Since we're doing something Muttpop related tomorrow, I wanted to get my Halloween celebration started today! "This Is Halloween" from my favorite Halloween film, NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS. Which reminds me, I need to check out that 3D version.

I'm SUPER excited about watching TEKKONKINKREET by 4 Degrees. Bill and Gobi introduced my to MIND GAME, another 4 Degrees masterpiece. From what I've seen of Tekkonkinkreet, the quality of the style and animation looks to be as good or better.The manga the movie is based on was previously released in English by Viz under the title "Black & White", which is also visually amazing.Our dream is to one day work with 4 Degrees on a Luchadores 5 Anime. We can always dream!

Here's another genius bit of animation by Osamu Tezuka and team. Keep in mind that all the perspective was done before the widespread use of computers in animation. Tezuka Productions somehow found a way to include a narrative to this technical marvel. Watch in awe. :-)

Osamu Tezuka's output was outstanding. He developed universes in a variety of genres for both animation and comics. Practically all of them were successful (Astro Boy, Kimba The White Lion, Black Jack). He singlehandedly established the manga and anime industries through his work. Yet beyond that, Tezuka and his team of animators found the time to do artistic animation that pushed the perceived limits of what anime can be. He is and always will be a great inspiration!Here's a clever piece he did in 1964 about man's methods of memory:

Back in 1993 Sam Kieth joined Image with a nifty book called The Maxx. Somehow that led to a really solid Animated adaption that debuted on MTV two years later (in 1995).The Maxx was really ahead of its time. I regard it as one of the first successful attempts at doing an American Anime. I'm super disappointed I never picked up a VHS copy of the series. Why isn't there an official DVD version?!

Here are some stills from a very interesting animated project being developed in France. PEUR(S) DU NOUR (or FEAR(S) OF THE DARK in English) is a collection of animated shorts overseen by Etienne Robial. The TRAILER is enough to get any animation enthusiast excited...but when you hear that cartooning masters BLUTCH and CHARLES BURNS are responsible for two of the animated shorts, it becomes a must see project.