Fun With References: Windaria; The Downfall of Kunihiko Yuyama

Awhile back I mentioned a phenomenal film I'd recently seen, Leda: The Fantastic Adventures of Yohko, and how much I adored it; I also mentioned that I love references and that they make me all giddy inside and whatnot. I recently spotted another little reference that happened to make me smile, which happens to be another film directed by Kunihiko Yuyama, as well as character designs by the great Mutsumi Inomata. Inomata worked as both a character designer and an animation director, with work in such notable series as City Hunter, Urusei Yatsura and Magical Princess Minky Momo. I still can't believe that the original Minky Momo material remains un-translated, both in manga and anime form; but that's another story altogether, so I digress--and get back on topic. Anyhow, the film at hand here is Windaria, or, the butchered and edited localization title, Once Upon a Time. Actually, the original Japanese title isn't just Windaria, but Legend of Fabulous Battle Windaria, although that title is usually shortened. It's a beautiful, eerie, and stunningly animated film in the same vein of Leda. Oh, and speaking of Leda, that's where today's reference comes from!

See that dog with the red bandana riding on that hover bike with Leda? He talks. And floats. And doesn't know what a walkman player is. But that's okay, because he's Leda's sidekick, Lingum in that superb film. Go watch it--after you finish reading my rubbish blog, that is!

Lingum shows up in a few different frames throughout Windaria, most notably at the very beginning. He sadly isn't pseudo-anthropomorphic or has the ability to hover or talk, but instead acts as a normal, lethargic canine. I'm not quite sure if I ever caught Leda herself amongst the crowd in Windaria, but I wouldn't rule it out, especially since a certain Princess in the film shares a good deal of resemblances.

Windaria is an incredible piece of animation. I really can't express my infatuation for both of the aforementioned films, and especially couldn't provide eloquent prose at this damned hour to justify such a claim. I reckon such a thing may happen in the near future, but I certainly even doubt my own listless nature and procrastination. I blame the large list of things I need to watch. Clearly a good excuse. I did want to talk about something else, though: what the hell happened to Kunihiko Yuyama? I don't understand how you can make such fluid, beautifully crafted animation that stands out amongst most theatrical films of the time and just quit, only to make countless Pokemon specials, mediocre hentai and the completely superfluous Kimagure Orange Road: Summer's Beginning. I just hate seeing directors go into film purgatory, especially if it's self made. It's like John Carpenter or George Romero or Martin Scorsese or blah blah blah; you get the point. It's just sad, really. I guess this is the dilemma of the Anachronistic Otaku.

Devil Hunter Yohko and Fun References!

While watching Devil Hunter Yohko OVA 2 the other day, I noticed a few subtle, yet accurate things that made me all tingly and giddy inside. Yes, references. References make me so happy; it's kinda hard, yet almost embarrassingly awkward to explain: I like...the things I like, so I like to see them in daily life and other things; thus, it makes me happy! I probably reference Fist of the North Star and something Robert E. Howard related--usually Crom--every day. So, when a hobby of mine references another--BAM! Instant gratification! It's like Megazone 23 referencing Walter Hill and Gradius, or even something as simple as Crusher Joe having a cameo from Dirty Pair, or everything ever in the Parodius! series. Things I love, combined with things I love--what's not to love! Oh, yes. Yes. Neurotic fun. Also, it's like another aforementioned drunken entry about Lupin the 3rd with a Helloween reference! Bahahahahaha. Life.

My Japanese is slowly getting better, but it'd be hard for me to miss the Ranma 1/2 spine anywhere, regardless of a 2 second establishing shot or otherwise. Upon closer inspection, though, it looks like they cleverly made it Ranma 1/3! Not really clever, yeah...but I liked it. Hard for me to read anything else on the spines, really, but it's obvious to note the Godzilla book and some sort of "OVA Film Story" book among the others. Highly doubtful anyone reads this trash, but if ya do, a translation would be highly appreciated! Could ask some overseas buddies but I probably bother them enough as it is through YahooJP auctions and such.

This wonderful shot of Yohko in her room inspired me to do this whole bit. I immediately noticed the PC-Engine--Duo-R, even!--and had to pause the screen. I'm a silly fanboy for all things PC-Engine, and while I know the PC-Engine did quite well in Japan--compared to our Turbografx-16, especially--it was still quite a site to see the Duo-R in all it's animated glory! Closer inspection also shows that it was accurately drawn, containing both a 4-player multi-tap as well as an accurate 2-button controller! Also, importantly noted is the accurate renditions of a Super-Famicom and a Mega-drive, as well as even a Neo-Geo Pocket and Atari-Lynx! How fantastic! I mean, this screenshot pretty much sums up my life: anime babez and retro video games; it doesn't get much better than that. References, people! Ooooooooooh, I'm giddy for such. Might be some interesting things still in this cap that I can't tell, so once again, anyone who can add, please do! Might especially be missing out on the magazine, but I cannot tell. Such detail! Even the AC adapter can be seen plugged into the switch! Yes.

Also, I guess I should note that a new figure of Leda from Leda: The Fantastic Adventures of Yohko is up for pre-order! I almost shat my damn pants when I first saw the news, but sadly, I probably won't be getting it. The price is a bit much for my broke ass, but that probably wouldn't stop me, regardless. I dunno; the figure is pretty small for the price, but man, the pose is all sorts of wrong. I kinda hate it. The sculpt is good, mind you, but the pose--it's awkward! I'm all for bishojo figures and such, but it really seems like they cut size to make an "affordable" figure of her kneeling, which really just doesn't fit the character at all or any of the concept art, even. It just doesn't appeal to me, at least for that price. I can't imagine such a figure would sell well, and if it ever goes halfsies, then maybe I'll pick it up. It really is a nice sculpt, but I just feel they could have done a much better job with the pose; regardless, I'm surprised they even made a damn Leda figure! To my knowledge, the only other figure in existence was an old garage kit that looked vaguely similar to her. So yeah, can't complain--but I did. I'll probably still fuckin' buy it.

Got a new Sega Genesis RGB cable from a buddy on the interwebs. Time to go play some glorious Wings of Wor on a beautiful CRT!

Leda: The Fantastic Adventure of Yohko: A Consummate Example of 80's Animated Bliss

Good god. Talk about combining everything I love about 80's anime into one beautifully animated amalgamation of feminine aesthetics, sword & sorcery, giant robots, and a dash of classical piano complemented with J-pop. Damn shame that Righstuf released a dubbed VHS at one point and probably doesn't own the rights anymore. Thankfully a phenomenal rip exists of what I gather is a now terribly out of print--and sumptuously priced--Region 2 DVD. Big surprise there, of course. I guess one can hope in their most outlandish otaku dreams that such a thing can get localized at some point. I'm sure Righstuf is just waiting for the right moment to surprise the .04% of classic anime and release a fairly obscure OVA to the public, right? Hopefully I can commission an internet buddy to make me a poster of it and further whet my insatiable desire for even more posters and figures and all that materialistic hogwash that I need.

But yeah: teenage girl stuck in an alternate fantasy dimension. Talking dogs. Robots. Magic and shit. It's perfect. Do yourself a favor and download it here: http://bakabt.me/149936-genmu-senki-leda-h264-remastered-a-fanrips.html