2019 has been full of terrible happenings and counter-happenings, but here we are now at the 50th San Diego Comic-Con! (Or #SDCC19, if you’re into the brevity thing.) Perhaps owing to the superlatively non-racist good vibes induced by Into The Spider-Verse, the first two days of SDCC have been full of Spider-Man Cosplay. Spider-Man Classic, […]

Amazon Prime has a new show coming soon called Carnival Row.

The series Carnival Row stars Orlando Bloom and Cara Delevingne. The show is set in a Victorian fantasy world filled with an assortment of mythological creatures. Portrayed as immigrants, the creatures have left their exotic homelands due to invasions by humans. The rules are strict and the creatures are forbidden to live and love freely. But, not all humans are bad. Orlando plays Detective Rycroft Philostrate who has a dangerous affair with Vignette Stonemoss, a refugee faerie played by Cara. A string of gruesome murders threatens the peace at The Row. Philostrate works the case while Vignette hides a secret that endangers the human world. 

The show also stars Simon McBurney as Runyan Millworthy, an eccentric traveling showman, David Gyasi as Agreus, a mysteriously wealthy faun who defies social order by moving into an affluent human neighborhood, Tamzin Merchant as Imogen Spurnrose, a young woman looking to turn her family’s fortune around, Andrew Gower as Ezra Spurnrose, a neurotic son who has gambled his father’s fortune away, Karla Crome as Tourmaline, a quick-witted faerie poet driven from her war-torn land, Caroline Ford as Sophie Longerbane, a clever and mysterious young noblewoman, Indira Varma as Piety Breakspear, the regal and cunning matriarch of the family that rules the city of The Burgue, and Jared Harris as Absalom Breakspear, the imperious and secretive Chancellor of The Burgue. 

Carnival Row will be available on Amazon Prime Video August 30th. 

During today’s press conference for Carnival Row, the panel mostly focused on three things: themes, attention to detail, and the personalities they are excited for audiences to see on screen. In attendance was Orlando Bloom, Tamzin Merchant, David Gyasi, writer Travis Beacham, and writer Marc Guggenheim. As we got started, the conversation immediately focused on some of the more timely themes of the show. The show itself is socially relevant, tying in themes of immigration and racism. “The show wrestles with the issues of time, telling the story of the struggles that people are going through, and gives it a human perspective,” says Bloom. One of the things television allows people to do is look at things and discuss those issues. Beacham had a lot to say on the subject — being one of the main writers of the series.

“I think a lot of the problems that we have as a society stem from the fact that we don’t talk to each other anymore. It’s considered rude to discuss politics. As a result, we all have placed ourselves in these bubbles. And the nice thing about art is it can maybe, hopefully, jumpstart some of those conversations. And, having those conversations is ultimately healthy for our society”, added Travis Beacham.

“Storytelling is an act of empathy,” says Guggenheim.

Visually, this show looks amazing with different species and magical creatures flooding the setting of a Victorian-era town. What came up in the discussion was the idea of the attention to detail that the show impresses upon the viewer. “The first time I got excited was when I walked down the Row,” says Bloom, “I was overjoyed to walk down Carnival Row and see the level of detail. It was cool because I don’t think I’ve ever seen this before; jars with animals that have been combined, the potions. I geek out over detail.” It’s a very immersive experience from what the teasers and cast would suggest. It’s big, diverse, and expansive.

Merchant was all about being able to showcase a version of a character that is the opposite of herself. Merchant described her character Imogen as someone who is a bit of a ball buster. “The female characters that we have on the show are all amazing. They are really complex characters and filmed beautifully. Very complex, multifaceted female characters. That’s a treat for me to play,” she says.

Bloom had a different take on his character, Detective Rycroft. “In reality, I wear my heart on my sleeve. It’s nice to embrace that masculinity that’s well balanced with a feminine quality. A quality of openness and empathy,” he states. Gyasi had an interesting perspective where he questions his character’s actions, genuinely wanting to understand how a person does what they do. “I’m interested in hierarchy or class,” he states. “ My character buys the biggest house in the richest area with cash.” It is worth noting that Gyasi’s character is a faun living in a human neighborhood. “How does someone do that,” he exclaims, “and then survive and make a success.” 

We as the audience get to go on the journey with these characters. It should be a fun ride. A show with faeries, magical creatures, forbidden love, detective sleuthing, and timely themes seems like a show we should all get behind. Looking forward to another Orlando Bloom show to add to the collection.

The post #SDCC Exclusive: Faeries, Magical Creatures, and Orlando Bloom in ‘Carnival Row’ appeared first on Black Girl Nerds.

Dragon Ball will have a huge presence at SDCC50. The 2018 Dragon Ball installation was one of the must see off-sites of the convention. We are incredible excited at what Funimation, Bluefin, and Bandai have in store for this year. See below for more details.

Los Angeles, CA – July 12, 2019 Toei Animation Inc. Funimation, a Sony Pictures Television company, and Bluefin, a Bandai Namco group company, revealed today the complete details for the launch of the 2019 Dragon Ball World Adventure at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con including a history-making Guinness World Records attempt on Opening Day of the tour.

Co-sponsored and presented jointly by Bandai and Toei Animation, the 2019 Dragon Ball World Adventure opens on Wednesday July 17 at an expansive installation on the Marriott Marina Terrace at the Marriot Marquis San Diego. The tour will continue throughout San Diego Comic-Con 2019 from July 18 – July 21 and will be open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Following San Diego Comic-Con, the 2019 Dragon Ball World Adventure will travel to seven additional locations around the world including stops in New York City, Mexico City Mexico, Cologne Germany, Barcelona Spain, Shanghai China, Hong Kong China, and Tokyo Japan.

Dragon Ball Guinness World Records Attempt

Come be a part of Dragon Ball and Guinness World Records history! The 2019 Dragon Ball World Adventure will open with a special Guinness World Records attempt to become the largest gathering of people simultaneously performing the iconic Kamehameha super energy attack move.

Fans will gather on Wednesday, July 17 at 3:30 p.m. at the 2019 Dragon Ball World Adventure on the Marriott Marina Terrace at the Marriot Marquis San Diego. The first 1,000 participants to arrive will receive a free Dragon Ball Scouter accessory to wear during the Guinness World Records attempt. The Kamehameha super energy attack move will be led by actor Sean Schemmel, the English voice of Dragon Ball character Goku. Guinness World Records will be onsite to supervise and validate the record attempt.

Dragon Ball World Adventure Displays

Dive into the world of Dragon Ball with an expansive collection of multi-faceted interactive installations will delight fans and attendees. Catch interactive kiosks featuring the latest Dragon Ball video game titles from Bandai Namco Entertainment, including Dragon Ball Z Kakarot, Dragon Ball Z Fighter, Dragon Ball Legends, and Dragon Ball Z Dokkan Battle.

Dragon Ball Animated GIF Photo Booth

Capture your visit to 2019 Dragon Ball World Adventure with a unique and shareable complimentary memento. Head to the Dragon Ball Animated GIF Photo Booth, select your favorite background and pose for a series of photos that will be stitched together and delivered to you as a looping animated gif that can be shared directly with friends and family and/or posted to a variety of social media channels.

Dragon Ball Collectibles & Exclusives On display will be a wide array of S.H.Figuarts event exclusives and special Dragon Ball products from leading Bandai brands including Tamashii Nations, Shokugan, and Banpresto. Event exclusives will be available to purchase at the Tamashii Nations Booth #3545 inside the Comic-Con Main Hall and require an exclusive merchandise time slot issued by San Diego Comic-Con to purchase.

Dragon Ball Sticker Rally

Join the Dragon Ball Sticker Rally and collect stickers at each attraction inside the Dragon Ball World Adventure. Stickers may be redeemed for free premiums including Dragon Ball wristbands, posters, lanyards, stickers, fans and Saiyan Hair Set headbands. In addition, all tour guests will receive an exclusive 2019 Dragon Ball World Adventure oversized swag bag to use to carry all of their Comic-Con purchases.

For additional information on the 2019 Dragon Ball World Adventure including tour dates by location, please visit www.db-tour.com.

About Toei Animation Inc.

Based in Los Angeles, Toei Animation Inc. manages the film distribution of Toei’s top properties, including Dragon Ball all series, Sailor Moon, One Piece, Digimon series, Saint Seiya, and many others to North America, Latin America, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. Toei Animation Los Angeles office further handles all categories of consumer product licensing based on its film and television brands within these territories. For more information, please visit toei-animation-usa.com.

About Funimation Funimation, a subsidiary of Sony Pictures Television, is the go-to destination for extraordinary anime. By combining its integrated in-house studios along with its technology and distribution partnerships, Funimation leads the industry with its omnichannel approach to offering anime to fans – from streaming and home entertainment, to theatrical distribution and broadcast television. The company’s next generation streaming service, FunimationNow, provides subscribers with instant access to their favorite sub and dub shows in ad-free HD on the widest array of devices and platforms—from smartphones and tablets to TVs and gaming consoles. For more information about Funimation, visit funimation.com.

About Bluefin

Bluefin is a leading master and channel distributor of Japanese toys, collectibles, novelty and hobby products. The company’s extensive product line features a diverse and continually expanding catalog of high quality and popular collectibles from Asia. As a Bandai Namco group company, Bluefin distributes products in the U.S. for Bandai Tamashii Nations, Hobby and Shokugan. The company’s array of brand offerings also includes products from Storm Collectibles, Mr. Hobby/GSI, SEN-TI-NEL and Flame Toys, for which the company is the North American exclusive distributor. Bluefin is also the official North American consumer products and retail development partner for Studio Ghibli. Additional company information is available at: https://bluefinbrands.com/

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