If you are Manga-lover like me, you HAVE to know “Slam Dunk“.  This manga series was written by Takehiko Inoue, who is also the artist behind the popular manga Vagabond, Buzzer Beater, and Real.  The Slam Dunk series ran from 1990-1996, and it is an understatement to say that this manga single-handedly supercharged every Japanese’s interest in basketball.  Slam Dunk was the reason why I started playing basketball, and I’m sure it’s the same story for many others.  When the series ended, it left many empty, sad, broken, and thirsting for more.  There were rumors that “Slam Dunk 2″ was coming out, but even today it remains a rumor.  HOWEVER, I found a short video clip that tells the story “10 days after” the ending.  Enjoy!  The video clip is in Japanese.

Takehiko Inoue’s Official Website: http://www.itplanning.co.jp/
Slam Dunk English WIki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaede_Rukawa
Slam Dunk Japanese Wiki: http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/SLAM_DUNK

Dragon Quest (known as “Dragon Warrior” in the United States) is one of the most celebrated names in the RPG world in Japan.  Sure, Final Fantasy may be more popular in the US, but without a doubt, Dragon Quest is the dominant of the two franchises in Japan.  However, today’s blog is NOT about Dragon Quest, but rather, “T-Dragonquest.“  Nope, that was not a typo.  There IS a “T” in the front.

“T-Dragon Quest” has an uncanny visual resemblance to normal Dragon Quest.  However, it is not a bootleg version of Dragon Quest.  It was released exclusively for the Japanese home computer system, the Sharp X68000.  The first model appeared in 1987 and used an operating system is called Human 68K (similar to MS-DOS), created by Hudson Soft.  My bro and I used to own one.

Here’s an image comparing the two games:

Comparing T-Dragon Quest (L) and Dragon Quest (R)

Despite the obvious similarities, I would like to believe T-Dragon Quest as a legitimate game on its own.  I see it as a reaction to the overwhelming popularity of Dragon Quest thus forcing an individual to create this game out of admiration of the series.  The “T” in “T-Dragon Quest” is derived from the creator’s name, Hide Tanbo.

I am currently playing this game and I love how old-school and uniquely-original it is.  If you are an otaku, and a hardcore RPGer, you must try this truly rare game.

See more screenshots of T-DragonQuest: http://ssrs.at.infoseek.co.jp/tdq1reve.htm
Find out more about the X68000 home computer: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sharp_X68000

Random sketch I drew when I should have been studying.

American Otaku B&W Sketch #1

Yahoo! posted a slideshow photo gallery of the “10 Most Biographically Inaccurate Movies.”  Follow the link and find out what movies they are referring to.  The slideshow also has interesting behind-the-scenes facts about these movies.  What caught my attention was the fact “According to the article in ‘The American Journal of Human Genetics,’ roughly 8% of all men in Asia are descendants from Khan.”  Woah…  Genghis Khan was a playa!

Read the original article, “The Genetic Legacy of the Mongols” estimating the lineage of 8% of all men in Asia.

This is outdated news, but I still find it fascinating.  Rumor has it that there’s an un-Disneylike hidden message in one of the scenes from “The Lion King.”  About three fourths into the movie, there is a scene where Simba rests on a cliff edge.  As he drops to the ground, he releases a cloud of dust.  This dust cloud then (supposedly) morphs into the word “sex.”  An Illusion?  You be the judge.

A detailed story of this rumor can be found at http://www.snopes.com/disney/films/lionking.asp

The manga “Dragon Ball” is not the same without Piccolo.  He first entered the series as the evil nemesis of Son Goku, and their battle marks one of the most memorable scenes.  As the story progressed, however, Piccolo evolved from Goku’s nemesis into a friend and eventually becomes a personal trainer to his son, Son Gohan.  Piccolo got it all…  Except for one thing…  A sense of fashion.  Through out the WHOLE manga/anime series he wears the same purple suit, white cape, and a turban.  However!!! There’s only ONE episode where he changes into something else.  Check out this clip where Piccolo and Goku go to the city to learn how to drive.  It’s speculated that Piccolo is wearing a cap to hide his head appendages from the civilians (Piccolo pretty much terrorized the world back in the evil days).  BTW Piccolo is borrowing clothes from Goku.  This is a rare scene that illustrates Piccolo’s personal side.

Find more about Piccolo: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piccolo_Jr.

Okay…  I have a seminar to prepare for, and I’m still drawing sketches.  I’m screwed.

American Otaku B&W Sketch #2