An Eternal Thought in the Mind of Godzilla

2008 is 1978: The Final Revelation

Now playing in Cinerama at the Teatro Tokyo...

2008 is 1978: Boken-Oh Bonenkai

S&Diana X'mas Party

仮面ライダークリスマス

Shinjuku, Christmas Day, 1975

12/27/1974

Shinjuku, 1979

Tokyo, 1980

It was a weird year in Akihabara, what with all the dead people and politicans, and I wrote a look back for the year-end coverage at Neojaponisme. Link here.

From top: Shotaro Ishinomori, Wayu Suzumiya, Shigeru Mizuki

The January release of Quantum of Solace in Japan means that super-spy-movie tie-up madness has begun in earnest. Would-be secret agents can now enjoy covert sips of MI-6 approved Coca Cola Zero Zero and skilfully blend into the background of the nearest pachinko parlor in any number of new 007 Japan collaboration T-shirts. It's like, "Bond and Beyond".

50 limited edition shirts from 12 brands will be available in all including items from Shibuya 109's much-loved moussy and designs overseen by the Men's Non-No mafia. But right now, the heavy hitters are coming from host/dandy/gigolo clothiers VANQUISH. Their trio of shirts show them to be staunch Connery purists and skillfully mix up the sex and snobbery side of Our Man's screen exploits with Shinjuku back alley street playboy style...yet only the Big Three (Dr. No, Goldfinger, Thunderball) are represented. Maybe they thought that You Only Live Twice was "too oriental"? Then again, we're talking bikini Ursula, Domino, and Aston Martin shirts here.

The shirts can be purchased at brand stores or on-line. They are not cheap. International shipping is unlikely at best (even from Universal Exports). You can view all the currently available designs here.

Bonus semi-related fun facts from imdb trivia:

"Sean Connery caused quite a commotion with the Japanese press when he revealed that he didn't find Japanese women sexy. This later turned out to be a misinterpretation due to incorrect translation, and took place on a day when Connery was exhausted after an intensive day's filming. Never overly keen on doing interviews, Connery didn't go out of his way to be too personable with the interviewer who was aghast that the actor showed up in a casual T-shirt with baggy trousers and sandals. "Is this how James Bond dresses?" he asked, to which Connery replied tersely 'I'm not James Bond, I'm Sean Connery, a man who likes to dress comfortably.'"

ON SALE NOW! The OTAKU USA mafia invades the 12/19 issue of Japan's venerable TV Game magazine Weekly Famitsu. Our staff contributes lists of their all time favorite anime and games, while I ride point on an introduction to our magazine and general Gaijin Otaku 101.

On a semi-related note: the Jan/Feb 09 issue of OTAKU USA should be shipping soon and some big changes are ahoy. To wit: we are dropping the DVD, ditching the polybag, and lowering the price to $5.99. Subscribers get their remaining issues increased by 50%. Please consult the OTAKU USA FAQ for further clarification. Thank you!

The couleur website just comes out and says it so I don't have to. They proudly sell party dresses online and on the cheap to the hardworking Kyabajyo of Japan. A major advertiser in Koakuma ageha magazine (they even swap up models sometimes, like Riho Nishiyama, above) couleur specializes in "Sexy", "Lovely", and "Gorgeous" creations that rarely go above the 6,000 yen mark.

But now couleur has gone all Ebenezer-Scrooge-Third-Act and introduced a new line of "Santa-san" dresses for the holiday season. This red bell ruffled stunner is actually sold out now, which makes it the Kyabajyo equivalent of the mythical,  much coveted Turbo Man from "Jingle All the Way".

  

Yes, Virginia, there is an animal print Santa-san dress for only 2,980 yen. It's also available in black and white for, I don't know, the color blind?

 

"Princess" Shoko Nakagawa is on the cover of the current issue of KERA Maniax and is featured in a "Lovely Sweets" themed photo spread with her buddy Nana Kitade. In this pic, Shokotan is sporting a "Kira Kira blouse" from Angelic Pretty, an all-important pannier from metamorphose temps de fille, along with what looks like half a hundred accessories from BABY, THE STARS SHINE BRIGHT, 6%DOKIDOKI, chocomint, closet child, and Ribon Holic.

Xmas 2008 is Xmas 1978: Terebi Land's Goka Omocha Catalog

Weekly ASCII - Akihabara Xmas Maids

Omocha Boom ni miru Showa jidai

Shinjuku, Christmas Day, 1975

12/27/1974

Shinjuku, 1979

Tokyo, 1980

And its all in black and white, Its a cross-hatched world alright

It was a weird year in Akihabara, what with all the dead people and politicans, and I wrote a look back for the year-end coverage at Neojaponisme. Link here.

Merry Xmas New Adult Series

Godzilla Vs. Mangaka

From top: Shotaro Ishinomori, Wayu Suzumiya, Shigeru Mizuki

Select ageha

Go Back to Asakusa, Baby

"Fight at Kobe Dock/Helga"

The January release of Quantum of Solace in Japan means that super-spy-movie tie-up madness has begun in earnest. Would-be secret agents can now enjoy covert sips of MI-6 approved Coca Cola Zero Zero and skilfully blend into the background of the nearest pachinko parlor in any number of new 007 Japan collaboration T-shirts. It's like, "Bond and Beyond".

50 limited edition shirts from 12 brands will be available in all including items from Shibuya 109's much-loved moussy and designs overseen by the Men's Non-No mafia. But right now, the heavy hitters are coming from host/dandy/gigolo clothiers VANQUISH. Their trio of shirts show them to be staunch Connery purists and skillfully mix up the sex and snobbery side of Our Man's screen exploits with Shinjuku back alley street playboy style...yet only the Big Three (Dr. No, Goldfinger, Thunderball) are represented. Maybe they thought that You Only Live Twice was "too oriental"? Then again, we're talking bikini Ursula, Domino, and Aston Martin shirts here.

The shirts can be purchased at brand stores or on-line. They are not cheap. International shipping is unlikely at best (even from Universal Exports). You can view all the currently available designs here.

Bonus semi-related fun facts from imdb trivia:

"Sean Connery caused quite a commotion with the Japanese press when he revealed that he didn't find Japanese women sexy. This later turned out to be a misinterpretation due to incorrect translation, and took place on a day when Connery was exhausted after an intensive day's filming. Never overly keen on doing interviews, Connery didn't go out of his way to be too personable with the interviewer who was aghast that the actor showed up in a casual T-shirt with baggy trousers and sandals. "Is this how James Bond dresses?" he asked, to which Connery replied tersely 'I'm not James Bond, I'm Sean Connery, a man who likes to dress comfortably.'"

"Japan has more than a thick layer of geeks"

ON SALE NOW! The OTAKU USA mafia invades the 12/19 issue of Japan's venerable TV Game magazine Weekly Famitsu. Our staff contributes lists of their all time favorite anime and games, while I ride point on an introduction to our magazine and general Gaijin Otaku 101.

On a semi-related note: the Jan/Feb 09 issue of OTAKU USA should be shipping soon and some big changes are ahoy. To wit: we are dropping the DVD, ditching the polybag, and lowering the price to $5.99. Subscribers get their remaining issues increased by 50%. Please consult the OTAKU USA FAQ for further clarification. Thank you!

Media Planning

King Kong Vs Godzilla Press Sheet (1962)

Sugar Jewels

The couleur website just comes out and says it so I don't have to. They proudly sell party dresses online and on the cheap to the hardworking Kyabajyo of Japan. A major advertiser in Koakuma ageha magazine (they even swap up models sometimes, like Riho Nishiyama, above) couleur specializes in "Sexy", "Lovely", and "Gorgeous" creations that rarely go above the 6,000 yen mark.

But now couleur has gone all Ebenezer-Scrooge-Third-Act and introduced a new line of "Santa-san" dresses for the holiday season. This red bell ruffled stunner is actually sold out now, which makes it the Kyabajyo equivalent of the mythical,  much coveted Turbo Man from "Jingle All the Way".

  

Yes, Virginia, there is an animal print Santa-san dress for only 2,980 yen. It's also available in black and white for, I don't know, the color blind?

1978 is 2008: Pink Lady in Blue

2008 is 1978: Pink Lady Coloring Book

 

Magical Story

"Princess" Shoko Nakagawa is on the cover of the current issue of KERA Maniax and is featured in a "Lovely Sweets" themed photo spread with her buddy Nana Kitade. In this pic, Shokotan is sporting a "Kira Kira blouse" from Angelic Pretty, an all-important pannier from metamorphose temps de fille, along with what looks like half a hundred accessories from BABY, THE STARS SHINE BRIGHT, 6%DOKIDOKI, chocomint, closet child, and Ribon Holic.