Atomu 009

I finally made it to the Miyagi Museum of Art today to see the "Power of Manga" exhibit featuring work from Osamu Tezuka and Shotaro Ishinomori. (Click the second link there for some examples of their work.)

Below are a few photos I snapped before I was told that I shouldn't be taking any photos. (Hey, there wasn't any sign!)

I really wanna track down that "Lost World" comic. I wonder if it's based on Arthur Conan Doyle's story.

Outside of the exhibit (which takes up the entire second floor) is a quintet of gals who make up 5/9 of the Cyborg 009 gang. I don't know if they are AKBers or not but they certainly are cute.

 I became a member and made it a sextet. (Heh,heh.)

Loads of goods to be purchased, I opted for a Clear File (natch), a pack of cards and a package of goodies.

Let's delve into them, shall we.

There 9 cards in the set and I got some stills from the Manga, 火の鳥  (Hi no Tori, "bird of fire" = Phoenix). I have a copy of this around here somewhere, I'll have to break it out one of these days.

Flip the cards over and you get a wonderful triple-triptych puzzle.

In the package are another Clear File, two towels, some stickers, and a few memo pad/ post-it notes. Not a bad haul.

I had enough coins leftover to grab a Gatcha. I got Leo! (Hmm. I also landed a movie pamphlet of this recently. I need to write about it someday.)

So if you like either of the above artists or any of the recent batch of Manga-artists who were influenced by them (there are some of their tribute works on display as well), head on down to the Art Museum (see first link way above.) Unfortunately, you only have until Sunday!

As an added bonus, you can enter some displays on the first floor, one of which includes works by Klee and Kandinsky. Even better, you can see Van Gogh's Sunflowers!!

When I return from Canada in a few weeks, I'll be heading to Ishinomaki to see more of Ishinomori's work at the Mangattan!

Hot Off The Presses!

In most countries, newspapers are becoming a dying medium but here in Japan, they are still booming. For example, for just 320yen, you can get this 24-page tome. Great covers and a huge centerfold spread are the selling points but it's also jam-packed with articles, interviews, and photos past and present. Guess who is featured...

Relatively few ads and even then, they feature Gojira himself (he is such a shill).

I can understand the ads for movies, figures and even the coin but a mattress??

I suppose even Godzilla has to sleep somewhere.

Unlike the manga, I'm on top of this newspaper and have snagged a few copies. Let me know if you are interested and I can send you one...

G-Cups.

Don't be mislead by the post-title, it is definitely safe for work. For the last month or so, one can buy a Godzilla-Cup at the cinema. Alas, they are sold out at Movix at 800￥and at 109, they cost 950￥. I recently managed to get a cup at CineForum for 700￥. Woohoo!

They are definitely promoting the heck out of this movie. All the staff at Movix are wearing this t-shirt. Who do I need to mug in order to get one?

Unfortunately, there is still very little merchandising out there. I need to track this down for it has to be one of the coolest vehicles out there. It would fit in well racing against the Slag Brothers in Wacky Races. Check out the Gojiramobile.

Over at famima (Family Mart conbini) will soon feature ゴジラーメン (Gojira-ramen??). Not sure what it entails, I'll have to wait until July 24th to find out. (Click that link for details.)

I wish they had one of these in my city. I'll have to go visit in Tokyo next week before I head to Canada. It's positively statuesque!

More Goodz as I find them...

Addendum: I forgot about this item. I believe that there was a larger model of this for several thousand bucks made out of gold, this guy is much more reasonably priced at just over 100$. You have your choice of Godzilla or Ghiddorah.