Television

Jun 17 2007 2 Comments

Tokyo television

A few hours in front of the telly or a quick tour of YouTube could possibly lead the casual observer to conclude that Japanese television consists of nothing other than vapid variety shows and banal food-based offerings. Yet whilst such kinds of programmes are admittedly quite prominent, it’s thankfully not all mindless rubbish, with the odd unexpected gem making one sit back and marvel at life’s many unanswered mysteries.

Such as how on earth a man can remove all his clothes in a little under 8 seconds for example.

Jun 01 2007 3 Comments

Tokyo training?

With Japan absolutely jam-packed with vending machines, it’s not exactly difficult for those underage to clandestinely purchase their poison of choice. In fact, for Japanese teens, Tokyo is absolutely teeming with treasures; a party involving plenty of booze, packets of cigarettes and a plethora of porn being easily had — all at the simple push of a button. Making it a pubescent form of perfection of sorts.

Yet not content with young adults getting a taste for the odd tipple, Japanese drink manufacturers are also keen on attracting those even younger. This beer-like beverage unashamedly aimed at the under-10s.

A commercial for the drink even helping highlight the immeasurable benefits of inebriation. Or at least a sober simulation of it.

However, the presumably high sugar content of each bottle may well make children who consume too much of it ill or indeed irritable, arguably making it just like the real thing — almost.

May 10 2007 1 Comment

Japan Unwrapped #5: Ultra unbelievable

Dear Tokyo Times

I’m pretty sure Godzilla doesn’t exist cos my friend Bobby says so. And Tokyo is still there so he can’t have destroyed it like I’ve seen him do in a film. At least that’s what my teacher Miss Jones said when I asked her. She even showed me some pictures in a book. It looked great.

But Bobby also says that Ultraman is real, and that’s why Japan is so safe. He reckons he even has a special phone too if there’s ever any trouble. I asked Miss Jones again but she has never heard of him, so she couldn’t help me.

Can you? Is it true?

Kevin (10), London.

Well Kevin, your friend Bobby is right. I’m not quite sure about the phone part, but yes, Ultraman is always on hand to help protect the people of Tokyo. In fact, only last week I witnessed the man himself fending off a few fiends who seemed intent on ruining a small outdoor concert.

How he found out I don’t know (so maybe Bobby is right about the phone), but before the monsters could cause any real mayhem,

Ultraman defiantly dealt with them.

His karate-like kicks were very impressive too.

In fact, everyone was so relieved, that the event organiser even overlooked the masked marvel taking a sneaky peek at one of the presenter’s legs as she thanked him for his actions.

You see Kevin, even super heroes like looking at girls sometimes.

(click images for ultra big Ultraman)

Apr 20 2007 6 Comments

Japanese jig

The devotion some Japanese men show towards dodgy dolls is definitely well documented, but perhaps a little less well known is a similar dedication when it comes to dancing; however as an art form it’s a fair old distance from the foxtrot, with anime and outfits the guiding force.

Like this young man for example, who is somewhat alarmingly aping the routines and regalia from the anime Lucky Star. And perhaps even more disturbing, he’s really rather good too, albeit in excruciatingly bad fashion.

Mar 30 2007 1 Comment

Japanese jokesters

With the brief cherry blossom season practically upon us, residents of Tokyo will soon move en masse to parks and opens spaces throughout the capital, sloshing down beer and slurring their way through impromptu sing-alongs.

Yet due to a spot of ‘nude but not nude’ controversy that was broadcast on TV over the New Year holidays, parties in the park may well be brightened further this year by an invasion of body suits.

Outfits of such breath-taking realism that they are set to both delight and dazzle revellers the length and breadth of the city. The manufacturers rather optimistically labelling them ‘sexy body suit’ and ‘powerful body suit’.

I’ll let you decide which one is which.

Mar 24 2007 17 Comments

Japanese fashion and fetishism

It’s not necessarily unusual for a Japanese TV talent or idol to have very little of the former — a particularly prominent body part (or two) often enough to secure someone fame and fortune. The point perfectly proven by the Kanou sisters, with their super-sized breasts earning them regular media exposure.

Yet whereas bulging boobies are one thing, garnering a reputation for merely wearing a hay fever mask is arguably another; however that’s exactly what young Anna Nakagawa appears to be doing, whilst at the same time earning herself the moniker of ‘mask idol’.