Robot Monster.

On Monday, I had to teach some Grade One kids about "Shapes" (triangles, circles, squares, etc. NOT skinny, obese, buxom, etc.). Since I had a slight fever and a lack of energy due to a cold, after a rousing game of "draw various shapes on the blackboard while blindfolded", I got lazy and instructed them to draw Robots using the shapes we had learned. They all turned out fairly generic; here are some examples.

When I added "Spiral" to the mix asked the kiddies to draw monsters, that's when their creative juices began to flow.

This last one may have stretched the definition of the shapes he was allotted but this Gorgon is such a masterpiece that I couldn't possibly object. (Clash of the Titans was on TV the night before. I wonder if it was his inspiration.)

ANY of these creations are a superior example of a Robot Monster than this one!




ps. I absolutely hate it that 6/7-year old kids can draw better than me.

Transformers Primetime.

Transformers Prime is rather odd. Transformers was a toy line that begat an anime that begat a cartoon (several series, actually) that begat an Animated Movie that begat a Movie series that begat yet another cartoon and has now been dubbed into Japanese. It's the Circle of Life!

For more info, check out Transformers experts at Branded in the 80s and listen to a podcast of Transformers the Movie!

(Scammed from Wikipedia.)
In Japan, the rights for the Transformers franchise are primarily held by Tomy, which operate themselves as Takara Tomy in Japan after merging with Takara (the creator of the toy line which precedes Transformers). The Japanese version of Transformers: Prime  is titled 超ロボット生命体 トランスフォーマー プライム.

Ending this week is a set of Happi Setto Transformers Prime, including:

 Bumblebee with the awesome awful ability of punching up with his right hand when you push down on his wings!

Megatron who can send a purple plastic spear about a metre.

Bulkhead who can send a blue plastic spear just over a metre.

 And of course Optimus Prime who has the incredible incredibly lame power of raising his sword arm up and down when you twist the other arm!

Pretty cool, eh?

As for the theme songs, here's the poop. From episodes 1 to 13, the opening theme to the series is the Japanese version of "Feeling" sung by South Korean band Big Bang.



and the closing theme is "I Believe in All" sung by Clutcho.



From episode 14 to 26, the opening theme is "Transformerz" sung by M-Flo,



and the closing theme is "A Little Bit" sung by Clutcho.



From episode 27, the opening theme is a remix of "Transformerz" with new lyrics, and the closing theme is "Discord" sung by Tokyo Girls' Style.



I doubt whether I'll be listening to these tunes again, though the last one wasn't too bad.

Though these toons are on weekly, I don't really pay attention to them when they're on. Check one out and see for yourself:



I hope the next Happi Setto is Monster's University which I'll be viewing on Saturday!!

Welcome to Tokyo!

I popped down to Tokyo on Saturday to meet up with my galpal Hisako. We hung around Shinjuku for about 2 hours while waiting to meet up with her daughter and in that time, we caught a few odd sights. Nearby, there is a Robot Restaurant and we saw a huge truck circle around the corner twice but it was out of camera shot. So we patiently awaited it's arrival and sure enough it surfaced again and posed for us.

I pleaded with her to let us go check it out but that'll have to wait for another day. Be sure to click the above link and take a look at its dancers. Now I know why the ladies balked at going.

Still waiting, my phone was dying so I bought a new charger and let the Force charge my iPhone.

Our waiting spot happens to be Lion Square and appropriately, there is a Leo-guardian.

In that same Square, there was an Onigiri shop handing out free samples with an assist by a rice-headed fellow and a rabbit.

Her daughter, Manami, finally did show and we looked around for a suitable restaurant. I wanted to check out this MahJong Parlour but once again I was vetoed by the ladies.

I don't recall the name of the Izakaya that we ended up in but the food was yummy enough. This was a fish jerky type dish and the tempura was something that I labelled "Mystery Veggies". Apart from the obvious there were a few veggies that were completely unidentifiable. The sashimi and salad were average but the asparagus spears were quite nice.

I did learn that my companions do tend to clash a lot but I'm too much of a gentleman to  go into details. Let's just say that this photo is somewhat posed.

Upon entry to the station, we encountered a rather odd sight but apparently Sailor Suit Old Man has gained quite the reputation and following. I can see why.

We went our separate ways and I met a few friends at the Aldgate. One of the better pubs I've ever had the pleasure of visiting, I wisely only had two so I could be in good shape for the following day. A trip to Ghibli! (Details tomorrow!)

Domo Arigato, Mr. Roboto.

Happy Black Friday Eve to all my American friends.

 

 I want everyone to wish me luck tomorrow! I make my debut as a ********.

Aw, I'll show you a picture afterwards. Then you can make whatever comments you like. Still, wish me luck.

Robotic Ramen!

I'm not a huge fan of
ラーメン・拉麺 Ramen cuz it tastes best when scalding and I have a tender tongue and can't stand hot liquids. The Japanese call this wimpiness ネコ舌 (neko-jita or cat's tongue*.) With Ramen, the goal is to eat it while it's piping hot and slurp it as loudly as possible. Perhaps it isn't so much the heat of the liquid as it is the fear of being slapped upside the noggin by my mom for eating noisily. Case in point, while my friend Suki and her friend chowed down on Ramen at 5 in the morning the other day, I ate
ギョウザ (gyoza = Chinese dumplings.)

There is a Ramen shop near the station that has this odd dangling simulated Ramen outside with no perceivable wires. Pretty cool!














Even better though, are these Robots that not only make the Ramen right in front of you but entertain you when not a chef.



*Cats have sensitive tongues, and 猫舌 (neko-jita) is used to describe a person who is sensitive to hot liquids or foods.
私は猫舌で、コーヒーをあまり飲まない。
Watashi wa neko-jita de, kohii o amari nomanai.
"My tongue is sensitive to heat, so I don't drink much coffee."

Spider Attack!

I had a long tiring weekend in Tokyo babysitting some Canajun friends but I did get in some leisure time as well. I'll chat about the weekend in greater detail later, but for now here are some pics of a Giant Robotic Spider attacking Yokohama! This picture was taken by Andy during Golden Week. Following are several taken by me on Saturday:






































Spray those spinnerets!

Here is a clip of how the spider got to Yokohama...



And the aforementioned Andy in full mullet pose!

More Robots...Danger, Danger!

The other day I warned you about Robots taking over, well here they are taking over our cinematic masterpieces...

The Beginning of the End...

A receptionist robot and two porter robots, which can move around on two wheels at a maximum speed of 1.5 kilometers per hour, can carry luggage and take visitors and patients to their destinations.

"They are the nation's first receptionist and porter robots actually working in a hospital, and people's reactions to them are quite positive," hospital official Naoya Narita said. "By introducing them, we want to show the scene of a future hospital, where robots are getting along with patients and visitors," Narita said, adding that the hospital is considering introducing another robot next year.

Oh sure, these robots are cute and all, but how long before they turn on us? If I've learned anything over years of SF movie viewing, it's just a matter of time before they gain artificial intelligence and take over the world. And then who do we have on our side? Rosie from the Jetsons? Bender from Futurama? Robbie from Lost in Space? Ha! Good luck!

I, for one, welcome our new Robotic Overlords!

I Heart Hello Kitty.

Kokoro, (which means "Heart" by the way) is subdivision of "Hello Kitty" creators, Sanrio . They specialize in the design and manufacture of robots and unveiled its new Actroid DER2 feminine guide robot at Sanrio headquarters in Tokyo on October 4.

Actroid’s limbs, torso and facial expressions are controlled by a system of actuators powered by pneumatic pressure. Once programmed, she is able to choreograph her motions and gestures with her voice.

Kokoro intends to rent Actroid DER2 to companies and events. The basic rental fee is expected to be 400,000 yen (US$3,500) for 5 days, plus extra fees for technical support, delivery and choreography changes.

I wonder what "choreography changes" some companies might be requesting?