Just last week, after having sat through it for possibly the tenth time in just a couple of hours, I took a screen grab of an unskippable YouTube ad and shared it on my personal Facebook feed. Whether it’s the theme tune, the overly dramatic presenter’s way of speaking or the fact that I care nothing for pachinko, I don’t know, but this ad was slowly driving me mad. As it turns out, I wasn’t alone.

The ad in question is for Gundam-themed pachinko machines in parlours operated by the Sankyo group. While both the original animé and pachinko remain incredibly popular in Japan and we can’t fault Sankyo for tapping into a popular theme, the frequency with which this ad is being shown online is slowly but surely driving YouTube users in Japan to detest both the theme tune to a once beloved animated series and even the ad’s presenter, popular comedian Teruyuki Tsuchida.

Here’s the ad in question, uploaded simply as “that annoying ad” by one Japanese YouTube user:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkX2jtL-tDM&w=580&h=357]

The original commercial is actually only 15 seconds long, but since it’s entirely unskippable and appears online so often, many are netizens are beginning to lose their patience. I, for one, have gotten into the habit of clicking the “mute” button on the video player upon the very sight of Tsuchida’s face and staring at my keyboard while counting down in my head.

Here’s what a small handful of YouTube viewers had to say about the ad:

– Because of that ad I now hate both Tsuchida and Gundam. Thanks…

– The number of ads on YouTube has really increased recently. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve seen Teruyuki Tsuchida’s face.

– Seriously, can we do something about the number of Gundam ads on YouTube!?

– OMFG, those unskippable Gundamn ads are driving me crazy.

– This is so irritating it’s laughable.

– That Tsuchida ad is making watching YouTube a chore.

The ad is definitely working in as much as that I now know that I can play Gundam-themed pachinko games at Sankyo. But it also makes me determined to never, ever set foot inside such an establishment purely because the company has so mercilessly assaulted my eyes and ears with this ad. Kind of like how the politicians who park their campaign cars outside my house and repeatedly shout their names through megaphones do little more than give me an extra name to add to the list in my head of “people never to vote for.”
[ Read in Japanese ]

It’s been a couple of weeks now since Kitty-gate , or “that time when someone at Sanrio said Hello Kitty wasn’t a cat and the world went nuts”. The issue has now, hopefully, been laid to rest, and we can all get back to watching videos of chubby cats pushing toy wagons around and debating things like which flavour of Pringles is best (answer: Sour Creme and Onion).

But a line in a recently published Japanese gaming guide has now suggested that yet another much-loved character is not what he first seemed. Rather than simply being the giant pink blob that we always thought him to be, it would seem that Nintendo’s marshmallow-faced mascot Kirby is actually “a person” – something that has greatly amused the internet-using public here in Japan.

The discovery of Kirby’s “true” identity was made by Twitter users analysing photos shared by Japanese gaming site Inside Games on Friday last week.

Inside Games

While the characters’ special moves were no doubt of great interest to those itching to play the latest instalment of Nintendo’s super-addictive fighting game, the thing that really caught gamers’ eyes was a line in the description of everyone’s favourite pink puffball, Kirby:

平和の星、ポップスターのプププランドに住む丸い人
[Heiwa no hoshi, poppu sutaa no pupupurando ni sumu marui hito]

Those who have studied even entry-level Japanese will know that the very last word we see here, hito (人), refers to people. It crops up in all kinds of words and phrases, from 人間 (ningen/human) and 人類 (jinrui/humankind) to 人力車 (jinrikisha/rickshaw) and 外国人 (gaikokujin/foreign person). Cats, dogs, vacuum-mouthed pink blobs and the like, however, are never referred to as such, so this line mentioning Kirby as a hito is to Japanese people akin to an English-speaker hearing Donald Duck described as “a seafaring man who doggedly refuses to wear pants in public.”

As you might expect, the discovery of this conspicuous word in the game guide caused great amusement online, with tweets like Kirbypuro’s here being shared thousands of times.

▼ “[Newsflash] Kirby-man, Kirby-man, Kirby-man…”

Twitter – Kirbynopuro

But before this unusual wording sparks the gaming equivalent of Kitty-gate and the interwebs become filled with musings on what could possibly have caused Kirby to be transformed from a regular-looking human being into the pink blob we know him as, let’s be clear here: as odd as this line is, no one is seriously suggesting that Kirby is actually human. It’s far more likely that the writer of this game guide is either being a bit careless with their phrasing or simply having a bit of fun, much in the same way that some Japanese speakers, my own wife included, will playfully refer to inanimate objects as “kono hito” (“this person”) from time to time.

Kirby’s a lot of things. He’s cute, insatiably hungry, and surprisingly good to have around in a fight. But he’s not a person, so you needn’t worry that the same, blobulous fate could one day await you.

Unless, of course, as one online commenter pointed out, we’re all being a bit egocentric here. After all, on his own planet Kirby’s probably just a regular-looking dude, so who are we to say that he’s not a hito?

Source/insert image: Inside-Games via Jin
Feature image: Hoi Sokuhou

Product Details

Package Includes: Coat, Pants

Note: All Costumes ordered from us can be cancelled within 24 hours free of charge, but orders cancelled after 24 hours are subject to a handling fee equalling 50% of the item price. We thank you in advance for your understanding.

Why Custom Measurments?

To get the perfect fit and helps you to get a sharper and improved look. We strongly recommend you select the “Custom Measurement Option”. It will take a little longer to receive but it will be worth it for that improved fit.

How To Measure?

Here we list measurement guide for both gender and kids. If you are doing Cross Cosplay. Make sure you send us right measurements. Have fun!

Neck
Measure a shirt with a collar that fits you well. Lay the collar flat, and measure from the center of the collar button to the far end of the button hole. The measurement in inches is your collar size. (Alternatively, measure around the base of your neck.)
Chest
With arms relaxed at your sides, measure around your chest at the armpits, over the highest part of your chest and shoulder blades, keeping the tape parallel to the floor.
Waist
Measure around your waist, in your underwear, at the point where your trousers would normally ride. Keep one finger between the tape and your body.
Hip
Stand with your heels together, and measure around the fullest part of your hips, keeping the tape parallel to the floor.
Arm
Bend your elbow 90 degrees and place your hand on your hip. Hold the tape at the center back of your neck.

Bust
If possible, get a friend to help. With arms relaxed at your sides, measure the fullest part of your bust, keeping the tape parallel to the floor.
Arm
Bend your elbow 90 degrees and place your hand on your hip. Hold the tape at the center back of your neck. Measure across your shoulder to your elbow, and down to your wrist. The total length in inches is your sleeve length.
Waist
Measure around your waist, in your underwear, at the point where your trousers would normally ride. Keep one finger between the tape and your body.
Hip
Stand with your heels together, and measure around the fullest part of your hips, keeping the tape parallel to the floor.

Product Details

Works:	Max Steel
Characters:	Max Steel
Catagory:	Cosplay Costume
Material:	Faux Leather
Pieces:	1
Package Includes:	Jumpsuit , Gloves, Boots cover

Note: All Costumes ordered from us can be cancelled within 24 hours free of charge, but orders cancelled after 24 hours are subject to a handling fee equalling 50% of the item price. We thank you in advance for your understanding.

Why Custom Measurments?

To get the perfect fit and helps you to get a sharper and improved look. We strongly recommend you select the “Custom Measurement Option”. It will take a little longer to receive but it will be worth it for that improved fit.

How To Measure?

Here we list measurement guide for both gender and kids. If you are doing Cross Cosplay. Make sure you send us right measurements. Have fun!

Neck
Measure a shirt with a collar that fits you well. Lay the collar flat, and measure from the center of the collar button to the far end of the button hole. The measurement in inches is your collar size. (Alternatively, measure around the base of your neck.)
Chest
With arms relaxed at your sides, measure around your chest at the armpits, over the highest part of your chest and shoulder blades, keeping the tape parallel to the floor.
Waist
Measure around your waist, in your underwear, at the point where your trousers would normally ride. Keep one finger between the tape and your body.
Hip
Stand with your heels together, and measure around the fullest part of your hips, keeping the tape parallel to the floor.
Arm
Bend your elbow 90 degrees and place your hand on your hip. Hold the tape at the center back of your neck.

Bust
If possible, get a friend to help. With arms relaxed at your sides, measure the fullest part of your bust, keeping the tape parallel to the floor.
Arm
Bend your elbow 90 degrees and place your hand on your hip. Hold the tape at the center back of your neck. Measure across your shoulder to your elbow, and down to your wrist. The total length in inches is your sleeve length.
Waist
Measure around your waist, in your underwear, at the point where your trousers would normally ride. Keep one finger between the tape and your body.
Hip
Stand with your heels together, and measure around the fullest part of your hips, keeping the tape parallel to the floor.

We have long followed the exploits of Real-life Barbie along with her friends and family. Many were shocked and awed by the convincingly artificial look she achieved while others wanted to look like her too. At least I think I remember some people wanting that… I swear there was that girl that one time with the earrings…

Anyway, for those who want to achieve the doll look themselves, we present an instructional from England’s Venus Angelic teaching us how to create doll-eyes. Although it looks time intensive, her techniques look easy enough for anyone with rudimentary make-up skills to be able to pull off.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojYBcMFkdfY&w=580&h=357]

The basic steps involved a laying down a thick base of moisturizer (three layers).

Then, she inserts some dark rimmed iris lenses. Venus recommends doing this before any make-up to avoid messing it up.

After that, she applies three layers of concealer to her eyes and nose to flatten out the contours.

Next, she applies some powder to the entire face. Venus warns not to use too much and choose the color carefully for the best doll look.

On top of that she adds some pink and red eye shadow. Then she runs some lip-liner along the bottom eyelid and upper eyelid crease.

Next, comes the mascara, and lots of it, to get those lashes as thick as possible. When you’re finished with that, add on some fake eyelashes.

Apply blush to your cheeks and temples and then some bronzer to the outer curves of your face. Also use some bronzer to thin out the nose for a more artificial, doll-like appearance.

Use brown and cherry lip-liner, blend it in for softer looking lips, and apply gloss.

And congratulations, you’re a living doll!

Venus Angelic’s style was more conservative that we’ve seen from other real dolls in the past, but using her same principles and a little cosmetic daring and talent you could take it anywhere you want to go.

The basic concepts seem to be just smoothing out the face and adding contrast to the eyes. In fact, it certainly seem like even we could do this to someone, and when we finally coax Mr. Sato down from the top of the fridge we’ll know for sure.

Source: YouTube – Venus Angelic via Naver Matome (Japanese)
Venus Angelic’s Blog (So cute it will even turn your cursor pink)

Venus teaches a wide variety of hair and make-up techniques including anime eyes

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEKW3FgLj-0&w=580&h=357]

Japan may hold the reputation as one of the most expensive countries in the world, but that doesn’t mean the majority of the population is struggling everyday just to scrape by. In fact, even part-timers can do pretty well for themselves thanks to the high wages offered for even some of the most basic jobs.

When I was in university, I supported myself by working part-time at a restaurant for 900 yen ($10.80) an hour which carried me through those four years just fine.

Wages seem to be even higher now, perhaps due to a recent scarcity of part-time labor, especially in Tokyo.

To give you a better idea of just how much Japan rewards its part-time employees, I’ve selected a few entry-level jobs from around Tokyo to share with you all. Be sure to let us know how the wages compare with your own country!

※All wages are per hour, converted at 80yen = 1 dollar.

■Pachinko Staff
$15.00（1200yen）,$16.25（1300yen）（for 17-22hrs/wk）,$18.75（1500yen）（for 22hrs/wk or more）
Store： GAIA (Nishiogikubo Minamiguchi branch)
Address：3-9-10 Nishiogikubo, Suginami-ku, Tokyo
※ Pachinko is a unique Japanese arcade game usually used as a gambling device instead of recreation. Pachinko parlors are bright, noisy, cigarette smoke-filled places that may not make for the most comfortable working environment.

■CoCo Ichi Staff
$ 12.50（1000yen）, $ 15.62（1250yen）（22hrs/wk or more）
Store：Curry House CoCo Ichibanya (Shinjuku NS Building branch)
Address：2-4-1 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
※ Check here if you want to know what CoCo Ichi is all about.

■Gas Station Staff
$ 12.50（1000yen）
Store：JOMO-NET Co. (Nerima Interchange branch)
Address：5-30-7 Tanihara, Nerima-ku, Tokyo

■Volkswagen Dispatch Staff
$ 13.50（1080yen）
※Deliver cars to customers

■Family Mart Staff (Convenience Store Chain)
$ 12.50（1000yen）
Store：Family Mart Shinjuku Yasukuni Dori
Address：5-18-21 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo

■Subway Staff
$ 11.87（950yen）
Store：Subway Shinjuku Higashiguchi
Address：3-26-6 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
※Eat fresh.

■Tokyo Disneyland Cast
$ 12.5（1000yen）, $ 19.37（1550yen）（22hrs/wk or more）
Amusement park：Tokyo Disneyland, Tokyo Disney Sea
Address：1-1 Maihamae, Urayasu-shi, Chiba-ken

■Baskin-Robbins Staff
＄11.87（950yen）, ＄12.12（970yen）（Weekends）
Store：Baskin-Robbins Hikarigaoka IMA
Address：5-1-1 Hikarigaoka, Nerima-ku, Tokyo

What do you think?

I realize the yen is high against the dollar right now but even still, you have to admit those are some pretty impressive numbers for part-time.

Of course, when comparing with other countries, things may pan out slightly different when you consider that there is no tipping in Japan…

Again, feel free to share with us how much part-time jobs pay where you’re from!

Goya champuru, unlike its name, is extremely simple. The dish consists of only a few main ingredients: goya (bitter melon), tofu, egg and spam. It’s a homey comfort food from Okinawa, Japan that highlights the island prefecture’s long history with the United States. Susan Hamaker, writer and editor over at JapanCulture•NYC , an online resource for “all things Japanese in New York City,” let us know about a wonderful booth they ran at Japan Block Fair showcasing this down home dish. Let’s take a look!

In case you’re wondering what goya is in the first place, here’s a picture:

▼ The green stuff on the left…not the spam.

For many visitors to the JapanCulture•NYC booth that day, goya was a completely new food.

▼ Like these cute kids who thought it looks like a pickle.

Despite its strange appearance, goya and goya champuru were well-received by the New Yorkers who visited the booth that day. Here’s the JapanCulture•NYC crew cooking up the Okinawan classic:

▼ Serving up Japanese stir-fried goodness.

It’s great to hear about local efforts to bring Japanese culture to people around the world. If you live in the New York area, keep an eye out for the annual Japan Block Fair , which features Japanese food, performances and crafts centered around one city block in NYC. If you’re itching for even more Japanese culture, you can also check out JapanCulture•NYC for details on upcoming events.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGmtOq1AxUM&w=580&h=357]

Source: JapanCulture•NYC
Images: YouTube ( JapanCulture•NYC )

Would you like to find a new lover, improve your health, and prevent senility? Would you like all those things at the same time? Oh, and did we mention that it’s essentially free too??

It might sound like a regular snake oil sales scam, but trust us, this is for real! Just what the hell are we talking about? Bon-odori dancing!

In case you’re not familiar with bon-odori, it is a traditional Japanese dance form that is largely performed communally at festivals. Typically, participants—which is usually anyone who wants to join in—proceed in a circle around a small tower or raised stage where musicians play. At smaller festivals, even when the music is simply a recording, there will almost always at least be someone playing a taiko drum to keep the beat.

▼An example of a bon-odori dance.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZzS_C388Hw&w=853&h=480]

The music tends to be very rhythmic, and the dancers simply repeat the same movements over and over, varying according to song. Notably, most of the movements are focused on the waving of hands—not dissimilar to the para-para dances of J-pop stars. Bon-odori dancers often carry a fan as well, though it’s not necessary.

So where did the bon-odori come from?

The now centuries-old dance is believed to have developed out of the nenbutsu-odori which began in the Heian-period (794 to 1185). This dance was, as its name implies, a religious one that grew in popularity until it reached its peak in the Edo period (1603 to 1868). While the nenbutu-odori was originally meant as a display of faith, it slowly shifted into a dance for performance, before further developing into bon-odori.

What was the point of bon-odori?

In addition to its religious and cultural roots, some have suggested that bon-odori may have served another purpose long ago: matchmaking!

In a time when there wasn’t a lot of entertainment, bon-odori events were probably a welcome break from day-to-day life. Combined with the romantic light of lanterns and the moon in addition to the cool summer breeze, it’s easy to see how bon-odori dances might have sparked more than a few relationships.

Do it for your health!

There are some indications that bon-odori dancing has some health benefits as well. It is thought that the slow repeated arm movements make for great aerobic exercise. In addition, the dances often require participants to move their bodies in ways that they might not normally, giving them a great workout.

And save your brain…

A final theory about the benefits of bon-odori suggests that the music might help prevent Alzheimer’s by stimulating memories and encouraging mental activity. In addition, it is thought that the exercise from the dancing gets blood flowing and helps prevent cognitive impairment. A two-year study carried out in Kyoto seems to support this assertion, showing that dancing once a week markedly improved the mental conditions of elderly people.

Get ready to dance!

If you happen to be in Japan this month, here’s your chance to reap some of the bon-odori benefits!

Roppongi Hills Bon-odori
Dates: August 23 to 25
Time: 5 pm to 8 pm
Location: Roppongi Hills Arena
Phone number: 03-6406-6000
Website: Roppongi Hills

Tabata-ginza Bon-odori Festival
Dates: August 26 to 27
*In case of rain, the event will be extended for one day
Time: 7 pm to 9 pm
Location: Tabata-ginza Hachiman-dori
Phone number: 03-3828-6651
Website: Tabata-Ginza

Kawachi O-bon-odori
Dates: August 28 to 29
Time: event starts at 5 pm
Location: Sumidagawa Shinsui Park
Phone number: 03-3631-0294
Website: Chikyu-no-cocolo

Come on, people, it’s never too early to start taking care of your brain! Let’s get those arms waving!

Sources: Naver Matome , Ryoutan Daily Newspaper

A lot of unusual art trends have been popping up in Japan lately. From lattes to nails, dextrous Japanese artists are continuing to impress us with creative touches that take things to a whole new level. Now drinking straws are taking centre stage, with their colours and curves twisted into lifelike animals, mythical beasts and cute animated characters.

We take a look at some amazing designs and see how it’s done with an easy-to-follow video tutorial.

One of the current masters of the straw is an artist who goes by the name of TAO. His collection of dragons is particularly impressive, featuring a wide variety of shapes and sizes.

Insects also look good, thanks to straw materials. The detail in each leg is carefully cut by hand.

The extent of TAO’s attention to detail can be seen here, on the belly of this unusual fellow created from a yellow-and-blue IKEA straw. Can you guess what this one is?

It’s a little pill bug! Although they look like insects, these guys are actually more closely related to lobsters and crabs. Other interesting facts: their blood is blue and they can drink through their anuses.

Taking flight, TAO takes us to the animated fantasy realm with some intricate winged characters.

And a cute superhero.

Proving he has a sense of humour, TAO entertains with some colourful, long-limbed characters, reminiscent of the inflatable stick figures outside car yard sales.

He also has some beautiful, simple designs that would make perfect accessories.

TAO often travels around with a stall, where you will be able to purchase some of his artwork. If you’re lucky, he might even teach you how it’s done.

To get started on the craft, check out the video tutorial below. You’ll be able to create a plastic prawn like this one, complete with incredibly lifelike moving legs!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SQVqJlS9Zs&w=580&h=357]

All you’ll need is a straw, a pair of scissors and a good deal of patience (and skill!). Enjoy!

Source: IT Media Inc.
Top Image: Yoblog
Inset images: Facebook Straw Art TAO