Japan National Railways, 1964
Do you feel yourself being drawn to the unique, egg-like curves of this train, particularly due to their resemblence to human anatomy? If so, you’re not alone.
(Photo by Aster
Kawasaki Good Times World museum, Kobe)
2023-10-21 12:59:01 +0000 UTC View Post
Eri: "Hey, will you pose for our next store banner? You know, both Chihaya and Saki aren't here now.”
Aya: "You mean you'd rather have them but I'm the only one around? No, I-"
Eri: "I'll pay you."
Aya: "Deal!!"
2023-10-20 13:00:03 +0000 UTC View Post
Taro Okamoto, 1970
Many people remember this as the icon of Osaka World Exposition of 1970. Its motto being "People's Progress and Harmony," and only one year after the Appollo 11 landing on the moon, it belonged to the era when all believed in the powers of science and industry, and that every tomorrow will be better than today. Despite that, the Tower was sort actually an antithesis unto itself, as it was suprisingly built backwards, facing away from the cheering crowds on the main Fe...
2023-10-19 13:00:04 +0000 UTC View Post
With 30% of her body tissues now replaced, Corporal 7-21 is ready for another offensive with the mammoth exoskeletal invasive species.
2023-10-18 13:00:09 +0000 UTC View Post
OK…so Uncle Tube is done with recommending me clips of deeds of a Christian King and is now on to King Leonidas and the bare chested gym lovers of Sparta.
Seriously I still can’t catch, what the heck are their professions? And this time I will not take “Awoof, awoof, awoof” for an answer. That won’t look too good on anybody’s resume :-)
2023-10-17 13:00:04 +0000 UTC View Post
(Hmmmm…where did he go??)
(オクヒロ、どこ??)
Please help Saki find her marine friend!!
2023-10-16 13:00:03 +0000 UTC View PostAs with many others on the planet I have been following the news of recent developments in the Middle East, particularly the northwestern corner of what has been called the Fertile Crescent. However, what is odd is that YouTube has been recommending me contents on King Baldwin IV of the Kingdom of Jerusalem who had lived like 900 years ago. Tbh, I am not familiar with the deeds of this historical figure aside from what I know from the old movie Kingdom of Heaven, you know, the masked...
2023-10-15 13:00:05 +0000 UTC View Post
(Hi! Is everyone still doing ok? Hang in there!)
Also - it seems like Patreon rolled out this new App that has a chat function for all paying members. It may get to be a new way to build camaraderie so please check it out!
https://www.patreon.com/mobile
2023-10-14 13:00:05 +0000 UTC View Post
Iwakuni City (Yamaguchi Prefecture)’s iconic Kintaikyo quintuple arch bridge seems to have a new mascot girl. She will be promoting her bridge to be on the list of UNESCO World Heritage - quite a feat, if accomplished!
(Photo by Aster)
2023-10-13 13:00:06 +0000 UTC View Post
Xu: “Jane of Atoll, Tiki of Atoll, may the mercy of Irai Leima be upon you! Now…ready!?”
Jane/Tiki: “Breatheeeeeeeeeeeeeee……..”
2023-10-12 13:00:04 +0000 UTC View Post
Kanna: “Thank you, Saikawa. Now…”
カンナ 「ありがとう、かえろ、才川」
By Jim Liesman
…And a shout out to Didrik for guessing the last scene correctly! :-)
2023-10-11 13:00:08 +0000 UTC View Post
Understanding that a Duel of Fathoms was about to take place, Llulu immediately called off the game and order the arrests of Generals of the Guard Tiki and Jane. With the imminent loss of the Princess' two ablest vassals, it has become evident that Llulu's dream of seeing a world free from fear and starvation must be put on hold for some more generations to come.
...Continue story w...
2023-10-10 19:00:04 +0000 UTC View Post
Looking back, I noted that I had named the habitat of Llulu's clan "Citadel." However, as you can see we've recently called it "Atoll." Oh well.
("Atoll" has a long vowel so sounds better than “Citadel”…probably?)
2023-10-09 12:59:01 +0000 UTC View Post
Thao (center): "Captain Xu, shall we go tell Princess Llulu?"
Xu (left): "That won't do. Any duel of fathoms is punishable by death if revealed, says her Code.”
Thao: "But then, one of them will die."
Xu: “Yes. Then one dead general instead of two.”
Iga (right): "......!"
Should the witnesses go tell Llulu to call off the duel?
2023-10-08 13:00:06 +0000 UTC View Post
Riko: (You're drowning! I'll save you, Kanna san!)
Kanna: (You're kind, Saikawa.)
才川（カンナさん、溺れてる！わたし、助けるわ！）
カンナ（才川、やさしい)
By Jim Liesman
2023-10-07 12:59:01 +0000 UTC View Post
"One. The game will be the Orb of the Fathoms, to be found in the Depth of Restriction."
"Two. The one who successfully locates and retrieves the Orb will be the winner of the game."
"Three. The one who aborts the game midway, or shows any act of cowardice will be forever expelled from the Atoll."
2023-10-06 13:00:03 +0000 UTC View Post
Throughout past decades, I admit I've had a moderate-to-favorable view of actor Steven Seagal. Yes I've only seen a few of his movies, but I'd say the reception to his occassional apperance in the Japanese media (like this old energy drink commercial) has been always overly positive here in Japan. I mean, people could tell first hand that his "Aikido" moves were not genuine and his Japanese was not as good as he claimed to be (he has an Osaka accent - maybe that's where he picked up the langu...
2023-10-05 13:00:03 +0000 UTC View Post
Have people had a chance to spot Starlink satellites? There are apps out there that help you locate thrm, but I haven’t had luck yet. I’m sure I’m looking at the right places, but probably too much fog or clouds in the air.
2023-10-03 12:59:01 +0000 UTC View Post
(Did I see someone below...? No, that wouldn't be possible!!)
Now...stay tuned for Jun's formal appearance in the new installment of FMS Tiger Lily!
2023-10-02 13:00:03 +0000 UTC View Post
I wrote earlier about my observation that China may be already ahead of the game than Japan in coming up with "moe" characters. In contrast, it seems like the socialist republic of Vietnam is still in its infancy in this. My guess is, they are still hung up with the mainstream products like Doraemon, Pokémon, or Dragonball and are yet to explore this "moe" front. I mean, when you see these ladies, the "blushed cheeks" expression does seem it may be heading in the "...
2023-10-01 12:59:01 +0000 UTC View Post
This was on our to-do list for a long time...the original tale of Chihaya and Aya's first underwater adventures that would continue on to the twin stories of Apnea Girl Meets Girl and Apnea Girl Versus Girl. This will be in English text with manga-style pics.
Original text here
Thanks and stay tuned!
2023-09-28 12:59:01 +0000 UTC View Post
After hastily signing up with Disney Plus and trying a couple of different VPNs, I finally got to view Disney/Pixar's Elemental which is not yet available on the Japanese platform. After viewing - overall I thought it stuck to an "elementa-ry" (hehe) plot development and made an exceptional use of the characters' bright and distinct colors. And, despite the somewhat negative 'Woke' publicity the mouse company has been getting recently, I found it to be beautifully writ...
2023-09-27 12:59:01 +0000 UTC View Post
Riko: (Kanna-san....you're giving me water???)
Kanna: (Oops, I forgot to breathe before the dive.)
Kanna as a young dragon can withstand long time without air in lungs...
才川（カンナさん、なんで、水を…苦しいわ！！）
カンナ（あ、もぐる前に息すうのわすれた）
By Jim Liesman
2023-09-26 13:00:06 +0000 UTC View Post
I’m just back from a trip to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam and this pic is from a book/toy store in Vincom Center, a relatively high-end department store in the downtown district. Based on what I have seen in this and other stores and per one of my local hosts who happened to be very keen on this subject matter (lol), people in Vietnam seem to be really in love with Doraemon (locally pronounced "Dorem...
2023-09-24 12:59:01 +0000 UTC View Post
I understand these large font signs are a trend for every place that is even remotely touristy, but it may be getting out of hand now. Meaning, no one knows where in the world is Ninohe, Aomori Prefecture is (Population; 24,000).
2023-09-22 13:00:04 +0000 UTC View Post
