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image by Veronica V. Jones

Kobayashi’s NAhopa!

A woman with short blond hair and a blue jacket stares.
Evangelion's Asuka Langley smiles in her bright red plug suit.
Street Fighter's Cammy stands defiantly.
Kasumi from Dead or Alive stands with one hand on her hip.

Anime has been steadily evolving and growing as an art form and cultural phenomenon since it’s birth in the 1960’s. While it has influenced a generation of artists the world over, the forces that shape it’s styles — and ultimately it’s destiny — are still firmly rooted in Japan. Once such force in Anime’s future is surely the talented Mr. Kobayashi, and his compelling 3D characters. His sci-fi action heroes and fantasy maidens breathe new life into the anime form, while preserving it’s charm and spirit.

Kobayashi-san’s high-tech warriors and spellcasters are created and animated using the latest modeling techniques, but they’ve a logical progression from the genre heroes of more established anime franchises. He’s also provided his take on a lovely selection of a few of these legends: Rei and Asuka from Evangelion are the most notable examples, as well as more than a few lovely videogame fighters from Dead or Alive and Street Fighter.

A little bit of hunting at NAhopa will uncover tons of cute, bouncy animation clips, as well as additional views of his captivating cartoon subjects. All in all, NAhopa! is a sneak-peek at the future of Anime.

Written by in June of 2006. Last edited September 2014.

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