18.01.2010 · by Patrick W. Galbraith
In pursuit of Cowboy Bebop, or drunken rambling
I have done many a strange thing in my day, but as far as dining goes I think last night surely ranks up there. I was watching "Cowboy Bebop" for the one millionth time, and came across the scene where Spike and Jet drink some vile booze with a lizard in it. I decided that I wanted to drink that, too. A quick Internet search turned up a place called Asadachi (朝起) in Shinjuku, so I went down there. They did, in fact, have a bottle of booze with a lizard stewing in the bottom, a concoction they called Tokage-zake. What's more, they were grilling whole salamanders! After a couple salamander skewers and shots of lizard booze, which tasted something like Aomori nihonshu, I also ordered some kintama, which turned out to be pig nuts. By this point I had a pretty good buzz going and everything tasted like chicken anyway, so I ordered some whale. Yes, I regret it now, but I did it. Turned out to be blubber, which was chewy for a few bites then melted for an all together unpleasant taste sensation. I hear they also have raw frog meat, served with the head, and "beating frog heart," but apparently they were out (maybe I should be happy). That is the last time I drink before I order, or get lonely watching anime and go out looking for trouble! It would have been a lot more fun if Spike had been there...
Tags: Weird Dining 0 Comments
22.12.2009 · by Patrick W. Galbraith
Pikachu girl
Just saw this over at Temple University Japan, where I sometimes do guest lectures. Maybe I might join the Manga Club, too! Any thoughts on the quality of this Pikachu girl? I want to know up front if I am out of my league drawing wise...
Tags: Weird 0 Comments
01.12.2009 · by Patrick W. Galbraith
Girly Gundam
Terrifying. Absolutely no excuse for this. I mean, mecha meets moe, I can see that in mecha shojo. But this? It's pink. Just wait - Macross is next in line.
Tags: Anime Otaku Weird 3 Comments
03.11.2009 · by Patrick W. Galbraith
Know Akiba, get chicks
Newsflash from "R-25," a free information magazine in Tokyo:
"If you understand Akiba, then you might be popular overseas?"
「アキバがわかれば海外でモテる？」
OK, that is a new one on me. Granted, this is only a slogan written on a stand for the magazine, and I haven't seen any full article, but I just can't imagine that knowing about Akiba is going to help anybody anywhere meet women....
Tags: Akihabara CM Weird 2 Comments
25.09.2009 · by Patrick W. Galbraith
Moe graffiti
I was in Nippombashi, Osaka, in the care of some really great guys, Howard and Rob from Macross World, and Takumi and Shacho, standard Japanese otaku. All were experts in the area, the "Akiba of the West," and extremely generous with their time. Thanks so much! Walking around one of the backstreets in search of forgotten hobby shops, we happened across some graffiti of moe. On closer inspection, it became clear that the culprit had mistakenly drawn the Chinese character. (Click second image for a closeup.) Priceless!
21.08.2009 · by Patrick W. Galbraith
Moe Hello Kitty!
I often joke with friends that moe will conquer the world. They laugh, and I present an official Sanrio souvenir Akihabara towel with Hello Kitty asking, "Moe?" I bought it years back in Shinagawa station. Comike 76 provided more evidence. Kitty made her debut, courtesy of two of my favorite illustrators, Okama and Pop. These guys are squarely in moe territory, and that Sanrio tapped them, and at Comike no less, is a pretty big statement for the expanding cultural power of moe. Or the fall of the once great character designers.
10.08.2009 · by Patrick W. Galbraith
Ultra Cider!
I went camping in rural Kanagawa Prefecture this past weekend, and all I have to show for it are bug bites and a sunburn. But I did happen across a vending machine selling cans of cider - Ultra Cider, that is! Each can was a different "Ultraman" design. I chose an old favorite, Ultra Seven, and was pleased to find the back of each can listed one of the kaiju from the show. Seriously cool stuff! My only regret is that I didn't have the money or fortitude to buy up all the cans and port them back to Tokyo.
Tags: Tokusatsu Weird 2 Comments
22.06.2009 · by Patrick W. Galbraith
Maid Detective... Japanese TV at its best
Saw this passing through Shibuya. Maid Deka will clean up the dirty streets!l Seriously, who the the hell watches this? It starts June 26, courtesy of Asahi TV. Thanks for Andrew Lee for the image.
Tags: TV Weird 2 Comments
21.06.2009 · by Patrick W. Galbraith
Eva 3D shirt
Just in time for the new Eva movie, what was sold to me as a "3D shirt" and is surely the most obnoxious thing I have ever seen. Unit 01 is busting out of the wearer's chest like a fraggin' alien spawn. I was actually considering wearing this to the opening, but think it might be too much of a nuisance...
Tags: Anime Otaku Weird Gainax 0 Comments
16.05.2009 · by Patrick W. Galbraith
Passive-aggressive finger to the law!
My opinions on the police presence in Akihabara are well known, as is my insistence on wearing a costume and walking the streets when I know it means they will question me. Seems like I am not the only one who is bugged by these guys. This is my new favorite shirt, because at least I can pretend to be able to defy them as they rummage though my bag.
Tags: Akihabara Otaku Weird 0 Comments
08.05.2009 · by Patrick W. Galbraith
Maid cafe 'Akiba' in Hiroshima!?
We all know that maid cafes, or what passes for them, can be a little shady outside of Akihabara. At last count, their were 217 maid establishments in Japan, and not all clients are looking to idolize moe characters from a far. A cursory online image search or trip to the local video shop reveals the maid costume is often treated as a sort of erotic cosplay and moe mild eroticism, however much diehard may disagree. This image is a great example - a "maid cafe" called "Akiba" smack in the middle of the red light district in Hiroshima. All the signs of good clean otaku fantasy and fun are there, but I wonder if the services are even remotely similar... Thanks to Erika Alpert for the picture! If anyone else has something to share, let us know!
Tags: Maids Tourism Weird 0 Comments
29.04.2009 · by Patrick W. Galbraith
Jedi bar
A bar named Jedi. Awesome. After investigation, it had nothing to do with "Star Wars," sadly, but check out in Ebisu for a fix.
Tags: Weird 0 Comments
22.04.2009 · by Patrick W. Galbraith
Kikkoman shrine!?
I know people in Japan love their soy sauce, but this is a bit much. I went to a shrine in Yokohama, supposedly one in a set of the most holy in country, and what do I see? Kikkoman, there for the worship. Apparently they are a generous donor to the site... This looks like a shop display!
Tags: Weird 0 Comments
31.03.2009 · by Patrick W. Galbraith
Shojo save the world
Walking through a slum north of Yokohama - very near to Hatsune-cho - I happened upon a huge photographic image of school girls posted to a wall. Intrigued, I took a closer look, and found it was by a famous Chinese artist who had come to take the photo as part of a renovation effort in the area. Asking around, I found that he used the school girls to symbolize a bright future for the city. That sounds pretty freaking otaku to me, and like every anime I've seen in the last decade, but moving on. Before the image went up five months back, there was a sign in five languages promoting the use of condoms, ostensibly for prostitutes in the area. Hmm... Maybe they ought to have left that old sign up to save these girls from a worser fate... I couldn't help buying the poster in a nearby store (image below).
