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Monkey D. Luffy is on Your iPhone
Posted by Michael Pinto on Jan 31, 2010 in Animation, Hobbies and Collections
This collection of Phone cases were issued to celebrate the tenth anniversary of One Piece. The first set of three features Monkey D. Luffy Wanted, Chopper Pink, and a Chopper Black version: Read more… The Ultimate Strange Ultraman Toy
Posted by Michael Pinto on Jan 28, 2010 in Hobbies and Collections, Japanese TV
This is such a strange bobble head: It’s suppose to be Ultraman however his head has been decapitated and replaced with an old school television set which is showing Ultraman on its screen. But making this toy even stranger is that the television head will shake and nod which is powered by solar power. Read more… Sunday is Not a God: A New Light Novel with Moe and Ammo
Posted by Michael Pinto on Jan 26, 2010 in Comic Books
I’m always intrigued when I see commercials for light novels from Japan — because you can be looking at the next big thing, or a title that will never go anywhere. However this spot for Sunday is Not a God caught my eye due to the production value, it almost looks like pitch for an anime series. Apparently this light novel won the top prize at Fantasia 21 and was praised by Shoji Gatoh, the author behind Full Metal Panic!. Here is some interesting promotional artwork I found from the publishers which combines a shared theme of moe and ammo: Read more… The Disturbing Case of the Aflak Duck Cat Wedding
Posted by Michael Pinto on Jan 19, 2010 in Japanese TV
There’s something just freaky about this Japanese commercial for Aflac which stars Aoi Miyazaki (宮崎 あおい) sharing the screen with a creepy look animatronic duck and kitty. The odd kids song being performed is Song of the Duck Beckoning Cat and is featured in this very cute animated music video which Aflac has also put out: Read more… Kato Rosa: A Japanese Neapolitan Icon
Posted by Michael Pinto on Jan 15, 2010 in Japanese TV
Nicknamed Ro-chin actress and fashion model Kato Rosa (加藤ローサ) was born in 1985 in Naples, Italy — her mom was Japanese and her father was Italian. At age 6 her family moved to Japan but sadly lost her Italian language skills by the time she grew up. Since 2005 she’s been very active starring in both television shows and films, although I get a kick out of her commercials which I’ve collected here: Read more… Pikachu: Because Your PC Needs a Pokémon Pal
Posted by Michael Pinto on Jan 14, 2010 in Animation
I’ll be honest: I’m not quite sure what the functionality of this Pikachu USB Computer Companion actually does. Although one might divine that if you’re any sort of self respecting Pokémon fan that you’ll need this office toy: Read more… The Fat Lady Sings: Baseball Anime Strikes Out in America
Posted by Michael Pinto on Jan 11, 2010 in Animation
Recently many anime reviewers were letdown that FUNimation dropped Big Windup season two — but frankly I was surprised that they picked it up in the first place. At first one is tempted to shrug it off and say that anime fans aren’t into sports, but clearly the popularity of Prince of Tennis proves that wrong. So what’s the real reason? This may come as a shock but baseball as a sport is endangered in the United States, and sadly that’s because most of Gen Y just doesn’t care about it as a pastime. Read more… Diary of a Domo Devotee
Posted by Michael Pinto on Jan 9, 2010 in Hobbies and Collections
Once upon a time Domo goodies were so hard to come across, you had to order them from Japan and then wait, wait, wait; but these days you can find Domo paraphernalia almost everywhere. Dark Horse is continuing the reign of Domo with more goodies: Shown above is the Domo and Mr. Usaji Journal, and below are the Domo Sticky Note Book and the Domo Party Lights: Read more… Bandai: Is the Official Company Uniform Gundam Cosplay?My favorite thing about this Mobile Suit Gundam toy commercial? The fact that it shows all of those Bandai employees dressed in in uniforms from the show: Read more… Valkyria Chronicles 2G: The Joy of Moe Mecha Tank Battles
Posted by Michael Pinto on Jan 6, 2010 in Videogames
This is a cute promotional video for Sega’s Valkyria Chronicles 2G game which will be out on the PSP. This battlefield simulation game is based on Valkyria Chronicles which came out for the PlayStation3 back in 2008 — although I think setting the game on a portable platform makes the anime aspect of this title even cuter. Read more… How To Impress the Ladies in Japan: Wear a Baseball Outfit
Posted by Michael Pinto on Jan 5, 2010 in Japanese TV
Just look at her: She’s so smitten with him! Sadly I couldn’t trace down the baseball player and the lovely lady from this wonderfully cute advert from the 80s. I also love the added touch in the commercial of how she changes her outfit for each special soft drink encounter. Although I did figure out the orange, pineapple and grape flavored beverages featured in the advert was manufactured by Hagoromo foods. The Most Overlooked Anime Series of The Last Five Years
Posted by Michael Pinto on Jan 4, 2010 in Animation
2010 is now here and the season of top manga and anime lists is now over! Most of these lists are on the fanboy quest to figure out the most important anime series of the last few years. And to me this isn’t a trivial quest: Looking back allows us as critics to pick out the overlooked titles that deserve a second chance, and by contrast to acknowledge the fads that have faded. In fact it always interesting to me how an amazing film or television show can receive lackluster box office receipts or poor ratings, only to be recognized in retrospect as important. And thus I submit to you that the most important anime show of the last five years was Bakugan Battle Brawlers. Read more… A Classic Greek Take on Star Wars from Japan
Posted by Michael Pinto on Jan 2, 2010 in Hobbies and Collections, Star Wars
These Japanese Star Wars Mini Busts capsule toys remind me a great deal of classic Greek and Roman sculptures. I especially love the Han Solo that looks like Michelangelo’s David: Read more… A First Look at the Space Battleship Yamato Live Action FilmThe good news: Hollywood won’t ruin this film! The bad news: There isn’t a very strong tradition in Japan for making live action science fiction films. Mind you I’m not saying that this can’t be done, but the odds are against you. So given that I’ve got to say as an ancient Star Blazers fans that this trailer has me much more excited than the animated film that came out this year, which to be fair got better review than I expected. Here’s a screen-by-screen breakdown of my thoughts: Read more… Dancing Animated Rice Balls
Posted by Michael Pinto on Dec 31, 2009 in Animation, Japanese TV
This 1991 advert for rice balls features J-pop singer Arisa Mizuki (観月ありさ) who was just making her singing debut at the time this commercial was shown. Arisa had been modeling as a child since the age of four, but her big break came with the TV drama Mou dare mo Aisanai which was followed by her first single record Densetsu no Shoujo. In addition during this time she also provided vocals for the Sailor Moon song Kaze Mo, Sora Mo, Kitto. A Salmon Roe Storeage Solution
Posted by Michael Pinto on Dec 31, 2009 in Hobbies and Collections
This Solid Alliance’s SushiDisk USB is perfect for fanboys who are both Japanophiles and techno geeks. Each bit of sushi holds up to two gigs of memory and comes available as Ikura (Salmon Roe), Uni (Urchin), Kappa Maki (Cucumber), Salmon, Kanpyo Maki (dried gourd), Tekka Maki (raw tuna): Read more… Star Trek Meets Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea
Posted by Michael Pinto on Dec 30, 2009 in Star Trek
The folks at Yokosuka Dry Docks have created a radio controlled version of the Enterprise that can go underwater. The funny thing is seeing this reminded a great deal of the old series Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea which much to my surprise is now available on Hulu! Read more… Mari Yaguchi and Her Baby Lion
Posted by Michael Pinto on Dec 30, 2009 in Japanese TV
I just came across this amazingly cute clip of Mari Yaguchi from a Japanese TV show appearance she did back in October: This video shows her adventures taking care of a baby lion! Yaguchi is a current member of the Hello! Project and was leader of Morning Musume back in 2005. The Toro Station Looks at the Upcoming Lucky Star Game
Posted by Michael Pinto on Dec 28, 2009 in Animation, Videogames
This latest episode of Weekly Toro Station (週刊トロ・ステーション) takes a look at the Lucky Star Net Idol Meister game that’s coming out in January. I love how both cats are dressed as characters from the series in their sailor girl outfits. Lum Celebrates the Year of the Tiger
Posted by Michael Pinto on Dec 27, 2009 in Animation, Hobbies and Collections
To celebrate the year of the tiger you can order this swanky limited edition Lum lucky charm. Although if you’re a die hard hard Urusei Yatsura fan you’re going to need a bit more than luck to buy this limited edition lucky charm as this goodie will set you back 80,000 yen plus shipping (and orders are due by December 28th): Read more… A Do-It-Yourself Iron Pastry Chef Kit
Posted by Michael Pinto on Dec 14, 2009 in Hobbies and Collections
Sadly this product could never be released in the United States due to fears of lawsuits — however that said the Cream Filled Pastry Kit is one of the coolest looking foodie focused toys I’ve seen in a long time! In theory here are what your results are suppose to look like: Read more… The Lucky Star Concert I Sadly Missed!
Posted by Michael Pinto on Dec 14, 2009 in Animation
This commercial is from a month ago and who knows when this concert took place — but according to this advert the DVD for Lucky☆Star in it for you from the Budokan will be released on December 25th and will be available through kyotoanimation.shop-pro.jp. The video is 118 minutes long and features Dolby stereo so you can sing along with the voice actors, although the light sticks that the audience members have are not included. Control Gigantor With Your Netbook
Posted by Michael Pinto on Dec 13, 2009 in Animation, Japanese TV
Shown above is an NTT ad for the Docomo for PC service which features Tetsujin 28-go, which is lovingly known to American fans as Gigantor. I love how while the two giant robots are destroying Tokyo the Docomo PC user is still spellbound by his nifty software… Solanin: A Romantic Musical Manga Becomes a Film
Posted by Michael Pinto on Dec 10, 2009 in Cinema, Comic Books
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