A weird but well-produced video featuring Shia LaBeouf has been making the rounds on the Internet for a few days now. It basically consists of an over-wrought motivational rant by LaBeouf, done in front of a green screen. Hmm. A viral video of LaBeouf "leaks" from an art project. Shot in front of an immaculately lit green screen. Anyone who's played around with doing green screen knows that if you screw up the lighting, the resulting footage will likely not be able to be usable.
Stand Up and Cheer for Gothic Sports and the FIFA Women's World Cup!
Every four years, national teams from all over the world play Soccer (or Football as it is known everywhere else other than the US) and the world returns the favor by being obsessed with it. The most recent World Cup was last year, won by the German National Selection. However, the year after the men leave the pitch, it's time for the women to play.
Miss Manga™? A Sure Sign That Asian Pop Culture Is Part Of World Pop Culture Now!
Video Series Recreates Fleeting Thrill Of Walking Past A Beautiful Woman
Manga as Propaganda
TOKYOPOP Fam: It's Memorial Day weekend in the United States, which means not only barbecue with friends and family but remembering the million+ veterans who sacrificed their lives throughout history, defending America's freedom.
Live-Action Bakuman Casting Worries Some, Intrigues Most
Rapidly Aging Japanese Towns Create Incentives for Young Transplants
We’ve received some interesting reports from our friends at RocketNews24 this past month regarding some incredible economic opportunities for young people in Japan. As many of you may know, Japan is a rapidly aging society. According to TIME, Japan has had the lowest birth rate on record, four years in a row.
Yum or Yuck? Depends On What Side of the Pacific You’re From!
Americans assume that their taste in food is universal, considering that American cuisine is a hodge-podge of cuisines from all over the world. However, they would be sadly mistaken. When one considers that, at least where processed food is concerned, adding lots of salt, fat and sugar is an almost universal go-to strategy. It’s tempting for North American palates, but when Asians try American foods, they often consider our foods overkill.
Otaku no Video: Shirobako’s honored ancestor to get a new life on Blu-Ray?
Shirobako just recently wrapped. I’m actually catching up on it through Crunchyroll now, and enjoying it immensely. The series is set in the world of Anime production. Never mind that the anime industry is kind of a grim place unless you are a key creative or an executive: Shirobako character Erika Yano is based on a real person director Tsutomo Mizushima knew, and she’s no longer in the business because it’s just a brutal slog for scary low wages.
Heisei Samurai vs Ebi Furai Fastball!
By Clay Bohle
The real-life fruit ninja is back! Isao Machii, the Iaijustu practitioner fondly known as ‘Heisei Samurai,’ or ‘Modern Samurai,’ holds five Guiness World Records for his incredible swordsman feats. He’s putting those skills on display for the world once again in a new SoftBank commercial, which features Isai Machii slicing various objects shot out of a fastball machine at speeds up to 93 miles per hour (150 kph), including a delicious looking fried shrimp!
EbiFastball
‘Would you like some tartar sauce with your katana-flayed shrimp, sir?’ ‘Why, yes, I think I would. Actually, why don’t you oil down the blade with tartar sauce so I get a nice even coat of creamy goodness with each slice.’
The Heisei Samurai slices and dices the ebi as it travels through the air at an incredible 80 miles per hour (130 kph)! In the commercial, he also cuts through an orange flying at 50mph (80 kph), and a glowing red orb launched at a screaming 93 miles per hour (150 kph)! That’s one fast sword arm.
OrangeFastball
The video is a promotion for SoftBank’s speedy new Sharp Speed Platinum Band LTE service:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTFRvEg4BHw
Isao Machii is an Iaijutsu proponent who resides in Kawanishi, Hyogo. In 2005, he created the Shushin-ryu Iaijutsu style. He teaches Iaijutsu at the “Shushin-kan” Iaido training venue and devotes himself to his studies every day with the aim of restoring the traditions of Muso Jikiden Eishin-ryu. His Guinnes World Records include: “Most sword cuts to straw mats in three minutes,” “Fastest 1,000 martial arts (iaido) sword cuts,” “Fastest tennis ball cut by sword,” “Fastest BB pellet cut by sword,” and “Most martial arts sword cuts to one mat (Suegiri).” We imagine “Fastest Fried Shrimp cut by sword” will soon be added to that list.
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