Japan Home Centre (Trinoma)

I've visited Japan Home Centre wayback, at a different branch. That's how I was able to try the Kit Kat Green Tea. Up to now, I still love to eat it when I craved for chocolate. In front of the store you are welcomed by somewhat a Japanese anime character statue. I wasn't able to buy anything at Japan Home Centre, I just window shopped, and I took some photos because I plan to write about it.

There were lots of housewares that you can choose from, and its really cheap. This is a value store. Everything here is really cheap!

The price starts at P88 (eighty-eight pesos only). Even the Japanese chocolates were priced cheaply. I checked on the expiration date and thank heavens! The products are still not expired. From dinner wares, kitchen utensils, home decor, even toys for kids, Japan Home Centre has everything in store for you. I'm just surprised when I checked where the housewares or kitchen utensils were made I was shocked that its made in China. So I'm not sure if the products here, are really durable or long-lasting. I was a bit disappointed because I thought everything is made in Japan since the shop is named Japan Home Centre. Want to know more about Japan Home Centre just click on this link: Japan Home Centre Website

(Disclaimer: I was not asked by JHC Philippines to write about them. This is the author's personal opinion only).


(Note: I will just maintain one blog that is dedicated to all my interests, and hobbies. But this blog will still be open for everyone). Pls. visit my blog! Just click on this -> All Rolled Into One

Brown Butter Japanese Pancakes (Landmark, Trinoma Ayala)

 

After work I went to Landmark to do a bit of grocery shopping. Passing by the stalls near the entrance I noticed this new kiosk, Brown Butter. What particularly caught my attention was that of the Japanese characters. I cannot read Japanese but I can recognize the characters. The kiosk or the stall sells Japanese style pancakes. I think it is similar to Dorayaki (Japanese pancakes with sweet red-bean filling). This pancake is unique, because it consists of different flavors, and it has different fillings, not the usual red bean filling. I bought 3 pancakes and all I can say is that its really affordable. I got red velvet, maple and butter, mocha and dulce de leche. Tired of the usual pancakes? Then I suggest you try Brown Butter pancakes. There are many flavors to choose from.

You can buy the pancakes individually and its also available per pack/box. This is a great 'pambaon'

as snacks for the kids, and also for the yuppies, perfect for people on the go. When placed in the box, the pancakes can be a giveaway also. What I like about it is that it is neatly packed and you can carry it with you easily. So if you're always rushing early in the morning, and you have no time for breakfast, now you have no reason to skip your breakfast grab these pancake sandwiches. I also like it because it has a best-before date posted on each of the individually wrapped pancakes. So what are you waiting for! Definitely you'll say oishi!

(Disclaimer: I wasn't asked to write for Brown Butter Japanese Pancakes. All thoughts expressed here are the author's personal opinion).

Meiji Chocolate

  Memories of holidays brings fond recollection of childhood memories. My mom, and  aunt made us believe that Santa brings presents/gifts to good kids. I remember waking up seeing socks with sweets and goodies filled with a small snack container when you open it, lo and behold! long stick biscuits, with choco-dip on the side. The name of that snack isYan Yan, and as I get older, they have come up with another flavor which is strawberry. I love both flavors and receiving goodies such as this, is already a treat for me, and my brother. Even if I'm already an adult, I still love Meiji snacks. I love their Hello Panda biscuits filled with chocolate, or strawberry cream. I found out that these snacks originated in Japan. After having my hair cut done in a popular salon (I'm sporting a short hair now), I bought these cute candies at a bookstore. We all know that when it comes to cuteness, Japanese things is the no.1.  It is a cute set of boxed candies. Searching on the internet, they are called Meiji mini assorted candy. The set includes, strawberry chocolate marbles (my favorite), coffee beat, choco baby, chocolate marbles (their version of M & M's in chocolate and strawberry).  I bought this pack for less than a hundred pesos. Philippines is near Japan, so the products that are imported here doesn't cost  a lot. I checked on the amazon website, and these candies were way expensive. Other sweet snacks that I have tried are their almond covered chocolates which are good. I have tried their chocolate bar also. Tastes like your usual Japanese chocolates. (I love Japanese chocolates since they are not too sweet compared to the US made chocolates. Wayback, my cousins who are living in Japan would send us cute Japanese chocolates wrapped individually and the chocolates have letters written on them.). From my research Meiji belongs to a large group of companies, related in manufacturing and selling foods and pharmaceuticals.

This is their website. Meiji website (click me)

I've  also included in this blog post of mine. Arashi's Matsujun's commercial. This commercial reminds me of Willy Wonka. (I like Willy Wonka, and I cosplayed his character wayback in our office Halloween celebration), This is a compilation of his Meiji commercials, and a bonus behind the scenes. By the way, Matsujun also stars in a drama series, called Shitsuren Chocolatier (Heartbroken Chocolatier).

Potato and Spam Korokke

 

 I watched a video on YouTube before about korokke. The recipe is meat and potato korokke. For my lunch yesterday, I asked our househelper to prepare my meal. I taught her the basics in making a korokke even if I just watched the video online. I asked her to buy Japanese bread crumbs. We didn't have a stock of ground meat at home so I just make use of what's available at home. We had lots of canned goods, like Spam so I just told her to chop it up, and mix it with the mashed boiled potatoes. For the recipe of korokke you can search it online, or you can check out some videos online about making authentic Japanese korokke. Korokke is best served with tonkatsu sauce.

What is korokke? (コロッケ.) According to Wikipedia, it is the Japanese name for deep fried dish. Its related to the French dish called croquettes. It is made by using chopped meat, vegetables, potatoes, shaped in a patty, rolling it in flour, eggs, Japanese style breadcrumbs, and then it is deep fried. It usually goes well with shredded cabbage, or any vegetable of your choice as a side-dish. The photo here is the finished product. Let's eat! Itadakemasu! 

Japanology Plus Series (NHK World)

      I am enjoying the Lunch On episodes by Japanology Plus Series of NHK World. It features people with different occupations, and what they eat for lunch. I noticed that Japanese food is not only pleasing to the eye, but it must also be delicious, and nutritious.

The Japanology Plus Series reminds me of Japan Video Topics, another documentary that I like, and I grew up watching it. I came to know about the culture and tradition of Japan through this series. It has been really helpful to me in understanding, and knowing more about Japan and its people. The Japanology Plus Series, is more of the upbeat, and much nicer presentation of Japanese life and culture. This series is also presented in English. For the website, you can go to this link. -> Japanology Plus Series Website
 

Zettai Kareshi (Ideal Boyfriend)

    I'm watching Zettai Kareshi now. This Japanese series is based on anime and manga if I'm not mistaken. It is about a woman, who's an ordinary office worker who was approached by a tech company who is in the process of a project. A robot who will meet a woman or maybe a man's ideal lover. This drama has also a Taiwanese version, entitled Absolute Boyfriend. I also like the closing theme of this drama, sung by my favorite Japanese singer named Ayaka, the title of the song is Okaeri meaning 'I'm home'.

    I really can relate to this drama. Reko (or Riko), The main protagonist in the series is not that lucky and love, and if she meets someone she likes, she doesn't get anywhere, and most often gets rejected. So the people in-charge of the Ideal Boyfriend project sees her as the potential owner of this boyfriend robot whom she named Knight (maybe her knight in shining armor). Most of us especially the single ladies/women, wishes for an ideal man. Someone who can understand us, who will go an extra-mile for us without complaining, who will love us unconditionally, and will never ever get tired, loyal and devoted to us only. In my social network page, I posted that if ever this robot will soon materialize, I'll definitely sign-up if they need someone to try it out. Japan has already an existing robot assistant like Asimo. I'm on Episode 3 now, and its just getting better and better. In the end, we all just want to be loved and be needed. I'm still hopeful (even if there's also a time when I get discouraged) that I'll find my very own Knight someday...soon!

Yonimo Kimyona Monogatari (Tales of the Unusual)

 

In my country, every December we have a film festival which we call Metro Manila Film Festival, a lot of movie entries with different genres are included. Popular genres are fantasy, which oftentimes becomes a box-office hit because families can watch it, and kids love these kinds of movies, another hit genre is the horror films. One popular movie which is always expected to be included is entitled Shake, Rattle, and Roll. It consists of 3 different horror stories. It reminds me of this Japanese tv-movie made series. In English, it means Tales of the Unusual. I have seen the Spring Edition 2014. It consists of five stories. The story opens up by a man wearing black, I got this summary from KissAsian.com.

Tamamori Yuta stars as a down-on-his-luck college graduate who lives with a holographic female/maid servant; Watanabe Eri is a divorcee who feels uncomfortable with her new-found friendship with a so-called 'graveyard friend.'; Nounen Rena as a high schooler who delves too much into her fantasies of Samurai warlords; Eikura Nana as a tv director who gets into an accident and sees her life flas before her eyes; and Fujiki Naohito as a doctor who cannot forget a hurtful past.

My favorite among the five stories is the first story, the fresh-college graduate who lives in a dorm run by the government, and he has a female maid hologram. I have also seen the 2010 Fall Special. I didn't notice that my Japanese crush, superstar is included in this movie, Ohno Satoshi, he is included in the story about a woman who's frustrated by his boyfriend's habit of saying, 'first of all,' he always uses it when he says something.

 Other stories are, about the mysterious hotel wherein if you checked-in all your wishes will come true. Another story is about the bookmark of love, wherein a young woman communicates with the love of her life by writing, since cellphone is still not invented during that time. Followed by, an office worker who found a manual for killing someone, and the last story is about a man who's sister was murdered, and he met and befriend's someone who has a pyrokinetic ability, and she helps him get revenge. I just wish I had the chance to see all of the episodes but I cannot watch the other episodes since they are in Japanese. I have got to find an English subtitled version. I really like this movie, it reminds me also of the American tv series, 'Twilight Zone', and 'Amazing Stories', featuring weird, scary, and fantasy tales. Also, you get to see different kinds of stories in a movie, so its not boring. This is definitely a must-see movie! Two thumbs up!

Kit Kat Green Tea

   I'm not that fond of drinking green tea, but I am more of a tea drinker than a coffee drinker. I prefer
English breakfast tea. I love Kit Kat chocolate. When I was still in teenager days, I can devour 1 regular block of Kit Kat. (It has four wafer fingers). The Kit Kat that is being sold now comes in two wafer fingers. I first tried Kit Kat Green Tea in a Japanese surplus store here in my country. At first taste, I wasn't not immediately hooked, but I guess liking this unique flavor is sort of an acquired taste. It's kind of bitter, and sweet at the same time. I read that Kit Kat green tea flavor (maybe the strength of green tea depends where you bought it. I'm talking about Kit Kat that is available abroad). I try to cut my sugar intake these past months, and I'm proud to say that this pack of Kit Kat that I bought, can lasts up to a month. I still have a single individual pack left with me. Now, when I eat Kit Kat green tea I didn't notice the bitterness now, but the taste reminds me more of creamy avocado. (weird huh?!). Well, that's just my opinion. I like avocado. So I also like Kit Kat Green Tea. Japanese Kit Kat have a lot of flavors, and we can really see how innovative, and creative Japanese are. So if you really want to have a break, don't hesitate buy a Kit Kat now. Kit Kat Green Tea (I believe this Kit Kat is made in Malaysia, if I'm not mistaken.), is available in all leading supermarket nationwide, and you can also check-out the Japanese thrift stores.

My Japanese Travel and Culture Books

   Since I'm just starting to collect Japanese related books, I just wanted to share my latest books about Japanese culture and travel. These are quite expensive books but I guess its okay to splurge once in a while since it is about my hobby and interest. I have not been to Japan but I plan to go on a short trip soon, also to visit my cousins, and niece who are living in Japan.
 
   These past weekw I bought two books from a popular bookstore in my country, National Bookstore. The first book that I bought is entitled Introduction to Japanese Culture by Daniel Sosnoski, who is an American who has lived in Japan for quite a long time. If you want to know more about Japan in a brief but detailed book, with attractive photos then this book is for you. The next book that I bought is Clueless in Tokyo by Betty Reynolds. What I like about this book is that it is a sketchbook. I love the drawings here, and I can use it as a guide, and I can also make my own watercolor painting while basing from the artworks from this book.  Both of these books are from a foreigner perspective, and their experiences while living in Japan.

My Art Books

  We all like anime, and we everyone likes to draw cute things. Thus, almost everyone's enamored with Japanese cartoons or anime. Especially the Western world. I got my first book about drawing chibi's or a Japanese slang word for a short person. The author is an American comic book artist named Christopher Hart, he also released a lot of drawing books with regards in drawing anime. You can check out his work on facebook, and he really replies to some posts.  
 I got another 'How to Draw' book who's author is a popular Japanese artist, named Sachiko Umoto, I got 3 of her books from a local bookstore. It has good reviews online. It is Illustration School Series. Her book is entitled Illustration School Let's Draw Cute Animals, Illustration School Let's Draw Plants and Small Creatures, Illustration School Let's Draw Happy People.

You can visit her website by clicking on this -> Umoto Sachiko Website

My Japanese Art Theme # 1

   I'd like to show you some of my Japanese theme art. One of my hobbies is watercolor painting. I like to use the Faber-Castell brand. If you like to see all of my artworks please do visit my Deviantart page, just search for the username Bluelei. Aside from watercolor painting I also do paper cut, paper folding art, and graphic drawing.

Sakura or Cherry blossoms is really special, and close to the heart of Japanese people so I decided to paint one. I don't have a formal training in watercolor painting, I just follow the instructional videos online. I often sign my work with my Japanese name, Rei. I read that Cherry blossoms represents the beauty and fragility of life. It's true indeed, for we are just temporary passersby on this earth.

   For the second art work of mine, I decided to draw Daruma, or Japanese wishing doll. I have seen the movie, As The God's Will, and it really creeped me out. Daruma, according to my research symbolized Buddha. As with the Eastern culture and belief, red is an auspicious color. I first learned about the Daruma doll, when I played a phone application game, wherein you need to follow and catch Daruma, in order to have your wish granted, but be careful he must not catch you following, or your wish will not come true. There are a lot of Daruma doll colors which represents different things. Red is for luck and fortune, Purple is for health and long-life, Yellow is for security and protection, Gold is for wealth and prosperity while, White is for love and harmony.

Space Sheriff Shaider

 

This is the another Japanese heroes series that is close to my heart, Uchuu Keiji Shaider. I really like the lead actor, the late Hiroshi Tsuburaya (cause of death was liver cancer). I think he is really handsome. I got the plot from Wikipedia:

While Dai Sawamura was still in college, studying archaelogy he
deciphers the figures on the Nazca Plain in Peru. Then, the Galactic Union Police recruited him to be the Earth's Space Sheriff. He is given the code name Shaider, in memory of an ancient warrior who defeated the Emperor Kubilai and brought down Fuuma 12,000 years ago, when Fuuma returns Dai was sent to protect the earth, and batte Fuuma, together with his partner Annie.

I also like the story plot because of the chemistry between Dai and Annie (who was from another planet, her planet was destroyed by Fuuma), whose name is Naomi Morinaga in real life. They really look good together. This series is also popular in my country, and a local version was made, which I honestly didn't like. There is a new Generation Shaider series now, but of course for me, nothing beats the original.

 

Japanese Super Heroes Review: Bioman

        Choudenshi Bioman is the first super heroes sentai that I have seen. If my memory serves me right. It has also a huge-cult following all over the world. I even saw a French dubbed Bioman series online. I also bought a dvd of this from a Toy Convention in Megamall wayback. My favorite Bioman was Yellow 4, the archer, although there was a former Yellow 4 who was a photographer, in the story she died, but in real life the actress left the series because maybe, she was not satisfied with her talent fee. This is just only a guess). So they replaced Yellow 4. Just this year I was able to buy a Yellow 4 shirt, and I wore it in our office anniversary, we have a theme, 'I dream..'. When I was young I really wanted to be Yellow 4 and somehow wearing that Yellow 4 shirt, made me feel a bit like Yellow 4. Here in my country the series was dubbed in English.
 

The story is about people who were showered with Bio-particles. Peebo seems to be an alien female like robot, came into this planet earth to find these people, to become Bioman, and protect the earth from the evil Dr. Man of the New Gear Empire. This series is different from Maskman, since its not on the romance genre, more on family, and friends. But still, it is a good series, with a good plot, and twists. I remember Shaider, Bioman, Maskman, has even a movie that was shown here in my country. I really wanted to buy the cassette tape gift pack before, but my aunt didn't buy me since she said its just a waste of money. It is one of my frustrations actually. Anyway, this series is also special in my heart, for I remember fondly my childhood days. I recommend this for you to watch.

Japanese Super Heroes Review: Hikari Sentai Maskman

           If I have a favorite Japanese superhero series, there's only 3 (Bioman, Maskman and Shaider) that I cannot forget because I grew up watching this. I remember I would even call our househelper to watch it with me every Saturday in the late-afternoon.

           When I first saw the pilot episode I was immediately hooked. Why? because there's a love story in it. The series was dubbed in Filipino. I remember Red Mask, in the Japanese was called Takeru, and in the Filipino dubbed version his name is Michael Joe. While the underground Princess Iyal's human name was Rio, in the Japanese name she was called Mio. Because of this forbidden love, she was trapped and imprisoned in a block of ice, and I wonder if she'll ever escape from it, and if Red Mask will be able to save her. As the series goes on, there was even a sort of love triangle, since a new character has surfaced, named Kiros.

I also like the fact that the Maskman's strength from the story comes from within, it is called the aura power. There's a belief that our body has different aura colors, and if our mood is not good it is evident in the aura that will show. They say our aura is an energy field from our body that  cannot be seen with our physical eyes, it is merely spiritual. Eversince I have seen this super sentai series, in my opinion all the other sentai series is not as good as this. In real life Red Mask, married a Filipina, and he is still very visible in the cosplay convention in my country. (see the photo above that I got online: Mr. Inaba Kazunori with his wife, Ms. Georgette Anne Inaba with their child). There are a lot of adults who cannot forget this series, especially those who are of the same age as mine.We love Japanese Super Sentai series! You should also check out the opening, and closing theme. Below is the Filipino version of Maskman's opening theme.

Book and Film Review: Memoirs of a Geisha

   (Disclaimer: I do not mean to offend people with this post of mine, especially the Japanese reader of this blog. Since this blog is mainly about Japanese culture, and my experiences. I just want to share the book and the film that I have seen. The book is classified as non-fiction, so it is not really a true account or story. )

This is one of the first Western (Hollywood) movie that has  Japanese theme. From the title alone you have an idea already. It stars top Chinese actress Zhang Ziyi, and a Japanese actor named Ken Watanabe. I have seen the movie twice, and as you can see from the photo I also own the book. According to Wikipedia, the film was produce by Steven Spielberg. I love the cinematography (a few scenes were shot in Japan), and also the story line, if you are into drama and romance genre. The movie is about a geisha's personal life, before and after World War II.

According to my research there is a lot of controversy with regards to the showing of this movie in some countries like China where it was banned, there's also a controversy with regards to the author of this movie, Arthur Golden, and the one that he interviewed as a resource person for his book, a retired geisha by the name of Mineko Iwasaki. I doubt if this book has given justice to what a geisha is, because it portrays the life of a geisha in a different way, and kinda scandalous way. True to life movies, I noticed, the story is not that faithful to the original, also this is what you expect from Hollywood movies. It is better that you get a non-fiction book about geishas, don't based their real life in this book/movie,

Kimmidoll (kokeshi style doll)

        Kokeshi, is one of the many popular dolls in Japan. Kokeshi is usually made of wood, and what makes this doll unique is that it has no arms and legs, but a large head only, and a trunk. Kimmidoll is a reminiscent of kokeshi, it is designed in Australia. It is popular in my country, and abroad. It started of as collectible dolls display, then it has expanded into various things keychain, mini dolls, and maxi (much larger than mini) displays, sling bags, tote bags, mugs, phone charms etc. I really like the design, and each doll has a name. The item that I really liked the most is the limited necklace. It is not available here locally even in Kimmidolls stores at the mall, like Rustan's Gateway. I asked my brother to buy it online for me. Since, I am fascinated now with Japanese culture, this collection is really just right for me. Each kimmidoll has a name but the English translation is different from the Japanese meaning. For example a kimmidoll is named 'Ai,' it has an English caption meaning 'feminity,' but the true Japanese meaning is love.

      I bought a mug, eyeglass case, round tin container, and some kokeshi mini dolls, and one maxi doll. I also own two tote bags, and a make-up case which I turned into a lunchbag. If you want to know more about this pretty dolls, please visit this link: Kimmidoll Website. Because of its unique and intricate designs, these kimmidolls are all lovely to look at and you can truly say! Kawaii! You'll really fall in love with these dolls. Below is the facebook cover that I made featuring my Kimmidoll. I also did the photography, (concept and design). On the right lower corner of the cover photo is my name written in Japanese (Rei). The kimmidoll on the photo is Hotaru (the English caption, is passion). As I have mentioned before this is not the real meaning. Hotaru means firefly in Japanese. The facebook cover is really special to me, because the background theme is also Japanese. It really matches my kimmidoll.
   

       (Disclaimer: I am not paid or sponsored by Kimmidoll for posting about it here. I am just a collector, and a fan of anything related to the Japanese culture/tradition).

TV Series: Sekai Ichi Muzukashii Koi

        This is the Japanese series that I'm watching now. The main lead star of this drama is  Ohno Satoshi (I just find out that we are of the same age),  he is also the lead star of another series, Kagi no Kakatta Heya, in English means The Locked Room Murders. I thought that  this series would be a boring one, but I was wrong. I do find some scenes really amusing, and it is my first time to laugh again while watching a Japanese series. It seems that I really can't get enough of Ohno Satoshi, one of the members of Arashi (which means Storm in Japan), a Japanese idol group. Sekai Ichi Muzukashii Koi, translates in English as The Most Difficult Romance.


          This series is about the president of a hotel group of companies, he is single, and has a strict personality, so that's why his subordinates fear him, and his popularity with them is evident. While he is good-looking, and rich, he is also often turned down by women. Will he ever learn to love, or find love?  

TV Series: Kodoku no Gurume

      Kodoke No Gurume (Kodoko no Gourmet) 孤独のグルメ, is again another live-action movie adapted from manga. It is about a businessman named Goro, who travels around Japan trying every food and snacks, dining in different restaurant and food establishments. What I have noticed, the main protagonist doesn't care if he is alone or dines alone. I think he really chose to live that way. I think if you are not in a relationship, you will have more freedom to do what you love to do, no restrictions or holding back, just like Goro, who is some sort of a food critic. This series has a lot of seasons, and it is the most lengthy Japanese series that I have seen. In the manga though, I think that the main protagonist in the manga is younger than the actor who portrayed him in the live-action series. If you like the food genre, better check out this series.

TV Series Review: Kagi No Kakatta Heya

     

      Kagi No Kakatta Heya  ( 鍵のかかった部屋), or the Locked Room Murders. This is the Japanese series I am watching now starring Ohno Satoshi. I was hooked the first time I watched the first episode because the actor was kinda cute. This reminds me of the phone application that I used to play before, escaping a locked room. But what's more interesting is that it's not only a locked room but there was a crime committed, and Enomoto (played Ohno Satoshi), a locked room expert, helps solve every locked room mystery. He is teamed up with lawyers from a major law firm. What I like about Japanese series is that it is not that lengthy and you can finish the whole series in a day. If you want a mystery type of series then this is for you!

Movie Review: Strobe Edge

         This past month I have been watching a lot of Japanese movies and series! I just can't help it! Because for me, this is something new, and enjoyable for me. Before, I used to watch Chinese, and Korean movies and dramas. Strobe Edge, is another one of my favorite Japanese movie. This is another manga turned into live-action movie. I just noticed that most Japanese movies are geared toward the younger generation. Most movies I have seen, evolves around the campus, middle to highschool people. Also, even the animes that I watch. Anyway, there are some movies about adults, or young professionals that are worth checking out.

I have a question to ask you. If you like someone, would you rather keep it to yourself or bravely confess your feelings to the person even if there's the risk of rejection. Strobe Edge movie is about a young woman named Ninako confessing her feelings to the boy she likes. She gets rejected. So what happens next? If you like this kind of story plot, then you better check out this movie.


       

Movie Review: Kimi No Todoke (Reaching You)

      Kimi No Todoke (君に届け) is the first live action movie that I have seen, adapted from a shojo/shoujo manga or Japanese comics geared towards the female readers. The story plot is about a young woman named Sawako, who is nicknamed by her classmates, 'Sadako' (a character in a Japanese horror film Ringu). Because she resembles her long hair, and she is weird, and awkward in the way she deals with other people, oftentimes a loner. Despite of that she develops a friendship with the most popular boy in the school named Shota.
 
        This is another likeable Japanese film that you should watch. Japanese films, are simple, yet beautiful in their own way. The plot of the story is not too difficult understand, nor heavy or a drag to follow. I also love the cinematography here. When Sawako looks at the Cherry blossom tree. This movie also evokes a certain feeling, like remembering our first crush during our high-school days. This is another manga turned into a live-action movie worth watching.

JPop and A Lot!

        My first taste of Japanese music, if my memory serves me right was Pizzicato Five's Sweet Soul Revue. I still remember, Globe's catchy Feel Like Dance. Then during my college days, Utada Hikaru's, First Love song came up. When I became an ESL instructor to Koreans, one of my student's friend introduced me to another Japanese rock band/group called L' Arc En Ciel. The vocalist  reminds me of David Bowie, maybe because of his looks, honestly I find the L'Arc En Ciel's vocalist really appealing. Another singer that I came to know, was Namie Amuro, she's really popular in Japan, and my favorite song of hers was a ballad called 'All For You'. Other Japanese artists that I came to like was Yui Yoshioka, and my most favorite Japanese artist is Ayaka Iida. I like Ayaka's beautiful full voice. I love her rendition of Yutaka Ozaki's, 'I Love You', and her popular song which was sung by a local singer entitled Mikazuki (三日月)  or Crescent Moon in English, and her rendition of La, La, La Love Song. Also, I discovered in the end credits of a Japanese tv-movie drama, a really good song entitled Hikari, performed by an all girls band named Silent Siren,

     My other non-Japanese singers whose songs I listen too are Boa (Korean), I like her rendition of Toshinobu Kubota, and I also came to know the Chinese singer who can sing Japanese songs, named Alan Dawa Dolma. I also like the songs sung in anime's and in Super Sentai Series (Opening Theme of Hikari Sentai Maskman, Bioman, Shaider, Ghostfighter, and Flame of Recca). Voltes V opening  theme is also an unforgettable one. 

Movie Review: Parasyte

       Browsing through my favorite Asian movies online website, I chanced upon this movie. The live action movie story was taken from manga (Japanese comics). This is a sort of dark movie, and quite gory. This movie is about aliens called 'parasites' who landed on earth to take over this world, and maybe to save themselves from extinction. The parasites, kills and inhabits the body of humans beings taking full control of them. But the main protagonist in this movie was able to resist a parasite and was able to invade his hand only, and not his brain. Thus, they develop a one of a kind relationship. This is a 2 part movie.

        This movie is full of gore, but nevertheless I enjoyed watching it. I haven't read the manga, but I think the movie was done well. If you want a sci-fi, action packed movie in the fantasy genre then this movie is for you.

Movie Review: Sweet Bean (あん, An)

      

I really love this movie! This movie diverts from the usual popular movies plot, like romance, action, and suspense films. It falls into the drama category, and sort of a slice of life film. It is also a good film, and has an advocacy awareness. So it is really worth watching.

    This film is about a man who manages a small dorayaki shop. (What is dorayaki? It is a pancake that is filled with sweetened red-bean paste), and about an elderly woman who wants to work in his shop. This story evolves around them, and a young student customer who frequents the shop. The story line is very simple yet it can tug the strings in our hearts. I also love the portrayal of Kirin Kiki 樹木 希林 , a Japanese actress who is popular for her elderly or grandmother roles. If you love food,  you will also enjoy watching this movie. I really recommend this movie for everyone to watch.  This is one of the notable Japanese movie in the food genre, life, and drama that you really need to see.

Oh! Anime!

        Anime  (アニメ), or Japanese cartoons are popular all over the world. One of the popular studio animation is Toei. Japanese animation started in the 20th century. Some of the popular animation that I have seen while growing up, the most notable was Candy, Candy. It is the story of an orphan girl. I really like this anime because it shows the realities of life, and of course Candy has a love interest here, whom she calls her 'prince'. It is a really good anime, complete with villains, and allies of the main character. If you haven't seen this anime you should definitely check it out.

     Japanese animation, has also adapted some popular English novels into cartoons, one of the popular classics that was shown in a local channel here, and dubbed in Filipino was Princess Sarah it is the retelling of the well-loved English classic written by Frances Hodgson Burnett. While the anime is not really faithful to the novel, there are additional scenes that were included that makes the story even more interesting and it doesn't deviate from the original story. This anime was very popular in my country that a live movie was made, that movie became a box-office. The next anime that we came to love was A Dog of Flanders, a novel by an English author named, Marie Louise de la Ramée. There were lots of movies made. This anime was really a tearjerker, and it is another must see. Other notable animes that you need to check-out are, Cedie, Trapp Family Story, and Heidi, Girl of the Alps. You can also check-out fairy tales anime, like Cinderella Monotogari which is an Italian-Japanese anime. 

    Other action animes that were personal favorites of mine are. Sailormoon, which I used to watch during my teen years. I really love their 'make-up' transformation, and the Usagi's love interest, Mamoru. I used to collect Sailormoon cards before, the original were really expensive and the fake ones, aren't really  that good to collect. But I did own a Sailormoon mini-original album case. Sailormoon toys were also popular at that time, and they were really expensive. I dream of having the crescent-moon stick. There was even a live-action series made. Fans of Sailormoon should also see the live-action series. I also forgot to mention Cooking Master Boy, my brother and I were hooked in this anime, that we recorded every episode before. This is about a young genius chef named Mao, whose late  mother is the fairy cook, or a well-know chef in their hometown. The story takes place in China. This anime reminds me of Master's Chef turned anime.

   Other serious animes, (full of fighting scenes), are Ghostfighter, and Flame or Recca. I really like

Flame of Recca over Ghostfighter. It is the story of Recca Hanabishi who came from a line of ninjas, and where he has to battle his half-brother Kurei. Both were flame wielders who can shoot out flames from their arms/hands. Like Ghostfighter anime, Recca had allies too, and they battle into a tournament for the girl that they love. Both the female love interest from both animes have a special ability, Jenny, the love interest of Eugene (I just remembered the English names, and not the Japanese) can produce a pearl from her tears, while Yanagi, has a healing power, she has the power of healing anyone who's wounded or hurt. I also like, Fushigi Yugi or the Mysterious Play. The story is about two middle-school students, being sucked into a book, and they enter into another world. This is more dramatic, and also has a romance plot involve, Miaka and Tamahome. Other notables animes that I have seen were Magic Knight Ray Earth, Card Captor Sakura, and Pokemon, which has a phone app now that's really very popular called Pokemon Go!   

    Japanese animes, have really grown in each and everyone of us. This is one of the reason why the Japanese modern pop-culture is really popular especially among the youth, and adults. In this past-faced world, we can forget for awhile the bustle-and-hustle of life, and enter in the amazing world of anime. Everyone loves anime!, oh! anime!

Why Japanese Culture?

         Hello everyone! For my first blog post. I'm going to enumerate why I am interested in knowing more about the Japanese culture. Here's why:

1. I grew up watching Japanese Super Heroes or what they call sentai, (スーパー戦隊シリーズ Sūpā Sentai Shirīzu). I fondly remember Bioman (超電子バイオマン Chōdenshi Baioman, lit. Super-Electron Bioman), Shaider (宇宙刑事シャイダー Uchū Keiji Shaidā) , and Maskman 光戦隊マスクマン Hikari Sentai Masukuman.) They are the sentai series that I cannot forget. Please watch out for my upcoming blog post about each of the sentai series.

2. Aside from the live action heroes, people from all over the globe love watching Japanese cartoons, or we simply know it as anime. One anime that is close to my heart is Candy, Candy (キャンディ・キャンディ Kyandi Kyandi). I like this one because its closer to reality, and it has a love story. Candy is always waiting for her 'prince'. Other animes that I have liked through the years are namely, Flame of Recca, and Ghostfighter. I almost forgot mentioning Sailormoon which I have watched during my teen years.

3. I am drawn to East Asian cultures, (China, Korea, and Japan).  

4. I am into paper art, I do paper cuts, and also I appreciate the art of paper folding which is called, Origami. 折り紙. 

5. I have learned a lot while I was growing up by watching Japan Video Topics, very educational videos, aired in a local channel that talks about Japanese culture/lifestyle, technology, food, and arts. 

6. I also appreciate Japanese music. The first Japanese song I heard was Sweet Soul Revue by Pizzicato Five, a Japanese pop-band, Utada Hikaru's, First Love song, and I like the rendition of La, La, La, Love Song by a Korean singer who can sing, and speak Japanese by the name of Boa. I also like the upbeat and groovy, song Feel Like Dance by Japanese group called Globe. My favorite Japanese singer is Ayaka Iida 飯田 絢香 , because her voice is soulful. 

7. I also love to watch Japanese movies. My favorite Japanese movie is Kimi No Todoke, it is originally an anime. Also, I like the manga made live action Parasyte movie. Also, another Japanese movie that is close to my heart is Red Bean あん, which stars Kirin Kiki, a very good Japanese actress well-loved for her grandmother roles. 

8. Last but not the least, I have ties with the Japanese since I have nieces who are Japanese citizen.So that's all for now, and there are still many reasons why I, and everyone likes Japanese culture.

ようこそ! Welcome!

         Yokoso! Welcome to my blog.  This blog was created to share my thoughts about the Japanese culture, and other things related to modern Japanese culture, and interests like anime, and cosplay. Thanks for visiting my blog!