Now in its second year, the organizer of Australia’s latest large-scale “pop-culture event” explains how it all came to be…
by Rachel Hyland
For many fans of genre in all its many, many forms – sci-fi, fantasy, horror, anime, gaming, comics, TV, film, so very etc. – the highlight of any given social season will very often be some form of Convention. Even now, long after the advent of the internet and when members of even the most obscure fandoms can easily find a website or mailing list through which to connect …

AKA: Tetsuwan Atomu
Created by: Osamu Tezuka.
Developed by: Tezuka Productions
Starring: (English dub)
Number of Episodes: 52
NTV/In Syndication
TV on DVD: Artificial Intelligence
In Short: And once again the day was saved, thanks to… Astro Boy!
Recommended: Yes!
DR. BOYNTON: Say you’re sorry!
ASTRO BOY: You’re sorry.
– “The Birth of Astro Boy” (01.01)
For some, their introduction to anime may have been Sailor Moon. Or Neon Genesis Evangalion. Or, hell, Pokemon. But for me, it was very early morning childhood viewings of Japan’s number one son, Astro Boy, flying to many a rescue with his rocket-propelled feet, long …

From fighting for your life to fighting for a cool $10 mil to fighting for the respect of Cobra Kai, we pay tribute to all the underdogs who ended up champions…
by K. Burtt, Rachel Hyland, Jason Murdoch and Kim Sorensen
There’s just something about watching skilled exponents of a martial art going at it, mano-a-mano. And it’s even better when the battle is joined in some form of ring or cage scenario, in which there are at least a modicum of rules and where there is some form of prize up …

Soon to be remade in its native Japan, a look at  the definitive 90s anime phenomenon.
by Cassandra Chin
Fighting evil by moonlight
Winning love by daylight
Never running from a real fight
She is the one named Sailor Moon
It was a flash of vibrant colors, whirls of glittering ribbons and special powers that young girls everywhere wished were real. Though when the anime Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon (Bishōjo Senshi Sailor Moon) debuted in Japan in 1992, it struck a chord with many young fans, both male and female. The short skirts and long, long …

It always comes as a surprise to me when I actively detest something beloved of my friends. Hell, it comes as a surprise to me when I actively detest something beloved of the random guy next to me. I think I tend to be pretty easy-going, able to find at least some measure of entertainment in even the most ludicrous of fictional endeavors – and sometimes to find even a good deal of entertainment there, depending on just how ludicrous we’re talking. Oh, I’ve hated stuff. Violently, vehemently hated stuff, and …

I must admit that I am a little confused by the very existence of this Geek VS. Geek. We’re arguing about Hayao Miyazaki? This to me is like taking sides on whether or not people should spend their free time punching puppies. Aren’t we all on the same side on this? So I guess there are two categories of people in the world: either you are a fan of Miyazaki… or you’re Rachel.
But since she is the one who controls the button that opens up the large vat of irate …

Based on the manga by Hiroya Oku
Created by: Ichiro Itano
Starring: Kazunari Ninomiya, Ken’ichi Matsuyama, Yuriko Yoshitaka, Kanata Hongô, Natsuna, Tomorowo Taguchi, Takayuki Yamada
Number of Episodes: 26 (2 Seasons)
Anime Network
TV on DVD: Aliens
In Short: Life is a game, even when aliens try to take over the world.
Recommended: Yes. (Especially if you enjoyed the gore of Battle Royale)
KEI KURONO: This place has nothing to do with Heaven or Hell, you ass! In fact, nobody in this room is even dead! We’re all still alive! All of us! I refuse to die now, …