Is this the notorious Norovirus?

Photo by Raise, Costume from ARIA company, ARIA(Amano Kozue)

There has been large epidemic all over Japan. This virus affects stomach severely, and I was the victim too. I have been in bed for about a week without any food (;_;)

Please take care of yourself!

strongest soldier Golgo

photo by lion-milly

Recently I joined MySpace and saw a topic about favorite manga and anime. I was surprised the very latest anime is recognized at US: thanks to YouTube??

However, I wondered why almost no one refer to something like Gekiga style manga, such as "Golgo 13" or "the Silent Service." Both are very famous hard-boiled manga, and especially former would be recognized by middle-age or even elderly people. Don't you know? (or just I don't know there're many fans worldwide?)

While it is true the mainstream of manga is somewhat Moe styled, I'd like to say there's also a hard-boiled mangas produced, at this time, and some are popular in youngers, like "Akagi".

Miko, Japanese traditional costume

This is "MIKO" costume, shrine maiden for Japanese common "Shin-To" religion.White robe and red-orange skirt(called HAKAMA) are characterictic of Miko style.

When we think about Moe costume, Maid will come first position with no doubt. I think Miko would come second. (Third position might be Christian sister?) You can see a lot of characters wearing Miko costume on many Dojin.

However, on my point of view, Miko should have black hair. Should I... ? (^^;

I love Lacus X Kagari (^^)

Photo by Yoshii
This is Lacus Clyne from Gundam-Seed(2002-2005)

Gundam-Seed is one of the most popular anime among cosplayers. You would see dozens of Kira Yamato(hero) in one cosplay-event.

Because the large number of cosplayers are women, many cosplays comes from more "Yaoi-philic" anime, such as Bleach, D-Gray man, Full metal alchemist, Prince of tennis, and so on. Gundam Seed is also a target of Yaoi, and I heard there's a "war" between who consider Kira as Seme and Asuran as Uke, and vice versa :-) (Besides, I think Asuran is absolutely Uke :P)

It's more than one year since Gundam Seed has finished, therefore it seems the number of Gundam-Seed cosplayers are on the decrease. On the other hand, latest anime, Code-Gias, seems to be on the burst. Do you know this anime? (Probably yes. I was surprised to see worldwide the cosplay of latest anime, such as Ouran-hostclub.)

Brighter than dawning CABBAGE

Photo by Tohtetsu

This is a Cabbage. Who can deny it?

This cure and cool "Cabbage" is originally from the anime, "brighter than dawning blue" or "Yoakemaeyori-Ruriirona". There was this "cabbage" in this animation.
Here's a blog introducing this anime. http://gilcrows.blog17.fc2.com/blog-entry-879.html
It is imporant that, this amine is ACTUALLY broadcasted on TV.

You can see what a huge impact ran through otaku community :)
(Unfortunately, this scene was modified in DVD edition.)

Does This anime show the quality of Japanese anime? Well, I can't deny there's a few. But most of animes has great quality. Thus I'm now browsing animes starting from this January, to find great one.

Test

Hello, and welcome to seraphic steps, blog side!

Here I'd like to show some kigurumi pics and life in Japan. Actually, I don't know how this side turns to be :)

Anyway, here's some pictures of my kig, Misuzu:

(Photo by Takuya)