Japanese TV: Human Tetris

The funniest part of this video of a Japanese TV show is the very end:

Also, here is the equally enjoyable, albeit, French, version of "Human Tetris":

There's actually a few more like that on YouTube.

Odd Japanese Panda Toaster Commercial...

Japanese TV: Haneru no Tobira Slip and Slide

I have another message... from another time...

A short time ago I showed the DAICON IV film to Ani-Pock. But, it should be noted, that there are other convention films beyond the infamous DAICON III & IV (which launched much of the careers of the founders of Gainax)!

Take a look at some of these early convention films.
(May contain baffling/ridiculous situations and some "Barbie doll" nudity, pretty PG-13.)

Here is the third film from the 1984 Special Effects Convention, "AWAKE":

And here we have one from the early eighties AZICON, "Orusuta!":

Not all DAICON openings were animated, here is the first DAICON, from 1981 (soooo very difficult to locate this version... TT.TT):

(...LOL. T.T; It was worth it!)

But this one is animated! XD
The DAICON III "Omake":

Also I have a link to a copy of both DAICON III & IV (see them both) remastered for quality and clarity in both audio and video. It's still YouTube quality... but it still makes for a remarkable and stunning video in this condition.

Japanese TV: Judo Washing Machine

New Japan Photos at Ani-Pock Album

Over 150 photos of Japan have been uploaded to the Ani-Pock photo album!

These pictures are from the trip Kip and THC's dad took in October.
If you like these, I think I have more...

You can view an embeded slideshow here, or you can visit the album link.

Carrot Concerto

An 'Anime Kip is Watching' Brief: Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei Season 2

Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei Season 2 is just as stunning, poignant, and "warm-feeling-visually-appealing" as the first season.

*Sigh*

Didn't take them long to get rolling on a season 2!
Truly the best of anime, that is what this series is.

Pikachu Pajamas.

Pikachu Pajamas

Who said Pokemon was too old for you?
I of course think you are never too old for it!! Seriously, it's a beloved series most of us watched when we were younger. Maybe even played the games as well. Pokemon Red anyone? This pajamas are to die for, literally. It's so adorable. I even googled these and got those what-cha-ma-call-them tan, white make up girls. I don't remember the name but they have it on them. LAME! I would murder anyone who has this on the street. You know I will!!!! I WANT THOSE PAJAMAS! NOW GO ON THE SEARCH FOR THESE! ; ^; So it's Japanese site jumping for me I suppose.

LOL! Gundam Costs...

From Anime News Network:
SciencePortal.jp, a website run by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), has released a report estimating how much it would cost to build a 18-meter-tall (59-feet-tall), functioning "Morph-X" combat robot similar to those used in the Gundam anime franchise. The estimate assumes that the robot would only have the ability to walk, not fly, and that it would not be equipped with any weaponry. The Japanese government funds about 90% of JST's budget, with the remaining coming from the agency's own operational income.

Here's the breakdown:

Read more about the Gundam specs (and see some pics of lifesize Gundam parts from the Bandai Museum!) at the ANN article.

By the way...
Credit for the last post ("New Cool Thing of the Year") goes to Kami for locating the article. Thanks, Kami!

New Cool Thing of the Year: ROBOT PANTS!!!

Mainichi news reports on something new and interesting:

A robotic suit that increases the muscular capabilities of the wearer.

The "farming robot suit," developed by a team of researchers led by Shigeki Toyama, a professor in the graduate school of the Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, has been tested on farms. Researchers hope to have the technology in use in 2 years and develop it into a product and begin selling it in four years.

The suit, which is secured with belts, consists of a resin framework with eight motors to assist the movements of the knees, elbows, lower back and shoulders, making farm work easier.

When pulling out a Japanese radish, for example, about 20 kilograms of instantaneous pressure is exerted on the knees and lower back, but when using the robot suit, only about half the force is used.

No word on whether the suit gives you super battle strength to fight your enemies, but it certainly is a step in the direction of the Guyver suit.

Japanese TV: Kasou Taishou Enka Man's Path

Very cool performance simulating a music video!

Continuing Coverage: NEWTYPE USA Ends Publication

Via Anime News Network

Further, Kage draws our attention to some interesting news found at the WiKiP!edia:

D.N.Angel's first new chapter in 2 years will be released in the January Monthly Asuka. Kage adds that this means it will obviously be a while before the manga are published in English. Fans of the series should be pleased.

Breaking News: NEWTYPE Ceases US Publication

Representatives from NEWTYPE USA, one of the foremost anime magazines in North America, based on the widely popular Japanese counterpart, announced today that February's issue of NEWTYPE, will be the last.

The magazine is expected to be replaced, however, under the same publisher.

The magazine was one of the first on the market meant specifically for the genre, and is notably famous for being unflipped (the front cover opens from the right), usually containing a DVD featuring previews of upcoming anime for release, typically over two hundered pages every issue (going way beyond what some anime magazines feature), and... its newsstand cover price.

Recently, NEWTYPE came into competition with another publication, the bimonthly Otaku USA *(added link), which, although lighter on information compared to NEWTYPE, also contains many of the same features NEWTYPE did, including a DVD in every issue, for less of a cover price.

In terms of numbers, NEWTYPE had been rivaling Anime Insider (Kip's #1 magazine) in terms of sales despite the extras the NEWTYPEs have. As Anime News Network says, Sales are "similar to competing publication Anime Insider's, somewhere between 50,000 and 75,000 copies per month." Both publications celebrated milestones recently, in November, AI released its 50th issue, while NT proclaimed its fifth year in publication.
It should be noted, ANN has its own magazine affiliation as well: Protoculture Addicts, which is published in Canada.

It is suggested that the March issue, due in late February, may be the intended last issue -therefore a potential issue #66- but there is no word comfirming that yet.

Personally, I find this a bad move by a well established name (and a famous one to boot) to end its publication. The title refers to the name given to the class of humans in the Gundam universe who are said to have evolved to the next stage of evolutionary progression. A fitting name for one of the cutting edge staples in the anime news world.

If you have a favorite anime magazine in your country that is not listed here, please leave us a comment about it.

Don't worry, I've already alerted the Wikipedia...

Japanese TV: Classical pranks

Hilarious Japanese TV Show
Uploaded by thexcity

Japanese TV: Kasou Taishou Snow White

Extremely impressive solo performance!!

The Snow White Story
Uploaded by bazookajapan

Japanese pop singer Ayumi Hamasaki deaf in left ear

Japanese pop singer Ayumi Hamasaki deaf in left ear_English_Xinhua via kwout

Japanese TV: Kasou Taishou Olympic Highlights

Via Japan Probe.com:
A group of 9 university students performed these “Olympic Highlights” on the Kasou Taishou(also known asKinchan and Katori Shingo’s All Japan Costume Grand Prix) special that aired last night on NTV:

Hello Kitty Digital Camera

Japanese TV: 80's commercials

Pacman Helmet

Yoda Origami: Destroy the Scissors, We Must.

Japanese TV: Gaki No Tsukai

The point is to not laugh while silly people do things. If you laugh, you get hit!

A New Year Message

Here is a message Japan's prime minister, Yasuo Fukuda, presented to the world via YouTube, yesterday, January 1st.

As a part of the Liberal Democratic Party's intentions to reach a global audience and a younger class of voters, this is one among the many videos Fukuda has submitted to YouTube since the service was launched last month, but is the first in which he speaks English, aside from the video he and his friend submitted of the time they were mixing Mentos with Diet Pepsi and he said some pretty colorful words when the stuff got all over his prime minister suit.

Of course I am kidding.

But here is the video in its entirety, of Fukuda describing Japan's situation as it enters a new era -in English, of course.

Read more at Mainichi News Daily about the intentions of the prime minister and his video message.

Thanks, Kami for the article. This was a facinating video.

Neat Japanese Pool

Note: Do not mix with nice boats.
Yeah... it's fake! XD

Japanese TV: The Most Popular Canned Foods

Canned-food-ranking
Uploaded by japan4000

USB Sake Memory Stick