Cartoon Sunday: Tactics (Anime)

How's it going lurkers? Earlier this morning, Tokyo Ghoul premiered on Adult Swim's Toonami block. 

Hopefully, this Seinen SciFi Horror Action Anime does well in the ratings, despite the Toonami nitpickers acting like crybabies and throwing their tantrums ad nauseam because it does not live up to being the stereotypical Toonami Anime.

To all those who have never watched episode 1 of Tokyo Ghoul, if you liked Parasyte -The Maxim-, you should enjoy Tokyo Ghoul.

Over the last 2 weeks, the Toonami fans that watch One Piece have been acting like crybabies because One Piece was replaced with Tokyo Ghoul. 

Meanwhile, there are the other Toonami fans who LOVE ruining everything for other fandoms with their incessant nitpicking of shows, which do not fit their personal Toonami archetypes.

Those Anime fans in particular are partially to blame for the cancellation of Chiller TV's Anime Wednesday block from 2 summers ago. Toonami brats and other Anime fans nitpicked Anime Wednesday so much, that their incessant nitpicking was the straw that broke the camel's back.

Their constant bitching online contributed to the downfall of Anime Wednesday.

Nearly 2 years later, I am still reeling over the fact, that Chiller TV not only did a piss poor job of advertising Anime Wednesday, but also canceled their own Horror Anime block within the first 3 weeks.

About 10 years ago, SciFi launched their Ani-Monday block. Shortly after, Chiller TV began airing Ani-Monday.

Because Chiller TV and Syfy are sister channels owned by NBC Universal, Horror Anime that premiered on SciFi was eventually sent to Chiller TV. This wasn't the case for Chiller's Anime Wednesday block the last time.

The Anime Wednesday block actually premiered Anime that SciFi NEVER aired, which was a positive. However... the Horror Anime for Chiller TV's Anime Wednesday block did NOT  necessarily qualify as Horror Anime. Both Anime AND Toonami incels threw the biggest toddler tantrums online about Is This A Zombie? premiering on this Horror Anime block. 

Is This A Zombie? NEVER qualified as a Horror Anime. 

In fact, 1/2 Chiller TV's Anime Wednesday block were Comedies for a Horror Anime block. 

Even though I enjoyed watching Black Blood Brothers and Is This A Zombie? years before Chiller acquired them, they were mostly Supernatural Comedy Anime.

Devil May Cry and Tokyo Majin were THE ONLY 2, which came close to being Horror Anime. Devil May Cry is a Horror Action Anime and Tokyo Majin is more Supernatural Action.

There is a plethora of Horror Anime, which Chiller TV could've acquired and premiered at decent times.

I believe if Chiller really wanted to compete against Adult Swim's Toonami block, the network could've possibly premiered Horror Drama and Mystery Anime at 9pm Central on Saturdays or Sundays. 

This would've been MUCH better than premiering Horror Anime on Wednesdays at midnight.

The Horror network also could've premiered its Horror Anime block starting at 9pm on Fridays. Then again, that would've been too logical.

I am somewhat surprised that Chiller TV did NOT acquire the Occult Supernatural Detective Anime, Tactics. SciFi originally premiered it on Ani-Monday in 2008.

Then again, Tactics might've lacked suspense for Horror Anime fans. The Anime is set, during the Taisho Era as opposed to the Meiji Era in the Manga. 

Regardless, Tactics focuses on the young man, Kantarou Ichinomiya. Since childhood, he had the ability to see yokai and was of course, ostracized for having this special ability. 

Kantarou's yokai friends told him, that he must find the oni-eating tengu, in order to become stronger. Shortly after, Kantarou vowed to find the oni-eating tengu and name it. 

Long story short, the florist/part-time exorcist finds this oni-eating tengu on an assignment in the mountains and names him, Haruka.

I could explain more, but it would be much better for you to watch Tactics for today's Cartoon Sunday.

Tactics Episode 1: "The Black Goblin Awakes" [English Dub] (2004)

Want To Learn More About Leprechauns?

 

How's it going lurkers? Thank Grimm it's Friday and Happy Saint Patrick's Day! This weekend, there will be no Song Saturday or Cartoon Sunday blogs.

Yesterday I realized that I have published about a dozen Saint Patrick's Day and Irish-themed blogs, throughout these last 4 years. 

In case you missed any of those blogs, 2 will be linked in this blog. The rest you can find in my Blog Archive, which is located at the bottom of this page.

Meanwhile earlier this week, we began with Bill Tytla's animated short, The Wee Men for Cartoon Sunday. Tytla's The Wee Men somewhat explained about leprechauns and their roles in Ireland. We already established that leprechauns run and hide with their crocks of gold but do we REALLY know why? 

Before explaining any further about their antics, let's explore the origins of the word, "leprechaun."

According to Irelandseye, "leprechaun" may have derived from the Irish term, "leath bhrogan." Leath bhrogan means "shoe maker," which was what we watched this past Cartoon Sunday in Bill Tytla's The Wee Men. The leprechauns in the short were shoe makers.

However, there is a possibility that "leprechaun" may have derived from "luacharma'n," which is Irish for pygmy.

Even though leprechauns are considered to be the national fairies of Ireland, those in the north Leinster area originally used the term "leprechaun." 

"Lurgadhan," "lurican," and "lurachmain," are 3 other variants of leprechaun.

Apparently, it is a common routine for these "wee men" to be found in an intoxicated state caused by home-brew poteen yet they still manage to be productive workers.

So, why do leprechauns run and hide with their crocks of gold?

Roaming and pillaging throughout Ireland, the Danes supposedly left behind ancient treasure. 

The roaming and pillaging led to the leprechauns appointing themselves as the guardians of the gold. This could also be a reason why leprechauns avoid any social interaction with humans.

Leprechauns view humans as being "foolish," "flighty," and "greedy creatures."

Once a leprechaun is caught by a human, the leprechaun uses his gold coin as a bribe from 1 of his 2 leather pouches. Most people don't know that leprechauns carry 2 different coins in separate pouches.

2 Coins That Leprechauns Carry:

1) Silver Shilling- Leprechauns carry this magical coin in 1 pouch, which returns to the purse every time it is paid out.

2) Gold Coin- Leprechauns carry this in a different pouch from the silver shilling. It's used as a bribe for anything they feel is a "difficult situtaion," after being caught by humans. The coin also has the ability to turn into leaves or ashes after it is given away.

In addition to having 2 different pouches for 2 different coins, there are 2 distinct classifications of the so-called leprechaun family. There are the leprechauns, that hide and protect the gold and there are the cluricans, which have the tendency to borrow or steal almost anything.

Cluricans wait until it is dark to raid wine cellars and larders in people's houses. This is along with harnessing sheep, goats, dogs, and domestic fowl. 

Then, cluricans will ride them throughout the country at night.

After conducting research about leprechauns, I find this all to be very fascinating. It's amazing what you can learn, especially online.

As said earlier, if there are any previously published blogs you may have missed about Saint Patrick's Day and the Irish in general within the last week to 4 years, my Blog Archive is below on this page.

Song Saturday: Henry Cowell's The Banshee (2017)

Cartoon Sunday: Bill Tytla's The Wee Men

How's it going lurkers? Looks like some of you really enjoyed yesterday's Song Saturday blog. 

So, how creepy was it to re-read yesterday's blog about the banshee with Henry Cowell's song, "The Banshee" playing in the background?

Since we are already on the topic of Horror, I read yesterday morning on Anime News Network, that the Seinen Horror Action Anime, Tokyo Ghoul will replace One Piece on March 25th.

Toonami Replaces One Piece Anime With Tokyo Ghoul Starting On March 25

Even though One Piece fans get the shaft as usual, this is fantastic news for us Horror Anime fans.

For a year or so, I have said that Tokyo Ghoul should've aired on Adult Swim's Toonami block after Parasyte -The Maxim- ended. It would've been the perfect replacement for Parasyte.

With the constant promotion during the shortly lived Anime Wednesday block, it originally seemed as if Chiller TV was going to air Tokyo Ghoul.

Speaking of Chiller TV, Dish Network removed the channel from its package, last month. This means the channel will be even MORE niche than it already was on for the last decade. Both Dish Network and Direct TV were the ONLY packages, that carried Chiller TV.

Right now, I shouldn't complain too much. Tokyo Ghoul is a series that I never had a chance to watch in its entirety online because of my hectic schedule and because of Hulu. That online streaming site shafted all its loyal users, who watched free online streaming shows.

In order to watch Hulu's programming, it NOW requires you to sign up using your social media accounts. 

This is all because the company wants to track our personal information and because Hulu wants to compete with Netflix.

Since I don't have Netflix or use Hulu anymore, both are irrelevant to me. At least I will have another show to watch on Adult Swim's Toonami block on the weekends.

In 2 more weeks on Toonami, I will be watching Tokyo Ghoul, Naruto Shippuden, and JoJo's Bizarre Adventure. Tokyo Ghoul's a small victory for Horror Anime fans and for yours truly.

Meanwhile, I have another animated short by Bill Tytla for today's Cartoon Sunday. 

Last week, I shared his 1949 short, Leprechauns Gold. 2 years before Leprechauns Gold, Tytla created The Wee Men. You are probably wondering why I did not share his 1947 short before his 1949 short. 

I purposely saved The Wee Men for today's Cartoon Sunday because Saint Patrick's Day is on Friday, this year. Therefore, you may consider today's blog an early Saint Patrick's Day Cartoon Sunday blog.

This 1947 animated short by Bill Tytla has relevance to Saint Patrick's Day. The Wee Men is similar to the 1949 animated short, Leprechauns Gold.

Legend supposedly has it in Ireland, that leprechauns live with a hidden pot of gold.

If anyone succeeds in capturing 1 of the so-called "wee men," he must lead to the gold's hidden location.

In The Wee Men, the leprechauns make shoes and deliver them to poor people. 

On Patrick's 121st birthday, he wants to prove his manhood by delivering the shoes he and the other leprechauns make to the poor.

In the process of shoe delivering, Patrick is caught by a greedy landlord, who wants to steal the leprechauns' gold. Their pot of gold has been buried under a tree stump and the landlord wants Patrick to reveal the location to it.

Bill Tytla's The Wee Men (1947)

Song Saturday: Henry Cowell's The Banshee

How's it going lurkers? Was the last Song Saturday NOT  creepy enough for you? Chances are great that you will say, "Yes." The last blog wasn't intended to be creepy. However, you are in luck today!

Before listening to today's song by the Classical Music composer, pianist, and theorist, Henry Cowell, learning about the banshee is a MUST. Growing up, I have always heard people loosely mention the banshee in discussions but never really knew much about it.

According to Irelandseye.com, the banshee is widely known in Irish Mythology as a female spirit, that is appointed to warn those from certain Old Irish families about their times of death.

Wikipedia additionally mentions that the banshee is also known as "the woman of the fairy mound" or "fairy woman." The spirit warns 5 Irish families with her shrieking and "keening." 

Keening is supposedly a traditional form of vocal wailing in grief of a dead person. This is something customarily done at Irish and Scottish funerals by women.

Who are these 5 Old Irish families?

The O'Niells, O'Briens, O'Connors, O'Gradys, and the Kavanaghs are the 5 Irish families in need of warning. Notice that most of these Old Irish family names have last names starting with "O'."

While the banshee's shrieks and keens forewarn the 5 families at night about death, she can appear in 1 of her 3 guises. She can appear as a young and beautiful woman, a stately matron, or a frightful, old hag. The banshee is most commonly known as a frightful, old hag.

The preceding 3 guises of the banshee represent the triple aspects of the Celtic Goddess of War and Death, which happen to be Badhbh, Macha and Mor-Rioghain.

Even though those 3 guises are the banshee's most popular guises, she can also appear in a few other guises in the form of animals associated with witchcraft in Ireland. 

The banshee can appear as a hooded crow, stoat, hare, or a weasel.

After stumbling upon Henry Cowell's song, "The Banshee," listening to it automatically gave me the chills. Listening to this bone chilling song is like listening to a Horror film score. The way he played this piece on his piano exudes horror.

Imagine listening to "The Banshee," while reading a Horror novel, short story, listening to an audiobook, or simply watching something on your TV or computer screen with a really creepy vibe. 

Actually, I have a better idea. After reading today's blog about the banshee, re-read it as Cowell's "The Banshee" plays in the background. It should enhance your fear about this creepy spirit from Ireland.

Early yesterday morning, I was in the middle of reading an online article, as Henry Cowell's "The Banshee" played in the background. I began to dose off and suddenly awoke by the sound of the strings on his piano. "The Banshee" scared me awake. 

The sound of the piano strings was more effective than waking up to an alarm clock.

The creepy sounds of "The Banshee" automatically causes me to imagine heavy gusts of wind and gray fog, ice cold rain, and falling temperatures from a thunderstorm. 

Someone wakes up from howling and shrieking noises, while everyone sleeps on a dark and dreary night. 

The sounds linger and a man emerges battling insomnia. As badly as he tries falling back asleep, the howling and shrieking noises continue.

The man leaves his bed to roam around the dark hallways, in search of where those loud noises are coming from and from who. After getting closer to those noises, he opens a door and witnesses a frightful-looking old hag, crouching over someone's corpse, in a large puddle of blood!

How morbid is the imagination of yours truly before Saint Patrick's Day?

When listening to Henry Cowell's "The Banshee," what imagery comes to mind? Is it just as dark and creepy as what I imagined? If so, let me know in the comments section below.

Before I forget, make SURE to turn your clocks 1 hour AHEAD tonight for Daylight Savings. We will be "springing forward."

Anyway, re-read today's Song Saturday blog, while listening to Henry Cowell's "The Banshee."

Henry Cowell "The Banshee" The Piano Music Of Henry Cowell (1925)

Cartoon Sunday: Bill Tytla's Leprechauns Gold

How's it going lurkers? These next 2 Cartoon Sunday blogs somewhat have creepy tones to them.

Is it just me or does it seem like animated shorts from the 1920's to 1970's had creepier illustrations?

I don't recall of any animated shorts from the 1980's and '90s, especially animated shorts with creepy art illustrations. We had more cutesy illustrations. Otherwise, some looked really generic, abstract, or were just horribly illustrated cartoons.

If there were any animated shorts, that aired on local and cable channels, during the 1980's and '90s, I don't recall of them. Then again, I reached puberty very early in the early 1990's and outgrew MOST of the cartoons and TV shows meant for children. 

Now, here I am in my mid-30's discovering and watching cartoons, again.

We already know there is a stigma to watching animation as an adult. However, there is always a justification for why it is highly acceptable for adults to rush to the movie theaters to go see the latest Disney film.

Regardless of how adult animation elitists want to justify it, most Disney films ARE cartoons in movie form. Disney films are usually sugarcoated and dumbed down content meant for children.

As an adult, I view the characters and stories in animation differently.

Yes, I know those characters are NOT real people. Although, the characters and the stories DO have some "human-like" (also known as anthropomorphic) qualities with more realistic topics.

Bill Tytla's animated shorts somewhat reflect realistic characters with human-like qualities to them. 

Only judging based on 2 of this Ukrainian American animator's shorts, which I have seen, Tytla's works were similar to Ub Iwerks.

Cartoon Sunday: Ub Iwerks' Skeleton Frolics (2016)

Cartoon Sunday: Ub Iwerks' The Skeleton Dance (2016)

Like last October when I featured Ub Iwerks' animated shorts, these next 2 Cartoon Sundays will feature Bill Tytla's animated shorts in the spirit of Saint Patrick's Day. Today we have Bill Tytla's Leprechauns Gold. 

Leprechauns Gold is an Irish themed animated short depicting leprechauns, during their annual gold-washing ceremony. 

They also manage to outsmart an evil landlord, who plots to steal their gold in the process.

Bill Tytla's Leprechauns Gold (1949)

Song Saturday: VNV Nation's Darkangel

How's it going lurkers? It has been nearly 3 years, since I last published a Song Saturday blog featuring the Irish Industrial-Electro duo, VNV Nation.

Song Saturday: VNV Nation {Double Dose} (2014)

Since it is March and because Saint Patrick's Day is just around the corner, these next 2 weekends will have Irish themes to them.

What better way to start today's Song Saturday than with an Irish, Industrial-Electro duo?

Generally speaking, it has been a while, since I last shared a little Industrial-Electro Music on here. It doesn't hurt to switch things up a bit.

As much as I love Rock and Metal, I still love Industrial-Electro Music. Maybe someday, Industrial-Electronica, Industrial Metal, and House Music will make their comebacks here in The Midwest.

This is AS LONG as someone like Rihanna, Katy Perry, or Taylor Swift does NOT  ruin another fun music genre and sub-genre like they already have in the past.

Anyway, to get into the Irish spirit, let's revisit the Irish Industrial-Electro duo, VNV Nation for today's Song Saturday.

VNV Nation "Darkangel" Empires (2000)