Two Reasons Japanese Kids Shows Are Watered Down For American Kids

She Is So Darn Cute When She's Angry

Original story link here.
I have been on the receiving end of many of these angry encounters from my wife over the years. She is also from Japan and many of her continued arguments is that I keep laughing at the way she yells at me. It is so darn cute when I see Japanese women yelling like this.

My Okinawan Mother-in-Law

After nit-picking my wife for more details I was able to jot down a rough outline about a few of 

the things regarding my mother-in-law. I posted it on HubPages with a link here to read it.

Survived the Battle of Okinawa, survived WW2 Japanese military occupation, 
helped to rebuild Okinawa, 1st born child taken from her, dialysis, 
meeting her granddaughter from her missing daughter 
minutes before she passed away.

BABYMETAL

MTV article

I will admit that I like this group. I can't really put my finger on why but unlike other Japanese girl groups like AKB48 that take there clothes off to sell image over substance, these girls keep their clothes on and can rock.

Akihiro Suzuki apologies to Ayaka Shiomura

Why I Hate the Power Rangers and Loving It

It took many years but I have finally come to terms with Power Rangers. Originally I regarded it as a joke and insult to the original version still being broadcasting in Japan known as Super Sentai. What made it worse for me was my two boys fell in love with the show. Forcing me to listen to countless stories about the shows episodes and toys they wanted to buy. But now I am beginning to understand it in a better light.

A little history:

Zyuden Sentai Kyoryugers

Ressha Sentai ToQger marks their entry as the 38^th Super Sentai show just starting up this February 2014. Zyuden Sentai Kyoryuger has just finished there series run as the 37^th Sentai show with the traditional two Super Sentai movies shown in the movie theaters. Plus the usual specials, music CD’s and the live action stage shows. The theme of the Kyoryuger’s is dinosaurs as ToQgers are trains.

My kids became fans of the Power Rangers during the Power Rangers series call Jungle Fury. The American version of the Sentai show called Juken Sentai Gekiranger. Were as Gekirangers was set inside a martial arts school, a pizza parlor was the headquarters for Jungle Fury as the owner built their equipment in the upstairs loft in-between making pizzas for the customers.

My kids continued to watch the Power Rangers as I eventually found a few links to watch the original Japanese version with subtitles. I didn’t think my kids would like it but they ended up loving the Japanese version so much that they stopped watching Power Rangers. Their response was that Power Rangers looked stupid.

The nail in the coffin was Power Rangers RPM. A Terminator theme as the machines had taken over the world except for a small human colony. The Japanese version of Engine Sentai Go-onger theme was humans and machines from another world working together to stop an invasion into the human world.

Bandai makes all the toys for both Super Sentai and Power Rangers. We have been buying all the Japanese toys from Go-onger to the new series ToQgers.  They are larger, made of metal and stronger plastics making them well-built and more durable. These toys make the Power Ranger toys look in comparison to a McDonald’s kid’s meal toy. 

For some reason Bandai made sure every Power Ranger toy set have motorcycles. Even if no one in the show drove one.  That might change as the Kyoryugers use motorcycles that were basically comprised of two dinosaur transformers.

The current Power Ranger show is called Power Rangers Megaforce loosely based on Tensou Sentai Goseiger. In the Japanese version the Goseigers are Angels from Heaven who guard the Earth. The Power Ranger version is five teenagers chosen to fight the invading forces. The second season of Megaforce is called Power Rangers Super Megaforce based on Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger.

In the Japanese movie Gokaiger Goseiger Super Sentai 199 Hero Great Battle, all the Super Sentai unites to stop the invading army called Zangyack. They lose all their powers which are transformed into keys that a group of space pirates called Gokaigers find and use them for their purpose.

Saban is skipping over Tokumei Sentai Go-Busters to make Power Rangers Dino Charge based on the Sentai show Zyuden Sentai Kyoryuger. In Kyoryugers the ones that killed the dinosaurs are unfrozen and threaten to kill the Earth as originally planned. A group of people are chosen for their bravery by the dinosaurs to stop the bad guys. The last two episodes of the series was really an emotional ride that I doubt the Power Rangers would not dare show on American TV.

Episode 37 part 1 was, in my opinion, taken from the movie called ‘Legend of the 8 Samurai’ starring Hiroyuki Sanada. An actor you may remember from the 2013 movie ‘The Wolverine’ and the Syfy show called Helix. In it eight people were chosen to protect a princess. In doing so all but one died in holding back the invading armies so the Princess could escape.

 And in Kyoryugers each one is helping the rest get into the fortress to stop it from destroying the planet. And not everyone walks away from it alive. What sets this show apart from the future Power Ranger version is that two and eventually one more of the Kyoryugers are spirits. And to fully protect the Earth they have to destroy Hell in order to keep the bad guys from resurrecting. A story line from a country that has less than 1% Christianity in it.  But will never be broadcast in a country founded on the freedom of religion.

But what helped me to begin tolerating Power Rangers was due to a 1969 movie called ‘Support Your Local Sheriff!’ staring James Garner. A Western comedy that more than inspired Mel Brooks when he made 1974 movie ‘Blazing Saddles’. But the sequel to ‘Support Your Local Sheriff’ was called ‘Support Your Local Gunfighter’. Using the same actors from the first movie and based on the 1961 Japanese movie ‘Yojimbo’.

American remakes of Japanese movies and TV shows have opened up for more people to experience Japanese entertainment and culture.  With Power Rangers my boys were able to connect to current TV shows in Japan such as Super Sentai, Kamen Rider, Ultraman, Garo as well as many of the Japanese animation shows that are yet shown or unlikely in being shown here in America.

And as I look back on TV shows and movies that I grew up watching; many of which originated from Japan has showed me that my negative attitude towards Power Rangers is hurting more than helping. As bad as it may be, it is causing kids and adults to research more on these shows and to explore more quality entertainment outside of America. Whether it is coming from Japan or other nations has taught me that Hollywood is running dry on TV and movie ideas for American audiences.

Many shows are simply being changed in character names and language to appear as if was originally from America. But in fact Hollywood has been plagiarizing for decades with blessings of the original creators or not. Dragonball Evolution is one example. As is the DreamWorks movie ‘How To Train Your Dragon’ which is loosely based on an old Japanese cartoon called ‘Vicky the Viking’. As ‘Vic the Viking’, a German live action version, is one of the few movies to truly honor the original Japanese works. But Disney’s The Lion King plagiarized nearly frame by frame from Kimba the White Lion and still refuses to admit it.

The list goes on and on but from an old Western movie I have opened up to loving the Power Rangers for what it is. And in the process has caused my two boys to delve deep into other cultures and lifestyles. They are joining others in breaking down stereotypes and dissolving racial and bigotry thoughts and actions that many older generations still cling to. I just wish they would stop using the same opening song for every freaking Power Ranger show.

10 minutes and 30 seconds into the movie below is when Goseigers and Gokaiger meet for the first time. Just before they start fighting each other. Roll call is at the 50 minute mark.

Ressha Sentai ToQger ( last 10 minutes of the 1st episode)

Why Kit Kat's Are Popular in Japan

RocketNews24        Mirror News       Different Flavors

Japan takes customer service very seriously, something that’s easy to see when even convenience store clerks are so dedicated to their job they’ll ask if you want your hot and cold purchases bagged separately, or else build a protective barrier between them. Hospitality standards are no joke, either, as illustrated by the tasks traditional innkeepers are expected to perform, such as carrying the dishes and utensils for full-course meals into and out of guests’ rooms.

One woman recalled the impressive service she received while she was in the midst of taking college entrance exams. Many schools have their own proprietary test, which must be taken at the campus. If an applicant is taking multiple exams in the same city over a period of days, it’s often easier to simply book a hotel for the duration rather than waste precious studying time going back and forth between home and the test sites, which is just what this woman did.

The staff of her hotel picked up on the reason for her prolonged stay, and seeing how hard the young lady was working, decided to give her a couple packs of Kit Kats. Ordinarily, free candy in and of itself is something to be happy about, but there was a reason for the specific brand. The Japanese pronunciation of the popular chocolate sticks sounds similar to kitto katsu, or “I believe you will succeed.” Kit Kat are a popular good luck charm for college applicants to carry with them on test day, and the woman was moved by the sweet sentiment shown by the hoteliers.

Iceland Creates Beer Made From Whales

Link 1    Link 2    Link 3

Japan gets a lot of press for its continued whaling operations, but it’s not the only country that still hunts whales. Iceland also fishes a couple hundred whales a year and is one of the last remaining commercial markets for whale meat.

In fact, during the upcoming winter festival of Þorrablót, the traditional nosh is pickled whale fat along with such delicacies as burned sheep heads and pickled sheep testicles. Now what’s a real Viking to wash all that down with? Why, whale beer of course!

Local micro-brewer Steðji, in collaboration with fishing company Hvalur, had planned to offer a limited-run brew for the festival this year that contains bone meal from the endangered fin whale. A representative for the brewery describes the beer as having a “smoked caramel taste with barbecued whale meat taste in undertone and aftertaste.” Whale meat apparently tastes something like a cross between fish and beef.

Unfortunately for the brewery, the fishing company didn't actually have a license to produce bone meal for food production, so it looks like the sale of the whale beer will be barred due to food production regulations, although it had passed safety tests. Environmentalists are calling it a victory, since they were concerned the beer might open up more markets for commercial whale use. Based on the description of the taste, I can’t say that seems very likely, but who knows what might tickle the palette of those crazy Icelanders.

Pranked in front of a Stadium Full of Fans

A Japanese girls group Morning Musume thought they were staying at a small Inn for the night. They didn't know that the place was actually an outdoor stadium where a small collapsible room was constructed on stage where their fans were waiting for them to perform.

Interestingly, as soon as the girls woke up with the sound of the music and their fans cheering them on, the girls began performing their current hit song. A sign of true professionalism. Translation not really needed as if anyone has ever experience a girls slumber party can easily figure out whats going on.

Watch MM-140102 in Entertainment  |  View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com

Pacific Rim Music Video

I took the movie Pacific Rim and joined it with the song Revolution by the Japanese group VAMPS.
The lead singer is also the lead singer for the Japanese group L'arc en ceil.
Enjoy the video until the Vietnamese website takes it down due to copyright issues.

embed code:
<iframe width="640" height="389" src="http://clip.vn/embed/2pum" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>


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Japanese Denim Jeans

How can I put this? I’m not saying by the look of these jeans that Japanese 

men have a small penis and balls. I’m just saying that what I got won’t fit.

Story link    Store

Why I Love Japanese Commercials

I have to admit that it took a while for me to realize what product they were trying to sell. Story here

Japanese Dentistry

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Something my wife learned the hard way many years ago growing up in Japan. The dentist there used stainless steel as caps and filling in her mouth. As the years went by those heavy fillings weakened her gums to the point that she lost most of her teeth with ease.

Today the dentist removed her back molar, her last upper tooth out of the many that were capped or filled using stainless steal.

Helter Skelter - Ultra Soul

I took the song Ultra Soul from the group B'z and re-edited the Japanese movie Helter Skelter to make this music video. Enjoy until the copyright police remove it.

Helter Skelter - B'z 'Ultra Soul' by melmika1

Generations of Hate

My yard is bigger than some of these islets

Recent news events between Japan and China fighting over a few islets respectfully called Senkaku and Diaoyu that are barely above the ocean water surface has brought to my attention the continuing story that has been repeating itself over the course of human history. But it is curable.

With the islets in question that is causing the conflict between Japan and China is simply over the untapped oil reserves and fishing rights. The Smallest islet area mass is .037 miles. The largest islet has an area mass of 2.6 miles. Many others are barely above the water. The only life found there are Albatross birds and some goats left behind in 1978. All this hatred has over 5 small islets where an oil reserve was discovered in the late 1960’s.

But listening to the Chinese side is like listening to a call for war. People drag from their Japanese cars and beaten. Japanese factories as well as a Korean factory heavily damaged as Japanese people living in China fearing for their lives.

Chinese protest rallies throughout the world condemning Japanese people and government of stealing lands. Chinese entertainers like Jackie Chan supporting their native countries policies. Many of these Chinese entertainers are at risk of losing their entire fan base and jobs outside of China, if not already, by the comments they have made.

Being a sales vendor I get to meet other vendors and different companies who have really taken an interest in how the Chinese conduct their protest rallies.  A few companies have expressed interest in moving out of China if the Chinese organized protest “riots” continue to get out of hand. Just like when the United States Ambassador to China was in his car when Chinese protestors attacked him while chanting "down with the U.S. imperialists".

All this is due to not letting go of hate that has been passed down for years. Wars have been fought that continues the cycle of hate. In the case of Asia, many countries still look to Japan as the enemy nation that concurred their homeland, killed many people, raped their women and stolen everything of value. That was in the early 20^th century.

In the 19^th century, it was China that was doing all of these things as well. Forcing the Korean people to use their own resources to build an armada of ships to attack Japan. The Korean people were worked to death of starvation and harsh conditions under Chinese rule. Only to be conquered later by the Japanese people until the end of World War 2 and then face a Korean civil war afterwards that furthered the plight of the Korean people.

But there has been a change in the wind so to speak.

With the elder generations still chanting the same tune, many of the younger generations have been listening to a different one. Many musicians and actors have been surprised by the large fan base they have in other countries. One Korean actor, Bae Yong Joon was very surprised that many Japanese women loved him in the Korean drama “Winter Sonata”. Japanese singer Namie Amuro was and still is a huge hit with Koreans as well.

As many inroads are being made to reconnect these countries as allies has motivated others who want to rekindle past hatreds. With the situation now between Japan and China, many Chinese entertainers are risking their entire fan base not only in Japan but other countries as well by showing their support for China. Actress Li Bingbing “requested” that none of her images appear in connection with the movie Resident Evil: Retribution while it is shown in Japan.

The right to protest is a right of all people. The right to express their free will on issue’s that affects them the most. But with China’s history of human rights issues, are Li Bingbing and other Chinese entertainers’ comments that are being reported of their own free will or are they being forced to by government officials?

China is still a communist country that is operating a very successful commercial trade with many countries around the world. But never-the-less a country that still controls the military, media, banking system and one’s right to work and have a life in that country.

Speaking out against or failing to support one’s own country can and has been hazardous to Chinese citizens. Just ask 2010 Nobel Peace prize winner Liu Xiaobo who spent three years in a labor camp followed by an eleven year prison sentence for “spreading messages to subvert the country and authority”.

In time all of this will pass. In time all these countries will be one big happy family. I say this not out of wishful hope but from many examples of human history where enemies have forged bond of friendship after years of war. England and France, Germany and Europe, England and Scotland, Tom and Jerry, American Southerners and American Northerners are few examples of different people and countries have overcome their differences and hatred of one another.

The most famous and tragic story of overcoming hatred is the biblical story of Moses and the Israelites spending 40 years in the desert before entering their promised land. The Israelites wanted so badly to go back to their old lives as slaves to the Egyptians. Their resentment and hatred for Moses kept them in the desert for 40 years. Everyone who left Egypt, including Moses, never entered “the promised land”.  

All that hatred died out in the desert. Those who were born in the desert had no connection to that hatred. The only connection they had was to their faith, religion and the promise of a better life ahead. In time, as other countries have shown; Japan, China and Korea will be as a family much like the countries in Europe or U.S.A and Canada. In time the generation of hate will die out as new generations discover a better life instead. 

Japan Bans American Pens

original story here and here

Japanese customs have banned the import of US-made ballpoint pens after determining they constituted “weapons” and “could be used in self-defense.” Customs authorities in Osaka and Nagoya ordered that the US-made pens be denied import permits after classifying them as “weaponry.” Due to their pointy shape and metallic construction, customs say they are actually intended as self-defense pens and most likely illegal under Japanese law.

The importers and their US makers have criticized the decision as “unfair,” and after having been unable to reach any agreement with customs have seen 237 of their pens held at airports for over a year. The pens in question are made by such renowned American cutlers as Smith & Wesson and Benchmade Knife; their rugged metal construction and militaristic design were apparently just too much for officials to countenance as being anything but evidence of them being designed for killing.

Salted Watermelon Pepsi

You know it's summer time in Japan when Pepsi comes out with it's new flavor concoction. 

Bandai Ain’t No Good At Writing Japanese

I couldn’t resist writing the title that way.

One would expect a Japanese company such as Bandai would have someone employed who could read and write Japanese.  But then again I could be wrong. During a routine shopping trip, we notice something was wrong with the Power Rangers Samurai toys. Toy products based on the Japanese Super Sentai series called Samurai Sentai Shinkengers.

I should point out now that my kids love watching the Japanese Sentai shows. We have already purchased all of the Shinkengers toys long before the TV show was Americanized. So comparing the Power Ranger Samurai toys sold in American stores to the Japanese toys makes it noticeably easily to see that the American toy line is extremely pathetic.

Looking at the disk for one of the toys we finally noticed that the image of the Japanese symbol was reversed. Looking at the correct symbols you can see that it is more than straight lines and dashes. Its calligraphy as the lines is thicker at one end and pointier at the other. These language symbols are created like works of art.

So looking at the correct way of drawing this kanji symbol for ‘shin’ you will eventually see that this Japanese toy company has made a Japanese toy product with the Japanese symbol of ‘shin’ printed backwards.

Real Transformer Car - sort of...

Original Story here from Top Gear website. 

Helter Skelter 2012

Based on Kyoko Okazaki's award-winning Helter Skelter manga, the film stars Erika Sawajiri as Ririko, a model who underwent extensive plastic surgery to attain her beauty. The clinic that performed Ririko's surgeries goes under investigation for questionable business practices, and Ririko's body starts to deteriorate. As the model's prominence in the entertainment industry begins to falter, so does her sanity.

Thou I am not a Ayumi Hamasaki's fan, given that she has a prima donna attitude as her record company Avex, bends over backwards for her even though other artist such as Namie Amuro and GACKT are more commercially worldwide known. Her 2001 song “evolution” once used for a makeup commercial is the film's theme song. A couple of people who were unfortunate to see the 2009 movie Dragonball Evolution may remember hearing her song “Rule” which was used as the main theme song for the movie.

The film will premiere in Japan on July 14.

Below is a scene during production follow by the new movie trailer.