Like Pocky, but less fun and cheaper!

Forgive me for this not being entirely Japanese blog newsworthy news, but it is quite close.

Pringle Brand Snacks has unveiled something that is definitely supposed to be like Pocky, if Pocky was more concerned about your weight...

Let me introduce...

Stix!

Okay. It's basically the standard Pocky biscuit stick...
And that's it. No chocolate... no magical, dipped flavor goodness.
All of the taste is in the stick.

The sweet flavors include vanilla and honey butter, which match the taste of the Pocky stick well enough to have a fondue party with them.
And the only current savory Stix flavor is pizza. Reminiscent of Pretz, but not quite.

The biggest reasons to buy: Cheap and calorie-effective. Ten packs come to a box and each pack has fifteen sticks, that's 150 sticks in all, without the chocolate, that's still more than I get in a regular Pocky box. On top of that, no matter the flavor, each ten pack is less than one hundred calories. I find myself nibbling on them between meals, or for an extra energy boost at night.

If it bothers you that much, heat up a double boiler on your stove with some chocolate inside, and you can make homemade Pocky. For added fun, buy a really, really milky chocolate and add flavorings to the mix to create your own wacky Pocky, er, Stix.
Just dip, cool, and go! Hopefully Pringles will figure it out and make more Pocky-like versions. Now to get Pepsi to start making Ramune...

You can find Stix... somewhere. I see them from store to store (outside US... I dunno, maybe). Go find them.
Note: Not a potato chip!

Japanese TV: Olympic torch passes through Nagano

News report. From the sky, the 100 person guard system looks like a white dragon. Also, I think right about 4:11, the runners exchanging the torch accidently put it out xD The girl runner might have turned hers off before giving it to the guy runner. Good thing they carry a "backup flame".

Japanese TV: A collection of American TV Ads show in Japan

Can't tell you what the commentator is saying, but some of these ads I've never seen! Check it out! They do a nice Japanese replay sometimes too xD

"Jump" to Preview New "One Piece" and "Dragon Ball" Specials

From Anime News Network:

This year's 21st issue (released on April 21) of Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump magazine has announced that a "Jump Super Anime Tour" will visit 10 Japanese cities this fall with new anime specials for Dragon Ball and One Piece. The tour is the eighth project that celebrates the 40th anniversary of the magazine. The magazine also hints that at least one other title will also be animated.

The preview comes before the winter 2009 release of the live action Dragon Ball movie.
Pictured: Captain Perry is looking for the missing OOOOO.

Anime Kip is Watching: Spring Already?

What a great spring for anime it is! Normally I can find one hit a season, but this season is packed with so many unique and exciting series! Not just moe crap and vampires, or moe-crap-vampires!

This December saw an anniversary preview for an upcoming MACROSS Frontier series, that began airing this April. You know this series from the Nyan Nyan video that has been posted in the chat... like... a dozen times or more. MACROSS Frontier is a beautiful series. The animation is so stunning, it nearly does look real. There is a whole cast of outstanding and unforgettable characters developing already amidst a lot of sweet battle action.
And who doesn't love our Nyan Nyan girl, Lanka, with her quirky attitude and tender sweetness... and squishy... hampster slash cellphone slash whatever device? I wholeheartedly believe that the MACROSS team intentionally orchestrated the Nyan Nyan dance to become an internet meme, à la the Haruhi dance, and others, by the way. And why not? It's given the series a lot of attention already. Check out the score done by Yoko Kanno also, the battles are set beautifully to the music played in each scene.

A short while ago I recommended, The Tower of Druaga. While the series did change direction some from the first episode, it's still a medievalish series about a party of fighters trying to take out an oppressive god from power... but it's no longer a campy, RPG-hinting series. Curse you Gonzo. You do this every time! Still looks pretty okay, though! Keep your eyes on it. I still don't understand the opening theme...

Another new anime, Allison and Lillia, has appeared. The series reminds me of Kino's Journey, but maybe a little more mellow, and a lot more Miyazaki like. A LOT more Miyazaki like. Take a look and you'll see why.
The series involves two young friends who live on a planet where the nations are divided in two on one large continent. The two nations are at war with each other, but have recently reached an armistice. Allison and her friend Wil believe they can locate a treasure that may end the war, but it will involve a long journey, all the way into enemy territory. Beautiful scenes and a relaxing beat with lots of adventure make this an exciting shonen/shojo series.

As well, ZOKU! Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei will close another excellent season soon. That's still the greatest series of all time, that will never make it on to DVD outside of Japan. But, all in all, this is an excellent season to enjoy anime! My congrats to the anime companies for turning out a couple more great series, all at once! I'm going to be busy watching them all!

Oh, and there's one more series out there that I haven't seen. A short one: Shi's Sweet Home, about a cat who loses its mother, that comes to live with another family, with all the cutesey-wootsey and tear-jerking you can fit into two minutes. Could this be the same Shi from Shii's song?

A Very Complete online Pokedex

Thank to Nip for sending me this link to a very complete catalogue of Pokemon online. From the main list, you can click on each one to learn everything you want to know! Link >>
Did you know Pichu comes before Pikachu? I never knew! xD


Even a mp3 for the cry can be heard:
There's also a whole section on items, TMs:

While were on the subject of Pokemon, our very own Kafei is hosting a "What Pokemon are You?" thread in the forum. Kafei will use her expert advice to pick out a pokemon after filling out a few questions! Jump to that forum post now >>

Update: Kip recommends Bulbapedia. Like Wikipedia but for Pokemon! Look they also have a comprehensive Pokedex and get Pokemon news including this article discussing the next possible names for next-gen Pokemon game names:

"Pocketmonster Topaz; Pocketmonster Amethyst; Pocketmonster Whitegold; Pocketmonster Tourmaline; and Pocketmonster Moonstone."

Japanese TV: Tokyo secret underground emergency supply system

Pretty cool! Reminds me a bit of Neon Genesis Evangelion.

Cute homemade bento boxes

View the rest here >>
There is also another set where the bento boxes are album themed. Example:
View the rest of the album ones >>

Japanese TV: Robotic Bicycle Parking System

Amazing! But what if you have training wheels on your bike? Will it still work? :3

Japanese TV: Dog + Vacuum Cleaner

This dog loves and HATES the vacuum cleaner at the same time! He can't make up his mind!

Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm game trailer

This game play footage, looks like the anime itslef!!

Japanese TV: Shimura Zoo- Man Lives in House With Baby Pandas

Cudly!

Johnny Bunko Trailer

Here's a new American book being released in manga form! I'd read a lot more English books if they were presented in manga format! ^_^

Math manga anyone??? Oh wait... there's Math Note :D

Johnny Bunko trailer from Daniel Pink on Vimeo.

Word of teh week!

All But --hotondo (ho-to-n-do)
Kare-wa mo-sukoshi-no-tokoro-de yake-shinu-tokoro-datta(He was all but burnt to death)
(this week's word(s) was chosen because of the sentince discribing it)
Note- the word and sentice was taken from a english to japaneese dictionary.....so it might be a bit weird...sorry!

Automatic Super Mario Music Video

Via JapanProbe.com: A custom-made Super Mario World level plays itself and syncs with JAM Project’s “Gong”.
Pocky's note: The synchronization is really cool, and must have taken a very long time. It's not as apparent in the first 1:30 minutes, but I think you'll enjoy it after that!

Hot New Anime Store Opens in London, UK

It's only been a couple of months since a new anime and Japanese-goods store, Tokyo Toys, opened in London.
The new shop has loads of merchandise, more figures than you can shake an enclosed-glass case at, and even a cafe!

More pictures here.
Certaily worth making the pilgrimage for the day if you live anywhere nearby.

No mention of Pocky though...
What all does your local Japanese goods store, if you have one?
I love getting the kurogoma daifuku!

This is where the picture of one would go, if I didn't eat them all already... XD

On this day in history...

Sixteen years ago today, US President George H. W. Bush, met with the Prime Minister of Japan. And President Bush's lunch met with the PM too.

Yep. In probably his biggest diplomatic blunder since... the first Iraq war... George Bush Sr., vomited on the most important person in Japan... of 1992.

And you'd better believe there's a video out there!

Not for the weak willed, click at your own risk!

Giant Haruhi Figurine: So Many Puns, So Little Room

There is a life-sized Suzumiya Haruhi "figurine" out there. And she's buyable! As in, you can pre-order one for... oh... 380,000 Yen (3,700 USD or 2,400 Eur, my how the currencies have shifted!).

"In addition to Haruhi, Papermoon [the figurine manufacturing company] features a series of hand crafted life-sized figures, including Saber from the series Fate/Stay Night, Al Azif from Demonbane, Rei and Asuka from Evangelion, and Chi from Chobits among many others.

"Papermoon's Haruhi, main character of The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya series, will stand 158 cm tall, with feet 23.5 cm in size. The life-sized doll will feature 22 points of articulation, including the neck, shoulders, elbows, waist, legs, knees, ankles, and even fingers."

I feel like just lifting off her hair, and trying it on for a moment. Just for giggles.

Read more at Akibanana, plus see six more pics!

Anime Kip... Started Watching Today: Tower of Druaga

Okay.
Don't take this anime seriously for a minute! It's:

The Tower of Druaga!

And it's like... Scrapped Princess, meets The Slayers, meets the first episode of Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuutsu, meets your favorite MMORPG.

What?

Well take a look (all optimized quality and full length even!):

This is an anime with classic hilarity. From the taboo phrase, "I plan to return to my hometown and get married," that gets the speaker inevitably killed, to how casual acquaintances and even enemies are somehow lifelong friends worth fighting for in the main character's mind, to the scene where... how should I explain it... well, a monster, that seems to have many appendages, or tentacles, if you will... that attacks a certain female member of the party, and... how the characters proceed to just watch from the side for a while, before finally attacking.

But the thing about it is... by the end of the episode, things will be completely different. That's why I said to think of it as simply the first episode of SHnY; a completely separate storyline from the rest of the series.

Oh, and plus, the guy totally mentions my last post on here in the last one second of the anime! XD

And Musicians 'Kool and the Gang' Made the Car Wash Sound Fun...

Kip here with another excellent and picture-filled post.
I hope it turns out looking better than the last one did...

I believe I have discovered the most awesome stylus game, ever! At least the best game in a decade. And you thought Cooking Mama was great! Check out 13-year-old's Hello Work DS!

Look counterclockwisedly from the left. You can try your hand at a plethora of jobs that one would find in real life! Not just Half-Life 4*!

• You can be a profession near and dear to my heart: a TV news reporter. Or the fellow putting out the fire behind her, even!
• Or soccer player.
• And... dog washer... groomer...
• ... I really don't know what's going on in that last pic...

The stylus is implemented so that you can perform on-screen tasks, like pointing and firing the hose just right to douse that towering inferno. Or you can follow the musical notes to-

-Gasp! VOCALOID2's Hatsune Miku! What are you doing in this game?

Oh, Miss Miku, you are ever so clever at music making. I think this could be the start of a very excellent career. And, my, that tie matches the color of your eyes so beautifly, like the sky on-

Gar! The music is displeasing to her!!! You'll never be a pop-singer! Run away! *Sob!* What have you done!?!

...So, essentially, you play as the above pictured Katou Miku (surname first, so as not to confuse you) who... travels back in time from the future... to... give you career options... via your portable gaming device.
Right.

Woah, what's going on there?

...Anyway, pick this one up definitely, and not just for the simulated pop diva guest appearances!

Read more here and here, but not here.

*Some portions of this game used to recruit people to Black Mesa.

Ewwwwww: A Ghost in the Shell Inspired Menu

Eww.
Why bother.
I dunno, maybe this stuff floats your boat.

The Cure Maid Cafe in Akihabara will begin selling Ghost in the Shell foods soon for a limited time.

Want some cyborg food? Yeah, it sounds just as appetizing as the stuff they show in the anime.
"The salad sandwich has 15 types of vegetables in it."
Then you can finish it down with a glass of natural oil.
"A refreshing blend of orange juice and lemon squash." Thankfully that's a soda... not a yellow vegetable.

Other menu items include Laughing Man pancakes/hotcakes/flapjacks with the LM logo branded on them, an assortment of beverages (mostly liquors) suited to each character, and even... Tachikoma... jelly. That's Tachikoma blue jello, with a scoop vanilla of ice cream on top, made to look like a Tachikoma's eyes.

Delightful.

And to think it couldn't get any worse than the Dr. Seuss inspired breakfasts at iHOP. Yes, you can get green eggs and ham there.
Though the beezlenut soda does look interesting...

It moves!

Read more at Akibanana and iHOP's respective webistes.

Introducing.....

Introducing the new Japanese word of the week!
Every week on friday, I'll post a word and its meaning and how to say it, if you have any word suggestions ( no cuss words ) I'll see if I can find it.

Now for the first word of the week!
Ookami n. (oo-ka-mee)- wolf
ookami ga kowaii desu! (that wolf is scary)

Uutismixi - "Japanese culture takes world by storm"

A section from Finnish news show Uutismixi ("News Mix") about the growing interest in Japanese culture.

Rena's Sakura-Con 2008 Report

Wikipedia:

Sakura-Con is an annual three-day anime convention held during March or April at the Washington State Convention and Trade Center in Seattle, Washington. Sakura-Con is sponsored by the Asia Northwest Cultural Education Association (ANCEA).

Ok so Rena went to sakuracon all weekend and had a BLAST (kaboom~!) on friday we spent most of the day spending all of our money on posters and books in the shopping center, and around lunch time we met a group of cosplayers from alll kinds of anime and hung out with them. they became our group of friends for the weekend, and we stuck with them the whole time so we wouldn't get lost.



In the pics, there's a buncha Wolfwoods with giant crosses, that's rena's brother! =D and also a lot of sanzo (sp) from rurouni kenshin with a 13 1/2 foot sword, that's our friend kyle who came along with us. they turned out to be celebrities! o.o we couldn't walk 10 feet (im' not exaggerating) without someone asking for a photo, so after about 5 hours of crossing a hall, we ditched them.



Saturday night from 9 till around 2 am there was a rave, and we got a buncha glowsticks, and rena got to rave with about 4 kakashis and a bakura and countless other anime cosplayers XD it was awsome. after the rave we met up with our group of people (which had grown to about 30 regulars) and played hacky sac for a few hours

Then on the way to the hotel my brother got us lost so we didn't get there until around 3 in the morning (wayyyy after it closed) then we woke up at 10ish and went back for sunday, the last day of the con to say byebye to everyone. i got tons of emails and phone numbers, and jeeze, i dunno what to say..it was SO FUN. oh yah, saturday was my friend Sophia's (nekomomo) birthday,
she said it was the best ever cuz saturday afternoon we got a cake, went into the main hall and got about 200 cosplayers to sing happy birthday to her. she was so embarrassed X3 hmm...what else...



Oh! if you're on youtube and you find a video that says something like "sakuracon 08 cosplayers dancing to thriller,caramelldansen and hare hare yukai," please tell me cuz we're in that..so it's a big group XD ummm not much else to say, i'll probably be inviting everyone i met onto ani-pock if they're not too busy with school, so watch out for new members.

Thanks Rena! Sakura Con looks fantastic! Will definitely have to check it out sometime!