Christian Schoolgirl Manga Debuts in Japan
Japanese Christian newspaper The Christ Weekly has a new comic strip to teach readers about Christian values. Her name? Pyuuri-tan (ピューリたん). You know, like as in “Puritan.” Oh boy.
In Japanese, the word for “Puritan” is “Pyuuritan” (ピューリタン). “Tan” (たん）is also a slang for the informal name marker “chan” (ちゃん) and is a nickname often given to anime girls that personify things (of course, some women also use it informally). So the schoolgirl character’s name is actually “Pyuuri,” and the added “tan” makes this a Japanese wordplay.
[Photo: hiroshisj]
As reported on Livedoor News and Togetter, the newspaper has started a serialized schoolgirl comic. Think of this as a slice of life manga, with a slice of Jesus.
Christians are a religious minority in Japan. During the 16th and 17th centuries, they were persecuted and put to death. There were even instances of crucifixion.
Today, generally speaking, Japanese are not against Christianity in the least, and do find the religion’s artifice attractive with many people getting married in faux Christian chapels built explicitly for marriage ceremonies (and not religious worship).
Also, there have been several Japanese Christians who have served as the country’s prime minister. That being said, the country is still less than one-percent Christian, with the majority of Japanese practicing Buddhist and Shinto rituals—and, broadly speaking, being rather relaxed about organized religion, especially compared to other countries.
[Photo: 0164288]
An illustrator named Sono is doing the serialized comic strip (though, it’s explicitly called a “manga”). Stuff like this isn’t exactly unheard of. Japan has seen manga versions of religious figures, whether that’s Jesus manga or Buddha manga ( or both). Here, though, we have a Christian newspaper embracing anime girl tropes—if anything, I guess, to spread the word of God? Or something?
The Christ Weekly isn’t a major newspaper (as Christianity isn’t a major religion in the country), but large Japanese sites like Livedoor have covered the Pyuuri-tan comic strip, reporting that reaction has varied. Online, some people in Japan are saying everything from “religious faith isn’t something to poke fun at” to “she’s cute.
[Photo: christweekly]
Top photo: 0164288
To contact the author of this post, write to bashcraftATkotaku.com or find him on Twitter@Brian_Ashcraft.
Kotaku East is your slice of Asian internet culture, bringing you the latest talking points from Japan, Korea, China and beyond. Tune in every morning from 4am to 8am.
Source:Kotaku.com
Code Geass: Akito the Exiled’ Chapter 3 Screenings Begin May 2
Screenings for the third chapter of Code Geass: Akito the Exiled kick off May 2; Blu-ray and DVD to be released June 26
Akito the Exiled, a new development in the Code Geassseries that began in summer 2012, will reach its climactic finale this summer. The third chapter, “Kagayaku Mono Ten Yori Otsu” (Something Sparkling Falling from Heaven), will begin screening on May 2, and the fourth chapter, “Nikushimi no Kioku Kara” (From Memories of Hatred), will begin screening on July 4. Because it was first announced that this series would have four parts, it seems Akito the Exiled will reach its climax in July. The fate of Akito and the others in the Wyvern squad will also no doubt be made clear.
The release schedule for the chapter 3 Blu-ray and DVD, which will follow after the movie’s theatrical run, has been confirmed. The first edition Blu-ray, regular edition Blu-ray, and DVD will all be released on June 26. Prices for each will be 6,800 yen, 5,800 yen, and 4,800 yen, respectively, to meet a variety of needs. The film is 59 minutes long.
What will likely be popular with core fans of the series is, of course, the first edition Blu-ray that’s packed with splendid bonuses. First up as included bonuses are anAkito the Exiled illustration collection by CLAMP, 24 pages of liner notes, and a collection of ending illustration cards. These are great items for fans who want to delve deeper into the series. Video bonuses include a picture drama, teasers, theatrical trailers, promotional videos, and commercials. There is also audio commentary that includes wonderful staff and cast members Miyu Irino (Akito), Maaya Sakamoto (Leila), Masaya Matsukaze (Shin), director Kazuki Akane, and producer Yoshitaka Kawaguchi. The first edition Blu-ray is topped off with a sleeve case by Takahiro Kimura and a jacket by Hidekazu Shimamura, both of which were drawn exclusively for the occasion.
In chapter 3, Akito and the Wyvern squad, who have linked up with the Warsaw garrison to finish strategizing, have an unexpected short time of peace upon meeting by chance a traveling group of unique old women. During this time, Akito and Leila learn of each other’s past and gradually begin opening up to Ryo, Yukiya, and Ayano. Meanwhile, Julius Kingsley, a mysterious strategist for Euro Britannia, accompanied by Suzaku Kururugi, succeeds in seizing full power on the E.U. warfront. Shin is there, looking on with a calm gaze. The story is about to take a new turn.
Fans will first want to check out the screening of the film beginning on May 2. Moviegoers will receive as a present a raw film frame. Chapter 4, “Nikushimi no Kioku Kara,” will begin screening on July 4.
Code Geass: Akito the Exiled
Chapter 3 “Kagayaku Mono Ten Yori Otsu” Screenings Begin May 2
Chapter 4 “Nikushimi no Kioku Kara” Screenings Begin July 4
Chapter 3 “Kagayaku Mono Ten Yori Otsu” Screenings Begin May 2
Chapter 4 “Nikushimi no Kioku Kara” Screenings Begin July 4
*Code Geass: Akito the Exiled Chapter 3: Kagayaku Mono Ten Yori Otsu
Blu-ray and DVD to Be Released on July 26
Blu-ray and DVD to Be Released on July 26
Code Geass: Akito the Exiled
© SUNRISE Inc. / PROJECT G-AKITO Character Design
© 2006-2011 CLAMP, ST
© SUNRISE Inc. / PROJECT G-AKITO Character Design
© 2006-2011 CLAMP, ST
Source: otakumode
Sony to Release Resident Evil Revelations 2 for PS Vita This Summer
Sony's U.S. PlayStation Blog announced on Friday that it will release the PS Vita version of CAPCOM's Resident Evil Revelations 2 game this summer.
Game developer Frima Studios is developing the game for the PS Vita handheld platform. The release will include all four of the game's episodes, as well as all downloadable contentCAPCOM has released for the game so far. Single-player Raid Mode will be available at launch, but Sony will only make multiplayer Raid Mode available post-launch through an update. The game will also include gyroscopic targeting, allowing players to aim by moving the PS Vita device.
CAPCOM originally released the game for the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, Xbox One, Xbox 360, and PC. The game debuted digitally first in four episodes, with the first episode required to download the other weekly episodes. The episodes are:
- Episode 1: Penal Colony (February 24)
- Episode 2: Contemplation (March 3)
- Episode 3: Judgment (March 10)
- Episode 4: Metamorphosis (March 17)
CAPCOM released the disc version for each platform in North America on March 17, and in Europe on March 20. The disc version includes everything from the Complete Season (four main episodes, two extra episodes, additional Hunk for Raid Mode and Raid Mode Throwback Map Pack), as well as costumes for Claire, Moira, Barry, and Natalia that are usable in campaign and Raid mode. Albert will also be added as a character for Raid mode.
The first Resident Evil: Revelations game shipped in January 2012 for the Nintendo 3DS, and was later ported to the PC, PlayStation 3, Wii U, and Xbox 360 in May 2013.
[Via Hachima Kikō]
Source:http://www.animenewsnetwork.com