J-C Pop!

VIZ Media has announced a variety of upcoming new animated titles that will make unique gift ideas this holiday season.

Set for release throughout November and December, this new collection includes the long awaited North American debut of “Hunter x Hunter,” a fantasy action adventure.

Also eagerly anticipated is the debut of the “Death Note” DVD Box Set Volume 1, a collection of the first 20 episodes from the popular series that has captivated millions with its highly original supernatural crime thriller plot.

San Francisco-based VIZ Media has announced a variety of new manga titles, art books, manga series box sets, kids’ chapter books and special collector’s editions that will make unique gift ideas this holiday season.

San Francisco-based VIZ Media has announced the North American debut of “Black Lagoon,” a manga (graphic novel) series by Rei Hiroe about a misfit group of mercenaries and their adventures on the high seas of Southeast Asia.

“Black Lagoon” is available now from the VIZ Media imprint and is rated “M” for mature audiences. It carries an manufacturer suggested retail price of $12.99.

Readers will lock ‘n’ load with Dutch the Boss, Benny the Mechanic, Revy Two Hand, and Rock as they seek adventure and fortune aboard their World War II-era torpedo boat, the Black Lagoon.

San Francisco-based VIZ Media has highlighted a diverse collection of horror and supernatural-themed manga titles now available that make a perfect complement for Halloween.

The series include an array of stories ranging from the creepy and paranormal to the humorous:

The Cartoon Art Museum in San Francisco is presenting original works of art from the Totoro Forest Project Charity Auction, a once-in-a-lifetime exhibition featuring paintings, illustrations and sculptures from nearly 200 critically acclaimed animators, fine artists, cartoonists and illustrators.

by SHINTARO TANAKA
Hokubei Mainichi

The popular Japanese manga series “Death Note” was made into a movie, the story in the first half being shown throughout the U.S. in May.

Now the sequel, “Death Note II: The Last Name,” will be showing at over 400 theaters throughout the nation on Oct. 15 and 16.

The “Death Note” series is a story that revolves around the notebook of a god of death, a shinigami. If a person’s name is written in the notebook, that person dies.

PITTSBURGH (Kyodo) — Popular African American enka singer Jero wowed an audience of about 500 who packed an auditorium at the University of Pittsburgh, his alma mater on Aug. 27, impressing them with his soulful tunes sung in perfect Japanese.

Jero belted out his hugely successful debut single, “Umiyuki” (Ocean Snow), along with classic enka megahits such as “Hisame” (Icy Rain) and “Yurakucho de Aimasho” (Let’s Meet at Yurakucho).

by JAMES WOODARD
Hokubei Mainichi

What do you get when you mix Akira Kurosawa’s “Yojimbo,” Quentin Tarentino’s “Kill Bill,” the “Tale of the Heike Clan” and Shakespeare’s “Henry IV?” The answer is groundbreaking Japanese director Takashi Miike’s latest film, “Sukiyaki Western Django.”

The film, which was released in Japan last year, is making its way to American theaters this fall, and is showing at select theaters in Southern California on Sept. 12.

by YOKO MORIHIRO
Hokubei Mainichi

In celebration of the 20th anniversary of its formation, the mega-popular Japanese band GLAY put on their first live show on the continental U.S. on Aug. 12 at San Francisco’s live house The Fillmore.

The audience, made up primarily of Japanese and Asian teenagers, filled most of the 1,250-person floor and waited eagerly for the show to start. And start it did when at 8 p.m., the four members of GLAY appeared in the purple lighting clad all in black, triggering an explosive two-hour show with a total of 19 songs.

by JAMES WOODARD
Hokubei Mainichi

This week's "J-C Pop!" is more about our good friend Dogen Zenji and his exhaustive collection called the Shobogenzo.

"Sit Down and Shut Up: Punk Rock Commentaries on Buddha, God, Truth, Sex, Death, and Dogen's Treasury of the Right Dharma Eye" by Brad Warner is easily as entertaining as his 2003 book, "Hardcore Zen." He continues his Dogen thread by explaining more about the Shobogenzo by relating his own experiences.