My favorite Mario Spin off (and probably my favorite puzzle game) is Dr. Mario. The game is tactical, fun, and has a catchy tune that lingers in our head. Check out this comical animation of Dr. Mario’s song with lyrics.

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

Do you know the digits to the Griffin’s residence?  I do. In one of the episodes, their number was displayed on a flyer they were passing out.  I forgot which episode it was, but wrote it down on a piece of paper long time ago.  I came across it yesterday while I was cleaning my room.

555-0314

We know this phone number  is fake but nevertheless, digits are digits.  It’s known that the show takes place in the fictional New England suburb of Providence, Quahog, Rhode Island.  Seth MacFarlane, the show’s creator, in an interview with local WNAC Fox 64 News stated that the town is modeled after Cranston, Rhode Island.

As election day approaches, extreme measures are taken by both parties to support their candidate.  But, a hidden message next to the Fox 5 News Logo?  Look very carefully at this video clip, and you’ll see a very familiar face.

I only have one thing to say.  Cindy Mccain is totally hot!

Sometimes I wonder how innocent the Disney movies are…and if it’s appropriate for the kids.  There have been many controversies with regards to the hidden, sexual messages embedded in their movies (”The Lion King” being one of them).  However, none is more explicit than the schocking scene in ”The Rescuers.”  This news is outdated, but nevertheless, I hope you find this interesting.

Okay, building a meaningful relationship with someone of the opposite sex.  I don’t handle rejection too well, and that’s why people like myself find solace in the virtual world.  But today I found out that relationships in the game world can also be nasty…especially went it comes to divorce.

A Japanese piano teacher was arrested for the murder of her virtual husband after an abrupt but messy online divorce.  The 43-year-old from the Kyushu province in southern Japan could face a maximum sentence of five years in jail if she is found guilty of killing off her digital partner.  She is accused of hacking into the profile of a 33-year-old office worker from Sapporo 620 miles away, whose avatar on the Maple Story computer game was married to her character until he unexpectedly demanded a divorce.

I learned two things for the story above.  First of all, I’m never ever going to get married online (geez! thanx alot!  I’m now even more of a commitophobe!)  Secondly…the lady was 43-years old, playing an MMORPG,got married online, got pissed and murdered her virtual husband…enough said.  Let’s all hope we’ll find a significant other by her age.

So kids, stay in school because it’s cool.

Go have fun and possibly find your significant others at Maple Story: http://www.maplestory.com/

Winnie the Pooh, probably one of the most memorable characters of all time, has once again proven his immense popularity.  According to Yahoo! News, “an oval pencil sketch by E.H. Shepard, one of children’s literature’s most famous illustrators, has been sold for approximately $50,000.”  The sketch “shows Pooh dipping his paw into a pot of honey while sitting at a table as Piglet and Tigger look on.”  Here’s an image of the Pooh sketch.

Man, I’ll be happy if someone would buy one of my Black&White Sketches (check them out here)!  Heck!  I would even pay somebody to take it!!!

Source: Yahoo! News

Also! Check out my comic strip based on Pooh – “Winnie the Poo“

Our new president-elect gives hope to many people.  They chant, “Nothing is impossible.  Anybody can be President!”  However, I would like to praise someone else for achieving the same.  Somebody who’s more dear to us.  Somebody who’s more fuzzy and cute.  Somebody who’s…not real?

On May 18th, 2008 the Japanese tourism ministry named Hello Kitty as its choice to represent the country in China and Hong Kong.  Yes, Hello Kitty is now the Japanese tourism ambassador.  Hello Kitty has an impressive resume and was selected to promote tourism in Japan.  Here’s an image to commemorate Hello Kitty’s political achievement.

I wonder when one of my characters will be the President of the United States.  Their running mate?  Sailor Moon.

Source: MSNBC

We are all in search for a perfect partner.  We at times fantasize about a movie character, a celebrity…  So, why not with a game character!  But…to actually marry an imaginary person?

A Japanese man, Taichi Takashita, fell in love with a comic character (name of his love not disclosed), and lead a campaign to allow marriage between human and the two-dimensional character.  Within a week he was able to accumulate 1000 signatures.

“I am no longer interested in three dimensions.  I would even like to become a resident of the two-dimensional world,” he wrote.

I totally understand him…  After all, I think Ariel from The Little Mermaid is totally HOT!

Source: news.com.au