I'll Beach You Off!

If you're one of the multitude of attendees for the new Barbie movie (that finally opened here in Japan), then you'll know what the title of this post refers to. Or maybe you're one of those disgusted by its "wokeness" and just don't know how to have fun. Either way, click this YouTube to enlighten yourself!

That link above has lots of fun for it's the official Barbie page for Japan. Click around for several movie clips, BarbieLand, or a Selfie generator.

They had a couple of cheap Barbies for sale at the cinema. I think I'll just make do with my Captain Barbie and First officer Ken. (Or is it the other way around?)

No other merchandise that I really wanted though I did pick up some Tape for my collector friend.

Apart from the above Star Trek pair, I've never been a collector of Barbie. My sister had several over the years and with three older brothers, they definitely turned into Weird Barbies afterwards. 

My mom used to make bootleg Barbie clothes to sell at the Church bazaars, and they sold out every time. I didn't dress up for the cinematic experience (I don't own any pink) although I did bring this umbrella but didn't get to show it off cuz it stopped raining.

Just to show support for the lead actress, I did wear my Harley Quinn socks.

Speaking of Harley, I'm enjoying the new season of her cartoon and I just happened to photograph several of the figures I've collected since Suicide Squad.

And a few of her Bat-pals.

Since this is a Warner Bros. picture, here's the Barbified logo.

I recently purchased some Bugs Bunny Clear Files that celebrate the Bros. 100th Anniversary. Here are a few mash-ups.

I like that last one a lot. Here is Betty Boop in a similar tribute.

Speaking of Bugs, I almost gave away my Looney Tune stuffed characters at a recent Festival. I decided to hang on to them for a little longer.

So, bottom line. Go see Barbie! It's a ton of fun...

Happy Ear Day!

It's once again time for the Hina Matsuri (click to see some Dinosaurs all dolled up) or Doll Festival and here is my contribution to the esteemed holiday*.

*Not really a holiday. Girls get gypped, Guys have their special day on May 5th and it is called Children's Day and they get a day off. Girls just get to display ningyou. Sexism yet again.

That's Captain Kirk and Yeoman Rand Ken and Barbie as the Emperor and Empress, the main couple in this fest.  Someday, I'll make my own display using various characters I have around my room. Maybe next year. In the meantime, here is an actual display that was front and centre in one of my schools over the last two weeks.

Oops, that is a display of Spidey-dolls.

 Oops again. That's a pair of dolls that my friend's daughter made. Here we go:

Hey, I also landed a package of candy at lunch today. I ended up giving them to a coworker, trying to curtail my sweet-tooth.

You may be wondering why I called it Ear Day today. My students pointed out to me that  
三月三日 = ミミ;  mimi = ear, therefore Ear Day!


I'm afraid that my Oscar tally will wait for another day. I'm busy watching the Awards now (well, the Red Carpet is on...how ANNOYING! Ryan Seacrest, some bimbo, some queen commenting on the actors' garb. Yawn.

UPDATE: Hey, the Google Doodle is rather appropriate today...

The Devil You Say.

I think I've stepped across a line into true Nerdidom. I popped into the Natori Mandai and lo and behold, a Star Trek Barbie And Ken 30th Anniversary Giftset. Today's entry will have a Satanic theme to it so I'd like to say that these two were in the episode "Devil in the Dark" featuring the Horta. I'm certain that the red-shirted female is not long for this world.

Amongst several other items (to be featured from time to time), also found a Bearbrick Daredevil!

As Devil's Night approaches, continuing the International Yokai feature showcases this guy, who looks like Gollum in a well, has no real name and the category is "Secrets of the Yokai."

Now that the preliminary categories are done, we can get to the nitty gritty of the Yokai. First up are the Yokai from Asia. I have no idea who this Dragon in Drag is but she's kind of cute.

Part one of Chapter 2 is about the Characteristics of Yokai and Asian ones range from China to India, the Orient to the Middle East. They share some similarities but also vary greatly. (At least that's what I could translate of the text.)

This is Beruzebubu, the Israeli King of the Flies. He spreads disease like the plague but is well-respected among his fellow Yokai and is often represented as Satan. You may know him better as Beelzebub. Love the Skull tattoos on his wings!

His pal is Asmodeus, a demon king from Iraq whose heads always bicker with each other.

They both are characters that show up in this issue of Captain Marvel Jr. For more Satanic action, be sure to check out Bully's Devilish covers. His blog features a Hanna Barbaric comic daily as well as other spooky items. Highly recommended...

Barbicide!

Hey Smithers! Put away your Malibu Stacy and pick up a real doll! It's Barbie's 50 Birthday today! (Be careful when you link to that site of Barbie's home page, if you're not looking for lingerie, that is!)












I happened to come across a Japanese site that was offering up Barbie versions of Dorothy & Glinda but no Wicked Witch! Then what should I discover that there are also versions of a Tin Woodsman, a Lion and a Scarecrow (even a couple of Munchkins!)

I'm no Smithers, so I won't be running out to buy these, but I must say that this is the sexiest Wicked Witch I've ever seen...

That reminds me, I gotta go see Wicked one of these days in Tokyo!

In a Barbie World.

Happy Birthday to Barbie! Back in '59, Barbara Millicent "Barbie" Roberts was first created by businesswoman Ruth Handler, and the doll's design was stolen from (...oops) inspired by a German doll called Bild Lilli. My sister had several dolls over the years and, of course, having 3 older brothers meant that her dolls were tortured on a regular basis. Just like the original Japanese sweatshop seamstresses, my mother used to design and make clothing for Barbies & GI Joes which she would then sell at Church Bazaars. Good thing Mattel never found out or she'd have faced a lawsuit.

Speaking of dolls, I spent the afternoon at my pal Akari's parents' place who were showing off their annual Hina Matsuri display. We had a great potluck lunch and chatted about stuff, including Barbie (the inspiration for this post.)










This archer is my favourite.















In addition to her dozen dolls, she had a display of her niece's dolls whose collection is just starting to be built up.









They think that this very creepy doll is possessed because its hair continues to grow. I doubt the veracity of their claim.













They have a very cool collection of 小芥子 (Kokeshi) dolls too.





















I was given a few goodies as farewell presents, including these cards from Subarudo.


Sort of a cross between paper dolls and cosplay, they are surprisingly cute.





Finally, I'll leave you with another lawsuit inspired hit from Aqua...