pira

http://comics212.net/2009/11/07/fucking-south-park-why-they-gotta-start-this-shit/

http://comics212.net/?p=3990

I’m so glad we have two straight white republicans like Trey Parker and Matt Stone to tell us when we should or shouldn’t be offended by something. People calling each other “fags” because it means annoying or terrible or fem or whatever? Yeah, that’s done now, because our straight white republican friends told us ‘that isn’t what it means anymore, because that’s not how 12 year old straight white kids use it.”

Thanks for letting us know ‘the score’ you two giant douchebags, we appreciate the education.

Make sure to let the bashers know too though, wouldn’t want them kept out of the loop.

Fuckers.

- Chris

http://www.mangamaniaccafe.com/?p=3587

Title:  Two Flowers for the Dragon Vol 5

Author: Nari Kusakawa

Publisher: CMX

ISBN: 9781401222260

May Contain Spoilers

Shakuya is still troubled when she thinks that she could have lost Kuwan during the battle at the Oasis of the Shade. Only luck and the timely intervention of her father saved his life.  When she receives a tip on the whereabouts of the man suspected in the attempted assassination of Lucien, the three head off to a neighboring village in search of some answers.  What they get is danger and plots years in the making, both of which threaten to break Shakuya’s heart.

Nari Kusakawa, how could you?! How could you have taken everything I have come to understand about the people in Two Flowers for the Dragon and turned it shockingly askew?  The comfortable truths that I had come to believe turned out to be mere illusions, and now I, too, feel betrayed!  You played me with this one, and that’s just wrong!

I am still mourning the end of The Palette of 12 Secret Colors, though new volumes of Two Flowers for the Dragon bring a smile to my face.  The series isn’t as light-hearted, but it still provides some solid entertainment.  It’s about a girl who can transform into a dragon, and if that isn’t cool, I don’t know what is.  Despite her awesome ability, Shakuya still has some problems to sort out.  She is the most gifted of her bloodline, but she only has a tenuous control over her powers.  When her emotions get the better of her, she changes into a dragon and rages out of control.  She would never do anything to intentionally harm others, but when you’re a huge, emo dragon, sometimes people are going to get hurt.  Shakuya has friends and family to help keep her powers in check, and chief among them is Kuwan.

Kuwan is another of the complications that Shakuya has cluttering up her life.  Not only Kuwan, but also Lucien, create some grief from the young woman.  They are both fiancés, and she is supposed to choose between them with the help of magical tattoos on her hands that grow with her love.  Originally betrothed to Lucien, she became engaged to Kuwan after Lucien’s mysterious disappearance.  After she falls in love with Kuwan, Lucien reappears, adding unsettling baggage to her life.  What is soon obvious to Lucien is that Shakuya is hopelessly in love with Kuwan, though he valiantly continues to try to win her affections. 

This volume kicks up the complications even further.  When Shakuya and Kuwan are caught sharing tender moment together, Lucien is none too pleased.  This scene was unsettling, because I thought Kuwan acted out of character, revealing a hint of a darker personality.  This proved to be an ominous foreshadowing of a tragic event that tears apart Shakuya’s dreams.  While Kuwan and Lucien have always had an uneasy friendship, their relationship seemed more of a good-natured competition than an all out war for Shakuya’s affections.  Here, Kuwan displays that he is a lot more sly and scheming than was previously in evidence.

When Kuwan and her father go missing, Shakuya and Lucien go searching for them.  What they find is not what either could have ever expected, and it rattles both of them to the core.  I have to admit that I was shocked, and I never saw this plot twist coming.  Ugh.  I didn’t like it one bit, and the wait for the next volume will be agony. 

This fifth volume packs a lot of storytelling into its pages.  Questions about both Lucien and Kuwan’s pasts are uncovered, there’s swordplay with cloaked villains, and Lupina, fast becoming a favorite character, even gets in on the action by tossing pots at enemy fighters.  What’s not quite so fun are the shocking discoveries that Shakuya makes during the search for her father and Kuwan, which makes her realize just how painful love can be. 

With Two Flowers for the Dragon, Nari Kusakawa dishes up an entertaining story featuring magic, mystery, and romance.  She is one of the most underrated artists out there, so if you haven’t given her a chance yet, there’s no time like the present.  You won’t be sorry!

Grade: B+

Review copy provided by CMX

http://www.mangamaniaccafe.com/?p=3586

VIZ MEDIA LETS THE BULLETS AND ACTION FLY IN NEW MANGA SERIES JORMUNGAND

Death Is A Business And Business Is Good For A Crack Team Of Mercenaries; Staying Alive Becomes Even More Dangerous When A New Young Recruit Joins The Team  

San Francisco, CA, October 29, 2009– VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry’s most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, will premiere the exciting new manga series JORMUNGAND to readers across North America next month. The new action adventure by Keitaro Takahashi will be published by VIZ Media’s Signature imprint and will release on November 10^th. JORMUNGAND is rated ‘M’ for Mature Readers and will carry an MSRP of $12.99 U.S. / $16.99 CAN.

Jonah is a child soldier, born amidst the chaotic conflicts that rage across West Asia. His family was lost to a war fueled by weapons supplied by the so-called Merchants of Death – international arms dealers. Despite Jonah’s hatred of weapons and violence, he employs them extremely well in the service of high-flying arms dealer named Koko Hekmatyar and her band of mercenaries. Their journey through the dark underbelly of the world’s arms markets may lead to damnation, but will Jonah somehow make his way back to the light? Only one thing is certain: it’s going to be a long, hard road out of hell… Death is their business, and business is good!

In Volume 1, Koko Hekmatyar, the head of H&C Logistic Incorporated, introduces new recruit Jonah to her expert team of troubleshooters, and it isn’t long before they find some trouble to shoot. An Eastern European government official holds up a shipment of aircraft parts that would shift the balance of power in the region. But the real trouble is that shipment belongs to Koko, and she’s not about to miss an opportunity to make a profit, even if it means two nations go to war!

“JORMUNGAND takes its name from the fabled ferocious sea serpent in Norse mythology, and readers will be at the edge of their seats with this fierce band of mercenaries that live up to the name with an insatiable taste for trouble and gunplay,” says Gonzalo Ferrerya, Vice President, Sales & Marketing. “JORMUNGAND is a must-read for any action fan, and Keitaro Takahashi’s manga delivers plenty of bullet-riddled adventures as he fills each chapter with plenty of shady characters, double deals, and enough heavy metal weaponry to make any modern paramilitary jealous! Just remember to keep your head down and eyes glued to the page!”

Keitaro Takahashi’s debut manga, Ordinary±, won the Four Seasons Prize in 1999 and was subsequently serialized in Gekkan Afternoon magazine in Japan. Prior to creating JORMUNGAND in 2006, Takahashi worked as an illustrator for several books and he has drawn considerable acclaim for his striking, realistic and angular style.

For information on VIZ Media titles, please visit www.VIZ.com.

About VIZ Media, LLC

Headquartered in San Francisco, CA, VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), is one of the most comprehensive and innovative companies in the field of manga (graphic novel) publishing, animation and entertainment licensing of Japanese content. Owned by three of Japan’s largest creators and licensors of manga and animation, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions, Co., Ltd., VIZ Media is a leader in the publishing and distribution of Japanese manga for English speaking audiences in North America, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and South Africa and is a global ex-Asia licensor of Japanese manga and animation. The company offers an integrated product line including the popular monthly manga anthology SHONEN JUMP magazine, graphic novels, and DVDs, and develops, markets, licenses, and distributes animated entertainment for audiences and consumers of all ages. Contact VIZ Media at 295 Bay Street, San Francisco, CA 94133; Phone (415) 546-7073; Fax (415) 546-7086; and web site at www.VIZ.com.

###

http://www.mangamaniaccafe.com/?p=3585

INUYASHA MANGA LOOMS LARGER-THAN-LIFE IN NEW VIZBIG EDITION

Rumiko Takahashi’s Award Winning Manga Series To Be Published In An Omnibus Edition

San Francisco, CA, November 6, 2009 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry’s most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, continues the momentum behind its hit INUYASHA brand with the announcement of the release of Rumiko Takahashi’s original manga series in new VIZBIG omnibus editions. Published by the company’s SHONEN SUNDAY imprint, INUYASHA VIZBIG Volume 1 debuts November 10^th, is rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens, and carries an MSRP of $17.99 U.S. / $24.00 CAN.

Each omnibus edition features three volumes of the original graphic novel series presented in a larger 5-3/4 x 8-5/8 size (larger than the standard 5 x 7-1/2 manga). The new editions serve as comprehensive introductions for new readers to some best-known titles, and a great way for seasoned fans to revisit favorite manga series from a new perspective. The VIZBIG INUYASHA series is also presented in a right-to-left reading format, just like the original manga counterpart.

After falling into an old well and into ancient Japan, Kagome discovers that her destiny is linked to the dog-like half demon called Inuyasha! As Kagome learns more about her connection to the past and to Inuyasha, she comes into conflict with the terrible demons that are drawn to the Shikon Jewel, including Inuyasha’s own half brother, Sesshomaru. Finding the shards of the Shikon Jewel is going to require powerful magic, strange allies, and a strong heart. Kagome’s got plenty of heart, but she’s going to need Inuyasha’s help for the rest of it, and he may not be so willing to lend a hand!

“INUYASHA brought creator Rumiko Takahashi renowned fame throughout the world and the series has been enjoyed by millions of readers in Japan and North America,” says Elizabeth Kawasaki, Senior Editorial Director, VIZ Media. “Our new VIZBIG release is a comprehensive way for new and old fans alike to catch up on the adventures of Inuyasha and Kagome in a whole new way and also makes a wonderful gift for that extra special fan this holiday season.”

INUYASHA brought creator Rumiko Takahashi tremendous international acclaim and won the prestigious Shogakukan Manga Award in 2002. The story was also adapted into a long running animated series (distributed domestically by VIZ Media). Episodes from the action-packed series conclusion – INUYASHA THE FINAL ACT – currently stream on ShonenSunday.com/anime and Hulu.com mere hours after they air in Japan. For more information on the INUYASHA animated series please visit www.ShonenSunday.com.

Many of Rumiko Takahashi’s titles have been adapted into other media such as anime, live-action TV series, and film. Takahashi’s manga, as well as the other formats of her work, has continued to delight generations of fans around the world. Distinguished by her wonderfully endearing characters, Takahashi’s work adeptly incorporates a wide variety of elements such as comedy, romance, fantasy, and martial arts. Rumiko Takahashi is an artist who truly represents the very best from the world of manga.  Please visit the official North American web site for all Rumiko Takahashi related news and information located at www.TheRumicWorld.com.

About VIZ Media, LLC

Headquartered in San Francisco, CA, VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), is one of the most comprehensive and innovative companies in the field of manga (graphic novel) publishing, animation and entertainment licensing of Japanese content. Owned by three of Japan’s largest creators and licensors of manga and animation, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions, Co., Ltd., VIZ Media is a leader in the publishing and distribution of Japanese manga for English speaking audiences in North America, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and South Africa and is a global ex-Asia licensor of Japanese manga and animation. The company offers an integrated product line including the popular monthly manga anthology SHONEN JUMP magazine, graphic novels, and DVDs, and develops, markets, licenses, and distributes animated entertainment for audiences and consumers of all ages. Contact VIZ Media at 295 Bay Street, San Francisco, CA 94133; Phone (415) 546-7073; Fax (415) 546-7086; and web site at www.VIZ.com.

http://comics212.net/2009/11/06/more-little-nothings-from-lewis-trondheim/

http://comics212.net/?p=3986

With the end-of-season BEST OF lists already cropping up, NBM’s announcement that a third volume of Lewis Trondheim’s diary comic LITTLE NOTHINGS would be dropping in January reminded me that I never did get around to posting that “best of 2008″ list I’d meant to. I did a short review of the second volume in March of this year–losing myself in Trondheim’s world for a little while was a glorious respite from hectic TCAF planning–and mentioned how fortunate I felt we were to get books like these released with some regularity. A third volume less than a year after the second is a treat.

To prime the pump for the release of the new book, NBM has started running excerpts on their blog at http://nbmpub.com/blog/. It’s fitting, as I believe these short strips originally ran on Trondheim’s blog en Français much to the consternation of myself and all of Trondheim’s anglophone readers. Actually, checking his blog right now, the current diary strips appear to be from time spent in Quebec! Maybe I’ll try and puzzle through them with my highschool French after all. :)

- Chris

http://javajem.blogspot.com/2009/11/orange-you-glad-i-knit-more-socks.html

http://comics212.net/2009/11/06/your-daily-dose-of-fun-the-moron-bomb/

http://comics212.net/?p=3852

©2009 Evan Dorkin. From Dork #5 & Dork Volume 1: Who’s Laughing Now?. 60.

http://feltcafe.blogspot.com/2009/11/i-cant-fight-that-feeling-anymore.html

http://precur.wordpress.com/2009/11/06/license-request-day-pyu-to-fuku-jaguar/

http://precur.wordpress.com/?p=4072

As I’d hoped, the wish list of worthy, unlicensed shônen is coming along nicely, and an early contribution from Brack of Awesome Engine has really caught my eye. How often can you reasonably expect to come across satirical comic books about recorder students? (Do they still make elementary school students play those charming hybrids of flute, clarinet and kazoo?)

So today’s request is for someone to license Kyosuke Usuta’s Pyu to Fuku! Jaguar, serialized in Shueisha’s Weekly Shônen Jump since sometime in 2000. Per Brack, the series “does a … number on idol manga, though it’s a lot more biting in its satire which is specifically aimed at the idol industry and the exploitation therein.” As I may have mentioned, I find the weird hothouse that is Japan’s idol industry somewhat unsettling, so I’ll happily support any attempt to satirize it.

It stars a young man with a dream of pop stardom, Kyohiko Saketome, whose plans to become a guitarist are derailed by the mysterious Jaguar Junichi, recorder instructor and savant. These two are joined by a number of other would-be and almost-are idols, including a “hip hip ninja” named Hammer. It promises poetry showdowns, foul-mouthed robots, brainwashing schemes, and a hyper-defensive internet “star.”

The reason this one in particular speaks to me is because of its evident satirical intent. There’s plenty of goofy shônen on the shelves featuring motley casts in ridiculous scenarios, but this one seems to have that extra layer of barbed self-awareness. In other words, I’m getting a Gin Tama vibe off of it, and that’s a good thing. Also, something about the idea of would-be recorder-playing pop idols tickles me sight unseen.

I’m honestly a little shocked that it hasn’t been made into a musical, but I guess these things take time. It has been adapted into a motion picture, video games, and an animated series. The manga is up to its 17th volume.

http://samehat.blogspot.com/2009/11/same-hat-community-halloween-prowess.html

You guys are awesome! I ended up staying in on Halloween and drinking an abundance of whiskey-- too lazy to put together a good costume. I DID come up with a costume for next year, as a juggalette (look it up!) or maybe Shaggy 2 Dope. I have to stay true to my Michigan roots, you know?

Not to be outdone by anyone, Same Hat readers rocked the manga/horror angle like mad geniuses. Here are their radical costumes!!

TOMODACHI (from 20th Century Boys)

as worn by Johnny Landmine

SAMARA (from Ringu)

as worn by M

SUEHIRO MARUO BOY


as worn by Dreed

LYCHEE HIKARI CLUB

as worn by Diana & friends

NEKOME KOZO

as worn by Dr. Senbei (Tokyo Scum Brigade)

GEGEGE NO KITARO

as worn by voidmare (Tokyo Scum Brigade)

HORROR MANGA MAKE-UP

as worn by Jaclyn

KAZUO UMEZZ

as worn by Jaclyn

and because it's simply awesome...
ANDREW WKs!

as worn by Helvin

http://www.kirainet.com/english/japanese-sleeping-4/

http://www.kirainet.com/english/?p=1205

People in Japan love to sleep on the street, on the train or wherever they can. Here is a new set of my fascinating Sleeping Japanese series.

If you missed the first 3 here they are:

• Japanese Sleeping - 3
• Japanese Sleeping - 2
• Japanese Sleeping
• Japanese Sleeping Remix

http://manga.jadedragononline.com/?p=2911

Cute Pups: Canine Friends and Accessories
By Chie Hayano
Publisher: Vertical Inc.
Age Rating: All Ages
Genre: Craft
Price: $14.95
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Even…More…Puppies!!!  It’s like “The Littlest Pet Shop” for adults!

Even though by nature I’m a cat person, I can’t resist a puppy.  They are just so cute and cuddly!  Vertical must know how irresistable puppies are, as they release their second craft book of little dog making: Cute Pups.

This new book adds 12 more new breeds to the list of puppies you can create, and most are fairly well known.  Toy Poodles, Border Collie, Dalmation, Yorkshire Terrier, Bulldog, and two Japanese breeds, the Shiba Inu and the Japanese Spitz.  But while this book has 4 less dogs than the previous one, it adds something else that is a must have for all pet oweners: accessories!  Now you can give your precious pooch a matching collar and leash, a bed, pillow, bones, clothes, toys and even a bowl and carrier!  Everything a puppy could want is now included.

There are some changes to this book over the first one, and all are for the better.  The entire back section of the book, with the instructions and material guide is now in color.  In the first book this was all black and white.  The color pictures of the materials needed will make it easier to match up and find when shopping.  And the completed color picture with the instructions for making the pup will make it easier to see how it goes together.  It still includes a stitching guide and lots of great pointers on making the dogs and fixing some issues that can come up.

The first half of the book is again filled with pictures of the stuffed dogs and their personality quirks.  There are also lots of pictures of the new accessories, set up in a store like setting.  There are also some cute strips with the dogs to add to the fun.  Ms. Hayano adds  a personal touch with a few diary entries about how she got started making stuffed animals and what goes into the photo shoots.

This is another great craft book from Vertical, though it’s come out a little too soon after the first book.  I haven’t had a chance to to try any of the pups from the first book, and now I have even more pooches to choose from!  At least they’ll be well dressed now.  If you can use a needle and thread and/or are a dog lover, definitely check this book out.

I’m still waiting for a Cute Kitties/Kittens book.

Review  copy provided by publisher.

http://kirinote.blogspot.com/2009/11/ummm-has-it-really-been-whole-month.html

http://www.mangamaniaccafe.com/?p=3584

Title: Jack Frost Vol 2

Author:  JinHo Ko

Publisher:  Yen Press

ISBN: 9780759529533

May Contain Spoilers

The battle for supremacy over Amityville has turned into all out war, as the South, East, and West districts have decided that it’s time to get rid of Jack Frost once and for all.  While they plan his defeat, Jack is getting ready to escort Noh-A to the Lost Lake, where she can regain her forgotten memories.  Once she remembers her lost death and has reclaimed the memories of her past, she can truly awaken.  Hey, what’s that supposed to mean?

I approached this volume of Jack Frost with caution.  The first was just too gross for me, as Noh-A was decapitated more than once, in graphic detail.  I wasn’t so upset for her, as she apparently can’t die, but watching her head sliding around on the ground like a slug leaving behind a trail of bloody slime was a little more than I had the stomach for.  I’m happy to report that while there were still plenty of flying heads, none of them belonged to Noh-A. 

Noh-A is the Mirror Image, and she has eternal life.  She’s been whisked off to Amityville, the North district to be exact, and she’s about to get caught up in the middle of the 13th Amityville War.  Right now she’s just a blissfully ignorant high-school student, trying to fit into her new surroundings.  All of her classmates, and everyone else in in Amityville, are from the world of the dead. Talk about having a bunch of creepy classmates!  Everyone is a zombie but Noh-A, so it’s understandable that she’s having a hard time making new friends!

When she learns that she and Jack are going to the Lost Lake to recover her lost memories, she’s not too happy.  Jack is the creepiest guy ever, and she doesn’t want to be alone with him.  He is very, very scary, so I don’t blame her.  He goes from normal to psycho in the blink of an eye, and he’d hand you your head on a platter with a big, toothy grin.  Not the kind of guy you want to meet in a dark alley, or take a stroll to the lakeside with. 

On the way, all kinds of chaos greets them.  It seems that everyone is out to get Jack.  Having a rep as the toughest guy in town isn’t good for your health, and guarantees that life will never be boring.  The fighting in Jack Frost is frenzied and bloody, rendered through eye-catching, violent images that convincingly display a thrilling sense of motion as limbs and heads go flying through the panels.  If nothing else, this book is an entertaining onslaught of death and destruction, where bloody battles are only a page or two away.

I’m not too clear on what exactly is going on, but now that Noh-A has a goal to works towards, I feel much more comfortable with the book.  All of that wanton destruction in the first volume made me just as uneasy as it did Noh-A.  That much senseless violence only works in Gantz, and that’s only because the characters explode in so many varied and entertaining ways.  The scope of the slaughter here isn’t as intense,  so there needed to be a story to wrap around the action.  Now that Noh-A has something to accomplish, instead of waiting around to have her head chopped off again,  I’m a little more engaged in the story, and I’m actually starting to feel curious about what is going on.  Sure, missing memories has been done to death, but I don’t think it’s been done with a girl who can reattach her extremities after they’ve been hacked off of her body.

Jack Frost may be one dimensional, but there is some crowd pleasing fighting and the promise of an all out war to hook readers.  Enough plot teasers have been introduced to make me curious to know more, even though the overall picture is still very muddled and hazy. 

Grade: B-

Review copy provided by Yen Press

http://kimonoreincarnate.blogspot.com/2009/11/back-to-normal-programming-soon.html

Photo borrowed from here

http://precur.wordpress.com/2009/11/05/affirmative-action/

http://precur.wordpress.com/?p=4061

Looking back through the license requests to date, I realize that I’ve neglected the shônen category almost entirely. I could defend myself on this front by noting that there’s no shortage of shônen readily available, and that would certainly be true. But let’s be honest: it’s just not where my primary interests reside. There are plenty of shônen titles that I really like, but given the choice between a young man with a dream and a young woman with a scheme, you know which I’ll end up plonking down at the checkout counter, don’t you?

But balance is a good thing, so please recommend some as-yet-unlicensed shônen titles for future installments of License Request Day. Please don’t restrict yourself based on the length, vintage, taste level, narrative coherence, or marketability of the title, because you know I try not to be hindered by such paltry concerns. Fire away!

And here’s the running tally with some links:

Sexy Commando Gaiden: Sugoiyo!! Masaru-san, written and illustrated by Kyosuke Usata, serialized by Shueisha in Weekly Shônen Jump (Wikipedia)

Pyu to Fuku! Jaguar, written and illustrated by Kyosuke Usata, serialized by Shueisha in Weekly Shônen Jump (Wikipedia)

Majin Tantei Nogami Neuro, written and illustrated by Yûsei Matsui, serialized by Shueisha in Weekly Shônen Jump (Wikipedia)

Locke the Superman, written and illustrated by Yuki Hijiri, serialized by Shônen Gahosha in Shônen King (Wikipedia)

Nurarihyon no Mago, written and illustrated by Hiroshi Shiibashi, serialized by Shueisha in Weekly Shônen Jump (Wikipedia)

1/2 Prince, written by Yu Wo and illustrated by Choi Hong Chong, published by Tong Li (Wikipedia)

Shiki, based on a novel by Fuyumi Ono, illustrated by Ryu Fujisaki, serialized by Shueisha in Jump SQ

Fourteen Years, written and illustrated by Kazuo Umezu, serialized by Shogakukan in Big Comic Spirits

Left Hand of God, Right Hand of the Devil, written and illustrated by Kazuo Umezu, originally published by Shogakukan

History’s Strongest Disciple Kenichi, written and illustrated by Syun Matsuena, serialized by Shogakukan in Shônen Sunday (Wikipedia)

http://zepy.momotato.com/2009/11/05/sharin-no-kuni-himawari-no-shoujo-translation/

http://zepy.momotato.com/?p=3024

Fan translation of Sharin no kuni has been released.

They’re also working on Sharin no kuni fandisc and G-senjou apparently.

Sharin was totally awesome for scenario game lovers so I’m posting about it. I wish I could write more about it now, but this work thing does not allow much free time recently.

Wakamoto is great.

Thanks to Moogy for emailing me about this.

http://comics212.net/2009/11/05/your-daily-dose-of-fun-its-joe-college/

http://comics212.net/?p=3850

©2009 Evan Dorkin. From Dork #5 & Dork Volume 1: Who’s Laughing Now?. 59.

http://feltcafe.blogspot.com/2009/11/felt-fall-leaves-and-scarves.html

http://www.kirainet.com/english/okayama-koraku-en/

http://www.kirainet.com/english/?p=1102

After many years in Japan I finally had the chance to visit Koraku-en in Okayama, which is considered one of the most beautiful gardens in the country. Stopping by is a good idea to spend a couple of hours if you pass by Okayama with the bullet train while going to Hiroshima or coming back to Osaka, Kobe or Kyoto.

Japanese style gardens are designed trying to emulate real landscapes, they are like “scale models” of big landscapes. For example, there are usually mounds between five and the meters high that represent mountains. Rivers are designed using little water streams, and pounds are used to form lakes and seas.

I love to stroll around Japanese gardens. While walking through winding paths in between water streams surrounded by the greenest grass you could ever imagine I feel like if I had been transported to another dimension.

How to get there: walking east 20 minutes from Okayama bullet train station. You also can get there taking the bus that goes from Okayama station to Korakuen-mae.

Recommended visit time: two hours.

http://blog.livedoor.jp/auberginefleur/archives/51748410.html

http://www.mangamaniaccafe.com/?p=3582

Title: Papillon Vol 4

Author: Miwa Ueda

Publisher:  Del Rey

ISBN: 9780345512345

May Contain Spoilers

Ageha’s days of living in the shadow of her beautiful twin have come to an end.  After a makeover that transforms her not only on the outside, but also on the inside, she’s gained the confidence in herself that she lacked.  Now that she’s dating the handsome Ichijiku, things finally seem to be going right for a change.  When Hana starts seeing Kyu for advice with her boy troubles, Ageha starts to get uneasy.  Is Hana only trying to steal him away from her?

Argh! What is wrong with me?  This is essentially a retread of Peach Girl with twins and an older love interest, but I can’t stop reading it!  Much of the melodrama is created by Ageha’s inability to communicate with Ichijiku, though Hana does poke her nose into their relationship to stir up trouble.  I don’t understand why in Honey Hunt a girl with a meek personality irritates, yet in Papillon it entertains.  Or is the difference that when Ageha is pushed beyond her limits, she finally finds a backbone and stands up for herself?

This volume has Hana up to her old tricks.  She impersonates Ageha, throwing herself at Ryusei to see if he will cheat on her.  This scenario just proves how stupid Ryusei really is – he should know Ageha better than to believe that she would suddenly turn into a sex kitten and try to steal him from her sister.  The very fact that he falls for Hana’s  tricks shows that he was not the right guy for Ageha, and he so deserves to be stuck with Hana.  Also as proof of Hana’s insecurities, this is a pretty self-destructive pursuit.  What teenaged guy is going to reject a beautiful girl when she’s crawling all over him?  Hana needs to think of a new strategy, or she is going to keep driving the people she claims to like away from her.

Ageha is having problems in that area as well.  When a friend of hers claims she can smell that smell, an odor that is given off by people who have recently had sex, she begins to doubt that Ichijiku is being faithful to her.  Her friend says that both he and Hana reek, so it’s only natural for Ageha to be suspicious.  Wasn’t Hana out late the night before?  And hasn’t Ageha seen them together a discomforting number of times?

Whether or not anyone has an issue with body odors, the fact that Hana is acting sneaky, Ichijiku is suddenly always busy, and Ageha keeps finding them together would make anybody a little uneasy.  When you are already a bit insecure, of course you are going to jump to the wrong conclusion.  Miwa Ueda is setting Ageha up for a very unpleasant misunderstanding with Ichijiku, and Hana is going to be right there to take advantage of it.  Maybe that’s what I enjoy about the story – I can see that Ageha is in for an unpleasant fall, I sympathize with her, but I can’t help but follow along on her collision course to heartbreak.  More than anything, I want to see how much she has grown and matured, and see what she does to fix the mess.  Will she be able break out of her cocoon, and find the strength to fight for what she wants?

Grade: B

Review copy provided by Del Rey

http://javajem.blogspot.com/2009/11/handspun-sweater-and-400-posts.html

http://comics212.net/2009/11/04/your-daily-dose-of-fun-young-evan-stuart-dorkin-in-innocence-lost/

http://comics212.net/?p=3847

©2009 Evan Dorkin. From Dork #5 & Dork Volume 1: Who’s Laughing Now?. 58.

http://feltcafe.blogspot.com/2009/11/stamps-lovely-stamps.html

http://precur.wordpress.com/2009/11/04/the-shojo-sunjeong-alphabet-d/

http://precur.wordpress.com/?p=4057

“D” is for…

“D” is a rather dicey letter, at least commercially speaking. What are some of your favorite shôjo and sunjeong titles that start with the letter “D”?

http://whileshenaps.typepad.com/whileshenaps/2009/11/handmade-hat.html

I finally made this hat from Amy's book.  I've wanted to make it for a long while and now that we finally have a 21st century printer that can create an enlarged copy (!) I was able to enlarge the pattern to the proper size.  This project was super satisfying. It took ten minutes total, from cutting the fabric to tying the finished hat onto Stella's head.

Roxanne chatted with me the whole time and picked colors for her own hat, which I made for her last night after she was in bed. I put it at her place at the table and she found it this morning at breakfast.  Now Charlie wants one.  Not so sure about that.