Animated Anthologies are Rare, But When You Find One, Let Bliss Beyond The Edge of Time Sail You Away …. You Won’t Regret It

Although there’s no confirmation which distributor will pick up Bliss Beyond the Edge of Time for the North American market, this anthology is a must see for those who love thought provoking animation cinema!

Bliss Beyond the Edge of Time Movie Poster
Played at Fantasia Film Festival July 25, 2026 at the Auditorium des diplômés de la SGWU

Spoiler Alert

Bliss Beyond The Edge of Time is a colourful animated anthology that aims to deliver a powerful set of stories about the state of humanity. To paraphrase the official synopsis, the film draws inspiration from six of the I Ching’s 64 hexagrams, also known as the “Book of Changes.” It brings together six original animated shorts that are not simple at all. Here, memories can be erased, identities rewritten and fate re-engineered. The nature of humanity is well explored in context to work which functions as a tool for divination.

The six symbols explored are ䷗, ䷝, ䷑, ䷋, ䷘ and ䷣. Presented in that order, they can be interpreted as Return, Illumination or Fire, Decay, Stagnation, Innocence and The Darkening of the Light. With the last hexagram, not even the most dedicated can decipher what portent it brings if cast. At its heart, this glyph concerns protecting or concealing one’s inner light when faced with a hostile system. Within the context of science fiction, that idea can also extend to suppressed memories, forbidden knowledge and people hiding parts of themselves from systems that aren’t ready to accept them.

Continue reading “Animated Anthologies are Rare, But When You Find One, Let Bliss Beyond The Edge of Time Sail You Away …. You Won’t Regret It”

At Fan Expo Canada, There’s Gonna Be A Rock And Rule Reunion! Will There Be Surprises?

…. and the book that’s also out to reveal the behind the scenes of the production is there to preserve that special piece of animated Canadiana punk rock history! It’ll only complement what’s said during the Rock and Rule Reunion.

rock and rule reunion behind the scenesThis year, FAN EXPO Canada is hosting a prime time Saturday reunion panel and special screening of Nelvana’s 1983 animated cult classic, and yes this is Rock And Rule reunion that won’t be visiting other events. It’s a one-off special event that also includes a screening of the classic.

And Verne Andru, credited on the film as Verne Andrusiek, will take the stage alongside director Clive Smith and fellow Nelvana co-founders Michael Hirsh and Patrick Loubert to talk about this unique piece of animated history, and for Hirsh, he will have his new memoir, Animation Nation: How We Built a Cartoon Empire, ready, and Loubert’s appearance is being billed as a rare, historic one. Even Andru’s new book, Rock & Rule Behind The Scenes, is ready to dive into the history of, and serve as an archive for those long-time fans.

Continue reading “At Fan Expo Canada, There’s Gonna Be A Rock And Rule Reunion! Will There Be Surprises?”

I Am What I Am 2, Does Changing The Title To The Kung Fu Kid Hit Harder When ‘A’ Isn’t Used?

Well Go USA’s The Kung Fu Kid is actually I Am What I Am 2 (雄狮少年2), although neither the original title nor its status as a sequel is acknowledged. The film works as a standalone, but is altogether more powerful when Liu Jiajuan’s earlier life in the village is taken into account.

The Kung Fu Kid (I Am What I Am 2)Well Go USA
Now Streaming on Digital
Coming to Home Video on Sept 15

Fans of the Chinese animated film I Am What I Am (雄狮少年) may well be confused by the executive decision to release the second film in North America as The Kung Fu Kid. My theory is that some board of distributors believes a new and familiar-sounding title will draw in viewers who don’t know the franchise. As a standalone movie, it works, and newcomers may never realise they’re watching a sequel. But without knowledge of the first film, some of Liu “Gyun” Jiajuan’s motivations and character development are going to be lost.

That’s particularly noticeable because I Am What I Am 2 directly continues his story. The first film doesn’t magically solve this lad’s problems after the lion-dance competition. He still has to face reality, and that leads him to Shanghai, where earning money to help pay for his father’s medical treatment becomes one of his primary concerns. Strangely, according to China Daily, his name has become Ajuan, which can lead to momentary confusion.

Continue reading “I Am What I Am 2, Does Changing The Title To The Kung Fu Kid Hit Harder When ‘A’ Isn’t Used?”

CREATORVC’s Next Idea: Icons of Anime, Is It Too Late To Provide Your 5cents?

The upcoming Icons of Anime documentary from CREATORVC wants to explore how anime grew into a cultural force in the West. But with decades of academic study, fan history and projects like The Anime Business already covering the territory, finding a fresh perspective may be its biggest challenge.

Icons of Anime MOCKUP
Artwork not final

Anyone on social media or who has supported a project from CREATORVC before may have gotten the news. And if you haven’t heard about Icons of Anime, their next project, there’s not much to get excited about. Quite frankly, they are showing up late. While there are various studies about the fandom from various perspectives, to stand out really means finding something new that hasn’t been done before. Although the survey page is still active, maybe it’s not too late to contribute. Recent podcasts show they are enthusiastic, and Tim Eldred really hopes this can be made.

In the 90s, I had the good fortune to volunteer at a conference and get my education that way. Organized by the Centre for Asia-Pacific Initiatives (CAPI), New Culture for the Masses: The Universal Appeal and Global Reach of Japanese Popular Culture was considered one of the first major academic conferences of its kind focused strictly on modern Japanese pop culture. There were guest lectures examining how various aspects of Japanese media were making a significant impact in the West, and we weren’t restricted to anime.

Continue reading “CREATORVC’s Next Idea: Icons of Anime, Is It Too Late To Provide Your 5cents?”

Fists, Fangs, and Fantasia: God Skin Delivers an Insane Take on AR Fighting

MMA collides with augmented reality in God Skin, a Thai action film where underground fighters unleash animal-based abilities inside a technologically enhanced arena.

God Skin Movie PosterWhen a movie such as God Skin (หมัดเทวา ท้าเดิมพัน) gets to make its world premiere at Fantasia Film Festival ahead of its own native release in Thailand, I hope what’s presented is more closer to what director Paween Purijitpanya wanted than the workprint I examined ahead of time. And for a proper North American distribution, I can’t wait to see what the final print will look like. That kind of stuff can’t be rushed, especially when the homage to many fighting games are key to this film.

There’s a lot to pack into this action-video game cum MMA movie, so expectations are high. And although there’s a story behind why people are participating in this combat sport, what I was more attracted to is what this movie delivers as theories on how augmented reality fighting games should really look when the right technology is available.

Continue reading “Fists, Fangs, and Fantasia: God Skin Delivers an Insane Take on AR Fighting”

Aachi and Ssipak, Now Playing on Darkroom! Don’t Let This Punk Rock Epic Slide Away

In a dystopian city where human waste is the only remaining energy source, Aachi and Ssipak are two street-smart thugs get caught in a chaotic, ultra-violent turf war between the government, mutated addicts, and a girl with a new-found power everyone wants

Aachi and Ssipak Title Card
Also available to stream on Crunchyroll and Apple TV+

Now playing on the streaming platform Darkroom is Aachi and Ssipak, and this action film is sure to cause some waves. Directed by Jo Beom-jin and originally released in 2006, what’s special about it is its cult status and that this release arrives just in time to honour its 20th anniversary! Since it’s highly regarded for its punk rock roots and over-the-top action sequences, yes, it’s on the must see list for the weekend! Just be warned, this work is not made for kids to watch.

And best of all, this service is affordable. Memberships are only $2.99.

Synopsis:

In a dystopian future where all natural resources have been depleted, human waste has become the city’s sole source of energy. To maximize energy production, the government incentivizes defecation by rewarding citizens with “Hard” – which are highly addictive, hallucinogenic popsicles. Before long, a group of mutated outcasts known as the “Bojagi Gang” emerges. Having lost their ability to defecate due to severe “Hard” addiction, they are brutally exiled from the city for being “unproductive.”

Continue reading “Aachi and Ssipak, Now Playing on Darkroom! Don’t Let This Punk Rock Epic Slide Away”