New Year☆2010

Hi♪ Happy New Year ＾＾☆
This was the first time I experienced the New Year in Brazil.
It was little different from Japanese one.
In this post, I'll introduce you how the traditional Japanese New Year is.

On New Year's Eve, there's some traditional TV programs in Japan.
This time, I'll introduce you the most famous one which is Ko(red)haku(white) Uta (song)Gassen (battle). The picture ( the photo taken by 大橋純人） of it is at the bottom.This is an annual music show on New Year's Eve in Japan which is produced by Japanese broad caster NHK and broadcast on both television and radio. Literally, this programme devides the most popular music artists of the year into competing teams of red and white. The red team is composed all female artists, while the white team is composed all male artists. The honor of performing on Kohaku is strictly by invitation , so only the succesful J-Pop artists and enka singers can perform. Win and loss is judged by the judges who are the succesful people chosen by NHK. This time, the white team won ♪　This programme is gorgeous and wonderful one.

Then, when the New Year came, what happen in Japan?
In Brazil, I saw a lot of fireworks. They were so beautiful.
In Japan, the temple bell toll on New Year's Eve is rung. So, it's completely different from the colorful one in Brazil. And, at the same time, Japanese eat the buckwheat noodles eaten on New Year's Eve. We eat it for luck in the New Year.


As a breakfast in January 1st, Japanese eat traditional New Year's food which is called Osechi -Ryori (the picture is at the bottom). The dishes that makes up Osechi has a special meaning celebrating the New Year.



[Daidai] - Japanese bitter orange. It means "from generation to generation". So, it simborizes a wish for the children in New Year.

[Datemaki] - Sweet rolled omelette mixed with fish paste or mashed shrimp. They simporize a wish for many auspicious days.

[Kamaboko] -Broiled fish paste. Traditionally, slices of red and white kamaboko are used. The color and shape are reminiscent of Japan rising sun, and have a celebrately, festival meaning.

[Kazunoko] -Herring roe. It simbolizes a wish to be gifted with numerous children in the New Year.

[Konbu] -The food which is the kind of seaweed. It simbolizes 'joy'.

[Kurikinton] - Mushed chestnut which color is gold.

[Kuromame] -Brack soybeans. It simbolizes a wish for health in the New Year.

[Tai] -A red sea-bream. It simbolizes an auspicious event.

[Tazukuri] -Dried sardines cooked in soy sauce. The symbolism is of an abundant harvest.

[Zoni] -The soup of mochi rice cakes.

Because I'm in Brazil, I couldn't eat all of them this time.
But, I could eat Kamaboko,Kazunoko,Kuromame,Kurikinton, and Zoni.
I like zoni. It's delicious♡

On the New Year, Japanese send the New Year card to friends, teachers, colleague, an so on.

I receive a lot of New Year card every year. I'm always looking forward to receive it ♪♪
Each person designs own New Year card and put their own message on it.
So, it's really fun event for me ＾＾ There's some examples at the bottom.


Each country has a traditional way of celebrating the New Year.
It's wonderful and interesting, isn't it?
May the new year bring you happiness! （●＾o＾●）♡

「The Prince of Tennis」

Hi　^^

Today,I'll introduce 「The Prince of Tennis」 written by Takeshi Konomi.

This comic is famous and popular in Japan. ( These days, part 2 was started.)

In fact, there's a lot of people started playing tennis because of this comic.

And also, it was adapted into an anime series,animated movie,live action movie , and stage musicals. Then, I'll show you the summary of this comic.

The protagonist of this comic is Ryoma Echizen (wearing the white hat)is portrayed as a twelve year old tennis prodigy who won four consecutive Junior Tennis Tournamants in America. His father is Nanjiro Echizen, a former tennis pro nicknamed "Samurai Nanjiro". At his father's request, Ryoma returans to Japan in order to attend Seisyun Academy, a private middle school famous for its strong tennis team and talented players. Ryoma quickly defeats numerous upperclassmen shortly after entrance to secure himself a spot as a one of the team's regulars(second picture). In pursuit of their ultimate goal of winning the National Middle School Tennis Championship, members of the team fight against various kinds of tennis players(some of them　are in the third picture) and make new friends while learning and mastering increasingly complex techniques. Ryoma also begins to develop his own style of tennis, and eventually realizes what the sport really means to him.

All of the characters in this comic have a strong personality.

There's a lot of attractive characters.

In fact, my favorite characters are Atobe, Kikumaru, Momoshiro, Kaidoh,Kamio,Akutsu, Shishido, Saeki, Shiraishi, and,,,Ah! There's too many attractive characters(><;)

This comic is interesting because there's various kinds of characters, tennis styles, and techniques.

These sites show about 「The Prince of Tennis」 in details.

　http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Prince_of_Tennis

　http://br.animaxtv.com/shows/prince-tennis/season/3

http://www.tenipuri.com/main.html

I recommend you to read this comic☆

Thank you ^^♪

「SKET DANCE」

Hello (*^^)v

Today, I'll recommend you 「SKET DANCE」 written by Kenta Shinohara.

This comic is becoming popular these days. In fact, it was novelized in November.

I'll buy it when I go back to Japan during the vercation♪

Then, I'll show you the summary of this story.

This is a story set in a school "Kaimei School".

In this school, there's a club which is known as the campus support group, called "Sket-dan".

"SKET" is stands for "Support" "Kindness" "Encouragement" "Troubleshoot".

Their activity is helping the people and support the school life of students.

They accepts the request from the students and help them. There's various kinds of requests.

For example, "Please take part in a softball game as a pinch hitter","I want to be the popular person in the class", "Please look for the culprit who sprayed graffiti on the school's wall." and so on. They always try to satisfy a client.

"Sket-dan" is consisted of three students Yusuke Hujisaki, Himeko Oniduka, and Kazuyoshi Usui.

A captain ,Yuusuke Hujisaki who is called Bossun organized this club. He has extraordinary power of concentration. But, unfortunately, he is famous as the inconspicuous hero, because he doesn't have special ability like the hero of other comics have, and also other characters in this comic have strong personality. So, the other characters always make fun of him by saying he is an inconspicuous person. But he get the strong trust of the other club members and clients. He always try to help people even if he has to lose and suffer.

Himeko Oniduka is only girl in this club. In the past, she was a delinquent who was called "Onihime" (a demon princess) and feared by everybody. But , now, changed her heart by Bossun and tries to help people by using her ability which is good at quarreling. She fights with a hockey stick. She puts confidence in Bossun.

Kazuyoshi Usui is the guy with wearing grasses. He is called "switch". He is popular among some of the girls because he is handsome and funny. He is good at using technologies. And,,,he doesn't talk by himself. He always talks through using speech synthesis software because of his very sad past. But he could recover from that sad past by Bossun and he enjoys he became cheerful person. He also puts coinfidence in Bossun.

All three of them pull together and try to solve the troubles which clients have. They have very good teamwork.

My most favorite character is Sasuke Tsubaki who is a vice-president of student council.

Student council always fight against SKET especially Bossun and Tsubaki are always opposed to each other. They are good rival. Tsubaki has a strong sense of justice. He is good at karate and judo. I like his characteristic which is very serious , but also hating to lose like a child. Bossun and Tsubaki always fight like a child. It's very funny. The picture of student council is the second one. Tsubaki is the guy who is written at the right of second raw.

This comic includes various kinds of stories.

They sometimes make me laugh and sometimes impressess me greatly.

And also, there's various kinds of characters who have a strong personality.

I'm always looking forward to read next story because I can't expect what kind of story and character will come next. It is one of an attraction of this comic.

I really recommend you to read "SKET DANCE".

This time, I'll introduce you the site which you can read various kinds of comics free.

http://mangahelpers.com/read-online/

This site translate comics to various kinds of languages.

Push " Looking for manga?" and find the comic you want to read. For example "SKET DANCE"...

http://mangahelpers.com/m/sket-dance/chapters/

Then push the chapters. Pictures of frag show you in which language you can read it.

Choose the chapter and push it. Then, you can choose the language.

For example, chapter1 in English...

http://mangahelpers.com/s/sinscans/details/4709　( this time, choose scanlations)

Finally, you can start resding by pushing first page which is on the left.

Sometimes, there's a chapter you can't read. Sorry about it.

Then, ENJOY READING　＾＾☆

See you♪

「One Piece」

Hello^^
Today, I´ll introduce you One Piece written by Eiichiro Oda.
This is really popular and famous comic not only in Japan but also in other countries.
Then, I´ll show you the summary of this comic.

This story sets the stage in the Golden Age of Pirartes.

A boy named Monkey D. Luffy inspired by his childhood hero "Red-Haired" Shanks , sets out on a journey to find One Piece , the legendary treasure of the King of the Pirates, Gold Roger. Accidentally, he ate the devil fruit causing his body to gain the properties of highly stretchable lubber. After his life is saved by Shanks when he was almost eating by shark , he decided to achieve the tantamount goals of finding the world's ultimate treasure ,One Piece, which is hidden by King of the Pirates, Gold Roger. Ten years later, wearing Shanks' straw hat ,he started his journey as a pirate. His greatest ambition is to become the next King of the Pirates. On his way he gathers crews. He names it 'Straw Hat Pirates' and he became a captain of its pirates. The member of its crews are a firstmate-swordsman ' Pirate Hunter' Roronoa Zoro, a navigator-'Cat Thief'' Nami , a sniper-'Sogeking' Usopp, a cook-' Black Leg' Sanji , a doctor- Tony Tony Chopper, an archaeologist-Nico Robin , a shipwright- 'Cyborg' Franky , and a musician - 'Dead Bones' Brooke . They meet lot of enemies on their way. But they pull through all of crisis in cooperation. And also, all of crews have own dream. They try to make their dreams come true.

This is really exciting story . It descrives warm and beautiful friendship.

They meet verious kinds of people and make friends with them. And sometimes , they can increase the number of crews. Surprisingly, their enemy sometimes become one of their crews .

I think this is one of the attraction of this story.

My most favorite character is Roronoa Zoro.

He is really strong fighter and right-hand of Luffy.

His dream is becoming the world's greatest swordman.

He is very cool because he always try to save the member of crews at the risk of his life.

He is a reliable man.

These sites descrives this story in details.

●　http://onepiece.viz.com/

● http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One_Piece

Both of them are written in English.

I really recommend you to read 「One Piece」 ♪

Thank you ^^

「DEATH NOTE」

Hi♪

Today, I'll recommend you 「DEATH NOTE」 which is created by writer Tsugumi Ohba and manga artist Takeshi Obata. It is one of the most famous and popular comics in Japan^^ And also, it is popular all over the world. In fact, those are sold in Brazil ,too♪ Then, I'll show you the summary of this comic.

Light Yagami is an extremely intelligent young man who resents what appears to be a rellentless increase of crime and corruption in the world around him. His life undergoes a drastic change when he discovers a mystery notebook , known as the "Death Note", lying on the ground. The Death Note's instruction's claim that if a human's name is written within it, that person shall die. After meeting with the previous owner of the Death Note , the god of death named Ryuk,Light seeks to become "the God of the New World" by passing his keen judgment on those he deems to be evil or who get in his way. Soon ,the number of inexplicable death of reported criminals catches the attention of the International Police Organization and mysterious detective known only as "L" . He is also an extremely intelligent young man. L quickly learns that the serious killer dubbed by the public as "Kira"(derived from the typical Japanese pronunciation of the English word 'killer' ) is located in Japan. He also concludes that Kira can kill people without laying a finger on them. Light realizes that L will be his greatest enemy, and a game of psychological cat and mouse between the two begins.

This comic is really interesting! And also, this story gives us something to think seriously. In this story , most of the people became to praise and support "Kira" even if he kills a lot of people. Because, the world became safety by Kira's existence. What do you think about this? Do you support "Kira" if such a thing happen in real society? This comic includes many deep messages in the story. I think this is also one of the reason why it is very popular and famous among the people.

And also, this comic was adopted into a series of live-action films in 2006. It had great success.

Look at the casts in it which are on the pictures below.

　　　　　 ●Light Yagami

( Tatsuya Fujiwara)

●L

(Kenichi Matsuyama)

Don't you think they lookes like they came right out of a comic?

Like this, this movie's cast was a great success with the public.

And ,the story was little different from the story written in comic,,,BUT! It was also very interesting(><) So,you can enjoy this movie even if you didn't read the comics.

I think those are why this movie could have great success. And also, after a moment, the movie「L change the World」 (L is a protagonist in this movie) was screened. It also had a great success. It is one of the my favorite movies(><)♡　I recommend not only the comics but also these movies (><)!!

My most favorite character is 「L」♡

He is a person with striking personality. So, he is very funny and cute. And also, he is genius and very cool.I think he is a real justice.

I recommend you to read 「DEATH NOTE」.

I think this is one of the masterpieces in Japan.

These sites has informations about it in details.

　　●http://wwws.warnerbros.co.jp/deathnote/ 　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　

　　●http://www.j-deathnote.com/　

Sorry, Both of them are Japanese sites(--;)

But those are very artistic because those are official sites of 「DEATH NOTE」.

Thank you＾＾♪

Japanese comics are quite artistic !

Hi!
In the last post, I promised to tell you the secret related to bookjacket of Japanese comics,,,right? So, today, I'll tell it to you＾＾

The secret is ,,,

when you take the bookjacket ・・・

you can find the picture which is different from the picture written on a cover !!Many of the Japanese comics have this secret. The content written on a cover is depends on comic. So, I'm always feel exciting when I take the bookjacket and look at a cover ♪

I'll show you some examples　!(^^)!

1. 「D. Gray-man」 vol.15 , written by Katsura Hoshino.

Let's take the book jacket !!

Wow! There's an another short comic!! This short comic shows the process of

taking the picture which is used as a cover. It says , there's a trouble between the

characters before taking this picture . It was really funny !(^^)! And also, I felt as if I

had made a profit because I could read the story which is the people who didn't buy this

comic can not read. And the happiest thing was my most favorite character was the main character of this story ♡kkk

2. 「Black Butler」 vol.1 , written by Yana Toboso.

Let's take the book jacket !!

!?!?!? This picture is very simillar to the one on a cover , but his costume is different. And also, the title is changed to 「黒ホスト」. This means 「Brack Host」in Japanese. Like this, 「Black Butler」 always change the chalacter's costume and put an another title.As an example, 「Black Dancer」、「Black Golfer」 ,「Black Sushiya」,and so on. And also, on a buck cover , there's a summary of that story. This time, there's a summary of 「Black Host 」the author wrote by kidding. This series is popular among readers. All of the readers always looking forward to see next cosplay of character on a cover.

3. 「Kochira Katsusika-ku Kameari Koen-mae Hashutsujo」 vol.150, written by Osamu Akimoto.

Let's take the book jacket!

Oh! What a gorgeous cover!! It's because this comic achieved vol.150 .

It is congratuated by this cover . Can you see the letter 「祝」 at the above of 150?

「祝」 means 「Congratuation」　in Japanese. This comic is the one of the longest comics in Japan.

There's a statue of the main character　「Kankichi Ryotsu」　at the city that this comic takes place.

4. 「The prince of tennis」 vol.35, written by Takeshi Konomi.

This is the special one! This is different kinds of secret from others. But, I want to show you because this is rare one. It has a reversible cover!! Let's look at it.

Let's turn the cover the other way around !

Wow! His hair became shorter! Why?
It's because he played a game of tennis with the promise "the person lose has to cut own hair".
Year,,,he lost. But it was really good game!!
I have never seen such a revercible cover . It's really cool, isn't it?

●　In addition, I'll show you the backbone of Japanese comics, too.
　　 This is 「The Detective Conan」, written by Gosyo Aoyama.

Look at the top of the backbone. You can see the small story,right?
Most of the Japanese comics have such a ingenuity.


In this post, I wanted to show you an attraction of Japanese comics.
They always try to entertain readers by not only the story , but also other things.
They have a lot of quite artistic ingenuity.　Could you see those from this post?
I hope you became more interested in Japanese comics by this post.

Thank you ^^♪

Japanese comics are different!!

OMG! I realized that I forgot to tell you important thing!

There's a big difference between Japanese comics and some other country's comics.

Look at the pictures below.

●The comic in Brazil " Monica" written by Mauricio.

● The comic in Japan " The Detective CONAN" written by Gosho Aoyama.

Could you find the difference?

●Comic in Brazil ⇒　opens from right to left.

●Comic in Japan ⇒　opens from left to right.

You can see this difference in books,too.

I think most of the country's comics are same as comics inBrazil.

BE CAREFUL!! Japanese comics are different!
If you opens from right...You will know the ending before reading the story(><)

And the next picture shows HOW TO READ the Japanese comics.

I took this from "D.Gray-man"(Portugues version) written by Katsura Hoshino .
But I couldn't take it very well(/_;)　Sorry... this picture is difficult to see (--;)

Can you see the numbers 1~13? This is the order of reading.

And there's one more difference♪ Let's compare next two pictures.

● " Monica" - I bought this comic because my Portugues teacher said this comic is
really good one to study Portugues. Year, I agree. This comic meets my

level of Portugues . I can draw CEBOLINHA's face. It's easy.kkk

　　　　　

●"The Detective CONAN”- This cover is really cute,isn'this? This comic always uses

the cover which is related to the story. In volume 51, the cat

appears on the story. So, this cover was chosen. By the way,

this is author's cat. How cute!...and what a lucky cat! kkk

Anyway, could you find the difference?
The answer is...
Most of Japanese comics has a good book jacket♪
I think other country's comic doesn't have such a book jacket.

And... there's a secret related to book jacket!(^^)!
I want to tell it now...but, I think this post already has too many pictures and imformation(><)
So, I'll tell you it in the next post(*^^)v
Good -bye till next post　(^^♪

Thank you　)^o^(　♥