thanks for all the comments!

You have no idea how happy I am that most of you wanted to hear about Japanese sweets. I feel like you've all given me a much more legit reason to eat more sweets and sample things many times over to later look up and learn about from Maki-san. So I think Japanese Sweets will be an ongoing thing ^_^ I look forward to posting about that. Thought I thinkI'll start with gyoza... or perhaps chai cookies [see photo for recipe @_@].. expect a post about one of those in the next week!

Also expect to see posts about my adventures around Minatomirai, Kamakura, the Daibutsu, the Tsugaoka Hachiman-gu shrine and the omikuji I got there!

Happy Belated 2nd Birthday Luka!

Happy Belated 2nd Birthday Luka!
I'm so sorry because I forgot if yesterday was Luka's birthday ^^;
Well to apologize myself I've finished one of my drawing that containing Luka.
Hope every one enjoy it! ^w^

You can found the PV here.

Is This The End of Momoiro Clover?

I've been keeping an eye on Momoiro Clover since their major debut single, which was one of my favorite singles of 2010.  Since then I've been quite impressed by the rest of their single releases and their high energy performances.  I thought they would be the group that would become a favorite outside of H!P and OOO48, but that dream might be dying out.

Nothing seemed to turn me away at first.  Not the out of place Native American costumes or the ero-ice cream promotional video (kind of fun to watch now).  The first thing that hit was Reni's weight loss.  Not just how management might of had a hand in it, but it bothers me still to this day.  When I watched their latest PV release, I was slightly disgusted by Reni's appearance.  I find that she is unattractively skinny.  Her face, bony limbs just turn me off especially since I know she could look better.  For example, C-ute early on had many, quite thin members but that didn't bother me because they were young.  I was a twig when I was their age.  She wasn't even remotely curvy.  That isn't the only thing that makes me wonder 'where are their managers?!?'

I've bet most of you've heard that Akari, the unit's sub-leader, is graduating.  She is one of the stronger vocalists, and is responsible for all those lovely rap sections.  She is leaving due to unpopularity?  I'm concerned that this may stunt the group.  I just don't see the line-up without Akari.  I would suggest they just dump Reni too and basically send out a different S/mileage.  I don't see any thought process or work behind the scenes from their handlers because I don't see how both Reni's weight and Akari's graduation at all benefit Momoiro Clover.  Their music may be better since they entered the major league, but I fear that they won't last.

Food is a wonderful thing...

I don't know about you guys, but I love food. I love cooking food, I love plating and making the food look nice and presentable, I love trying new foods, and I love learning about food. I'm lucky enough to get to help out in the kitchen of the cafe and work with Maki-san. And she's happy to teach me all sorts of things. So would anyone be interested in learning some Japanese cooking tips and recipes?

Let me know what you wanna hear about!

Possible posts would include:

-curry

-gyoza

-miso

-pickled vegetables

-onigiri

-sushi

-mochi

-maybe rice in general?

-drinks [hot ginger ale, yuzu mitsu, various teas, etc...]

-Japanese sweets

-and anything else that tickles your fancy

leave comments!

Art Award ♥

Thank you so much for the award Karin ♥♥
I hope I'll gain more progress for my drawing technic!

Asaba Art Square

It is here, in this wonderful place, that I have been WWOOFing for the last week. Asaba Art Square is located in Kanazawa Bunko, a mere 3 or 4 blocks from the shrine [which is absolutely amaaaazing! I climbedupthe mountain today to see the top of it and the view was lovely -I'll have to post about the shrine itself later].

But back to the point of this post...

I wanted to give

you all an idea of what WWOOFing here is like. Kazuko-san actually says out of all the hosts I could have picked, she was probably the most unconventional. But it's really great here. I'm hoping to go into art education, so helping Kazuko-san and Kuma-chan in the art studio with the class is perfect.

The kids typically come around 4pm after school and they

start out with some form of physical activity. Usually we take the kids down the road to this great field by the shrine and at the base of the mountain and we climb up around there and go up into the trees. Then we head back to the studio and get to work. These past couple weeks they've been doing a lot of painting, but this week Tamana-chan is gonna do some printmaking with them, and then we start on a bit of sewing! Tamana Araki is the artist we currently have featured in our gallery attached to the cafe.

She's so sweet, and she speaks Spanish very well. The first day we met, I was helping her set up in the gallery all day and we had been speaking in broken English and Japanese. Only when it finally hit me that her husband and fellow artist we had featured, Taller Leñateros was indeed Mexican and that she had spent a lot of time there, did I ask if she knew Spanish.. which, she did!! Half of my family is from Puerto Rico so I'm almost fluent in the language--emphasis on almost--So now we speak in Japaspanishese every time she's in the cafe. It's pretty fun.

But there's definitely a bit of work involved. Last monday myself and the other two French WWOOFers, Gwenaelle and Elsa, spent the afternoon cutting up this giant black paper for the kids to paint on and matting their work from the previous week. Earlier today Gwenaelle and I were sorting through all these baskets of fabric for the kids to choose from when they start sewing. And then there's the cafe.

Every morning we wake up at 8 for breakfast with Kazuko-san and she delegates the morning chores to us to start on after we finish eating. These tasks tend to be, but are not limited to, sweeping and moping the floor in the cafe, gallery and kitchen, washing the pile of dishes of the sink of the cafe kitchen, sweeping in the other room attached to the studio/classroom. [On busier days we shuffle customers over to the big table in there]. Kuma-chan comes in between 9 and 10:30 and the cafe opens at about 11am.

The chef, Maki-san [super nice--she invited me and the other WWOOFers over for lunch with her family on saturday-SO so delicious-this is a photo of her making the curry from that afternoon in her house] comes in a few times a week to work the kitchen. I usually spend my time helping Kuma-chan or Maki-san in the kitchen. Sometimes making drinks, sometimes platting the lunch special, sometimes bring food and drinks to customers and collecting empty plates, almost always washing dishes though haha. Kuma-chan really dislikes doing them, so I usually end up having to do it.

Despite all the dish-washing, I do have fun helping them in the cafe. Maki-san always has questions to ask and shows me a lot of great cooking tips, and Kuma-chan always teaches me something when she's in--language, culture, places I ought to visit, things i need to try...etc. It's

really great.

I may look for other place to go WWOOFing, but until I change hosts, I look forward o the rest of my stay here with Kazuko-san and the rest of the people I meet in Kanazawa-Bunko. ^_^

'Love Jump' by Team B of AKB48, another story of tragic love

First, I want to apologize for not writing enough for the blog. I was barely able to get out my New Year's hopes as I came down with bronchitis in November and was pretty much bedridden until just before Christmas. Even now I am not back to full health. This is by way of explaining why my comments on songs from AKB48's latest single are so late in arriving.

Today I will comment on the Team B song 'Love Jump.' This song is not my favorite of the songs released associated with the janken single, that would be 'Kurumi to Dialog', but it deserves comment because the pv is yet another gay love story from AKB48.

Ostensibly the pv is about Team B attending nursing school and graduating, but if one looks closer the video is clearly about the tragedy of Kashwagi Yuki's unrequited love for Watanabe Mayu. This important subtext of the video is not readily apparent upon a first viewing, but if one pays close attention to Yuki, it becomes apparent the video is about her love for Mayuyu.




Yuki's desires can first be noticed when she leaves the school and it is snowing out. She struggles with her umbrella as Mayuyu rushes by to play in the snow. Yuki stares at Mayuyu for several moments, clearly feeling her love for her friend that only notices the snow. Yuki's love is then put on display when she admiringly watches Mayuyu get her diploma. Again, Mayuyu's attention is elsewhere as Yuki looks on with desire.

Finally, when the members of Team B gather after graduation, they all get together to toss their hats into the air. Yuki leads the activity. She then watches longingly as Mayuyu picks up her own hat. Mayuyu, filled with joy and playfulness, is forever too distracted to notice Yuki is in love with her.

While the song is light and fun, reflecting Mayuyu's playful trek through nursing school, the heart of the video is Yuki's bittersweet looks of unrequited love throughout. If only Mayuyu could see the love in Yuki's eyes, maybe Yuki could finally find love in the arms of her friend. But alas, Yuki is left to stare longingly, forever alone, watching her love enjoying the world.

AKB's 20th and WH's 7th PV Review!

You are in for one emotional roller-coaster with this post.
AKB48 - Sakura no Ki ni Narou

After hearing the previews from the Japanese news programs, I was considering canceling my order because I want to save money (especially because of the new sub-unit Not Yet).  However, I wanted at least to hear more of the song before I gave up my first press copy.  It seems the PV was leaked, good timing.  From looking at previews of the PV and the song it may seem dull.  But they both surprised me. They are simple.  The PV is storyline-focused, so no dance shot.  The ballad is sad and emotional.  By the end of the whole thing I could feel the waterworks coming up.  Only Acchan, Yuko, Kojiharu, Jurina (anti-christ), Takamina, and Tomochin get most of the screen time.  They are all dealing (except for the demon-spawn who is already dead) with the death of a close friends from high school.  For something so simple they did a wonderful job keeping my attention.  I'll be keeping this copy, besides DIVA, Undergirls, and MINT will be returning.

Now let's cheer you up,
Watarirouka Hashiritai 7 - Valentine Kiss

This one is also simple, in idol terms (but not are bare-bones as most H!P ones have become).  It is made up of one main dance shot (with multiple angles).  A couple different close-ups of each member and one group shot.  You see the girls work in a chocolate factory and eating sweets during some of the close-ups.  This may be the cutest thing they've released yet.  The costumes are great and even fit the factory setting.  If you've heard the original don't be worried.  The back-track has been updated.  A nice little surprise we get at the end is that the lines that are usually hogged by Mayuyu are divided up to all the other members.  It then finishes with a little dance section and an adorable pose.

Screenshots for both PVs after the jump. . .

Music Box of Time 「時のオルゴール」 - Megurine Luka

Saa, soko no neji wo maite
Kirei na futa hiraku keba
Hora goran, tsumugi dasu yo
Utsukushii hibi no yume

Houseki bako no naka wa ichimen kagami bari de
Kagayakashii anata no kako
Azayaka ni utsushidasu

Gikochi naku ugoku
Toki no ORUGOORU sono merodii
Furuboke ta jidai no mohou
Shitashi ge ni madowa seru

Natsukashii sono hibiki ga
Atama kara hanare nai de
Tsui sakki shime ta futa wo
Hirai te wa mata tojiru

Ishiki shi nai you ni to
Yuuwaku ni sakarae ba
Agaku hodo karamitsui te
Makitsuita tsuta no you

Kioku no houseki bako
Ake te ORUGOORU kiku tabi ni
Omoide wa kagayaki wo mashi
Anata wo kako he sasou

Itsu made mo ushiromuki de
Mae wo miru koto mo nai
――ijiwaru na kono sekai wo
Wasuretai hito no mono

Genzai mo mirai sae mo
Miyou to shinai hito ga
Hikarete wa toriko ni naru
Genwaku no oto no hako

Hakichigae ta toki no sakugo
Mitsumeru yuuki mo nai
Dakedo sore de ii, to
Amaku ORUGOORU wa sasayaku

Naka ni wa nani mo naku te
Karappo na oto wo hibikaseru
Neji no hazureta yume wo
Kanade tsudzukeru ORUGOORU

――kangaeru no wo yamete tada hitare ba
Tsuioku no naka de shiawase ni nareru noni――

Saa, soko no neji wo maite
Kirei na futa hiraku keba
Hora goran, tsumugi dasu yo
Kokochiyoku kanbi na yume wo


Singer : Megurine Luka
Type : Vocaloid
Composer : UmbrellaP
Lyric Source : @wiki

GANTZ US Premiere - a cracky joyride

That was spectacular.  I went with a few friends.  When we entered the theatre it wasn't very packed.  Just a couple of people sitting spastically throughout the room.  The screen was showing trivia about the stars (which we got right, but we only got to see one because we were on a tight schedule to get to the location).  We were first introduced to our host (some guy from a magazine with the word otaku in it).  He then brought on Nino and Kenichi Matsuyama.  They didn't get a chance to speak much, just say hello.  My friends and I joked about the fact that their translators looked more like bodyguards.  Then the cinematic experience began. . .

The film was dubbed.  If you know anything about spoken Japanese then you probably know why dubbing in English (well) is pretty much impossible.  Unlike English, Japanese does not require you to move your mouth as much.  Besides that, trying to match their mouth movements to English that matches content and the script is unlikely.  I make it a rule never to watch a film dubbed.  (Anime is different because the mouth movements are more dramatic and easier to work with.)  However, I expected it to be cracky.  The voices never sound like they match the person that they are originating from.  This lead me to laugh/ giggle a lot through the entire program (especially in those serious dramatic scenes).

The film was great.  Actioned packed.  Emotion and meaning, as you expect because it is based on a manga (which the dubber pronounced in the American fashion).  Some good comedy thrown in.  Pairing that make your imagination explore.  Very well made, so I am thrilled for the second installment.

Now being an Arashi (Nino in this case) fangirl. . . my friends and I were being a bit perverted.  I mean, he is in a thin, tight, leather jumpsuit.  Who didn't gaze at his mighty crotch?  Speaking of Nino's glorious crotch, he was sporting some very nice pants.  He was also adorable with his seduction attempts and bromance.  He also was hilarious when he was trying to be a bad-ass.  I'll restrain myself.

After the film finished it was time for the live from Hollywood Q&A.  First off, the camera were crooked, but they stealthily fixed the issue.  Second, I didn't care for the host.  He seemed more interested in the girl, which wasn't there.  He also pronounced GANTZ in the American fashion which was odd because otaku tend to get pissed when people don't say things correctly (and it is also a sign of a noob).  Third, I was unimpressed by the questions.  The question of how many points would you get and would you survive a mission was my favorite.  The rest were quite vanilla (how much of your own stunts did you do, favorite scene to film, &ct).  One had great potential, but it didn't pan out that well (Interesting/ funny story from the set).  My friend's (who is a huge Arashi wota) idea of a good question was something to do with Ohno and Nino.  I can't think of it at the moment.

The best part about the Q&A (besides Nino's pants : 3) was the interaction with the translators.  (Nino touched his translator once during it *faint.)  Nino knew how to handle the whole situation (because timing it can be a bit tricky).  I was pleased the translators didn't do the whole speaking over them strategy.  Unfortunately for one of the translators (great for the audience), Nino's costar wasn't aware of the problems with translating.  He would just keep talking without offering some breaks for his translator to jump in.  Poor guy.  But his face was just classic (he was quite charismatic).  You could see him just thinking (fuck, fuck, fuck).  We started to believe Matsuyama was messing with him.  They were some hints that they wanted to do the same for the second part (which comes out in April?).  My friends and I will definitely go again.  He also mentioned that he wanted to speak more English.  He also wanted for the audience to hear his own voice (go subtitles!).  I highly recommend you guys go watch GANTZ when it becomes available.  Don't expect a theatrical release in the states; I think tonight was it.