Download of the Day: Ayakashi

Ayakashi also known as Ayakashi~ Japanese Classic Horror, is an 11-episode anime series produced by Toei Animation. The series is a collection of three classic Japanese horror stories: Yotsuya Kaidan, Tenshu Monogatari, and Bake Neko. The first two stories were based on existing Japanese plays, whereas Bake Neko is an original story. Each arc not only tells a completely different story from the other, the art style and animation also differ dramatically.

Download: Yotsuya Kidan Episode 1 .rar file {.rmvb file + pdf }
NEW: Episode 2

Yotsuya Kaidan [spoiler!] is a retelling of the classic Japanese ghost story, written by the 18th century kabuki playwright Tsuruya Nanboku. In the anime, Nanboku himself becomes the narrator. Tamiya Iemon is a ronin who marries a beautiful woman named Oiwa. Oiwa is happy with her married life and the birth of their child, but Iemon feels the burden of their poverty. In return for the promise of a job by a rich man, Iemon promises to marry the man's daughter and conspires to murder his own wife. A servant is ordered by the rich man's daughter to poison Oiwa's food which permanently disfigures her face. Iemon then orders his servant to kill her after having his way with her. Oiwa commits suicide after coming to know of Iemon's treachery. The servant is also killed, and along with the dead Oiwa, is nailed to a piece of wooden board and tossed into the river. After Oiwa's death, Iemon marries the rich man's daughter, as promised. But Oiwa's vengeful spirit could not rest in peace, and she lays a curse on everyone involved with her demise. One by one, Oiwa's enemies die a horrible death, including the rich man and her daughter, and Iemon is plagued by visions of Oiwa's ghost.


-B

Afro Samurai

Happy Valentines Day. To show how much I care, here is a limited edition download of all the important Afro Samurai stuff I could find on the net. Enjoi.

Afro Samurai Episode 1 [megaupload]
Afro Samurai Episode 2 [megaupload]
Afro Samurai Episode 3 [megaupload]
Afro Samurai Episode 4 [megaupload]
Afro Samurai Episode 5 [megaupload]

Afro Samurai OST [rapidshare]

Stephen Marley's Debut Album

That's right, despite being 100% visible in most every Marley family musical venture, Stephen Marley has yet to release an official solo album. Just so i won't have to bite off of some other sites, check the links downstairs
-B

Links: allhiphop.com | MySpace
Download: "Traffic Jam" (feat. Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley)
[pc, right-click; mac, 'alt'+click]
Got Music EP

EVIL TV: One More Reason to Support PBS

I'll admit that I don't watch PBS like I should seeing as how I'm in full support of it, but now I have another excuse to tune in other than Tavis Smiley.

Filmmaker Byron Hurt takes in-depth look at manhood, sexism and homophobia in Hip-Hop music and culture. The program features interviews with Mos Def, Chuck D, Busta Rhymes and Russell Simmons.

The film, which premiered at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival, airs on the Emmy Award-winning INDEPENDENT LENS, hosted by Terrence Howard, on Tuesday, February 20, 2007, 10:00-11:00 p.m. ET (check local listings) on PBS.
-B

Links: PBS

EVIL MOVIES: Production IG Releases 3 Ghost in the Shell Movies

Production IG is scheduled to release three new Ghost in the Shell movies. The first two, are mash-ups of the first two seasons of the TV series with new footage included.

For the uninitiated, Stand Alone Complex (S.A.C) takes place in a fictional city of Japan called "Niihama-shi" (New Port City) in the year 2030 and tells the story of a special operations task-force called Public Security Section 9, or simply "Section 9". Public Security Section 9 is an elite domestic anti-crime unit charged with the task of preemptive prevention of technology-related acts of terrorism and crime. Their duties include response to serious cyber crimes (i.e. cyberbrain hacking, cyber-terrorism), investigation of unlawful acts of those in public office and of high profile murder cases. From time to time they also serve as protection to foreign VIPs.

Stand Alone Complex follows a completely separate storyline from Mamoru Oshii's theatrical film adaptations. The TV series differs from the cinema adaptation in its focus upon issues created by the advance of technology. Instead of the intensely focused and personal examination of technology, what is presented is a look at society and technology as a larger whole.

The first movie, entitled "The Laughing Man",the exploits of Section 9's agents who range from ex-military to ex-police to even ex-mafia as they address each case and how it affects them on a personal level, eventually leading to the mysterious figure dubbed by the media as "The Laughing Man". The idea was based on an incident that happened in 1984.

The second movie, "The Individual Eleven", picks up six months after the "Laughing Man Incident" was solved. About 3 million refugees are living in Japan, invited to fill the labour shortage. However, the emergent presence of the invited-refugees intensified their confrontation with the "Individualists", who called for national isolation, which then led to the increased incidences of terrorist attacks. Under these circumstances, a terrorist group called the Individual Eleven carries out a suicide attack. But there was a greater scheme behind their action. When Section 9 learns this, they attempt to nail down the mastermind of the incident. The movie focuses more on the relationship between Motoko and Kuze.

The third movie, which is completely new, was released earlier this year in Japan and is called "Solid State Society". It has been two years since Motoko Kusanagi left Section 9. Togusa is now the new leader of the team, that has considerably increased its appointed personnel. The expanded new Section 9 confronts a rash of complicated incidents, and investigations reveal that an ultra-wizard hacker named the Puppeteer is behind the entire series of events. In the midst of all, Batou, who was stalking the case on a separate track, encounters Motoko. She goes away after saying, "Stay away from the Solid State Society." Batou is left with a doubt in his mind. Could Motoko be the the Puppeteer?

Directed by Kenji Kamiyama and with the participation of the same staff from the popular series, this full-length 105 minute feature has required an unprecedented budget of 3.2 million dollars.

All three movies were released earlier this year in Japan and are due out in North America tentavely in 2007.
-B

Links: Production I.G. | GITS:SAC movie trailers

Further Reading: GitS philosophy (what is the stand alone complex?)

EVIL ART: Gorillaz Take South Bank

In case you missed it, Gorillaz are retiring, but not without a last 'huzzah!'. The autobiography, Rise Of The Ogre was just released, and co-creator and illustrator/designer Jaime Hewlett was named Designer of the Year in January for all Gorillaz apperances such as the Gorillaz website, music videos, and the 2006 Grammys Performance with De La Soul and Madonna.

To coincide with this, some Gorillaz artwork will be showcased at London's South Bank. Shows of Hewlett's creations will be shown around the Royal Festival Hall until February.
-B

EVIL NEWS: 12 Students Expelled for Fight Planned on MySpace

Twelve students have been charged with mob action after a fight that happened at Edwardsville High School in Edwardsville, Ill. The twelve seniors have been expelled just twelve days before graduation. According to officials, the fight, which occured on November 9th, was discussed on MySpace.
-B

INFO: Chicago Tribune

EVIL NEWS: Looking For the Perfect Beat

Mark Paris for The New York Times

No this ain't a clip from Beat Street. This picture was taken this month. This month in 2006. This is the poster for wanting to stand out in a world full of all-over-print tees and full zip-up hoodies. These Retro Kids take it back to the last level finding deals at thrift stores and dropping mad money for sneakers, chains, and cross-colors. For them this is everyday.
-B

INFO: NY Times

EVIL MUSIC: 100% Homegrown 11.27.06

BBC's 1xtra releases a podcast every Monday that showcases talent straight from the UK.

This week Ace and Invisible hold it down with straight hip-hop, grime, and a little dancehall for your MP3 player. Get it now on iTunes.

Catch Ace & Vis weekdays from 4pm (11et/8pt am in America), only on 1Xtra.
-B

Links: Ace & Vis | 100% Homegrown

EVIL MUSIC: New Bounty Killer

MICHAEL JACKSON BROUGHT YOU THRILLA...!

Bounty Killer has inked a deal with VP records following in the footsteps of his protégé Elephant Man and is due to release two albums. First is a full length Alliance album early 2007 including Alliance veterans Bounty Killer, Elephant Man, Wayne Marshall, Vybz Kartel, and freshmen Movado, Busy Signal, Aidonia, and Bling Dawg. In the summer, Bounky Killer is set to release a solo album, breaking his three year absence.
-B

Links: Big Up Radio | BBC TXU: VP Records | 1Xtra Vault: Dancehall interviews

NOTE: I plan to add the rest of the links later. Stay tuned.