Rupam Raaj J. is a Japanese concept artist, whose personal work includes large World War II-era fighting machines.
Continue reading “The Art of Rupam Raaj J.”Non-Western
The Art of Andrew Suryadi
Andrew Suryadi is a digital artist from Indonesia, who specializes in cityscapes and scenery. Some of his artworks are the perfect setting for a steampunk story.
Continue reading “The Art of Andrew Suryadi”Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress
Kōtetsujō no Kabaneri, or Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress, is a beautifully done anime, set in a post-apocalyptic Japan.
At the time of industrialization, a mysterious plague broke out, turning corpses into kabane, a kind of blood-drinking zombie that is extremely hard to kill. Get bitten and you turn into one. Die and you turn into a kabane. Or, if you’re lucky, a kabaneri, a halfbreed of man and kabane. Survivors live in stations along the route of heavily armored trains, known as iron fortresses.
It is in these stations and on these trains that we find the characters of this story.
Continue reading “Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress”
High Tech Low Life
High Tech Low Life, the cyberpunk band from Okinawa, Japan, came as somewhat of a surprise to the European scene.
Not just a band, but an entire worldbuilding setting with their own characters and concept. Which is in itself nothing new, as many steampunk bands have done that. But their intent on doing better and saving the future is something done so well, I had to go and investigate.
So I sat down with the guys from High Tech Low Life to find out more about them and the terrible possible futures converging in 2069, which is, let’s face it, not that far away!
Which you can read right behind the piece about their music and concerts I witnessed. Stick with it til the very end, because there is a little giveaway!
Continue reading “High Tech Low Life”
The Art of Leos Ng
Leos “Okita” Ng is an artist from Singapore with more than a few steampunk works in his portfolio.
Continue reading “The Art of Leos Ng”Helcanen on the Road
Helcanen, a Belgian artist known for her affinity for Japan, returns with a new book, a new and original take on traveling Japan that combines a beautiful vintage style with our modern times.
This first edition of her postcard-sized travel journals takes you on the road in Hyōtan-yama, a neighborhood of Higashiōsaka, Japan.
Not only is it a wonderful tale that takes you along on Helcanen’s voyages, it is also a little treasure trove for those wanting to go there themselves.
Continue reading “Helcanen on the Road”
Steampunk at Japan Con
Last Sunday was the very first edition of Japan Con at Park Loods Noord in Antwerp, Belgium.
As the name suggests, this convention’s focus was Japanese (popular) culture, but there was some steampunk! Here is a taste.
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The Art of Angelique Shelley
Angelique Shelley is a South African artist living in the United Kingdom, who noticed a preponderance of Western characters and influences in steampunk. Her work helps remedy that imbalance.
Continue reading “The Art of Angelique Shelley”Made in Asia
Made in Asia has over the years become the biggest and most popular Asiamania convention of Belgium. This year it coincided with the last weekend of the February school holiday, giving people ample opportunity to visit.
We visited on Friday and Saturday, the first two days of the event, and so this review is only relevant to these days and not to the final day of Sunday. Continue reading “Made in Asia”
Made in Asia
The past couple of years, there had been a lot of critique on Made in Asia: it was overcrowded, hardly any room to move, and especially to sit and relax. After the especially flawed 7th edition of last year, however, the organization finally realized that changes had to be made, and actually went ahead and made them. They clearly based themselves on the lay-out of Japan Expo near Paris, but hey, if it works, then it works. Which it does. Continue reading “Made in Asia”