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Stare-apy for the Socially Inept (+ Edits)
As much as I want to be outrageously snarky in this post, I don’t think I can bring myself to do it. After all, social anxiety disorder is pretty serious stuff, especially in Japan, the birthplace of the hikikomori (引き籠もり or “pulling away”) phenomenon. In an attempt to help out those who are uncomfortable in [...]
Continue reading...Another Reason Not to Use Online Translators
Responses to my online translator post were mixed. Some people agreed, while others got defensive*. Past differences of thought aside, I found something today that argues unequivocally in favor of my point. It seems that Kosuke Fukudome, a right fielder for the Chicago Cubs, has some well-meaning but very Japanese-illiterate fans. At a Cubs game [...]
Continue reading...日本で一番面白いボスです
Last night, Steve Carell participated in one of the funniest SNL Digital Shorts I have seen in a long time. Now, it’s kind of a stretch, as far as Tofugu’s “Japanese Culture and Language” theme goes, but I feel that it’s interesting enough to warrant a post. Here’s the video, after the break:
Continue reading...Erotic Weather Channels…yes, that’s plural
11. November 2007
If you take a look at the sunny days, and you happen to be able to read katakana, you’ll notice that they spell out the word エロ (ero), which, if you do read katakana, you’ll know notice means “erotic.” Considering they were showing eight different locations, as well as the weather for each of [...]
Continue reading...Nice Japan p I: Violence and Anime
23. October 2007
There are way too many people out there with utopian views of the Japanese nation, and we aren’t here to perpetuate anyone’s fantasy. Although Japan is pretty freakin’ sweet (I think we all pretty much agree), it’s still a country full of problems, just like anywhere else. And now, without further adieu… This is my [...]
Continue reading...My Pokemanz, Let Me Show You Them
21. October 2007
The title’s not so clever, I know, but there’s really no need to be witty, here—the picture says it all. Now, I know everyone and their mother has seen this, but I just have to say, this may be the absolute worse placement of an opening/entrance in inflatable bouncer history: How could anyone have thought that [...]
Continue reading...Charity Never Felt So Good
22. August 2007
Paradise TV, beloved Japanese satellite smut-provider, will be hosting its annual 24 hour charity event this weekend: ２４時面テレビエロは地球を救う or “24 Hour Telethon Porn Can Save the World”. Stop! Aids will be the day’s motto(the punctuation seems a bit wonky but it’s a lovely sentiment, all the same); all proceeds earned during the 24-hour span will [...]
Continue reading...Japanese Youtubers Part I: Moonkey4U
19. August 2007
When you’ve ridden the youtube village tricycle a few times, you’ll realize that there are a bunch of undeserving popular folks, and just as many talented unpopular ones. Moonkey4U falls into the latter category.Though Moonkey provides a variety of different videos, all of them are of high quality. Sometimes he just talks into the camera [...]
Continue reading...Tokyo’s Fruity City Landscape
26. July 2007
So, you are planning that trip to Japan, but you have no clue what to do short of gawking at school girls or skimpily dressed women. Fear not, I have a suggestion for you. If you’re in the Tokyo vicinity, then I suggest visiting the Mori Tower at Roppongi Hills. There you get to see [...]
Continue reading...“The Ramen Girl” Makes Me Want to Cry
26. July 2007
If you’ve ever seen the absolutely brilliant movie Tampopo (タンポポ), you’ll probably share my disgust at the idea of The Ramen Girl. If you haven’t seen Tampopo, you really should. It’s old, but maybe you could find a copy at your library if you’re lucky. Tampopo’s central story is that of a widowed mother [...]
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6. June 2008