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Apple iPad may be especially useful for Japanese study
by Karen Gellender, 02/08/2010
Apple iPad may be especially useful for Japanese study photo

Want to know what I carry around with me on a daily basis, now that I'm studying Japanese? I have my Tuttle Kanji Cards, blank flashcards for making my own vocabulary cards, writing utensils, oh and a few notebooks for writing practice. Oh, and also my MP3 player for listening to Japanese dramas and things at random times. Oh, and sometimes my DS for My Japanese Coach (and hopefully for one of the better Japanese programs soon). So when an editorial on Japundit addressed the idea of Apple's new ipad potentially lightening my load, I stood up and took notice.

Now, there's nothing the iPad does that can't be done with a tablet PC, but the idea of having everything I need in a comfortably light 1.5 pound package really is pretty appealing. I've noticed that the greatest impediment to doing something that requires consistent effort (like learning a language) is the logistical complications factor. I've been good about doing my flashcards and such lately, but that's because I finally idiot-proofed my system for learning so that my cards are pretty much in front of my face all the time. With my flashcards, Kanji-writing software, MP3's, and Japanese ebooks all at my finger tips, won't that just make studying even easier still?

I'm not completely sold on it yet, but I'm seriously considering buying an iPad for this reason- also, the fact that I can use it as a digital sketchpad doesn't hurt. It may sound silly, but I can't emphasize enough how much organizing your study materials can affect your productivity; when you make it so that you can study while still being pretty damn lazy, you'll find you tend to study more.

[Via Japundit]

  1 comments Latest by Reibooi
"Personally I think the Ipad is a waste of time and money. As you said it can't really do anything that any other tablet or netbook can't already do. And yet it's still more expensive then most of..."...read more



 First teaser for Karigurashi No Arrietty shows up
by Ben Huber, 02/08/2010
First teaser for Karigurashi No Arrietty shows up photo

Normally, any post by me about a new Studio Ghibli film would essentially be reduced to "OMG OMG OMG" but this isn't really normal -- this teaser is really a teaser, showing barely 60 seconds of film. This is actually from a Japanese TV spot that focused on the creation of the theme song of the movie, by Cecile Corbel. Apparently, she is also doing the rest of the soundtrack for the film, which is very interesting news as well. All the recording is being done in France and then sent to Ghibli in Japan. Miyazaki is mostly absent from the creation of this film as well: he only contributed some storyboards and ideas, and is pretty busy being a badass and animating his own short.

The director is actually Hiromasa Yoenbayashi, 36, an animator at Ghibli who has made his way all the way up to the director's seat. Personally, as much as I love Joe Hisaishi and Hayao Miyazaki, I think it's fantastic that they're very much absent from the creation of this film. Hiromasa and his team really need to carve a new path and begin creating films on their own, as Miyazaki isn't going to be around forever (not to be gloomy or anything). Sure, we might be thinking to ourselves, "I'd rather see what Miyazaki is doing," but Karigurashi No Arrietty could be more important in Studio Ghibli's life than we might give it credit for. 

But, we still have a bit of a wait: the movie will be arriving on July 17th, which seems so far away right now. Alleviate the pain of waiting by clicking through for the teaser!

[via Twitch]


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  2 comments Latest by DorjiFAU
"and that redheaded chick looks like Chelsie Clinton! lol "...read more



 IKEA manga sheets will bring you Swedish mochi balls
by Josh Tolentino, 02/08/2010
IKEA manga sheets will bring you Swedish mochi balls photo

Sadly, I'm kidding about the mochi balls. The IKEA manga sheets are a real thing, though.

The Swedish artist (and workout for the site's special text support) Åsa Ekström was commissioned by the flatpack furnishing giant to design a series of fabrics around the theme of "Scandinavia meets Japan," to be displayed and sold in IKEA department stores worldwide.

The results were dubbed the "CHARLOTTA" collection, which include bedsheets featuring stylized Vikings, origami animals, and famous Scandinavian buildings being demolished by Godzilla. On balance they don't look half as bad as one might have imagined they could turn out. The patterns certainly don't look as embarrassing as, say, a Street Fighter blanket.


  4 comments Latest by Gee-Man
"Huh, surprisingly tasteful. It's got manga references, but it's not so in-your-face that it's obnoxious. Still wouldn't put it in my house though. But then again, that's because I'm a design whor..."...read more

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Japanese man attempts to renew his license while drunk
by Tim Sheehy, 02/08/2010
Japanese man attempts to renew his license while drunk photo

I've heard my fair share of stories about stupid people, especially here in America, but this is a first for me. Apparently Susumu Moriya entered a Japanese police station around 9:30 AM to renew his drivers license while completely intoxicated. After experiencing a bit of trouble with the touch screen interface that's used to print out the request form, Moriya asked for help. Unable to understand the officer who came to assist him, he became belligerent, even going as far as to throw his license to the floor in anger.

When the officer had smelt the alcohol on Moriya's breath, he asked how Moriya had arrived at the station. Moriya then lied, stating that he had walked. However, the moment he was asked to leave, Moriya went straight to his car. I love how the guy was clearly lucid enough to lie in the first place, but then walked to his vehicle without even considering that maybe someone would follow him outside to see if he was telling the truth. 200 meters later, and Moriya was arrested for drunk driving.

He later informed the police that he had started drinking as early as 6 AM and had consumed two beers and several glasses of shochu. While I'm sure the beer probably didn't help matters, I'm willing to bet that it was the shochu that did the trick. After all, the stuff tends to sneak up on you. I just can't believe he thought it was a good idea to visit a police station after that, can you?

[via Japan Today]


  9 comments Latest by The Japan Girl
"You're technically correct, but I'm just so itching to go into grammar nazi mode over differences between American and British English use for "smelt." I'll pass though, I've been enough of a sna..."...read more

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Nippon Ichi gets hammered, profits down 97.5%
by Josh Tolentino, 02/08/2010
Nippon Ichi gets hammered, profits down 97.5% photo

It's a painful time at Nippon Ichi, dood.

As was noted at Destructoid noted earlier today, Nippon Ichi Software took a major beating this fiscal year, with its operating profits down by a staggering ninety-seven-point-five percent. It got so bad that the JASDAQ securities exchange was forced to freeze the stock's price after investors bailed out, taking another 20% of share value with them.

Siliconera took a look at this year's release history and compared it to last year's, finding, as our own Dale North commented, that this fiscal year has been heavier on ports and sequels. Also, fiscal 2010 has seen a significantly higher number of total releases, which subsequently increased the risk being taken on by the now-beleaguered publisher. 

It's not completely over yet. Nippon Ichi is still profitable (though only just), and between Japan and North America still has several games due before the end of the fiscal period, including Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love and the crazy Ultimate Hero Modding Project. Here's to hoping they can ease the pain.

  5 comments Latest by Gee-Man
"I hate to say it, but NIS relaly needs to step it up. No more remakes (as much as I love Disgaea 2 on the PSP) or half-assed PS2 assets. What they need to do is buckle down and make another cult ..."...read more



 MC Happiness: The rapping, tap-dancing Buddhist monk
by Dale North, 02/08/2010
MC Happiness: The rapping, tap-dancing Buddhist monk photo

Kansho Taga? He doesn't go by that anymore. Try MC Happiness. He's a 49-year-old Buddhist monk/rapper from Kyoouji Temple in central Tokyo. He has been rapping Buddhist sutras since 2006 to spread the good word in a new fashion.

"When I listened to rap music for the first time, it was in English so I couldn't understand a word," Tagai told Reuters.

"I realized that the same can be said for Buddhist sutras because most people can't understand a word. And the thing is, listening to rap music makes you feel good even though it may be incomprehensible."

 If that's not crazy enough, he plans to add tap dancing to the mix. Pro dancers will tap to MC Happiness' beats. Word is that he might also take the stage. He's also evaluating samba as a new medium.


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  9 comments Latest by thatguyukno
"*twitch* for real!? Seriously, I ahd to watch that 5 times, because it was just too awsome, I thought it was photochoped. This is the best thing all month! That litterlly made my week!"...read more



 Nobuo Uematsu to appear at Anime Boston
by Tim Sheehy, 02/08/2010
Nobuo Uematsu to appear at Anime Boston photo

Like many of you, I spent my childhood glued infront of a game system, devoting hours of my life grinding away in battle after random battle in an effort to beat the latest Final Fantasy. Each time, I fell in love with the story and characters, but most of all I grew to appreciate the music. There was always something that set it aside from the music you'd find your typical video games, and while there are a number of reasons for that, the man responsible for it all was none other than Nobuo Uematsu.

I've been fortunate enough to have had the chance to meet him several times in the past few years, and I can vouch that the man is incredibly kind and out-going. Unfortunately for most of his fans, getting to meet him in person has been rather difficult, and most of them have had to settle with just seeing him perform or conduct at various video game concerts--that is, until now.

It seems Anime Boston has announced Uematsu as their first Japanese guest for 2010. Those of you who want a chance to see him in person, without having to buy a ticket to an expensive concert, might want to consider making the trip. The convention is currently scheduled for April 2nd through the 4th at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston, MA. For more information, check out their official site.

  5 comments Latest by Tim Sheehy
"Reibooi's correct"...read more



 Rock the charts: Japan's box office numbers 1/30 - 2/05
by Brad Rice, 02/08/2010
Rock the charts: Japan's box office numbers 1/30 - 2/05 photo

Once again, it's time to rock these charts and figure out what's hot in Japanese theatres. Avatar just got knocked out of the #1 slot here in the US, but in Japan it looks like it's holding strong, and will be for a long time to come. So, between now and then, expect it to be rocking the charts like mad.

1. Avatar. 6th week, pulling in $6.85 million.
2. Oceans. 2nd week, pulling in $3.48 million.
3. Younger Brother. 1st week, pulling $2.61 million.
4. Golden Slumber. 1st week, pulling in $2.17 million.
5. Samurai Sentai Shinkenger vs. Go-onger Ginmaku Bang!. 1st week, pulling in $1.66 million.
6. The Lovely Bones. 1st week, pulling in $1.52 million.
7. Paranormal Activity. 1st week, pulling in $1.14 million.
8. Sayonara Itsuka. 2nd week, pulling in $1.10 million.
9. Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus. 2nd week, pulling in $910k.
10. Surrogates. 2nd week, pulling in $799k.

Not much surprise in what's going on here, although I wonder if those Japanese films that debuted this week will show any of the staying power of the Hollywood films on the charts. We'll have to see. In the meantime, what have you been watching in theatres, readers?

  3 comments Latest by Ronin H. Mentalix
"I feel sorry for you Myaku. Avatar was awesome. I haven't seen anything else recent though."...read more



 New York Times' top ten manga for 2/08/10
by Brad Rice, 02/08/2010
New York Times' top ten manga for 2/08/10 photo

Well, would you look at that! The New York Times' list has finally changed around a few of the titles on their list. It's still conspicuous as to how long some of those items sat up there, but I'm glad to see that the fan-favorite Black Butler has taken to the top of the charts.

1. Black Butler Vol. 1
2. Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle Vol. 25
3. Fullmetal Alchemist Vol. 22
4. Yu-Gi-Oh! GX Vol. 4
5. Shugo Chara! Vol. 8
6. Naruto Vol. 46
7. Maximum Ride Vol. 2
8. Maximum Ride Vol. 1
9. One Piece Vol. 24
10. Vampire Knight Vol. 8

Well, now let's see how long Black Butler stays on the charts, or if Vampire Knight Vol. 1 will suddenly surge up and take its place. Man, these charts are a funny thing.


  1 comments Latest by Shiro Shishi
"Oh. I thought Black Butler was about an actual Black Butler. I should do somes researchz."...read more



 Annotated Anime: Winter 2010 Week 5
by Jon Snyder, 02/07/2010
Annotated Anime: Winter 2010 Week 5 photo

This post is brought to you by Pizza Hut™, the worldwide leader in anime product placement. Choose real taste... choose Pizza Hut™.

Another week, another slew of new anime. The winter season is nearing its halfway point, and our editors have pretty much figured out which shows they're going to stick with for the next month and a half. Now, there's nothing left to do but hunker down for the long haul and ride out the winter in the comforts of our figma-filled otaku fortresses. I've got my blanket, Haruhi pillow, a year's supply of Cheetos and Mountain Dew, and enough hard disc space to store twenty anime series. Bring it on, Japan!

Our reviews of this week's shows are below the break. Now, if you'll excuse me, I must return to my hikikomori ways. No calls.

WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD!


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  25 comments Latest by Ronin H. Mentalix
"Ladies vs Butlers is definitely not that bad as you make it sound. I'm still going to watch it. Along with Durarara!! and Dance in the Vampire Bund. And what's with Ookami Kakushi? That's a good..."...read more

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