Grant Lee

is my favorite male vocalist. I've been addicted to the songs Mobilize, St. Expedite and The Whole Shebang of late.

Ilaria Graziano is my favorite female vocalist. She's to be at Mechacon in Lafayette, LA. I may or may not be going. I hope I can, though; I really do. I would dearly love to meet her; she's one of the few "anime" people I want to meet, although she's accomplished in Italy and not just some fly-by-night anime-soundtrack singer. Pretty much any band or vocalist who works with Yoko Kanno is on my "want to meet" list, as Yoko Kanno may be the best composer of our time. Sorry, anyone who can write techno, classical, and jazz with equal ability has to have my favor. But yes, Ilaria.

I like anime like I like my books: full of ideas. I love writing "duh" lines like that, by the by. Ghost in the Shell is by far the best anime. I love the plots and the characters. The worst episodes are eminently watchable. And anyone who does a retelling of the Patty Hearst story gets props from me. You see, it's an anime for cultured people. Well, not really; there is plenty of T&G (tits and guns) for guys. Unfortunately, those unacquainted with literature, science, history and art cannot fully appreciate the series.

There are quotes and thoughts and plots lifted from newspapers, the Bible, classic American sci-fi short stories, etc. Oh, the J.D. Salinger angle is the one most people will pick up on, since it's mentioned explicitly, but there's much more to it than that. I love that sort of thing. Masamune Shirow is the T.S. Eliot of anime.

The few other anime I still stomach are Cowboy Bebop--which never gets old; Ranma 1/2, because it's a riot; NOIR, because it requires some knowledge of literature (especially European and Russian) to grok in fullness; and GANTZ, because it's so appalling I can't but love it. Evangelion still has a special place, as does LAIN--both written by fellow Cordwainer Smith fans. Anything else can pretty well rot, as far as I'm concerned. Unless it's Miyazaki, but he's in a league of his own.

Anyway, I'm tired of this now. Have fun. Love, peace, and pocket-battleships.