Kurisumasu Omedetou, Minna!!!

Christmas Joys

Evergreen boughs that fill our homes
With fragrant Christmas scents,
Hearts filled with the loving glow
That Christmas represents;

Christmas cookies, turkeys stuffed,
Festive holly berry,
Little faces bright with joy,
Loved ones being merry;

Parties, songs, beribboned gifts,
Silver bells that tinkle,
Christmas trees and ornaments,
Colorful lights that twinkle;

Relatives waiting with open arms
To smile and hug and kiss us;
These are some of the special joys
That come along with Christmas.

By Joanna Fuchs

It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas: Holiday Season Anime-Style

Japan may have a different take on Christmas but it doesn’t stop us fans from dreaming that one of these days — or seasons – we would finally see our favorite anime title celebrate the Yuletide season.

Anime Christmas Specials (or episodes with a tinge of the season thrown in) are a scarcity.

Though every now and then, a studio comes up with one for their series. And we fans are forever grateful for that.

Japan may have a dfferent take on Christmas, but there’s always the general theme of loving and sharing, and it’s always a treat to see our beloved anime celebrate this joyful season.

Here are a number of anime titles touching on the subject of the yuletide for you to watch this Christmas season:

Vandread Episode 10: White Love

While everyone is busy decorating the Nirvana for Christmas, a comet is seen approaching. Hibiki has no idea what the festivities is all about but Dita asks him for some help.

Hibiki found a box and inside is a video tape that Dita shows throughout the ship. It is of a family celebrating Christmas. The pirates are shocked at the sight of a woman and a man together in happiness.

While Parfet struggles to fix the snow machine, Hibiki sees the comet and gets an idea. He and Meia investigate the comet and fights a reaper ship hiding inside. Defeating the enemy, the comet is crushed and creates a beautiful scene of snows in space.

Hibiki gives Dita a flower he found in the ice. His present on the other hand is an ornament with his likeness in a Santa suit.

Watch Vandread Episode 10 here:

Ranma 1/2 OAV: Tendo Dojo Christmas Scramble

The whole crew of the Ranma series is invited to a party hosted by Kasumi Tendo. She, apparently, dreamed of being sent a message by Santa to hold a party.

Nabiki uses this as an opportunity to earn by making Ranma’s other fiancees pay for a date with Ranma. During the event, the Tendo sisters including Ranma and Shampoo perform a song while Mr. Tendo and Mr. Saotome creates a scene to get Ranma and Akane tied together by a ring.

When Nabiki’s plan is ruined by sheer jealousy, Ranma and Akane was chased and had time alone with each other.

Akane gave her gift to Ranma: a shawl–err, a fish net. I mean a scarf. Ranma’s gift was a picture frame with a photo Akane had in her room.

After the party that ended in a disaster, Kasumi recieved a gift for everyone to enjoy.

Watch Ranma ½ OAV here:

Itsudatte My Santa

Santa, a boy named so after his birthday fell on Christmas Eve, is met by a cute girl who tells him she’s a Santa Claus.

Actually, Mai is a trainee to become a Santa Claus and bring happiness during Christmas. She had to convince San-chan to believe in Christmas and remember that he was never lonely.

When he realizes this and kisses her as a thank you gift, she suddenly transforms into a rambunctious woman and takes him on a trip to understand further how special the ocassion is and it’s underlying message of love.

However, Mai finds herself in love with San-chan and spends more time with him. But as the next Christmas comes again, she and her friends are pressured as the time for her to say goodbye comes nearer and nearer.

Watch the two-episode OAVs here: OAV 1, OAV 2

Kimagure Orange Road, Episode 38:

Kyosuke Timetrips. The Third Christmas

Kyosuke’s plan to ask Madoka was foiled when Hikaru throws herself at him. Pained to see Madoka out on the street on Christmas Eve alone, he hurries to her when he falls on the stairs.

He finds himself taken back in time to make sure to ask Madoka. This eventually leaves Hikaru out of the picture and as he runs to her, he slips on the stairs and falls back, again, to the time before asking Madoka, giving him another chance to set things right.

Watch the episode here:

Ai Yori Aoshi Enishi: Miyuki Christmas OAV

A watch drops at Enishi on Christmas Eve while walking downtown.

The watch apparently belongs to a blue-haired girl who calls herself Santa Claus. She grants Enishi’s wish and as a result had to stay with him (for his wish is to spend time with a girl).

He named her Aori, after a girl in his past. She successfully made his day happy, along with other people’s, but in the end, they had to part ways as she still had the task to make more people’s wishes come true.

Watch Ai Yori Aoshi Enishi OAV here:

Martian Successor Nadesico, Episode 13: There Is No Single Truth

It’s Christmas on board the Nadesico, but behind the veneer of festivities, more serious events are moving forwards.

With the Nadesico set to join the military, the crew face being being drafted into the UEAF- all except Akito, that is, who is set to be replaced by a trained pilot.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, Erina asks Akito to help further her research into organic boson jumping (teleportation). But is being a pawn in one of Erina’s games really worth the risks, or should Akito just forget it and spend a quiet holiday with Megumi?

Watch Martian Successor Nadesico Episode 13 here:

Chokotto Sister, Episode 01: The Present is a Little Sis?

The story centers around a Christmas wish made by Haruma Kawagoe after his mother had suffered a miscarriage, followed by an operation which prevented her from having any more children.

Several years later, when Haruma is a college student, a woman on a flying motorbike claiming to be Santa Claus delivers his wish, a younger sister.

When he remarks that he made his wish a long time ago, “Santa” replies that making a little sister takes a lot more time than just making an android, takes his signature for delivery, and departs.

Haruma now has a little sister, who comes with her own instruction manual—a manual for how to be a little sister, that is. When she asks him to name her, he calls her Choco, which refers to the Japanese word for “manual”.

Watch Chokotto Sister Episode 01 here:

Maison Ikkoku, Episode 40: X-Mas is a Feeling of Love

Everybody is set for the party at Chachamaru’s, except for Godai. He’s waiting for Sakamoto to appear with Kyoko’s stone, in the cafe. But Sakamoto lost the stone on the train.

They try to find it with the help of the train manager. Meanwhile, Kyoko worriedly waits for Godai. Akemi keeps Mitaka occupied.

Godai finds the stone and decides to show up at Chachamaru, but leaves early to search for something he dropped along the way. Kyoko follows. She catches up, then they walk home.

Watch Maison Ikkoku Episode 40 here:

Boys Be Winter Chapter, Episode 01: First Snowfall

A not so Christmas-y episode involving Yoshihiko who bumps into a lady in a Santa suit. Turns out that the lady is a pop idol named Mori Jyunna.

He had to act as his manager and stay with her as she misses her shoot to meet her boyfriend. Yoshihiko also considered getting in touch with Natsue who he thought was acting weird lately, calling him for no reason.

Watch Boys Be Winter Chapter Episode 01 here:

Mahoromatic 2, Episode 05: Will I Catch a Cold Tomorrow?

Mahoro and Minawa prepare a Christmas dinner for Suguru and his friends.

Suguru takes Minawa to the city to see and feel the festive atmosphere. Minawa thinks it would be nice to be able to feel it all with a heart. Hamaguchi talks to Mahoro about Minawa.

And at night, the party is gatecrashed by Shikijo-sensei. During cleaning time, Suguru gives his gifts to Mahoro and Minawa, a reason why he wasn’t spending so much time with Mahoro.

Watch Mahoromatic 2 Episode 05 here:

Love Hina Christmas Special

Naru, Keitaro and Mutsumi are still preparing for the Toudai Entrance Exams. Christmas is around the corner and there is a belief that if a person confesses his love to another on the special day, any wish will come true.

Keitaro and everyone thought Naru was feeling the same for him and was about to give him a present, too, only to find her with Prof. Seta in an expensive hotel.

Brokenhearted, Keitaro walks lonely out on the street. To his surpirse, he finds Naru’s face on a giant TV screeen, sending a message for him. He finds her and gives her the present he had been saving up for.

Watch Love Hina Christmas Special here:

CardCaptor Sakura, Episode 35: Sakura’s Wonderful Christmas

Sakura couldn’t come up with a Christmas gift for Yukito and asks for advice from Mei Lin. She tried hard to call Yukito that night to invite him out on a Sunday morning.

In the park, they end up with Mei Lin and Li who are also out together. In the middle of eating, the park sparked in flame and the two card captors had to do their job.

The Firey Card was responsible for the sudden commotion and Sakura had to put everyone to sleep. She fights using the two elemental card she has: Windy and Watery. After capturing the Clow Card, Kero begins to feel his powers coming back.

Another day of successful Clow Card capturing, but there’s a stirring in Sakura’s heart as the days pass and the time for her recurring dream to manifest draws near.

Watch CardCaptor Sakura Episode 35 here:

Azumanga Daioh, Episode 17: Osaka’s Scary Stories

It’s Azumanga Daioh. It’s odd and crazy. Just watch it.

Watch Azumanga Daioh Episode 17 here:

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There are other anime christmas specials out there, try to enjoy them as well. But for now, celebrate the season with these anime specials…

Merry Christmas!!!

Kurisumasu Omedetou!!!

Maligayang Pasko!!!

*****JHAJR*****

Christmas Anime Bazaar ’08!

This isn’t your typical bazaar.

What we have for you, dear customers, are products that you won’t see anywhere else. Products that are integral parts of your beloved anime, they shouldn’t even be for sale.

So get your credit cards pumped up and be the first if not the only one to own the following anime merchandise:

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Porcelain Pelican (Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi)

This pelican is the remaining artifact out of four that used to maintain the balance of things in the Abenobashi Shopping District. Put this on top of your house pointing its beak to the east. Then with a little bit of imagination, and some guilt from almost killing an old man, you may be able to travel to different dimensions where nothing is what it seems.

~ Some chantings required and is available separately.

Genius Eyeglasses (Love Hina)

Naru Narusegawa used to wear this during the Toudai preparatory exam. Use it to pass any hard exam that comes your way. Taking exams will never be the same!

~ You could also use it to hypnotize so use with caution.

Chiyo-chan’s hair buns (Azumanga Daioh)

Use it to become the cutest girl (or boy) in your area. And to show everyone just how cute you have become, use it to fly around the neighborhood!

It’s detachable and washing machine-safe.

~ Comes with a free penguin costume for the first 10 callers!

Neuro clips (Neon Genesis Evangelion)

It’s stylish and determines the level of your intelligence and sanity. Also perfect as mobile telecommunication device.

~ Comes with a How-to-be-as-disturbed-as-Ikari pamphlet.

Hare Hare Yukai Complete Dance Instructions (Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya)

With dance steps never before seen on any TMOHS media and Haruhi in a bunny suit as your personal instructor.

~ Free bunny suit.

Zero’s Mask (Code Geass)

Start a revolution with this stylish  mask specially made for people with geass. Use it to control your enemy and rise your way to greatness.

~ Awaken Your Inner Geass book by award-winning author C.C. available separately.

Cephiro’s Pillar Title (Magic Knight Rayearth)

No need to be somebody important to be the next pillar of Cephiro! Just sign our magical contract and you can start praying for the world’s well-being.

~ Caution: You must not fall in love.

Cardcaptor’s costume (Cardcaptor Sakura)

Overly designed and overused Carpcaptor battle costumes for sale. 50% off! Use it for cosplays and to capture Clow Cards.

~ Comes with Create your own Clow Card instruction manual.

Rynax (Kurau Phantom Memory)

Fly like birds and walk through walls with this amazing scientific discovery!

Just take it in and you’re off to becoming a whole new you!

~ A completely ‘new you’ may surface so use with caution!

Kobato’s Doll Ioryogi (Kobato)

Use it as a punching bag, or added stuffing for your pillows. Very comfortable and soft.

~ May annoy you or bite.

Shounen Bat’s Bat (Paranoia Agent)

Strike fear into the hearts of the entire neighborhood with this beautifully crafted bat. Prepare to drive the community madly paranoid over you.

~ Comes with free cap and rollerblades.

Dragon Whiskers (Ranma 1/2)

Have the long healthy hair you’ve been dreaming of with this Chinese artifact.

Just boil it with your soup and start growing those locks!

~ Strictly for women.

Mokona Modoki (Tsubasa Chronicle / xxxHolic)

Travel dimensions and take home the biggest souvenirs with ease with these Mokona combo. Use it as communication device between dimensions.

~ May annoy you.

Tenchi Masaki (Tenchi Muyo)

Kick him, toss him. The perfect stress reliever. Store him away when you have no need for Tenchi.

~ Also available: Keitaro Urashima.

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Go ahead and fill your need for anime stuff this Christmas. You deserve it, dear otaku!

Merry Christmas in 3 days! ! !

*****JHAJR*****

The Philippine Pasko

It is no secret that the Philippines has one heck of  a Christmas celebration. It’s the most anticipated time of the year. Way grander than the country’s own Independence Day.

It shouldn’t be a surprise. Christmas, after all, is an occasion for the family, and Filipinos are very much family-oriented.

Actually, the anticipation of Christmas starts on the arrival of the “-ber” months. So that’s from September, when the temperature starts to drop; Malls start to sell Christmas ornaments and people start buying gifts so as to avoid haggling as the occasion draws near.

Do you know that there is a “Pasko” (translation for Christmas) in the Philippines that happens before the “real” Pasko?

Believe it or not, it’s All Soul’s Day. For some reason, people have started to call it “Pasko ng Patay” (Christmas for the Dead), with the word “Pasko” not literally meaning Christmas but rather a “big celebration.” A festival of sort. Filipinos honor the dead very much that All Soul’s Day is not just a time for remembering the dearly departed, it has also become a wonderful time for families to get together and celebrate the glory of life and death.

After that supposedly dark celebration, the lights that signal the greatest occasion in the country are lit to provide warmth and joy. Now Christmas is really just around the corner.

But before we get to the day itself, Filipino Christmas will never be complete without a 9-morning-celebration called the Simbang Gabi (Night Mass), a celebration observed by members of the Roman Catholic Church.

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In Simbang Gabi, people gather inside the church at 4 o’clock in the morning to hear a mass, celebrating the glory of the message to Mother Mary and her journey with Joseph to Bethlehem. Some churches nowadays hold a mass in the morning and at night to accommodate those who cannot attend the morning mass. To some this is more apt for the name Simbang Gabi.

If you want to learn more about Simbang Gabi, check this site

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Filipino Christmas is also never complete with the decorations that celebrate the joyous occasions in vibrant colors. The Philippine “Parol” (lantern) is the most popular symbol of Christmas in the country.

The Parol is usually star-shaped and is made to signify the star that illuminated the manger where Jesus Christ was born in and which guided the Three Wise Men in their journey. It can be made of any material and in any size. The most popular in the country are those made of capiz which are exported to other countries. A parol can be very ordinary-looking or special such as those that can be lit, but no matter what the type is, they are symbols of craftsmanship.

Know more about Parol here

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During the 9-day Simbang Gabi or even a few days before, people – mostly children – go out in the neighborhood and do “Karoling” (caroling).

In the Philippines, there is a “naughty-kid” spice added to it, making the Philippine Caroling truly a different experience.

Give the carolers some change or gift and they’ll sing to you their gratitude:

“Thank you, thank you. Ang babait ninyo, thank you!”

(Thank you, thank you. How nice of you, thank you)

Now, if a bunch of kids stop in front of your house and starts singing and you find yourself without loose change, don’t just shove them off or tell them your excuse. Say “patawad” literally translated as “forgive me”. It’s a way of making the kids understand that you can’t give them any and that you appreciate their efforts.

But now brace yourself, for this is could be the time when you will get a retraction from the kids. But don’t worry, they’d do it through a song. They’d go:

“Thank you, thank you. Ang babarat ninyo, thank you!”

(Thank you, thank you. How stingy you are, thank you)

Learn more about Filipino Caroling

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The Philippine Christmas Eve is celebrated with a Noche Buena, a term derived from the Spanish phrase “Good Night.” With the Philippines being a Spanish colony in the past, the tradition of having family dinner is observed in the country as well. However, Noche Buena in the Philippines starts after a family has attended the Misa de Gallo (Midnight Mass). A Filipino dining table would usually have pancit, chicken dishes, lumpia, adobo, among others for the main courses; puto bumbong, bibingka, fruit salad and other native desserts; and soda, juice, beer or wine for drinks.

Learn more about Noche Buena

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There are a number of ethnic groups in the Philippines that celebrate Christmas in a variety of ways. These are only the most common activities and preparations that the locals do and make to celebrate the world’s longest Christmas season.

Learn more about Philippine Christmas in these sites:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippine_Christmas_traditions
http://www.philippinesinsider.com/events-festivals-holidays/christmas-in-the-philippines/
http://www.santas.net/philippineschristmas.htm

drawings by j. arboleda jr.

*****JHAJR*****

Santa Steer Clear: Anime’s Naughty Boys and Girls

This year, I, Doraemon gets to be Santa’s helper.

Santa Claus couldn’t make it seeing how busy he is now that Christmas is just around the corner. And, well, this topic is not exactly his interest since he pays no attention to these kind of individuals. They are not in his list. Only the nice girls and boys make it to his list after all.

Anime is getting a short list of good boys and girls nowadays…

But hey, Christmas is for everyone. So with this, we take second look at anime’s list of the mischievous and see if Santa could consider  re-doing his list right before morning of Christmas Day…

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Hanamichi Sakuragi

He’s dim-witted, short-tempered and violent. And he’s a freshman student. Despite all that, he has proven himself to be a good basketball player, putting Shohoku High in a good position. He constantly compares himself to Rukawa and has pride bigger than any stadium their teams have played in as he continues to believe in his abilities as a genius.

Happosai

He takes pride in his masterful craft of stealing women’s undergarments. He strikes hell over Ranma and the others. Yet there are times when he gives sound advice that helps Ranma out of tight situations. And he treats Kasumi nicely so he still has a good side.

Haruko Haruhara

She hit Naota with her guitar, ran over the boy in her scooter, and wreck havoc in the city. She doesn’t care what happens to earth as long as she gets what she came here for. However, she has made a boy fall in love for the first time.

Millions Knives

Vash’s twin brother is behind the big bounty on his head. Knives is the leader of the Gung-Ho Guns who is out to kill his brother. As a kid, he was discriminated against and beaten, shaping his belief opposed to what Rev Saverem taught him. Oh, and he also killed Rev.

Sanosuke Sagara

He lets his fist talk to those whom he instantly dislikes. He’s short-tempered and violent and enjoys a brawl. But he has also done a number of favors for the Meiji government.

Miroku

Another lecher – only younger. He constantly asks women to bear his child, even in front of Sango. Even Kagome doesn’t escape his perverse nature. He’s a monk who’s always willing to help, though. And, well, he asks women politely.

Yusuke Urameshi

He’s a young thug and has become a common mischief in his place. He probably got it from his demon father. He has killed lots of demons as a reikai tantei. Being a reikai tantei though means he was chosen by the heavens to investigate supernatural occurrences.

Lelouch Lamperouge

He used his Geass to start a war against his father. He had used lots of individuals for his revenge. He had lots of people killed, including loved ones, to further his cause. All of this, he did to make the world a better place for his sister.

Haruhi Suzumiya

Obnoxious and tactless, her dislike for humans and love for the supernatural is confusing us. How would she think of Santa? Human or not? Will she like him or not?

Faye Valentine

She has the largest medical debt in history and for that she turned to bounty-hunting. Well, it doesn’t really help. It only makes her bills bigger. She’s a money-grubber, scheming and selfish. But she cares for the Bebop crew even if she doesn’t say it.

Hisoka

He constantly hounds for power and seems to take interest in Gon. He never hesitates when killing and seems demented. Yet, it was he who helped Kurapika in his revenge for the Kuruta tribe.

Ryoko Hakubi

She’s a space pirate who appeared before Tenchi to destroy his teenage years. She’s hot-tempered and possesses power that is considered dangerous. She summons “demons.” However, she can also be emotional and gullible.

Souichiro Nagi

He lives to beat people up. He’s obsessed with fighting and is proud of it. He went to Todo Academy to prove his strength. However, he also believes that that fighting doesn’t resolve anything and as he falls for Maya, he’s starting to mature and become more like a leader.

Tsukiko Sagi

She put the investigators on a wild-goose chase finding out the truth behind Shounen Bat when it was her doing all those time. In the end, it was also her fault that the city was ruined. But she did make the cute Maromi and made lots of people happy.

These are just some of animedom’s mischievous characters. There are lots more. And Santa is willing to hear their story and consider them in his list.

So who else do you think should get into Santa’s list this year?

*****JHAJR*****

An OtaKu-risumasu

Wanna play real-life Pokemon? Or hound the streets as a ReiKai Tantei? Perhaps live with beautiful girls or guys and become the bane of their existence and be stuck in a love polygon?

What is your wish this Christmas, dear otaku?

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Ask yourself these questions:

What anime would you like to be turned into a smash-hit Hollywood flick?

What anime would you like to have a sequel or to continue airing good episodes?

Who is the anime character that you would like to become real?

What anime setting would you like to visit?

__________

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What is a Wish?

It is a hope or desire for something. It answers questions that may be uncertain or completely impossible. The concept of “if” is used mainly in expressing a wish.

What do people wish for the most?

Love

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My Anime Wishlist

For I too have a couple or more wishes in this fragile heart of mine.

*****JHAJR*****

Christmas stationery images courtesy of:

http://www.wendydewarhughes.com/

(http://www.wendydewarhughes.com/downloads/Christmas_Letter_Paper.jpg – paper)

http://adsoftheworld.com/

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