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On the occassion of Blood +’s American DVD release, APA speaks to the voice actors and behind-the-scenes talent about translating the action/horror anime series for English-speaking audiences.
Back in 2000, animation studios I.G. Productions and Aniplex released Blood: The Last Vampire, an eye catching 48 minute action-horror anime film that fused traditional 2D animation with 3D effects. Although the film was well received internationally for its striking visuals and stellar action scenes, some critics panned the film for its lack of story development. To address this, Production I.G. announced the release of the anime TV series, Blood + in 2005. Although both share the same basic premise and protagonist, the TV series is not connected to the movie plot-wise; it’s regarded as more fleshed out, spiritual successor.
The protagonist of Blood + is Saya, a seemingly ordinary high school girl afflicted with amnesia. Her peaceful life is turned upside down when she is attacked by a Chiropteran, a blood sucking monster that preys on the innocent, and learns she’s the only one able to stop them. Their only weakness is Saya’s blood, which causes the Chiropterans’ flesh to crystallize upon contact. Armed with her a signature katana, Saya battles the Chiropterans alongside her mysterious servant Hagi, her surrogate brother Kai, and members of Red Shield, a group dedicated to eradicating the Chiropteran. As she fights increasingly desperate battles against the Chiropterans and other adversarial factions, she begins to unlock the dark secrets behind her troubled past.
To promote this month’s release of the Blood + DVDs in America, the US Blood + production staff held a panel at WonderCon last month in San Francisco. I had an opportunity to interview the American voice casting director Michael Hack; two of the American story editors, Tom Teves and Joe D’Ambrosia; and voice actors David Wittenburg and Ben Diskin.

asiaarts.ucla.edu

LOS ANGELES — Jenna Jameson made a smooth transition from porn princess to PETA spokeswoman last week as she unveiled her latest “Pleather Yourself” campaign to promote the wearing of fake leather.
But despite Jameson telling Pop Tarts that she plans to put the picture of her “hot body” in a sexy Bettie Page-inspired get-up above her bed, it seems she will be dreaming about another A-list woman flashing the flesh.
“It would be amazing if Charlize Theron did one of our ‘go naked’ campaigns,” Jameson said. “I saw her just the other day and she just blew me away. Charlize is so sexy; I would totally love for her to go naked. I’d die for that.”
But good news for those who aren’t famous yet: You might be just what Jenna’s looking for.
“Bettie Page was the ultimate sex icon,” Jameson said. “Then next came Marilyn Monroe, then Pamela Anderson, then me. Now I’m on the lookout for the next woman to pass my title onto.”
And although Jameson has made a living by taking her clothes off, the itty-bitty babe is now boosting her bank account dressing others.
“I’m really focusing on my own fashion line, and we have a new collection coming out in the fall,” Jenna added. “It’s very top line, all couture. Only the very best.”
Seduce Lohan, Simpson and Alba for $20
While most men will never ever get anywhere near these Hollywood hotties, the next best thing is available for about $20.
Manufacturer Pipedream Products has sold more than 100,000 celebrity blow-up dolls (including models of Paris Hilton, Pamela Anderson and Christina Aguilera) and just last week “inflated” the lineup by adding Eva Longoria, Lindsay Lohan, Sarah Jessica Parker, Jessica Simpson and Jessica Alba.
While “Herbie: Fully Loaded”-starlet Lohan is designed to “Rev Up Your Sex Drive,” “Daisy Duke”-dame Simpson supposedly makes you feel like “Crazy Daisy” and “Desperate Housewife” Longoria “Loves to Play.”

foxnews.com

Coach David Nucifora's decision to change just one player from last week's draining loss to the Sharks in Durban always placed a question mark over his team's resilience for this testing affair.
The Blues battled bravely to a 17-7 halftime lead and were still 17-10 ahead at the three-quarter mark but then a clearly tiring defence conceded two tries to the Western Force.
John Mitchell's side, unlike last week against the Crusaders in Perth when they blew a big lead, closed out the match this time.
That, as much as anything, shows the difference between the Crusaders and the Blues who were a double-act as the championship front-runners not so long ago. Now the crafty Crusaders stand alone.
A clearly disappointed Nucifora wouldn't buy into suggestions that his steadfast selection policy had come unstuck.
"I knew when we eventually lost that was going to be brought up. But I'm comfortable with my decision," said Nucifora.
"We make our judgements based on a whole range of decisions that are either unknown or known to everyone on the otuside. I know the condition of my players and where they are at and I'm comfortable with the decision that was made."
Nucifora said the Blues' problem lay more in the first half when they failed to nail several chances.
But Blues skipper Troy Flavell admitted he felt the game slipping away soon after halftime.
"As David said there were some bad habits creeping and they capitalised on them," said Flavell.
Visiting skipper Nathan Sharpe believed fatigue was a factor and the longer his side hung in there against the Blues the more he sensed the Force's chances increased.
The Blues weren't helped by an early injury to their playmaker Nick Evans who was forced off with a head knock after half an hour and taken to hospital for a precautionary check-up.

stuff.co.nz