emiliolab

Sure, Twitter is probably a better solution for a short poster such as myself, but I can't forget LJ, especially because I wrote something on my birthday every year.
I can't also forget that nice Perry Bible Fellowship strip, which is still one of the finest (web)comics around:


Oh, and I just entered the big 30s. Be nice to me for the next ten years!

Apparently RH's street date has been broken, and videos of its localization are showing up on YouTube.

While I did expect some kind of translation for some of the songs with lyrics, I did not expect it could turn out like this. The Frog Dance level doesn't sound that bad, but the two Idol levels are surprisingly awful. It's like they forced an amateur singer to do something she didn't want to do at all, and she ends up sounding bored and annoyed, losing much of the energy and catchiness of the original. I'm not sure how this could happen, especially in a first-party title that is usually the definition of polish.

Animation Age Ghetto strikes again!
This time is the turn of the fantabulous Ponyo on the Cliff, which just got released in our theaters, but can only be shown in the afternoon. If you want to watch it later, let's say 9PM, tough luck! As it's "just" a cartoon, and cartoons are for kids™, you're not supposed to see children going to the movies after dinner.
It's a real shame, because this kind of programming will send the movie to die. At least I hope the word-of-mouth will be strong enough to convince most people to watch it anyways. Ponyo is such a feast for the eyes and a huge, beautiful exception in a world of computer-generated animation that seems the only way to go.

I can't wait for Rhythm Heaven to come out. Most of all, I wonder how they'll localize it: as I've been playing the original GBA title and its DS sequel, there are full songs with lyrics and they are, of course, in Japanese, having been written by Tsunku, the man responsible for the J-Pop group sensation, Morning Musume.
As I was browsing YouTube, I stumbled upon some of the songs in the game, performed LIVE, of all things.

• You play as an Idol (the last one) in this level.
• Live version, the song is shorter.

• In this other minigame you are a monkey clapping along with another Idol.
• Live version, those over-excited little girls kinda creep me out.
• This song must be popular even among 5 years old girls with insane drumming skills.

• Unfortunately, I couldn't find a live version of the uber difficult Kero Kero Dance.

Anyway, the game is totally crazy and most of the songs are tremendously catchy. So, get it when it comes out!

While I intend to stay away from Facebook as much as I can, I joined the latest social network thing, Twitter, just to see what the fuss is all about. Let's just hope it won't be a new Animal Crossing (updating like crazy the first few weeks, forgetting about it after a few months). I'm right over here for those interested.

Yet another username/password combination to remember. Thank goodness for Keypass!

Some news from the projects I'm working on:

- The MOTHER 3 Italian Translation is making great progress! I recently uploaded a couple of videos showing what we've done so far.

- Speaking of MOTHER 3: a couple of months ago I published some pictures with yours truly drawing Lucas for the Handbook. Just like most drawings of mine, it all started with a scribble on the back of some notebook when I forced myself to look away from the monitor to relax my eyes. I realized I could improve the thing, which led me to move it to the tablet later at home and start tracing.

Working on the MOTHER 3 Handbook has been a great opportunity to improve my skills, even though I have to do other things for a living. Thanks Fangamer!

- I also created a new wintery layout for Heidi's website. I really like it, it's calm and relaxing. Go Poe!