Ultraseven vs. Aron

Ultraman vs. Gabula & Rigger

Alien Goron vs. Gumonga

Kaiju Ebanashi

Alien Godola, Alien Borg, Alien Baltan, Alien Zarab, Alien Icarus, Alien Bado

Eleking, Dino-Tank

Capsule Monsters: Windam, Agira, Miclas

Ultraseven

Alien Baltan // Magular

Garamon // Kanegon

Litra & Gomess // Peter & Todora

Ultraseven, Alien Icarus, Alien Pega, Alien Cool

Ultraseven, Bostang, Starbem Gyeron

Kaiju Ebanashi

Ultraman vs. Jirass

Seabozu & Zaragas

Peguila & Kanegon

Jamila & Alien Mephilas

Kaiju Ebanashi

Aboras, Banila, Zambolar

Ultraman vs. Jamila

Ultraman, Alien Baltan, Bemular

[Link: Takayoshi Mizuki]

Link to the original article…

Sofu Teshigahara, One Man Show, 1954 [+]

Nikon, 1954 [+]

Gropius and Bauhaus Exhibition, 1954 [+]

Nikon Mikron Binoculars, 1955 [+]

Graphic ‘55 Exhibition, 1955 [+]

Fuji Photo Contest, 1955 [+]

Atomic Energy for Peaceful Industry, 1956 [+]

Nikon SP, 1957 [+]

Terror and Sorrow! Cancer! 1959 [+]

“Design” Magazine Cover, 1959 [+]

Nikkorex 35, 1960 [+]

Nikkor Lens, 1960 [+]

Poster for 18th Olympic Games, 1961 [+]

Rayon and Synthetic Fibres of Japan, 1961 [+]

Rayon and Synthetic Fibres of Japan, 1962 [+]

Election Poster, 1967 [+]

Japan World Exposition, Osaka, 1967 [+]

Office Design Exhibition, 1970 [+]

Nikomat, 1971 [+]

Tokyo International Design Competition for Lighting Fixtures, 1973 [+]

The 8th Annual Tokyo International Lighting Design Competition, 1977 [+]

The 9th Annual Tokyo International Lighting Design Competition, 1979 [+]

The 10th Tokyo International Lighting Design Competition, 1983 [+]

Hiroshima Appeals, 1983 [+]

[From "The Works of Yusaku Kamekura," Rikuyosha, 1983]

Link to the original article…

Suiko [+]

The suiko (lit. “water tiger”) is a king-sized variety of kappa living in and around the Chikugo River (Kyushu), Lake Biwa (Shiga prefecture), and other bodies of water across Japan.

In addition to prowling around at night and making mischief, the suiko has the power to possess people. Those possessed by a suiko descend into a temporary state of madness, but they recover quickly after the creature withdraws.

At least once a year, the suiko drags a human victim into the water, sucks out his blood, and returns the body to shore. It is best not to have a funeral for the victim of a suiko attack. Instead, the body should be left on a wooden plank inside a small thatched hut in a field. If done properly, this course of action causes the flesh of the suiko perpetrator to slowly rot until it dies.

* * * * *

Umi-bōzu [+]

Umi-bōzu are giant black bulbous beings that live in the sea. Sometimes they have glowing eyes and a beak, and other times they have no facial features at all. To survive an umi-bōzu encounter at sea, one should remain quiet and look in the opposite direction. Speaking or looking at the creature may send it into a rage — and that usually ends in tragedy.

* * * * *

Bake-kujira [+]

Long ago, a mysterious sea creature known as the bake-kujira (lit. “ghost whale”) used to appear at night in the waters around an island in Shimane prefecture. The thing looked like the skeleton of a giant whale, and it was usually accompanied by a flock of strange birds when it came drifting in with the tide. Later, when the tide started to recede, peculiar fish would become visible in the water around the monster. Fisherman trying to catch the bake-kujira claimed their harpoons passed through the creature as if it were not there.

* * * * *

Satori [+]

The satori is a type of mountain-dwelling goblin that can read human minds. When it encounters travelers passing through the mountains, the creature approaches them and begins speaking their thoughts aloud. Once the victims become thoroughly confused and disoriented, the satori captures and eats them.

It is said that an empty mind is the best protection against a satori attack. Thinking nothing at all causes the creature to turn away in boredom or flee in fear. A notorious satori named Omoi lives on the slopes of Mt Fuji.

* * * * *

Ōnyūdō [+]

The ōnyūdō (lit. “large monk”) appears in numerous Japanese folk tales. His appearance varies from story to story, but he is always big, ranging anywhere from 2 meters (6 ft 6 in) tall to as large as a mountain. In most cases, the ōnyūdō is a malevolent figure that can cause people to fall ill simply by looking at them. Some stories describe him as a fox or tanuki (raccoon dog) that has shape-shifted, but in most stories his true identity is a mystery.

* * * * *

Tankororin [+]

One type of ōnyūdō, called tankororin, is known to spring forth from untended persimmon trees. The fruits transform into tankororin if left unpicked on the tree for too long.

* * * * *

Bakki [+]

The bakki is a furry creature with eyes on top of its head. It measures 60 to 90 centimeters (2 to 3 ft) long and usually appears as a blur because it runs so fast. The bakki is regarded as a great threat to the environment, as it causes moisture to disappear wherever it goes. Plants and trees wither, crops fail, and ponds evaporate. The only way to eliminate a bakki is to capture it and submerge it in dirty water.

* * * * *

Nuppefuhofu [+]

The nuppefuhofu (a.k.a. nuppeppo) is a man-sized lump of decaying human flesh usually found hanging around old abandoned temples and graveyards. Aside from the creature’s massive flabs of flesh, the only features are its arms and legs — and its horrid smell. The nuppefuhofu enjoys long aimless walks after dark, and it appears to derive satisfaction from frightening people on the street at night.

* * * * *

Koboku-no-kai [+]

Koboku-no-kai are spirits of old trees. One such tree spirit was encountered by Tarōemon, a man who lived in Niigata prefecture long ago. One drunken night, Tarōemon noticed a prowler standing next to the old tree in front of his house. He stepped outside to confront the stranger, and they started fighting. Tarōemon subdued the man and managed to drag him inside, only to discover that he had transformed into a large tree branch. The next morning, Tarōemon took the branch to a nearby temple. The resident priest told Tarōemon that the old tree in front of his house was occupied by a spirit. After the priest recited a chant, the tree never caused any trouble again.

[See also: Anatomy of Japanese folk monsters]

Link to the original article…

LG Electronics has launched its new clamshell phone Candy Phone (model: LG-SU410) targeting young female customers, now available in the Korean market via SK Telecom and Japan market via NTT DoCoMo.

Available in white and pink colors, the Candy Phone is designed with a unique keypad and red LED lights on the front panel. Adopting a 2.8-inch LCD screen, it features T-DMB, a micro SD card slot supporting up to 16GB and more.

Link to the original article…

http://www.removethelabels.com/2009/12/18/final-fantasy-xiii-finally-released-in-japan-and-no-riots/ http://www.removethelabels.com/2009/12/18/final-fantasy-xiii-finally-released-in-japan-and-no-riots/#comments Fri, 18 Dec 2009 21:56:12 +0000 William http://www.removethelabels.com/?p=25739

Mind you, I know that the trampling for new products is usually reserved for either Black Friday or $50 laptops; but I sorta expected to hear about something happening in Japan when this blockbuster game came out in Japan.

The Final Fantasy XIII launch event in Japan, the show started 6:30AM at Shibuya Tsutaya. Game stores at Shibuya, Akihabara and Ikebukuro had around 350 people lining up before 7am, people started lining up as early as 9:30pm the night before.

Let’s see if things are as civil when this debuts in March of 2010 in America.

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http://www.removethelabels.com/2009/12/17/lockface-usb-drive-uses-your-ugly-face-for-security/ http://www.removethelabels.com/2009/12/17/lockface-usb-drive-uses-your-ugly-face-for-security/#comments Thu, 17 Dec 2009 07:29:53 +0000 William http://www.removethelabels.com/?p=25710

If you have trouble remembering passwords, then fingerprint/facial recognition technology can be an effective way to keep access to your valuable data. The Lockface system works through the use of a webcam – no webcam and you’re out of luck – to match with a stored image of your face with 98% accuracy. I am not sure what happens the other 2% of times, but that is probably secure enough for people that aren’t storing state secrets.

Price: $110 (as of now it is only available for people living in Japan) [Crunchgear]

Link to the original article…

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For now, only 250 six-packs of the beer, which Sapporo calls “Space Barley,” are available for purchase. Customers will be selected at random from those who apply through the Space Barley website before December 24.

The barley used in the beer is the fourth-generation offspring of seeds that spent five months aboard the International Space Station in 2006 as part of research that Sapporo conducted with the Russian Academy of Sciences and Okayama University. The aim of the research was to study the adaptability and life cycle of barley in zero-gravity and to explore the challenges of achieving self-sufficient food production in space.

Space Barley beer has a mellow flavor and slightly dark color reminiscent of deep space, according to Sapporo. The six-packs are priced at an astronomical 10,000 yen ($110), but Sapporo will donate the profits to Okayama University, who will use the funds to promote science education for children and foster the development of space science research in Japan and Russia.

[Links: Space Barley website, Sapporo press release]

Link to the original article…

[View full image]

“Death Battle with Robot Kong,” an illustration by Takashi Minamimura, features a cutaway diagram of Robot Kong, also known as “Mechani-Kong” in the US version of the cartoon and in the 1967 spin-off film “King Kong Escapes.” Built to defeat King Kong, the 50-meter tall remote-control robot is powered by a 200,000-kilowatt nuclear reactor and can shoot laser beams from its eyes and poison gas from its nose.

The accompanying text describes Dr. Who’s sinister plans to capture King Kong, place a mind-control helmet on his head, and use him to hijack ships and rob banks. He estimates King Kong can carry about 100 million yen in cash in his giant paws.

[View full image]

Appearing in the same issue of Shōnen Magazine is a schematic illustration by Takayoshi Mizuki entitled “Secret Pyramid Base,” which shows Dr. Who’s secret base inside one of the Giza pyramids in Egypt.

The pyramid is equipped with advanced military hardware, including 3D radar, jet launchers, recoilless guns, flamethrowers, rocket launchers, and military tanks that burrow underground. Dr. Who monitors all the action from a wall of TV screens in his room at the center of the pyramid. The base is powered by a nuclear reactor in the basement and surrounded by giant ant-lion sand traps.

Situated nearby is a giant nuclear-powered Sphinx Tank. King Kong battles a variation of this weaponized Sphinx in an episode of “The King Kong Show.” (Watch “The Jinx of the Sphinx.”)

The diabolical Dr. Who and Mechani-Kong also appear in the 1967 film “King Kong Escapes,” which was an adaptation of some of the cartoon episodes.

In the film, King Kong is captured and hypnotized by Dr. Who, but he eventually snaps out of it and escapes to Tokyo. Dr. Who sends Mechani-Kong after him, and the two end up in a battle to the death atop Tokyo Tower.

+ King Kong Escapes – US trailer

[Images via: 昭和の雑誌広告・懐かしモノ]

Link to the original article…

Casio has released two digital cameras EXILIM EX-FH25 (shown above) and EXILIM EX-FC150 in the Japanese market starting on November 27. To be equipped with 10.1M back-illuminated CMOS sensors, the EX-FH25 and EX-FC150 deliver 20x optical zoom and compact body respectively.

No word on an American release yet.

Link to the original article…

http://www.removethelabels.com/2009/11/16/got-a-sony-psp-youre-basically-screwed/ http://www.removethelabels.com/2009/11/16/got-a-sony-psp-youre-basically-screwed/#comments Tue, 17 Nov 2009 02:24:24 +0000 William http://www.removethelabels.com/?p=25188

The above picture is my Sony PSP UMD collection. There are about 22 games in the above picture – minus a couple that I’ve loaned out and the one in my current Sony PSP-3000. So in total let’s say 25. It’s a neat little pile of actual store bought UMD’s that Sony would rather I forget that I owned, push them all aside, purchase their new Sony PSP Go which costs $249 USD and then start the purchasing process all over again if I really wanted to purchase the Sony PSP Go.

While shopping this weekend, my 8 year old son saw the new PSP Go and in his curiosity started to ask a few questions. When my answers to his questions were that “The new Sony PSP doesn’t play the same games you’ve already seen around the house, you have to purchase and download each and every game…” and that answer didn’t phase him. He’s already gotten used a Nintendo DSi that also had the ability to play downloaded games alongside cartridge games. What did bother him though, was a question by him that led to this rant… “If you already have a lot of PSP (UMD) games, why won’t Sony let you download them onto the Sony PSP Go since you’ve already bought it once?”

“Good question son…”

Then it hit me. There’s no compelling reason to buy the Sony PSP Go for a Sony PSP UMD owner with a lot of games already. Zero compelling reason whatsoever. Is there a trade-in program? No. Is there a trade-up program? No. For each and every game you used to own… you’ll get nothing from Sony. They scrapped the trade-in program for the American market. Heck, they even don’t do anything special, if I wanted to, I could download games onto my Sony PSP-3000. Heck, the PSP Go has a smaller screen, they didn’t add a second analog thumb pad or even allowed the battery to remain removable.

Back to trade-ins, I don’t recall a trade-in program in Japan either where it’s sold rather poorly there. I mean, real poor. And the sales here in the US and European markets aren’t that strong either. So listen up Sony… my 8 year old son came up with a good idea. I’m sure my son won’t even mind if you use it…

Start up a trade-in program and send people a self-addressed and stamped cardboard box capable of slotting in a few UMD’s, all made of recyclable cardboard and for each and every UMD that you receive, send out a download voucher for that game. Don’t forget to include tracking for packages.

Allow people to just send the UMD’s, don’t require the boxes or manuals. Something I tend to do every now-and-then is go through the manuals of the games – I’m not a fan of online manuals all too often. Something about the tactile feeling of having some paper in my hand. But on downloadable games, why not try to capitalize on the people that like to read manuals. Offer it as a service. They download a game, add $2.99 for a manual… slap on a stamp and send it along.

Don’t let Gamestop and other stores pick up the slack that you left in the wake of releasing a $250 dollar machine to replace a $169 dollar machine that had a bigger screen and can still play downloaded games. Offer some real incentives for once. $50 bucks? Pfft. Let’s think this is a good negotiation. Bring out a $100 system trade-in program alongside the aforementioned game trade-in program.

See? It’s that damn easy Sony. Get off your high-horse. You dropped the price of the Sony PlayStation3… what happened? 8000% increase in sales during a friggin’ recession and you bring out an overly expensive game system that’s being outsold in each and every location you sell Sony products, including Japan. Same place that you were gaining ground on the Nintendo DSi that’s been outselling you each month for almost 2 years straight.

And it’s no wonder the three highest viewed stories on Remove The Labels are either about the 5.02 firmware [ view here ] or the 5.03 firmware [ view here ] or where the Sony PSP Go was hacked… sorta [ view here ] which all point to how people want to basically screw you back Sony.

Get a clue, stop screwing over your existing and potential customers, cultivate what little brand loyalty is left and try what I said above, it just might work. Even an 8 year old sees what you’re doing wrong. At least you’re still continuing with a rumored PSP-4000 that will keep the UMD.

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