Peeping Life Wonderland

The latest collection of Peeping Life (ピーピング・ライフ) shorts are a collaboration between creator Ryoichi Mori (森りゅういち), Tetsuka Productions (手塚プロ), and Tatsunoko Productions (タツノコプロ).

Founded by Osamu Tetsuka, the home of Astro Boy, Black Jack and a mountain of animation that has influenced Japanese children for generations.

Tatsunoko Productions are equally a massive force in Japanese animation. Western audience will know them through Speed Racer, Gatchaman (which has recently received a live action remake), Samurai Pizza Cats, and Robotech. They also provided animation assistance with the original 1995 series of Neon Genesis Evangelion and 1998s Akira.

This collection of shorts delves into the back catalogue of both production houses to provide a hilarious new look at some beloved anime classic. From Testuka Productions there are appearances from a rebellious teenage Astro Boy who dyes his hair and complains about his iconic but unfashionable choice of clothing, and from Black Jack who finds that his lack of a medical license is not too reassuring to potential patients, Princess Knight, Ambassador Magma, Triton of the Sea, and The Three-Eyed One.

From Tatsunoko Productions there is Casshan, Yatterman, and The Genie Family.

If like me, you're not to familiar with some of the earlier anime from the 60s and 70s, here is a collection of clips from the various anime.

Casshan (新造人間キャシャーン)

Yatterman (ヤッターマン)

The Genie Family (ハクション大魔王)

Princess Knight (リボンの騎士)

Triton of the Sea (海のトリトン)

Peeping Life - ET & World History

For the 100 Year Anniversary of Universal Studios Peeping Life have produced a special short featuring junior high school pair, Shota and Kota, with ET. I can't embed the video, so you can check it out here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=7K_eQAHPYGw

Also there is a new series featuring many old and new characters throughout World History. Many of these are available on Youtube, and English subtitles are available if you can't catch what's being said. A great way to pick up on some natural Japanese.

Check out more news about Peeping Life here:
http://www.cwfilms.jp/peeping/category/news/

Peeping Life - The Perfect Explosion

One of the funniest comedy programs I've seen in a long time. A series of short animations that give peek into real Japanese life, culture, and language. What may at first glance appear to be a caricature of Japan, is actually closer to real life than you imagine. Some of my friends and work colleagues could easily step on screen; the resemblance is uncanny.

The most well known, most viewed skit on youtube is the young couple who are always arguing, they make another classic appearance, along with my favourite couple of the young guy trying to impress his girlfriend with his hip hop skills, also the newlyweds are hilarious. The returning characters are all fantastic, but most of the new characters seem a bit forced, hopefully they can be improved on for the next release.

What makes the series even more impressive is the fact that the scenes are ad-libbed, and it really adds to the flow and natural conversation. I'll have to look into the voice cast, because they do an amazing job.

One other special note I have to make about this series is that it comes with fantastic English subtitles. Whoever translated this series should be proud, a lot of Japanese specific puns and idiosyncracys have been rather cleverly translated in English. Here is the latest trailer, no subtitles on the trailer sorry.

Check out Peeping Life here: http://www.cwfilms.jp/peeping/
And on Twitter: https://twitter.com/peepinglife_tw