TH Update - Anime suggestions recap

Now showing on Ani-Pock Anime:

Rizelmine Episode 8 [Download/Watch]
Pita Ten Episode 10 [Download/Watch]


Hello all! I got quite a lot of suggestions! As Kami pointed out, there are 30+ comments when it comes to anime but only one or two when it comes to the Japanese Culture posts. Whats wrong with you guys??? :D jk.

Ok your suggestions:

- Monster - Genres: Drama, Horror, Mystery, Police, Psychological Ratings: Very high Pocky: Unlikely due to genre.
- Zoids Genesis - Genres: Mecha Ratings: Medium Pocky: Unlikely due to genre
- Yu-Gi-Oh (First Season) - Genres: Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Fantasy, Shounen, Supernatural Ratings: Medium to low Pocky: Unlikely due to ratings.
- Kyuuketsuki Yuggi
- Godannar - Licensed
- Negima - Licensed
- Tokyo Mew Mew - Licensed
- XXXholic - Licensed
- Samurai Deeper Kyo - Licensed
- Blood+ - Licensed (Hi Meyume!)
- Fushigi Yuugi - Licensed
- Hunter X Hunter - Genres: Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Fantasy, Shounen Ratings: Very high Pocky: Candidate
- Shakugan no Sana - Unable to verify license status. Please post a comment if you can verify status.
- Kamichu - Licensed
- Gunbuster 2 (OVA) - Genres: Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Mecha, Military, Science Fiction, Shounen Ratings: Medium to high Pocky: Likely temporary cadidate since this is a 6 episode series.
- School Rumble - Genres: Comedy, Drama, Romance, Shounen Ratings: Very high Pocky: Wrong genre for this anime round.
- Wish - Wrong genre for this anime round.
- Ragnarok The Animation - Genres: Adventure, Fantasy, Romance Ratings: Medium to low. Pocky: candidate
- Serial Experiments Lain - Unable to verify licsense status. Please post a comment if you can verify status.
- Prince of Tennis - Wrong genre for this anime round.
- Nanoha Series - Genres: Magical Girl Ratings: Very High. Pocky: Wrong genre for this anime round.
- Mai-HiME - Licensed
- Choro Crusade - Unable to verifiy licsense status. Please post a comment if you can verify status.
- Slayers - Licensed
- DNAngel - Licensed
- Futakoi Alternative - Network availablity very low

TL also suggested Mar (Genres: Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy, Shounen) which is also a candidate.

I will be reviewing the first few episodes of the above suggestions which I tagged as candiates. If you have any other suggestions for an UNLICENSED ACTION anime please leave it in the comment section. To check if a series is licensed or not, run a search on AnimeNfo.com .

Thanks for the suggestions!

Pocky

Possible Japanese culture update later tonight.

M Upate - Next anime series to be shown?

Breaking news! TL says...:

Today is one of the best pockers birthdays! Yuki Fumasaki! Maybe you dont know her, but I'm sure she knows you! She has her ways.. <.< >.>

Happy Birthday Yuki!!

Welcome back again! I will need your input on what anime to replace Bleach (ending today due to licensing. More info in a previous post), so please read on.

Now showing on Ani-Pock Anime:

Rizelmine Episode 9 [Download/Watch]
Bleach Episode 32 LAST EPISODE [Download/Watch]
Pita Ten Episode 10 [Download/Watch]

In this bog entry:
1. Site news
2. Anime suggestions needed
3. Pocky's Random JPOP MP3

Briefly: Site News

Flipbook on Drawing Board updated. Please continue to send in new art snaps!

Anime:

Important!

Please make a suggestion for an unlicensed ACTION genre anime series to be shown next on Ani-Pock.

Leave the suggestion in the comments section at the end of this post. No registration is requred, choose anonymous post.

Pocky's Random JPOP MP3:

"Planet Tokyo (2003)" [Download]
from: Puffy AmiYumi

Pocky Over and Out! (POO) XD

and make those anime suggestions now!!!!

SU Update - Japan in Photos, Tokyo Anime Fair...

Hello everyone! I'm home now, on my Spring Break vacation. My two goals for the website during the week are:

1) Get the drawing board flip book working and updated with new art. (Yes I have received a bunch of cool drawings in the email. Thanks for sending them in!).

2) Make more blog updates :D.

3) Bring back the polls!

And so we start with #2 and 3 !

In this blog entry:
- "This past week of Japan in Photos"
- Tokyo Anime Fair 2006
- Pocky's random anime MP3

This past week of Japan in Photos

A woman who identified herself only as Chika, visiting from Tokyo, reaches up to touch a Cherry Blossom along the Tidal Basin in Washington, USA. Organizers of the National Cherry Blossom Festival are trying to make the annual celebration more welcoming for visitors -- especially guests from Japan, the country that first donated the trees. (AP)

Reader Kamisori writes:

When spring is approaching people try and predict when the "Sakura" or Cherry Blossoms will bloom. They agree on a day and go to enjoy their "ohanami" or cherry blossom viewing :)
The parties usually involve many drinks and lots of singing... GooD Times :)


Team Japan player Ichiro Suzuki (R) has champagne poured on his head by teammates after defeating Cuba in the final game of the World Baseball Classic in San Diego. Japan won 10-6. (REUTERS)


Japan holds the championship trophy for the World Baseball Classic aloft after winning the final against Cuba in San Diego, March 20, 2006. Japan won by a score of 10-6. (Reuters)


Subway staff members offer a silent prayer at Kasumigaseki subway station in Tokyo on Monday, March 20, marking the 11th anniversary of sarin nerve gassing by the Aum Shinrikyo cult. Members of the doomsday cult released the lethal sarin nerve gas on subway trains converging in central Tokyo in 1995 that killed 12 people, sending thousands to hospitals and paralyzing the center of the capital. (AP)



A Japanese girl displays a new phone called 'Kids mobile', jointly developed by Japanese mobile operator Willcom and toy maker Bandai Co. during an unveiling in Tokyo March 16, 2006. The new children's handset will go on sale in Japan in June priced at around 15,000 yen. (REUTERS)Japanese girls display "kids' keitai", or mobile phone for children, jointly developed by Japanese mobile operator Willcom and toymaker Bandai Co., at an unveiling in Tokyo, March 16, 2006. (REUTERS/Yuriko Nakao)

Reader Kamisori writes:

Cell phones in Japan are more used then house phones...Even "Homeless" people in Japan have cell phones. Imagine the conversations "You're coner or mine?" :P

Even on a "Tourist" Visa, you can rent a cell phone from several of the major mobile phone companies (Vodafone, Docomo, and AU).

...and features:...

The phone includes features such as a location pinpointing technology known as GPS and a panic switch that triggers a loud alarm. When the alarm is set off, the phone automatically dials a pre-programmed emergency number, such as that of a parent, and transmits the phone's last known location. (Yahoo News Asia)

I think those phones are looking pretty cool. Some cell phone company should design units with "clear pockets" so you can slip in stuff you print from your computer. I'm not sure if the phones show above are doing that or they just have cute prints on em already.





Architect Kyohei Sakaguchi jumps off from a home built by a homeless man named Shoji under a bridge spanning over Tokyo's Tama River. "I have a sturdy house and I'm free to do what I like," Shoji said of his hand-erected, cubic home, perched on 1.5-meter (4.9-foot) high stilts to prevent flooding. A multitude of tools and other belongings hang from the ceiling to his home. "It's much better than going to a shelter," he said. (AP)


Takahiko Kozuka, who won the gold in the men's program at the World Junior Figure Skating Championships, and Mao Asada who came in second in the women's event, show off their medals. (Mainichi)


NHK and five commercial TV broadcasters in the Tokyo area have decided to build a new radio and TV transmitter dubbed New Tokyo Tower, in Sumida Ward by 2010, sources familiar with the project said Saturday. (JapanTimes)

Tokyo Anime Fair 2006!

The Tokyo Anime Fair, currently on its 5th year in a row, is taking place in the biggest venue it's ever been in, and some 250 companies from anime production and broadcasting to video game makers are assembled together. Cosplayers and life-size figures fill the halls of the venue, with characters from from old and new anime including Z Gundam, One Piece, and Neon Genesis Evangelion. (Akadot, Read more)

Pocky's Random Anime MP3 pick

"Loosey" (TV Size) [Download]
from: Bakuretsu Tenshi

Pocky over and out!

TH Update - Bleach licensed by Viz

Now showing on Ani-Pock Anime:

Rizelmine Episode 8 [Download/Watch]
Bleach Episode 31 [Download/Watch]
Pita Ten Episode 10 [Download/Watch]

Ironically, the image for TH update might need to change as Bleach has been oficialy licensed by Viz.

Viz Media has informed us that they have "secured from worldwide licensors, TV Tokyo Corporation and Shueisha Inc., the television, home video and merchandising rights to Shonen Jump's Bleach in the Americas, Europe and Oceania."

Viz is the Bleach master licensor and expects to announce television broadcast and other licensing partners "shortly." John Easum, executive vice president of Viz Media, stated, "Working together with Viz Media B.V. in Europe, we look forward to making Bleach a global success.”

No specifics about the home video release are available yet. (ANN)

Anime shown on Ani-Pock must be unlisenced and thus with Viz's announcement, this online showing must come to an end.

Thank you to the people who emailed me about this! (Yes I do read the emails, I just don't get a chance to answer all of them ^^) Ani-Pock is comittited to bring you great legal anime episodes when possible.

Now a Japanese Street Magic video:


Also thanks to Torazo for pointing out last weeks anime links were 1 off. Fixed on this entry.

Pocky

M Update - Missing blog updates??

Welcome back anime watchers! Hello blog watchers =D I have a bit of explaining to do huh? Story after the current anime showings:

Now showing on Ani-Pock Anime:

Rizelmine Episode 7 [Download/Watch]
Bleach Episode 30 [Download/Watch]
Pita Ten Episode 9 [Download/Watch]

Blog news: Where did FR, SA, SU updates go?

We'd like to think they all went to bloggy entry heaven, but...

Truth is, it is midterm week here at UC Berkeley!

Yes so that is why Kon ( He is the FR Update image) didn't get to come out and play. Since it is midterm week, I won't be able to do another blog update till end of the week. CP and Ryoko may update the blog however.

Anime updates, rest assured, will continue on time.

Update: I've managed to screw up the previous update. Now I have to refind that tea ad!! =((((

But please watch this clip in the mean time:



Basically this is "life sized" Japanese cooking. The water beneath him is boiling... and he is trying to cook the meat while being suspended.... XD

Info on Japanese Hot Pot:

Shabu shabu is similar to sukiyaki, which is cooked in a pot on the table. In both dishes, thinly sliced beef or pork is cooked with lots of vegetables. Meat for shabu shabu is thinner than meat for sukiyaki. It's said that the name of shabu shabu came from the action we make when cooking meat. Because the meat is thinly sliced, it only has to be cooked for a few seconds, saying "shabu shabu." It's like having a slice of meat swim in the boiling water. (japanesefood.about.com)

See you at the end of the week or the weekend!

Pocky

TH Update - Japanese Tea AD

Friday tomorrow! Maybe a guest poster???

Now showing on Ani-Pock Anime:

Rizelmine Episode 6 [Download/Watch]
Bleach Episode 29 [Download/Watch]
Pita Ten Episode 8 [Download/Watch]

WE Update - Past week of Japan in Photos

Japanese Culture: Past week of Japan in Photos

What's this?? More at 5 (hehe I'm in engineering lab posting now).
The little guy on top's name is "Tae"

A three-month-old Southern Tamandua, also known as an anteater, rides on the back of its mother "Tae" during a press preview at the Sunshine International Aquarium in Tokyo March 13, 2006. The baby Southern Tamandua was born last November, the first time an anteater has been born and raised at an aquarium or a zoo in the country, an aquarium official said. (REUTERS)

Anteaters tongues can be as long as 24 inches by the way.


A student who passed the entrance examination of prestigeous Tokyo University (Todai) flashes a victory sign as he is tossed in the air in jubilation at the campus in Tokyo Friday, March 10, 2006. A total of 2,768 students will enroll at the university in April this year. (AP)

If you have seen the anime/read the manga for Love Hina, then this is the university Keitaro, Naru and Mutsumi were after.


Japan's Gamba Osaka player Akihiro Ienaga, right, fights for the ball against South Korea's Chonbuk Hyundai player Choi Chul-soon during the AFC Champions League at Jeonju, south of Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, March 8, 2006. Chonbuk Hyundai defeated Gamba Osaka 3-2. (AP)

Just thought it was a good photo =) In other news, here is a NBA player getting his eye poked. Not for the faint of heart or those wanting bad dreams!

Mao Asada from Japan preforms her short program during the World Junior Figure Skating Championship in Ljubljana, Slovenia, Tuesday, March 7, 2006. Kim Yu-na of South Korea took the lead in the short program after favorite Asada failed to complete a triple axel-double loop. The 15-year-old Japanese skater tried to become the first woman to pull off the tricky combination at an international championship, but she managed only a single loop after executing the triple axel. (AP)

Below, I will be featuring some photos from JapanStreet.com, which collects photos of Japanese fashion as it changes.

CITY : Osaka
LOCATION : Amerika Mura
OCCUPATION : Student
AGE : 16


CITY : Osaka
LOCATION : Amerika Mura
OCCUPATION : Student
AGE : 16

CITY : Osaka
LOCATION : Amerika Mura
OCCUPATION : NEET (Not in Education Employment Training)
AGE : 23

TU Update - None

Sorry, school work has picked up. I hate breaking promises =(

Pocky

M Update - Want to make a Ani-Pock T-Shirt?

Welcome back anime watchers. There were updates on Saturday and Sunday so check em out! Sunday's post was especially fun as they were comics drawn by two of the many Pockers out there!

Site News: Want to help make an Ani-Pock T-Shirt??

What do you guys think of an Ani-Pock T-Shirt? I found a place that can make them for under $10. At this stage, I need people who are interested in designing an Ani-Pock T-Shirt.

To submit an idea, just leave a comment at the end of this post. (no registration required!).

If you are also an artist that would like to contribute to the final product, leave your email in the comments section as well.

Just make sure to leave your email in a form such as : pockyrevolution [at] yahoo [dot] com so you won't get any spam.



As for today's Japanese culture bit, I'll update a bit later. I have some important errands to run today.

Pocky over and out!

SU Update - Comix by CP and AF

Ah Sunday, the day of homework.

Today we are going to be showing some awesome comics drawn by CP and AbbyForever (AF) about the King of Pocky World (me!) and the Queen, Meyume... Sorry its going to be random, the Pockers from PockyWorld would understand...


Ok so this image will be representative of me. The artists would like for me to point out the uber simplified body. ^.^'''


I don't remember how but the conversation got to eggs last night. That's Meyume on the left with the crosshatched strange red mark on her face. Artists comment: husband and wifey duel.


^_^


More breakfast scenes. This one drawn by AF !


Um thats cottage cheese. Only some Skype people will understand that. A few of the Pockers including CP and AF like to do audio chat. But on skype when it messes up, Meyume says it sounds like cottage cheese. CP didn't quite understand that so she drew up this. =D


Don't ask me how to we got to talking about laundry -.-'


It happens!!! Allthough my eyes don't get that big. Oh wait I really need to check my laundry right NOW!

"Meeting Uncle Teenlink for the first time."

AF said this was a mash up of me and domokun -.-'''


Sankyou to CP and AF for the drawings!!! Meyume and I loved them! There are more but I have 135 items on my desktop TT_TT. Very hard to find stuff...

Pocky over and out

SA Update - "Different" Japanese Inventions

Gah! I'm late! Sorry! I had a very important essay to write. Maybe I'll tell you about that essay someday.

Site News

Only one bit- if you are part of PW, I'm working on filterting members. TL will be in charge of this. Expect a different screen this evening.

Today on Japanese Culture: "Different" Japanese Inventions
Today we are going to look at some of those great Japanese inventions that just didn't make it. And first off with...

Subway chin rest!! This is real life saver for all those subway rides you'll be taking in Japanese! Allthough from what I know, Japanese subway trains are usually crowded and FAST moving. so thats probably why this product didn't suceed =D Next we have a slightly more useful invention...



Subway head support!! This is a problem I always have on airplanes. You start to fall asleep, your head tilts and then you wake up! Now I have no idea what that sign on her head says. Maybe it says "Wake me up when we get to the stop..." or maybe it says " Me > You". Who knows!! Some one help us!



Ok now this one is pretty useful huh? I think the reason it didn't make it is probably because the side parts don't fold well, and in high wind it probably doesn't do well either. Time for some Panchooos. Next up, getting hungry?


Have some bread using your handy dandy stick-o-butter! Or wait is that my glue stick... Theses are all really good ideas, you'd just feel awkward using them. Now what if you didn't want to eat toast...

Nooooodles! But they are hot =( Thankfully we have this noodle cooler. I think they'd make your chopsticks too heavy though... not to mention the possibility of droping the fan in the soup and making a nice mess. Speaking of messes, don't you wish you always had a napkin when you needed it?

No comment.

Thanks to CP for helping to find these thingies!

FR Update - All about Pretz!

Wooo! Friday again! The blog hasn't missed a day yet. Thanks to CP for filling in on Wednesday. I think I might have guest posters every Wednesday. What do you think?

Reminder: now showing on Ani-Pock Anime:

Rizelmine Episode 4 [Download/Watch]
Bleach Episode 27 [Download/Watch]
Pita Ten Episode 6 [Download/Watch]

Today on Japanese culutre, we'll look at Pretz, another famous snack from the makers of Pocky!

Today's Japanese Culture: All about Pretz!

Now before you say "EWWW! TOMATO!?" I want you to think of Pretz as the salty version of Pocky. I mean if you look at them, they are the biscuit sticks you see in Pocky minus the chocolate coating right?

Pretz is so named because it sorta tastes like a pretzel. But its really got this flavor coating which makes it much better. To say Pretz tasts like a pretzel is unjustified!

Before we take a look at the flavors (there are lots just like Pocky), I want you to watch this Pretz TV ad! (They call it a CM in Japan)


[Play Video]

Wacky stuff huh! I'll show you guys some Pocky CM's which are even weirder than this. Ok so lets take a look at the different kinds of Pretz out there. First up is...


Pretz Pizza!! This one is actually pretty good. Although I felt sorta sick after finishing the first pack. I recommend this with Chocolate Pocky. Sweet and salty balance out right? =P Next up is something to go with your pizza...


Pretz Salad! Now this one you can eat more than 1 pack at a time (if you really wanted.) I'm starting to think that you could have a whole meal with Pretz and Pocky. Just think:

A 'slice' of Pretz Piza, a 'bowl' of Pretz salad, and bit of Cheesecake Pocky for dessert! =DDD

If I'm not mistaken... this next one is...

Pretz butter??? That or Pretz PANCAKE =D

Wow now you really can have a Pocky/Pretz for breakfast too! Pocky Milk flavor + Pretz pancake =D

Ok before I go, I leave you with the latest wacky Pretz CM:


[Play Video]


Poll: So now that you know about Pretz, its possible for you to have a complete meal between it and Pocky. So...would you?



Pocky

TH Update - Japanese Toilets

Hey did you guys miss me?? Confused about what I'm talking about? Well I took the day off blogging yesterday, and CP was nice enough to fill in for me! Scroll down to Wednesdays Update to see "Pocky's Day Off". Or click here if you are lazy.

Right, so today is one of those anime days!

Now showing on Ani-Pock Anime:

Rizelmine Episode 4 [Download/Watch]
Bleach Episode 27 [Download/Watch]
Pita Ten Episode 6 [Download/Watch]

Today's Japanese Culture: Modern Japanse Toilets!

Let's just say they are more complicated that you can think. In the picture above, you can see a control pannel and two water spigets. What do they do you ask? Watch this video!


[Play Video]

Ok, so if you couldn't get the video to playfor some reason, two types of water pipes will come out of the toilet. They are called bidets. One can be used for boys and girls, and the other is just for girls. The bidet will come out to the appropriate length and spray warm water. It is considered a cleaner way of um 'cleaning up'.

Now another cool thing (smart really), is the placement of a spigot on top of the water tank! This saves water because you can wash your hands after using the toilet with water that will be used in the next flush! So its totally clean water from the tap!


Another interesting thing about Japanese toilets is a device called a Otohime. Many Japanese women are embarased at the thought of someone hearning them doing their buisness in the bathroom, so they used to keep flushing. This wasted alot of water obviously so some one came up with the Otohime!



It is basicly is an electronic devices that replicates the sound of a toilet flushing. This way you save water and still get your 'sound privacy'. Oh and Otohime in Japanese literally means "Sound Princess" o.o

By now these Japanese toilets are probably sounding pretty complex. Oh you just wait. Pictured below is a high end WIRELESS toilet control with 38 buttons. Why all the buttons?



Some fuctions:

1. Flush type: large waste
2. Flush type: small waste
3. Lower lid and closes seat
4. Raise lid
5. Raise both lid and seat
6. Stop everythig!
7. Wash anus
8. Wash anus soft mode
9. Wash vulva
10. Blow dryer
And the list goes on!

Finally, there is this monseter looking model which helps elderly people get up:

All right! Congratulations! You are now semi-up to speed on Japanese toilets! Now take this poll...

Pocky

WE Update! - Pocky's Day Off

Nyahaha! This is POCKY! The one and original!!

No, just kidding, this is just CP (Most of you people won't know though, sad eh?) filling in for Pocky. Pocky wanted me to post all these weird puns, 'Pocky ran out of Pocky'. Pocky has the day off and left ME in charge of the updates. No site updates today! (Well I think, but it must be because Pocky's busy). Well there site updates for some people, with the fact that TL's house was rebuilt and off fire.

Onto J-culture (hopefully) we go!


Um... Pocky is alot better at this stuff than me but I still have something to show!! >Fishy Dance

Um... there's a game where you get rabies too!



Yeah, see? If you don't get the right one of those little red things, a mechanical raccoon comes out and munches your hands, that's how you get the rabies.

Time for some toys that will bring back memories, or not...



It's like tamagotchi and gameboy and Hello Kitty all mixed up together, come to think of it, they all DID come from Japan. Don't they rock? Sadly they still have no knowledge of smoke detectors.


The Hello Kitty Section

Sorry about this but the only things I can find are about Hello Kitty ._.;; So we'll just have another flashback of Japan's favorite marketing character:

Fun Facts:

Hello Kitty is 24 and still live with her parents. I didn't know she was an adult and I never knew she's like a basement child... no seriously Hello Kitty is old enough to babysit!

There is cup ramen dedicated to Hello Kitty... yum?



This is the outside of the noodles, the inside is even scarier....



Just to tell you, those head are 100% edible... amazing.



You WILL hae to 'go' after eating something with both liquid and solid, whynot use one of these Hello Kitty toilet rolls?

THe quilted QUICKER PICKER UPPER! Ki-tty!

Wow! I found the best Hello Kitty product on the face of this earth!



The Hello Kitty Sandwich maker!


And if you just want some toast and butter use the aweshlum...



DELUXE Hello Kitty Toaster!!

You can watch hours of you favorite anime with your trusty



Hello Kitty DVD player!
Wow, I think the sanrio people are overdoing this...

Now... the most akward Hello Violent thing in the markets...



Now that's just whoah, Sanrio really IS overdoing this...

Now this isn't by Sanriio but the person who did this must be crazy and drowing in Hello Kitty.



Even more whoah, that IS a tooth, can't believe it? That's your problem isn't it?

Well I hope you guys have a more inspiring update than this... actually I think I did pretty well for my first try. I'm making a face, I just need to end it here, I hope you get a better update soon O_O. -CP

TU Update

No site news today. On to J-Culture we go!

Japanese Culture: Tokyo Anime Center opening March 15

The Tokyo Anime Center will allow anime and character fans from Japan and overseas to obtain the most up-to-date anime information as well a participate in events and public radi recordings featuring creators and voic actors. Additionally, the Center wil sponsor continuous events at whic attendees can get their hands on Tokyo Anime Center original commemorative merchandise

Click here to check out their nice anime theater.

Japanese Culture: MIT's Student Origami Competition results

The winning entries from the fourth annual juried Student Origami Competition are on view at the Wiesner Student Art Gallery on the second floor of the Stratton Student Center, through March 15. This model of MIT's mascot, the beaver, was submitted by Brian Chan, a graduate student in mechanical engineering.

Here are some of the other entries:

Freshman Jason Ku submitted an origami model of one of the Nazgul, or ringwraiths, from 'The Lord of the Rings' trilogy. Ku's entry won a prize for Best Original Model.

'Guyver III,' also by Chan.

Daily poll:

If you answered 'GREAT', you'll probably want to pick up one of these! Sushi USB Flash drives!


You can buy them at Dynamism.com, and they have lots more other types!

M Update

Welcome anime watchers! For those that just visit the website every Monday and Thursday, you've missed out on a ton of stuff over the weekend!

To summerize site news:

1. Drawing board has updated flip book. It is under the chat window. The drawing board also has its own Live Chat now!

This same Live Chat window has been added to this blog. Just look to your left now!

2. Blog now has ads. This will help support Ani-Pock. More information on Google Ads.

3. I'm still taking suggestions for the link section on the right side bar. What other web comics would you suggest? Post suggestions in the comments section at the end of this post.
Registration is not required.

5. Blog updates will be more frequent, with focus on Japanese Culture. You can see the few past days as an example:

SU Update (Saturday)
FR Update (Friday)
TH Update (Catching the drift?)

Or you could just scroll down. This blog should be updated everyday or every other day during times of heavy school work. I hope you find the polls and Japanese Culture bits interesting.

Now showing on Ani-Pock Anime:

Rizelmine Episode 3
Bleach Episode 26
Pita Ten Episode 5

Japanese Culture: Japan's Olympic Gold Medalist: Shizuka Arakawa

"Shizuka Arakawa, whose gold in the women's figure skating was Japan's only medal at the Turin Winter Olympic Games, performs her trademark stretch-back ina bauer element during a Figure Skating Exhibition in Tokyo on Saturday. " (AP Photo)

Ok, so I know this is a bit late, but after her performance (Click to watch it on YouTube now!!) at the Olympics, she is practically a superstar now!

(Japan Economic Newswire Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge)TOKYO, March 4 (Kyodo): Winter Olympic women's figure skating gold medalist Shizuka Arakawa delighted a crowd of almost 10,000 on Saturday with a homecoming performance at a star-studded exhibition in Tokyo.

The last skater to take the ice at the "Theater On Ice," a show featuring Olympic medalists, Arakawa did not disappoint her adoring fans at Ariake Colosseum in her first skate since her victory in Turin.

Lots more of her photos can be found here.

Ah and before I leave, the poll:

11:29 Update: Citizen's Eco-Be!

I come across all sorts of strange and interesting articles. Here is one that fits the Japanese culture theme I promised!

On March 6 in Osaka, Japan, Citizen Watch Co., Ltd. (Tokyo) unveiled a mini-robot driven by a small wristwatch motor.

The two-wheeled robot — called “Eco-Be!” — is 1.8 cm wide and 2.5 cm tall and is operated via infrared remote control.

At the unveiling, the tiny robot demonstrated the ability to move forward and backward, as well as turn smoothly from side to side. Eco-Be!, which is powered by watch batteries and features low power consumption, will make an appearance at RoboCup 2006 in Germany this June.

Citizen president Makoto Umehara says he hopes Eco-Be! will prove useful in the development of smaller and lighter weight robots. The company will conduct further research with Osaka University to improve the robot’s performance.

But more intersting is this Japanese method of unpealing a potato in ONE step!

SU Update

Hmmmmmmm I think my Update cards could become trading cards some day at this rate... Prepare for PokeMon Ani-Pock EX edition! muahahaha

Ok semi related site news:

I gotsa a laptop! Never owned one before really. Here check out some pics:


This is known as the Apple iBook "Clamshell"


...Because it opens like a clam!


Look! There is even an integrated handle on top!


Ya so pending an installment of an wireless card, Ani-Pock updates may come to you from on the road! This is actually an year 2,000 Apple laptop, but doesn't it look great??

Okay okay, I'm sure you were thrilled with that huh. Well lets see what we can dig up J-Culture wise:

Japanese Culture: "Jet ferry apparently hits whale, 11 passengers hurt"

(Kyodo, Japan)
A jet ferry collided with an object believed to have been a whale on Sunday off Tsushima, Nagasaki Prefecture, slightly injuring 11 passengers, Japan Coast Guard officials said.

A total of 90 passengers and seven crew members were on the 162-ton Beetle No. 3 at the time of the accident, they said.

The ferry left Busan, South Korea, at 8:45 a.m. and was headed for Hakata, Fukuoka Prefecture, when it hit something around 10:20 a.m.

The ferry made an emergency stop at Hitakatsu port in Tsushima around 2 p.m. after it could not be navigated at high speed due to the accident. Passengers were transferred to another jet ferry to reach Hakata port, according to the officials.

Poor whale!!!!!! This is what a "Jet Ferry" looks like:



They go so fast that they rise up the water a bit (doesn't fly... it's still connected with this thing under the water).

That was the most intersting news headline as of now... Daily poll time!

Sorta a long one huh. Well catch you all later!

Pocky

ps- wanna see what it looks like on Pocky's computer (not his laptop) when making a blog entry? Click the thumb below!



Thats working on my 20inch G5. Expose was used to take that pic, I don't work seeing all the windows at the same time XD

SA Update

Hmmm maybe an update everyday? Can't promise it though. Most likely it'll be a every-other-day blog at best when school work picks up again...

Site News

1. Added more stuff to the draw page. There is now a LIVE chat window, that doesn't require you to click refresh as is on the cBox. This should make it easier for artists to draw. This same chat window is also mirrored here on this blog. So if you want to give it a go, just look to the right of your screen now and type away!

Thats all the site news for now...

Japanese Culture: Panasonics Interactive TV Wall demo

If you are into tech stuff and gadgets like yours truly, you'll be drolling for one of these after watching this video. And even if you aren't into tech stuff, this will still amaze you because its like the movies meets real life. You'll understand after you watch the video. It's not some computer animated stuff, this is the real deal, complete with a Japanese tour guide speaking, um shall we say, not so perfect English

Click here to watch the Video Clip. (Scroll down to bottom of page)

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Next story: The most viewed article on Mainchi News is currently this:

Elderly woman sells cooking pot containing 3 million yen to recycle shop

YAMATOTAKADA, Nara -- Three million yen in cash found in a cooking pot that a recycle shop had bought from a customer has proven to belong to a housewife in her 60s living in Nara Prefecture, police said Friday.

Local police handed the money over to the woman after deeming that the shape of the pot and a bag that contained the money matched her descriptions.
The woman told investigators that she forgot placing 3 million yen she had withdrawn from a financial institution into the pot before selling it to the recycle shop in Yamatotakada.

The owner of the shop who bought the pot found the money in it and reported to police. A local police station had obtained a list of customers of the shop and been looking for the owner of the money. (Mainichi)

3 Million yen, by the way, is worth about $25,700 US dollars. Alot of money to store in a pot huh?

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Next story: So I was thinking of what to Cosplay for this years Comic-Con International. Last year (or was it two years now)? I went as "Mr.Pocky" . Glico, the people actually sponsered me in the construction of that. I drafted designs and modeled it, sent a letter to their HQ in Japan, and got a go ahead/"we will pay you..." ^^.

Ok back to the story. So I was thinking of doing Domo Kun this year. What do you think? Well, why not a poll right? =D



Um and if you don't know who domo kun is, please go here: Wikipedia Article

And here are some pictures of the guy:

[Zoom]




More Domo kun images here

Thats all for now! I might update again today so check back later.

Pocky

FR Update

First of all I was going to write "F Update" for the title but some of you with not-as-nice-minds might of thought otherwise. =D

Ok so Site News!

1. Drawing board has updated flip book. It is under the chat window.

2. Blog now has ads. This will help support Ani-Pock. More information on Google Ads.

3. Added Google Search to Blog. Note: The index is a work in progress

4. I'm taking suggestions for the link section on the right side bar. Right now it is just Apple and Ani-Pock. I'll remove Apple from it and drop in some web comics. But what comics would you suggest? I'm thinking Megatokoyo right now and Tsunami Channel. Post suggestions in the comments section.

5. Blog updates will be more frequent, with focus on Japanese Culture. I will update throughout the day, so check back later.

So with that in mind, lets start with Today's Japanese Culture update.

Japanese Culture: Learning Japanese Part 1

So I thought it would be fun to learn some Japanese since alot of you come here to watch the anime. I'm going to take clips from the 'Learn Japanese Podcast' which you can find here.

I'll clip out the 'most useful' parts and post them up every once in a while. Today we are going to learn to say 'Good morning' and how to reply.

To hear Today's lesson, just click this link: Learning Japanese Clip 1 (2 minutes)

Please Note! That is not me talking ! This is from the "Learn Japanese Podcast". I'm just clipping out he most useful part for you.

That is all for this update. I will update the blog througout the day, so check back later.

Pocky

Update: 11:29 AM.

Someone suggested a poll for who is Japanese and who isn't! Kamisori points out that polls are fun. Yup yup! Vote now:

Update: 11:44 AM J-Culture: Today is Girls' day

From about.com :

March 3rd is Japanese Girl's Day called Hina-matsuri (Doll Festival.) It's a celebration for Japanese girls. (Japanese Boy's Day is May 5th.) People display a set of hina ningyo (dolls) and props in the house, wishing girls' healthy growth and happiness.

I also found this picture of Girl's Day cellebrations at Disneyland:


[Bigger version]

Pocky

Ohyao~ TH Update

Ohayo!

It's your second favorite day of the week again! And that means, new anime episodes.

Now showing:

Rizelmine Episode 2
Bleach Episode 25
Pita Ten Episode 4

Now before you run off and watch these episodes, I thought it would be fun to poll the "pockers" (Thats NOT a derrogatory comment, its meant to mean people that visit Ani-Pock ^^ ) on which is your favorite anime thus far. Sooooo vote!



Ok moving on. In keeping with yesterdays poll, which pretty much showed a demand for Japanese culture related stories to be added, here is the first post! Maybe I will do a post everyday (or twice a day? O-o) if I have time..

Off Topic: Doreamon Fridge?

Hey so do you all remember that strange robotic cat Doreamon? Well he was definately before most of our times (including mine) since he made his debut in 1970. Here is how wikipedia summerizes him:

Doraemon originally had ears but they were bitten off by a robot mouse back in the 22nd Century. As a result, he has an excessive fear of mice, despite being a robotic cat.

XD. So this little blue guy has been a favorite. People have made giant models of him with legos, dressed their cats, he has his own train, and you could probably find toy accessories of this guy in every form.

Some examples:






But... What about a mini fridge? I bet you've been waiting the whole time. Click this link to watch a nice little video on the contraption.



All right, I'm off to classes! I'll update this post later concerning site news.

Pocky

9:15 am update:

Off topic: Japanese gamerrs wait in line for DS Lite

So today in Japan (Or tomorrow? They are ahead of us time zone wise..), the new Nintendo DS Lite is being released. This is basicly a much slimmer and nicer looking version of the Nintendo DS handheld released a while back. At this Akhihabara store pictured below, there are over 100 gamers, boys and girls, waiting in line. And some are playing... their current DS.





Pocky

12:42 pm update: Site News

The drawing page has been updated! There is now a small scrap book that shows some of the art in the gallery. If you refresh the entire page, the scrap book will show different ones. Click on any image to make them bigger.

Go draw now!

Off Topic: Story of the day

Offtopic post! Thought it was interesting/stupid...

12-year-old sticks gum onto $1.5M painting

A 12-year-old boy on a school field trip to the Detroit Institute of Arts stuck a wad of gum on a painting. Helen Frankenthaler's 1963 painting, titled "The Bay," is apparently valued at $1.5 million. The gum was removed but left a stain. The boy has been suspended from school. Image seen here is the painting, not the gum. From the Associated Press:
The museum's conservation department is researching the chemicals in the gum to decide which solvent to use to clean it. The museum hopes to make the repair in two weeks and will keep "The Bay" on display in the meantime, (curator Becky Hart) said.

"Our expectation is that the painting is going to be fine," Hart said.

Via USA Today.

Also guys, would you like me to keep this blog strictly Ani-Pock news or expanded to include intersting story finds such as today? I would only post the best. Updates would be more frequent as a result too...

EDIT: I would try to keep it Japan related unlike todays post. Counter reset.