Ah yes, the Japanese school uniform, a ubiquitous image within Japanese (and westerners-looking-at Japanese) culture. Many a researcher, scholar, sociologist, fashionista, and..well..pornographer have delved into the complex social undertones and nuances of the seifuku in Japan. The most prominent topic of exploration is that of the sexual connotations the uniforms, particularly school girl uniforms, carry with them. As ambiguously exciting as that is, there is much more meaning to these institutionalized methods of dress.

A brilliant new documentary is making its debut at the Japan Film Festival in LA on April 14th. Entitled Tokyo Cowboys, it tells the story of several Westerners and their attempts to live and work in Japan. From English teachers to wannabe rock stars, this diverse bunch of Gaijin will likely have a lot to say about the dream that many of us Japanophiles entertain on a daily basis, but may be reluctant to act upon. Check out more info, including another short clip, on their official site and blog.

Tokyo Cowboys (via Japundit)

By Jesse Mann

It’s long been common knowledge that Hollywood big wigs are huge fans of Anime. An upcoming Dragon Ball adaptation is taking things further, and now Variety sends word that Warner Brothers is remaking Akira. Katsuhiro Otomo’s post-apocalyptic epic is widely considered to be one of the greatest and most influential pieces of Japanese animation in history. It was certainly many a young Westerners’ first glimpse of Anime back when it was released stateside in 1989.

The remake will come in two parts, each based on Otomo’s original manga, with a controversial twist: the story is now set in “New Manhattan” instead of “Neo-Tokyo.” With first time director Ruairi Robinson, producer Leonardo DiCaprio, and executive producer Katsuhiro Otomo himself attached for a speedy 2009 release, fans will find out soon enough whether the beloved story will be lovingly retold, or raped and pillaged for a box office buck.

WB takes franchise turn with ‘Akira’  (via Variety)

By Jesse Mann