News

Mamoru Oshii’s Ghost in the Shell is an anime classic and one that caters to both anime enthusiasts and cinema lovers. Whether it’s the visual appeal or excelling as a pioneer of cyberpunk, the movie passes the test of time with flying colors. At the center of everything great about Ghost in the Shell, there’s Motoko Kusanagi.

Motoko Kusanagi from Ghost in the Shell | Credits: Studio Production I.G.

The voice actor who brought a great character like Motoko to life was Atsuko Tanaka. Motoko embodies perfection while being leagues ahead of the stereotypical representation of female anime characters. Even though she doesn’t have any flaws outright, her character is full of depth and she exhibits many admirable qualities.

For those who are familiar with the movie, it’s hard to not like her as a character. And that wouldn’t have been possible if it...

Singer and actress Lisa Velez, known for her role in the 1980s group Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam, is partnering with Lifetime to produce and star in a biopic titled Can You Feel the Beat: The Lisa Lisa Story. Slated for a 2025 release, the film is part of Lifetime’s “Voices of a Lifetime” series, […]

Lisa Lisa’s Journey from Hell’s Kitchen to Global Icon Gets the Lifetime Treatment...

Exclusive: Singer and actress Lisa Velez, who rose to fame in the 80s hit group Lisa Lisa and the Cult Jam, is getting the biopic treatment at Lifetime.

Velez will executive produce and star in Can You Feel the Beat: The Lisa Lisa Story as her mother, and Jearnest Corchado will play the freestyle legend. In addition to Velez and Corchado, the project also stars Bre Z as Toni Ménage and NYC radio personality, Angie Martinez as Nurse Rodriguez.

Bre Z and Angie Martinez

The film tells the story of Velez as a 15-year-old Puerto Rican girl from Hell’s Kitchen who went on to influence artists like Selena Quintanilla and Jennifer Lopez and inspire girls growing up in the 80s and 90s to reach for the stars. As a teen, Velez endured sexism and racism and hid her breast cancer diagnosis to...

The anime fandom lost another special talent today, the reputed Japanese voice actress Atsuko Tanaka died from an unnamed illness at the age of 61. Sadly few people might remember her name, but everyone will surely remember her from all the iconic characters (like Konan from Naruto) she voiced in her career.

Konan from Naruto | Credits: Studio Pierrot

With a career that spanned over three decades, the late Tanaka-sensei made a truly considerable mark on the industry—becoming notably the voice of Motoko Kusanagi in Ghost in the Shell. She had a large portfolio of memorable roles to her name. Below, we focus on five of her most notable anime appearances that a lot of you never might have expected.

5. Lisa – Lisa: Jojo’s Bizarre Adventures Lisa Lisa from Jojo’s Bizarre Adventures | Credits: David Productions

Atsuko Tanaka did the voice of Lisa Lisa, the mysterious and seductive heroine...

Image via the official Ghost in the Shell website The son of voice actor Atsuko Tanaka announced on his X (formerly Twitter) account that his mother passed at the age of 61 on August 20, with Mausu Promotion also announcing the news on the same day. Tanaka’s son, fellow voice actor Hikaru Tanaka, noted that she did not want to reveal the name of the disease but revealed she had been battling the condition for the past year. Atsuko Tanaka is best known as the voice of Motoko Kusanagi in the Ghost in the Shell franchise, Bayonetta in the Bayonetta games, Lisa Lisa in JoJo's Bizarre Adventure , Hanami in Jujutsu Kaisen , Konan in Naruto and many more. Here is the message from Hikaru Tanaka along with a translation: To all of you who have always been a part of our lives, On August 20, 2024, my mother Atsuko Tanaka, a voice actor, passed away.

The voice-acting industry in anime is lamenting the passing away of Atsuko Tanaka. Tanaka, who voiced Mokoto Kusanagi from Ghost in the Shell, has passed away at the age of 61 due to an unknown illness. Her legacy in voicing anime characters has forever shaped Japanese animation and dubbing.

Atsuko Tanaka and her son Hikaru Tanaka | Credit: X

Atsuko Tanaka’s extraordinary voice gifted life to various characters in multiple anime and movies. She also developed her work of dubbing by giving a Japanese voice to international celebrities. The news about her passing was reported by her management company and confirmed by her son, Hikaru Tanaka, which shipped a wave of anguish among the anime community.

A Farewell Tribute from Atsuko Tanaka’s Son Mokoto Kusanagi from Ghost in the Shell | Credit: Production I.G.

Hikaru Tanaka posted a biding message on X (formerly Twitter) via OriconNews, conveying his gratitude towards his mother.

Atsuko Tanaka, known for her role as Motoko Kusanagi in Ghost in the Shell, passed away on Aug 20, 2024, at the age of 61. This news was shared by her agency through an official statement and confirmed by her son, voice actor Hikaru Tanaka.

In his post, Hikaru Tanaka explained that Atsuko had been battling illness for nearly a year but chose not to disclose the specific nature of her disease in keeping with her wishes.

Checkout the full statement by Hikaru Tanaka below:

To all those who have always supported us,

On August 20, 2024, my mother, the voice actress Atsuko Tanaka, peacefully passed away.

To all the fans who loved Atsuko Tanaka, and to all those in the industry who took care of her during her life, I thank you deeply on her behalf.

It deeply saddens me to inform you of our parent-child relationship in this way.

In accordance with her wishes,...

There’s no doubt that unlike other entertainment mediums out there, the world of video games elevates the horror genre to the extreme. No other genre gains from the interactive element more than horror. While books, TV, and movies are detached from you, iconic games such as Resident Evil and Silent Hill bring you a first-hand venture into the true nightmare.

Horror gaming has been unique since you’re the one who is navigating through terrifying scenarios. That already intimidating task tends to backfire on you when you come across some shocking scenes that force you to ask whether you’re strong enough to press on.

There are a select few sequences from the genre which prove to be unforgettable. Let’s take a look at the top 9 scariest moments in video gaming history.

9. The Nightmare Alley The original Silent Hill was an an excellent horror game. Image via Konami...

Immediately after the podcast La Brega launched in February of 2021, it was met with rave reviews from listeners and critics alike. The first season of the show — co-produced by Futuro Studios and Wnyc — focused on historical and sociopolitical events that have shaped Puerto Rico over the past few decades. The storytelling struck a chord both with locals living on the archipelago and Puerto Ricans in the diaspora — and the program also drew in non-Puerto Ricans, who have been enthralled by the meticulous reporting showcased in each episode.

The story of...

In 2021, Juneteenth, the celebration of the emancipation of enslaved African-Americans, was established as a federal holiday, and with new holidays to celebrate, there are new opportunities for holiday movies, of course. From director Dawn Wilkinson (“A Nashville Christmas Carol”) and writers Matt Allen (“Mighty Oak”), Lisa Mathis and Krista Suh, comes “Block Party,” a summer family comedy that’s ostensibly themed around Juneteenth.

The connection to Juneteenth feels tenuous at best, as characters continually name-check the holiday but never stop to explain or discuss the meaning of the celebration. The script assumes that the audience is familiar with the holiday and its importance, which is perhaps a heartening sign that Juneteenth doesn’t need to be explained anymore, but most great holiday films at least touch on the significant themes of the holiday (e.g. “the true meaning of Christmas”).

“Block Party” feels strangely divorced from what Juneteenth actually signifies,...

DJ Cassidy, whose popular “Pass the Mic” all-star video jams were most recently part of the Biden/Harris inaugural programs, has made a deal with BET to produce six “Mic” specials during 2021, all of them set to follow the network’s annual awards shows or other major programming.

The first of the six, dubbed “DJ Cassidy’s Pass The Mic: The BET After Party,” is now in production and set to air immediately following the NAACP Image Awards on March 27.

“I’ll continue to be celebrating my musical heroes of the ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s through their iconic records of all eras and genres,” Cassidy tells Variety. “I grew up watching BET, and I was exposed to many if not all of my musical heroes through watching their music videos on ‘Video Soul,’ ‘Rap City’ or their many other shows. So to partner with the network to bring ‘Pass the...

Last week, the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (Ladf) partnered with RWQuarantunes to raise funds to provide 3.3 Million meals to the most vulnerable Angelenos impacted by Covid-19.

The star-studded virtual event, which streamed live from Dodger Stadium to more than 2,000 viewers, raised over $1.1 Million to support the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank and the foundation’s efforts to feed the hungry in Los Angeles.

The celebration featured appearances by the 2020 World Champion Los Angeles Dodgers, Dodger legends, and current players including Trevor Bauer, Mookie Betts, Corey Seager, Joe Kelly, Max Muncy, David Price, Will Smith, Steve Garvey, Fernando Valenzuela, Andre Ethier, and many more current and former teammates.

The night was packed with memorable moments, appearances and performances from musicians and actors including Ted Danson & Mary Steenburgen, Bob Costas, DJ Cassidy, Dan + Shay, Joe Esposito, Lisa Lisa, Swv, Shanice, En Vogue, Boys II Men, Bobby Brown, TLC, Keith Sweat, New Edition,...

With every successful cultural movement, you’re bound to have bandwagon jumpers. As a plurality of reggaetoneros, traperos, and pop singers from across Latin America enjoy unprecedented albeit overdue global success, tourists like DJ Khaled, DJ Snake, and Tyga have inevitably glommed onto their sound, with varying degrees of success.

None of these attempts have felt quite so cravenly opportunistic and sonically shallow as that of the Black Eyed Peas, who have struggled to maintain a semblance of their former cultural omnipresence in the years since the departure of Fergie.

Could your weekend playlist use a little more seasoning? Rolling Stone Latin selects some of the best new music releases from Latin America, Spain and Portugal. Keep track of the latest in Latin via our playlist on Spotify.

Arca, “Mequetrefe”

La Doña Arca spins critical gender theory in her latest track — then adds a little bounce for the club. Her head-spinning new song “Mequetrefe,” the Spanish equivalent of a “do-nothing” in her native Venezuela, encapsulates both tensions of sound and gender. According to the artist, the song “invokes the tenderness...

Stephen Harber Sep 13, 2019

Low on nightmare fuel? Fill your tank and relive the scariest moments from The Real Ghostbusters cartoon!

The Real Ghostbusters was a pretty fucked up cartoon sometimes. I think that’s one of life’s universal truths. I’ve been thinking about the show a lot lately, and I’m not quite sure why the world needed an unholy amalgam of anime, cheesy ‘80s synth music, and mind-bending eldritch horror with a chiseled version of Bill Murray on top.

But it did, and it still feels so right to this day. And the best part? It's on Netflix!

Forget Ecto Force. Phh. Who needs that? (Besides me?) I propose a new, rebooted Real Ghostbusters animated series that features the new female cast. Though I’m sure Melissa McCarthy’s character Abby Yates would have inconsistent hair coloring for no apparent reason.

But until that day comes, let's just appreciate what we have,...

It's trite, but accurate: Paula Abdul is forever my girl. Today is the singer/choreographer's 50th birthday, and while the last decade redefined her as Simon Cowell's affable sideick, I think she's a kickass pop icon for plenty of other reasons. Her innocent, but nervy effervescence made her a compelling dancer and performer, and she delivered some of the best music videos of the late '80s and early '90s. Here are 10 reasons I'll always blow her kisses in the wind.

1. "Straight Up" is as addictive now as it was then.

Even without its magnificent video featuring flashy black-and-white jiving and an Arsenio Hall cameo, "Straight Up" remains one of the great, danceable earworms of all time. Who can resist that bridge with its punchy call, "Or-am-i-a-page-in-your-his-tor-y Book?" It's the quintessential Paula jam, and its splashy vulnerability is the trademark of Paula's early career.

2. She literally schooled Janet Jackson.

I know it’s folly to imagine “Songs of the ’80s” Night on American Idol without another no me gusta cover of Phil Collins’ “Against All Odds (Take A Look At Me Now),” or at least an extra notch in the belt of “Total Eclipse Of The Heart.” But you know me: An optimist to the core. And in that spirit, I’ve cooked up some unexpected song suggestions for the Season 11 Top 8. Check out my picks for each contestant, then hit the comments section and brainstorm your own dream set list!

American Idol Season 11 Top 9 Results Recap: Nicks and...

The premiere of Madonna's video for "Give Me All Your Luvin,'" the first single off her new album M.D.N.A., is today, children. It's bound to be a little over-the-top and nutty, like the deranged song itself, and I assume it's not going to live up to the greatest stuff in Madonna's catalog. Then I remember: What does live up to the best stuff in Madonna's catalog? Turns out, not much. Madonna's repertoire is a varied and thundering collection of self-empowering pop ditties, soulful ballads, and kooky little anomalies. And they're mostly all irreplaceable. In the tradition of Rolling Stone, who listed their 100 Greatest Beatles Songs a couple years ago, let's reinspect Madonna's complete history and name her definitive 100 jams. Ready? Start disagreeing Now.

100. "Dance 2Night" from Hard Candy

Hard Candy’s most euphoric groove (and best dancefloor-filler) makes the stilted duo...

Here is last week's caption pic winner. This week's caption pic is at the bottom of the page.

Thanks to everyone for participating! The winner is ...

"As Mayor Bloomberg blew into Lady Gaga's mouth, a large glittery balloon inflated from her butt."

Thanks to Luke for this week's winning caption!

Weekend Birthdays! (Note: Birthday shoutouts are for out entertainers, allies, or for any celeb that seems to have a following on Ae). Liam Hemsworth (above) is 22, nerd god Nate Silver is 34, Patrick Dempsey is 46, Jason Bateman is 43, Andrea Martin is 65, Regina King is 41, LL Cool J is 44, Lisa Lisa is 45, and Faye Dunaway is 71. Apparently she had her favorite dog turned into a pair of boots when it died, so now I don't know what to get her. Damn. Oh well, Time to name your top five Faye movies! Here are mine: 5. "Network," 4. "Bonnie & Clyde," 3. "Supergirl," 2. "Mommie Dearest" 1. "The...

Beastie Boys eased naturally into their role as hip-hop elder statesmen a long time ago. These days the Boys are so far removed from trends in contemporary hip-hop that they’re practically Paleolithic—and that seems to suit them just fine. On Hot Sauce Committee Part Two, Ad-Rock, McA, and Mike D. perform old school bits with telltale names like “The Lisa Lisa/Full Force Routine” and “The Larry Routine” with the cheesy élan of grandparents telling cornball jokes to their indulgent grandkids. Like the Boys’ curiously underrated last album, 2004’s To The 5 Boroughs, Hot Sauce is rooted ...

TV @ the Movies

Did you watch the finale of RuPaul's Drag Race earlier this week? For the final challenge they had to do a catsuit clad catfight and a music video "scene" with RuPaul straight outta 80s era Dynasty. I fully expected the series outcome but I was still disappointed. Scary/beautiful Raven was robbed. She was great all season long but for the finale challenge she was the only contestant who understood and nailed the 80s.

"I'm channeling Lisa Lisa. I'm chanelling Kelly LeBrock. I'm channeling Teena Marie."Raven (2010) & Kelly LeBrock (1985)

I believe this is the first time in the history of the English language that anyone has said "I'm channelling Kelly LeBrock." Or at least the first time anyone's thought of doing so since the mid 80s when LeBrock had her flash-in-the-pan as the ideal female in The Woman in Red (1984) and Weird Science (1985).

By the time they...

It has been five days since America took a machete to the seriously talented people on "American Idol," but as is always the case with this insane show, you just have to accept the results and move on. (Says the man who spent the day watching Katelyn Epperly's "The Scientist" on repeat. While clutching a homemade Allison Iraheta plush doll. And weeping.)

But we have a brand new Top 12 to (Ford) focus on. And, as it turns out, a brand new "Idol" stage which ... um ... looked exactly like last year's "Idol" stage. I'll give anyone five bucks if they can tell me how light-up stairs, giant screens on the floor and an elevated band equals "new."

On Tuesday night (March 16), the Rolling Stones offered up their classics to be Idolized. For those of you keeping score at home, the Beatles had two (!) dedicated theme weeks in 2008. In the eternal Beatles vs.