Japanese SM 3 Missile....Gundam Bits System?

This missile give me strong vibes of Gundam Bits from Universal Century era or DRAGOON for Cosmic Era fans. Just replace the warhead with laser and you get the almost exact weapon from Gundam universe.

Impressive and freaky at the same time. It looks as if it has strings to guide it.

Updates on power armour and suits

Robo-skeleton lets paralysed walk

A robotic suit is helping people paralysed from the waist down do what was previously considered impossible - stand, walk and climb stairs.

ReWalk users wear a backpack device and braces on their legs and select the activity they want from a remote control wrist band.

Leaning forwards activates body sensors setting the robotic legs in motion.

Users walk with crutches, controlling the suit through changes in centre of gravity and upper body movements.

The device effectively mimics the exoskeletion of a crab.

Former Israeli paratrooper Radi Kaiof has been paralysed for the last 20 years following an injury during his service in the Israeli military.

He says the device has changed his life.

"I never dreamed I would walk again. After I was wounded, I forgot what it's like. Only when standing up can I feel how tall I really am and speak to people eye to eye, not from below."

BBC Article

More updates on this wonderful technology, which featured in Japanese sci-fi in pervasive manner. Shades of Bubblegum Crisis and Ghost in the Shell in the article.

One thing interest me here is Israel. I often postulated that first country in the world that will use power suit or armour in anger will be them.



This is BLEEX from few years ago, compare the bulk of the contraption compare to Re-Walk. Impressive leaps over few years.



Another interesting video of technology concept.





SARCOS powersuit or exoskeleton concepts.





HAL 3 from Japan.



Independent inventor of suit designed specifically for dangerous roles.

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Using Anime as teaching tool

The Impact of Popular Culture Fandom on Perceptions of Japanese Language and Culture Learning: The Case of Student Anime Fans

This research examines the impact of popular culture fandom on perceptions of foreign language and culture learning within a Japanese studies context, using the example of student ‘anime’ (Japanese animation) fans. Anime, described by Tominaga (2002) as “presently one of the most popular expressions of Japanese culture in America,” was chosen for its apparent popularity among students of Japanese. This dissertation presents the results of a study that qualitatively describes the phenomenon of anime fandom as it relates to a sample of ten Japanese language students’ perceptions of the Japanese language and culture and of language learning.

Full article here

Using anime as teaching tool in language programs is main scope of discussion here, using popular meme for academia is always a good thing. Afterall academia suppose to reflect what a society is and this discussion is manifestation of it. I always believe in practical and close to life type of higher education. Since anime is becoming more and more of a global phenomenon, perhaps it is time for Japanese language program to consider it as legitimate tool to teach the difficult language?

Tora Dora/ とらドラ！

Manga version



Novel version

Kadokawa's 2007 Light Novels Awards for Best Romantic Comedy is animated.

Toradora is a typical story of headstrong but cute school girl goes by name of Taiga who is generally feared in her school, however who has feelings for a male student which is good friend of another scary looking student, Ryuji. Something happens in between and now Ryuji has struck a deal with her to woo her best friend whereas he assisting her on her effort to win his best friend's heart.

Manga tries very hard to bring out the cuteness of Taiga, whereas novel is more introspective and examines her internal monologue more than the manga.

Typical trope, tsundere treatment, triangle relationship and sexual tension is all around. And man, Rie Kugiyama is in danger to be typecasted in such narrow roles. Her voice is suitable but I think she is going overboard with this stock "hard outside but soft inside" type of character.



Some promotion of ToraDora! in this year's Comicket; slated release date is around October this year.

Offical website for anime
Another official site

World Destruction/ ワールド・デストラクション

This OP grew on me. At first I find it weird but now I kinda like it.



The game theme version.

I am interested to see the direction of anime taking, it did caught my interest due to unusual story and nihilistic female lead, Muerte. Plus episode 5 have 2 legends on opposing sides again, voice acting as small bear characters (Tohryu Furuya who did Amuro Ray and Shuichi Ikeda as Char/Sha Aznable). Their "reunion" is tongue in cheek nod to their previous roles in legendary Mobile Suit Gundam. Hehe.

Will do review on this anime once it is done.

Kannagi/ かんなぎ Trailer

Looks good so far. I do wonder if this series can take down Haruhi Season 2. Remains to be seen.

Earlier entry on Kannagi