I finally got to see the new Clone Wars computer animated film, which just opened here. One of the minor agonies of being a Star Wars fan in Japan is having to wait an extra long time for films to open, because George Lucas likes Japan and always wants to personally be here for any of his film releases. Whenever a new Star Wars film comes out, my son and I pick through it to see what character names were obviously inspired by Japanese words, like Count Dooku's name from doku meaning poison, or the obi in Obi-Wan meaning a kimono belt. The new character in this film was Anakin's padawan Asohka, which seems like it can only have come from the phrase ah, so ka? meaning, "Oh, is that so?" The new film was obviously inspired by Japanese animation to a certain degree, and I noticed the animators even followed the recent convention of including an okama or gay character, in the form of the makeup-wearing Ziro the Hutt, nephew to Jabba. It's quite common for recent anime series to feature one effeminate male character, called okama kyara in Japanese, to provide comic relief and act as a foil for the main characters. Some examples of these fabulous characters include Leeron, the capable and flamboyant engineer from Gurren Lagann, and Bobby Margot, the helmsmen of the Macross Quarter from Macross Frontier, so manly and yet so girlish. Heck, Gonzo's gorgeous Romeo x Juliet anime remix even featured an okama character: it was William Shakespeare himself, repurposed as a mentor to the starcross'd lovers.As for the Clone Wars film, hrrm, it was a nice extension of the Clone Wars animated shorts, that's for sure. As long as you hypnotize yourself into pretending you're a 12 year old boy again, it was great.
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Welcome to the first entry in a series designed to help enterprising villains deal with the constant threat of giant robots. Their abilities are often unpredictable and logic-defying, and it may even seem that the mecha you’re facing is absolutely invincible. It will never be an easy fight, but I’m here to show you that no [...]
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The charms of Nia, of Gurren Lagann, collide in puchi form with the traditional idol drill in this fine, and moesome, image. Just what she is enthusiastically intent on drilling is not clear. Whatever the case, it should make some very nice wallpaper…
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Slow as hell, I know, seen the (attempted) combo on /a/ many times, but…. GENTLEMEN. LET’S GET DOWN TO BUSINESS TO DEFEAT THE HUNS! Thanks Maaku. Lyrics: WITH ALL THE STRENGTH OF A RAP, WHICH IS A MAN’S SOUL. By anon. Edit: Off to b’day dinner. Enjoy!
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A couple of pages from October´s Megami Magazine 101. There are nice posters in this issue. My favorite ones are the Gurren-Lagann Yoko, Ikkitousen, Birdy the Mighty and Zero no Tsukaima….Whats yours?
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A very cute looking set of figure straps we got here ^^ The following “We’re Mini Gurren Lagann Team” figure straps set is scheduled for October 2008 release. They are sold individually for 800 Yen each, unfortunately, and Hobby Search is taking reservations for it as of now. Yoko Simon Kamina Gurren-Lagann Lagann & Simon Buta & Yakuza Usagi Cute!!~XD [...]
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GURREN-BLOGGIN, CARAMELLDANSEN ON!!!! Dang, I wish someone had gotten pictures of CJ and Janette Caramelldansening. And the Lavi cosplayer dancing on a chair was superiorly epic too. Yes, this post means that CJ, Rakuen and Janette all survived the madness that was Matsuricon. CJ almost got groped at the rave, and Janette was perpetually glomped, but the [...]
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There’s so much GAR in this. In this Seiyuu segment of Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann, Viral’s Seiyuu gets to voice Simon in one of the “Giga Drill Breaker” scene ^^ Simon = Hiyama Nobuyuki (Viral) Guame = Fukui Yukari (Nia) GIGA DRILLL BREAAAKERR!!!~XD
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Each language is special, with its own set of interesting features. Romance languages, for example, have nouns that come in male and female genders, which can be difficult for native English speakers to pick up -- why is a pen la puma but a pencil is el lapiz? In Japanese, there are some interesting features, too. As I often point out here, the subject and object are sometimes left off of sentences if the speakers know what is meant. Thus a girl might say to her friend "Iku?" which literally means "Go?" Who is going, and where are they going, and when are they going, are all implied (let's head out to lunch now). Another interesting aspect of the language is keigo, or formal polite language, which splits some verbs into "exhaulting," for use when referring to someone you want to show respect to such as an honored guest or your boss, and "humble," used to lower yourself or your organization, thus raising the person you're being polite too even higher. This polite form of Japanese can be quite removed from everyday life here, and when Japanese go to university or a trade school, part of their education will include training in how to use this higher level of polite language, so they don't embarrass themselves when they enter the workforce. One thing I've found interesting is how a Japanese person can angrily berate someone even while they maintain this careful keigo language mode. In the anime Gurren Lagann, there's a scene in which Nia, princess and daughter of Lord Genome, demands to know why her father has been forcing humanity to live underground. She's extremely angry as she speaks, yet her Japanese is polite the whole time. This is probably something that'd be impossible to recreate accurately in English.
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Here are today's "really cool products" that I've picked out for you, out of the 30+ new items we've added to the J-List and JBOX.com sites today. Note that some products may be "not safe for work" but that all links will allow you to redirect yourself either to the J-List or JBOX.com websites. To see all the J-List products, check out J-List or the JBOX.com updated products link. ToHeart2 Figure Collection vol.1. The popular eroge and anime ToHeart2 has many fans because of its incredible characters. Here's a set of figures from the series that are great for displaying anywhere. Dengeki Maoh Aug 2008. Need some manga? How about 600+ pages worth? That's what you get every month in Dengeki Maoh ("Electric Shock Magic King"), the gorgeous monthly magazine of manga and more. Features popular manga like Spice and Wolf, Sengoku Basara 2, Tales of Symphonia, Hanged Man, and more. Get free stuff like a pull out glossy for Persona 3. Kera July 2008 vol. 120. The #1 J-Fashion magazine is Kera, a super offering that covers everything from the latest trends in Tokyo's hip Harajuku region to gorgeous "Goth-Loli" and "Punk-Loli" outfits. Kawaii. Of course, we normally only offer it via our Reserve Subscription system, but these issues happened to be available this month. Totoro Craft Card Holder -- Green. We've gotten in another Totoro Business Card Holder, a totally organic and good way of storing your business cards, or any other card-sized items you need to store. Features gorgeous traditionally Japanese images of Totoro on the back, and closs with a secure drawstring. Lelouch Lamperouge Action Figure Figma BP ~ Code Geass. Code Geass is a really popular anime that's kicking butt in the marketplace in Japan right now. Here's a really cool figure of Lelouch Lamperouge which comes with Zero helmet as well as alternate parts to make many cool poses. Restocked! Revoltech No.050 Gurren Lagann. Also, the awesome Gurren Lagann Revoltech toy has been restocked, and can be ordered right now. Highly flexible, can assume any pose at all. One of the coolest toys you can find anywhere. Hello Kitty Glitter Bento Box (1-Tier). Bento enthusiasts have a lot to choose from at J-List, form traditional bento boxes to cute lunchboxes with your favorite characters on them. Here's an outstanding Hello Kitty bento box with a single tier, with separate compartments inside to allow you to put rice in one side and the other parts of your meal in the other. Best of all, the clamps that hold the bento lid on are Hello Kitty ribbons. That's so darned cute! SAMURAI CONFIDENTIAL. A fascinating book giving tons of information on the real-life ninja, samurai and general Japanese history. Illustrated by Ryoto Kanzaki. Jelly Air Freshener ~ PANDA / Perfume scent. Prime Nakamura is bringing their cute bento box panda to other areas, this time in the form of a cute Jelly Air Freshener that you can use to bring a nice scent to your home or car. SAKURA Sake Glass. Enjoy your next glass of sake in this cool sakura-themed glass from Prime Nakamura. Features beautiful sakura petals all over the surface. Of course you can drink other beverages other than sake. Beautiful Kanji Training for Nintendo DS. When can a game teach you to write calligraphy? When it's the Beautiful Kanji Training, an outstanding Nintendo DS title that teaches you to write kanji beautifully. It comes with a writing brush stylus and has many activities that teach you how to write beautiful kanji. An amazing tool for students of the language, and compatible with Nintendo DS units from around the world. DUEL LOVE. Also, see fresh stock of the popular otome game, or a love simulator specifically made for girls. You're a new transfer student to the school, and you're surrounded by many hot guys. Whose heart will you win? Includes amazing "wipe sweat off their ribbed bodies" gameplay action using the stylus. Back in stock today. Hello Kitty Cookie Cutter, Onigiri Shaper. Hello Kitty fans, we've restocked the cool Hello Kitty Cookie Mold & Stamp, which you can use to make awesome Hello Kitty shaped cookies and other treats. Or try our Hello Kitty Onigiri Maker, which lets you press rice into the shape of Japan's most famous cat. Great for bento! TAKE-FUMI ~ Bamboo Health Foot Step Massager. The natural way to massage your feet! This is essentially a slide of bamboo that you can stand on and feel the healing power of the bamboo massage working on the bottoms of your feet. Mini Sauce Bottle Assortment. We work so had at J-List because we love to surprise our customers with cool things from Japan. Today we're restocking those awesome Mini Soy Sauce Bottles that are shaped like little fish, which are great for bringing soy sauce (for example) in your lunch. Also see more of our fruit-shaped Mayonnaise Cups for bento -- awesome! Lucky Charm for Safety Driving -- Red "Mikoshi" Car Window Mascot. We've got more omamori, or Shinto good luck charms, and this is a great one for sticking on the inside of your car window to help you enjoy "safety driving" (as the Japanese call it). Bento Boxes: Japanese Meals on the Go. A great new book from Kodansha with tons of information on bento, Japan's amazing boxed lunches. All in English, with lots of good meal ideas in here. This poplar book is back in stock today. Karen Onodera 1/8 Figure ~ Onegai Twins *Preorder*. I'm a big fan of the anime Please Twins, the story of a boy who has two girls show up on his door one day, and all three are in possession of the same old photograph showing that two of them are related. But which two? I like the show so much I've been to the town in Nagano where the Please Twins/Please Teacher series were "filmed." This is the awesome 1/8 figure of Karen from the show, with patented Amazing Upskirt Action(tm). Revoltech No.062 TENGENTOPPA Gurren Lagann. I'm no small Gainax fan, having been around since the Daicon Opening Animation days. And it warms my heart to see the company having come so far, and making such innovative shows as this. Here's the Revoltech Gurren Lagann from the last battle at the end. PILOT HI-TEC-C Gel Ink Pens. Got some great restocked items for the Back to School crowd: the Pilot Hi-Tec-C Gel Ink Pen in 0.3 and 0.4 mm sizes, the Copic PM Pad specially made for creating art with ink markers, and a favorite item of mine, the Pink and Blue Kado-Keshi erasers that defy geometry. Two to Two -- Ai Ozaki, Yui Ozaki. Here's a really cool hardcover glossy photobook capturing the beauty and grace of these two twin sisters, filled with beautiful photographs of both lovely girls in a variety of settings. They are popular idols appearing on late-night TV in Japan. Delicate Fantasy 5 ~ DF 5. A super doujinishi offering from the master of big oppai, Tohru Nishimaki, crator of the Blue Eyes series. Hot off the presses for the recent Comic Market. Zenra Sexlympic 2008 - "H" Olympics. Just in time to celebrate the Olympics, Soft on Demand brings you the...the Zenra Olympics! In this fantastic new release you can enjoy beautiful real athletes doing basketball, badminton, boxing, wrestling, softball, rhythmic gymnastics, judo and other sports in, hrm, their natural state. A fantastic new release in the Zenra series!
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