Ponyo On A Cliff By The Sea

For those to you who may have missed the trailer, here it is. Ponyo sounds and looks so freaking cute!!!
Releases today in Japan!

More Sightings of the Moon Man

He is seen here, chasing small children???




What in the Japan world is this?

Cute Plastic Bag Dispenser from Japan!

This colorful, smiley bag dispenser comes in 5 different colors (orange, yellow, beige, red and brown).

The bag is made from recycled plastic bottles and will hold your plastic bags from the supermarket. In Japan, it is much more common to reuse the plastic bags from the stores if you do not have your own bag to bring.
It is also common to make these everyday items kawaii!


Product Page 1995 yen each purchase via Rinkya Stores

Scary Moon Face Man?

Does anyone know what this scary moon face man is from?

I found him on a website in Japan and cannot find any info on him? Looks like a moon masked version of Jason or Freddy Krueger.



[Japan]

Hello Kitty Disaster Kit

If you are fleeing from a disaster, the best way to be equipped is to carry this pink Hello Kitty set.

You should look good while in danger!

Disaster kit comes with:

Disaster hood (covering Body) Flame retardant
Blanket
Pouch
Crime-prevention buzzer
Bandanas

I am not too sure what all this has to do with earthquakes, etc, but enjoy!

9800 yen purchase via Rinkya Stores



[Japan][hello kitty]

Collector's Corner Grendizer Part Two!

Yesterday was the first part of our Collector Corner's interview with Italian musician and Grendizer collector, Jurij.
Today is the conclusion, enjoy and thank you for reading!


As an acclaimed musician, guitarist, and producer in Italy how do you integrate your art with your toy collecting?

My music is central to me, collecting is a hobby. I love the search, the hunt for rare Grendizer items, like being a hunter in a jungle, but it is not important, like composing my music is to me. I have made contacts and new friends through both, however. Music contacts in other countries have helped with my collecting. My life, nonetheless, revolves around my music. I have found other musicians who collect toys . Kirk Hammet from Metallica collects Japanese robots.


Is there a Japanese influence in your music?

Yes of course, the Asian music system is based on Pentatonic Scales, a music scale with only 5 notes, these scales are the root for the Blues. I love this kind of intervals and I use it on my improvising and composition too. Other famous Italian composers used these influences on their operas like Puccini, I love his music.


What is your current music project and/or tour dates, and how can Rinkya members find your works?

I'm touring with Rondò Veneziano band right now (editor’s note: A huge success in Italy in the 1980’s, they dressed like an ancient orchestra circa 1700 during concerts. The music is classic, but with elements of pop music. Jurij plays guitar), and Glenn Branca Electric Orchestra.

I've written and composed a lot of music in several different styles, from Rock, Metal, Pop, Dance, to Jazz, and I have worked with some important record labels, such as Sony, Warner, Universal and others. I have also worked with famous artists notably Britney Spears, Queen, Beyonce, and Pink, along with some well-known Italian artists.

Right now I'm very focused on my first Classical Opera Composition called Trazom (Mozart), www.trazomopera.com You can listen to some of it on the website.

Trazom is a natural evolution of my experience. I have two great authors and friends collaborating with me, to help me make my dream of a classical opera come true. Massimiliano Alto, a very famous Italian movie dubber (Lord of the Rings, Aladdin and many others), and Francesco Sardelli ,a very talented musical genius. This is the best team I have ever encountered in my life and I'm very happy to work with them.

Trazom Opera originated with Max and Francesco many years ago, they called me initially to arrange the orchestral parts and a second time to get involved on the composition and main arrangements.

It's a large and difficult work and a great challenge for me. After all orchestral parts are complete the next step should be the real production. Because Trazom is an opera it's a very expensive project to put on either in a theater setting or as a movie, as it will require a big orchestra with a Director, ballet directions, lights, audio equipment. We will probably look for sponsorship in England or France. If some Rinkya readers are interested in helping us with this project or to help with sponsorship don't hesitate to contact me directly at the Trazom website or my music website www.jurij.net



Rinkya thanks you for your time and sharing your insights about Grendizer and music. We wish you the best of luck with your Opera!

For More Collector Corner's, please read:
Flywheel's Transformers
April, Blythe Doll Collector
Ryan, Anime Cel Collector

Want to be featured? Leave me a comment!



[Japan][grendizer]

A Super Sized Collector's Corner!

Meet Jurij, A Grendizer collector from Italy and also a world famous composer and musician. (pictured here with the creator of Grendizer, Go Nagai)

Thank you for the wonderful two part interview, the rest will be posted tomorrow!

Why do Italians seem to have a love affair with Japanese toys?

I think everyone does, it depends on your childhood memories. Those of us who were born in the seventies grew up with Japanese cartoons such as: Grendizer, Mazinger Z, and other GoNagai productions like Jeeg, or Devilman. Grendizer, who was called Goldrake in Italy was a major success on Rai, the Government network. The independent stations followed by showing other Japanese cartoons, sometimes without licenses. The explosion of Japanese cartoons in the seventies followed in the eighties with many other Japanese anime shows such as Lupin III, Candy, Oscar, Ulysse 31, Jeeg, Daitarn III, and many many others. Some of these might be recognizable in the US under Shogun Warriors and Force Five logos. Grendizer was exported to all European countries as well as Lebanon and Egypt, some episodes were even shown in Russia.


What makes Grendizer so special?

Grendizer, Goldrake in Italian, and Goldorak in French, was the first major Japanese anime to arrive in Europe in 1978. It was initially broadcast in France, but shortly thereafter in Italy, and it transformed the Italian ideas of Japanese cartoons forever.

The Goldrake phenomenon was immediate and fairly massive. Without proper copyrights or licensing, thousands of factories produced large varieties of merchandise for collectors. I spoke with Go Nagai, the creator of Grendizer some months ago and he told me the incredible success of Grendizer in Europe came as a shock. He was just as famous for the Mazinger’s Saga in Japan, but in Italy it was Goldrake.

How did you start and how long have you been collecting Grendizer?

I started about fifteen years ago. Then it was very hard to find a lot of things. After 1995, with the Internet and online stores and auctions it became a lot easier.


How large is your collection and how do you showcase and/or store it?

I believe I have the largest collection in Europe. There are over 2000 pieces including comics, books, tapes, cd’s, lp’s and so forth. I have a big room for the collection and for my guitars. While I don’t think it’s the best choice, I have them in IKEA showcases.


Is there a "dream" item for you?

The collection isn’t really a dream it’s a hobby. I’m a musician and composer, so naturally my dreams are all in that direction. I know some collectors live and breathe for their collection, but with me it’s my music. I have most of the rare Grendizer pieces in my collection now though there are still some elusive pieces like the Grendizer's Jumbo Saucer mint in box, hard to find and difficult to ship because of its size.

What is your favorite item you found thru Rinkya and why?

I use Rinkya for Japanese Grendizer merchandise like books and smaller pieces. I have found Rinkya works well for me.


Do you have any advice for new toy collectors?

Of course, toy collections are fun. Some people make them a business and it is sometimes difficult to find honest sellers. When you find them stay in touch and use them for future contacts. Japan is a long way away and they are not an expansive culture. They don’t sell outside of Japan easily and this is why I use Rinkya to buy and research items.


Are there fakes out there and how do you spot them?

As I said, some people make a business of it and some of those people are not above selling fakes, reproductions or repainted toys as new. There is always some risk and you can only use your experience and that of your friends. Collector’s catalogues are helpful, especially in showing versions and rarities with pictures of them, but the toys themselves are the only real way to identify a lot of things. Toys that are cheap because of bad condition are a good way to educate yourself in some characteristics of a collectible toy. Buy a few and study them before spending a lot of money.


Read the rest of Jurij's interview tomorrow!



[Japan][grendizer]