Itasha, Itansha or Itabag?

Itasha, Itansha or Itabag?

Sunday, January 10, 2016 / No Comments

To All,

For today, let's examine the changes of one of the most amazing trends cultured in Japan -- the Itasha.

Itasha, renowned for its name in Kanji which translates to "Painful automobile" has not made certain if the pain was contributed to by the cost of applying the print of your favorite anime character to your car, or the moment when your car gets scratched. Perhaps it's both. Or maybe it's due to the cost of purchasing a car?

If you have been to AFA, you have definitely seen an Itasha. Those cars covered with Suenaga Mirai or Hatsune Miku decals are (strangely) one of the few things I expect to see at every AFA. Perhaps it's because I don't own an Itasha, or because I don't frequently come across Itasha in Singapore, that seeing one is one of my perks at a convention!

Is there anyone who would like to put some To Aru decals on their car?

(Aoshima decals can be found on sites like HobbyLink Japan or Amazon jp)

And in case, you think of Itasha as simply putting decals of your favorite character on your car, you're wrong. True Itasha fans go beyond the exterior and decorate even the interior of their cars, building the perfect anime haven for themselves!

Going from wrapping their seats with Dakimakura (body pillow) covers to displaying magazines, plushies and even figures of their favorite characters... As long as you can name it, I'm sure there's a car out there who has it!

All itasha images are taken from DannyChoo's website.

As someone who doesn't own an Itasha, the question that always bugs me when I spot an Itasha is "Do people actually drive this?"

Actually, to the Itasha owners or those who plan to get an Itasha someday, would you actually drive your Itasha? And if your answer is yes, how frequently?

Personally, I wouldn't drive an Itasha around since I'm afraid the decals might get scratched and replacing them would cause more "pain" to both my wallet and my heart. I would never be able to take it if there was a scratch across my favorite character's face!

I have heard some shops in Singapore do provide printing of decals for Itasha, though they are not actively advertising it. However, this means that it's possible to get your car turned into an Itasha even if you aren't in Japan! 

So if you're someone who is hesitating to get an Itasha due to shipping prices, why not consider getting your decals printed in local stores? Not only would you save on shipping, you'll also have an experienced team helping you paste the decal on!

But that's not all. Disregarding the many aspects of pain brought about by Itasha, many Japanese moved on to Itansha, which, in my opinion, is a more remarkable and affordable method of displaying your favorite anime character, albeit being much smaller than on a car. Buy hey, beggars can't be choosers, right? There's only so many people in the world who can own cars.

Itansha, similar to itasha, involves posting decals -- but not on the car's body, but on a motorcycle or bicycle's body. The Itansha picture above which Danny Choo managed to capture really is an impressive Itansha! I would love to be able to take a picture next to it!

Similar to Itasha, owners have their own freedom to design their own Itansha in any fashion they like, and to display any goods they like. I'd like to think that displaying figures was difficult so owners chose a safer option and who'd disagree with me that the bikes look incredible?

But like I've mentioned before, other than bikes, decorating your bicycle is also another category under Itansha. Personally, I feel that having a decorated bicycle in Japan makes more sense as most students and the young working force go around with bicycles. It's really just more convenient usually with a bicycle and train than with an automobile!

But alas, the fad with "pain" doesn't only end there. Recently (or not so recently), there has been another rise, this time with Ita-bags, where fans decorate their bags with merchandise of their favorite character. The merchandise used range from plushies to badges to rubber straps to acrylic keychains... and the list goes on.

And spare me for using this as an example but what's a better option than using an award-winning Ita-bag?

I don't want to imagine how heavy and costly all these are.

(Image credit to the Ita-bag contest winner's twitter)

And if you're wondering if people are actually using these bags, japanrealm has shown us that yes they are! But for the purpose of everyday use or just for conventions will remain a mystery.

(Image credit to japanrealm)

Let's not judge the sanity of these people because what we have upcoming, the "Otaku armor" will be even more shocking!

(Image credit to Rocketnews)

If the prospect of Ita-bags sound too feminine for you and you do not wish to be seen walking around with your favorite anime girl on your bag, why not try camouflaging yourself with her and becoming one together?

Rocketnews has brought us images of this lovely armor made of merchandise of Minami Kotori from Love Live! And yes, this person actuallywears it out. In fact, many of these 'warriors' do wear their gear out to conventions!

Now that's what I call a dedicated fan!

As strange as this might sound, I'm proud of him as a fellow Kotori fan. Sadly, I don't think I have either the finances or the dedication to ever reach that level.

Ita-bags would be the furthest I would go with this trend, though I have barely started. It's just more affordable, merchandise and decals aside. Motorbikes and cars are much too expensive for me to consider at the moment...

In any case, if you own an Itasha or Itansha or a Ita-bag please share your pictures with the rest of us! I'm sure it'll be a good source of inspiration!

Thank you for reading and have a Happy New Year!

From Your Fellow Fan of Japan's Culture,

Reina-rin

5 Coolest Themed Restaurants In Japan

5 Coolest Themed Restaurants In Japan

Friday, May 22, 2015 / 2 Comments

I'm a sucker for themed restaurants. They are so much fun because they're a multi-sensory experience with tons of areas to experiment with: food, interior, music, service, performances, etc. And you can bet Japan is a hotspot for such restaurants. Here are five of my top picks:

Ninja Asaka

Image credits to paigu.com

Image credits to Recruit Lifestyle Magazine

Image credits to The Japan Times

Wouldn't this just be the most awesome place to work at? Ninja Asaka is the kind of stuff that otakus' dreams are made of. Made to look like a Japanese castle from the olden times, stepping into the restaurant will transport you back in time to an ancient era. 

You'll be ushered to your private room via a dark maze and served by ninjas, and even be treated to a magic show during the meal. That being said, food is rather pricey and has received polarised reviews – some say it's the best they've tasted during their trip, while others call it a disgrace to Japanese cuisine. But whatever it is, you're paying for the atmosphere which, judging from the pictures, seems top-notch to me.

The Lock Up

Image credits to kotaku.com

Image credits to 190899.blogspot.sg

Image credits to weirdjapan.org

Craving something spooky? Descend into the surrealistic world of The Lock Up and live the life of an inmate doing his time (at least, for the duration of one meal). Yep, you'll even get handcuffed by a warden and taken to a caged jail room. 

The menu is pretty entertaining and highly Halloween appropriate with drinks like Medusa's Eyeball, and dishes like skeleton-shaped hamburg. Sit tight for the random "prisoner outbreaks", during which the place goes dark with smoke, strobe lights flash and monsters rampage and rattle on the gates. 

Alcatraz E.R.  

Image credits to Aala Kanzali

Image credits to bucketlistjourney.net

Image credits to Vincent Moschetti on flickr.com

But maybe The Lock Up isn't gross enough for you. It did look kind of PG 13, didn't it? If so, you definitely won't be disappointed with Alcatraz E.R. which is modeled after a prison hospital. They really take the 'disgust' factor up a notch here. The food is truly gag-inducing, with offerings like blue curry in urine tins, beef salad shaped into a brain and a 'sperm juice' drink, complete with p**** banana. Yum. 

The best part of the whole experience? There'll be shows whereby the staff will drag a diner off for "experimenting", and yes, it is just as horrifying as it sounds. 

Bunbougu Cafe 

Image credits to blog.gojsf.com

Image credits to webmemo.biz

Image credits to webmemo.biz

Though not quite as flashy as the other entries, this quaint little cafe deserves a mention for its adorable interior and ingenious theme. Centered on stationery, the cafe is filled to the brim with writing and doodling products for sale, as well as books and magazines on the subject. Diners can use the stationery for free too and even become members! Which, by the way, costs a one-time fee of ¥ 700, and you'll be entitled to a key to access drawers with even MORE stationery and notebooks. 

I can see a place like this becoming wildly popular in Singapore as many of us love artsy decor and studying in cafes. Plus, it's super kid-friendly so it'll make for a fun family outing.

Robot Restaurant

Image credits to New City Movement

Image credits to blog.benoa.net

Image credits to insidejapanblog.com

Arguably the most famous themed restaurant on this list (and possibly the whole of Japan), the Robot Restaurant is not exactly a "restaurant" per se – they only offer bento boxes (¥ 1,000 each) and some drinks, which are purchased separately. 

But would you really want to eat when you come here anyway? The performance is like a modern burlesque show on 1000 tabs of acid: it's crazy theatrical with flashing lights and scantily clad cabaret-style girls, topped up with robots, lasers and even... a kung fu panda?! Just imagine watching this drunk. It'll probably be the best experience of your life.

Written by Faelan

Books & Bookstores

Books & Bookstores

Wednesday, February 25, 2015 / 2 Comments

I'm not quite sure about the demographics of our readers here, but I reckon that many would be old enough to paint 50 Shades of Grey. I'm not usually a fan of trilogies or long series in general, but the odd one or two would surface once in a blue moon and challenge the limits of my ever decreasing attention span. What about light novels then, some might ask. So far, only Bungaku Shoujo (Literature Girl) has managed to capture my heart. I read Nourin too, but progress has quite unfortunately come to a halt. On the other hand, manga would ease the strain on the eyes and mind and pretty much everything else. Then again, I avoid those which could effortlessly drain the mana points out of my system. Somebody pray tell, just how many books are there in One Piece? In any case, no matter what it is that readers choose to indulge in, there would be a downside to it.

The Japanese mostly prefer their novels compact, and it isn't uncommon to spot most of them so fixated on their favourite titles while commuting on the train or walking down the streets (the latter is extremely dangerous if you ask me). I'm more concerned about turning myopic though, considering that the print is awfully miniscule and such. Traditionally, the Japanese text is read vertically from right to left. The first page usually begins from the 'back' which is rather interesting. Also, the cover art on a lot of novels would quickly entice at first glance, although in my opinion the most eye-catching of all has to be the obi - the power of catchphrases and important tie-ins such as adaptations into feature films, television series and their various roadshows with some of the biggest stars in Japan is dangerously capable of draining the credit limit of anybody's cards and whatever cash that remains in the wallets. Ka-ching! Well, I suppose that a little money could be saved if anyone happens to be a privileged member of Books Kinokuniya.

If anybody has seen enough manga or anime, they would be familiar with the ongoings and sights of a bookstore. While watching or reading a bookstore-related scene doesn't necessarily rid any deprivation of being in an authentic Japanese bookstore, witnessing the creative efforts made to spruce up the various sections by those characters has resonated quite strongly somewhat - I would feel as if I were one of those customers in line, or sampling some really awesome titles from the innovatively arranged shelves. I imagine a moment from Denkigai no Honya-san, where a considerable queue had formed outside the bookstore for the ungodly late-night release of the newest title. Daunting it might be, however the anticipation of receiving the book hot off the press (kind of that feeling I reckon) would override that. I'm not sure if any bookstore over here has anything similar, but even if there was something it wouldn't be my nature to enact a situation like that.

Speaking of books and bookstores, I'm reminded of the titles which I've had the opportunity to appreciate that involve the literary universe. Apart from Bungaku Shoujo (Literature Girl) which blends famous titles into the characters' lives surrounded by themes of love, friendship, family, et cetera, there is the recent tiny lady boss of Aoba Shoten whose story continues to affect me profoundly. Oh, I suppose that Denkigai no Honya-san deserves a little place in my heart as well though not quite on the same degree. I remember that as a kid, there was a catchphrase which never failed to annoy (?) every student besides the mandatory silent reading periods. Reading is fun, it said. Many years later, it still is.

Eccentrically Yours.

Written by J.Fluffysheep ♪   

Absurd Japan! - Meet The Egg Who Can't Be Bothered Gudetama

Absurd Japan! - Meet The Egg Who Can't Be Bothered Gudetama

Saturday, January 31, 2015 / No Comments

Call me slow but I’ve only just recently found out about Gudetama, the adorably weird Japanese egg character from Sanrio. This is literally me in food form. Lazy, sleepy, and unmotivated, he has resigned himself to a fate of being eaten poached, raw and fried over rice, steak and other commodities. Plainly said, there is nothing more adorable than an anthropomorphic, arguably depressed egg yolk with a nice butt.   

And it seems that his character has resonated with people all over the world, with scores of merchandise, art snippets and even short films being lapped up enthusiastically by his fans. Keychains, notebooks, plush toys, mugs… The list goes on and on. His presence has so deeply penetrated my life that I force myself to hallucinate Gudetama faces on the egg yolks I crack in the kitchen. 

Could that possibly be... Century egg?!

I can't be the only one who thinks this picture is absolutely genius.

Those morning feels.

Guh! Don't you just hate it when people toss you in the natto! (But then again, Gudetama feels nothing. "Eat me if you will, I care not" is what I imagine him to say)

I feel like Gudetama so much that it isn't even funny anymore.

... I can no longer live on this Earth. *blasts off into space* 

Thank god that it is physically impossible for me to be at this place because I will literally drive myself broke. (image credits: @vivarilakkuma on Instagram)

Gudetama, there is truly no one else like you. I'll love you forever! (✿´‿`)

Written by Faelan

Recommended buys in Japan

Recommended buys in Japan

Friday, December 26, 2014 / No Comments

The currency conversion to yen has been pretty favorable lately and many people have been going to Japan for their holidays! Here are some items I'd recommend you to pick up as souvenirs or gifts, as well as things you should try while there!

1) Japan-exclusive anime keychains

One of my favourite things to purchase as souvenirs are the Japan-exclusive anime keychains! Why so? Well, firstly because there are several popular anime to choose from. One Piece is a given and I have seen Naruto a few years ago, but lately there has been Kuroko no Basuke as well as Gintama. Shingeki no Kyojin's popularity has been rising (and still is) so there is a plethora for us to choose from!

Secondly, the designs vary from region to region. For example, in Kyoto, you'll see characters dressed in the Shinsengumi uniform. In Osaka, there are takoyaki eating characters! While not particularly cheap (a single keychain can set one back about $5), I like them for their different designs and regional specialties!

2) Instant food

If you think that instant noodles are the only thing you can count on when you're hungry at midnight in Japan, check again! Other than 24 hour eateries, konbini (convenience stores) are stocked up with cooked food! Yup, other than sushi and onigiri, you can grab yourself a bento, rice bowl, spaghetti and even oden! They will also heat your food up for you. Of course, these meals are great for those on a budget as well. And if you're too tired after bringing your shopping back to the hotel? Grab a quick meal from the nearby konbini (there's always one within a 5 minutes walk) and have dinner in the hotel room while watching anime! Don't forget to get ice-cream for dessert!

3) Purikura

Japan is a really photogenic country. Tokyo in particular has a lot of flashy buildings, while Kyoto is full of beautiful scenery. If you're more into street snaps, I'm pretty sure a lot of fashion-forward young people will be pleased to oblige! However, these all rely on your own camera. For something quintessentially Japanese, I recommend you try out the purikura (photo booths)! When in Japan, do as the Japanese do, right? For approximately 400yen, you get to pose like a model and edit your own photos into cutesy souvenirs!

4) Figurines (and anime merchandise)

Ask any otaku what is one place they cannot miss in Japan and all of them will tell you Akihabara with a maniacal gleam in their eyes. I am here to tell you they are right. While also equally well-known for tax-free electronics shopping, there are stores after stores of figurines! Brand new figurines, secondhand figurines, even gachapons... They have it all! Secondhand figurines are stored in rows and rows of glass display shelves. These do not come in boxes and are definitely not in pristine condition, but they're all well-cared for and if you're searching for old figurines, these shops are your best bet!

For other anime merchandise, I definitely recommend you keep a lookout for Animate. Animate has official anime merchandise such as keychains, mugs, notepads etc etc, as well as non-official merchandise such as doujins (fan-drawn manga) and also figurines. There are also cosplay shops that sell wigs, costumes and even makeup! As long as you have an interest in anime culture, you will be sure to find something that tickles your fancy!

Of course, one shouldn't be limited to Akihabara. If you're a big fan of Weekly Shonen Jump's manga, remember to check out Jump Shop! Other shops you shouldn't miss: Pokemon Centre and Kiddyland.

5) Cosmetics

From big doe eyes to colourful hair, Japan is full of people who utilise makeup to achieve their ideal look. Coloured and enlarging contact lenses as well as false eyelashes are the most common. Cosmetics in Japan are pretty cheap, especially Japanese brands. If you're a cosplayer or female in general, you can't help but be taken by the beauty products. Do stock up on makeup, although be careful about the contact lenses! Choose carefully and make sure they're optician approved!

6) More food

The most popular souvenir from Japan is most definitely the food! The most popular ones are definitely Tokyo Banana, Shiroi Koibito and Royce chocolates. Of course, don't forget the multitude of oddly-flavoured KitKats! My tip: unless you're planning on eating them during the trip, only buy them at the airport when you're leaving. Plus, you get to save on tax! Things like Tokyo Banana can last for only a week. If you buy too many of them too early, you'll be left with none to bring back as they'll all have expired.

For me, these are the basics of what to buy in Japan. It's shopping paradise, so make sure you bring enough money! If you've any questions or suggestions, leave a comment!

Written by Nana