Anime Action Figures and Funko Pop

     

    If you are an anime fan like me, I am sure that you also like to collect action figures. I have a few Funko Pop collection in my room before (my husband cleaned my room and made it into a child friendly room since I had given birth to our first baby, she is turning 1 soon). As I have mentioned before, when I was younger I love watching Japanese animation. It started with Candy, Candy, and then I also became fond of watching super sentai, space sheriff and more animes. My favorite action anime is Flame of Recca. Currently I am fond of Detective Conan.

I bought recently a Ran and Shinichi action figure from Medic. This toy brand is known for their ultra detailed features. You can see from the photo here. Original action figures are really expensive. But there are a lot of available cheaper figures now which are made in China.

Who says that toys are only for kids. Nowadays, adults also collect action figures like this. I also have a Funko Pop. I bought my teen favorite anime character who is none other than Sailormoon with her cat Luna. So that's all for now. 

Imagawayaki Ph Sandwich Pancake

           

Yesterday, I was not able to buy hopia (it is a well-known Filipino-Chinese snack, more like a sweet savory pastry, with filling inside).

I searched on the internet today about the Japanese dessert called Wagashi but I couldn't find any store. I want to try it out because I was curious of its taste and I am currently watching a Japanese drama entitled Cursed in Love, which is about that Japanese dessert.  I found one online but they already closed and halted their operations now. 

I was lead to a Japanese cake Facebook page online, named Imagawayaki Ph. The owners are Filipinos, namely Mr. Albert Arevalo. I forgot the name of the his business partner, I just saw their video online and their business story. This well known snack is also popular in Japan. Seeing this snack online reminded me of the movie Red Bean. I ordered 12 pieces. The store has a promo today of 10% discount. My husband ordered various flavor namely oreo, yema (custard),  ube cheese (purple yam) and choco peanut. I ordered the OG bestseller which is the red bean, and I also tried their macha. 

I remember I had another pancake dessert before called Dorayaki, it also has a red bean filling. For more information regarding the Imagawayaki dessert read below. I got the information through Wikipedia.

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Imagawayaki (今川焼き) is a Japanese dessert often found at Japanese festivals as well as outside Japan, in countries such as Taiwan and South Korea. It is made of batter in a special pan (similar to a waffle iron but without the honeycomb pattern), and filled with sweet azuki bean paste, although it is becoming increasingly popular to use a wider variety of fillings such as vanilla custard, different fruit custards and preserves, curry, different meat and vegetable fillings, potato and mayonnaise. Imagawayaki are similar to dorayaki, but the latter are two separate pancakes sandwiched around the filling after cooking, and are often served cold.

Imagawayaki began to be sold near the Kanda's Imagawabashi Bridge during the An'ei era (1772–1781) of the Edo period (1603–1867). The name imagawayaki originates from this time.

Imagawayaki have been known by various names throughout different eras. Names also vary regionally, and some varieties sold only in certain stores have their own names.

Ōban-yaki (大判焼き) – Kansai region.

Kaiten-yaki (回転焼き) or Kaiten manjū (回転饅頭) – Kansai and Kyūshū region.

Nijū-yaki (二重焼き)

Koban-yaki (小判焼き)

Gishi-yaki (義士焼き)

Tomoe-yaki (巴焼き)

Taiko-yaki (太鼓焼き) or Taiko manjū (太鼓饅頭)

Bunka-yaki (文化焼き)

Taishō-yaki (大正焼き)

Jiyū-yaki (自由焼き)

Fūfu manjū (夫婦饅頭) or Fū man (フーマン)

Oyaki (おやき) – some of Aomori Prefecture and Hokkaidō, and different from the oyaki of Nagano Prefecture.

Gozasōrō (御座候) – product name for imagawayaki produced by Gozasōrō Inc, established in 1950 in Himeji. It means "thank you for the purchase" in an archaic style.

Higiri-yaki (ひぎりやき) – product name for imagawayakiproduced by Sawai Honpo Inc in Ehime. It originates in Higiri jizō near the Matsuyama Station.

Jiman'yaki (自慢焼き) – product name for imagawayaki used by the Fuji Ice shop in Nagano.

Fukkō-yaki (復興焼き, "revival yaki") – in the song on the occasion of the revival after the Great Kantō earthquake in 1923, is mentioned that imagawayaki was renamed fukkōyaki.

(source: Wikipedia)

Detective Conan Live Action Movie

           I just finished watching this Detective Conan action movie today, entitled "Kudo Shinichi's Written Challenge." The actor who played Shinichi Kudo is Shun Oguri, and the actress who played Ran is Tomoka Kurokawa. I prefer the actress who played Ran in the series than this actress in the movie version. She looks much older for a high school student role.

The story setting took place when Shinichi is still in his normal self, meaning he was not yet made to drink the pill that would make him a kid. This scenario is before that. I really appreciate the live action adaptation of this anime. I became familiar with the characters including Inspector Megure. I don't like the character of the father of Ran. 

The story or plot in this movie. Shinichi receives a challenge letter telling him one of their classmates will be kidnapped. So its up to Shinichi to stop or not let this abduction happen. I really enjoyed watching this movie. No spoilers here. If you enjoyed the anime, you will also enjoy the live action movies.

Detective Conan

           I'm back! After 6 years I'm posting again. It is my "theme" time once again. Before getting pregnant I am into Agatha Christie novels. I even bought a classic costume with a summer hat, and posing for a photo with a few of her books. After that when I became pregnant with baby Ysabella, I was fond of painting and doing art. After being fascinated with India's culture and food. I am coming back again to Japanese culture. I suddenly became interested with mystery novels again, with the likes of suspense, mystery and thriller author, Mary Higgins Clark, Patricia Cornwell and of course the anime and live action of Detective Conan. When I was a kid I love reading and solving mysteries even if I often failed to solve it. I remember I have this book entitled, 2 Minute Mysteries.

This week was hard for us because our nanny got sick and was infected with Covid-19, also our family and our baby Ysabella. Thank God she is out of the woods. Anyway to all of you anime lovers out there I am sure you are very familiar with this popular anime. It is about a high-school student who is good with his deductive skills that he is able to solve crimes, his name is Shinichi Kudo, also known as Conan Edogawa. This is the name that he adopted when he became a little boy because of the pills that he swallowed from criminals he met at Tropical Island.

I am such a fan now of this anime. I even ordered an action figure which I put on top of my office printer. The live action movie and series, together with the anime has made me sane and busy this isolation period of ours. I also bought Sherlock cap and trench coat, with Detective Conan items ranging from id lace, notebook, plush toy, cellphone case, keychain, ballpen and couple action figure of Sinichi and Ran. I also bought a notebook, mug and other Detective Conan items. 

(P.S. Today, our baby turned 11 months old!)

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).