Otaku 5-0 Season 2: Episode 4

Aloha everyone!

This harsh economic climate brings a great deal of uncertainty to all of us. We see some drastic changes on the horizon, and we are overcome with a slight tinge of despair. However, take heart in that there are some things that will (no matter how much we want to admit we wish for it) NEVER, EVER CHANGE.

Yesterday, for the first time in 3 weeks, the scheduling stars aligned and we actually had the opportunity to get together and record a podcast episode. I know this statement seems a bit tired, but I am proud to announce that THIS is the longest podcast episode we have produced (so far.)

This episode marks the return of Sage to our podcast panel. It also brings us into his style of free-flowing conversation that has become a staple of his appearances with us. Neko-X and myself do our best to keep up, but Sage clearly leaves us choking on the thick dust left in his wake. At this point, all I can tell Sage is to be careful, lest he finds himself in the Moderator's seat at some point this season.

Finally, this is the third episode we have produced that requires me to use any type of disclaimer statement. So, consider yourself warned thoroughly in advance.

Mahalo,
James "Totoro" Kamakahi
Executive Producer

WARNING! Portions of this podcast contain mature language and adult content. Listener discretion is advised.



Click here to download episode.

Show Notes
Otaku 5-0: Episode 2.4

Recording Date: February 23, 2009
Running Time: 94 minutes

Moderator
Totoro (Executive Producer)

Panelists
Neko-X (Video Game & Blu-Ray Contributor)
Sage (Contributor-at-Large)

Format
1. Lead-in (Totoro)

2. Sequels We'd Like To See

3. The Top 5... Sci-Fi Characters (w/ assorted Random Chatter.) Producer's Note: Because Andrew "Ender" Wiggin is his favorite character, Sage actually gives a pretty in-depth synopsis of the now-classic Orson Scott Card novel Ender's Game.

4. Great Debate... Super Nintendo or Sega Genesis?

5. Random Chatter about Video game Systems (The Xbox 360 gets a fairly harsh lookover.)

6. Lead-out (Totoro)

Musical Notes
- Post-disclaimer Theme: "Frog's Theme" from Chrono Trigger
- Opening Theme: "Kefka's Theme" from Final Fantasy VI
- Interstitial Clips: "I'll Do It Right!" from Naruto, "Gato's Theme" from Chrono Trigger, "Pre-Title" from His & Her Circumstances
- Ending Theme: "World Peace" from His & Her Circumstances

Feedback is always accepted here at Otaku 5-0. It can be either posted on this site as a comment or sent via E-mail to Otaku50podcast@gmail.com

Stay tuned to this site as our second season continues!

Casting Couch: Take Six

Hey everybody!

I am proud to present to you the latest in my series of articles covering my favorite podcast topic: Casting Couch!

I would like to take you here (our Sailor Moon-themed "Bonus Episode") where the next installment of Casting Couch took place. Joining me on the panel was our Senior Producer Jupiter and her friend Rini, and in keeping with our central theme, we decided to put together a wish-list cast for this perennial anime classic.

Just as we did with our Tenchi Muyo! installment, we decided to separate the ensemble cast into more manageable pieces. So, I assigned 2 roles to each panelist, leaving the addition of the villain for last. Also, for those who enjoy inane trivia: this is the first instance of Casting Couch where I got slapped with a book (playfully, of course) for one of my casting suggestions.


Ami Mizuno/Amy (Sailor Mercury)
Original Performers: Aya Hisakawa (Japanese), Karen Bernstein (English) & Liza Balkan (English)
Our Suggestion: Saoirse Ronan (Jupiter)




Usagi Tsukino/Serena Tsukino (Sailor Moon)
Original Performers: Kotono Mitsuishi (Japanese), Kae Araki (Japanese), Tracey Moore (English), Terri Hawkes (English) & Linda Ballantyne (English)
Our Suggestion: Dakota Fanning (Jupiter)




Mamoru Chiba/Darien (Tuxedo Mask)
Original Performers: Tōru Furuya (Japanese), Rino Romano (English) & Vince Corazza (English)
Our Suggestion: Milo Ventimiglia (Rini & Totoro)




Minako Aino/Mina Aino (Sailor Venus)
Original Performers: Rika Fukami (Japanese), Stephanie Morgenstern (English) & Emilie Barlow (English)
Our Suggestion: Miley Cyrus (Totoro) or Taylor Swift (Jupiter)




Rei Hino/Raye Hino (Sailor Mars)
Original Performers: Michie Tomizawa (Japanese), Katie Griffin (English) & Emilie Barlow (English)
Our Suggestion: Selena Gomez (Rini)




Makoto Kino/Lita Kino (Sailor Jupiter)
Original Performers: Emi Shinohara (Japanese), Susan Roman (English)
Our Suggestion: Demi Lovato (Rini) or Alexis Bledel (Jupiter)




Queen Beryl
Original Performers: Keiko Han (Japanese), Naz Edwards (English)
Our Suggestion: Michelle Pfeiffer (Rini)




I hope you've enjoyed this trip down Memory Lane with me. Stay tuned to this site for more feature articles and episodes as our second season continues!

Otaku 5-0 Season 2: Episode 3

Aloha everybody!

I am pleased to present the next episode of our podcast!

This episode in particular marks the return of Neko-X to our podcast staff (this time in his new position as Video Game & Blu-Ray Contributor.) Also joining us on the panel on short notice is Star, our Film & Book Contributor.

While I am proud of all the episodes I have produced, this episode in particular now holds a special place in my heart as another prime example of Otaku 5-0's lighthearted style (click here for the first example.) Just like I said before, this is what "talking story" is all about, folks.

Stay tuned to this site for more episodes and feature articles as our 2nd Season continues!

Mahalo,
James "Totoro" Kamakahi
Creator/Executive Producer



Click here to download episode.

Show Notes
Otaku 5-0: Episode 2.3

Recording Date: February 2, 2009
Running Time: 73 minutes

Moderator
Totoro (Executive Producer)

Panelists
Neko-X (Video game & Blu-Ray Contributor)
Star (Film & Book Contributor)

Format
1. Totally Random Statement (Neko-X)

2. Lead-in (Totoro)

3. Random Chatter
- Neko-X talks about what he's been doing since he was last on the panel

3. Video Game/Blu Ray Report (Neko-X)
- GameStop's Street Fighter IV Tournament (and how Hawaii SF4 players got shafted)
- Review of Fallout 3
- Blu-Ray Pick of the Week: Zack & Miri Make A Porno
- Impromptu Topic: Least Favorite... Kevin Smith film (w/ further discussion)

4. Sequels That Shouldn't Have Been Made

5. 3 Reasons Why... The upcoming Dragonball movie WILL NOT suck!

6. A Serious Conversation About... Video game movie adaptations

7. Lead-out (Totoro)

Musical Notes
- Opening Theme: "Kefka's Theme" from Final Fantasy VI
- Interstitial Clips: "Pre-Title" from His & Her Circumstances, "I'll Do It Right!" from Naruto, "Subtitle" from Full Metal Panic!, "Catch (cheen)" from Ah! My Goddess OVA
- Ending Theme: "Breach of Contract" from Ah! My Goddess OVA

Questions and/or comments can either be posted here or sent via e-mail to: Otaku50podcast@gmail.com

Otaku 5-0 Season 2: Episode 2

Aloha everybody!

I know it's been a while, but we've had a few minor setbacks in the scheduling area. However, I am pleased to present the next exciting episode of our podcast!

Not only is this currently the longest episode we have produced, but this is the second episode that carries a disclaimer statement (for history's sake, the first episode can be found here.) After the recording session was completed, all the panelists unanimously agreed that this episode would serve as a perfect example of what would happen if Otaku 5-0 "went extreme." Rest assured, this is probably as extreme as I'm willing to take it.

However, let me apologize in advance for any content that you (our audience) may find offensive or objectionable.

Mahalo,
James "Totoro" Kamakahi
Creator/Executive Producer

WARNING! Portions of this podcast contain mature language and adult content. Listener discretion is advised.



Click here to download episode.

Show Notes
Otaku 5-0: Episode 2.2

Recording Date: January 29, 2009
Running Time: 83 minutes

Panelists
Totoro (Moderator, Executive Producer)
Cupid (Lead Contributor)
Smilex (Guest Contributor)
Rerun (Guest Contributor)

Format
1. Bad Joke of the Day (Cupid)

2. Lead-in (Totoro)

3. Impromptu Rant Battle: Smilex vs. Rerun

4. Least Favorite... Hayao Miyazaki movie

5. Great Debate... Pirates or Ninjas?

5. Please Produce This...

6. Sequels That We'd Like To See

7. A Serious Conversation About... Kawaii-kon (with a few horror stories added in)

8. Lead-out (Totoro)

Musical Notes
- Post-Disclaimer Theme: "Frog's Theme" from Chrono Trigger
- Opening Theme: "Kefka's Theme" from Final Fantasy VI
- Interstitial Clips: "I'll Do It Right!" from Naruto, "Pre-Title" from His & Her Circumstances, "Gato's Theme" from Chrono Trigger, "Subtitle" from Full Metal Panic!, "Afternoon of Konoha" from Naruto, "Catch (boon) & "Catch (cheen)" from Ah! My Goddess OVA
- Ending Theme: "Honoruru, Hawaii" from Frank De Lima's Ethnicology 101

Stay tuned to this site for the next exciting episode of Otaku 5-0!

Questions and/or comments can be posted here or sent via e-mail to Otaku50podcast@gmail.com

Otaku 5-0 Season 2: Episode 1

We're back!

No, it's not a dinosaur's story. I'm pleased to present to you the premiere episode of our second season!

In this episode, we introduce Star, who has kindly agreed to serve as our Film & Book Contributor. Suffice it to say that she made quite a first impression on all of us here. We offer her a warm welcome into our growing podcast family, and we're glad you decided to stay with us as we move forward into the New Year!

Mahalo,
James "Totoro" Kamakahi
Creator/Executive Producer



Click here to download episode.

Show Notes
Otaku 5-0: Episode 2.1

Recording Date: January 15, 2009
Running Time: 59 minutes

Panelists
Totoro (Moderator, Executive Producer)
Jupiter (Senior Producer)
Cupid (Lead Contributor)
Star (Film & Book Contributor)

Audience
Adam, Jupiter's Husband

Format
1. Pearl of Wisdom (Jupiter)

2. Bad Joke of the Day (Cupid)

3. Lead-in (Totoro)

4. Taking Stock
- Activities/Events during our hiatus
- Introduction of Star, our new Film & Book Contributor

5. Film & Book Report (Star)
- Rundown of Oscar favorites (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Slumdog Millionaire & The Wrestler)
- Movie of the Week: Monster Squad

6. Great Debate: Digimon or Pokemon?

7. Please Produce This...

8. Lead-out (Totoro)

Musical Notes
- Opening Theme: "Kefka's Theme" from Final Fantasy VI
- Interstitial Clips: "Subtitle" from Full Metal Panic!, "Fooling Mode" from Naruto, I'll Do It Right!" from Naruto
- Ending Theme: "Breach of Contract" from Ah! My Goddess OVA

Stay tuned to this site for the next exciting episode of Otaku 5-0!

Questions and/or comments can be either posted here or sent via e-mail to Otaku50podcast@gmail.com

Casting Couch: Take Five

Aloha everybody!

In keeping with my promise to not let this website fall dormant during our hiatus, I would like to present to you the 5th in a series of articles covering my favorite podcast topic - Casting Couch!

As you know, this topic allows myself and the other contributors to put forward a wish-list of actors/actresses that we'd like to see portray our favorite anime characters. So let's go back to Episode 1.7, where our fearless group of panelists (Cetic , Jupiter & myself) named our casting choices for a live-action adaptation of the perennial anime classic Tenchi Muyo! Ryo Ohki. Since this series boasted an ensemble cast, we decided to submit one choice for a specific number of characters. As it turned out, each of us had 3 characters to cast for.

Producer's Note: Since this is an anime series, the character's original Japanese and English voice actor/actress will be listed in the "Original Performer" slot.

Tenchi Masaki
Original Performers: Masami Kikuchi (Japanese), Matt K. Miller (English)
Our Suggestion: Justin Long (Cetic)


Kiyone Makibi
Original Performers: Yuri Amano (Japanese), Sherry Lynn (English)
Our Suggestion: Lucy Liu (Cetic)


Mihoshi Kuramitsu
Original Performers: Yuko Mizutani (Japanese), Ellen Gerstell (English)
Our Suggestion: Reese Witherspoon (Cetic)


Ayeka Masaki Jurai
Original Performers: Yumi Takada (Japanese), Jennifer Darling (English)
Our Suggestion: Keira Knightley (Jupiter)


Sasami Masaki Jurai
Original Performers: Chisa Yokoyama (Japanese), Sherry Lynn (English)
Our Suggestion: AnnaSophia Robb (Jupiter)


Washu Hakubi
Original Performer: Yuko Kobayashi (Japanese), K.T. Vogt (English)
Our Suggestion: Drew Barrymore (Jupiter)


Kagato
Original Performers: Norio Wakamoto (Japanese), Michael Scott Ryan (English)
Our Suggestion: Jeremy Irons (Totoro)


Ryoko Hakubi
Original Performers: Ai Orikasa (Japanese), Petrea Burchard (English)
Our Suggestion: Natalie Portman (Totoro)


Katsuhito Masaki
Original Performers: Takeshi Aono (Japanese), Bob Papenbrook (English)
Our Suggestions: John Lone (Jupiter), Hugo Weaving (Totoro)

Well, there you have it - our first, "Ensemble Edition" of Casting Couch (and it surely won't be our last.) I'd like to thank you for taking this trip down memory lane with me, and please stay tuned to this website for more feature articles as our 2nd season approaches!

Failed Topic Ideas

As we here in the 50th State prepare to ring in a new year, I would like to take this opportunity to spread a little humor this New Year's Eve by dusting off my old notebooks and giving all of you a short list of topic ideas that, for one reason or another, failed to make it into the podcast.

1. Anime/Manga a cappella - I'll be the first one to admit that this topic looked great on paper. But the notion of myself singing about a particular Anime/Manga series that piqued my interest wasn't quite as scary as the inevitable storm of sarcasm that I would have to brave from my fellow contributors. While there was one major problem (I can't sing to save my life) the topic headed to the round file after realizing that Cupid would have a field day, and I think that guy has all the ammunition he'd ever need.

2. The Random Phone Call - Before settling on a podcast as my medium of choice, I was drawn to the idea of having an internet radio broadcast each week, complete with call-in segments with listeners. As such, one of the ideas that didn't make it was where I would call a random phone number, and then have a short conversation with whoever answered the phone. In the end, I'm glad I didn't go the "radio route." Besides, wouldn't the constant thought of having an impromptu phone conversation with me get a bit creepy after a while?

3. 6 Degrees Of... - This topic, which involved me naming two completely dissimilar objects found in Hawaii (say, Taro & Kona Coffee) and then having each contributor try to tie those objects together in a few steps as possible (i.e. Kona Coffee & Taro seeds are both planted in the ground) almost made it into the first season's final topic list, but it was vetoed because it would mostly lead to an inevitable conversation about the growing stagnancy of our local economy.

4. Who Irritates You More? - This little gem found its way into my head (and subsequently, onto paper) during a solo brainstorming session not long after our podcast preview episodes were recorded. The idea was to compare two types of people from our everyday lives to see which would prove to be more irritating (People who use their cell phones while driving OR People who ask to cut in front of you in line at the supermarket?) While this topic was cut because it brought too much of an overtly negative tone to the podcast, that's not to say that there isn't any room for a bit of behavioral evaluation. Maybe this will appear in a future episode as a conversation-starter...

Well, that's about all I think you can handle for now. Stay tuned to this site for more feature articles as our 2nd Season approaches!

Happy New Year!

~Totoro (Otaku 5-0 Creator, Executive Producer)