Sunday, January 25, 2015

Danboard

Hello everyone! Have you read the comic called YOTSUBATO? This comic is one of my favorites. Today, I will introduce a robot called Danboard that it is a character of YOTSUBATO.

YOTSUBATO is a Japanese comedy manga begun in 2003 by Kiyohiko Azuma. Now it is translated into 13 languages, and it is sold in about 23 countries. YOTSUBATO is YOTSUBA& when people make the English notation. This comic's tagline is "Today is the happiest day anytime." The protagonist is a five-year-old girl called Yotsuba Koiwai. She is very vigorous and an unfettered person, so she can notice many small and impressive things.

Yotsuba has a father called To-chan. We don't know his real name. However, To-chan isn't Yotsuba's real father. We don't know why she calls him father, but To-chan said Yotsuba was an abandoned child from abroad. Yotsuba has green hair and her hairstyle is like a four-leaf clover. I think Yotsuba and Yo-chan are cheerful, so it is interesting. There are many characters in YOTSUBATO. For example, the Ayase family, Janbo and Yanda and more.

  The Ayase family lives next to Yotsuba' house. There are three sisters in the family. Yotsuba and the sisters are good friends. Especially, the youngest sister Ena and Ena's friend, Miura, are close friends to Yotsuba.

One summer, Miura and Ena had to do a handicraft for homework. They made a cardboard box robot. When Miura wore this robot, she met Yotsuba, so Yotsuba believed that she was a real robot and she was impressed. Miura posed as a robot and she said her name was Danboard. And Danboard was born.

At present, Danboard goods are sold in many countries. This time, I will introduce the Danboard mini doll. I think it is adorable. I bought this doll the other day. The doll isn't make of cardboard, but the color is brown like carboard. The doll's arm and legs can move. And when you turn on the switch, this doll's eyes shine. I think there are many ways to play with this Danboard doll. Some people take a photograph. It is fashionable. There are many Danboard goods elsewhere. For example, there are cell phone straps, stuffed toys, a mobile battery by Cheero and more. Please check these goods and read this comic.

Monday, January 12, 2015

Ikimonogakari

Hi! Happy new year! How did you spend the New Year's days? I drew a fortune in the shinto shrine at Chiba. My fortune says this year is going to be excellent for me. And I prayed that I would spend my year in health. What did you pray for?



For today's topic, I will introduce a popular band in Japan, Ikimonogakari. I think everyone in Japan knows this band..

Ikimonogakari has three members. This band's name means "animal handler" in English. They said the reason why they chose this name was because they had all been assigned to be ikimonogakari when they were in primary school.

Ikimonogakari made their debut in 1999.  They are lead singer Kiyoe Yoshioka, acoustic guitarist Hotaka Yamashita, and electric guitarist Yoshiki Mizuno. This band doesn't have a regular bassist, but they have a supporting bassist, Takashi Adachi. There are supporting members elsewhere.

Ikimonogakari got the 52nd Japan Record Award. It is a major music awards show annually in Japan. They won many prize elsewhere too. And their songs are used much in theme songs and as commercial message songs. Please check their songs!



Ikimonogakari's HP