Jdorama

Happy Chinese New Year

2011-02-03T01:39:00.001+08:00

Happy Chinese New Year to all. May this year 2011 (the Year of rabbit) will bring more luck and wealth.

2 Years Missing

2011-02-03T01:36:00.002+08:00

It being 2 years I did not update this blog.......seriously I was even thinking of closing this blog.....For the pass 2 years a lot of thing had happen... hope next year I wold give 100 % commitment to this blog...

Japanese calendar

2009-02-10T16:51:00.003+08:00

Era names (年号 nengou). Sources: Daijirin, The New Nelson, etc.

Genchuu (1384-92) and Meitoku (1390-94) overlap because of they come at end of the division between the Northern and Southern dynasties. Also on this page: list of era names of the Northen dynasty. For year by year charts see 701-1599 or 1600-1989 For recent eras in more detail see Meji-Heisei charts.

chronological order: by starting

Date
645 大化 Taika
650 白雉 Hakuchi
686 朱鳥 Hakuhou
701 大宝 Taihou
704 慶雲 Keiun
708 和銅 Wadou
715 霊亀 Reiki
717 養老 Yourou
724 神亀 Shinki
729 天平 Tenpyou
749 天平感宝 Tenpyou-kanpou
749 天平勝宝 Tenpyou-shouhou
757 天平宝字 Tenpyou-houji
765 天平神護 Tenpyou-jingo
767 神護景雲 Jingo-keiun
770 宝亀 Houki
781 天応 Ten'ou
782 延暦 Enryaku
806 大同 Daidou
810 弘仁 Kounin
824 天長 Tenchou
834 承和 Shouwa
848 嘉祥 Kajou
851 仁寿 Ninju
854 斉衡 Saikou
857 天安 Tennan
859 貞観 Jougan
877 元慶 Genkei
885 仁和 Ninna
889 寛平 Kanpyou
898 昌泰 Shoutai
901 延喜 Engi
923 延長 Enchou
931 承平 Shouhei
938 天慶 Tengyou
947 天暦 Tenryaku
957 天徳 Tentoku
961 応和 Ouwa
964 康保 Kouhou
968 安和 Anna
970 天禄 Tenroku
973 天延 Ten'en
976 貞元 Jougen
978 天元 Tengen
983 永観 Eikan
985 寛和 Kanna
987 永延 Eien
988 永祚 Eiso
990 正暦 Shouryaku
995 長徳 Choutoku
999 長保 Chouhou
1004 寛弘 Kankou
1012 長和 Chouwa
1017 寛仁 Kannin
1021 治安 Jian
1024 万寿 Manju
1028 長元 Chougen
1037 長暦 Chouryaku
1040 長久 Choukyuu
1044 寛徳 Kantoku
1046 永承 Eishou
1053 天喜 Tengi
1058 康平 Kouhei
1065 治暦 Jiryaku
1069 延久 Enkyuu
1074 承保 Jouhou
1077 承暦 Shouryaku
1081 永保 Eihou
1084 応徳 Outoku
1087 寛治 Kanji
1094 嘉保 Kahou
1096 永長 Eichou
1097 承徳 Joutoku
1099 康和 Kouwa
1104 長治 Chouji
1106 嘉承 Kajou
1108 天仁 Tennin
1110 天永 Ten'ei
1113 永久 Eikyuu
1118 元永 Gen'ei
1120 保安 Houan
1124 天治 Tenji
1126 大治 Daiji
1131 天承 Tenshou
1132 長承 Choushou
1135 保延 Houen
1141 永治 Eiji
1142 康治 Kouji
1144 天養 Ten'you
1145 久安 Kyuuan
1151 仁平 Ninpei
1154 久寿 Kyuuju
1156 保元 Hougen
1159 平治 Heiji
1160 永暦 Eiryaku
1161 応保 Ouhou
1163 長寛 Choukan
1165 永万 Eiman
1166 仁安 Ninnan
1169 嘉応 Kaou
1171 承安 Shouan
1175 安元 Angen
1177 治承 Jishou
1181 養和 Youwa
1182 寿永 Juei
1184 元暦 Genryaku
1185 文治 Bunji
1190 建久 Kenkyuu
1199 正治 Shouji
1201 建仁 Kennin
1204 元久 Genkyuu
1206 建永 Ken'ei
1207 承元 Jougen
1211 建暦 Kenryaku
1213 建保 Kempou
1219 承久 Joukyuu
1222 貞応 Jouou
1224 元仁 Gennin
1225 嘉禄 Karoku
1227 安貞 Antei
1229 寛喜 Kanki
1232 貞永 Jouei
1233 天福 Tenpuku
1234 文暦 Benryaku
1235 嘉禎 Katei
1238 暦仁 Ryakunin
1239 延応 En'ou
1240 仁治 Ninji
1243 寛元 Kangen
1247 宝治 Houji
1249 建長 Kenchou
1256 康元 Kougen
1257 正嘉 Shouka
1259 正元 Shougen
1260 文応 Bun'ou
1261 弘長 Kouchou
1264 文永 Bun'ei
1275 建治 Kenji
1278 弘安 Kouan
1288 正応 Shouou
1293 永仁 Einin
1299 正安 Shouan
1302 乾元 Kengen
1303 嘉元 Kagen
1306 徳治 Tokuji
1308 延慶 Enkyou
1311 応長 Ouchou
1312 正和 Shouwa
1317 文保 Bunpou
1319 元応 Gen'ou
1321 元亨 Genkou
1324 正中 Shouchuu
1326 嘉暦 Karyaku
1329 元徳 Gentoku
1331 元弘 Genkou
1334 建武 Kenmu
1336 延元 Engen
1340 興国 Koukoku
1346 正平 Shouhei
1370 建徳 Kentoku
1372 文中 Bunchuu
1375 天授 Tenju
1381 弘和 Kouwa
1384 元中 Genchuu
1390 明徳 Meitoku
1394 応永 Ouei
1428 正長 Shouchou
1429 永享 Eikyou
1441 嘉吉 Kakitsu
1444 文安 Bunnan
1449 宝徳 Houtoku
1452 享徳 Kyoutoku
1455 康正 Koushou
1457 長禄 Chouroku
1460 寛正 Kanshou
1466 文正 Bunshou
1467 応仁 Ounin
1469 文明 Bunmei
1487 長享 Choukyou
1489 延徳 Entoku
1492 明応 Meiou
1501 文亀 Bunki
1504 永正 Eishou
1521 大永 Daiei
1528 享禄 Kyouroku
1532 天文 Tenmon
1555 弘治 Kouji
1558 永禄 Eiroku
1570 元亀 Genki
1573 天正 Tenshou
1592 文禄 Bunroku
1596 慶長 Keichou
1615 元和 Genna
1624 寛永 Kan'ei
1644 正保 Shouhou
1648 慶安 Keian
1652 承応 Jouou
1655 明暦 Meireki
1658 万治 Manji
1661 寛文 Kanbun
1673 延宝 Enpou
1681 天和 Tenna
1684 貞享 Joukyou
1688 元禄 Genroku
1704 宝永 Houei
1711 正徳 Shoutoku
1716 享保 Kyouhou
1736 元文 Genbun
1741 寛保 Kanpou
1744 延享 Enkyou
1748 寛延 Kan'en
1751 宝暦 Houreki
1764 明和 Meiwa
1772 安永 An'ei
1781 天明 Tenmei
1789 寛政 Kansei
1801 享和 Kyouwa
1804 文化 Bunka
1818 文政 Bunsei
1830 天保 Tenpou
1844 弘化 Kouka
1848 嘉永 Kaei
1854 安政 Ansei
1860 万延 Man'en
1861 文久 Bunkyuu
1864 元治 Genji
1865 慶応 Keiou
1868 明治 Meiji
1912 大正 Taishou
1926 昭和 Shouwa
1989 平成 Heisei

To convert a Japanese year to a Western year, find the year in the common era of the first year of the nengō from a table like the one above, subtract 1, and add the number of the Japanese year. For example Showa 23 would be (1926 − 1 = 1925, 1925 + 23 = 1948).

Happy Chinese New Year

2009-01-25T23:30:00.000+08:00

Let the year of the OX be a year filled with new beginnings. Let it be a time to see things in a different light, to celebrate happiness and success and live life to its fullest. Life favors those who see things differently. Gong Xi Fa Cai & Happy Chinese New Year.

Happy New Year

2009-01-01T10:44:00.000+08:00

Happy New Year 2009.

Oh! My Girl!!

2008-12-23T10:25:00.000+08:00

Oh! My Girl!!

Source From Wikipedia

Details

Title: オー！マイ・ガール！！
Title (English): Oh! My Girl!!
Format: Renzoku
Genre: Family, romance, drama
Episodes: 9
Broadcast network: NTV
Broadcast period: 2008-Oct-14 to 2008-Dec-9
Air time: Tuesday 22:00
Theme song: Toki no Ashioto by Kobukuro

Synopsis

Yamashita Kotaro was living a peaceful life as a publisher part-timer aspiring to be a mobile phone novelist until two females suddenly appeared in his life. One is his six-year-old celebrity niece and the other is the little girl's stern manager. As he is forced to live under the same roof as the little prodigy, their differences soon manifest and disputes ensue. However, through co-habitation, Yamashita slowly comes to appreciate having a family and the warmth it brings, all the while developing a love-hate relationship with Fuji Mineko, the manager.

Cast

Correlation chart

Hayami Mokomichi as Yamashita Kotaro
Kato Rosa as Fuji Mineko
Tomosaka Rie as Yasuno Makiko
Okada Yoshinori as Ishida Ken
Yoshida Riko as Sakurai Anne
Takahashi Hitomi as Shibuya Kae
Irie Jingi as Shibuya Yuta
Shinohara Mai as Shinomiya Mutsumi
Hiranuma Norihisa as Hirakawa Atsushi
Furuta Arata as Sugawara Hirofumi
Kaga Takeshi as Ishizaka Kazuo

Production Credits

Screenwriter: Takeda Yuki (武田有紀)
Producers: Mikami Eriko (三上絵里子), Akimoto Takayuki (秋元孝之)
Directors: Yoshino Hiroshi, Kubota Mitsuru (久保田充)

Episode Information

Episode	Subtitle	Ratings (Kanto)	Ratings (Kansai)	Ratings (Nationwide)
01	I am not a servant! A little spoiled actress arrives at the house	8.3	??.?	??.?
02	There is no money!! The dog and the girl are homeless children?	8.3	??.?	??.?
03	Korean star panic!? Co-habitation confusion clears up!	8.0	??.?	??.?
04	Daddy's Test!! What is there to scold? The slap of love due to the fire	6.5	??.?	??.?
05	A novelist's debut decided Dream and chance are worth 800 000 Yen	8.1	??.?	??.?
06	Mommy's back!? A lie and the real present	6.6	??.?	??.?
07	The secret bared!? A true story that only I can write	7.0	??.?	??.?
08	The Daddy who didn't die! Real intentions of a man who does not get acquainted with Father	6.3	??.?	??.?
09	We are family, a bond between mother and daughter... The decision of bidding farewell	8.0	??.?	??.?
Average	--	7.5	??.?	??.?

Source: Video Research, Ltd.

New Anime

2008-12-22T17:24:00.000+08:00

The Return of Enma Ai (hell corespondent)

New anime Jigoku Shoujo Mitsuganae

[Oricon] popular celebrity bloggers

2008-10-08T18:46:00.000+08:00

1# Shoko Nakagawa : Shokotan blog

2# Chinatsu Wakatsuki : Wakatsuki Chinatsu no Blog

3# Lou Oshiba : Lou Blog

4# Saeko : SAEKO official blog

5# Shinji Takehara : Shinji Takehara Blog

6# Hiroshi Shinagawa : Shinagwa Hiroshi Blog

7# Rie Tomosaka : Tomosaka Rie, Official Blog

8# Kaori Manabe : Manabe Kawori no koko dake no hanashi

9# Yusuke Kamiji : Kamiji Yusuke official blog

10# BoA : BoA blog

Must See drama

2008-10-03T05:31:00.000+08:00

Kurosagi

Details

Title: クロサギ
Title (romaji): Kurosagi
Title (English): The Black Swindler
Genre: Action, Crime investigation, Romance
Episodes: 11
Viewership ratings: 15.67
Broadcast network: TBS
Broadcast period: 2006-Apr-14 to 2006-Jun-23
Air time: Friday 22:00
Theme song: Daite Senorita by Yamashita Tomohisa

Synopsis

Kurosaki is a young man whose family was destroyed by swindlers. Despite that, Kurosaki grows up to become a con artist known as Kurosagi. As Kurosagi, he swindles other con artists and returns the money to the original victim. He works with the master swindler Katsuragi Toshio even though Toshio had a hand in the destruction of Kurosaki’s family. Kurosaki's life begins to change when he meets Yoshikawa Tsurara, a young law student who disapproves of his disrespect of the law. Can she persuade Kurosaki to give up swindling and his quest for revenge?

Cast

Correlation chart

Yamashita Tomohisa as Kurosaki (Kurosagi)
Horikita Maki as Yoshikawa Tsurara
Ichikawa Yui as Mishima Yukari
Kato Koji as Shiraishi Yoichi
Yamazaki Tsutomu as Katsuragi Toshio
Kishibe Shiro as Mikimoto
Tayama Ryosei as Momoyama Tetsuji
Reina as Osawa Yuuko
Okunuki Kaoru as Hayasa
Sugimoto Tetta as Kurosaki's Father
Aikawa Sho as Kashima Masaru

Source

http://wiki.d-addicts.com/Kurosagi

Haromoni@ Cancelled !

2008-09-21T20:40:00.000+08:00

Haromoni@ Cancelled

First hinted at in a blog post earlier this week, what started as rumor seems to be a reality.

Full Story

First reported in this blog post earlier this week, Haromoni@ will be ending with the September 28 episode.

There's still no official word, but a new issue of BLT magazine supports the blogger's story with this entry in the programming grid:

The kanji after Haromoni, 終, means "end".

After a long string of extremely low ratings (under 1% viewership), it's not hard to understand why the show is being taken off the air. But what will become of Morning Musume without a weekly television show? Hello! Morning started in early 2000 and continued until 2007, when the show was renamed Haromoni@. At that time, the show also received a drastic restructuring that most regular viewers will say was for the worse.

Perhaps another, all-new show featuring the group will appear, but there's been no official announcement so far. Also, given the ratings of Haromoni@, it seems unlikely.

Source
http://www.hello-online.org/index.php?act=helloonline&CODE=article&topic=513

Traditional Japanese Food

2008-09-17T17:55:00.000+08:00

Nattō

Natto is typically eaten on rice

Nattō (なっとう or 納豆^?) is a traditional Japanese food made from fermented soybeans, popular especially for breakfast. As a rich source of protein, nattō and the soybean paste miso formed a vital source of nutrition in feudal Japan. For some, nattō can be an acquired taste due to its powerful smell, strong flavor, and sticky consistency. In Japan nattō is most popular in the eastern regions, including Kantō, Tōhoku, and Hokkaido.

History

The materials and tools needed to produce nattō (soybeans and straw) were commonly available in Japan since ancient times, so the discovery could have happened as early as the Jōmon period. It is also possible that the product was discovered independently by numerous people at different times. The sources differ about the earliest origin of nattō. One source puts the first use of nattō in the Jōmon period between 10,000 and 300 BC. According to other sources the product may have originated in China during the Zhou Dynasty (1134 - 246 BC). Another story is that Minamoto no Yoshiie was on a battle campaign in northeastern Japan between 1086 and 1088 when one day in 1083 they were attacked while boiling soybeans for their horses. They hurriedly packed up the beans, and did not open the straw bags until a few days later, by which time the beans had fermented. The soldiers ate it anyway, and liked the taste, so they offered some to Yoshiie, who also liked the taste. A third source places the origin of nattō more recently, in the Edo period (1603 to 1867).^{[citation needed]}

One significant change in the production of nattō happened in the Taisho period (1912 - 1926), when researchers discovered a way to produce a nattō starter culture containing Bacillus natto without the need for straw. This greatly simplified the production process and permitted more consistent results.

Appearance and consumption

The first thing noticed by the uninitiated after opening a pack of nattō is the very strong ammoniacal smell, akin to strong cheese. Stirring the nattō produces lots of spiderweb-like strings. The nattō itself has a nutty, savory, somewhat salty flavor that belies its odor.

Nattō is most commonly eaten at breakfast to accompany rice, possibly with some other ingredients, for example soy sauce, tsuyu broth, mustard, scallions, grated daikon, okra, or a raw quail egg. In Hokkaidō and northern Tohoku region, some people dust nattō with sugar. Nattō is also commonly used in other foods, such as nattō sushi, nattō toast, in miso soup, salad, as an ingredient in okonomiyaki, or even with spaghetti or as fried nattō. A dried form of nattō, having little odor or sliminess, can be eaten as a nutritious snack. There is even nattō ice cream.

Nattō is often considered an acquired taste and the perceived flavor of nattō can differ greatly between people; some find it tastes very strong and cheesy and may use it in small amounts to flavor rice or noodles, while others find it tastes "bland and unremarkable", requiring the addition of flavoring condiments such as mustard and soy sauce. Many non-Japanese find the taste very unpleasant, while others relish it as a delicacy. Some manufacturers produce an odorless or low-odor nattō. The split opinion about its appearance and taste might be compared to Vegemite in Australia and New Zealand, blue cheese in France, lutefisk in Norway and Sweden, Mämmi in Finland and Marmite in the UK. Even in Japan, nattō is more popular in some areas than in others. Nattō is known to be popular in the eastern Kantō region (Tokyo), but less popular in Kansai (Osaka, Kobe). About 236,000 tons of nattō are consumed in Japan each year.

Production process

Soybeans in a plantation

Nattō is made from soybeans, typically a special type called nattō soybeans. Smaller beans are preferred, as the fermentation process will be able to reach the center of the bean more easily. The beans are washed and soaked in water for 12 to 20 hours. This will increase the size of the beans. Next, the soybeans are steamed for 6 hours, although a pressure cooker can be used to reduce the time. The beans are mixed with the bacterium Bacillus subtilis natto, known as nattō-kin in Japanese. From this point on, care has to be taken to keep the ingredients away from impurities and other bacteria. The mixture is fermented at 40°C for up to 24 hours. Afterwards the nattō is cooled, then aged in a refrigerator for up to one week to add stringiness. During the aging process at a temperature of about 0°C, the Bacilli develop spores, and enzymatic peptidases break down the soybean protein into its constituent amino acids.

Historically, nattō was made by storing the steamed soy beans in rice straw, which naturally contains B. subtilis natto. The soy beans were packed in straw and then left to ferment. The fermentation was done either while the beans were buried underground underneath a fire or stored in a warm place in the house as for example under the kotatsu.

End product

Today's nattō

Today's mass-produced nattō is usually sold in small polystyrene containers. A typical package contains 2 or 3 containers, occasionally 4 containers, each of 40 to 50 g. One container typically complements a small bowl of rice. It usually includes a small packet of tsuyu and another packet of karashi, a type of mustard. Other flavors of sauce, such as shiso, are available.

Mito City and Kumamoto Prefecture are famous as nattō-producing districts.

Outside of Japan, nattō is sometimes sold frozen, and must be thawed before consumption.

Medical benefits

It is often said in Japan that nattō is good for one's health, and these claims can be backed by medical research. One example is Pyrazine contained within nattō. Pyrazine is a compound which, in addition to giving nattō its distinct smell, reduces the likelihood of blood clotting. It also contains a serine protease type enzyme called nattokinase^[1] which may also reduce blood clotting both by direct fibrinolysis of clots, and inhibition of the plasma protein plasminogen activator inhibitor 1. This may help to avoid thrombosis, as for example in heart attacks, pulmonary embolism, or strokes. An extract from nattō containing nattokinase is available as a dietary supplement. Studies have shown that oral administration of nattokinase in enteric capsules leads to a mild enhancement of fibrinolytic activity in rats^[2] and dogs. It is therefore plausible to hypothesize that nattokinase might reduce blood clots in humans, although clinical trials have not been conducted. Another study suggests the FAS in natto is the substance which initiates fibrinolysis of clots, which accelerates the activity of not only nattokinase but urokinase.^[3]

Nattō also contains large amounts of Vitamin K, which is involved in the formation of calcium-binding groups in proteins, assisting the formation of bone, and preventing osteoporosis. Vitamin K1 is found naturally in seaweed, liver and some vegetables, while vitamin K2 is found in fermented food products such as cheese and miso. Nattō has very large amounts of vitamin K2, approximately 870 micrograms per 100 grams of nattō.

According to a study fermented soybeans, such as natto, contains Vitamin PQQ, which is very important for the skin.^[4] PQQ existing in human tissues is derived mainly from diet.

According to the recent studies, polyamine suppresses excessive immune reactions, and natto contains a much larger amount of it than any other food.^[5] Dietary supplements containing the substances extracted from natto such as polyamine, nattokinase, FAS and vitamin K2 are available.

Nattō also contains many chemicals alleged to prevent cancer, as for example daidzein, genistein, isoflavone, phytoestrogen, and the chemical element selenium. However, most of these chemicals can also be found in other soy bean products, and their effect on cancer prevention is uncertain at best. Recent studies show nattō may have a cholesterol-lowering effect.^[6]

Nattō is also said to have an antibiotic effect, and its use as medicine against dysentery was researched by the Imperial Japanese Navy before World War II.^[7]

Nattō is claimed to prevent obesity, possibly due to a low calorie content of approximately 90 calories per 7-8 grams of protein in an average serving. Unverified claims include improved digestion, reduced effects of aging, and the reversal of hair loss in men due to its phytoestrogen content, which can lower testosterone that can cause baldness. These conjectured physiological effects of eating natto are based on biochemically active contents of nattō, and have not been confirmed by human study.

Nattō is also sometimes used as an ingredient of pet food, and it is claimed that this improves the health of the pets.^[8]

Gallery

A nattō legend in a supermarket helps to differentiate varieties of bean

Natto is marketed in many ways: This packet includes collagen

Source
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natto

Green Tea

2008-09-10T13:23:00.000+08:00

The Miracle of Green Tea

Here are just a few medical conditions in which drinking green tea is reputed to be helpful:

cancer

rheumatoid arthritis

high cholesterol levels

cariovascular disease

infection

impaired immune function

What makes green tea so special?

The secret of green tea lies in the fact it is rich in catechin polyphenols, particularly epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). EGCG is a powerful anti-oxidant: besides inhibiting the growth of cancer cells, it kills cancer cells without harming healthy tissue. It has also been effective in lowering LDL cholesterol levels, and inhibiting the abnormal formation of blood clots. The latter takes on added importance when you consider that thrombosis (the formation of abnormal blood clots) is the leading cause of heart attacks and stroke.

Links are being made between the effects of drinking green tea and the "French Paradox." For years, researchers were puzzled by the fact that, despite consuming a diet rich in fat, the French have a lower incidence of heart disease than Americans. The answer was found to lie in red wine, which contains resveratrol, a polyphenol that limits the negative effects of smoking and a fatty diet. In a 1997 study, researchers from the University of Kansas determined that EGCG is twice as powerful as resveratrol, which may explain why the rate of heart disease among Japanese men is quite low, even though approximately seventy-five percent are smokers.

Why don't other Chinese teas have similar health-giving properties? Green, oolong, and black teas all come from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. What sets green tea apart is the way it is processed. Green tea leaves are steamed, which prevents the EGCG compound from being oxidized. By contrast, black and oolong tea leaves are made from fermented leaves, which results in the EGCG being converted into other compounds that are not nearly as effective in preventing and fighting various diseases.

Bleach the movie 2 The DiamondDust Rebellion

2008-09-09T19:42:00.000+08:00

The Diamond Dust Rebellion

Bleach the Movie: The DiamondDust Rebellion, Another Hyōrinmaru (劇場版BLEACH The DiamondDust Rebellion もう一つの氷輪丸, Gekijōban Burīchi Za Daiyamondo Dasuto Reberion Mō Hitotsu no Hyōrinmaru^?) is the second animated film adaptation of the anime and manga series Bleach. The film is directed by Noriyuki Abe and co-written by Michiko Yokote and Masahiro Ōkubo, and the theatrical release was on December 22, 2007. The theme music for the movie is "Rock of Light" (光のロック, Hikari no Rokku^?) by Sambomaster.^[1] The DVD of the movie was released on September 3, 2008.^[2]

To promote the film, the opening and closing credits of the Bleach anime from episode 151-154 use footage from the film. Tite Kubo also published a special manga chapter focusing on Hitsugaya's past to further promote the film.

Plot

An artifact known as the "King's Seal" is stolen during transport from Soul Society by an unidentified Soul Reaper and two arrancar girls who control fire and lighting. Tōshirō Hitsugaya seems to recognize the Soul Reaper, who stabs him in the stomach, and abandons his post to pursue him. Seireitei suspects him of treason and orders his immediate capture, with the possibility of disbanding the 10th Division should he be guilty.

Tōshirō is found unconscious by Ichigo, who knows that Soul Society is looking for him. Tōshirō refuses to explain what's happening, but Ichigo is attacked by the two arrancar before he can force the issue. Tōshirō continues to avoid capture, and things only look worse when the Soul Reaper thief, identified as Sōjirō Kusaka, uses Hitsugaya's Hyōrinmaru to injure Shunsui Kyōraku. Tōshirō's capture is made top priority, and his execution is approved if he resists.

Tōshirō eventually manages to track Sōjirō down, where it is revealed that the two managed to manifest the same zanpakutō. Because this is a taboo in Soul Society, they were forced to fight to the death. It was decided that Tōshirō would be the winner and Sōjirō was apparently killed, only to reincarnate in Hueco Mundo. Seeking revenge on Soul Society, he stole the King's Seal, which allows the user to freely manipulate time, space, and matter within a small space. Using it, Sōjirō teleports Tōshirō and himself to Soul Society, needing the power of Tōshirō's bankai to break the seal. When Tōshirō refuses, Sōjirō breaks the seal himself, becoming a dragon made of ice. However, because he lacks the control Tōshirō possesses, the power goes berserk and threatens to destroy Soul Society. With much help, Ichigo and Tōshirō manage to destroy Sōjirō's dragon form. Returned to his regular form, Sōjirō and Tōshirō have one last clash, ending in Sōjirō's defeat. Tōshirō is cleared of all charges and the King's Seal is restored, allowing Tōshirō to finally put his past to rest.

Info via wikipedia

Thing must know before visiting Japan

2008-09-07T14:46:00.000+08:00

Facts for the Traveler:

Visas: US passport holders, most EU residents and visitors from Australia and New Zealand do not require a visa if staying in Japan less than 90 days. For information on visas visit the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Events

Expect a total sell-out for travel and lodging during Japan's biggest holidays, New Year December 29 to January 3) and Golden Week (the lumping together of Green Day, Constitution Day and Children's Day, from April 27 to May 6). Other festivals include Coming-of-Age Day (second Monday in January), when ceremonies are held for boys and girls who have reached the age of 20. The Japanese celebrate the end of winter on February 3 or 4 by indulging in Setsubun (bean throwing) while chanting 'in with good fortune, out with the devils'. Hanami (Blossom Viewing) usually runs from February to April; the romantic Tanabata Matsuri (Star Festival) is on July 7; and O Bon (Festival of the Dead), when lanterns are floated on rivers, lakes or the sea to signify the return of the departed to the underworld, takes place from July 13-16 and mid-August.

Kyoto's Gion Matsuri (July 17) is perhaps the most renowned of all Japanese festivals. The climax is a parade of massive man-dragged floats decked out in incredible finery, harking back to a 9th-century request to the gods to end a plague sweeping the city. In the cute and kooky department, Niramekko Obisha (January 20; Chiba) combines a staring contest with consumption of sake - the one with the straightest face wins. The Yah-Yah Matsuri (first Sunday to the following Saturday of February; Owase) is an argument contest: competitors scream Samurai chants and try to look fearsome. Afterwards, they take off all their clothes and jump in the ocean. White Day (March 14) is a bizarre follow up to Valentine's Day where men are supposed to reciprocate to their valentine with a gift of chocolate or marshmallow.

僕の彼女サイボーグ　My girlfriend the cyborg

2008-08-26T23:50:00.000+08:00

Ayase Haruka staring in 'my girlfriend the cyborg'

Details

Title: 僕の彼女はサイボーグ。
Title (romaji):Boku no kanojo wa saibogu
Also known as: My robot girlfriend

Plot Summary

The first meeting between Jiro (Keisuke Koide) and the Cyborg Girl unfolds via flashbacks (a common device used in the other two films). He is a lonely student who celebrates his birthday all by himself (and buys himself a Rei Ayanami figurine as a present). While buying himself a gift at a department store, he has a Meet Cute moment with a cute girl who is in tattered cyborg-like bodysuit, tries on a new dress and runs off without paying.

Afterwards, he has a meal by himself when the girl appears, telling him that it's her birthday as well. So they spend a romantic night together (on the run as they didn't pay for the lavish meal they had), and then before sun rises, she disappears.

One year later, on Jiro celebrates his birthday all by himself again, but the girl reappears, looking the same, yet a little different. Then he later learns that she is a cyborg, sent by his future self to save his life in the present.

Cast

Haruka Ayase … Cyborg
Keisuke Koide ... Jiro
Naoko Niya ... Store Manager
Kei Tanaka
Suzunosuke

Directed by	Jae-young Kwak
Produced by	Hidemi Satani Mataichiro Yamamoto
Written by	Jae-young Kwak
Cinematography	Junichiro Hayashi
Distributed by	Gaga Communications
Released	May 31, 2008

Screen shoot preview

The picture below is the screen shoot from the movie preview.

Below is the movie trailer with english sub

Sorry Busy this few weeks. This is quite old movie

2008-08-26T22:47:00.000+08:00

First of all sorry for leaving this blog this long I' am quite busy this few weeks but then i would recommended this good love movie that I felt very touching. This movie is quite old around the year of 2004.

Sekai no Chuushin de, Ai wo Sakebu

Details

Title: 世界の中心で、愛をさけぶ
Title (romaji): Sekai no Chuushin de, Ai wo Sakebu
Also known as: Crying out Love, in the Centre of the World
Format: Renzoku
Genre: Romance, Human drama
Episodes: 11, 1 Special
Viewership ratings: 15.9
Broadcast network: TBS
Broadcast period: 2004-Jul-02 to 2004-Sep-10
Air time: Friday 22:00-22:54
Theme song: Katachi Aru Mono by Shibasaki Kou

Synopsis

"I thought I might be using a lifetime's happiness in a moment. I was that happy and she was that beautiful." A young boy stands on the red earth of Australia under its blue sky. It is 17-year-old Sakutaro Matsumoto. His time with the girl comes back to him. The colored sand runs through his hands and a tear appears on his cheek. He wakes up. It's 2004 and he is 34 years old and in Japan. He thinks "I have been in a world without her for 17 years." Returning home to see his old high school for the last time before it is demolished, Saku confronts anew the loss of the love of his life, Aki, to leukemia 17 years ago. Now a medical researcher at graduate school, he has been living as if half of him died with her since then. Based on the bestselling novel that sold over 3 million copies, the past and present come together in this love story that is both pure and sad.

Cast

Yamada Takayuki as Matsumoto Sakutaro (17)
Ayase Haruka as Hirose Aki (17)
Ogata Naoto as Matsumoto Sakutaro (34)
Sakurai Sachiko as Kobayashi Aki (34)
Tanaka Koutaro as Oki Ryunosuke (17)
Emoto Tasuku as Nakagawa Akiyoshi (17)
Motokariya Yuika as Ueda Tomoyo (17)
Kaho as Matsumoto Fumiko (13)
Matsushita Yuki as Yatabe Toshimi (35, 52)
Takahashi Katsumi as Matsumoto Juichiro (47, 64)
Oshima Satoko as Matsumoto Ayako (43, 60)
Tezuka Satomi as Hirose Makoto (43, 60)
Miura Tomokazu as Hirose Makoto (48, 65)
Nakadai Tatsuya as Matsumoto Kentaro (70)
Nakajou Tomoaya as Kobayashi Kazuki (6)
Tanaka Kei as Yasura Tadashi (17)
Asaka Yuki as Ikeda Kumi (17)
Mizuno Haruka as Kurosawa Chihiro (17)
Asano Kazuyuki as the Doctor
Takeno Isao as the takoyaki vendor
Uematsu Mami as grandpa's young lover
Okayama Hajime as Ueda Tomoyo's father (ep5)
Toba Jun as Junpei (ep6-7)
Asai Erina as Yasuda
Hirano Aya

Production Credits

Screenwriter: Morishita Keiko
Producer: Ishimaru Akihiko
Directors: Tsutsumi Yukihiko, Ishii Yasuharu, Hirakawa Yuichiro
Music: Kono Shin

Dragon Ball the movie 2009

2008-07-21T18:47:00.000+08:00

Cast and characters

Justin Chatwin as Goku: a powerful warrior who protects the Earth from an endless stream of rogues bent on dominating the universe and controlling the mystical namesakes of the film.

James Marsters as Lord Piccolo: The villain of the film. Marsters explained that this incarnation of the character is "thousands of years old and a very long time ago he used to be a force of good, but [he] got into a bad argument and was put into prison for 2000 years. It got him very angry, and he finds a way to escape and then tries to destroy the world. The cool thing is, anybody who has seen Dragonball knows that Lord Piccolo transforms into a character named Piccolo, and that is a whole other ball of wax. [...] Heroic wouldn't be the wrong term by the end, but it's a long journey." He also confirmed Piccolo will retain his physical appearance from the anime. Marsters is a fan of the television series, which he described as being "the coolest television cartoon in the last 50,000 years [because] it’s got a Shakespearean sense of good and evil." Piccolo was intended to look handsome, but Marsters and the make-up artist chose to give him a decrepit complexion, having been trapped for thousands of years. Although the make-up process tended to take four hours, the first time it took seventeen hours to apply, and Marsters had difficulty breathing.

Jamie Chung as Chi-Chi: Goku's love interest. Stephen Chow had been interested in casting Zhang Yuqi, whom he worked with on CJ7, in the part.

Emmy Rossum as Bulma: She aids Goku after her father's Dragonball is stolen by Piccolo.

Chow Yun-Fat as Master Roshi: Goku's mentor.

Joon Park as Yamcha: A desert bandit that aids Goku and Bulma on their quest. James Kyson Lee auditioned for the role.

Eriko Tamura as Mai: She is a chief enforcer of Piccolo's and a shapeshifter.

Texas Battle as Carey Fuller: A high school bully. He is an original character created for the film.

Luis Arrieta as Weaver: A classmate and friend of Goku. He is an original character created for the film.

Randall Duk Kim as Grandpa Gohan: The adoptive father and grandfather of Goku who teaches Goku everything he knows about martial arts.

Ernie Hudson as Master Mutaito: Master Roshi's former sensei and the one who sealed Lord Piccolo away for centuries.

Shavon Kirksey as Emi: another original character created just for the film.

The singer Mario was turned down for a part in the film.

About the movie

Live-Action Dragonball premiere date is decided. The Kamehameha will be unleashed all at once throughout Japan on March 13th, 2009.

“This movie is a boy’s coming-of-age tale. And I like Goku very much,” said Justin Chatwin.

Chow Yun-Fat is Master Roshi. What will become of the funny scene “Pafu-Pafu” ?

Emmy Rossum is Bulma. She will ride around on very cool motorcycles.

Now live-action Dragonball is in production in Hollywood, its official premiere date is decided. On Friday the 13th of March 2009 the movie will be released throughout Japan ahead of the world.

Needless to say, Dragonball is the great masterpiece comic of Akira Toriyama. It has sold more than 300 million copies in the world so far, and still continue to sell. In this movie, Hollywood’s hopeful good-looking young actor Justin Chatwin plays starring role Goku. He talked about his favorite scenes, “I think it is the action scenes. They are filled with many very ambitious scenes we have never seen before. Kamehameha is very challenging too.”

The brilliant actress Emmy Rossum plays Bulma who travels with Goku. “The emperor Asian movie” Chow Yun-Fat plays Master Roshi. James Marsters plays lord Piccolo. And Japanese world-class actress who is active in Hollywood Eriko Tamura plays Mai. Though many of this movie is still veiled in secrecy, here are four very rare pictures that Shuupure (Weekly Playboy) got secretly. How will Goku prevent the ambitious Piccolo from taking over the world? Next March, its secret will become clear.

Release

20th Century Fox originally announced Dragonball would be released worldwide on August 15, 2008. In March, they announced they were delaying the film to April 3, 2009 as the original release date put it in competition with four other films plus there was no time for post-production. The release date was once again changed to April 8, 2009 as it was an Easter Holiday. The release date was changed for the third time, and is now set to hit theaters for a Friday release on April 10, 2009. However, Japan gets the film March 13, 2009.

Sequels

Dragonball has been announced as a planned trilogy with Marsters already signed up for two sequels.

Yay! Bon Odori 2008 Malaysia

2008-07-05T19:28:00.000+08:00

Malaysia 2008 Bon odori festival

Next Saturday, 12th of July, Malaysia will be celebrating Obon by holding the annual Bon Odori festival.

While the Obon is actually Buddhist custom to honor the deceased, the festival held in Malaysia is much more of a cultural thing. At the Bon Odori festival here, there's lots of Japanese food (albeit a little pricey), and lots of people in yukatas.

The highlight of the Bon Odori festival, is, of course, the Bon Odori (Bon dance) itself.

If you're interested, here are the details for the Shah Alam Bon Odori 2008:

Date: 12 July 2008
Time: 5pm (Gates Open) to 9.30pm (Closing Address)
Venue: Shah Alam Matsushita Stadium
Lot 4, Persiaran Perkilangan, Seksyen 21
Shah Alam,Selangor
Admission: Free
Phone: 03-2274 2274 (Japan Club of KL)

Sources: Lowyat.NET and Kakiseni.com

If you cannot make it for the festival in Shah Alam, there's also the one in Penang which is on the 19th. Here are the details for the Penang Bon Odori 2008:

Date : 19th July 2008 (Saturday)
Time : Begins about after 5:00pm-6:00pm, Ends around 11:00pm
Venue : Esplanade
Admission : Free

Cosplay

2008-07-05T02:22:00.000+08:00

It is nice to get into this costume. Hope someday will get a chance to wear one of those by the way this picture is a sample of what a cosplay is. It is very popular in Japan

Diablo 3

2008-06-29T17:06:00.000+08:00

Oh my god wake me up if I am still dreaming this is ...... speechless. I have being waited for a live time for this game and finally blizzard has announce that they will launch Diablo 3. However the date haven being announce. I have high hope on blizzard game but recently the new game "HELLGATE LONDON" has being disappointed. The game is pretty boring but they score a point on the game graphics . The game is easy and the control is not that good. I just hope Diabo 3 is a good game as is ancestor Diablo and Diablo 2. Below I include a little pic of the game

DIABLO III

Below is the two character

Barbarian in action

Dam the graphics is average compare to other game however

I belive this is the best.

Barbarian

Time To Go Back To School

2008-06-28T12:09:00.000+08:00

In the couple of days I have to go back to school. That's mean I will not be updating the blog for a time but do not worry I will be back soon.

Zettai Kareshi

2008-06-12T23:41:00.001+08:00

Zettai kareshi

This drama is currently airing.

Details

Title: 絶対彼氏。
Title (romaji): Zettai Kareshi
Also known as: Absolute Boyfriend
Tagline: Kanzen Muketsu no Koibito Robot / The Completely Perfect Boyfriend Robot
Format: Renzoku
Genre: Romance, comedy
Broadcast network: Fuji TV
Broadcast period: 2008-Apr-15 to 2008-Jun
Air time: Tuesday 21:00
Theme song: Okaeri by ayaka

Synopsis

Robot maker, Kronos Heaven, finally develops "Night Tenjo", the perfect male humanoid programmed to be devoted and completely loyal to his lover. The company chooses temp worker Izawa Riko to take part in a 5-day free trial. At first, Riko only sees Night as a household appliance. But when she finds out how deep Night's devotion to herself is, Riko finds herself falling in love with him. Joining the love triangle is Asamoto Soshi, a distinguished young executive at her company who has feelings for her. --Fuji TV

Cast

Correlation chart

Hayami Mokomichi as Tenjo Night
Mizushima Hiro as Asamoto Soshi
Aibu Saki as Izawa Riiko
Sasai Eisuke as Shirasagi Yuki
Ueno Natsuhi as Ito Mika
Satoi Kenta as Hirata Hajime
Nekoze Tsubaki as Adachi Kyoko
Komoto Maki as Sato Nozomi
Kaji Masaki as Tanaka Yoichiro
Yamada Meikyou as Asamoto Shiro
Minemura Rie (峯村リエ) as Yoshioka Tetsuko
Erena as Ono Chiho
Sakuragi Ryosuke (桜木涼介) as Morikawa Yasushi
Watanuki Shoichi (綿貫正市) as Dei Takeru
Irie Jingi as Hayashi Kota
Yamamoto Kei as Asamoto Kazushi
Nakamura Shunsuke as Asamoto Masashi
Sasaki Kuranosuke as Namikiri Gaku
Maya Miki as Wakabayashi Fujiko

Guests

Kyo Nobuo as Ishizeki Hayato (ep1)
Susana (ep1)
Katoh Hitoshi (加藤仁志) (ep1)
Ingen (いんげん) (ep1)
Maki Toru (牧徹) (ep1)
Kikuchi Kinya (ep2)
Kin Manpuku (金萬福) (ep2)
Yamagami Kenji (山上賢治) (ep2)
Oka Ayumi (岡あゆみ) (ep2)
Ihata Juri (ep2)
Kanechiku Kenji (かねちくけんじ) (ep2)
Yuki Yasutake (遊木康剛) (ep2)
Awabi Tachimasa (鮑立傑) (ep2)
Komuro Yuta (ep2)
Ishida Taro as Miura Hitoshi (ep3)
Harada Yuko (原田祐子) (ep3)
Hashino Ryunosuke (土師野隆之介) (ep3)
Nakamura Masaya (ep4)
Nanbu Torata (南部虎弾) (ep4)
Nagamune Yoshimichi (長棟嘉道) (ep4)
Kurobe Yukihide (黒部幸英) (ep4)
Shibasaki Noboru (芝崎昇) (ep4)
Nodaka Aoi (野貴葵) (ep4,6,8)
Mori Fujio (森富士夫) (ep5)
Kodama Raishin (児玉頼信) (ep5)
Hirata Takayuki (平田貴之) (ep5)
Asakura Chie (浅倉千絵) (ep5)
Iwamatsu Ryo as Izawa Yoshiharu (ep6)
Takahashi Hitomi as Izawa Makiko (ep6)
Takatsuki Yuji (高槻祐士) (ep6)
Sakai Ayana as Hirai Natsumi (ep7-8)
Kato Chiaki (加藤千安樹) (ep7)
Sato Momiji (佐藤椛) (ep7)
Teshima Tomoko (手嶋智子) (ep7)
Inagaki Rinka (稲垣鈴夏) (ep7)
Gamou Junichi (蒲生純一) (ep8)
Iseda Takahiro (伊勢田隆弘) (ep8)
Deguchi Masayoshi (出口正義) (ep8)
Abe Tsuyoshi as Toshiki (ep8)

Episode Information

Episode	Subtitle	Ratings (Kanto)	Ratings (Kansai)	Ratings (Nationwide)
01	The robot that bestows love	13.1	??.?	??.?
02	Poor love, totally	14.3	??.?	??.?
03	Stolen love, totally	15.1	??.?	??.?
04	Kissing love, totally	13.1	??.?	??.?
05	Jealous love, totally	13.1	??.?	??.?
06	Scrapped	12.4	??.?	??.?
07	A love that touched her	13.0	??.?	??.?
08	A new robot love	12.1	??.?	??.?
09		13.0	??.?	??.?
10		??.?	??.?	??.?
average	--	??.?	??.?	??.?

Source: Video Research, Ltd. (http://www.videor.co.jp/)

Production Credits

Original writing: Watase Yu, Zettai Kareshi (manga)
Planning: Kanei Takuya (金井卓也) (ep1-8)
Screenwriter: Nezu Rika (根津理香) (ep1-3,5-6,8), Fumishima Rei (文島礼) (ep4), Nihei Junpei (二瓶遵平) (ep7)
Producer: Hashimoto Fumi (橋本芙美) (ep1-8)
Director: Hijikata Masato (土方政人) (ep1-2,5,8), Sato Genta (佐藤源太) (ep3-4,7), Kitagawa Manabu (北川学) (ep6)
Music: Fukushima Yuko (福島祐子), audio highs

UPCOMING DRAMAS

2008-05-22T00:27:00.000+08:00

Gokusen season 3

Season 3

This drama is currently airing.

Gokusen 3

Broadcast period: 2008-Apr-19 to 2008-Jun
Air time: Saturday 21:00
Theme song: Niji by Aqua Timez
Insert song: Oretachi no Seishun by Takaki Yuya

Cast

Correlation chart

Nakama Yukie as Yamaguchi Kumiko (Yankumi / Ojou / Kumichou) (Math Teacher/Class 3D adviser)
Namase Katsuhisa as Sawatari Goro, Kyoto (School Vice Principal)
Enami Kyoko (Board Chairman)
Utsui Ken as Kuroda Ryuichiro (Kumiko's grandpa / 3rd Generation Oedo Yakuza Boss)
Anan Kenji as Wakamatsu Hiro
Kaneko Ken as Asakura Tetsu
Uchiyama Shinji as Tatsukawa Minoru
Ryogoku Hiroshi as Sugawara Makoto
Waki Tomohiro as "Kuma" / Kumai Teruo (Former student of Yankumi)
Azuma Mikihisa as Baba Masayoshi (PE Teacher)
Koizumi Kotaro as Natsume Seichi (School Doctor)
Hirayama Aya as Takano Aoi (English Teacher)
Hoshino Aki as Ayukawa Sakura (School Nurse)
Sato Jiro as Yajima Hosaku (Japanese Classics Teacher)
Sakigake Santaro (魁三太郎) as Hatoyama Yasuhiko (World History Teacher)
Ishii Kota as Tsuruoka Keisuke (Physics Teacher)

Class 3D

Miura Haruma as Kazama Ren
Takaki Yuya as Ogata Yamato
Ishiguro Hideo as Honjo Kengo
Kiriyama Akito as Kuraki Satoru
Nakama Junta as Ichimura Rikiya
Miura Shohei as Kamiya Shunsuke
Kido Yuya
Mayama Akihiro
Wakaba Ryuya
Warabino Tomoya
Kanno Atsumi (菅野篤海)
Kujirai Kosuke (鯨井康介)
Shimizu Ryodaro (清水良太郎)
Totani Kimito (戸谷公人)
Nakayama Masei (中山麻聖)
Hamao Kyosuke (浜尾京介)
Maeda Goki (前田公輝)
Maruo (まるお)
Yazaki Hiroshi (矢崎広)
Yuki Jutta (夕輝壽太)
Yuji

Production Credits

Original writing: Morimoto Kozueko (森本梢子) Gokusen (manga)
Screenwriters: Egashira Michiru, Yokota Rie, Matsuda Yuko (松田裕子)
Producer: Kato Masatoshi
Directors: Sato Toya, Otani Taro (大谷太郎), Yamashita Manami (山下学美)
Music: Oshima Michiru

Jdorama

Happy Chinese New Year

2 Years Missing

Japanese calendar

Happy Chinese New Year

Happy New Year

Oh! My Girl!!

Oh! My Girl!!

Details

Synopsis

Cast

Production Credits

Episode Information

New Anime

[Oricon] popular celebrity bloggers

Must See drama

Kurosagi

Details

Synopsis

Cast

Source

Haromoni@ Cancelled !

Traditional Japanese Food

Nattō

History

Appearance and consumption

Production process

End product

Medical benefits

Gallery

Green Tea

Bleach the movie 2 The DiamondDust Rebellion

The Diamond Dust Rebellion

Plot

Thing must know before visiting Japan

僕の彼女サイボーグ My girlfriend the cyborg

Ayase Haruka staring in 'my girlfriend the cyborg'

Details

Plot Summary

Cast

Screen shoot preview

Sorry Busy this few weeks. This is quite old movie

Sekai no Chuushin de, Ai wo Sakebu

Details

Synopsis

Cast

Production Credits

Dragon Ball the movie 2009

Cast and characters

About the movie

Release

Sequels

Yay! Bon Odori 2008 Malaysia

Cosplay

Diablo 3

Time To Go Back To School

Zettai Kareshi

Zettai kareshi

Details

Synopsis

Cast

Guests

Episode Information

Production Credits

UPCOMING DRAMAS

Gokusen season 3

Cast

Class 3D

Production Credits

僕の彼女サイボーグ　My girlfriend the cyborg