Jamaipanese

Basic Japanese has Inflitrated my Vocabulary

Jamaipanese — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 19:28:11 +0000

I have been studying Japanese on and off far too long to not be good at it and while I have sought to blame my delinquency on the lack of opportunities to practice, my inability to remain motivated, a ‘busy’ lifestyle and procrastination there are a few simple words and phrases that have made their way into my vocabulary. My coworkers, family members and close friends have now learned a few of these words as I use them almost naturally, now if only I would study Japanese more consistently. A Few of these words I have listed below along with an example situation or situations I would use a few of my favourite ones and where I picked them up or heard them.

If my grandmother was a ninja I'd want her to be Chiyo

masaka – unbelievable!

Crazy and surprising things happen in life, my life is so different and on an almost daily basis there are a few unexpected occurrences that cause say “masaka” in different tones depending on the situation. A recent “masaka moment” was when I witnessed a speeding car get out of control and barely miss a head-on collision with a bus going in the opposite direction. I was taught this word by a lovely Sand Village ninja named Chiyo.

urameshiya – it is your fault

This one actually made me do some research and I learned that it is from the noun urami (うらみ) which means “grudge” or “ill will”. Occasionally I when my insomnia chips in I feel the need to shuffle around my house late at night in the dark and scare my unsuspecting sister and mom. Luckily I found a tutorial by thatjapanesegirl on Youtube entitled “How to be a Japanese Ghost” and that’s where I picked up the the curse word, well, not curse word as in an expletive but a word used for cursing, get it?

nan desu ka – what is it?

Here we have my favourite super basic Japanese word (well technically it’s a phrase). I love using it mainly because of it’s versitility, depending on my mood when somecone calls my name I might spit out and of it’s variants as a response ranging from impersonating a Japanese schoolgirl to a yakuza, it’s fun, you should try it – na ni, nan da, nani ka, nan da to.

unfortunately, he is the only Yakuza I know... -_-

Learning Japanese can be challenging or as easy as pie depending on your situation and reason for studying but I am sure I am not the only one that Japanese has worked it’s infiltrating ninja magic on. I have listed a few more words off the top of my head that I usually use without thinking daily.

daijoubuka? – are you ok
arigatou – thank you
urusai – shut up!
moshi moshi – hello

Do any Japanese language learners find this happening to them and if so which words usually hijack your tongue? Also for those who are reading this that are a 100 times better at Japanese than me feel free to leave a sentence or two below in Japanese (kana and basic kanji please) so that I’ll be forced to translate it and actually learn something while am doing so.

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Occult Academy – First Impressions

Jamaipanese — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 14:03:59 +0000

Occult Academy is one of the series on my interesting summer 2010 anime list. I was impressed by the trailer I saw a while back and the plot overview and decided to take a look at after watching the first 3 episodes I can’t say I have been disappointed so far, in fact I have been quite impressed and this show as well as Highschool of the Dead are my two favourite shows in the summer season.

Meet Maya - one crazy lady

Plot Overview

Maya Kumashiro is one crazy chick who is daughter of the former headmaster of Seikimatsu Okaruto Gakuin or Occult Academy – a private academy dedicated to the study of all things supernatural, unexplainable or that go bump in the night. Her father dies mysteriously and she becomes to new principal with the her main goal being to destroy the school which she hates so much. Not long into her “reign” she comes face to crotch with Fumiaki Uchida the quirky agent from the future who falls from the sky with the aim of saving humanity from extinction at the hands of aliens?

some the the peripheral characters range from generic to crazy

I’ll be following it

Occult Academy’s story is ripe with science fiction, horror and comedy and while not breathtakingly new or fresh is novel enough when coupled with the excellent animation and, a few memorable characters and the occasional chuckle inducing scene to warrant a watch. Have you been watching Occult Academy or not? I’d love to hear your feedback via a comment below.

Meet Fumiaki, who knew searching for a key would be so difficult?

The principal at my high school didn't look much different than this guy, skin colour and all!

the artwork and animation in Occult Academy is top notch

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Operation Visit Japan – July 2010 Report

Jamaipanese — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 17:18:49 +0000

Another month has flown by and it’s time again for the Operation Visit Japan report, this time for July 2010. The saving plan continues to progress nicely each month and I seem to be on a blogging roll, spitting out post after post almost daily and my brain is a constant hum with new post ideas especially late at night and creating notes for little plans I have for my blog in the near to midterm future so stay tuned!

It’s summertime in the northern half of the world and many people are enjoying themselves while I have to balance school exams and one of the busiest periods of the year at work for me as I try to finish up and meet mid year deadlines. Only one exam remains though and in another week my workload should fall and the regular scheduled laziness may resume, hopefully uninterrupted.

July 2010 Report

No regular donations this month via the Chipin widget but my pal from DumbOtaku used the widget to payback some money from an item I bought for him many months ago. Net advertising revenue for the second quarter of 2010 plummeted to $95 and my usual $100 savings was added to the bucket bringing the total addition the Operation Visit Japan fund this month to $245. Add that to the totals from January, February, March, April, May and June bring the grand total to $1450 or 48% of the $3000 goal!

Want to donate?

If you would like to donate to Operation Visit Japan you can do so by using the chipin widget embedded in this post or in the left sidebar. Feel free to contact me to make other arrangements to contribute.

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In Darkness, Death

Jamaipanese — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 00:59:50 +0000

In Darkness, Death is the title of the third book in the Samurai Mysteries series written by Dorothy and Thomas Hoobler. I have already read and reviewed the first 2 books in the series, the eerie Ghost in the Tokaido Inn and the unpredictable Demon in the Teahouse.

The young merchant turned samurai Seikei is back with hos adopted father Judge Ooka who is described as the Japanese Sherlock Holmes. Their task this time is to find out who killed one of the shogun’s samurai while he should be well taken care on in the capital. Started reading this only a few days ago and will be posting my full review in the coming days so look out for it. The authors will have to keep up the high standards and enjoyability of the first two book to continue to impress me, lets see how it turns out.

Book Synopsis

It’s the eighteenth century in Japan and Lord Inaba, the most powerful lord in the country, has just been killed. If that’s not devastating enough, the murder happened right under the noses of two guards. They ask the famous Judge Ooka and his fourteen-year-old foster son and apprentice Seikei to figure out who did it. A paper origami butterfly stained with blood is their only lead.

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

If you find this book interesting you can by In Darkness, Death on Amazon.

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Karate Kid vs Kung Fu Kid

Jamaipanese — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 13:58:11 +0000

Last weekend I made an impromptu trip to the movies with Mrs Jamaipanese to check out Karate Kid, the remake of a cult classic that I must have watched at least a hundred times as a child. I knew very little about the remake before hand, so little in fact that I didn’t even know Jackie Chan and Jaden Smith played the lead roles. Jackie is an acting legend, albeit an aging one and Jaden is the son of an acting legend so I had high hopes.

Disclaimer: Please dont try at home, your groin will thank me

It was a wonderful film that I enjoyed and I don’t regret paying money to see but from my post Karate Kid remake watching experience I started to check out a few reviews and apparently I’m not as smart as I think I am, as everybody and their uncle’s aunt was wondering why the pluck is the movie named “Kung Fu” Kid if the tween is taught Kung Fu. わかりました？

I’ve spent a week in discussion with friends, reading online feedback and sacrificing baby rabbits with the hope of understanding why this happened and unearthed the following serious and not so serious reasons.

Hollywood is milking the Karate Kid Brand name
China is a greater player on the world scene now than Japan
Mr Miyagi was injured in a fight with me
This is worse than racism it’s deindividuation!
Jaden is the new fresh prince of Beijing

It was a good movie, really it was! But I can’t help being feel like I was robbed or feeling like the original has been tarnished! Can’t I sue somebody for misrepresentation? This is like going into a restaurant to buy curried goat and being served curried sheep instead! Anyway, still on a not so serious note, who would win an all out brawl, Mr Han or Mr Miyagi? Vote in the embedded poll below, then leave a comment or I will break your leg.

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Speedy Narita Sky Access Opens

Jamaipanese — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 15:20:27 +0000

Keisei Electric Railway Company recently official opened the new Narita Sky Access train route which connects Narita International Airport with the Nippori Station which is along the Yamanote Line in downtown Tokyo in only 36 minutes. It’s competitor the Narita Express by JR makes the run between Narita Airport and Tokyo Station in 52 minutes. The design of the Narita Sky Access is based on a concept by fashion designer and civil engineer Kansai Yamamoto and it’s sharp lines and blue tones are influenced by the wind and a sense of speed.

The new Narita Sky Access gets you into downtown Tokyo in 36 minutes

Inspired by the wind

Narita Sky Access is capable of speeds up to 160 kilometers per hour which makes it the fastest train in Japan that is not a Shinkansen or Bullet train. The train features more seating space with a power outlet and other amenities like a secured luggage area and wheelchair access. The aspiring train otaku in me has already spent an hour checking out videos of the new train and I have embedded one of the better ones below for others like me interested in seeing the train on the track and interior.

Keisei Electric Railway Company has renamed the preview Narita Airport route the “City Liner” which makes a few stops along the route to Nippori. As the plan stands now I might not be able to take the Narita Sky Access when I get to Japan as I’ll be a JR Railpass holder and will be jumping on the Narita Express instead but looking forward to at least seeing or maybe even taking pictures of it if possible.

look our for the Narita Sky Access on your next trip to Tokyo

More info and Sources

Skyliner Airport Express
A new access route, Narita Sky Access, linking central Tokyo
New line links Narita, Tokyo in 36 minutes
New high-speed railway links central Tokyo and Narita in 36 minutes

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FMA: Brotherhood – Anime Review

Jamaipanese — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 16:59:32 +0000

Let me start off this review by saying Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is an awesome anime series, so awesome that it has made its way unto my list of favourite anime ever! Now that I’ve gotten that out of the way I’ll get into the meat of the matter on why FMA: Brotherhood is so awesome but first lets me explain why it is different from the first Fullmetal Alchemist series many might be familiar with and give a short overview of the story including the main characters.

The Fullmetal Alchemist Edward Elric

Follow the manga, or else?

The Original Fullmetal Alchemist series diverted from the main story of the manga, resulting in the awesome meter of the series taking a huge nosedive. The series creator Hiromu Arakawa beat back the anime into submission and Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood was born in the spring 2009 season that rewinds to the point of the diversion and chooses the manga path forward, sticky to the story of the creator and allowing the awesome meter of the show to soar once again. As a follower of the manga this was awesome news although now the manga has ended and the anime series has done the same.

Kawaii desu ne?

and this brings us back the story

Edward and Alphonse Elric are brothers who in an attempt to bring their dead mother back to life using alchemy has paid a dear price. Alphonse has lost his body but has his soul affixed to a suit of armour while Edward has lost an arm and a leg which are replaced by advanced mechanical limbs or automail. The brothers set out on a journey to find the legendary philosopher’s stone – a legendary item used in alchemy which they believe can help them recover what they lost for trying to do human transmutation, an act strictly forbidden. The brothers run into all kinds of characters along their way while discovering a diabolical plot by the series antagonists, a plot they aim to foil.

X Marks the spot?

Why I like Brotherhood

What makes me a big fan of FMA: Brotherhood is the excellent pacing of the story which is seamlessly broken up into arcs with pulsating plot elements, truly hilarious comedy, interesting characters all around and excellent pacing. I believe the ending could have been a little more creative but overall it was an excellent series with overlapping story elements that keeps things relevant and interesting.

My favourite of the various antagonists - King Bradley

Perfect for newbies and casuals

Even if you have not seen the first half of the anime before it diverted FMA: Brotherhood is the perfect series for anime newbies or casual fans of anime no matter the age group but it still remains a solid show for picky anime veterans. Check it out if you haven’t already done so and if you have I’ll love to hear what you thought of it in the comments below. In an effort not to inadvertently spoil any part of the anime I have used images captured mostly from the first episode of the series in this post, lots more below.

Lust displaying her mark that identifies her as a humunculi

The Flame Alchemist at work

The Elric brothers Edward and Alphonse

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ANA x Gundam – Sky Project

Jamaipanese — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 13:43:14 +0000

All Nippon Airways or ANA is the second largest airline in Japan after Japan Airlines. ANA has teamed up with Bandai Namco to mark the 30 anniversary of Gunpla in Japan by painting one of its Boeing 777-300 aircraft with a Gundam on one side and a ANA x Gundam logo on the other side.

Gundam fans will flock this plane

The ANA x Gundam Sky Project plane will only be doing local flights between now and March 2011 and Gundam fans in Japan have already began snapping up tickets not only for the opportunity to fly on a custom Gundam painted plane but also to be able to purchase a special limited edition Gunpla kit only available to passengers on one of these flights. Special custom painted planes are nothing new to Japan as in the past there has been planes decorated to other popular characters like Pokemon and Hello Kitty.

this special edition Gundam model is only available to passengers

Some of the other past events to mark the 30th anniversary of Gundam and Gunpla include a Limited Edition Gundam phone by Softbank and the opening of a Gundam themed cafe in the otaku holy-land of Akihabara in Tokyo. Check out a video embedded below that explains the ANA X Gundam Sky Project.

ANA x Gundam Sky Project – Official Website

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Jamaipanese.com Business Cards

Jamaipanese — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 15:25:50 +0000

Jamaipanese.com is starting to feel like a child of mine, a child that was brought into the world 4 short years ago but has grown so fast you can’t believe. It is by no means the biggest and best out there but I am quite proud of it and has put a lot of work into it over the years. I decided to get me a pack of business cards to help promote my blog and I thought I’d share a couple pictures of them with you.

Jamaipanese.com business cards featuring pictures of my Gundam Figures

I decided to get business cards done because it was becoming increasingly difficult to tell persons I know or met at events like the Japanese Calendar Exhibition, Jamaica Pegasus Tweetup and Anime Nation Costume Rave about my blog and what it is about. With the cards now though it is so much easier share my site with new people especially when I don’t know them ^_^. The cards where designed and ordered through Moo.com using images that I had taken for my blog posts about my anime figure collection (mostly Gundams). I also mixed in some favourite scenic shots of Jamaica I took like that awesome waterfall in Portland and a view of the pier and Kingston Harbour in Port Royal.

Even some of my gunpla that I am not too fond of like GN Archer and Cherudim came out well on the cards but the real stars (and my favourites) were of my Chibi Astray Goldframe, my girlfriend’s Nagi Nendoroid and my Yoko Littner who were all “professionally” photographed in my lighting studio. One side of the cards has an image while the other has my blog and contact information. Pokens were supposed to revolutionize how we share social information and make business cards obsolete and I still have the one I won about a year ago, but being the only poken owner on the island doesn’t give me many chances to use it ^_^.

my poken makes a nice desk ornament and photo companion ^_^

Want a discount Coupon?

I have 2 discount coupons, I got when I ordered a sample of the business cards and another from when I ordered a pack of 50 business cards I have photographed above.

Get 15% off your first pack of 50 business cards.
Get 10% off your next entire order of postcards.

Check out the Moo.com website for more information about the business cards and the postcards then leave an “interesting” comment telling me why you should receive the coupon for either of them. They ship worldwide and are very reliable. The 2 most interesting comments will win.

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Tokyo in 6 minutes Video

Jamaipanese — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 20:32:50 +0000

I spend a lot of time on the web and discover a lot of cool websites, resources, games, videos and more almost daily. My interest in Japan greatly influences which kind of discoveries I make and lately I am been going on many a Japan themed excursion using the internet as my mode of transport. One of my recent discoveries is a video called “Tokyo in 6 minutes” shot by named Warren den Engelsmanplus.

who could miss one of the most famous landmarks in Asakusa

He has a lot of videos uploaded on vimeo but Tokyo in 6 minutes remains my favourite. The six minute video was shot in Asakusa, Ueno, Odaiba and Shibuya – all districts within Tokyo and show some great normal, everyday life scenes and photographs that will make any Japan enthusiast’s toes curl. Video embedded below.

Email or RSS subscribers will have to click here to have the video displayed properly in their web browser. Remember to follow me on Twitter where I usual tweet about my discoveries and “like” my Facebook page to get updates not long after I update the blog. Also check out other awesome Tokyo related videos like Tokyo Time-lapse by Samuel Cockedey and Alone in Tokyo by Philip Bloom.

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