AP Japan Blog

HiyoKoi - Really cute brandnew anime!

2010-12-22T04:11:00.000-08:00

[Ribon] The famous japanese magazine had this anime follows the 11th number =D
It's a really really cute anime!
Then I mean REALLY. If you liked Toradora do watch this!

Part 1

Part 2

Otaku Takes American Idol

2010-01-12T22:24:00.000-08:00

You might have caught this on the recent American Idol if your A/V receptor gets this program.

A young singer appeared in the latest season of Idol proudly showing off her otaku-ness alongside her vocals.

I won't spoil what her result in the contest was, but check out the judges' reactions!

Mark my words, I think she will be better known for her appearance as this public otaku character than her time on Idol overall.

Beautiful Daicon Artwork from Cult Films

2009-12-12T09:25:00.000-08:00

I recently found this discussion thread where fans have assembled some great information about the Daicon films.

Included in the thread is some pictures of a rare Daicon bunny girl garage kit:

As well as some really very gorgeous fan art, more of which can be found on the DeviantArt page of Daikikun:

If you know me, I'm a big fan of these little movies! And for good reason too; they've had quite an impact on otaku for decades since the first films were screened at the Daicon conference in Osaka, Japan.
Just in care you are looking for more information and other artwork and stills from the films... have you seen my other article yet?

Japanese TV: Human Powered Hamburger Vending Machine

2009-11-02T10:11:00.000-08:00

Put a few coins in... and watch! But if you want a second... you'll have to wait for him to reload it xD

Japanese TV: Pan kun goes to a magic show

2009-09-08T14:49:00.000-07:00

Our favorite Japanese chimpanzee stops by for a magic show. His reactions are great!

Back To School Dramas?

2009-09-04T17:25:00.000-07:00

With Labour Day just around the corner (Sept 7th in Canada), it spells "Back to School" for many people.

Now, I know many have already started their journey Back to School, but don't worry... this is also for you.

To help prepare for the dramas that surround school, I thought some High School Dramas would be useful.

I know the word "Drama" has the tendency to bring about apprehension in the hearts of our "Ani-Pockers",

but I hope this may help dispel some of that as well.

From my experience in North American Schools, teachers are typically seen as "The Enemy"...

certainly not someone you'd invite to karaoke...

(One of my former teachers at Karaoke)

Perhaps that may be because some students haven't had a TEACHER as GREAT as ONIZUKA.

Great Teacher Onizuka (GTO), is about a former... err... "troubled youth", ex-biker gang leader,

that wants to turn his life around and become a teacher... but not just ANY teacher... he wants to become a Great one.

Using his life experiences and his own brand of methods, he hopes to prevent others from becoming like him.

Unfortunately, mostly due to his "colourful" past, he's met with hostilities from other teachers as well as students...

This 1998 drama is loosely based on Fujisawa Tooru's 1997 - 2002 manga of the same name, and much like the manga

(and later anime 1999 - 2000), this live action rendition (Staring Sorimachi, Takashi and Matsushima, Nanako)

promises to bring in a lot of laughs, some tears, and moral lessons...

Oh! Sorimachi, Takashi's singing is pretty good too (o^ -'')b

Due to the popularity of this drama, a 2 hour special was made in 1999 and theatrical movie in 2000.

The lead actors who first met on the set of GTO, married in 2001.

-----------

Whom ever thinks they may be too old to go back to school might be especially interested in My Boss, My Hero.

This 2006 Drama, similar to the 2001 South Korean movie of the same (international) name,

is about a 27year old Yakuza who wants to succeed his father in running his gang...

Unfortunately the lead character Sakaki, Makio (played by Nagase, Tomoya of TOKIO) is... well... not too bright.

After screwing up a 27million yen deal, his father buys Makio into the last year of a private high school under the condition if Makio graduates, then he can succeed as the next boss... if not, it goes to his younger and much smarter brother Mikio.

"Tornado" Makio, whose love of liquor, women and pudding, is put to the test,

as he tries to keep his age and his Yakuza identity a secret in order to graduate.

This story has the beauty and trials of youth, and the joys of learning,

wrapped up in a nice comedic package with a few tears and moral lessons.

Oh! TOKIO performs the ending theme 宙船 (そらふね) which sold over 400k copies and was still in the top 50 charts even 4months later.

*Edited to include teaser clips to help avoid mixing up these two dramas with "All My Children" and "Days of Our Lives"

Report from the Meido Kentei

2009-08-26T02:37:00.000-07:00

The Japan Maid Association meido kentei -a grueling test and lecture, lasting for hours on end, forcing the most diligent apprentices to miss the highly anticipated Comiket, instead they are instilled with the virtues of... maidliness- this is the big one!

The kentei, which happened last week, saw just under 30 eager, potential maids attend the test to learn proper cleaning and serving skills (even the honorable legacy of the maid), then go out and test their knowledge.

Akibanana breaks down the two hour lecture as such:

~Service & Manner~
A Meido's Spirit
Greetings
Bowing
Six Basic Key Phrases
Speech & Language
Answering Phones
What is Expected From a Meido

~Maid History~
The Background & Era of the Birth of the Meido
Maid Milestones

As you can see, it is not all fun and games for these girls. Though some did come to the test dressed in moe maid or punk maid costumes and others may have picked up some experience working in maid cafes, the duty of the meido goes beyond these superficial considerations!

Many of the girls in attendance are already studying for careers in hospitality and maid servitude, so it only seemed fitting to them to take the level three test offered that day and achieve another level closer to being a full-fledged and endorsed meido.

Meido kentei take place frequently throughout Japan. Students who pass receive a level-specific certificate in maid proficiency.

You must thaw the tuna before you put it in the sushi!

2009-08-21T15:06:00.000-07:00

In 1997, a team of Japanese scientists embarked on Antarctica to perform experiments in its sub-freezing temperatures.

As Antarctica is not well known for its nightlife, baseball games, and great television shows, it can get pretty boring in the great white vastness of the snow country.

Therefore, it is up to the expedition chef to keep everyone entertained at the dinner table, well-fed, and sane from going stir-crazy.

Masato Sakai stars as Chef Nishimura in this dramatic comedy released in Japan today.

Have a look, I have a feeling it will make its rounds to English film festival theaters soon!

Via Film Asia.

Japanese TV: Wacky bowling!

2009-08-20T09:20:00.001-07:00

Check out some pretty funny, wacking bowling shots. All strikes!!

Kami's Summer Update

2009-08-17T17:28:00.000-07:00

Dear Kami,

Everyday you leave links informing us of the going ons around the World and Japan,

unfortunately not everyone seems to catch them in time.

How about an update to sum things up?

Thank you for all your hard work.

-------------

Hey You!

What's with all your links and spam?

I'm content with limiting myself to the confines of my room!

Forget the outside world!

What are you trying to do?

Make us learn during Summer Vacation?!!

_________________

Ahh... Summer Vacation... if I wasn't so poor, I'd go somewhere... but instead I opted for a "Stay-cation".

If you had the chance, where would you go? What would you do?

Well... if you're out of ideas on how to celebrate your 50th wedding anniversary,

or your 80th anniversary of diplomatic ties...

Why not take cue from the Royal Couple and visit Canada?

On July 3rd, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko started their tour in Canada.

After some fun in the sun, The Emperor and Empress had luncheons, dinners and meetings with

Governor General Michaëlle Jean and Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

Not bad for a country that some say has little to no political power *cough PC cough*.

After Ottawa, the tour continued south to Canada's Multi-Cultural, Metropolitan jewel... Toronto.

First on the list was a visit to Sick Kids Hospital...

Perhaps the Emperor and Empress were unaware of the horror stories from down south?

After a Japanese lullaby from the Empress, there were more official meetings and luncheons at Queens Park with

Ontairo Premier Dalton McGuinty.

Visits to the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre and Momiji Senior Centre ended the Toronto Tour before heading to Vancouver and Victoria.

This summer also marks the 64th Anniversary of the end of World War II.

While 61% of American's polled think Nuclear Bombings are a "Good thing",

Japan commemorated the event with prayers for peace and hopes of global nuclear disarmament.

Both Liberal Democratic Party leader Prime Minister Taro Aso and opposition leader Yukio Hatoyama of the Democratic Party of Japan had their say on Japan's Nuclear principles and future of Japan.

Elections are set for August 30th.

In less serious news, Japan won first place for the first time at Nagoya's Cosplay Championship.

Utterly amazing music video shot on a bunch of webcams

2009-07-04T11:21:00.000-07:00

(Via CrunchGear): "Japanese band Sour has made a music video for the ages. Shot with actual fans performing concerted actions on webcams, this had to be one of the most difficult editing jobs in history."

Toy World Videos: Time Lapsed Look at a Miniature Japan

2009-06-24T10:44:00.000-07:00

These are pretty neat; time lapsed videos with a special filming technique called "tilt-shift" used so the subjects appear to be miniature versions of the real thing!

The first is an email submission by Shasa Adolph:

More of the fantastic photography:

And the original:

And more about the artist and his style of fimmaking:

Stike Witches Opening MAD May Surprise

2009-06-19T20:30:00.000-07:00

The girls of Strike Witches feature in this reimagined opening theme song from the series. Set to "Paradise Lost", the opening theme from Ga-Rei Zero, one might be surprised to find this quality MAD is not the official opening sequence to Strike Witches afterall.

Macross F China Dress Picture Entices and Repulses

2009-06-18T08:48:00.000-07:00

An interesting picture from interstellar anime Macross Frontier has emerged, featuring the main cast as Nyan Nyan Chinese restaurant workers in China dresses or, Cheongsam.

Notible trap, Alto Satome appears also to have been roped into serving duties as well, possibly because of his more feminine features.

Click image for a larger view.

Chiba Marines Protect City From Monsterous Competition

2009-06-10T14:04:00.000-07:00

The Chiba Lotte Marines aren't a spectacular team, so whomever would pick the players to do battle against these monsters must be a little off in the head.

Many of these posters have appeared in subways throughout Japan.

Click here to see the rest.

Cool Shirt! Cool Shirt!

2009-06-02T22:40:00.000-07:00

Japan Prime Minister, Taro Aso, received a 'cool shirt' this week in an effort to make Japan a greener business environment this summer.

The shirt was given by Okinawa Governor Hirokazu Nakaima, and is light, formal, and fashionable.

Aso and others hope the style will catch on because the shits are thin and have short sleeves. It is hoped that this trend of lighter business clothing in the summer will mean that business owners participating in the energy-friendly uniform change will not have to set air conditioning thermostats as low as usual to accommodate hot employees in heavy formal clothing.

The "Kariyushi" summer shirts are meant to be worn without ties, which may seem unusual in either business or politics, but Aso and other cabinet members are said to have worn the shirts in a meeting this week, foregoing business coats and other accessories.

Kariyushi shirts have sometimes been called the Okinawaian equivalent of a Hawaiian shirt.

From Mainichi.

Short Taiga is Quality Taiga

2009-05-28T15:06:00.000-07:00

Here we see a quality Aisaka Taiga cosplayer from Tora Dora!

The best feature about this cosplayer is she short!
You can just see the tsundere in her eyes.

Click here to see the rest.

Appingo decides to freak out about a new Haruhi Suzumiya episode in the form of a blog (long title, yes?)

2009-05-21T16:47:00.000-07:00

After three years, tons of complaints and plenty of 'maybe it's going to air next season', Haruhi Suzumiya, otherwise known as God (if you're a follower of Haruhiism) has returned. Sneaked into a reairing of the 1st original season in Japan, Bamboo Leaf Rhapsody (the 8th episode chronologically once you combine the first and second season) brings us back into the world of Haruhi in a nice, original way that will make fans of the anime series go 'wait what' and those that are supreme Haruhiists (like myself) will find themselves freaking out (if anyone has read the light novels, please discuss this episode with me >_<) Bamboo Leaf Rhapsody is just the beginning. With a scheduled airing of 28 episodes for Haruhi, we can expect 13 more episodes spread out within the next few months. When those will be (right now it looks like we won't be getting another new episode for about a month), no one can be sure yet--until KyoAni or Kadokawa releases new scheduling information.

All I can say before I start talking into detail about the episode(spoilers ahoy!): It's epic and amazing. I screamed a few times.

This episode, in a nutshell, brings everything back I love about Haruhi Suzumiya and KyoAni. Great animation, wonderfully dubbed voices, complicated plotlines and of course--the characters. Kyon is sarcastic as ever, Haruhi is up to her usual antics, Mikuru is dressed in the maid outfit, Itsuki continues to display awesomeness and Yuki just reads and fixes everything.

It's a quick episode that translated well from the light novels--some will complain that it should have been stretched out over two episodes, but it was easily enough pressed into one. It starts out with Haruhi and her making the SOS団 do something--Kyon thinks she's still mentally insane, Mikuru looks nervous, Itsuki smiles and Yuki follows along. Later on in the episode, when you get to actual time travelling--that's where it gets interesting and exciting.

Fans of the original series may remember Haruhi writing some weird symbols on the field in middle school during the Tantaba Festival. You are brought back to that event (thanks to Mikuru), and are given more insight into the event itself. And an idea why Haruhi goes to North High when she could have gone to a more elite high school (yes, image is related).

Yuki of course, fixes everything. Like she always does.

Overall, I'm not going to explain what happens completely--you have to watch it ;D However, only RAWs are out right now, but I'll be sure to provide the link once the subs come out.

It's going to be interesting to see who subs this by the way, most of the groups are going to be all over it. I know for sure gg and Coalguys will be subbing it (which is going to be difficult for me since I both love their subbing). There's apparently a sub out by a fangroup 'Mazui', but I have heard from others that it is in a bad quality.

Haruhi's back, and she's ready to restart a revival in Haruhiism. (This believer is off to reread the Haruhi bible--volume 4, Disappearance :3)

Shojo Beat Closes, Dozens Saddened

2009-05-19T19:56:00.000-07:00

Anime News Network announced Viz Media will conclude publication of manga digest for girls, Shojo Beat.

The following is an official release from Viz:

Yes, the final issue of Shojo Beat magazine will be the July 2009 issue which is on newsstands June 16th.
We are very proud of the past issues of Shojo Beat magazine and the efforts of the entire team. The magazine developed quite a fan base but unfortunately in today's difficult economic climate we felt the need to place our resources elsewhere at this time.
Of course all of our great shojo manga titles previously serialized in Shojo Beat magazine will still be published and available as graphic novels under the Shojo Beat imprint from Viz Media.
Each Shojo Beat Subscriber will be receiving a free copy of the August issue of Shonen Jump magazine with the pertinent information on what their subscription/refund options will be.
Subscribers and fans of shojo manga can get the latest information on all new Shojo Beat titles and news by visiting www.shojobeat.com.

Shojo Beat began its US publication in 2005. The July issue makes #49 for the magazine.

Miyazaki to Visit California and Accept Lifetime Achievement Award

2009-05-19T19:17:00.000-07:00

Hayao Miyazaki (Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away) will be making a rare appearance in America this July, to accept the Berkeley Japan Prize for lifetime achievement.

The award will be given at the University of California Berkeley, none other than same the alma mater of our very own Pocky!
UC Berkeley is a very happening place in current affairs, to be sure, and very active spot for Japanese cultural studies in America.

Miyazaki's award makes only the second time the Berkeley Japan Prize will have been given, and marks one of the very few tips Miyazaki has made to the United States.
Sources say Miyazaki's contract with Walt Disney Studios stipulates he must make an appearance.

However, it is yet to be known exactly where Pocky will be during the award ceremony, on July 25, as that is one of the dates right in the middle of the San Diego Comic Con!

Though, you can imagine my disbelief when I read a talk during the ceremony with Miyazaki would be held by a Mr. Roland!

Source: Anime News Network

Cosplay Legends: Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei

2009-05-18T11:59:00.000-07:00

I am going to try a little something different.

Knowing how much the A-P community loves Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei, I have compiled a gallery of the top images of cosplayers of characters from the series.

Click here to see the rest.

Beach Flags!

2009-05-15T13:45:00.000-07:00

Ever wonder who would win if all the American "Boy Bands" such as Back Street Boys... and... and... I can't think of any more... competed against eachother in Sports, Skill, and Smarts?

Ya... I can't say I ever wondered that myself...

Although, Johnny & Associates Bands, such as Arashi, TOKIO, V6 and Johnny Jrs. have competed multiple times...

Considering the Long "Two Four" Weekend is upon (some of) us... which usually means trips to WASAGA Beach...

Why not take a page out of ジャニーズ筋肉番付 and try some Beach Flag Races!?

*Note: This is from 2001 at Tokyo Dome

I lack the proper Hardware and/or Software to transfer from VHS so please excuse the quality.

If you'd like to know who won, or see other events such as scavenger hunt, pitching, penalty kicks, sponge bridge crossing and others...

You know what to do ^_^

Bell reviews a figurine~

2009-04-23T21:10:00.000-07:00

This is a Hiiro no Kakera Figurine. Ogi bought it at Uwajimaya for Six U.S. dollars (577 yen). When Ogi first saw it, she said, “LOOK AT THE ADORABLE BISHI!” It’s very adorable. We believe his name to be Zwei. However, we are not certain on this fact. He is little more than an inch tall, defending himself with leeks and came in bubble wrap in a box. (No, assembly not required. Yes, adorable squee required.) He is not at all useless, for he stands there and looks pretty. He can stand on his own, but a base also comes with it. The base connects to his head via magnetism powers. Overall, this is an adorable figure, and totally worth the six dollars.

I give it a 200 SYK* out of 5.

*This is according to the SYK conversion system.

Actual scale according to Ogi is 10 out of 5.

Review done by BeautyComplex.

けいおん！

2009-04-22T20:12:00.000-07:00

K-ON! has been at the forefront of what's popular so far this anime season--developed by anime production leader KyoAni (which brought you Haruhi, Lucky Star, Clannad), K-ON! tells the adventures of four high school girls that desire to start a band together. Imagine Lucky Star without the otaku references and instead, with music.

The characters are your stereotypical anime archtypes. Yui, the dreamy, distant type who just screams MOE any chance she can get. Then there's Mio who's your typical tsundere character: seems to be hard and stern at one moment, and the next she's blushing and being cute. Ritsu, the leader of the club, is slightly spastic and hyperactive all the time--she actually bounces off of Yui and Mio really well. Then finally we have Tsumugi, who provides food for the club and for fans of Lucky Star--you will instantly be reminded of Miyuki.

Overall, it has it's few hilarious moments, but it isn't that great so far. The animation I have felt isn't up to KyoAni's usual standards--hands have bothered me so many time within the first three episodes. Humorous moments, while offbeat, still doesn't feel like it has that Lucky Star vibe (though Lucky Star didn't really pick up until later on in the season). But when K-ON is funny, it really is funny. The characters are memorable--Yui and Mio, fan favorites, are going to be the stuff of KyoAni animation legend once the series is through.

However--where it really shines is, in my opinion, is the OP (Cagayake! Girls) and especially the ED (Don't Say Lazy). The ED is fully animated with movement, which you see very rarely in anime. The song, I think, is catchy and the animation for it is brilliant.

Overall, K-ON! is a good, solid anime--but I have found it, so far, not living up to it's typical Kyoani expectations.

Worth watching? Of course. It'e the anime of the season.

Haruhi Suzumiya - Mikuru Figurine

2009-04-20T20:00:00.000-07:00

This is a Mikuru figurine I bought from the first Anime Convention (Anime North) that I attended (to prove that im otaku worthy). Its very ghetto, but makes a nice dashboard figurine. Its about 4 inches and is badly painted. I bought it for 20.00$ Canadian and it came in a Ziplock bag in pieces (yes, assembly required). Its pretty useless, but overall, as an otaku beginner, its a very special figurine. (just as to anyone who purchased their first figurine)

I give it a 5 SYK out of 5

Higashi no Eden

2009-04-19T21:44:00.000-07:00

So as many people know the Spring anime season has started up a couple weeks ago. What seems to be the clear front winners of the season so far is K-ON! (KyoAni once again taking dominance) and FullMetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (which isn't surprising, considering that FMA is a classic and who doesn't love remakes?).

However I came across a very interesting anime today that while it has been getting a fair bit of attention, it doesn't seem to have a huge fanbase just yet.

Higashi no Eden is from Production IG, which is famous for producing Ghost in the Shell, Evangelion and Prince of Tennis. Heading the project is Kenji Kamiyama, who was the director, storyboarder and writer for Ghost in the Shell.

Higashi no Eden takes place in the near future: 2010. On November 22nd, 2010 Japan was struck with ten missiles. Interestingly enough, the incident, which was later called 'Careless Monday', resulted in no casualties. With some of these missiles hitting the heart of Tokyo, how could this be possible?

The animation I have found with Higashi is vibrant and unique, the voice acting excellent (the first episode takes place in Washington DC and there is use of English in the episode--very well dubbed English, might I add), and you quickly get attached to the characters. The two main protagonists, Saki and Akira, work very well off each other and instantly made me a shipper of them. Your first meeting of Akira is very amusing, actually.

I insist that everyone gives Higashi no Eden (Eden of the East) a shot. It really does remind me of Ghost in the Shell and Evangelion in some ways, but there is some romantic comedy moments spread throughout. I think this anime could appeal to anyone with it's mysteries already set up and the hinting of a future relationship between Akira and Saki.

Higashi no Eden is set to be an eleven-episode anime series with a movie being released shortly after.

EDIT: ...And apparently this was long. Sorry.

Japanese TV: Giant Beetle Robot

2009-04-16T12:46:00.001-07:00

"Designed and built by an Ibaraki man in his garage over the course of eleven years, the "Kabutom MX-03" looks like a prop from a Power Rangers spin-off but is an actual working vehicle. Why build it? Because owning an eleven meter long, fifteen ton robot beetle makes you a mack daddy -- in Japan or anywhere else." (Via AltJapan)

North Korea's Test Flight?

2009-04-10T03:50:00.000-07:00

WHY??

Since I was still in Japan in 2006 when North Korea did their underground nuclear test (don't get me started on that), and their launches into the sea... I got a lot of info from the news, few teachers... and then additional from Mainichi and then Wiki to look up dates and additional back story...

I might've been on the more lower Eastern side (Mie)... but it was quite real to see school wasn't starting on time and you turn on the Television to find out why...

Not many in North America seem to really know much of the story because it isn't much of a threat... "What North Korea grumbling about this time?" *click*

With the fall of the Agreed Framework in 2003 (with USA declaring DPRK a terrorist state) and KEDO stopping its operations in early 2006... What was left for North Korea?

During 2006 when North Korea made their underground tests and launches into the sea, sanctions were imposed, but they did get their recognition... talks were in place.

North Korea was to rejoin the NPT and once again start to dismantle in exchange for the energy compensation that was supposed to come from KEDO... among other things...

Things were going slowly, but progress was being made. Plants were being shut down, Japan received SOME information on past kidnappings, and in Oct 11, 2008, North Korea was removed from the list of Terrorist states.

So... What happened?
Not long before that, (after a lot of pressure from the USA) during the NSG meeting, India was granted a waiver for nuclear trade with willing countries, and in Oct 8, 2008 US Congress signed a deal with India.

Why...? Why Not?

80's Gold

2009-04-08T18:53:00.000-07:00

This is the opening from an anime called The Mysterious Cities of Gold shown throughout the 80's, between Japan in 1982 to 1983 and as late as the early 1990s in Australia.

The series has just been released on R1 DVD this week, having made it to R2 and R4 DVDs last year. It has been rumored since last year, a movie release of the series is being planned, as well as a sequel series with a 2011 release date. No word if either has plans for release in any other English or French speaking region, like the first series.

The deluxe version, complete with every episode, is for sale at Amazon for a whopping USD$59.99, down from $75.99.

I somewhat recommend this series, more or less as a reflection on cheesy 80's cartoons of the day and how campy things can get. The opening alone should give you a good understanding of the camp this series had, if you didn't get a chance to watch it when it first aired.

Japanese TV: BANG!

2009-04-05T18:29:00.000-07:00

If you fire at someone with your finger gun in Osaka, will they react?
Let's find out?

Kittyball

2009-03-31T20:00:00.001-07:00

I want a kittyball too...

I'd been watching these for a while, very cute.
These are done by an artist who has a penchant for turning Engrish phrases into pages from a children's book... for some reason.

BTW, the source image:

Take a look here for some more, tough guy.

Popular Anime May Not Be Shown in Rural Prefectures

2009-03-29T19:26:00.000-07:00

A recent article from Sankaku Complex shows that some anime are not being shown in many cities or prefectures in Japan, far outside of especially large urban areas like Chiba or Tokyo.

The list has several qualifiers for what is considered newly broadcasting anime.
Here is the chart:

These are the late night anime being broadcast on regional terrestrial stations in April; in total there are 25 new titles.
There are some additional titles only aired on satellite.
Only newly airing titles are included – no repeats.
These are late night anime titles only. The likes of Naruto is broadcast nationally almost without exception.
23: Chiba & Saitama
22: Kanagawa & Osaka
21: Tokyo
17: Aichi
16: Hyogo & Tokushima
14: Kyoto
13; Ibaraki, Gunma, Tochigi
12: Mie
11: Nara, Wakayama, Gifu, Fukuoka, Saga
10: Shiga & Hokkaido
6: Okuyama & Kagawa
3: Miyagi
2: Niigata, Kumamoto, Shizuoka
1: Fukushima & Ehime
0: Toyama, Ishikawa, Fukui, Yamanashi, Okinawa, Aomori, Iwate, Akita, Yamagata, Kochi, Nagano, Nagasaki, Oita, Miyazaki, Kagoshima, Yamaguchi, Tottori, Shimane

Even though there are a lot of rules associated with this chart that indicate what is considered "newly airing", the results are staggering when you consider eighteen areas are not getting any anime that fit these categories, broadcast to their homes.
This is the land of anime after all.

A lot of overseas anime fans complain that they don't get as many new anime compared to what Japan gets, but as the chart shows, a lot of rural households may need to turn to satellites, DVD releases, or internet uploads of broadcast anime to be able to watch what the bigger cities do, just like the rest of us!

The article at Sankaku also notes that broadcast quality can differ from region to region in Japan with no uniformity between what is censored in one area to how high-quality the series appears on the screen because of poor technology. In some cases, a broadcast may not even be preempted for national disaster coverage!

If you can name the program on the TV in the picture, I'll give you a digital cookie!

Japanese TV: Lego boat

2009-03-27T10:38:00.001-07:00

Ever dreamed as a child of building a boat out of LEGO's and setting sail? It's been done in Japan now. Watch!

Skip to 6:30 to see them tack on a propeller on the back (hover craft style), and skip to 6:49 to see the blocks coming apart!

Anime Insider Ceases Publication

2009-03-27T08:32:00.000-07:00

After eight years of publication, Anime Insider magazine will be ending its publication.

According to Anime News Network, the close of the magazine was prompted by the parent company, Wizard Universe, which is more or less a media sales powehouse of comcs, conventions, card games, and, of course, magazines.

Anime Insider began as Anime Invasion in 2001, and went through many changes in its lifetime, including new publication schedules (from once a quarter to a monthly magazine), a fluxuating cover price until it reached the reasonable USD$4.99, and even some content change to better suit its readers.

Many AI alum have gone on to do other projects. Former Senior Editor, Rob Bricken, is among them. He just launched the safe for work, geek news website, Topless Robot. You can hear his take on the magazine closing here, and how much it impacted the lauch of his new site (fair warning, he does use one particular expletive once to accurately convey his feelings).

The 67th issue of the magazine just shipped earlier this month, it is believed a 68th issue will conclude the magazine's run.

You can read my thoughts on Anime Insider as a leader of anime news in an earlier post about the closing of NEWTYPE USA magazine.
I believed this was one of the anime news media's strongest institutions. I am more than surprised, and in a bit of denial that this magazine will actually go away!

Thanks AI, for eight great years, as Kip's number one news source (after Ani-Pock of course ;D ).

Moè is the New Face of Japan With These Ambassadors

2009-03-25T18:45:00.000-07:00

In a press conference earlier this week, three young women were introduced as the newest "cultural envoys" of Japan.

They were dressed in outfits very unbecoming of a traditional country ambassador: polka-dotted shirts and frilly-updos, Victorian-style dresses, and even one young woman in a schoolgirl outfit, and she doesn't even attend high school any longer!

What's the deal? Japan is now exporting it's greatest natural asset is seems, moè.
According to Tsutomu Nakagawa, the head of the cultural affairs division at the Foreign Ministry, these ambassadors were selected because, "We want people abroad to know these kind of people exist in Japan and to feel close to them."

A Reuters article goes on to explain the outfits are "inspired by the characters in Japan's distinctive 'anime' animated films and 'manga' cartoon books."
Should'a known.

A year ago, it was announced that Doraemon would be the next special ambassador of Japan. Could this all have been a contrived effort of Japan's quasi-otaku Prime Minister, Taro "Rozen" Aso?

Top Bad Fansubs

2009-03-23T14:22:00.000-07:00

You've been there before. You download some series, subbed by some unprofessional group, and you get fansubs like these:

And, of course, the legend:

This one's just for fun, click it for a larger view. This 'excellent' strategy is actually just an end-user agreement.

Some images came from here, but the provider doesn't seem to be hosting them anymore.
Though thanks to Google, you can see the rest for the time being.

Persacom Lite

2009-02-20T18:09:00.001-08:00

A Japanese firm is producing dolls in the likenesses of their owners for little more than USD $2,100!

More from Annanova:

Robotics firm Little Island claim they can create a tiny likeness of anyone - even replicating the sound of their voice.

Customers place their £1,500 order and simply submit a photo of the person they'd like their new toy to resemble.

Six months later, and their very own Mini-Me will turn up on their doorstep.

The dolls can be taught to sound like the customer via an in-built microphone, a computer and voice recognition software.

The robots, which are created in a technology centr just north of Tokyo, are equipped with 80 gigabytes of storage and a webcam.

The advanced version can even download the latest news and weather and then read back the reports - in your voice.

Learn English with Luka

2009-02-13T07:29:00.001-08:00

Rin and Len meet the new Vocaloid singer, Luka Megurine.
Luka has a special talent, she was programmed to sing in English, so Rin and Len try their best to have a conversation with her.
But Miku comes in, hungry for dinner, and as Luka rambles off a list of Japanese dishes they can eat, the twins soon find that Luka's Japanese isn't that bad either...

Now Luka doesn't always look like a creepy and cute octopus. Here is how she looks 90% of the time:

As you can see, they've ditched the school uniform-type outfits for this Vocaloid2 character, as she is 20 years-old, or so we're told.
Her vocal range is excellent, with capabilities of singing just about anything from the sultry low notes, to kawai-desu high notes, and yes, even English lyrics.

Her videos have become quite popular on Nico Nico Douga just after her recent release.

Japan "Land" Mass Continues to Grow

2009-02-07T09:16:00.000-08:00

Japan is growing.

As Sankaku Complex reports:

Since October 1st of last year, Japan has seen an increase in its available
land. Numerous areas, including Tokyo, Ibaraki and Nagasaki, are growing larger,
with Japan’s total land area now reaching 377,943.57 square kilometers (about
10% smaller than California).

...Japan is 90% mountainous and thus
unsuitable for much building.

Several commenters on this atricle proposed some Sim City-style terrain changes Japan could do next, which amused me greatly.

Anime Kip is Watching: Axis Powers Hetalia

2009-01-28T15:20:00.001-08:00

So... I'm watching this... I think...

The episode was only five minutes long... so I... don't know... if I like it... or if I even watched it... 0~o;

Well... I do like it! It was funny!
Imagine the cast from Yamato Nadeshiko Shinichi Henge (The Wallflower), if each became the physical, bishonen embodyment of several major countries.

And you have... Axis Powers Hetalia. The name is menat to sound the way an Italian would pronounce their own country's name, and the Japanese word for 'useless'.
And by the looks of it, Italy's caracture will be the star of this series.

I think... it was only five minutes long, so... I don't know... much.

There's a reason for the shortness of each episode, though. The seires is being distributed online, because of the controversy surrounding the characture for Korea. At a meeting of the National Assembly, several South Koreans demanded that the show not allowed to be broadcast on television after certain acts were portrayed in the webcomic from which it was adapted, that insensed (few) South Koreans.

The way the characters act is intended to be a bit insulting, and all good fun in spite of these countries. And because of this, the series was moved to an online streaming format, and will possibly be available as a subscription to cell phones.

I may have to watch a couple more episodes to figure out if it's any good...

Oh the elipsis...

Anime Coming to TV, Here, There, Everywhere!

2009-01-27T19:52:00.001-08:00

For like... ever... there's been no real good anime news, but its nice to finally see some blogworthy things coming up!

Afro Samurai, the hit mini-series starring Samuel L. Jackson, that aired simultaneously in Japan and North America in 2007, will finally get a sequel movie. The movie is set to air on Spike TV this Sunday at 10:00 PM Eastern and Pacific time.
The sequel, being called Afro Samurai: Resurrection, will feature Jackson (Everything Decently Awesome) reprising his role as "Afro" the samurai, as well as Lucy Liu (Charlie's Angels) and Mark Hamill (Star Wars).
Source: Anime News Network.

Elsewhere in anime news...
Lupin III and Detective Boy Conan (or Case Closed) will meet in a television special to be appropriately called Lupin vs. Conan.
Lupin, the infamous bandit, is best known and loved as the ultimate anime theif, having stolen some pretty valuable stuff, while detective Conan is known for solving some cases that have stumped even some of the better detectives out there.
Who knows, after this special, we may someday see a Jing vs. L movie!
Source: Anime News Network.

Finally, (you guessed it) Anime News Network reports Japanese broadcast network NHK will begin airing a weekly-ish series remaking several of Osamu Tezuka's manga into anime.
Despite many of Tezuka's works already having been made into anime, including Astro Boy, Blackjack, Kimba, Metropolis, and more, this undoubtedly has something to do with the new Astro Boy computer-generated film having an impact on the popularity of his manga again.

And, by the way, have you seen the trailer for this film?

Alice ...er ARis the Maid in Action

2009-01-19T16:33:00.001-08:00

Sometimes it's just best to let the video tell the story:

This a an "Altered Reality" interactive device or "ARis", where with a simple webcam and the computer program you can interact with the maid seen in the video -who is, by the way, voiced by Yukana, the same seiyuu as C.C. from Code Geass!

You can choose to be nice to her and give her presents, frighten her, even upset her by undressing her (only to her underwear), as evident by this video:

More information is available at Sankaku Complex.

Kokoro X Haruhi Mad

2009-01-13T19:31:00.000-08:00

This video of SHnY set to Kokoro Odoru has quite the most rewatchability out of a lot of the MADs I've seen in a long time!

【ニコニコ動画】ハルヒオドル
Nico.

Update: Well, apparently Nico Nico Douga doesn't embed well into Blogger, so you will have to settle for this instead.

Greetings from Anime Companies!

2009-01-05T08:09:00.000-08:00

Check out the new year's greetings from all of the different anime companies.
These greetings are a tradition among the Japanese, and are given by the postal workers to the recipients on New Year's day.

Here are some of my favorites:

1. The Doraemon snowglobe from Doraemon Channel.

2. Megumi Hyashibara's greeting at Star Child.

3. Sunrise is digging into its archives for it's 30th Anneversary!
It's "Round Vernian Vifam", which is a series I believe to be an
inspiration on the anime "Eureka Seven".

4. Many of the greetings are celebrating the new year
of the cow/ox.
So is Yukito Kishiro's site Yukitopia.

5. Finally, check out this kicking drawing done by the Gurren Lagann crew at GAINAX.

Visit Anime News Network to see nearly one half of one-hundred more!
Happy New Year!

Update: You have to shake Doraemon's globe to get it to do stuff. Also, pick it up and drop it a couple of times.

...It may not have happened in 1999, but...

2009-01-03T20:57:00.000-08:00

This is a little something I found while playing around on Google Maps.

This island is described as the most probable location for the fictional island of "Macross" from Robotech fame, where the alien space ship, of series fame, crash landed.

View Larger Map

As the text reads, "This island, Minami Iwo Jima (literally South Sulfur Island), is the real world equivalent of that location."

Itasha. Youtasha. We all tasha.

2008-12-22T11:48:00.000-08:00

Kip's two greatest loves are cars and anime. Oh, and the ladies!
So where can you get all three?
How about the Itasha G Fesuta, of Odiaba, Japan!

The festival is a celebration of decorated cars, known as Itasha, which prominently feature anime characters, held in a Japanese city known for it's own odd flairs (see A-P World News Ep. 2 in the voice center).

It's like an anime con meets a car show, especially given the cosplay factor the drivers and passengers present to draw more attention to their rides!

Take a look at some more photos from this year's event.

Thanks, Kami for reccomending this article!
(Pictured, top to bottom: The MikuCamaro, and one decked-out itasha bike)

There She is! Step 5 (Final one!!)

2008-12-14T22:57:00.001-08:00

Here you go!

TODAY AT 12 PM PST: Manga Book Club!

2008-12-14T13:30:00.000-08:00

Howdy, folks!

Remember, in ten days we will be reading Air.
Keep checking out those chapters online or at your library, so we can have a discussion on the manga in the Chatango at 12:00 PM PST (Pacific coast time) on Sunday, December 14.

See you then!

Japanese TV: Cyril Takayama Magic

2008-11-20T17:22:00.000-08:00

Check out Cyril Takayama perform some magic in front of a crowd anticipating the release of Metal Gear Solid 4. He totally steals Snake's headband out of the game!

Here's one of his more recent (and in my opinion, more interesting) illusions at a coffee bar:

Next Book Club Book!

2008-11-14T08:26:00.000-08:00

Ladies and gentlemen, as of Friday morning, Air was the most popular choice, next to the poll category "Other Manga", which it tied with at six out of 18 votes. Just because your manga was not picked, I hope you will join us anyway in discussion about this manga on Sunday, December 14th at 12:00 PM (Pacific Daylight Time) in the Chatango room two.

That gives you one month from today to read the manga.
If you have not read Air, broaden your horizons and pick up a manga you haven't before, and come discuss it with us. If you have read it, come discuss it with us anyway!

Here is the link to the manga online. Also check your library if you like. Most carry manga now, and Air is a particualrily popular title to shelve.
Also... if you have watched Air but not read it, that is different. Do read the manga, the anime story is noticably different than the manga.

Enjoy!

"Obama is Beautiful World"

2008-11-12T18:38:00.001-08:00

Obama is a city located in the Fuku Prefecture of Japan! Funny song for us then...

See more funny videos and funny pictures at CollegeHumor.

Manga?

2008-11-10T09:06:00.000-08:00

Maybe?

Update: I think I broke the poll in trying to close it this morning. XP

MrFoxy's Wild and Wacky Book Club

2008-11-07T10:21:00.000-08:00

Yesterday MrFoxy and I worked on some possible titles in order to hold a manga book club this month.

We have considered Air as one possible title, it's short, at fifteen chapters, a familiar and popular title, and easily enjoyed by guys or girls.

The other is The Yellow Book. It's a bit of an "indie manga", it gets a liitle confusing, but it generates a lot of dialog. It's even shorter at eight chapters.

If anyone is interested in reading one of these, leave a comment by Monday, and we can finish either one in about a month, on Sunday, December 7th, and have a discussion over them in the Chatango.

Daikon Stew... soup...

2008-10-27T17:02:00.000-07:00

I'm trying a new recipe tonight with my daikon radish I purchased.
Sounds lovely and I had almost all of the ingredients (vegetable broth instead of bullion, I actually added a bit of beef bullion for more consistency anyway).

Check it out:

Rice Stew with Daikon (Daikon Zosui)

2 ½ cups cooked short-grain rice* (I used long, oh well)
¾ cup shiitake mushrooms*
1 ½ cups daikon (about a four-inch-long chunk), sliced as directed*
¼ cup carrots, sliced as directed*
5 cups vegetable stock (4 cups vegetable broth)
1 teaspoon salt* (or 1 ½ tablespoon beef bullion rather)
2 ½ tablespoons soy sauce* (I used mushroom soy, m'mmm)

Optional:
½ cup Wakame, soaked five minutes in cold water to cover, then chopped into one-inch long pieces (do discard soaking water)

Peel the daikon and carrot, and slice into two-inch-long by one-half-inch wide ribbons that are no more than one-eighth-inch thick. Thinly slice the shiitake mushrooms also. Heat the stock in a soup pan with the daikon and carrot, and cook until the vegetables have softened, around 10 minutes. Add the cooked rice, mushrooms and wakame, and bring to the boil again, stirring occasionally. Stir in salt and soy sauce. Eat hot. Partners well with Daikon Pickles. (Note: Be careful not to cook the rice too long; otherwise, it will end up the unappetizing consistency of glue. [LIES! I've never had that happen!])

Reaction:
Mmm, soup. Some people like raw daikon, but I don't. I used to love popping radishes until one day at a party I popped one too many in my mouth and they started burning my throat, thus ended my relationship with the little red and white taproot. Daikon are much the same. It's that same pungent, raddishy taste in the back of the mouth every time, even though daikon are less strong and are sweeter. But when boiling them in a soup, the radish taste diffuses in the soup and it becomes soft and picks up the flavors of the spices and seasonings used instead. I'm not sure what the directions mean by "ribbons" of daikon, but I plained, and diced them nicely.

The directions also call for seaweed (wakame), but I opted against. It somehow didn't feel included in this dish, like it were more or less an afterthought. It doesn't bode well with the savory aspects of the mushrooms, soft daikon, soft carrots, vegetable taste, etc. As an added bonus I put in some chili and garlic sauce in addition to my mushroom soy, but I can barely make out either.

Enjoy! Serves four, goes well with fish!

More at Moscow Food.
(Pictured: Nerima Daikon Brothers)

Nintendo DSi (new DS with cameras) video

2008-10-25T16:53:00.001-07:00

Pretty neat features!

Japanese TV: Pan-kun rides a Segway!

2008-10-20T22:16:00.001-07:00

Fast learner!

HappY Birthday Empress Michiko!

2008-10-20T17:19:00.000-07:00

I seem to have bad luck with Birthday Posts as of late...

so I guess I'll keep this short and brief.

Mainichi News reports the 74yrold Empress attributes her health to exercise and even joining in the Emperor's daily exercise regiment.

Some Questions and Answers.

Editorial: Wisening up maybe?

2008-10-16T22:50:00.000-07:00

Wisening. That's a word, right?

I suppose you could say that is what is happening. At a time after the anime boom of the Western world has begun to cool, anime staples like Geneon and NEWTYPE USA fizzled out of existence, it all might seem pretty scary for the anime consumer. But maybe, now, all is not so dire.

I have noticed a bit of a trend, as of recent, in the world of R1 anime releases, or North American compatible DVDs. Gurren Lagann, for example, destined to become one of the most popular series of the year, was expected to be loaded with extras, it would be expensive, it would be hyped like The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya was when it came over...
... And it was all wrong.
The DVD hit the shelf with as little hype as possible, no grand anime convention licensing reveal. The box, two discs, has nine episodes, offered subbed only, with just about nil extras. There is a special edition box set, actually, but that's beside the point. This standard set, only costs the price of what a usual release would cost, about $25 (all prices USD), and within three volumes, whereas a normal release would come out over five or six volumes for the same cost per volume (and sometimes more as you get closer to volumes number five and six, if typical).

The same thing is being done for the latest release of Ouran High. The first volume of the series will come thirteen episodes in two discs! The cost will be $45 to $50 when released, but that is what one would pay in a more traditional release for two discs of four or five episodes only.

We are now seeing a trend, I believe, where more DVDs, even the popular ones, will be released as such; bundled and reduced on cost! And that's where the wisening up comes in. Where anyone can buy a TV on DVD box set of, oh, twenty-six episodes for $30, it seems strange to pay the near equivalent for five of one anime series. Though costs are significantly lower, and more releases are being made than back in the day, I think it's a lot to ask in this day and age. And maybe this is where licensor, Bandai Entertainment, got it right in its Gurren Lagann release. They saved on the cost of voice actors by releasing subbed only discs, which turned the appeal from subbed/dubbed optioning to simply a lesser cost! Though it was a gamble, I don't think Bandai feared experimenting a little with this series, given its tremendous popularity (and that they would not have to hire voice actors for it either. By the way, they started doing iTunes downloads for this series too, just like I always wanted!).

I, myself, am always looking for a deal though. I never buy anime unless it's got some markdown. And typically at my local FYE, there will inevitably be a sale sooner or later. Aoi & Mutsuki, for example, I bought in a two disc set with all thirteen episodes for around $20, and while it is a more obscure series, I like it like that! Some of these less popular, and even, more campy series really ought to be lower in price, and placed together more than one disc at a time.

Overman King Gainer is one such example. It's a very obscure series, with slower pacing and much confusion in the first few episodes. I never paid more than $6 for a volume between four or five episodes, except the last volume, number six, I paid $9. The series never had a big following, and it's taken all of this time for it to even give it a spread in this month's issue of Otaku USA since it's release in 2006. It is both underrated and a rather undesired buy. By coupling volumes one and two (and subsequently three and four, five and six) I believe that the series may have taken off better, because of the value aspect and, even if you didn't like the first four episodes in volume one that well, you're still stuck with volume two, which picks up in speed and answers some more questions.

So what's the cause of all these trends? Economic downturn? That soon-coming readjustment of the anime industry I so did not fear? Whatever the case, I'm not displeased. Let's hope this trend grows, for the rest of the upcoming new releases (and maybe even, gets a little cheaper yet).

For more information see these past posts (please!).

Update: Just what is going on?

2008-10-15T22:14:00.000-07:00

This post evolved out of an intro to an editorial I hope to launch tomorrow sometime.
For some reason the post got really long and the intro no longer matched what I intended the editorial to be about, so I hacked 'em apart, and here the first part is.
Just a recap of Japan news, actually.

At any rate... news is slow.

Nothing is going on in the anime blogosphere. And with this summer's showings it's no wonder why. Everything was the same tune from blog to blog. Same for this fall. Just a smattering of hits.
Nothing is going on in anime news in general. Things are looking repetative. The same news that occured last year is happening this year: which studio is closed, this director is the next Makoto Shinkai, new EVA movie, Goro is no Hayao, this popular anime gets an OVA, Aya Hirano, this popular OVA based on a manga gets a series, anime to live action adaptation, Aya Hirano...
It seems that the only news happening is coming from Japan, and it's not even anime related!
Why just within a month I can list all of the really important stories that I wasn't around to blog about! And believe me, Kami keeps me updated on the things I'm to busy to write about!

Let's see:
First, and most important, Japan elected a new Prime Minister, and it was my pick for office, Taro Aso! Yes, the manga guy. He was sworn in September 25.
Ichigo Suzuki, MLB all-star-or-soon-to-be-if-he-isn't, made a record 200-hit season, for the eighth straight season in a row, which occured on September 18. (Okay, not technically news from Japan, but whatever.)
Tomoji Tanabe, the worlds oldest man (named so after the death of a 138 year-old man this August!?) turned 113 on September 18.
Last week, an electronics company developed HAL 9000! But don't worry, they're only bio-boosted legs. See related post here.

Thank you, Kami. Once again you're a classy guy, with all of this news!

So, wherever I was going with this, tomorrow I should have the other half of my editorial completed. It's ready to read, I just need to put the finishing touches on it.

Secretly, I think bloggers on the site get a kick out of seeing me write a post over a week, save it to the post board, and publish it after it's sat practically completed for a couple of days, until I come back and rewrite it... Either way, here she is, er, part one!

Now They've Gone and Dubbed It

2008-10-13T17:21:00.000-07:00

Goooood day, Ani-Pock! This is TL with news so horrid my puke is puking. Some of you may want to cover your eyes until you get to the Community Blog where life is joyful and Japanese names are pronounced correctly. Funimation has released a preview of their dubbed (coughmassacredcough) version of Ouran Host Club, and I have found clips from the first episode. The lag is unintentional, but it's not just your computer. Watch at your own risk. The only good part i can see is that they involved the voice actor of Edward Elric. But he pronounces the names just as badly...

Miku Library

2008-10-12T20:53:00.000-07:00

In sort of a relation to Purly's post:

Recently, I've been tipped off to a Miku sampler hosted at NicoNicoDouga. It's eighty minutes of sample songs sung by our VocaloID2 heroine. Click the pic!

I recall one or two of the art pieces for the songs looking a little sketchy, but it's okay. ~_o

The mp4 of this whole thing is gettable here.
Any of the songs in the video can be viewed in full from Nico by using the id tag (combination of numbers and letters) found on each song's art. More info when you click on the video link.

Seikan Hikou Surprise!

2008-10-12T11:56:00.000-07:00

This is the song Seikan Hikou from Macross Frontier, it's the FULL dance version, performed by Hatsune Miku of Vocaloid 2. And as an added bonus, there's a link to a file with 200mb worth of Vocaloid MP3's! Can it get any better? :3

Deal: Chobits Anime figurines six for $8.32 Free Shipping

2008-10-02T09:07:00.000-07:00

That's about $1.38 per figurine! Free shipping!

DealExtreme: $8.32 Chobits Cartoon Figures (6-Figure Set) via kwout

Japanese TV: DOORS 2008 Special

2008-10-01T09:48:00.001-07:00

Via JapanProbe.com: "TBS aired its DOORS 2008 special, which consisted of a series of obstacle courses and challenges for celebrities. Here are a few clips from last night’s broadcast."

This is pretty awesome. Looks like people could get hurt on this. Also, the end is Donkey Kong in Real Life!

Japanese TV: Nearly Impossible Gameshow

2008-10-01T09:13:00.000-07:00

Via JapanProbe.com: "I believe the point of this Haneru no Tobira challenge was to swing onto a the conveyor belt, grab a flotation device, and then use the flotation device to grab a rope, which one could then use to swing onto the goal platform:"

Japanese TV: Bush is controlled by Aliens

2008-10-01T09:12:00.001-07:00

Look in the left corner behind him.

Deal: Virtual Pea Pods only $3.40 for two, shipping free

2008-10-01T09:04:00.000-07:00

Mugen Edamame - Endless Soybean Keychain

DealExtreme: $3.40 Squeeze-a-Bean Stress Relieving Playful Cell Phone Charms (2-Pack) via kwout

Check out how much fun they are having!

Where can you find singing children? Only in Japan!

2008-09-29T16:39:00.000-07:00

Oh this is just terrific!

Japanese students sing Kenya!

Yes, that's the Kenya:

I do remember singing a lot of folk and children's songs in my language classes, but this...

Tamagotchi back, now in color!

2008-09-29T09:03:00.000-07:00

CrunchGear » Archive » Cute gets an upgrade: The Tamagotchi goes color via kwout

Japanese TV: Mario Kart DS Ad

2008-09-17T21:36:00.000-07:00

Have you seen these?

Aso's Year? I hope!

2008-09-16T20:26:00.000-07:00

It's time again for Taro "Rozen" Aso to hit Akihabara again. He's campaigning.

For three years running Aso has been campaigning for Prime Minister of Japan and hitting up heavily otaku-filled areas as his main support system of voters.

Aso, himself, is of course an avid reader of manga, but he has also targeted the otaku of Japan to rally for him because of this well known "quirk" that most other Japanese governmental workers may not share, or at least publicly.

That aside, Aso has been known for his shrewed stances in politics and is infamous for his controvercial remarks about foreigners. Currently, he holds the position for Minister of Foreign Affairs even, and has even worked to initiate talks with China about the growth of their military force, despite publicly stating his fears about China being, "a neighbour with one billion people equipped with nuclear bombs [that] has expanded its military outlays by double digits for 17 years in a row, and it is unclear as to what this is being used for."
A tough statement, even for a man with enough great soundbites to start a weekly Daily Show feature.

Aso has campaigned three times in three years so far. First in a general election, again after former PM Abe resigned, and again after PM Fukuda announced he would be leaving office early this month. Maybe this will be his year.

I like that Aso can be controvercial though. This indicates to me that he is not just a robot among governmental workers. In a country where one is expected to avoid confrontations, especially when representing one's people, Abe repeatedly takes things head-on.
Couple this with his relation with the otaku culture and even his non-traditional faith of Roman Catholicism, you can see, he certainly is someone who is outside the norm.

Heh. This comment from one of those forementioned Akiba otaku in a recent Mainichi article is especially precious:
"I hope he can improve the image of otaku and have more people understand the subculture," said [Rei] Nekomi, a surgeon and psychiatrist who says he enjoys coming here to dress in female costumes when he is off-duty.

Go Aso! Go!

I'd actually like to see what an otaku PM can do. I wouldn't be surprised if he created a nationwide Manga Day, maybe developed (yet another in a line... Doraemon, Totoro, etc) ambassador for Japan in the form of a timeless anime character, or even forced exports of Anime to other countries as an international relations move. In fact, I not only wouldn't be surprised, I'd like it! He's done similar in the past afterall.

Thanks to Kami for help with this post.

AUUUGGHHH! NOT MORE!: A commentary by Kip

2008-09-09T12:41:00.000-07:00

If you've been paying attention to... any entertainment industry, the trend is the same. Go with what is safe.

Strangely, I'm not sure what provokes this mentality. The movie industry has hit a ridge of producing only time tested favorites and making sequels or remakes of them. Consider this summer's comic book blockbusters, Indiana Jones IV or whatever, Get Smart, and Speed Racer even!
Though Speed Racer, it is said, will mark just the beginning of many live-action anime remakes to hit theatres with a live-action Ghost in the Shell coming soon and, of course, a live-action DBZ coming next year. The reasoning for this, it is said, is because all of the good comic books have been made into movies, so what's left is manga and anime! I'm still less than enthused.

Television has followed much the same trend as past hits like Bionic Woman and... that show about trendy California kids... in that one zip code... what's the name... these shows were remade and aired this year, based on their popularity a decade or more ago.

Sounds familiar.

But what of anime itself? This summer the first new season of the infamous "Slayers" series in around ten years, went to air. Despite dismal ratings of the sequel series this season, a continuation of this season has already been announced. That's right, Slayers is greenlit for yet another season.
I wonder why. With old fans like myself saying that the series feels nothing like the originals, and newcomer viewers saying the characters and art looks dated (same designs as from a decade

ago!), how can they possibly keep this going this way?!
Someone must know something, because the trend is continuing elsewhere.

Fullmetal Alchemist has been confirmed for another season, and there are rumors Inuyasha will be back again in ([sarcasm] oh joy! [/sarcasm]) new adventures. Again to point to Speed Racer, which was a pretty alright, somewhat groundbreaking series to begin with, this program has been milked into two spin-offs over the decades since its airing, not to mention one that airs on Nickelodeon now, that's not even an anime!!

In every proceeding generation the series needed to get edgier, Speed's tracks got to be looking more like Hot Wheel loops, and now, I wouldn't even recognize the new series were it not for the name (to be fair, I didn't watch much of the new Speed Racer show since it pained me to even try to watch it, in the first fifteen seconds they introduce Racer X, and... ah, it just turned me off, so I did the same).

Let's draw a parallel now. The Adventures of Scooby Doo has spawned many, many different spin-off series and movies in its lifetime. Throughout its history the feel of the show and some characters (ie: Scrappy Doo), and even some basic elements of the show were changed to suit different tastes and audiences. Time and time again old fans will watch this because they know what it's about, they grew up with it, fell in love with the characters, etc, while children... will watch just about any cartoon that is on, in the present moment.

Toei Animation in Japan recently brought back a time-tested favorite series

about paranormal sleuths going on wacky adventures called "Gegege no Kitaro". The series has been compared to an anime version of

Scooby Doo even, and has seen much the same amount of spin-offs and sequels, if not more than the Hannah-Barberra counterpart (just look at this list!).

Certainly if these series can see time after time followings, there must be some formula to reviving them in these ways. For me at least, and for most of the examples I cited, it's not so much that I'm welcoming back an old favorite with open arms, but turning them away in disgust of a grey-haired Harrison Ford, and a tired and recycled concept.

Of course, I welcome your thoughts on this prospective. Maybe you're excited at the prospect of the X-Files movie or a new journey for Ed and Al.

Whatever the case (and maybe these anime should take a clue)... I'm history.

DJ Kitty Spins it in Mono

2008-09-07T19:30:00.000-07:00

BAM! We all need one of these:

Another item in the long line of unnecessary Hello Kitty gadgets, and possibly the coolest one since the Hello Kitty brand Mouse Zapper, comes an iPod accessory featuring Hello Kitty herself bopping it out to your jams atop her one (mono) speaker.

In a clever move by the H.K.Corp., you'll have to buy both to get stereo quality!

Extra bits here. Thanks, Pocky for the info!

Nabeshin Day!!

2008-09-06T00:00:00.000-07:00

Today is the birthday of critically acclaimed 'fro god, Nabeshin (the real one)!

His hits and accomplishments in the anime industry number more than can be listed here, so I'll have this list suffice.

Happy Birthday, Watanabe Shinichi!

Vocaloid manga?? No way!

2008-09-04T19:49:00.000-07:00

Yes way, every one's favorate vocaloids are now in a manga.

I haven't read it yet, but so far there are 5 chapters uploaded, and its based on Hatsune Miku, and the other vocaloids.

http://www.onemanga.com/Hatsune_Mix/

It sounds really interesting, More updates after I've read a bit!

Note from Kip: No, Ogi didn't post that picture, but this is how I imagine the Vocaloid software comes packaged. Otherwise it should! XD

See more pics from the anniversary post at Sankaku celebrating the first birthday of Miku!

Japanese TV?: FOX Launches Human Tetris

2008-09-03T19:43:00.000-07:00

Next week on the FOX broadcast network, Hole in the Wall, otherwise known as "Human Tetris", will begin airing.

Pretend that it will be like this, but with American accents:

The show will premier next Thursday at 8:00 PM.

The show, as you may know is based off of a popular Japanese game show. The new spin off will be produced by Freemantle Media, the same group that produces the "________ Idol" series of music contest programs.

If you know of an adaptation of a Japanese show, a new anime block, Japanese cinema, or whatever that will soon be airing in your area, let me know by email or through the "Suggest a link!" button in the C-Blog!

Summer in Breif: What's Japan Been Up To?!

2008-09-02T08:50:00.000-07:00

Just like Japan to announce the biggest news at the end of summer.
Things have been pretty quiet up until this point, and with the wave of fall coming on, exciting things are happening all over Japan and in the world of anime.

Let's take a look at the most recent and biggest news item to come out of Japan.

Yesterday, for the second time in two years, a Prime Minister of Japan has chosen to step down from their position before the end of their term.

Immediately, it appears that the trusted choice for PM and well-known otaku supporter, Taro "Rozen" Aso will step up as candidate for the Ministry. Aso is known by his love of manga and his often controversial remarks on foreigners.

As you may well know, former Shinzo Abe stepped down just last year, followed by his successor Yasuo Fukuda, two days ago. Read more here.

In other news, PC Advisor reports that several prominent manga licenses will begin selling digital copies of manga which will be readable to a Wii gaming system.
Wii users must have an internet connection to receive titles, which are only available in Japan as of yet.

The hope is that these titles will soon be available in handheld systems, at it looks as if the DS is the next target for this system.

Wii and Fujifilm recently added a photo-viewing/developing channel in further efforts to make the Wii system highly useful. Check that out here.
Thanks, to Kami for that last bit of news.

What? Who's this? Why it's live-action Son Goku! Or so this Spanish entertainment site says.

Not quite sure of the angle their going with on this one...

As for anime reviews of the season?
I didn't have time to watch hardly any of them!

Macross F, Allison to Lilia, and Tower of Druaga were the series I intended to watch. I'm lucky if I made it to episode five on any of them. Still mostly good so far, if even TToD leaves a sour feeling after viewing.

Happy fall, Pockers!
Expect to be seeing Kip around a lot more with summer coming to a close.

Also if you have any news to blog, please email me, or click the submit a link button at the top of the page.

Japanese TV: Fabria Snow Gun TV AD

2008-08-25T08:13:00.001-07:00

Snow in a bottle!

World Cosplay Summit Opens in Nagoya

2008-08-01T11:58:00.000-07:00

The two day cosplay sumit of Japan opened this week to thousands of otaku from around the world dressed to compete for the best cosplay of the show among a bevy of awards.

Cosplayers came from all aroud the world, many of whom won an all expenses paid trip to the summit to represent their home country and favorite anime or manga characters.

This year's winner was Brazil which found a cosplaying pair dressed as Joe and Jango from "Angel's Adolescence". Most teams participated in pairs in skits during the event.
Over 12,000 spectators visited the show and there were many excellent guest judges on hand.

Read more at the offical WCS site and see clips from the events.

3,000 Hits!

2008-07-30T08:29:00.000-07:00

I could write DAILY Blogs about 鈴木一朗 (Suzuki, Ichiro) or Ichiro as he's commonly called...
Every time he's up to bat... it's history in the making...

On Tuesday against the Texas Rangers, Ichiro made his 3,000th total hit (1,278 in Japan, 1,722 in America) , in the first inning against Luis Mendoza.
After taking his base and having his Total displayed on the board, he received a standing ovation from the Texas fans which he acknowledged with a tip of his hat.

In Japan, only one player has reached the 3,000 mark 張本勲 (Isao Harimoto), (Born in Hiroshima, Japan; Nuclear Bomb survivor, Baseball Analyst, Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame member, recipient of the South Korean Moko prize for excellence in sports, and outspoken Hibakusha Movement member)

Isao Harimoto, who hold 3,085 hits, praised Ichiro saying "Congratulations. As far as hitting technique goes, neither Tetsuharu Kawakami (a former pro baseball player known as a batting genius) nor I can match him. It's a marvelous accomplishment!"

"The 3,000th hit is just a passing point for Ichiro. If the number of hits can be combined in the U.S. and Japan, I hope he will aim at the 4,256 hits achieved by Pete Rose, or even 3,000 hits in the Major Leagues alone," Harimoto said.

Pre-game, Jim Riggleman (Mariners Manager) said "That's a tremendous achievement for the short time he's been over here," "I think that’s the most (hits) anyone’s ever had in that period of time."

Currently the 34yrold Ichiro is batting a .298 Batting average (.308 at home, .288 away) with little signs of slowing down.

Really, I don't know what else I can really write...
For further reading see My last post on Ichiro , Mainichi News , Wikipedia (and their LOVELY Photo Gallery) , or just check out his stats on ESPN.

One thing is for certain... I'm sure the hopes and dreams of many school Baseball teams, have become Bigger and Brighter...

*Picture of some players from Suzuka International University (June 10th, 2006)

50th Anneversary Lego Celebrations held in Japan

2008-07-24T07:29:00.001-07:00

A Lego Superkids competition was held in Tokyo this week and the winners of the contest have been announced.

The theme for the competition was "life fifty years from now". Many children under the age of twelve competed to design suitable entries to meet the theme, but ultimately it was this robotic dog (right) that stole the show.

Kodama, a ten year old boy from Saitama Prefecture (left), designed the dog with a tail that he imagines can plug in and charge the dog, while a red jewel on his colar will light up during charging.

The competition was held to celebrate the 50th anneversary of the Lego company.

The English MainIchi mirror is down temporarily, but you can see more pics here.

Source: MainIchi.jp

Japanese TV: Pokemon bullet trains

2008-07-20T23:23:00.001-07:00

For ichi!

(Via JapanProbe)
At Ueno Station, Pokemon character Pikachu made an appearance and saw off smiling children boarding the bullet trains.
“I was surprised to see Pikachu, but I really like the character so I’m happy,” said one 7-year-old boy who was traveling to Iwate Prefecture with his family on the first day of operation. “It’s a cool bullet train,” he added.
JR East is operating four decorated trains on the Tohoku and Joetsu Shinkansen lines and one on each of the Yamagata, Akita and Nagano Shinkansen lines.

Japanese TV: Family gets Tokyo Disney Sea all to itself

2008-07-20T23:14:00.001-07:00

(Via JapanProbe) For the Fukuyo family, Friday was the chance of a lifetime: They had the entire Tokyo DisneySea theme park to themselves for 2 1/2 hours, with no waits for all the rides they could handle.
Yasuhisa Fukuo, 38, his wife, Sumiko, 33, and their 5-year-old triplets were chosen by lottery from 1,609 applicants for the event to mark the Tokyo Disney Resort’s 25th anniversary.
At 7:30 a.m., the family from Shizuoka Prefecture arrived at the park and was greeted by the 150-member cast of Magic Kingdom characters.

Ridiculous Price or Piece of Anime History?

2008-07-20T21:33:00.000-07:00

I've been made aware of this auction item on eBay.

It's for an undoubtedly rare Bubblegum Crisis B-Club booklet, priced well over USD$ 2,000!

The seller says it really should be in a museum, but I'm not sure if he/she should be in a nut house.

Thoughts? Insight?

The Classics: China San no Yuutsu

2008-07-19T20:20:00.000-07:00

Before The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, there was The Melancholy of Miss China.

This is the tale of a lesser known anime, one starring a lovely restaurant owner, Miss China, her fiance, and her neer-do-well borders who always create trouble for her. China San no Yuutsu (also licensed as Spirit of Wonder: Miss China's Ring) is an OVA released in the early nineties.

The story plays out much like any H. G. Wells novel. The anime spares no moment to bend scientific principle and draw the characters (and viewers alike) into a world of unimaginable wonderment. It's a cute and campy release from reality like no other.

In the film, Jim and Dr. Breckenridge, two of the boarders who live above China's restaurant, develop a machine that can transport people to the moon. China, who only cares about getting rent from the two, refuses to believe the pair. Jim is so crushed by China's disbelief that he proves his latest invention to her all while finding a way to profess his love for Miss China.

It's a bit out there, but it's a lovely little gem of a movie. It's much different from a typical science fiction anime, taking place in early 20th century England, with an unlikely cast of characters, and making light of outdated scientific theories (ie: currents of ether). But it's well worth watching to unwind from a day in the real world.

The OVA was continued in a "not quite sequeled" second part, standalone from the earlier OVA which got its story from the serialized manga it was based upon. The second film was released as simply "Spirit of Wonder", and while featuring China and company in two shorts and a cameo in the main story, they played a secondary role to a new story following five scientists as they endeavored to reach Mars!

The latter OVA is heavy in fan-service, some inappropriate. The animation is interesting in either film as characters have normal-like eyes and both noses and lips, well-visible upon their faces, and CG elements mixed with beautifully drawn scenery all played out in a slow and steady pace.

If you are lucky to find a copy of either of these out of print titles, grab them up! There won't be anything quite like it on your shelf.

Cats galor!

2008-07-18T16:44:00.000-07:00

Because Tokyo is such a small place, many people have small homes or appartments where you either have no consent, or have to space to keep a loveable furry bag. So what do you do if you just don't have the space, but you have the need to see some kittens or hags-of-cats?

Go to Nekobukuro!

For about ¥600 ($6) or ¥1000 per couple, you can spend an hour in the cat house, playing with these lovable (they want pets!) or angry (they have static from too much pets) creatures.

With lots of colorful walls, filled with cat scratches and even perches for the cats to hang on (or run away from you on).

So if you're ever in Ikebukuro, go to Nekobukuro!

Western World Anime Briefs: Gurren to be on TV!

2008-07-17T20:28:00.000-07:00

A recent press release by Sci-Fi Media and subsidiaries states that the second season of the Sci-Fi's year-old anime block, "Ani-Monday" will start next week with the cult, medicalpunk hit, Blackjack. The film as you may know, is a spawn of Osamu Tezuka's studies in medicine and his cleverly twisted mind.
I nearly cosplayed as Black Jack once. Got the labcoat and everything. Totally intend to this fall.

The following week A-M will begin airing episodes of the destined-to-be-popular series Gurren Lagann, as well as the stunning, sleeper hit Now and Then, Here and There. Most programs will be show by liscensee Starz Media or Manga Entertainment and their acquired branches.
Catch the A-M block on Monday nights at 11 PM EST/PST.
I was really hoping Tiffany Grant could play Yoko...

In addition, SpaceCoyote, whom you may know as the Simpsons manga artist, will do a Death Note parody in this year's Halloween issue of The Simpsons Comic: Treehouse of Horrors.

SpaceCoyote is known already by her Simpsonized picture of the Death Note characters, but this version of the story will be based on Springfield lookalikes in a unique enough adventure.

Japanese TV? I survived a Japanese Gameshow (ABC)

2008-07-16T12:49:00.001-07:00

Okay, so ABC has been running a program called "I survived a Japanese gameshow," where they send a bunch of American's to Japan to be on a Japanese show called Majide. The host does some funny stuff, so PW and I cut out a minute's worth for you.

Anime Kip is Watching: Slayers Revolution

2008-07-15T21:14:00.000-07:00

Okay, so here is the storyboard for episode two of Slayers Revolution. Click for larger photos.

A wild small creature appears.

Wiser faints!

The small creature faints!

Lina uses Dragon Slave. The world loses and restarts at the last Pokemon Center.

Mach Girl Preview

2008-07-14T20:47:00.001-07:00

Mach Girl

Man that is some kind of bull crap there.

Jumped to Japan

2008-07-12T20:40:00.000-07:00

So, in one of my last posts, I mentioned how our own Cherry Capital, USA got the traveling museum exhibit, about Japanese art forms called Jump to Japan: Discovering Culture Through Popular Art.

The exhibit was very small, but takes the visitor on a chronological journey through the art of the Japanese. Woodblock prints and scrolls were among the first topics presented. The exhibit is almost entirely hands-on and the visitor is well-involved the entire time. One can roll through one of several famous scroll prints as well as use a computer generated program to simulate the layers of ink and carvings used in woodblock print making.

Of course a trip through the pop culture history of Japanese art wouldn't be complete without an anime showcase. Visitors could try their hands at drawing their own anime character on lighted tables using sketch paper first and proceed to a miniaturized Akihabara manga shop, complete with tiny clothes hanging from a tiny balcony to dry. The manga shop, though just a scaled representation of what one might find in Japan featured an interesting array of hard to find posters, figures, and manga for the museum-goers enjoyment.

The cat bus and near-lifesized Totoro rounded out the journey. You could even watch clips of the film in a hands-on way. The whole experience was fun and unique. It made for about a good 45 minutes of clean fun in quasi-authentic animeland. There were even tatami mats one could sit at and learn about the various traditions of important Japanese holidays.

At the end you can also cut out your own paper fan (with important exhibit information on it of course) and take it with you as a memento, unless that is, you stopped at the shop on the way out and got something neater!

Jump to Japan will be in Traverse City, MI until September 9th, where it will move again to yet another museum. Maybe it's headed your way!

Plus, did anyone see the "International Cherry Pit Spitting Competition" bump on Adult Swim tonight? Yeah, that's totally us.

Pictured: Top- My guests to the museum (cute aren't they?), Bottom- Totoro holding some ball-jointed dolls that tagged along.

Manga News Brief

2008-07-10T19:53:00.000-07:00

A bit of old manga news, so I'll be short.

Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei will place one episode long OVAs in the next two volumes of the manga. Both episodes are expected feature the same voice cast.

And Kodansha will be looking to publish manga in the US this September. It is uncertain if they will print simply stand alone manga and/or produce a magazine like Shonen Jump/Shojo Beat that is found pretty popular under the Kodansha name in Japan with the company's over fifteen other serialized manga magazines.

Pictured: Kodansha magazine stand.

Slayers Revolution: The Review

2008-07-09T23:40:00.001-07:00

Well, it's here.

Happiness is a title screen and music by Megu.

And then it all went downhill...

Let's start at the beginning:
Lina, fresh upon a pack of bandits, presents herself as the infamous "bandit killer" and promptly destroys the lot when they lovingly refer to her as the "dragon spooker" instead. Flash to Slayers opening theme!

...Well okay, that may be too far early in the series. Let's just resume where we left off in the last series.
Spoilers and whatnot.

Gourry has left behind the Sword of Light to be protected. Then the team parts ways, Amelia and Zelgadis back to Seyrrun, and Lina and Gourry off to kill bandits and plates of meat.
Though most of the series have ended with the team parting ways, rarely has it been without the key weapon of the series.

So the next series starts... with a drawn out bandit... or I should say, pirate beating spree, brought on by none other than our heroine, Lina. The stunt double for Jack Sparrow takes it for a while until he finds out the Lina is THE Lina Inverse and cowers away. This opening scene, lasting until midway through the first episode acts as an important character introduction as we reintroduce the fab four team especially to a new generation of otaku who have not seen the first seireses. Thought it seems like the whole setup could have been more to the point.

Alas, with season four, we've come to find our characters are getting set in their stereotypical ways. Lina is the tempered, flat-chested little girl. Gourry is the idiot... and swordsman... I guess. Amelia, the justice freak. And, by comparison, Zelgadas plays the quiet, straight man, pretty normal compared to the rest of the motley ensemble. The worst part is that these stereotypes shined through more than the awesome violence did, and comedy definitely took the foreground this time around to the action. And that's a bad thing. I guess there really are only so many times you can watch the same incantations and reoccurring jokes.

The whole feel of the series this time around is too cartooney. The characters are all caricatures of themselves, plus, there appears to be a pikachu that will be joining the team.

Why have a fourth season just to jump the shark? I'd have been happier with spontaneous OVAs à la Lupin style, like they had been doing. One thing is for sure, this series has the same feel as the final OVA, Slayers Premium, with a 9:1 comedy to action ratio and cutesy baddies. They must have used the OVA to test the waters for this series.

Alas, I shall watch this travesty. I only hope it gets better from here. It is SLAYERS after all!

UPDATE: I'm told pikachu here is actually a rip of another monster-

Little Known Infos About "My Neighbor Totoro" Preproduction

2008-07-09T16:07:00.000-07:00

Chances are, you may have seen this poster from the iconic Ghibli film:

However, you may remember as well, that there are in fact two female lead characters in My Neighbor Totoro, Satsuki and her little sister, Mei.
The girl seen in the most widely produced form of the movie poster, became the hybrid for the two girls that you are familiar with in the official film poster, here:

Here's some information a member of my anime club dug up:

Satsuki Kusakabe (草壁サツキ, Kusakabe Satsuki)
A 10-year-old girl. Satsuki is Mei's older sister. Satsuki is the traditional name of the fifth month of the Japanese calendar, the equivalent of the English May.

Mei Kusakabe (草壁メイ, Kusakabe Mei)
Satsuki's four-year-old sister. Her name deliberately echoes her sister's, May being the fifth month, reflecting the fact that the story originally featured one girl, who was then divided into an older and younger sister. The widely-distributed promotional image for the film of a girl standing next toTotoro at a bus stop reflects the earlier conception with a single child.

Also, interestingly enough, there is a sequel to my neighbor totoro, called "Mei and the Kittenbus" it is about a fourteen minute film shown exclusively at the Ghibli Museum, in Japan.

One final bit of infos, the darkly, poignant war anime, Grave of the Fireflies, was once packaged in a collection with MNT for fear that the latter film would not be a success. MNT would also provide a comedic relief to the bitter movie.

By the way, I just came back from this children's museum exhibit (in my town now), portraying Japanese art in its many forms, from scrolls and wood block to manga and anime, called "Jump to Japan". They had a replica kittenbus there, as you can see in the picture. Photos to come soon!

More at the Totoro wiki. Thanks, Kayla.

The Ever Fashionable Classic

2008-07-08T21:36:00.000-07:00

Ahh yes. Classic Pokemon. Back in my day, we only had 150 Pokemon to catch. Those rich kids in the next town over got 151, but who wanted a Mew anyway, he made your milk turn sour and your favorite red shorts shrink in the wash, in fact I can name all of the Pokemon, we had Jiggypop and Rockman.exe and Rocksnake which was a snake that was made of rocks! I remember spending hours in the forrest just to catch a glimpse of one. That was back in the day before we had Gameboy Advanced. Now, who knows what those kids play. Them and their darned, dirty Hoot-Hoots...
TARNATION!

I seem to have forgotten where I was going with this...

Ah...
So I've recently been introduced to a new clothing line pitched to us early generations of Pokemon players who have grown up to ditch our K-mart Pikachu tees for something that doesn't insult our sensibilities as much. Hence, here is Pokemon 151.
These shirts follow a more laid-back and artsy style on the colorful Pokemon theme. Arcticuno (Freezer) with the crest embossed over him has to be the coolest design in my mind, but all of the shirts are sharp and tasteful. In fact, these designs don't even have to be Pokemon as much as they can be some nouveau fashion style.

I could see wearing this with my thin, black sport coat and my darkest blue jeans, and hitting the clubs in one variation of this trendy ensemble.

Check out the designs at the Pokemon 151 site. Only four designs yet. I can't wait to see them all.

Breaking News: ADV Verge on Close? FUN to Pickup Titles

2008-07-07T15:08:00.000-07:00

R1 anime giant and Neon Geesis Evangelion staple, ADV entertainment, after appearing to have several distribution troubles with many of its online titles among other issues reported earlier this year, will cut the license rights to over thirty titles which FUNimation has agreed to pick up as well as several Geneon titles acquired within the year after that fan favorite licensor ended distribution plans last year.

Popular uncompleted titles When they Cry, Law of Ueki, and the Rozen Maiden series will be picked up by FUN among other titles including many of ADV's.

ADV had a downsizing early this year and has apparently had to auction off a number of its business assets as of the time of this writing.

FUN has said in an AnimeExpo press release that it will be distributing this monster license-fest of anime through download-to-own websites and its cable TV channel.

And in the latest of news, ADV has announced it will partner with another unnamed business, and will not be releasing any new manga titles. ADV has removed the lost titles from their website anime page.

The question still remains, what is left for unlicensed titles this year. Will any of the good, unexported series from Japan stand a chance with FUNimation controlling 2/3 of all titles now in play? And how remaining orders will be processed.

Visit comics news site Newsarama for more info. Stay tuned to AP for more on this confusing and baffling breaking news.

See also: Geneon Long Gone & Anime Restructuring, Schmanime Schmestructuring Parts I and II.

Japanese TV: Waking up a sleepy partner

2008-06-29T09:19:00.001-07:00

(Via TVinJapan.com)

Japanese TV: UFO Catcher Stand-Up Comedy

2008-06-29T09:15:00.001-07:00

(Via TVinJapan.com)

EVA Bike. Entry plug not included.

2008-06-23T20:15:00.000-07:00

Kip wants moar posts!
But Kip is busy working his life away currently.
What to do?

Combine of course!

Here is a pic of a bike at my workplace painted in EVA 01 colors!
The picture isn't that great because it was taken under florescents with a celly cam, but it really is a neon green and purple motorcycle!

The rims are especially cool:

Tokyo Toy Show 2008

2008-06-20T17:31:00.001-07:00

My favorite is the RC car that can drive on walls and upside down. Around 2:30.