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Category Archives: Manga

Moominvalley (Moomin) – ムーミン – وادي الأمان

 

“ The Moomins (Swedish: Mumintroll, Finnish: Muumi) are the central characters in a series of books and a comic strip by Swedish-Finn illustrator and writer Tove Jansson, originally published in Swedish by Schildts in Finland. They are a family of trolls who are white and roundish, with large snouts that make them resemble hippopotamuses. The carefree and adventurous family live in their house in Moominvalley, in the forests of Finland, though in the past their temporary residences have included a lighthouse and a theatre. They have many adventures along with their various friends. In all, nine books were released in the series, with five picture books and a comic strip being released between 1945 and 1993.” (www.wikipedia.com. June, ’11)

I’ve first watched the Arabic dubbed Japanese Anime version of  ”Moomin - وادي الأمان” when I was around 13 years old. At that time, I didn’t know that the Anime was originally based on a Swedish-Finnish graphical novel, but for some reason I’ve felt the difference between Moomin anime and the other Japanese anime story plots. Being simple and unique is what made the Moomin Comic/Anime to be so special!

Moomin has been made into many TV series and films but my favorites are the Japanese anime sequels (Two different casts Arabic dub) that were made in the early 90s.

Recently I’ve started reading the complete comic strip of Moomin by the Finnish novelist Tove Jansson. Simply, it’s a piece of art!

Now I’m planning on watching the Arabic dubbed anime film of  ”Moomin: Comet in Moominland” and also playing the Nintendo DS Game!

Ohayocon – おはようーコン – أوهايوكون

“Ohayocon is a convention focusing on Japanese pop culture, including popular anime and manga fandom. It is traditionally held during the month of January in Columbus, Ohio. Ohayocon was first held in 2001 in Cleveland, Ohio, moving to Columbus in 2003. Ohayocon derives its name from the similarity in pronunciation between “Ohio”, where the con is held, and Ohayo (おはよう, Ohayou), which is Japanese for “Good morning”. With its continued growth, Ohayocon has become the largest winter anime convention in North America.” (Wikipedia, 2011).

I know this is an outdated post, but I’m still interested in blogging this new experience of mine! Back in January 28-30 this year, I FINALLY had the chance to attend a true and real Anime Convention. It was held at the Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio. When I’ve first registered for this convention, I didn’t expect a lot but to be honest, the convention exceeded my expectations! The panels were running all day long, many different things to do there. It’s not only Anime, besides Anime (recent & old school Anime), there were video games panels, Manga panels, Voice actors/actresses panels, board games panels, cosplay contests, Japanese movies panels, etc.! I was spinning around like a crazy trying not to miss any of the good panels. The place was well-organized, comfortable and the facilities were just perfect. Attendees were so much fun so going alone wasn’t an issue at all. I’ve created an album of the cosplayers that I liked the most. I didn’t cosplay though but it was really fun looking around at the professional cosplayers there. The bazaar was just a place to burn money, I was lucky enough to find the original Blue Seed complete dvds boxset. I guess no one there, especially from the younger generation, knew how precious this boxset is!

City Hunter – シティーハンター – سيتي هنتر

City Hunter (シティーハンター), the 80′s shonen jump manga and the anime. I’ve always wanted to watch it but for some reason didn’t like the art. But now after giving up on whatever anime/manga is being produced, since early 20s ’til  now, I’m going back on anime archives to see if I can watch something that I’ve left behind. So yes, now I’m more interested in City Hunter!

Excuse me fans for saying this, but I’m gonna watch it for two reasons, first, I liked the live action movie City Hunter (Jackie Chan) and the other reason is that I liked the generation that City Hunter was produced in… and yeah, its OSTs are good too! No offense…at least ’til I watch it!!

Igano Kabamaru – 伊賀野カバ丸 – كابامارو

“Igano Kabamaru (伊賀野カバ丸, Igano Kabamaru) is a Japanese manga created by Yu Azuki. The eponymous protagonist is a naive young ninja from the Iga province called Kagemaro (absolute shadow), nicknamed Kabamaru (hippo’s mouth) for his insatiable appetite. After the death of his strict grandfather and ninja sensei, Kabamaru moves to Tokyo with one of his grandfather’s acquaintances. The plot deals mainly with Kabamaru adjusting to an urban lifestyle after spending a childhood in the mountains and how he finds himself caught up in the rivalry between two private schools.” (Wikipedia)

Kabamaru or نينجا المغامر   as how it’s titled in arabic, is one of the big anime hits in the 80s in the middle east, it was dubbed into Arabic by a Lebanese dubbing Inc. شريف وحيد, where وحيد جلال then وليم عتيق as Kabamaru and الفيرا يونس as Mai.

In 2003 , I’ve ,by chance, found that there is a new manga series of the story which I didn’t really like in terms of art and the very extended story of it, but it’s good to continue watching/reading it though. Furthermore, there is a movie (life action) titled ” The Ninja Boy Igano Kabamaru” and it is based on the original manga! I guess they’ve done a great casting on that as shown in the preview (opening credit). Now, Igano Kabamaru, the movie, has been already added on my to-watch list!!

Doraemon – ドラえもん – دورايمون.

           ”Doraemon is a Japanese manga series created by Fujiko F. Fujio. The series is about a robotic cat named Doraemon, who travels back in time from 22nd century to aid a schoolboy, Nobita. Doraemon has a pocket from which he produces many gadgets, medicines and tools from the future. Although he can hear perfectly well, Doraemon has no ears: his robotic ears were eaten by a mouse giving him a series -long phobia of mice!”(Wikipedia)

Doraemon was first published on manga in 1969-1992, the anime started in 1974 and it’s still ongoing. I personally like Doraemon, and I was glad to know that Japan’s Foreign Ministry appointed Doraemon as the nation’s first Anime Ambassador :D

Go Nagai – 永井 豪 – غو ناغاي – Is Visiting Kuwait!

      “Go Nagai, is a Japanese manga artist and a prolific author of science fiction, fantasy and horror. He made his professional debut in 1967 with Meakashi Polikichi, but is best known for creating the seminal works UFO Grendizer, Cutie Honey and Mazinger Z in the 1970′s.”

Mr. Go Nagai will visit the middle east in October, he will be visiting Jordan, Kuwait and Egypt!!  I’m glad to be nominated to be one of the coordination team members for this event. The event will be held on two days  the 10th and the 11th of Oct. ’09. The 10th will be exclusive for VIP “LIMITED SEATS”, to have the opportunity in attending the VIP event you should register with Mr. Wael Abdulsamad ‘cos you need to pass a certain contest/draw managed by him under the supervision of the Embassy of Japan. For the second day, 11th of Oct., the event will be for PUBLIC, everyone can attend. So you don’t have to contact Mr. Wael Abdulsamad for a registration to attend the second event. However, the attendance will be taken in a FIRST-COME-FIRST-SERVED basis, the capacity of the hall will be approximately 330-350. Anyhow, more details will be announced during Aug. and Sep., so if you’re really concerned just contact The Embassy of Japan in Kuwait or email Mr. Wael Abdulsamad (dizer-go@hotmail.com) for further information.

Special thanks to the Embassy of Japan in Kuwait for hosting this event and for the opportunity in meeting Mr. Go Nagai  in JAPAN KUWAIT!

Captain Tsubasa – キャプテン翼 – الكابتن ماجد

        “Captain Tsubasa is a popular Japanese manga, anime and video game series, originally created by Yoichi Takahashi in 1981. The series mainly revovles around the sport of Football.

The story focuses on the adventures of a Japanese youth fotball team and its captain Tsubasa Oozora, whose name literally translates to (Big Sky Wings). The series is characterized by dynamic football moves, often stylish.

The Captain Tsubasa manga series was originally serialized in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump manga magazine between 1981 and 1988″

I’ve first watched the Captain Tsubasa (الكابتن ماجد) series in 1990, when I was in Saudia Arabia during the Gulf  War. Whatever volume I buy or whenever I watch it at other’s houses it has always been the episode of Captain Majed and Mazen rainy match, LOL. In 2003 in Tokyo I was lucky to find the Shonen Jump weekly volume of the 1983 edition with a chapter of Captain Tsubasa!! that was very original and joyful to read watch! lol.  A friend of mine was lucky to find Captain Tsubasa’s video game as a MEGA-CD when we were there as it wasn’t released in Kuwait due to the unpopular SEGA MEGA-CD console, he never had that console though!! lol. Later, the ROM was found online. Yureshi!

Arabic Manga – アラビク. まんが – مانغا عربي

 

It has been well known that since ages we’ve been reading arabic comics on magazines and kids graphical books. But here I’m posting an old issue of Grendizer’s manga ( Arabic Edition) which was finely printed and issued. Why do I call it manga and not a comic or a kids graphical book?! It’s due to its Japanese origin, plot, storyline and theme!! Only if it’s smaller in size and larger in thickness it would perfectly fit in between my collection of Japanese Manga, heheheh!! Wish to see more of this work and if anyone got Captain Tsubasa (Captain Majed) Arabic Manga, the one released in early 90′s, I will be pleased if I could buy it from him/her. Any offers?! I guess we’re starting a business over this post, LOL :P

Blue Seed – ブルー シード

I love this SegaSaturn game/manga/anime. I’ve first played it as a videogame then got to watch it as an anime. It’s an RPG game, I liked how it was enabling me to walk and site-see Japan virtually!! buildings interiors were just similar to the real ones in Japan. I was like let’s play and take a walk in Japan :D

SegaSaturn had its good unique games that were never released on any other console, I miss SEGA consoles!!

(Let the video play ’til the end to see how the game looks like!).

Plawres Sanshiro – سانشيرو – プラレス３四郎, Puraresu Sanshirō.

Plawres Sanshiro (Plastic Model Wrestling Sanshiro), is one of my favourite anime serieses. It was aired in Japan around 1983 and in middle east like in 1987-1988.  I started to like electronic machines, computers and the high tech world starting from Sanshiro Anime (Juohmaru) and the MSX كمبيوتر صخر!

Here is a videogame console of Sanshiro that I’ve online bought it!!

 

 

 

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