Ukiyo-e Heroes: Donkey Kong Visits 17th-Century Japan
Mario racing a rickshaw, Kirby wielding a katana, and Donkey Kong bounding past cherry blossoms. In his fantastical Ukiyo-e Heroes series, 29-year-old illustrator Jed Henry reimagines classic video game characters in the style, setting, and medium of traditional Japanese woodblock prints (ukiyo-e). Growing up in Indiana in the 1980s, Henry learned to draw by copying the art in his video game manuals. It was an exciting time to be a gamer, as companies like Nintendo and Sega raced to create the best systems and graphics. A decade later, with a degree in animation and living in Utah, the illustrator and children’s book author is working with Canadian (by way of Tokyo) printmaking master Dave Bull to to create fine art prints of his characters. With the help of a Kickstarter campaign — Henry raised $290,000 more than his original goal — his illustrations are celebrating Japan’s vibrant pop culture, both then and now. We talked to him about his craft.
How do you choose which video games to feature?
I’m a big retro gamer. I played a lot of games as a kid, and my heart is really stuck on those games — a lot of Nintendo, Konami, and Capcom titles. So, that’s how I choose, it’s just my favorites from when I was a kid.
mixes the traditional with current … no? … Super Mario and street fighters… jaja..
(via heinekenrana)
♫ Meow ♫ Anamaguchi’s new single and music video
What is even going on in this video? You have Dark Moon Goths inducting Luke, a go kart race that leaves Peter decapitated, Tumblr employees working the concession stand, some awesome animation, and even a tease of Paul Robertson cats. The song is reckless, too!
You can cop the single for a buck and change at iTunes — the group’s new album, Endless Fantasy, drops this spring.
BUY Anamanaguchi albums
Neon Genesis Evangellion T-Shirt & Skateboard Collection
This limited edition collaboration between Radio Eva, FTC, and intheyellow includes two designs in black and white tees and two skate decks. Available from the FTC Tokyo online shop and their flagship store in Harajuki.
Check it: Epic Evangelion graffiti
Buy: Evangelion: 2.22 You Can (Not) Advance
(via albotas)
A 7-year-old Pittsburgh area boy battling cancer got to meet his hero, WWE star Daniel Bryan, on Tuesday. Dressed in a Daniel Bryan T-shirt and accessorized with Daniel Bryan wristbands, a necklace and title belt, Connor Michalek met the wrestler.
“Where’s the Stone Crusher (a nickname Connor gave himself)?” Daniel asked as he walked through a door at the Consol Energy Center.
“I’m here,” Connor said with a big smile. [more]
(Source: samizayn, via heinekenrana)
Freaks and Geeks Reunion
I still proudly announce that I watched Freaks & Geeks BEFORE it was cancelled! I’m old.
(Source: somethingsomethingriverwoods)
The first and last Nintendo Power covers, the latter issue coming out next month. Perfect homage.
Buy: Nintendo 3DS and 3DS XL consoles
See also: More Nintendo Power posts [Via @Mudron]
Disney Meets Voltron
Today, Bandai announced the above Super Alloy King Robo: Mickey and Friends which is slated to drop next March in Japan for ¥13,440 (US$169). The 22cm figure is made up of robot versions of Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Goofy, Pluto, Pluto’s doghouse, and Steamboat Willie makes up the head.
(via albotas)
It’s Everything you wanted to know about Super Mario Brothers: The Movie but were afraid to ask or watch or whatever….
How Did This Get Made?: Super Mario Bros: LIVE
Can you make a video game out of a movie? In this case, no! Jenny Slate joins us to discuss Super Mario Bros. the movie on this week’s How Did This Get Made? LIVE at Bumbershoot! We cover everything from the alternate dinosaur infested dimension, the absence of gold coins, Mojo Nixon’s odd cameo as a Goomba, and the fact that Mario & Luigi are not brothers in the movie. Plus, we hear what the gang was doing when the movie came out in theaters during our Q&A.
(Source: earwolf)
OIL IS THICKER THAN BLOOD
Duhokama’s love of the original Rockman (Mega Man to us Yanks) is the source of inspiration for this latest series of portraits. No word on who else will be filling out the line up but I’d love to see an X or Zero.
For an alternate take on Mega Man, try Paper Mega Man.
(via gamefreaksnz)
