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https://blackgirlnerds.com/the-proud-family-louder-and-prouder-premieres-feb-23rd/
Disney+ announced today the February 23 premiere date for The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder, the highly-anticipated revival of the groundbreaking Disney Channel series, “The Proud Family.” Featuring an all-star celebrity cast, new episodes will debut Wednesdays on the streaming platform. Along with the premiere date, Disney+ revealed the official series trailer during this morning’s Television Critics Association virtual press tour.
Lauded television and film composer, songwriter and producer Kurt Farquhar, who wrote and composed “The Proud Family” theme song, returns as series songwriter and composer for The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder. Preserving the lyrics and melody of the iconic and beloved original theme song, Farquhar reimagined a contemporary version for the revival, performed by rising R&B star Joyce Wrice. A new behind-the-scenes music featurette with a sneak peek of the updated song was released today:
The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder will pick up the story of its central character, Penny Proud, and include her madcap family: parents Oscar and Trudy, twin siblings BeBe and CeCe, and grandmother Suga Mama (and Puff!). Of course, it would not be “The Proud Family” without Penny’s loyal crew Dijonay Jones, LaCienega Boulevardez and Zoey Howzer, among others.
Cast members reprising their roles from the original series are: Kyla Pratt as Penny Proud, Tommy Davidson as Oscar Proud, Paula Jai Parker as Trudy Proud, JoMarie Payton as Suga Mama, Cedric the Entertainer as Uncle Bobby, Karen Malina White as Dijonay Jones, Soleil Moon Frye as Zoey Howzer, Alisa Reyes as LaCienega Boulevardez, Carlos Mencia as Felix Boulevardez, Maria Canals-Barrera as Sunset Boulevardez, Alvaro Gutierrez as Papi, Raquel Lee Bolleau as Nubia Gross, Marcus T. Paulk as Myron, Aldis Hodge as Frankie, Aries Spears as Wizard Kelly, Cree Summer as Peabo, Patricia Belcher as Principal Hightower and Kevin Michael Richardson as Dr. Payne.
Recurring new voices are: Keke Palmer as Maya Leibowitz-Jenkins, Billy Porter and Zachary Quinto as Randall and Barry Leibowitz-Jenkins, rapper Artist “A Boogie” Dubose as Francis “KG” Leibowitz-Jenkins, EJ Johnson as Michael Collins, Asante Blackk as Kareem, Bresha Webb as CeCe, and Aiden Dodson as BeBe.
Guest cast includes: Lizzo, Lil Nas X, Chance the Rapper, Normani, Leslie Odom Jr, Tiffany Haddish, Lena Waithe, Anthony Anderson, Gabrielle Union, Debbie Allen, James Pickens Jr., Courtney B. Vance, Jane Lynch, Marsai Martin, Jaden Smith, Glynn Turman, Lamorne Morris, Brenda Song, Tina Knowles, Eva Longoria, Holly Robinson Peete, Al Roker, Bretman Rock, Gabby Douglas, Laurie Hernandez, Dominique Dawes, Daniel “Desus Nice” Baker, D.C. Young Fly, Kid Capri, Art Evans, Arturo Castro, Ashton Sanders, Dominique Fishback, Jeremy O. Harris, Karrie Martin, Logan Browning and Princess Nokia.
The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder brand extensions will include a cross-category product line of apparel, home, stationery, toys and Funko Pop! collectibles exclusively at Target timed to the series launch. Additionally, the complete library of the original series will be available on digital February 15 and DVD March 15; a new storybook from Disney Press, “It All Started with an Orange Basketball,” is coming soon; and The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder digital soundtrack will be available later this year on Walt Disney Records.
From Disney Television Animation, The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder is executive-produced by Bruce W. Smith (The Princess and the Frog) and Ralph Farquhar (Moesha), both of whom led the original series. Calvin Brown, Jr. (Moesha) is co-executive producer, Jan Hirota (Big Hero 6 The Series) is producer, and Eastwood Wong (Carmen Sandiego) is art director.
All seasons of The Proud Family, which debuted on Disney Channel in 2001 and is still beloved for its characters, multilayered humor, and inclusive messages and stories, are currently available on Disney+.
Park City, UT — The nonprofit Sundance Institute announced today the 2022 Sundance Film Festival Beyond Film lineup produced by the Festival, all of which are free to the public. These thought provoking and entertaining talks and events will include three conversation series (Power of Story, Cinema Cafe, and The Big Conversation) and more. The Festival takes place from January 20 – 30, 2022 on an enhanced online platform at Festival.Sundance.org and on New Frontier’s Spaceship, a bespoke immersive platform, and in person at seven Satellite Screens venues around the country during the Festival’s second weekend.
From artist talks to daily meetups and immersive experiences, these Beyond Film events will include artists from this year’s program including Eva Longoria Bastòn, Karen Gillan, Dakota Johnson, Keke Palmer, Amy Poehler, and Emma Thompson, bringing the art and craft of storytelling from the screen to wherever Festival audiences gather. Additional Beyond Film speakers include actor Roberta Colindrez, African American Policy Forum’s Kimberlé W. Crenshaw, director Cheryl Dunye, playwright Jeremy O. Harris, showrunner Sterlin Harjo, producer Lisa Joy, leading climate justice activist Vanessa Nakate, and climate legal advisor Farhana Yamin.
Additional Beyond Film programming includes a daily talk show (“How to Fest: Daily”); a solo performance with multiple Emmy Award–winning artist, Lynette Wallworth; a sneak peek and conversation with the directors of Oscar’s Comeback about black film pioneer, Oscar Micheaux; Artist Spotlights with XR/VR/new media creators showing work in the New Frontier section; a conversation around the climate crisis; and more. In addition to the Sundance programming, our Satellite Screen partners will have conversations (in-person and online) running the last weekend of the Festival (Jan 28 – 30.) The Festival Village also launches today, full of partner–produced cultural programming in our online “main street” and community hub. As part of that, the Sundance ASCAP Music Café will also return for its 24th year.
BEYOND FILM LINE-UP
POWER OF STORY
The Sundance Film Festival’s Power of Story events look to deepen public engagement with the art of storytelling, delve into cinema culture, and celebrate artists whose work propels and reinvents the form as we know it. Presented by Netflix
ARTISTS UNBOUND
Sunday, January 23, 3-4:30 p.m.
Exciting boundaryless artists from a wide cross section of creative practices join us to make sense of the boxes artists can be confined to, how the culture shapes these boxes, and the freedom found in exploding them. The fearlessness of these transgressive visionaries is a testament to creative integrity and its unbreakable link to independence. Presented by Netflix.
Featuring: Jeremy O. Harris (Zola), Roberta Colindrez (Vida), and Zackary Drucker (Framing Agnes)
Moderated by Alex Jung (Vulture)
CINEMA CAFE
Saturday, January 22–Tuesday, January 25
A series of informal chats brings together special guests for thought-provoking encounters.
Presented by Audible.
CINEMA CAFE: Karen Gillan (Dual) and Emma Thompson (Good Luck to You, Leo Grande). Moderated by Shirley Li (The Atlantic)
Saturday, January 22, 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
CINEMA CAFE: Eva Longoria Bastón (La Guerra Civil) and Amy Poehler (Lucy & Desi)
Moderated by Mandalit del Barco (NPR)
Sunday, January 23, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
CINEMA CAFE: Dakota Johnson (Cha Cha Real Smooth, Am I Ok?) and Keke Palmer (Alice)
Moderated by Hannah Giorgis (The Atlantic)
Monday, January 24, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
CINEMA CAFE: Fresh Faces
John Early (My Trip to Spain), Lily McInerny (Palm Trees and Power Lines), and Donald Elise Watkins (Emergency)
Moderated by Joey Soloway (Transparent)
Tuesday, January 25, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
THE BIG CONVERSATION
The Big Conversation tackles science, art, culture, and the movements that are fueling the imaginations of today’s independent artists. A compelling selection of speakers discuss topics centered on the themes of this year’s program and explore broader trends in art and culture around the world. In considering how artists — through their practice and their work — make meaning of the world, we’re reminded that it’s the big conversation that connects us to the big ideas.
ACOUSTIC RANGE
Saturday, January 22, 2-3:30 p.m.
Reflecting on how artists respond to what’s happening around the world, this conversation focuses on electrifying musicians and their creative process heightening the cinematic story through music and ambience. With origins in live performance, this group has expanded their reach to composing for feature length films, animation and musicals, and will be discussing their work premiering at Sundance and beyond.
Featuring: Daniel Hart (The Green Knight), Saul Williams (Neptune Frost), and Drum & Lace (Summering)
Moderated by Dan Wilcox (KCRW)
FOUR HISTORIES OF REBEL ART
Sunday, January 23, 2-2:30 p.m.
At this special event celebrating Sundance Institute’s 40th anniversary, we take a joyous look into the rebel histories of award-winning, renowned filmmakers who premiered their shorts and debut films at the Festival. We’ll explore what their stories mean for the future of Sundance, consequent trailblazers, and independent cinema.
Featuring Christine Choy (The Exiles), Cheryl Dunye (Greetings from Africa), Sterlin Harjo (Reservation Dogs)
Moderated by Eugene Hernandez (Deputy Executive Director of Film at Lincoln Center)
THE STORY OF US: RECLAIMING THE NARRATIVE
Monday, January 24, 2-3:30 p.m.
Legal Scholar and civil rights advocate Kimberlé W. Crenshaw returns to the Sundance Film Festival to moderate a conversation interrogating how censorship, legislation, and storytelling are creating a distorted national narrative, and the crucial role of new cinematic genres in challenging these myths.
Featuring: CJ Hunt (The Daily Show with Trevor Noah), David Blight (Sterling professor of American History, Yale University), Nikyatu Jusu (Nanny), Việt Thanh Nguyễn (Pulitzer Prize-winning writer)
Moderated by Kimberlé W. Crenshaw (Executive Director, African American Policy Forum)
MACHINE YEARNING
Tuesday, January 25, 2-3:30 p.m.
Cinema’s fascination with robots and machine intelligence goes back almost as far as cinema itself, even if some of film and television’s greatest characters might not pass the Turing test (though, eerily, others would). Today’s study of robotics, engineering, artificial intelligence, neural networks , etc. yields an array of fascinating applications, new technologies, and complex questions, and the artificial beings once so fanciful to Fritz Lang or Philip K. Dick now involve as much science as fiction. Supported by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.
Featuring: Cynthia Breazeal (Associate Director, MIT Media Lab), Lisa Joy (Westworld), Kogonada (After Yang)
HOW TO FEST: DAILY
Consider this a new part of your morning routine — a way to get your mind right and set the tone for your Festival adventures ahead. Our host, Festival director Tabitha Jackson, will bring together artists, programmers, and film lovers to explore themes that are driving the festival and the projects featured in it. Daily from January 21-25 at 10 a.m. MT on festival.sundance.org.
Presented by Acura
BEYOND FILM PRESENTS
HOW TO LIVE (After you Die)
Monday, January 24, 9-11 p.m.
Renowned for her crystalline, deeply humane reflections on spirituality, technology, and the natural world, multiple Emmy Award-winning artist Lynette Wallworth turns the lens on herself in the solo performance HOW TO LIVE (After You Die). With tenderness, intimacy, and wry humor, Wallworth recounts her coming-of-age in a radical Christian community and, by travelling through her acclaimed works, charts an artist’s journey to reclaim her voice. This presentation will be followed by a live conversation with Lynette Wallworth and moderated by Tabitha Jackson.
Performance by Lynette Wallworth
OSCAR’S COMEBACK
Monday, January 24, 11:45 a.m. to 1:45 p.m.
Director Lisa Collins and Co-Director Mark Schwartzburt have created an epic that brilliantly transports black film pioneer Oscar Micheaux into our politically polarized present. Seventeen years in the making, Oscar’s Comeback, features profoundly resonant themes and an incredible kaleidoscope of characters, including Micheaux as the godfather of independent cinema. This special showcase will include a lively conversation with the creators and a sneak peek at scenes from the 5 hour film.
Featuring: Lisa Collins, Mark Schwartzburt (Oscar’s Comeback)
In conversation with: Jacqueline Stewart (Chief Artistic and Programming Officer, Academy Museum of Motion Pictures)
SUNDANCE COLLAB AT THE FESTIVAL
Sundance Collab is a digital destination for independent artists at all stages of their creative journeys to learn and connect. This global community is a safe and nurturing space of inclusion and belonging. Learn more at https://collab.sundance.org
SUNDANCE COLLAB ROUNDTABLE: MY SHORT FILM’S LONG JOURNEY TO SUNDANCE
Friday, January 21, 4:30-6 p.m. MT
A candid roundtable discussion with Festival filmmakers about the process of getting their short films made and seen, from conception through Sundance exhibition, and a sneak peek at their films playing at this year’s Festival. Following the conversation, we invite attendees to stay for casual networking in breakout rooms.
Featuring: Olive Nwosu (Egungun), William David Caballero (Chilly and Milly), and Sky Hopkina (Kicking the Clouds) Moderated by Liz Nord (Director of Content, Sundance Collab)
SUNDANCE COLLAB CREATOR MEETUP: NAVIGATING YOUR FIRST MAJOR FILM FESTIVAL
Thursday, January 27, 2022, 10-11:30 a.m. MT
Creator Meetups feature candid discussions with artists and media professionals around timely and critical issues in the film and television industry, followed by breakout groups where creators can meet and continue their conversations. Join us for a discussion with Sundance filmmakers on how to prepare for, and make the most out of, your first major film festival experience.
Featuring: Kara Durrett (Producer, Honk for Jesus, Save Your Soul) and Chase Joynt (Director, Framing Agnes)
Moderated by Abiram Brizuela (Director, Sundance Artist Community)
DAILY ARTIST MEETUPS
Presented by the Sundance Collective
The Festival’s Daily Artist Meetups provide an opportunity for Festivalgoers to meet independent storytellers from the Sundance Institute artist community and beyond. Each session is preceded by a thought-provoking conversation between Sundance Artists and leads from various Institute programs.
Friday, January 21, 11:30-1:00 PM.
Daily Artist Meetup: Welcome To The 2022 Sundance Film Festival
Featuring: Tabitha Jackson (Director, Sundance Film Festival & Public Programs), Gina Duncan (Producing Director, Sundance Institute), Shari Frilot (Chief Curator, New Frontier and Sr. Film Programmer, Sundance Film Festival), Karim Ahmad (Director, Outreach & Inclusion, Sundance Institute), Brenda Coughlin (Director, Engagement & Advocacy, Sundance Institute)
Saturday, January 22, 11:30-1:00 PM.
Daily Artist Meetup: The Leap From Short To Feature
Featuring: Francisca Alegría (Writer/Director, The Cow Who Sang A Song Into the Future), Nikyatu Jusu (Nanny)
Sunday, January 23, 11:30-1:00 PM.
Daily Artist Meetup: Cinema from Kahiki to Kaimukī
Featuring: Alika Maikau Tengan (Writer/Director, Every Day In Kaimukī)
Moderator: Cheryl Hirasa, (Interim Executive Director, Pacific Islanders in Communications)
Monday, January 24, 11:30 – 1:00 PM.
Daily Artist Meetup: Creative Financing, A Case Study on Jockey
Featuring: Clint Bentley (Writer/Director/Producer) and Greg Kwedar (Writer/Producer)
Tuesday, January 25, 11:30 – 1:00 PM.
Daily Artist Meetup: The Future Of Streaming
Featuring: Leaders from top streaming services.
CALLING ALL ARTISTS: THE CLIMATE CRISIS IS RECRUITING
Presented by Women at Sundance
Friday, January 21, 2-3:30 p.m.
Artists are urgently needed to interpret the present crisis and imagine a climate-just future. Hear from our recruiters: youth and Indigenous movement leaders, policymakers, and scientists, and join the discussion about how we can work together collectively like never before.
Recruiters: Andrea Ixchíu Hernández (Maya K’iche’ leader and filmmaker, Guatemala), Geeta Persad (climate scientist, USA), Vanessa Nakate (climate justice activist, Uganda), Farhana Yamin (climate legal advisor, UK)
Moderated by Megha Agrawal Sood (Head of Climate Story Unit, Doc Society), Emily Wanja (Global Community Manager, Climate Story Unit, Doc Society)
RESTORING THE FUTURE
Saturday, January 22, 4-6:00 p.m.
The past two years have incubated new and evolving movements in the media arts system, creating pathways to a radically aspirational future. In this participatory worldbuilding experience, step into a portal to that future with artists, activists, and industry members. Together they will share prototypes, provocations, and artifacts from an imagined future media-arts ecosystem centered in justice, abundance, and joy.
Featuring: Sabrina Schmidt Gordon (Producer, To The End), Andria Wilson Mirza (Director, ReFrame), Yasmin Dunn (Director of Education & Outreach, Hollywood Commission)
Facilitated by: Karim Ahmad (Director, Outreach & Inclusion, Sundance Institute), Brenda Coughlin (Director, Engagement & Advocacy, Sundance Institute), Tony Patrick (Artist, Beyond the Breakdown, Sundance ‘21)
NEW FRONTIER ARTIST SPOTLIGHT ON THE SPACESHIP
Our Artist Spotlight series brings New Frontier artists into conversation with audiences about their provocative works and artistic practice in stimulating, informative, and engaging ways.
Online, The Spaceship’s Cinema House will host Artist Spotlight presentations by each of the New Frontier artist teams. Afterward, artists will be available to mingle and engage in conversation with audiences.
New Frontier Artist Spotlight: This is Not a Ceremony
Friday, January 21, 1 p.m.
New Frontier Artist Spotlight: ATUA
Friday, January 21, 4 p.m.
New Frontier Artist Spotlight: The Inside World
Saturday, January 22, noon
New Frontier Artist Spotlight: On The Morning You Wake (To the End of the World)
Saturday, January 22, 7 p.m.
New Frontier Artist Spotlight: Child of Empire
Sunday, January 23, noon
New Frontier Artist Spotlight: Suga’- A Live Virtual Dance Performance
Monday, January 24, 7 p.m.
New Frontier Artist Spotlight: The State of Global Peace
Tuesday, January 25, 6 p.m.
New Frontier Artist Spotlight: They Dream in My Bones – Insemnopedy II
Wednesday, January 26th, noon
New Frontier Artist Spotlight: Diagnosia
Wednesday, January 26th, 2 p.m.
New Frontier Artist Spotlight: Gondwana
Wednesday, January 26, 8 p.m.
New Frontier Artist Spotlight: Seven Grams
Thursday, January 27, 2 p.m.
New Frontier Artist Spotlight: Surrogate
Thursday, January 27th, 7 p.m.
New Frontier Artist Spotlight: 32 Sounds
Wednesday, January 27, 9 p.m.
New Frontier Artist Spotlight: Flat Earth VR
Friday, January 28th, noon
Web 3.0 / NFT Meetups
Saturday, January 22, 2 p.m., Online
Sunday, January 23, 2 p.m., Online
Friday, January 28, 2 p.m, Online
Facilitated by Amelia Winger-Bearskin (Banks Preeminence Chair AI & the Arts, University of Florida) & Jesse Damiani (Founder, Postreality Labs)
ADDED NEW FRONTIER PROGRAMMING
Once again, Festivalgoers who are attending The Spaceship can spend a night on earth in Amsterdam, at IDFA DocLab’s interactive playground do {not} play. Experimental soulmates from the beginning, 2022 marks a sweet sixteen birthday for both New Frontier & IDFA DocLab.The Spaceship Filmmaker Receptions, online parties which will take place Jan 26-27, and are designed to enable filmmakers to meet their festival wide audiences.
SUNDANCE ASCAP MUSIC CAFÉ
Friday, January 21–Monday, January 24, 3:00 p.m. daily
The Sundance ASCAP Music Café returns to its virtual stage in the Festival Village, marking its 24th year celebrating the discovery of new musical voices and film’s marriage of sight and sound. From January 21 to 24, the Café will feature two days of musical performances from acclaimed talent and rising stars and two days dedicated to ASCAP Screen Time conversations with top ASCAP composers and collaborators from around the globe. Musical performances will include The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical creators Barlow & Bear, six-time Grammy-nominee Brandy Clark, award-winning actor/singer Evan Rachel Wood and Grammy-nominated guitarist/singer-songwriter Zane Carney as EVAN + ZANE, three-time Emmy-nominated Only Murders in the Building composer Siddhartha Khosla and more. Additional information can be found here.
Daily programming, panels and events from partners will also be available at: https://festival.sundance.org/village/
Women @ Sundance
Women at Sundance is made possible by leadership support from The David and Lura Lovell Foundation, The Harnisch Foundation, and Adobe. Additional support is provided by Kimberly Steward, Paul and Katy Drake Bettner, Barbara Bridges, Abigail Disney and Pierre Hauser—Like a River Fund, Hollywood Foreign Press Association, Suzanne Lerner, Cristina Ljungberg, Susan Bay Nimoy, Ann Lovell, Zions Bank, Visionary Women, Gruber Family Foundation, Pat Mitchell and Scott Seydel, and an anonymous donor.
New Frontier Alliance
The Sundance Institute New Frontier Program is supported by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Adobe, Canon U.S.A., Inc., Dell Technologies, Metaplex Studios, Meta Quest, RAIR Tech, Rally, and Unity.
The Sundance Film Festival
The Sundance Film Festival has introduced global audiences to some of the most groundbreaking films of the past three decades, including Flee, CODA, Passing, Summer Of Soul (…or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised), Clemency, Never Rarely Sometimes Always, Zola, On The Record, Boys State, The Farewell, Honeyland, One Child Nation, The Souvenir, The Infiltrators, Sorry to Bother You, Won’t You Be My Neighbor?, Hereditary, Call Me By Your Name, Get Out, The Big Sick, Mudbound, Fruitvale Station, Whiplash, Brooklyn, Precious, The Cove, Little Miss Sunshine, An Inconvenient Truth, Napoleon Dynamite, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Reservoir Dogs and sex, lies, and videotape.
The Festival is a program of the non-profit Sundance Institute. 2022 Festival sponsors include: Presenting Sponsors – Acura, AMC+, Chase Sapphire, Adobe; Leadership Sponsors – Amazon Studios, DIRECTV, DoorDash, Dropbox, Netflix, Omnicom Group, WarnerMedia, XRM Media; Sustaining Sponsors – Aflac, Audible, Canada Goose, Canon U.S.A., Inc., Dell Technologies, IMDbPro, Michelob ULTRA Pure Gold, Rabbit Hole Bourbon & Rye, Unity Technologies, University of Utah Health, White Claw Hard Seltzer; Media Sponsors – The Atlantic, IndieWire, Los Angeles Times, NPR, Shadow and Act, Variety, Vulture. Sundance Institute recognizes critical support from the State of Utah as Festival Host State. The support of these organizations helps offset the Festival’s costs and sustain the Institute’s year-round programs for independent artists. sundance.org/festival
Sundance Institute
As a champion and curator of independent stories for the stage and screen, Sundance Institute provides and preserves the space for artists in film, theatre, film composing, and digital media to create and thrive.
Founded in 1981 by Robert Redford, the Institute’s signature Labs, granting, and mentorship programs, dedicated to developing new work, take place throughout the year in the U.S. and internationally. Sundance Collab, a digital community platform, brings artists together to learn from each other and Sundance advisors and connect in a creative space, developing and sharing works in progress. The Sundance Film Festival and other public programs connect audiences and artists to ignite new ideas, discover original voices, and build a community dedicated to independent storytelling. Sundance Institute has supported such projects as Clemency, Never Rarely Sometimes Always, Zola, On The Record, Boys State, The Farewell, Honeyland, One Child Nation, The Souvenir, The Infiltrators, Sorry to Bother You, Won’t You Be My Neighbor?, Hereditary, Call Me By Your Name, Get Out, The Big Sick, Mudbound, Fruitvale Station, City So Real, Top of the Lake, Between the World & Me, Wild Goose Dreams and Fun Home. Join the Sundance Institute on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.
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If it’s Japanese toys you want, then by all means, yonde kudasai (read on please)!
Do you love to see your favorite fandoms expanded on? Molded and mashed together with many of the products you already know and love. Well then, what I have for you is gonna get you super excited, and maybe even break some of your wallets. That’s not a joke, some of these made my already tight bank account want to explode. This list is the best Japanese toys out there, and I’ve got some really interesting finds that you’ll definitely need to have. Just don’t go overboard. Or do—I’m not your senpai.
While we have you, be sure to go here for even more anime toys and figures!
Japanese Toys & Games
For me, Tamagotchi is the first thing that pops into my head when I think Japanese toys. So, when I saw this, my heart melted! This is honestly so adorable, not only because if you grew up on tamagotchi, this would bring back crazy nostalgia, but it’s a collection piece as well. Each individual slayer gets their own in the series, so the options for all of your favorites are here. Also, please don’t just abandon them to die. I know a lot of us were guilty of that in the past.
Calling all Bounty Hunters! I present to you this interesting find: A competitive deck-builder that sets out to prove who’s truly the best hunter in the solar system! Select between the four members of the Bebop crew and rack up reputation points as you fight and capture criminals wanted by the ISSP. With these points, players can buy cards to improve their deck and manage resources. Now, we’ll really see who’s the best of the best! See you space cowboy…
My Hero Academia: The Card Game
As someone who grew up watching Pokemon, Yu-Gi-Oh, and Beyblade dominate the market, this put me right back in that moment. Not only because the game feels somewhat familiar because of the similar blueprint, but also it just makes me happy. There was never any type of embarrassment for liking anime for me, but for some that wasn’t always the case. So, the growth and acceptance I’ve seen over the years is always nice. There’s also a stand-alone villain version, if being a hero isn’t your thing.
Poké Ball – Pack of 4 with Figures
Ready to battle! Ever wanted to live out your Pokémon trainer dreams? Don’t worry you won’t be ten years old wandering around alone. Nor will you have to worry about running into the dastardly Team Rocket. In this pack, you get not only the original Poké Ball, but an ultra, great, and premier Poké Ball too. You also get four adorable figures: Pikachu, Fennekin, Froakie, and Chespin.
Want more Pokémon options? Check out our list of Pokémon toys, figures, and plushies!
Studio Ghibli Movie Scene Playing Cards
So as a kid, I never learned spades, solitaire, poker, old maid, or any of those types of “classics.” Never really felt an urge strongly enough to try. But with this, I’m willing! Because, if I may be a little corny, Ghibli had a grip on me when I was younger that has continued into adulthood. So, to me, anything Ghibli-related is a must buy! I don’t make the rules. Totoro does.
For anyone who witnessed Sakura’s journey of recapturing the Clow Cards, it was exciting to see her take the next step and finally become the master. This set also captures the next part of her new journey, as they say: Once one story ends, another begins. Now you can own the original Clow Cards as well as the remastered Sakura cards. Just know, the Sakura cards are freaking gorgeous.
Figures & Model Kits
Take your heart! When I tell you I need this like yesterday, I’m not even joking. As someone who’s been in the Persona fandom since 3 & 4, watching 5 blow up in popularity had me living. I adore the Phantom Thieves and this little Joker has my eye (and my heart). He’s precious and looks so ready to make corrupt adults pay for their crimes!
Hello Kitty x Gundam – Char’s Zaku
Two classic Japanese toys in one! We all know Hello Kitty, Sanrio, and all their adorable characters. If you don’t know, then you’re one of the few not obsessed with their cuteness. Another collection piece, this mashup includes three versions with different mobile suits. Char’s Zaku, featured here. The classic standard mobile suit. And a Zaku II suit.
Dragon Ball Z (Goku Eating Noodles)
One thing about Goku, no matter what, he’s going to eat! You can’t keep that man away from his meals, nor will Chi-Chi let you get in his way. Just know, dead or alive, his appetite is truly unmatched. And looking at this, I think it captures that essence perfectly.
One Piece – Thousand Sunny Model Ship Kit
For all of the fans of the Straw Hat Crew, this one’s for you! I present to you a buildable model of the Thousand Sunny. This model also comes with members from the crew, and other favorites as well. Till Luffy is king of the pirates, you can at least be part of his crew.
Cardcaptor Sakura (Black Cat Maid Version)
Sakura Kinomoto to me is one of the most iconic but still criminally underrated magical girls to exist. So, any opportunity I can find to show her love, I will! As a fashion icon, she’s never lacking on a quick outfit change, and her best friend won’t let her be lacking. Here you have just one of the many cute outfits from the original series.
Kirby Adventure – Stackable Figures
“You have too many Kirby’s!” said no one ever. And if you do, how dare you?! You can never have too many of this adorable pink sphere. Never speak ill of him. He could kick your butt, swallow you whole, and take everything you love. If there were more than one of him, forget about it! May as well just succumb to his cuteness, like everyone else.
Oramajo Doremi – Doremi Harukaze
Japanese toys seem to have a monopoly on all things cute. This here is an attempt to bring some attention to the cutest, most underrated magical girls series ever. I could go on for days about it. That, however, is a conversation for another time. If you were like me and caught Oramajo Doremi (aka Magical DoReMi) on 4Kids TV on Saturday mornings, you know this is a magical girl masterpiece. I miss it terribly.
She’s literally an icon of anime and magical girls, because she is the one named Sailor Moon! Kinda corny, I’m know, but I had to. Again, I don’t make the rules. She’s a gorgeous find, and, even if you aren’t a fan of Crystal, you know Usagi is great no matter what!
Dragon Ball Z : Adventure Begins Bulma
Where would Dragon Ball lowkey be without Bulma? She came in, and the rest kinda feels like history. A badass in her right, mother of Trunks, and Vegeta’s wife. Looking at her what’s not to love? Not only because it reminds me of how far Bulma has come, but the changeable expressions she has are adorable. Also, the original outfit is always a plus.
Sakura Miku (Hatsune Miku) Taito Doll
Was anyone else like an AMV (anime music videos) kid, listening to Nightcore and stuff? No? Am I one of the last original people who remembers that? Is that what getting old feels like? Yikes! Anyways, that was my introduction to the Vocaloid fandom, and it’s weird because as a kid, I never would have imagined how it blew up the way it did. I mean, Hatsune Miku literally performed at Coachella, has dozens of albums on Spotify, has her own Funko Pops, and is out here dominating since 2007!
Black Butler: Ciel Phantomhive Figure
Finally, we have the Earl of Phantomhive himself, young master Ciel—lowkey, that feels weird saying now. Check the manga for context, cus we don’t do major spoilers over here! We just obsess about amazing anime, and honestly, not only is this figure precious but the signature pose in the chair took me out. It just needs a Sebastian figure to make it perfect. I said what I said. Nobody can change my mind.
The post Best Japanese Toys Every Otaku Needs! first appeared on Nerdy With Children.
The post Best Japanese Toys Every Otaku Needs! appeared first on Nerdy With Children.
The way new COVID variants are appearing in what seems to be every few months makes international travel more difficult. Yet you can still please your wanderlust by traveling to places within the United States. The most visited places in the United States such as New York City, Los Angeles, Miami, and Las Vegas, are losing some appeal to many Americans. Luckily if you reside in one of the 50 states, there are many non-tourist places to visit that will excite and amaze you. Here are the 9 most non-tourist US destinations.
Letchworth State Park, New York
If you like getting lost in nature, following hiking trails, and discovering waterfalls, then Letchworth State Park is a must-visit. Here there is a never-ending list of outdoor activities to do. There’s kayaking, rafting, biking, but if you’re looking to create lasting memories, the one thing you’ll have to experience is the hot air balloon ride. Floating over the park’s lush green landscape and powerful waterfalls will make you feel like you are floating in a dream.
California has a beautiful coast, yet Oregon may come in as second best. Along the coastline, there are beautiful sea cliffs and vast sand dunes that bring charm to this overlooked place. In the “Sahara by the sea,” you can enjoy AVT riding and sand surfing. Once you build up an appetite, there are plenty of food options ranging from the best clam chowder to succulent steak houses.
It’s not a secret that Hawaii is one of the most popular vacations spots. Often with an influx of tourism, many places can lose their authenticity. This is not the case with Molokai, also known as the “friendly island.” It’s a perfect place for anyone who wants a real getaway, far from tourist attractions, and escape to deserted beaches, a place where palm trees tower over buildings and locals greet you with an “ahola” and embody hospitality. Whether you are traveling solo, with a partner, or with the whole family, there is something for everyone to do. If you’re more active, you’ll enjoy, snorkeling, fishing, scuba diving, whale watching, and hiking. If you want to relax, you can read a book under a palm tree on one of the many white-sand beaches. Or take a mid-day nap falling asleep to the ocean waves. For more entertainment, Molokai offers hula celebrations, parades, and island exclusive festivals.
Jekyll Island, Georgia
Did you know that there are islands off the coast of the Southern states? You might be thinking of the Florida Keys; however, there are more. Jekyll Island is located between Jacksonville, Florida, and Savannah, Georgia. It’s accessible by car when you take the I-95. There’s an assortment of things to do on the island. Yet the two unique and most impactful places to visit are the Georgia Sea Turtle Center and the Wanderer Memory Trail. Visiting this trail, you can travel back in time, 160 years in the past, to visit the last known slave ship that came to the Americas, The Wanderer. Although the ship brought around 500 enslaved Africans to the South, the trail tells the story of one slave boy named, Umwalla. Through this interactive exhibit, you’ll learn about his journey from enslavement to freedom.
Block Island, Rhode Island
With a short ferry ride, you can have the best getaway on Block Island. This island offers white sand beaches and delicious dining experiences overlooking the ocean. For added fun, there are ghost tours and the glass project. If you happen to have a good eye during your visit, you can take part in an interactive art exhibit. Throughout the island, there are 550 glass floats or glass orbs hidden throughout the Greenway trails and the beaches. Once you find a float, you can keep it as a souvenir. Eben Horton, the glass artist who came up with this idea, asks that finders only keep one glass float per person, per year along with registering the float that you find with the Block Island Tourism Council.
Tennessee Valley, California
This is a great trip for hikers. As trails in the Tennessee Valley allow you to walk along the Pacific Ocean. The trails in the valley vary from easy to more strenuous. No matter the level of difficulty the refreshing ocean breeze will help ease the journey. There are even options for camping.
Orca Island
With orca in the name, you can guess that within these San Juan Islands, off the coast of Washington state, orcas swim all year long. Other wildlife to see include humpback whales, stellar sea lions, and minkes. The fun of this island doesn’t stop with whale watching. Visitors can also enjoy farmer’s markets, wineries, and breweries.
Sedona, Arizona
Surrounded by beautiful red rock scenery, Sedona has a lot to offer. Sedona tourism lists over 100 things to do including helicopter tours, live entertainment, hiking trails, and so much more. Whether you try to check off all 100 things on your visit or pick your top 10, you will marvel at the beauty of the desert valley.
Burlington, Vermont, is a welcoming city. Here you can make your own teddy bear at the Teddy Bear Factory or experience one of the most important aspects of Burlington, which is agriculture. The local farmer’s markets are an opportunity to experience organic produce and artisanal baked goods. If you visit in autumn, you can warm yourself up with a warm cider donut. If you have a sweet tooth you won’t want to leave without a pint of real Vermont syrup.
A commonality amongst many travelers is not exploring their home country enough. Yet with the United States having 50 different states, it only makes sense for more of its citizens to go out and explore. These 9 destinations are ready for your arrival.