R: Tough one, the most common I'd say is submitting dupes. I think most of
the time it's because people are not aware of what artist/series the scan belongs to, so the result is submitting a
dupe without even knowing.
F: So, what have you been up to since your retirement?
R: Well work. Things have gotten so busy that it has taken up all of my online
time... Let's rephrase that. I could spend a lot of time online while at home like right now, but it's just
that when I get home I kinda want to do other stuff rather than sitting in front of the computer-- aka being lazy. So
basically I try to have a social life whenever I'm not at work.
F: What's the thing that you miss most about MT or being a Mod?
R: Oh dang... I miss hanging out with friends most and also moderating. Modding
was quite therapeutical. (Is that even a word?)
F: It is now! :) How was modding therapeutic?
R: Well like if I was too stressed I'd sink in scans, look for dupes,
process reports, and also download gorgeous scans. So in a way that would relax me a bit.
F: Teehee, MT Therapy... we should advertise that. ;)
R: Haha definitely! I'd be up for it!
F: Okay, well you knew it was coming... time for random question time!
F: Favorite snack food
R: Cheetos
F: Anime that you would want to be a character in?
R: Dang what's the name... Welcome to NHK!... as long as I don't become
the hikikomori, that is. ^_^'
F: If you could be any animal, what would you be and why?
R: Does it have to be like a real animal?
F: Um... no. Go wild! :)
R: Ok, so I'd like to be Dragon. Methinks that not only are they beautiful
creatures, but they also display so much magic and power. I even have one tattooed on me.
F: Oooo, body art!
R: Yea, me loves
F: How many tattoos do you have?
R: 4
F: Do any of them have any special significance?
R: Nah, I never wanted to give them any extra significance other than being
something that I thought/felt was and would be appealing to me. I mean, significance would grow old as time passed by
and then the tattoo would end up being nothing but a memory of something I could have already forgotten why it was of
any importance in the first place. So I chose things I've felt aesthetically appealing, Like the dragon and so
on.
F: And finally, do you anything to say to the MT community before we end the
interview?
RJust that they try to enjoy MT, and that the internet is about having fun...
so... have fun!
F: Well, thanks for a great interview!
R: Haha it was enjoyable. And thanks for taking the time. I'm still
surprised that I was requested for an interview.
--------------------------------
Thanks to inuyashalove04 for requesting Revan for this month's interview! Remember, if
you have a Mod that you'd like to know more about, or would like to submit a question you'd like me to ask a
Mod, send it to me via PM. This is fireflywishes, signing out!
Article written by fireflywishes
======
G/ COMPETITIONS AND PROJECTS
(in alphabetical order)
The Minimalist Inspiration Project
Simple-ism's project, with minimalism as the
theme. The challenge is to bring life to a wallpaper with less while expressing a clear strong concept - in other words,
what you think minimalist simple-ism should be. Anyone can enter.
Announcement: Full Guidelines (offsite)
Anime Alphabet Project
Paint-o-Rama's current project. The concept is
simple: make wallpapers from series/creators beginning from each letter of the English alphabet (as categorized by MT).
The entries will be displayed in rainbow colours on the group page. And the rainbow is halfway filled! Claim your letter
today!
Announcement: Guidelines and more
======
H/ GROUP ADS
- For
lovers of Trinity Blood
- Paint me a rainbow
- Be enchanted by
Howl's Moving Castle
- The anime is much better than the play
- Too old for anime? Nevah!
- Can't stop vectoring? Then join Vectory. We share your addiction.
======
I/ HAVE YOUR SAY!
Want to see your group advertised? Want to nominate a group or a member you feel is worthy of a pat on the back, and a standing ovation from the Minitokyo community?
Check out this thread: HERE. Remember, we need
your PMs- MTM LOVES receiving your Private Messages- so keep them coming :D
The MTM is determined by you! ^^
---
Below are banners: featured member, featured group, a MTM writer and I <3 MTM banner (free for use by everyone).
Feel free to use these banners anywhere you want- signature, group page, userpage or even personal blog/ site! Please
click them to get the hosting link.
---
Looking forward to your company next month (and keep sending me PMs T.T)
From botchii, with love
Call me Mai-chan <3
======
J/ THE USUAL STUFF
All
about the Mt-Maigetsu: requests, ads and features --> To know how to advertise and nominate your group or member
you would like to see on the MTM!
The Policy --> A must read!
The Userguide
--> For day to day living!
Forum
guidelines --> Keeping it clean!
Common problems and
their solutions --> Got you covered!
Visit HeadQuarters for more juicy goodness or contact your nearest friendly moderator.
Links compiled by LittleJonny100
.
==--== ==--==
(c) Mt-Maigetsu 2007; any part of the Mt-Maigetsu or in its entirety cannot be reproduced in other publications without prior permission from the author(s). If you wish to share the Mt-Maigetsu, simply share the url- thank you.
Thanks to kokuyu for the disclaimer reminder!
