Giant Robot Store and GR2 News
Honestly, in what costume, disguise or incarnation have you NOT seen the most cool and enduring Hello Kitty? The character has been praised, reviled, worshipped and reborn so often that she has been portrayed (often unofficially) as everything from a beautiful geisha to a Nazi soldier. Well, Miss Kitty is nothing if not relevant again, and she’s certainly hip and timely. You may already be aware that Kitty and her pals will be reborn this September as cute but undead zombie mascots, thanks to a collaboration between Sanrio and Japanese toy designers Mad Barbarians. Anime News Network has that story here. But according to a reporter for the Asahi Shimbun, Sanrio has also approved a collaboration with Crypton Future Media to turn Hello Kitty into a Vocaloid singing idol. Yes, even though details are still unclear, soon Hello Kitty will be decked out as your favorite Vocaloid characters, including Hatsune Miku, Megurine Luka and Kagamine Rin/Len. Pretty cool, we think, and we can’t wait to see the Hello Kitty X Vocaloid videos that will likely spring up all over the ‘Net. (Rocket News 24 – Hello Kitty Vocaloid)
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He’s coming Saturday July 2nd to GR2 to spread his figure love. It’s going to be fun. World Wide Panty Flash! [youtube]mAA_v2t2u_8[/youtube]
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Some folks are just going to have to be more attentive parents, because the State of California, according to the U.S. Supreme Court, does not have the right to ban the sale of violent video games to kids. Yup, according to a decision handed down this very day, the supremes upheld the decision by the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, which held that California’s video game ban law violates our kids’ First Amendment rights. Writing for the majority, Justice Antonin Scalia basically said graphic sexual imagery is bad and we should continue to protect kids from it, but kids are exposed to depictions of violence and mayhem from the first time they read fairy tales. The examples he cited included the violent fates that befall Hansel and Gretel’s witch, Cinderella’s step sisters, and Snow White’s evil queen. So, California was trying to exercise a hypocritical right it never had in the first place. Truth be told, this was always a pretty silly law anyway. Not for its moral intent, which is pure if misguided, but simply because there weren’t many realistic ways to keep kids from getting their hands on stuff like Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars once it left the retail store. (San Francisco Chronicle – Supreme Court Bans Video Ban)
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First it was Safe and Save Market, and now less a month later, it’s Bob’s Sporting Goods. I can easily cite the many reasons why it’s closing, including the fact that May was one of the worst spending months ever across the country. Read this from the (LA Times – American Spend at Weakest Pace in 20 Months.) But the same time the land it sits on is owned by the Buddhist Temple in West LA. Mike Naoe, the owner of Bob’s said that there’s new management who raised the rents making it impossible for him to continue. Yes, I know custom rods are probably not something you buy many of, but his works are unique. So what’s wrong with this picture? a) A fishing shop that’s been around for decades – it’s part of the block’s history, fisherman young and old hang out there. Yes, it’s a cool sight to see the boyish nature of older men come out, and it’s great to see it just a few doors from GR. Sometimes, it’s a gathering of a half dozen to a dozen men. Sometimes, it’s around a hot rod car parked in front. I see a lot of grey hair, but also younger folks too. Where else will generations get together on the block? It’s family there for sure. Where will they go? Where will they meet up, or will they at all? There needs to be some type of community support that goes beyond just shopping, to keep certain types of businesses open. This is one of those places that needed it. Fishing is a part of the culture of Asian America, as much as Asian league sports, learning an Asian language, and maybe piano lessons. b) Naoe is artisan of sorts who’s known for his custom work. His rods are special and the designs are hand crafted. I enjoyed seeing people walk down the street holding a rod during the holidays. That has to be an extra special gift for a fisherman. c) Buddhist Temple raising his rent too high. This one bugs me. Is the temple low on money? Last I checked every member throws down cash at many times of the year. Each event brings in some money. Aren’t they also part of a international network of temples that prevent them from going out of business? That said, perhaps they just had to do it. I spoke with Naoe for just a bit and he told me, he’s going to work at home, and retail was just too tough these days. It’s not just a shop, it’s a communal location, a gathering place. If it’s really the rent hike that caused the final choice of closure, the Buddhist Temple – fucked up. The idea of building an audience of Asian Americans (and I’ll guess most are Japanese American) which this shop has for decades, should have been considered, especially by the Buddhist Temple who are trying to do the exact same thing. Finally, congrats...
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[youtube]HKGJ97SHGIM[/youtube] Yoko Ono walks up at the end, she speaks and all is ok. But then at the end… it happens. [youtube]BiRo-MhK7ec[/youtube] She decides to play with Yellow Magic Orchestra. I’m sure there’s are some of you who think this is great. The last time I saw this was on TV when I was a kid. It’s great to know she hasn’t changed a thing.
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