You know I love this type of things… like Pythagoras Switch and the OK GO’s MV.
This Docomo CM for the Touch Wood (ew) model of their phones — which to be honest are kinda cute. If I were in Japan, I would probably own a phone, but since I’m not xD The commercial, however, is made of awesome~
I think this might turn into a new feature xD
So I was checking YouTube uploads as I do now to see what to post on YAM Magazine, and saw this new Avex upload of MinxZone, whom I’ve never heard of. The intro (after the text) is kinda cool with the literal Paper Piano (the song title is Kami PIANO 紙ピアノ), but I thought it sounded familiar. Funny to find that one of the comments in it was the same.
See for yourself~
I’ve always liked Japan… if you know me, you know I grew up singing Sukiyaki and my father had a Karaoke bar. I’ve always been more connected to Japanese culture than Chinese — I know/get/understand more Japanese than I do Mandarin.
I really respect them for their quiet nature, and the respect they have for everyone and everything around them.
I think over the past five days, a lot of people have been able to see a part of what is amazing about Japan and its people. As we watched the footage of the earthquake and the tsunami in action, they acted calmly when a majority of us would lose it. They didn’t scream, they didn’t fainted, it wasn’t chaos.
As the day went by, a lot of the people who didn’t know thought that the Japanese would break, that they would turn against one another for food, gas, and other things needed for survival.
Instead, things like this happened.
This experience taught us a renewed recognition of what we had and regained its real spirits. I didn’t see any crimes but those who helped each other. All were willing to do their duty gentlemanly. I had been felt that Japanese got cold attitude in a way but today I knew that they regain their bond. It made me cry…I was moved.
Despite the terrible weekend, you’ve showed many around the world how amazing you really are. Despite all that’s wrong with many governments around the world, you’ve showed us that we, as developing societies, should strive to be more like you.
日本を誇りに思っている！
Hey, guys~
Just wanted to update for the people that have been leaving messages or sending me emails~ Yu-chan has just updated her website with a message as well as – what seems – cancelled or re-scheduled shows of Minami he.
Check the News section on her site for that info.
First, a few things.
People I know from Japan are fine. Call came through at 3am here, waking us up, but at least we knew. Many out there are at a loss, not knowing is the worse… many others have lost loved ones and my condolences go to those.
My hope is that Japan rises, as it’s done under other terrible circumstances. Though, there are obviously things with which we don’t agree, Japan as a culture, they are lovely. So I can’t believe what some people say online… but I guess it’s the internet, and we can’t stop ignorant comments.
I’ve read some horrible HORRIBLE things, and it was just a couple and I couldn’t take them anymore. I hope these people lose their internet connection so they can’t spread such ignorance and hate.
—
Now that we got all of that out of the way…
Please, take a moment to donate some money through the Japan Society, which is an Japanese-American organization that deals with cultural events.
100% of funds raised will go directly to the efforts.
Even if you’re broke, one or two dollars will suffice.
I grew up with a song by Vico C called Me Acuerdo, which was on constant rotation those days when we still listened to the radio. I listen to that song, and I immediately think of those days.
So when clicking on the video for Ken the 390 titled 壊れやすいもの (Koware Yasui Mono) – Breakable, it brought me back to that song. Must be the male vocal, the slow hip hop thing, and the female backing vocals.
(more…)
There’s been a recent item talking about Gou’s lowering ratings, and mostly pointing out Juri Ueno’s miscasting or her lacking experience in period dramas.
Of course, I cannot form an opinion on whether Juri’s use of Japanese is appropriate for the era or not, and neither are most of us. However, I do understand why it would turn people off.
I cannot for the life of me, however, understand why would people say they don’t understand Juri Ueno playing a 10-year-old version of Gou, when for the past few Taiga dramas it’s been used. I just began watching Taiga dramas just a few years ago, and I do understand why it would throw people off. It’s weird to you, I get it.
You cannot say Ueno is miscast as a 10-year old when Masaharu Fukuyama played a much MUCH younger version of Ryomaden at the beginning of the show, Satoshi Tsumabuki played a much younger version of his character in Tenchijin, Hideaki Takizawa (Tackey from Tackey & Tsubasa) played pre-teen Yoshitsune when he was 20-something…
and obviously, Aoi Miyazaki (and Eita) played little kids early on Atsuhime, as well as playing them as 40 or 50-ish year-old people.
Also, I want to admit it. I don’t feel passionate enough about Gou. I love Juri, Asami Mizukawa and Rie Miyazawa, I do. But I’m not feeling the story. The three sisters, though they married very important people, feel like simple pawns in the story instead of being the players.
It felt different in Atsuhime.
They made Atsuhime interested in history, learning, and go strategics. She was constantly sent to places, and did things on her own to change her purpose in there. In the show, she was sent to be able to control the Shogun, to disintegrate the Ooku… yet, when she marries into the family, she sets to protect her new family. It’s conflictive.
It was engaging. It was good.
And this is me telling you I like Juri Ueno more than Aoi Miyazaki.
Plus, you don’t need to be a kid to play a kid convincingly.
Most fans outside Japan haven’t even been able to watch Raiou… let alone Yogashiten Coin de Rue, yet here comes the news that Hollywood might be preparing their version already?
via Tokyohive
I’m trying not to have a biased, but remake news are getting ridiculous. At least wait a year before a remake, Hollywood. Coin de Rue hasn’e even been out for more than a month, and you do this. WHY?! xD You know allllllll those talks about how Hollywood is not original anymore? Well, this type of news ain’t making it any better.
Has any of you seen Coin de Rue?
What do you think of this?
Who would Yu Aoi fans cast in her role… since, you know, she doesn’t speak English. xD
Yay! And I can re-use the photo too~ LOL
Yoji Yamada was working on a new project based on the re-telling of beloved film Tokyo Story, which will be called Tokyo Kazoku (Tokyo Family). The cast has been announced as Bunta Sugawara, Etsuko Ichihara, Masashiko Nishimura, Yui Natsukawa, Shigeru Muroi, Shozo Hayashiya, Satoshi Tsumabuki and Yu Aoi.
Satoshi Tsumabuki (30) will play the younger son, with Yu Aoi (25) playing his girlfriend.
via Nippon Cinema
I know the reviews for About Her Brother, aka. Otouto, weren’t glowing, but I’m still giddy over the fact that Yoji Yamada decided to call Yu-chan once again. That must mean she’s a professional, and that people want to work with her more than once, right?
Shooting of Tokyo Kazoku starts on April 1st until late June, with a possible release (in Japan) by the end of the year… most likely early next year.