Deathnote/ 死亡筆記

I started reading Deathnote around November 2004, where my sister bought the first and the second volumes. I had no idea of that manga at all at the first sight. My sister bought it because she think the cover is very attractive and well design. So after waiting for her to finish, i started reading. I remember i took quite a long time to read finish the first volume. Maybe due to the fact i want to enjoy the reading and drawing but another factor i read quite slow because the content of the story is a lot and quite complicated if you don't get it.

So, i finished the 2 volumes and thought to myself that this is a manga which will be famous around the world. No doubt, now it had been famous around the whole world.^^

Death Note is a series created by writer Tsugumi Ohba and illustrator Takeshi Obata and was first serialized in the Japanese manga magazine Weekly Shonen Jump published by Shueisha from the first issue in December 2003 to May 2006, with 108 chapters in total. Later, the individual chapters were collected into twelve separate tankōbon(volumes). Later, a thirteenth volume titled Death Note - How to Read was released, helping to elucidate some mysteries left at the end of the manga, like the destiny of some of the characters. The manga has since been published in several different languages including English, German, Chinese, Portuguese and Spanish.


To date, Death Note has sold around twenty million copies in Japan. Death Note was nominated for Best Manga at the 2006 American Anime Awards.

In February 2008, a one-shot special was released. Set two years after the manga's epilogue, it sees the introduction of a new Kira and the reactions of the main characters in response to the copycat's appearance.

The anime is aired in Japan from October 3, 2006 – June 26, 2007 with a total of 37episodes.

Plot
The series centers around a high school student who discovers a supernatural notebook that allows him to kill anyone by writing the victim's name and picturing his or her face. The plot follows his attempt to create and lead a world cleansed of evil using the book, and the complex conflict between himself and those assailing him that results.

• Watch Deathnote Anime Online[English Subtitle]

• Official Anime Website[Japanese]

• Deathnote/ 死亡筆記 at English Wikipedia

Bleach/ 死神

Many Manga i don't know about their popularity at first and just read what i have borrow from my friends. For most of my manga, I only started to collect it around one year or so after borrowing from my friends to read. This is quite strange for me as a lot of my manga are like that. ^^ So this is another manga which i like a lot. First few volumes, for me is average. After book6, the story gets more interesting with strong new characters coming out.

Bleach follows the adventures of Ichigo Kurosaki, a high school student with the ability to see ghosts, and Rukia Kuchiki, a shinigami (Soul Reaper or, literally, "death god"). The early parts of the story focus mainly on the characters. As events unfold, the story begins to delve deeper into the world of these gods of death.

Bleach is a Japanese manga series drawn by Tite Kubo that has appeared in Weekly Shonen Jump since August 2001.

The manga series has been adapted into an animated television series, two OVAs, two animated feature films, a rock musical, numerous video games and a TCG (Trading Card Game). Compilation volumes of the manga have sold over 40 million copies in Japan. The manga received the Shogakukan Manga Award for its shōnen title in 2005, and the anime has been nominated for several American Anime Awards. The manga had released 32volumes with the 33rd volumes coming out in april. While the anime on aired in Japan in October 5, 2004 and are still ongoing right now with 165episodes.

• Watch Bleach Anime Online[Chinese Subtitle]

• Watch Bleach Anime Online[English Subtitle]

• Bleach/ 死神 at English Wikipedia

Naruto/ 火影忍者

Naruto is another manga which i like a lot. I got to know first through its anime. I watch a few episodes and got attracted to it. The story is full of surprises and not many manga had such a good plot and there are many different characters. Normally, when i read manga, if the story consists of many different characters, i will gone mad cause of the difficulty of remember all their names and faces. But in Naruto, every character is easy to remember and had their techniques and powers which makes me feels excited. ^^ For those who likes adventure and fighting story, this is a good manga to read.

Naruto was first published by Shueisha in 1999 in the 43rd issue of Japan's Shonen Jump magazine. As of volume 36, the manga has sold over 71 million copies in Japan. There are 2 part of anime. 2nd part being Naruto Shippūden which are based from manga volume 28 onward, the series takes place two and a half years after the previous volume. The anime is aired in Japan on 15th February up till now with 52episodes and counting.

• Watch Naruto Anime with Chinese Subtitle

• Watch Naruto Anime with English Subtitle

• Naruto/ 火影忍者 at English Wikipedia

Cyril Takayama

I got to know him in school when my lecturer show me a video of him taking out burgers from a menu with only his hands. My friends and I gone crazy and so are the crowd in the video, they goes crazy and amazed at how he pulled off this trick. I mention about him because on 4April - 8April, he is going to perform at Taiwan. How i wish i could go and watch him perform live in front of me. =( Anyway, on Youtube there are a lot of video on him performing and for those interested, you can go watch it there.^^



Info
Cyril Takayama born on 1973, is an American illusionist, born and raised in Hollywood, California, USA. He is perhaps best known for his street magic performances in Japan. His father is of Okinawan descent, while his mother is Moroccan-French, both of whom were beauticians. He was a member of the short-lived television series T.H.E.M. In 2007 he won first place in The Magic Woods Awards, Best Magician Category.

According to wiki, Cyril had performed in Japan and Korea and Paris.

Performances in Japan & Korea

Cyril has been very active in Japan. Since 2005, he appeared in

* Three "Super Street Magic Magazine" episodes (broadcast on TV Tokyo)
* five "Magic Revolution" episodes (broadcast on FujiTV)
o June 30, 2005
o January 10, 2006
o June 20, 2006
o January 23, 2007
o July 24, 2007
* One 90 minute Korean magic special (October 2006, September 2007, February 2008)

More Links:
o Cyril Takayama Official Website
o Cyril Takayama at MySpace
o Cyril Takayama Metropolics Japan Interview

Sowelu - Wish

This is one of the song i like from D-gray man/驅魔少年. It is the 6th ending theme "Wish" (episodes 065–077). The singles "Wish" release on 2008/3/12 is her 17th singles.

Sowelu, born Aki Harada/原田亜希, is a J-pop singer. She was born on November 6, 1982 in Tokyo to a Japanese father Yoshitaka Shimada/嶋田吉隆, and a half-Irish half-Japanese mother.

Wish Lyrics (Romaji)
sekaijuu ikutsu no
ai no katachi aru n darou
Hitori hitori chigau mono o
kakae nagara iki teru

kazoku ya tomodachi ya
onaji gooru miru nakama
minna ga i te sasae atte
ima no watashi ga iru no

itsumo soba ni atta taisetsu na mono
kizuka zu ni itakoto shitta

jibun no tame dake ni
ikiru no ha sabishii
sekkaku kono sekai ni umare ta n da kara
Everybody have to say good - bye
sorenara ikutsu mo no
egao o anata ni age tai

chiisana koro mi te ta
atarashii mono tachi ga
ima de ha mou atarimae ni
natte shimatteru kedo

toki ga tatsu nitsurete
me ni utsuru mono subete
kawatte yuku koware te yuku
demo kioku ha sonomama


kurayami no naka mitsuke ta hoshi tachi ha
mada kokoro no naka de hikaru


jibun no itami yori
anata ni tsutae tai
nan juu oku nin mo no naka deae ta kara
Everybody have to say good - bye
dakarakoso sunao ni
takusan egao o mise tai

kagira re ta toki no naka de
ah nani ka dekiru daro u
donnani kanashii koto tsurai koto mo
kanarazu egao ni kaeru kara
kitto...

Everybody needs somebody ' s love
ai ga hitsuyou na no
aisa reru koto de mata egao ni nareru kara
Everybody wants to be happy
anata no shiawase o
inori nagara watashi ha utatteru

Wish Lyric (Kanji)
世界中いくつの
愛の形あるんだろう
一人一人　違うものを
抱えながら生きてる

家族や友達や
同じゴール見る仲間
みんながいて　支え合って
今の私がいるの

いつも側にあった大切なもの
気づかずにいた事知った

自分の為だけに
生きるのは寂しい
せっかくこの世界に生まれたんだから
Everybody have to say good-bye
それならいくつもの
笑顔をあなたにあげたい

小さな頃見てた
新しいものたちが
今ではもう　当たり前に
なってしまってるけど

時が経つにつれて
目に映るもの全て
変わってゆく　壊れてゆく
でも記憶はそのまま

暗闇の中　見つけた星たちは
まだ心の中で光る

自分の痛みより
あなたに伝えたい
何十億人もの中出会えたから
Everybody have to say good-bye
だからこそ素直に
たくさん笑顔を見せたい

限られた時の中で
ah　何かできるだろう
どんなに悲しい事　辛い事も
必ず笑顔に変えるから
きっと…

Everybody needs somebody's love
愛が必要なの
愛される事でまた笑顔になれるから
Everybody wants to be happy
あなたの幸せを
祈りながら私は歌ってる

External Links:
• Sowelu Wikipedia(English)
• Sowelu Official Website(Japanese)
• Nippop Profile | Sowelu
• Sowelu-Wiki.ThePPN

D-gray man/ 驅魔少年

I like a lot of Shueisha manga and i think it is very suitable for teenagers. I had read quite a lot of manga from Shueisha and will talk about it more later. For now, lets talk more about D-gray man/驅魔少年. i started reading D-gray man/驅魔少年, is a gothic manga series by Katsura Hoshino/星野 桂. It was first serialized in 2004 in Weekly Shōnen Jump (published by Shueisha under their Jump Comics imprint). It is still an ongoing series and currently up to 152chapters. The anime series began airing on October 3, 2006 in Japan and is still ongoing with 75episodes now.

Plot:
The story of D.Gray-man takes place on a fictional Earth at the end of the 19th century. The plot mostly centers around Allen Walker, a young boy who is a member of The Black Order; a secretive organization whose members are known as Exorcists. The Order's primary mission is to stop The Millennium Earl, an ancient being who intends to 'cleanse' the world by destroying all life on it.

Exorcists are specially chosen humans who are gifted with the ability to control and use Innocence, a divine substance created in ages past to combat the Earl. According to the Order's history, at the end of The Great Flood, 109 fragments of Innocence were scattered around the world. Once an Innocence fragment is matched to its compatible user, it can become a weapon or tool for the user to wield in the battle against the Earl.

Throughout the story, Allen is introduced to more Exorcists, including Yu Kanda, Lenalee Lee, Lavi, Miranda Lotto, and Arystar Krory. Assisting Allen and the Exorcists is a team of scientists and handlers led by Komui Lee, a Supervisor of the Black Order and Lenalee's older brother. Allen's master and mentor is the enigmatic Cross Marian, one of the five Exorcist Generals of the Black Order, who at the beginning of the story has mysteriously disappeared. In the course of completing their missions, Allen and his fellow Exorcists are introduced to the other Generals: Kevin Yeegar, Froi Tiedoll (Or Froi Theodore depending on translation), Cloud Nine, and Winters Sokaro.

The Millennium Earl is aided in his plans by The Noah Clan, humans who are direct descendants of Noah himself. Each member of this clan is gifted with great power and each represents a different 'aspect' of Noah. They are identified by their gray skin and line of cross-shaped markings on their foreheads. As the story progresses, the members of the clan are revealed: Road Kamelot (The Dreams of Noah), Tyki Mikk (The Pleasures of Noah), Jasdero and Debitto - Jasdebi (The Bonds of Noah), Skin Boric (The Wrath of Noah), and Lulubell (The Lust of Noah).

The Earl also utilizes an army of demonic creatures called Akuma to do his bidding. Akuma are created by taking advantage of someone's grief over the death of a loved one. The Earl tricks individuals into bringing their loved one back to life through a skeletal 'doll,' only to have that doll kill them and turn them into an Akuma with the soul of the dead loved one trapped inside. Akuma are able to evolve and with each new level grow more intelligent, powerful, and sadistic. Since Akuma can impersonate humans to blend in with people, Exorcists are routinely assigned to track down and eliminate them. Allen is the only exorcist able to actually see past an Akuma's disguise. This is due to his 'cursed' left eye which grants him both the ability to 'sense' when an Akuma is nearby as well as see the imprisoned soul within the Akuma's body.

Info on Mangaka:
Katsura Hoshino/星野 桂, was born on April 21, 1980. Based on her past comments and drawing style, many Japanese fans assume Katsura Hoshino/星野 桂, to be a female mangaka, despite the fact that it is unusual for women to publish in shounen serializations(quite rare).Katsura Hoshino/星野 桂, is known to have an older twin sister, who visits her often, and a younger brother who "gave her a watch as a present" (apparently she took it from him even though he protested). In order to please her sister, she used to draw manga every day, and she liked drawing herself. But even though Hoshino is assumed to be female, she often uses "boku" (male way of referring to self, also used by tomboys) and "jibun" (a more polite and humble way to refer to oneself, used both by males and females) to refer to herself, making much more confusion about the mystery of her true gender, especially when using "jibun", as it is harder to tell whether she is male or female.

External Links:

• D-Gray man-Weekly Jump Official Website - Magazine which publishes D.Gray-man [Japanese]

• D.Gray-man Official Website - Contains several links to other official websites. [Japanese]

• TV Tokyo - D.Gray-man - TV Tokyo's D.Gray-man anime site [Japanese]

• Watch D-Gray man Anime Online[Chinese Subtitle]

• Watch D-Gray Man Anime Online[English Subtitle]

Higanjima/ 彼岸島

Recently i just read this series and find it interesting and nice. I recommend more people to try this series. The author draw the manga very well such that when you read it, you can't stop reading. Such is the intensity and atmosphere of the story. This manga is drawn by Koji Matsumoto(松本光司) and serialized on Young Magazine(週刊ヤングマガジン) published by Kodansha. This manga is for seinen(18–30 year old male audience) as it contain some violences. The content is filled with blood scenes, nudity, vampires, monsters, fighting, rescues and escapes. The manga now had 23 volumes in Japan.



The story is about a group of friends went to one small isolated island(called Higanjima/彼岸島) in search of the main character Ming's brother. Ming's brother had been missing for 2 years and there is clue of him being on this small island. They first get the news of his brother on the island through a mysterious girl. This mysterious girl had a guy beside her and the group of friends find out that the guy is actually a vampire. After lots of shock and surprises, the group of people manage to kill the vampire. So, one day after their secondary school graduation, thinking that there is only 2 vampire on the island, they went on a search to rescue Ming's brother. They reach the island and Ming find his long lost brother and as story goes on Ming find himself living on the island and becoming stronger day by day.

• Higanjima/ 彼岸島 Kodansha Website

• Higanjima/ 彼岸島 at Anime News Network's Encyclopedia

• Higanjima/ 彼岸島 at Chinese wikipedia

Miki Fujimoto/藤本美貴

Miki Fujimoto/藤本美貴/ふじもと みき, was born on February 26, 1985 in Takikawa, Hokkaidō, Japan. Nickname: Mikitty, Mikitan, Miki-chan, Miki-sama. She is an ex-solo artist from Hello! Project. She was previously the leader of the popular Japanese pop group Morning Musume but only after a few weeks, a magazine published a scandal which resulted in her resignation from the group. Currently, she is one-half of the duo GAM.

Profile
• Name: Fujimoto Miki (藤本美貴)
• Nickname: Mikitty, Mikitan, Miki-sama, Kuwagata, Miki-chan, P-chan, Tan, Fujimocchan
• Birth date: February 26, 1985
• Birthplace: Takikawa, Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan
• Blood type: A
• Height: 156 cm
• Hobbies: Enjoying movies
• Favorite color: Black, white
• Favorite flowers: Sunflowers
• Favorite phrase: "Have fun!"
• Favorite season: Summer
• Favorite food: Yakiniku, natto
• Disliked food: Scallions, cauliflower, broccoli, taro
• Favorite song: Romantic Ukare MODE
• Favorite artists: Amuro Namie, Christina Aguilera, Matsuura Aya
• Hello! Project groups:
-Morning Musume (2003-2007)
-Gomattou (2002-2003)
-Country Musume ni Konno to Fujimoto (2003)
-GAM (2006-)
• Subgroups:
-Morning Musume Otome Gumi (2003-2004)
• Shuffle Units:
-2002: Odoru 11
-2003: 11WATER
-2004: H.P. All Stars
-2005: Sexy Otonajan
• Other:
-Gatas Brilhantes H.P. (2003-)
History:
On June 15, 2006 it was announced that Miki Fujimoto and Aya Matsuura would join together in a new Hello! Project duo called GAM. Their debut single was released on 13 September 2006, and after two other singles, their debut LP was released on May 23, 2007.

On May 6, 2007, after the graduation of then-leader Hitomi Yoshizawa, Fujimoto took her place as the fifth leader of Morning Musume. But, on May 24, 2007, Fujimoto was rumored to be in the latest edition of the Japanese gossip magazine Friday —the same magazine responsible for the cancellation of Ai Kago's contract— pictured walking with Shōji Tomoharu, a member of the comedy duo Shinagawa Shōji. Friday explains that they had a two-hour dinner together, drove to Fujimoto's apartment, then went to the sauna, returning to Shouji's apartment just after midnight. It soon became apparent that she was to be involved in a scandal that would jeopardize her position in Morning Musume. After seeing the article, Up-Front Agency had no intention to deal with the situation since there was no proof of them dating.

On the May 26, 2007 edition of Young Town Doyōbi (a radio show with Ai Takahashi, Fujimoto and Sanma Akashiya), she confirmed that the pictures were of her, and that she had been going out with Shōji Tomoharu. She also mentioned that she was going to talk to the head of Up-Front Agency, Naoki Yamazaki about the situation.
On June 1, 2007, Fujimoto resigned from her position in Morning Musume. She will continue with GAM and remain contracted with Hello! Project and Up-Front Agency.
In October 2007 Miki Fujimoto will not attend to the Hello! Project 2008 Winter Concert. Some say she is still under punishment from the scandal early this year.
On Feburary 11, 2008, it was announced that Fujimoto will be releasing a single entitled "Oki Tegami". The single will be a collaboration with fellow Up-Front singer Takao Horiuchi and is scheduled for release on April 23, 2008.

External Links:
• Projecthello.com: Fujimoto Miki lyrics
• English Wikipedia: Miki Fujimoto
• Japanese Wikipedia: 藤本美貴
• Miki Fujimoto Web - A Mikitty Download Resource
• Mikitty Fans Forever Forums
• 藤本美貴-Hello! Database entry

Asami Konno/紺野 あさ美/紺野朝美

This is also one of the person i like. She looks very cute. ^^ Asami Konno/紺野 あさ美/紺野朝美 was born on May 7, 1987. She is a Japanese pop singer, best known as former fifth generation member of the all-girl Japanese pop group Morning Musume. She joined the group in the August of 2001, along with fellow fifth generation members Ai Takahashi, Makoto Ogawa, and Risa Niigaki.

Info
On July 23, 2006, Konno graduated from Morning Musume and Hello! Project to continue her studies at a university. The last single and album she participated in were "Ambitious! Yashinteki de Ii Jan" and Rainbow 7 respectively. The news of Konno's acceptance to Keio University, one of the top private universities in Japan, known for producing two prime ministers, was announced on December 11, 2006 by several news sources. On December 28, 2006, she has confirmed these claims personally, in a message she sent to Hello! Project which was posted on the main website.

Although she was officially no longer part of Hello! Project at the time, on January 28, 2007, she appeared on stage at Hello! Project's 10th anniversary concert (the first graduated member to do so), giving her last messages to Asami and Miuna of Country Musume, who were graduating that night.

On June 18, 2007, Up-Front Agency confirmed that Konno was returning to Hello! Project to rejoin members of Gatas Brilhantes H.P. in the group Ongaku Gatas. Their first single, titled "Narihajimeta Koi no Bell" was released on August 22, 2007. Despite this new group, it is unclear as to whether Konno will rejoin the futsal team. Konno will remain an active member within the agency and Ongaku Gatas while continuing her university studies.

Trivia
•In her primary school days, her friends called her "Imonee" (イモネェ?).
•She did track & field during middle school.
•She is certified level 3 for the Japanese Kanji Aptitude Test.
•She has a brown belt in karate.
•Her nickname "Pon-chan" was given to her by Matthew Minami, when he made a mistake while wanting to say "Kon-chan." Reina Tanaka now uses the nickname for her.

External Links:
• ThePPN: Konno Asami/紺野 あさ美/紺野朝美
• Ongaku Gatas
• Asami Konno(紺野 あさ美) - English Wikipedia

Masami Nagasawa/長澤雅美/長澤まさみ

She is another one J-Idol i like. Since watching Proposal Daisakusen, i been supporting her. ^^ I find that in the drama, she is very elegant and knew she could become more famous in the coming years.


Info:
Masami Nagasawa was born on June 3, 1987 in Iwata, Shizuoka. She is a Japanese actress working for Toho. She has performed in many famous movies and television dramas including Crying out Love, In the Center of the World, Nada Sousou, Dragon Zakura and Proposal Daisakusen. She graduated from Horikoshi High School in 2006. She is also known as "Ma-chan". She is the daughter of Kazuaki Nagasawa, former manager of the J. League team Júbilo Iwata.

Television Dramas:
* Pure Soul (2001, Yomiuri TV)
* Sakura (2002, NHK)
* Hontoni Atta Kowai Hanashi - Ushiro no Onna (2004, Fuji TV)
* Satsujin sutanto (TV Asahi Saturday drama special) (2004, Asahi TV)
* Toubousha (2004, TBS)
* Yasashii Jikan (2005, Fuji TV)
* Dragon Zakura (2005, TBS)
* Hiroshima Showa 20, August 6th (2005, TBS)
* Komyo ga Tsuji (2006, NHK)
* Sailor Fuku to Kikanjuu (2006, TBS)
* Akechi Mitsuhide (2007, Fuji TV)
* Mama ga Ryori wo Tsukuru Wake (guest) (2007, Fuji TV)
* Shakespeare Drama Special - Romeo and Juliet (2007, Nippon TV)
* Proposal Daisakusen (2007, Fuji TV)
* Butterfly Stroke in Ganges River (2007, Asahi TV)
* Hatachi no Koibito (2007, TBS)
* Proposal Daisakusen SP (2008, Fuji TV)

Movies:
* Cross Fire (2000, Toho)
* Nagori yuki (2001, Daiei)
* Yomigaeri (2003, Toho)
* Godzilla: Tokyo SOS (2003, Toho)
* Robokon(Robot contest) (2003, Toho)
* Ashura no Gotoku (2003, Toho)
* Crying Out Love, In the Center of the World (2004, Toho)
* Shinkokyu no Hitsuyou (2004, Shochiku)
* Godzilla: Final Wars (2004, Toho)
* Touch (2005, Toho)
* Rough (2006, Toho)
* Nada Sousou (2006, Toho)
* Sono toki wa kare ni yoroshiku (2007, Toho)
* The Hidden Fortress (remake) (2008, Toho)

External Links:
• Masami Nagasawa(長澤雅美) PEACE Official Website
• Masami Nagasawa(長澤雅美) Chinese Forum

So I'm Not Handsome/原來我不帥

This is a Taiwanese drama which I've been watching since last month. I find this drama relaxing and not much complex stuff in it. It is still worth watching. I recommend this drama. Up till now, i watch until episode 9. Can't wait to watch episode 10. ^^





Details:
* Title: 原來我不帥 / Yuan Lai Wo Bu Shuai
* Also known as: So I'm Not Handsome
* Genre: Romance, comedy
* Episodes: -
* Broadcast network: FTV / StarTV
* Broadcast period: 2008-Jan-13 to 2008-???-??
* Air time: Sundays 22:00 - 23:30
* Opening theme song: Kuai Dian Lai Ai Wo (快點來愛我) by Nicky Lee (李玖哲)
* Ending theme song: Qi Dai Ni De Ai (期待你的愛) by JJ Lin (林俊杰)

Casts:
* JJ Lin (林俊杰) as Zhuang Jun Wei 莊俊維
* Nicky Lee (李玖哲) as Si Si 斯斯
* Michael Zhang (張勛傑) as Ah Kang 阿康
* Alice Ceng (曾愷玹) as Cindy Xu 徐心婷
* Yao An Qi (姚安琪) as Qiao Ping 巧萍
* Xiu Jie Kai (修杰楷) as Zhao Wei 兆偉
* Lu Jia Xin (路嘉欣) as Man Man 嫚嫚
* Zhong Xin Yi (鐘欣怡) as Pin Xuan 品萱
* Guo Yao Zhong (郭堯中) as Jason
* Renzo Liu (劉亮佐) as Club advisor Lai Zhen Yi
* Kuang Ming Jie (況明潔) as Restaurant owner
* Gina Lin (林利霏) as Yong Ge 勇哥
* Huang Ruo Bai (黃若白) as Principal

Story:

Xiao Zhuang always thought he was a good-looking fella because that was what his parents always told him. However, after starting university, he was in for a surprise when the girl he liked turned him down. His friends finally told him the truth, which was that he wasn't good-looking at all.

External Links:

• Watch Online[Chinese Subtitle]

• Watch Online[English Subtitle]

• DramaWiki: So I'm Not Handsome/原來我不帥

Yuko Ogura/小倉優子

I think i add more idols to fill up the blog. So, it would look so dull. ^^ I find Yuko Ogura quite cute and she is is a popular Japanese idol and model who typically aims for the cute, innocent schoolgirl look. In Japan, she is mostly called by her nickname, Yukorin (ゆうこりん). She is well known outside of Japan for her song "Onna no Ko♥Otoko no Ko (オンナのコ♥オトコのコ; Girls♥Boys)" which is the ending theme of the anime School Rumble.

Info:
Name: Yuko Ogura/小倉優子/おぐら ゆうこ
Birthday: 1983-11-01
Occupations: Model, Singer, Actress
Height: 162cm
BWH:80/56/83cm
Leg size: 23cm
Bloodtype: B
Birthplace: Mobara, Chiba, Japan
Talent: Piano, flute, swimming, impersonations
Favorite things: Disney, karaoke, comics, pink, black, choux cream, pasta, strawberry chocolate, natto
Dislike: Big dogs, vegetables, takuwan

About:
A mega-popular gravure idol who almost always breaks into the top 10 of Google Japan's search rankings, Ogura Yuko debuted at the age of 17 modeling and doing minor talent gigs for commercials. In 2002 she was chosen as Japan's Telegenic of the year. This pushed Ogura into the spotlight more and she was soon appearing in double the amount of magazines and making more TV appearances.
In 2004 she made her debut as a singer. To commemorate her first single, Azone International (a doll manufacturer) created a doll of Ogura. At the press conference, the idol remarked that you could even take off her panties, sending the audience into a laughing fit. It retailed for 9800yen at most places and is no longer being sold.
Ogura Yuko is the spokeswoman for the Police Association's fight against stalkers campaign in their video "Nakuse! Stalker" (Lose a stalker). She plays a college student who is being stalked by a classmate.

Works:
DVD & Video
•[2001.01.20] Ogura Yuko ~ Soda pop
•[2001.05.31] Sweetie Fruity
•[2001.10.25] 17sai ~Owaranai Natsu~ (17歳~終わらない夏~; 17 Years ~Endless Summer~)
•[2002.01.25] D-Splash! Ogura Yuko
•[2002.02.22] Koigokoro (恋心)
•[2002.04.15] Advance
•[2002.05.27] peach
•[2002.09.25] Nittelegenic 2002 Ogura Yuko - Style (日テレジェニック2002 小倉優子)
•[2002.10.05] Original DVD Ogura Yuko
•[2002.12.15] Ogura Yuko Multibox
•[2002.12.20] WPB-Net Ogura Yuko Digital Playboy Vol.1
•[2002.12.25] My Room
•[2002.12.26] Marugoto Ogura Yuko Vol.1 (まるごと小倉優子1)
•[2003.01.09] Marugoto Ogura Yuko Vol.2 (まるごと小倉優子2)
•[2003.02.28] My Room Loppier ver. Valentine Edition
•[2003.03.21] Yuko's Private 100 Questions
•[2003.03.25] Hyper Product Revolution
•[2003.03.25] Eien Shoujo Episode 2
•[2003.04.23] Yuko to Asonde (優子とあそんで; Play with Yuko)
•[2003.04.24] Young Jump 21-22 Geppeigou
•[2003.04.24] Thai wa Wakaiuchi ni Ikou. (タイは若いうちに行こう。; Go to Thailand While Young)
•[2003.06.12] Ogura Yuko to Kyoto Date
•[2003.06.15] Avantgarde Official Card Collection Vol.2 DVD Special Box
•[2003.06.25] Ogura Yuko DVD Making Selection
•[2003.06.25] Avantgarde DVD Making Selection
•[2003.06.29] Ogura Yuko Official Card Collection Vol.2 DVD Special Box
•[2003.07.19] Ogura Yuko no Kataomoi Graffiti (小倉優子の片思いグラフティ; Ogura Yuko's Unrequited Love Graffiti)
•[2003.07.20] Sora to Umi to Hana to.
•[2003.07.23] Ogura Yuko no Himitsu no Date (小倉優子の秘密のデート; Ogura Yuko's Secret Date)
•[2003.07.25] I LOVE IDOL THE VENUS
•[2003.10.23] R#707 Ogura Yuko DREAMING ANGEL
•[2003.10.24] Cutie Girl Bishoujo Bowling Kiki Ippatsu (キューティーガール 美少女ボウラー危機一発)
•[2003.12.13] Shuukan Playboy 37 Shuunen Kinen DVD ft. Ogura Yuko
•[2003.12.17] Sabra Best Girls DVD
•[2003.12.19] Private Date Special Edition (プライベートデート)
•[2004.02.25] Honnori (ほんのり)
•[2004.04.25] Se-Onna! Ogura Yuko (se-女! 小倉優子)
•[2004.05.14] Pyon Pyon (ぴょンぴょン)
•[2004.05.25] Se-Onna! Ogura Yuko 2 (se-女! 小倉優子2)
•[2004.06.23] Yukorin no Zenbu no se (ゆうこりんのぜんぶのせ)
•[2004.07.23] R# Subete Misemasu DVD-Box
•[2004.08.12] Ogura Yuko Director's Cut (ディレクターズカット)
•[2004.09.25] Ogura Uchi no Hitobito (小倉家の人々)
•[2004.09.30] Yumegiwa no Message
•[2004.11.xx] Hyper Product Pure Jam
•[2004.11.25] INFINITY
•[2004.12.22] Officialwork Shot No.10 Ogura Yuko
•[2005.01.16] Idol Complete 2005 Winter Blue
•[2005.02.20] Ogura Yuko Special DVD-Box
•[2005.02.25] Milky
•[2005.03.16] Popo-Porn Ogura Yuko First Anniversary (Music DVD)
•[2005.03.25] Officialwork Shot No.11 Ogura Yuko
•[2005.03.25] Duo
•[2005.04.22] Watashi ga Iyashite Ageru. (ワタシが癒してアゲル。)
•[2005.04.22] Yukore 30 (ゆうコレ30)
•[2005.08.25] Nagomi
•[2005.09.25] Hinata
•[2005.09.28] Milky & Duo (PSP UMD; with Hoshino Asuka)
•[2005.10.13] Remix DVD EYE PRESSURE
•[2006.01.23] 2005YC No.17-19 Oubosha Zenin Service Original DVD
•[2006.03.25] Yotsuba no Clover (四葉のクローバー)
•[2006.04.30] Idol DVD & Figure Ogura Yuko Style
•[2006.05.26] I LOVE IDOL Legend (with Hamada Shouko, Sakuragi Chikako)
•[2006.06.25] lost strawberry
•[2006.08.25] Yukorin no Susume (ゆうこりんのススメ)
•[2006.10.27] YUKO!200%!
•[2006.11.20] feminine
•[2007.02.22] Yukorin Hakusho (ゆうこりん白書)
•[2007.05.25] Ogura Yuko Premier DVD BOX (小倉優子 プレミアDVD BOX)

Photobooks:
•[2001.03.22] Koishikute Yasashikute (恋しくて優しくて; Beloved & Kind)
•[2001.10.06] Mirai Shoujo (未来・少女; Future Girl)
•[2002.03.15] Koigokoro (恋心)
•[2002.05.24] Ringo to Momo (りんごともも; Apples & Peaches)
•[2002.07.25] Hatsukoi Monogatari ~Yuuki wo Dashite~
•[2002.08.22] Lolinco (ろりんこ。)
•[2002.12.06] Yukorin (ゆうこりん)
•[2002.12.15] Yuko
•[2002.12.15] Momoka
•[2003.02.03] Yuko no Himitsu no Heya (ゆうこの秘密の部屋; Yuko's Secret Room)
•[2003.02.19] Ogura Yuko no Hitorigoto. (小倉優子のひとりごと)
•[2003.03.10] Yuko to Yuuchan no Yume Nikki
•[2003.04.10] Ogura Yuko Young Sunday Special Graphic Vol.3
•[2003.05.09] Dream Yumeko (ドリーム・夢子)
•[2003.07.30] Ringo Momokahime (りんごももか姫)
•[2003.10.10] Yu Q Tengoku (優Q天国; Yu Q Heaven)
•[2003.11.30] Princess Momoka
•[2004.01.20] Ogura Yuko Pin-up Poster
•[2004.02.14] Koi no Shoobydooba (恋のシュビドゥバ)
•[2004.03.01] Ogura Yuko Koukou Seifuku Collection (小倉優子高校制服コレクション)
•[2004.04.30] Idol Bankakyou Vol.1 Ogura Yuko
•[2004.05.28] Abe Kikyou Mystery File Official Photobook
•[2004.06.11] Hitori no Yoru (ひとりの夜; Lonely Night)
•[2004.09.09] Marugoto Yukorin (まるごと☆ゆうこりん)
•[2005.04.02] Secret Live (シークレットライブ)
•[2005.05.13] Watashi ga Iyashite Ageru.
•[2005.07.25] Ogura Yuko no Himitsu Yuugi (小倉優子の秘密遊戯; Ogura Yuko's Secret Game)
•[2006.12.xx] Yuko Real (ゆうこりある)
•[2006.08.25] ENCYLOPEDIA OF YUKO OGURA

External Links:
• Yuko Ogura(小倉優子) Official blog
• Yuko Ogura(小倉優子) Eternally Fansite

Single Dad in Love/单身爸爸恋爱中/싱글파파는 열애중

Title: 싱글파파는 열애중 / Single Dad in Love
Also known as: Single Papa in Love
Chinese title : 单身爸爸恋爱中
Genre: Romance
Episodes: 16
Broadcast network: KBS2
Broadcast period: 2008-Feb-18 to 2008-April-08
Air time: Mondays & Tuesdays 21:55 (9:55 Korean time)

Story:

The love story of a single dad, Kang Poong Ho, who raises his 7 year old son alone after being abandoned by his first love, Yoon So Yi. By day he works as a pest exterminator and by night he is a martial artist. Jeon Ha Ri, is a medical student from a wealthy family who falls for Poong Ho. She secretly teaches Poong Ho's son, San, how to play the piano. Poong Ho's first love is also his son's mother who is a cold and proud woman who left her family to study abroad as a pianist. She was sponsored by Jeon Ki Suk who happens to be her fiancée and Ha Ri's father.

Cast:
* Oh Ji Ho as Kang Poong Ho
* Heo Yi Jae as Jeon Ha Ri
* Kang Sung Yun as Yoon So Yi
* Park Chan Hwan as Jeon Ki Suk (Ha Ri's father / So Yi's fiancée)
* Im Joo Hwan

Extended Cast:
* Shin Dong Hee as Oh Chil Gu
* Ahn Do Gyu as Kang San
* Kim Ja Ok
* Kim Ha Eun as Ha Ri's friend

Episode Ratings/ 收視率

第1 回：2008-02-18 5.1 ％　　第2 回：2008-02-19 4.6 ％
第3 回：2008-02-25 5.3 ％　　第4 回：2008-02-26 5.5 ％
第5 回：2008-03-03 4.3 ％　　第6 回：2008-03-04 4.2 ％
第7 回：2008-03-10 4.8 ％　　第8 回：2008-03-11 4.6 ％
第9 回：2008-03-17 4.4 ％　　第10回：2008-03-18 4.0 ％
第11回：2008-03-24 4.5 ％　　第12回：2008-03-25 4.3 ％
第13回：2008-03-31 4.4 ％　　第14回：2008-04-01 4.3 ％
第15回：2008-04-07 4.0 ％　　最終回：2008-04-08 4.4 ％

Recently, i been watching this Korean television drama and find it funny and nice to watch. The actress Heo Yi Jae is the one who acts in Goong S and i find that she acts quite well. I watch [Single Dad In Love] due to the actress too. ^^

Info on Heo Yi Jae:
Name: 허이재 / Heo Yi Jae
Profession: Actress
Birthdate: 1987-Feb-19
Height: 165 cm
Weight: 45 kg
Star sign: Capricorn

TV Shows:
Single Dad in Love (KBS2, 2008)
Goong S (MBC, 2007)

Movies:
Da Ga Po (2007)
Sunflower (2006)
A Dirty Carnival (2006)

Trivia:
Education: Donguk University (majors in movies/filming)

• Watch Online[Chinese Subtitle]

• Watch Online[English Subtitle]

• Official site

• KoreanWiz

M×0/ 魔法零蛋/ エム×ゼロ

I like a lot of shonen manga and this is another which i think is nice. The drawing and story is creative and funny.^^ M×0 (エム×ゼロ,魔法零蛋) is a Japanese comedy manga series by Japanese mangaka Yasuhiro Kanō(author of Pretty Face). I first read Pretty Face and got stuck to the story. It's very nice but is a pity it ended early with 6 volumes. So, when it released , i wanted to read it straight away. No doubt it didn't disappoint me. ^^

M×0 (エム×ゼロ,魔法零蛋) was first serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump on May 1, 2006, published by Shueisha. The first volume of the series was released in Japan on November 2, 2006.
















M×0 centers around a young man named Taiga Kuzumi who has a hot-headed temper and is able to hold his own in a fight. During an interview to determine if he can attend Seinagi Private High School (私立聖凪高校, Shiritsu Seinagi Kōkō?) that he had plans of joining, Taiga is asked what he would do if he could use magic. "Take over the world" is his reply and it is quickly followed by an outburst of laughter from a very cute girl. Upon confronting the girl, she realizes how rude it was of her to laugh at his answer and tries to apologize, ultimately grasping his hands with tears in her eyes. After that point, he does not remember much else about the interview, but one thing he cannot change: he failed to enter the school. Blaming the girl for his failing to enter the school, he goes to Seinagi to confront her about it, when a teacher mistakes Taiga for a student ditching class and pulls him through some type of strange energy barrier that surrounds the school.
It is very interesting so for those who didn't read it before, go read it soon. ^^

• M×0(魔法零蛋) at Anime News Network's Encyclopedia

• M×0/ 魔法零蛋/ エム×ゼロ at English WIkipedia

To Love-Ru/ 出包王女/ To LOVEる

This manga i like quite a lot due to the drawing style although it is a bit of ecchi(Japanese word meaning "lewd", "sexy", "lascivious", or "naughty).^^ This manga is written by Hasemi Saki, and illustrated(drawn) by Kentaro Yabuki, creator of Black Cat. It is serialized weekly in Weekly Shonen Jump(Shueisha). A drama CD was released on February 29, 2008, with an original story. The anime series has been announced to begin in April 6, 2008, which is produced by XEBEC. A game for both PSP and Nintendo DS will be released in Summer 2008.


Plot:
The story is about Rito Yūki, a high-school boy who cannot confess to the girl of his dreams, Haruna Sairenji. One day when coming home and sulking in the bath-tub, a mysterious, nude girl, appears out of nowhere. Her name is Lala and she comes from the planet Deviluke, where she is the heir to the throne. Her father wants her to return to her home planet so she can marry one of the husband candidates, but she decides that she wants to marry Rito in order to stay on Earth. Commander Zastin has been ordered to bring Lala back and has already battled Rito. He reports to the emperor that Rito would be suited to marry Lala, after hearing Rito say that marriage is impossible unless it is with the person you love (Rito was actually defending himself but Zastin and Lala thought he was defending Lala). With this speech, Lala truly falls in love with Rito and decides that she wants to marry Rito. Her father decides that, if Rito is able to protect Lala from her fiances, then he can be her fiance, but if Rito cannot protect Lala from her other fiances and meet up to the king's expectations, Lala's father will kill Rito and destroy Earth.

• To Love-Ru/ 出包王女/ To LOVEる at English Wikipedia

• Manga official website(Japanese)

• TBS's anime website(Japanese)

• Watch To Love-Ru/ 出包王女 Online[Chinese Subtitle]

• Watch To Love-Ru/ 出包王女 Online[English Subtitle]

Naoki Urasawa/ 浦沢直樹

I wish more people will get to know him and read his manga as it his drawing and story are really very good. I shall put more info about him. Naoki Urasawa(浦沢直樹) is born on 1960-01-02 in Fuchu, Tokyo, Japan. He graduated from Meisei University with a degree in economics.

He made his professional manga debut with Beta!! in 1984. Three of his series have been adapted into anime: Yawara! A Fashionable Judo Girl, Master Keaton, and Monster. He has received the Shogakukan Manga Award three times, the Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize twice, and the Kodansha Manga Award once. As a storyteller, his most distinctive characteristics are his dense, multi-layered, interconnecting narratives, his mastery of suspense, clever homages to classic manga & anime from days gone by and a curious fascination with Germany.


Works:
Beta!!(1984): Made his professional debut with Beta!!.

Yawara! A Fashionable Judo Girl(1986-1993): Made his first official work (serialized in Big Comic Spirits, 1987-93), this manga has 29 volumes in total. Yawara! won the 35th Shogakukan Manga Award for general manga in 1990.

Pineapple ARMY(1986 to 1988): Published by Shogakukan from 1986 to 1988, this is a side-work produced alongside Yawara!. It composed of 10 volumes in total.

Dancing Policeman(1987): Published by Shogakukan. This manga is only one volume.

Master Keaton(1988-1994): Just after Pinneaple ARMY and while writing Yawara!, Urasawa began one of his most famous works, Master Keaton(serialized in Big Comic Original, 1988-94), and consists of 18 volumes in total. Hokusei Katsushika worked with Urasawa on it.

NASA(1988): Short story collection published in one volume by Shogakukan. A fantasy about a middle-aged office worker who trains every day in order to become Japan's first astronaut. This work also includes earlier short stories.

Happy!(1993-1999): Just after Yawara!, Urasawa began writing Happy! consists of 23 volumes in total.

Monster(1995-2001): After finishing Master Keaton, Urasawa began writing the manga which would become his most famous work: Monster. In 1994, He wrote Monster alongside Happy!, with Monster ending in 2001. Monster consists of 18 volumes in total and was serialized in Big Comic (1995-2001). Monster won the Shogakukan Manga Award for general manga in 2001.

Jigoro!(1994): Short story collection published in one volume by Shogakukan. It features four stories about Jigorou, Yawara's grandfather (from Yawara!) during his younger years. It also includes a samurai and a baseball story not related to Yawara!.

20th Century Boys(20世紀少年)(1999- 2006): After finishing Happy!, Urasawa began the all-popular 20th Century Boys. He wrote 20th Century Boys alongside Monster for two years, Monster ending in 2001. 20th Century Boys won Kodansha Manga Award for general manga in 2001, an Excellence Prize at the 2002 Japan Media Arts Festival, and the Shogakukan Manga Award for general manga in 2003.

PLUTO(2003-ongoing): His most recent project, PLUTO is a joint manga venture by Urasawa and the late Osamu Tezuka. Its story is based on a story arc of the original Astro Boy manga by Tezuka, "Chijou saidai no ROBOTTO" ("The World's Strongest Robot"). Pluto received an Excellence Prize at the 2005 Japan Media Arts Festival and the 2005 Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize Grand Prize. So far, 5 volumes have been published.

Awards:

* 1981: Return ;Début
* 1982: New Manga Artist Award of Shogakukan
* 1990: (35th) Shogakukan Manga Award (for Yawara!)
* 1997: (1st) Japan Media Arts Festival, Excellence Prize (for Monster)
* 1999: (3rd) Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize, Grand Prize (for Monster)
* 2001: (46th) Shogakukan Manga Award (for Monster)
* 2001: Kodansha Manga Award (for 20th Century Boys)
* 2002: (6th) Japan Media Arts Festival, Excellence Prize (for 20th Century Boys)
* 2003: Shogakukan Manga Award (for 20th Century Boys)
* 2004: Angoulême International Comics Festival Prize for a Series (for 20th Century Boys)
* 2005: (9th) Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize, Grand Prize (for Pluto)

External Links:
• Naoki Urasawa/ 浦沢直樹 English Wikipedia

300 people cast in "20th Century Boys(20世紀少年)" movies

The trilogy of "20th Century Boys(20世紀少年)" live-action films (directed by Yukihiko Tsutsumi) is set to be one of the biggest undertakings ever in the Japanese movie industry. The project not only has a budget of 6 billion yen, but it was revealed on Sunday that it will feature a cast of 300 people.

The movies are adapted from Naoki Urasawa's sci-fi manga of the same name about a man and his friends who try to save the world from destruction by a mysterious organization. An earlier announcement revealed that Toshiaki Karasawa is starring as the protagonist Kenji, while Etsushi Toyokawa and Takako Tokiwa play two of his friends, Otcho and Yukiji.

Because the story spans a period from the 1960s to the 2010s, many of the characters are being played by 3 people at different ages (elementary school, middle school to high school, adulthood). Counting only cast members with spoken lines, a cast of 300 actors and actresses are being assembled for the three films. Approximately 200 of them will appear in the first installment.

34 more names have been announced as part of the cast including Teruyuki Kagawa (as Yoshitsune) and Hitomi Kuroki (as Kenji's sister Kiriko).

The full list:

Announced cast:

Toshiaki Karasawa - Kenji
Etsushi Toyokawa - Otcho
Takako Tokiwa - Yukiji
Teruyuki Kagawa - Yoshitsune
Hitomi Kuroki - Kiriko
Hidehiko Ishizuka - Maruo
Takashi Ukaji - Mon-chan
Hiroyuki Miyasako - Keroyon
Katsuhisa Namase - Donkey
Fumiyo Kohinata - Yamane
Kuranosuke Sasaki - Fukube
ARATA - Masao Tamura
Nana Katase - Mika Shikishima
Chizuru Ikewaki - part-time worker Erika
Mirai Moriyama - mangaka Kameda
Yu Tokui - convenience store employee
Miyako Takeuchi - Setsuko Ichihara
Yoriko Doguchi - Mitsuko Kido
Kenichi Endo - bloody man
Ken Mitsuishi - Yama-san
Shiro Sano - Yanbo-Mabo
Bengaru - Oriko president
Tomiko Ishii - Chiyo Endo
Raita Ryu - Cho-san
Renji Ishibashi - Manjoume Inshuu
Katsuo Nakamura - Kami-sama

Cast members in unknown roles:

Takashi Fujii
Hanako Yamada
Takahiro Suzuki (Taka and Toshi)
Toshikazu Miura (Taka and Toshi)
Atsuhiko Nakata (Oriental Radio)
Shingo Fujimori (Oriental Radio)
Fumiya Fujii
Naoto Takenaka
Tamotsu Ishibashi
Toshikazu Fukawa
Masato Irie

20th Century Boys/ 20世紀少年

Althought i didn't read this manga before. I been wanting to read since long time ago. I recommend this manga as this mangaka(author) Naoki Urasawa(浦沢直樹) is one of my favourite ones. His drawing is more to the mature readers. I have read his previous work Monster. I got stuck to it. It's awesome that he plan the storyline so well that you feel like watching a movie. At first, you will feel confused as to what is happening and what will happen next. That's the thing i like about. ^^ So, without reading 20th Century Boys(20世紀少年), i know it will be nice.

Story:

Growing older is pretty rough and Kenji is finding out just how hard it can be as life starts wearing down on him. On top of trying to make ends meet running a convenience store he has to care for the niece that his missing sister left in his care. Memories of youth make it easier, until those memories come back to haunt him.

Kenji and his old friends are slowly being drawn into a mysterious conspiracy that could threaten the world. Who is the mysterious "Friend" and how does he tie into Kenji's youth? Why are there disappearances and deaths tied into Ochanomizu University? Their memories hold the keys to the puzzle, but time and age have clouded their minds.

The strange occurrences and the reach of the "Friend" conspiracy grow by the day. It will all culminate on New Year's Eve 2000. Will Kenji and the others be able to put together the puzzle and save the world? The story of 20th Century Boys is told in four different time arcs: the '60s and '70s, the late '90s, the year 2014, and 3FE, or the Third Year of the Friend Era.

22 volumes of manga had released with last chapter serialized under the name 21st Century Boys and had released 2 volumes.

Golden Arrow Awards: Yui Aragaki(新垣結衣) wins big

The 45th Golden Arrow Awards, which cover a wide range of media, were handed out on Monday. The biggest story was the Film prize won by young actress Yui Aragaki, who starred in her first three movies last year. This is her sixth major film award during this awards season, though the previous ones were all in Newcomer categories. I feel happy for her, she had been acting in a lot of drama and movies last year and it is great to see her win another award..^^ Below is not the picture of her winning the award. Just a random picture of her. As cute as ever.. ^^



The full list of winners:
* Film: Yui Aragaki
* Theater: Sadao Abe
* Music: Masafumi Akikawa
* Broadcast (drama): Shun Oguri
* Broadcast (variety): Taka and Toshi
* Newcomer: Rinko Kikuchi, Kie Kitano, Saki Fukuda, Yoshio Kojima, Kanako Yanagihara
* Sports: Ryo Ishikawa
* Topic Award: Hideo Higashikokubaru
* Achievement Award: Yu Aku, Hitoshi Ueki
* Graph Award: Akina Minami

credit to:tokyograph

Yui Aragaki/新垣結衣

Name: Yui Aragaki(新垣結衣)
Birthday: June 11, 1988
Born in: Naha, Okinawa, Japan (日本・沖縄県那覇市)

Height/Weight: 167cm/48kg
BWH: 82-62-67cm
Bloodtype: A
Leg size: 24.5cm

There are many celebrities i like in Japan. Yui Aragaki is one of them. I have been Yui Aragaki fans for a long time since watching the drama " Papa to Musume no Nanokakan(父女7日變)". Her innocent and pure look attracts a lot of fans and her movie "koizora 恋空" is recently air in Taiwan. In Japan, the movie attracted millions of people to watch. Recently, there is a ranking “Scholar Idol Ranking” which rank the current hottest top 100 female idols in three age categories: Under-25 (U-25), Under-20 (U-20) and Under-15 (U-15). Under-20 not only artists or gravure idols, sportswomen also included notably Maria Sharapova in 92th spot. The champion in this group, Yui Aragaki was well deserved because not only active in drama and movies, she also debuted as a singer with debut album “Sora”.

credit to:jayhan

External Links:
• Lespros Entertainment:Yui Aragaki(新垣結衣)
• Lespros:Yui Aragaki(新垣結衣) Official Blog
• Yui Aragaki(新垣結衣)【Pocky Street】CM Diary
• Yui Aragaki(新垣結衣) HongKong Fans Club
• Yui Aragaki(新垣結衣) International Fans Club

One Piece/ 海賊王/ 航海王

For those who don't know about One Piece or never read One Piece before. Here is some information on the story.

The series focuses on a ragtag crew of heroic pirates called the Straw Hat Pirates, formed and led by a captain named Monkey D. Luffy. Luffy's greatest ambition is to obtain the world's ultimate treasure, One Piece, and become the Pirate King.

Info:
The One Piece manga began its serial run in issue #34 of Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump magazine on August 4, 1997, while the anime adaptation produced by Toei Animation premiered on Fuji TV on October 20, 1999.
The mangaka(author) Eiichiro Oda originally planned One Piece to last five years, and he had already planned out the ending, but he found himself enjoying the story too much to end it in that amount of time, and now has no idea how long it will take to reach that point. Nevertheless, the mangaka(author) states (as of July 2007) that the ending is still the one he had decided on from the beginning, and he is committed to seeing it through to the end, no matter how many years it takes.
One piece is one of my favourite manga. Since 4 years ago, i been following One Piece and the story is getting nicer and nicer. Luffy crew is getting stronger with each journey having to defeat strong enemies.

The story tells us to be strong when faces huge obstacles and when you are losing and feeling sad or depressed, never ever give up. Just do with all your will and you will go all the way to your future. With hard work and strong wills, you can overcome all obstacles. That is what i like of One Piece. All the character in this story won't bottle up their feelings, if anyone feel angry, they just show their anger. This extract all those unwanted feelings.


Looking at those character, makes me think of the mangaka(author) Eiichiro Oda. The mangaka(author) is great in creating all sort of character with each and everyone of them had it's own feelings and ambitions. Putting them together makes it a strong team. Everyone in the crew are needed and if you take one character away, something seems to be missing. Right till now, 49 volumes release in Japan with 490chapters and for anime, 345 episodes is aired. Sincerely, i hope the mangaka(author) will draw for 10+years and let this wonderful adventures had a great and honorable end to it.

• Watch One Piece/ 海賊王 Anime Online[Chinese Subtitle]

• Watch One Piece/ 海賊王 Anime Online[English Subtitle]

• One Piece/ 海賊王 Official Site from the Japanese publishers

• One Piece/ 海賊王 Official Site from the Magazine where it serialized in Japan.

• One Piece/ 海賊王 Official Site from the network airing in Japan.

• One Piece/ 海賊王 Official Site from the Animation studio.