Wednesday, April 2, 2025

Anime Hype: Devil May Cry, Lazarus, Anime Riverside, MLB Anime: Heroes of the Game & More

 

Devil May Cry premieres April 3 on Netflix.

Lazarus premieres April 4th @ midnight on Toonami on Adult Swim, next day on Max. From the Cowboy Bebop creator, people are looking forward to it.

Anime Riverside is on the horizon happening May 31st-June 1st. We've talked about it quite a few times praising it as a great way to ease you into the bigger cons of the Summer. We also love the ease of downtown Riverside, park not too far away and just grab food right outside of the convention at regular prices. Some places even have deals if you show your badge. Plenty of cosplay, voice actors and of course, nonsense anime wrestling.

MLB Anime: Heroes of the Game is an actual promotional piece for Major League Baseball in America. Anime has gotten so mainstream.

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WonderCon 2025 Cosplay Highlights

 

Just a few highlights of the cosplay from this year's WonderCon.

Squirrel Girl from Marvel was easily the most worn costume at the con. We must have seen one pass us by somewhere at the con every ten minutes. They skitted around so much, it was so hard to get pictures of all of them. G-d did we want to buy a big bag of nuts and do the worst skits possible trying to get them on video.

As has been happening for a while now, 'Deadpool" checked out the other cosplayers at WonderCon too.

It's getting a little too Indy at WonderCon

*Hope you make it to the sexy minion below.

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Is that a banana in your pocket or you happy to see me?
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Weekly What To Do: It Wasn't Me, It Was The Easter Bunny! The Easter Bunny!

APRIL 3–6
Eastside venues across Los Angeles
 $20 - Individual film screenings 
$30 - Individual tickets to Opening & Closing Night, and Special Screenings
$30 - Individual tickets to Talks
or just buys a film pass
 
It's pure weird, sanctimonious, overpriced and a smaller-get-together with quite a strange selection. It's LA up the wahzoo and perfect for the cinephile who wants to both talk real, but escape talking so real. In other words, it's a LA Film Festival. Oh, man we wanted to see Happyend, but it's already sold out! Actually, quite a few are already sold out, sheesh.

Walt Disney Concert Hall
$$

Sound the bells! World-renowned icons reunite for an evening of film-music favorites and a cello concerto.

 
Walt Disney Concert Hall
$$

Experience a thrilling world of wizards, Jedis, and dinosaurs with John Williams’ iconic music and specially edited film clips!

 
For eight days and nights, we showcase more than 130 entrants from 15+ countries including features, shorts, documentaries, music videos, animation and web series. 

   
The Alamo presents Secret Mall Apartment, a fascinating documentary that opens for a limited run on Thu. 4/3. The film chronicles the story of eight Rhode Island artists who, in 2003, covertly built and lived in a hidden apartment inside Providence Place Mall for four years. They furnished the space, tapped into the mall’s electricity, and smuggled in over two tons of cinderblock to construct walls—all while documenting their experience. Director Jeremy Workman will appear for live Q&As following the first two screenings on Thu. 4/3 and Fri. 4/4.
 
Coachella for a Dying Boy
April 3 @ 10:00 pm - 11:15 pm
Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre 
5919 Franklin Avenue, Los Angeles, CA
$10
 
It’s that special time of the year again. Time to dust off the ol’ flower crown and culturally-appropriative club wear. Yes, it’s festival season, and everyone is excited for Coachella, SoCal’s favorite 120 degree festival of the year!
 
Friday, April 4, 5–10 pm
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
900 Exposition Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90007
Cost: $20 Non-members | Free for Members

Discussion hosted by Dr. Yewande Pearse with guest speaker Jeff Rice.
Pop-ups by PayRay and Amoeba Music. 
Creative Station by Nova Community Arts.

 
Actor and star Paul Walter Hauser will appear in person at Landmark's Nuart Theatre on Friday, April 4 for a Q&A after the 7:00pm show!

Based on a true story, THE LUCKIEST MAN IN AMERICA is set in May 1984, when an unemployed ice cream truck driver from Ohio (Paul Walter Hauser) steps onto the game show Press Your Luck harboring a big secret: the key to endless amounts of money. His winning streak is threatened when the bewildered executives in the control room start to uncover his real motivations.
 
 
Opening Reception:
Saturday, April 5th 6-10pm
NUNO VIEGAS
Storybook
KEVIN PETERSON
Mist
WANG YALONG
Beyond the Stars
THINKSPACE PROJECTS
4217 W. Jefferson Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
April 5, 2025 - April 13, 2025
Reception / Apr 5, 5:00PM - 8:00PM
NUCLEUS
210 East Main St
Alhambra CA 91801
Free

In 2004, visionary director Masaaki Yuasa unleashed his first feature film, Mind Game—a wild, genre-defying masterpiece of animation. Now, two decades later, we're honoring its 20th Anniversary with an extraordinary exhibition, showcasing a rare selection of original animation drawings and stunning background paintings. Don't miss this rare opportunity to own a piece of animation history!
 
 

Sun Apr 6, 2025 2:00 PM - 8:30 PM
319 E. 2nd St. Los Angeles, CA, 90012 
$$

Get Ready for a BRAND NEW and REINVENTED AKIBA LIVE!Alongside our long-time talents such as Asayoru and Hamu Cotton, we will also have returning guests Super Melody, and two virtual talents Kou Mariya and Shabel Tonya from BRAVE group! And we're also welcoming a newly added talent joining us for the first time – Aquarius!

 
 
 
 
 
 
Apr 6–Oct 19, 2025
Resnick Pavilion 
LACMA Admission

An examination of the innovations in calligraphic art, Line, Form, Qi: Calligraphic Art from the Fondation INK Collection highlights experimental works of modern and contemporary calligraphic art.
 
Sunday, April 6 | Noon – 4 p.m.
1200 block of Third Street Promenade, Santa Monica
Free, but registration is encouraged
 
Families will have the chance to stop by the Easter Bunny’s festive photo station to capture special holiday moments (photos available first-come, first-served, max two per group.) Plus, guests will enjoy craft stations, face painting, balloon artists, stilt walkers, chalk drawing, giveaways from local businesses and thousands of filled eggs!
 
 
 
 
 
Connecting Hollywood, East Hollywood, Melrose Hill, and Koreatown
Free

On Sunday, April 6; between 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. CicLAvia will celebrate its 59th car-free open streets event catalyzing vibrant public spaces, active transportation and good health through car-free streets. CicLAvia—Koreatown meets Hollywood connects Hollywood, East Hollywood, Melrose Hill, and Koreatown, welcoming everyone of all ages and abilities to enjoy this day-long 4.75-mile pop-up park. You can enjoy the day f with your favorite people-powered way, whether that's walking, jogging, biking, roller skating, skating, or simply spectating. Always free, CicLAvia participants can show up anywhere along the route between 9am-4pm to enjoy the open streets, take the time to explore, and see where the day takes you.
 
Extra:
 
Free Hours at the Autry
Every Tuesday and Wednesday from 1-4 p.m.
Update: During this Wildfire season, The Autry closes off, please check day of event

Let the Autry cover your next visit with Free Hours at the Autry. Every Tuesday and Wednesday from 1-4 p.m. will be free to all Autry visitors. Enjoy access to all the Autry's exhibitions including Imagined Wests, Reclaiming El Camino and more by reserving your spot today!
 

Thanks to the generous support of the Autry Foundation, Free Hours at the Autry* are every Tuesday and Wednesday from 1-4 p.m.
 
UCB, a cheapo comedy show almost every night, see comedians before they make podcasts and have
stories about the UCB and before they hit the big time.
 


American Cinematheque-A celebrated independent theater group that brings both the talent and catalog of films to make for some of LA's best movie nights.
 

Street Food Cinema-Outdoor cult or recent hits you'll love.

Check out classics and cult movies just a few stories above street level. Rooftop Movies at The MontalbΓ‘n.


 New Bev-Tarantino owned independent theater with old school style

Cinelounge - Hollywood based tiny theater, showing off indies you've never heard of
 
Brain Dead Studios-manages to fill its schedule almost every night
611 N Fairfax Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036
 
Vidiots -A one-of-a-kind hub for film lovers, filmmakers, and everyone curious about cinema. A small theater is more than made-up for with the constant content and special screenings.
4884 Eagle Rock Blvd
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Tuesday, April 1, 2025

Everything Fine

Everything Fine. There's nothing else to report this week. No news or upcoming events in LA. All IS WELL.

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Monday, March 31, 2025

Game Hype: Marvel Cosmic Invasion, Spilled!Patapon 1+2 Replay, Game Informer Back? & More

 
Oh, sweet. From Dotemu and Tribute Games who gave us Shredder's Revenge. They honestly look like they got sprites from an unreleased Capcom game.
 
 
Spilled! Quick Review
 
Talk about cozy while being eco-friendly, did we just travel back to the 90's. Spilled! is a cute, cheap, short game to remind you that there's something called recycling...oh and that the world has a lot of oil spills, eesh. But, ya know, you can fix it. You'll be saving the world as a cute little boat, not out for Jaws and some sort of revenge against a whale, but to clean up all the spills.
 
You're little vessel of cleaning joy clears the ocean/waters hitting you with that sweet, sweet dopamine to the brain when an area is once again not a toxic hazard to life as we know it. You earn coins for all the cleaning and putting it into your tiny water-bearing ship. Along the short game cycle you'll travel to cute spots, gaining new powers and rescuing animals. Some of which who seemingly would not be in open water, making it troubling to ponder how they got there.
 
The games not about that though, it's just a quick swim through various well made areas you gotta clean up to feel like you've done a little something to save Mother Earth. A game worthy of grabbing for a short romp and reminds us all to just put stuff in the blue bin.
 
Spilled! is out now
 
Welcome back from the dead.
 
 
Game Informer is back with possibly the greatest deal for a gaming mag in modern times. Full staff, raises and full control on what they want to write about. The print edition is coming back too.

Welcome back from the dead.
 
 

 Elsewhere Electric intrigues us as you can help someone in VR on your smart device/ computer?

Mother Machine is out now on Steam.

"Climb, jump, and explore alien caves full of emergent surprises in this 1-4 player co-op action-rpg platformer. Customize your cute chaos gremlin with a never-ending appetite for adventure & mayhem! Unlock a vast range of mutations to choose your preferred playstyle and role in a group."
 

Deliver At All Costs is set for delivery on May 22nd and looks like a dumb fun game to get lost in this Spring.


 

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Sunday, March 30, 2025

Drop Marketing

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Saturday, March 29, 2025

Celebrate the Year of the Snake with Sapporo!

By Eric Harris


Animated projection lights up the Far East Building in Little Tokyo during Sapporo's Year of the Snake event.
Sapporo U.S.A. debuts its Year of the Snake Light Show—an animated projection on the historic Far East Building in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles, on March 20, 2025. Photos by Eric Harris / TTDILA.



Feel the taiko drums echoing through Little Tokyo—an unmistakable sign that something extraordinary is underway! To celebrate the Year of the Snake, Sapporo U.S.A. has released limited-edition packaging on select products, and for the first time in its 148-year history, Sapporo’s iconic 22-ounce steel beer can features custom artwork by a collaborative creator. Experimenting with a classic brand is always tricky business, and Sapporo made a bold choice with Tokyo Hiro, a world-renowned tattoo artist who is known for his unique “east-meets-west” fusion of Japanese motifs, American culture, and modern aesthetics.

Tokyo Hiro’s intricate artwork adorns Sapporo's steel beer can with Year of the Snake design.
The limited-edition Year of the Snake 22-ounce steel beer can featuring artwork by Tokyo Hiro.

In partnership with the Little Tokyo Community Council, Sapporo showcased its artwork at its Year of the Snake Celebration featuring a dazzling Year of the Snake-themed animated light show. The show illuminated the historic Far East Building, famed for its neon “Chop Suey” sign. Inside Far Bar, guests were immersed in Tokyo Hiro’s Year of the Snake artwork, complemented by video vignettes that celebrated Little Tokyo and the rich heritage of the Japanese American community. Hiro’s designs adorned a variety of items, including limited-edition Sapporo cans, cardboard packaging, signed prints, and even a custom-designed guitar.

A lively crowd gathers on Far Bar’s outdoor alley patio, enjoying refreshments amid string lights and paper lanterns.
Guests enjoy food and beverages in Far Bar’s cozy outdoor alley patio.

Hiro has an interesting back story. He was born and raised in Japan where visible tattoos are, to-this-day, considered taboo. He traces the origins of his unique artistic style to a tattoo he received from a classmate at the age of 14 which ended Hiro’s aspirations of being a professional baseball player. Much like a Japanese version of Spider-man, with powers derived from a crude “stick and poke” tattoo rather than of a radioactive spider bite, Hiro reinvented himself and moved to Los Angeles to perfect his craft.

A group of taiko drummers perform in Little Tokyo, delivering powerful rhythms at Sapporo’s celebration.
Taiko drummers energize the crowd at Sapporo’s Year of the Snake celebration.

Tokyo Hiro's Year of the Snake artwork includes eight peony flowers and a pair of wood snakes encircling the Sapporo star. According to Hiro, the peony flowers represent good luck, while the snakes signify balance, with one snake’s mouth depicted open and the other closed symbolizing the end of one year and the beginning of a new year. The design is notable because snakes are much less common in traditional Japanese art than their dragon brethren. 

Tokyo Hiro’s Year of the Snake artwork printed on fine art paper and signed by the artist.
A fine art print of Tokyo Hiro’s Year of the Snake design on display.

The highlight of Sapporo's limited-edition Year of the Snake collection is the 22-ounce steel beer can. Sapporo’s steel can is an iconic example of industrial design. Unlike the lightweight aluminum used for most modern beer cans, Sapporo’s steel can offers a sturdier construction with a distinctive heft and tactile appeal. Its tall, tapered pint glass shape, complemented by structural ridges, creates an elegant yet robust profile. The darker, subtler finish of steel adds visual depth, contrasting with the shinier look of aluminum. Tokyo Hiro’s intricate wood snake artwork wraps fluidly around the can’s complex curves, achieving an aesthetic that would be challenging—if not impossible—on conventional tubular designs. The result is a visually striking can and an instant conversation starter. 

Sapporo's iconic steel beer can, featuring Tokyo Hiro’s wood snake design, photographed in profile.
Side profile of the limited-edition Year of the Snake 22-ounce steel beer can by Sapporo.

So, if you find yourself in Little Tokyo during the Year of the Snake, or anywhere for that matter and you hear the siren call of the taiko drums in your heart, belly up to the bar and order a Sapporo beer in the 22-ounce steel beer can. Only the can. Whether you reconnect with old friends or make new ones, trust in Sapporo, remember the can, and believe in the snake. 

Sapporo promotional vehicles with illuminated signs drive through Little Tokyo, featuring the slogan "Fortune Favors Great Taste" prominently displayed.
Promotional vehicles parade through Los Angeles streets, showcasing Sapporo's slogan, "Fortune Favors Great Taste."


Location
Far Bar
347 East 1st Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Parking
Public parking nearby

Hours
Monday–Thursday
3 pm–12 am

Friday–Saturday
12 pm–1:30 am

Sunday
12 pm–12 am

Happy Hour
Monday–Friday
3 pm–6 pm

Contact
https://www.farbarla.com/
[email protected]
(213) 617-9990


Gallery



Taiko drummers deliver a dynamic performance on the streets of Little Tokyo during Sapporo’s Year of the Snake celebration.
Taiko drummers captivate the crowd at Sapporo’s Year of the Snake celebration.

A group of Taiko drummers perform on the streets of Little Tokyo at Sapporo’s Year of the Snake celebration in Little Tokyo, surrounded by an enthusiastic crowd.
Taiko drummers infuse Little Tokyo’s historic streets with energy and tradition at Sapporo’s celebration.

Event guests queue for photos at Sapporo's branded Step and Repeat backdrop in the Far Bar alley.
Attendees line up at Sapporo’s Step and Repeat station in Far Bar’s outdoor alley patio.

Sapporo's Year of the Snake aluminum beer cup featuring colorful, snake-inspired designs.
The limited-edition Sapporo Year of the Snake aluminum beer cup.

Promotional items featuring Tokyo Hiro’s Year of the Snake artwork, including custom guitar and cooler.
Sapporo promotional materials adorned with Tokyo Hiro’s exclusive Year of the Snake artwork.

Sapporo’s Year of the Snake beer pack designs featuring vibrant snake motifs on cardboard packaging.
Limited-edition six-pack and twelve-pack packaging from Sapporo’s Year of the Snake collection.

A close-up shot of the intricate snake head design featured on Sapporo’s limited-edition Year of the Snake 22-ounce steel beer can.
Close-up detail of a wood snake on Sapporo's limited-edition 22-ounce steel beer can.

Dimly lit alley with brick walls leads to Far Bar’s outdoor patio in Little Tokyo.
The alleyway leading to Far Bar’s outdoor patio in Little Tokyo.

Neon "Chop Suey" sign glows brightly on the historic Far East Building in Little Tokyo.
Far East Building’s illuminated “Chop Suey” sign.

The "Far East" neon sign shines in Little Tokyo.
Far East Building’s illuminated “Far East” sign.

The historic Far East Building in Los Angeles, located in Little Tokyo.
The historic Far East Building in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles, California.

Robert Vargas’s colorful mural of Shohei Ohtani displayed on a wall of the Miyako Hotel in Little Tokyo.
Robert Vargas’s Shohei Ohtani mural in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles, California.

Sapporo’s promotional vehicles travel along East 1st Street in Little Tokyo, prominently displaying the slogan “Fortune Favors Great Taste” as part of the Year of the Snake theme.
Promotional vehicles drive through Little Tokyo, showcasing Sapporo’s slogan, "Fortune Favors Great Taste."

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Location: 347 1st St, Los Angeles, CA 90012, USA
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