Ninja Hattori Kun 忍者ハットリくん is a manga series from 1964 – 1966 by Fujiko Fujio 藤子不二雄 which was later adapted into a live action TV series  (1966 to 1967),  TV anime series (1981-1987)  anime film (1983)  a NES video game  (1986) and eventually a movie ＮＩＮ×ＮＩＮ 忍者ハットリくん ＴＨＥ ＭＯＶＩＥ (2004) starring Shingo Katori 香取 慎吾, Rena Tanaka, Gori and Yuri Chinen.

The story of Hattori-kun revolves around 10-year old Ken’ichi Mitsoba who befriends a little ninja named Kanzo Hattori. Hattori becomes part  of the Mitsoba family along with his brother Shinzou and his ninja dog, Shishi-Manu. Hattori helps Ken’ichi with his problems especially against  Kemumaki, a Koga Ninja and his ninja cat Kagechiyo.  Read more...

Framey is part of the Pitagora Suicchi NHK children’s show which also shows the highly popular Algorithm March.

However, I think Framey is just as innovative. The main character in Framey is a transparent dog comprised of a square frame. The other characters are comprised of simple figures as well but aren’t transparent. Nice animation.

Pitagora Suicchi Video

Many western pop acts like Bon Jovi and Madonna have been coming to Japan for many years. Another global pop star that has always toured Japan is Mariah Carey who first visited in 1996 with her DayDream tour. She’s also been interviewed a few times on Japanese TV, mostly by Karube Shinichi 軽部真一, a reporter for Japan’s popular Mezamashi め ざましテレビ ( morning breakfast) TV (Fuji TV). In her latest interview for the album E=MC2, Karube visits her large NY apartment full of awards, dogs, shoes, clothes and where she promises him to go an onsen (hot spring) with him next time she travels to Japan.  Read more...