The sky above the port was the color of television, tuned to a rad channel...
(With apologies to William Gibson.)
Honored samurai, ruthless ronin, wayward vagabonds, shadowy ninja and helpless villagers... welcome.
Opening Volley
Last week, readers replied (mostly in private) with what they wanted to see in the newsletter and this week, I shall fulfil.
Inspiration
What inspires my writing? What kind of music or imagery kickstarts my fiction engine? It’s a bit hard to put it into words (so I try to save them for actual fiction), so I’m going to let AMVs do the talking. AMV, if you are unfamiliar, is short for “anime music video”. They came into popularity in the 80s and gained great ground with anime convention go-ers.
The first anime music video was created in 1982 by 21-year-old Jim Kaposztas [when he] hooked up two videocassette recorders to each other and edited the most violent scenes from Star Blazers to "All You Need Is Love" by the Beatles to produce a humorous effect.
There are thousands of video on YouTube. Type in (name of anime) AMV and most assuredly, you’ll find something — though not all of it quality. Please note that AMVs are fan videos, not official PVs, nor are they in-anime concerts (such as might be found in Perfect Blue or Bubble Gum Crisis.
The following AMVs were chosen for their inspiring imagery through the excellence of the mesh of their audio and visual elements. Anyone can slap music to video, but to create something inspiring takes a creative sense.
Music: “The Distance” by Cake (official link)
Anime: Redline
By far, one of this single best AMVs out there. Just watch it.
Music: "Come On Closer" by Jem
Anime: Simoun (TV series)
Smoldering sapphic love scifi series set to smoldering love operatic rock.
Music: “Contact” by Daft Punk (official link)
Anime: Royal Space Force: The Wings of Honnêamise
The early days of space exploration set to a groovy beat.
Music: “I Am The Night” by Perturbator (official link)
Anime: Goku Midnight Eye
Sexy, dark anime meets sexy darkwave. Perturbator is known for his love of anime visuals. This is a perfect match.
We never meet without parting
Next issue... More inspiring illustrations/art, rían’s "Scarred Zeruel" (free fiction!) and more.
Until then!
Made in DNA