NEWS:
Oxford University genetics professor Dr. Bryan Sykes' theory that one type of Yeti is an ancient polar/brown bear hybrid was widely reported in the media, bringing the Yeti closer to the forefront of the popular imagination.
Skeptics are all like: "See, the yeti is a bear!" And believers are all like: "See, the yeti is an unknown animal!"
So everybody's happy.... That's right, Everyone's a Winner!
MOVIES:
I thought there weren't going to be any yetis in movies this year (unlike last year when they were all over the place), but then Pixar pulled a fast one on us (in the best way possible) and included their Yeti in Monsters University:
Pixar gets the top award this year for doing that.
Thank you, Pixar!
for including the Yeti in Monsters University
for including the Yeti in Monsters University
TELEVISION:
Harold, the Matterhorn yeti, made his cartoon debut in Mickey Mouse cartoon, Yodelberg:
There have been yetis in the animated Monster High webisodes:
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The anime "One Piece" episode featuring the Cool Yeti Brothers, which aired in April 2013:
Some missing episodes of The Web of Fear, the Doctor Who story featuring the Yeti, were found and made available!
But the top spot goes to this year's "Night Vision" Superbowl commercial, which starred a man wrestling a yeti over Wheat Thins. This was the yeti that was probably seen by the most amount of people.
MUSIC:
Hands down, the biggest music event of the year was Kanye West live in concert wearing a Yeti disguise.
Heroism. Pure and simple.
PUBLICATIONS:
An issue of the ForteanTimes had a cover story about the Russia yeti. The cover featured a rock-wielding yeticorn!
The winner is a picture book, "Yeti, Turn Out the Light!", featuring the Gama-Go yeti:
Happy Decennial Anniversary, Gama-Go Yeti!
GAMES:
DuckTales Remastered is just what the title suggests, a remastering of the 1990 DuckTales video game. They improved the yeti 100%:
Studio Ghibli made a video game, Ni-Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch, and oh yeah, they be yeti in it:
First place goes to: Candy Crush Saga - one of the most popular, successful games of the year:
TOYS:
Lotso toys came out this year.
This 64-colors designer toy is très chic. Wish I'd grabbed it up when it was more available:
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I was able to acquire this Monsters, Inc. plush, which is just swell. Also makes a great gift for a certain nephew who is obsessed with stuffed animals:
And there's the Big Boots Arctic Yeti Catcher Vehicle Playset which came out this July and is getting good reviews:
But, no contest, the best is the Lego Collectible Mini-figure. Easily, one of the biggest yeti events of the year, regardless of category:
FAVORITE POSTS:
Here's what I liked best:
- Yeti Frozen Yogurt truck in my town
- Michael Bukowski's Yeti
- Jetpack Man vs. Yeti
- Photobominable
- The German comic sensation I'd never heard of
- I like the design of this game's yeti head
- My 7 year bloggiversary
- Fake Native American Deity
- Acrostic of Abominable Snowman
- Aqrabuamelu
- Super Friends' Bigfoot episode
- George R.R. Martin's Chewbacca
- The Not Yeti
- Sad Dead Tauntaun
My #1 post of the year is a tie :
The Northern Henry
Artwork by Travis Louie
Bes
This Egyptian god is the best. If Bes was real, let's just say my current faith would be tested.
NEVER THOUGHT I'D SEE THIS:
- Danny DeVito & the Yeti
- My father at the International Cryptozoology Museum
- Google Maps April Fools
- Jackie Chan vs. Yeti video game
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| By Chris Vititoe |
New category: O' WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN, BUT WASN'T:
I was surprised to learn that the animated film "Wreck-It Ralph" almost starred a yeti:
But they switched it to a regular human dude.
A LOOK AHEAD:
On this blog in the next year, my readers can expect theme weeks on such diverse topics as:
- Top Hats
- Puppets
- The 2014 Winter Olympic Games
- Aliens
- Antlers
As well as the return of some favorites such as kids cartoons, the eating of random things, Wampa Week, and cyclopses.
Plus, stay tuned very soon for my 3,000th post! I am planning a whopper for it.
There you go! I declare 2013 the Year of the Yeti! Huzzeti!
Please note: Every year is the Year of the Yeti on this blog.
A LOOK AHEAD
What can one expect in the popular culture in the coming year(s)?
Let's speculate based on some recent clues...
Long Shots:
1) Harry Potter writer JK Rowling will do Fantastic Beasts movie,
Could this mean that yeti is one of the featured fantastic beasts?
Why a long shot? Sure, the Yeti was included in the original book version of Fantastic Beasts. But it just seems like wishful thinking considering the competition. What I really want to see is a yeti as somebody's patronus. I mean, why not? Dumbledore's was a phoenix after all!
Hmm, that makes me wonder if Scott Pilgrim's patronus is a yeti?
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2) The new World of Warcraft movie could have yeti.
It's one of the game's more identifiable monsters. Time will tell whether David Bowie's son wants to express the love what dare not speak its name (psst talkin' bout yeti).
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3) Wampa on the big screen again
Apparently, starting in 2015, there will be a new Star Wars film in theaters every single year because they will be doing more origin story prequels besides the new sequel trilogy. Seems possible the Wampa will make another silver screen appearance. I can just picture an aged, learned Luke Skywalker returning to Hoth and saying: "I sense something; a presence I have not felt since... 'The Empire Strikes Back'!" and he be talkin' bout Wampa!
Why a long shot? I'm guessing JJ and co. will probably want to make up their own new alien monsters, rather than re-do old ones.
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Less of a Long Shot:
1) Hotel Translyvania 2 is coming in September 2015
Seems possible they'll bring back the yeti character.
2) Neil Gaiman wants to bring back the Doctor Who yeti
"I would love to have a huge shambling robotic Yeti, just because I loved them when I was a kid. So, I would love to do that. That would be wonderful.” Plus, The Web Of Fear was (mostly) restored. So maybe we will see a revamped yeti in the new Peter Capaldi Dr. W !
3) In development is a movie called The Hill based on Disney's Matterhorn ride.
A big budget live-action movie featuring Harold is in the works, folks!
4) Hammer Films is planning a reboot of their classic 1950's film "The Abominable Snowman of the Himalayas"
This is very exciting.
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Definitely happening:
Safari Ltd® Cryptozoology Toob is coming in 2014
Loren Coleman says: "The great impact of little cryptid figurines being so available in 2014 cannot be overstated."
Looks like you get them now at the International Cryptozoology Museum.
