Monday, March 30, 2009

Impressions: Ninja Baseball Kyuma


Picture a ninja boy, Kyuma, in his cute ninja outfit practicing his shift and powerful moves. All of a sudden another little boy lurks in the shadows. It is the Captain of the local children’s Moonstar City Club baseball team, Kaoru, who came looking for Kyuma. He asked Kyuma if he would like to join the baseball team. Not only does Kyuma learn about the sport of baseball, but with the leadership of captain Kaoru, Kyuma and Moonstar learns that baseball is more than just a sport and winning is not everything.


According to Udon’s Manga for Kids website, “life lessons include the power of teamwork; losing is not the end of the world, and the importance of always giving your best effort.” At first I was not sure what to expect, but after reading the first volume, that short description is not enough to describe the lessons taught by this book. Even though this is a manga series for children, it teaches everyone, including grown-ups, lessons that we should all keep in mind.

This book does not just teach the reader about teamwork or working in groups, sports and non-sports, it also teaches the reader the work, behavior and effort put in by the individuals of the group. How can a group function if each member is not doing their part? You cannot, right? How can you function if the group members do not get along? You cannot either, huh?



Captain Kaoru is a great team leader. Through out the book, he never gave up on his team and encourages them to believe in themselves. He does not tolerate fights, even if it is a punch, between members, and he protects his team from bullies without using violence. He cares for his team by showing that the safety of his team comes first and that winning a game comes second. He is a leader that is there to keep the group together, making sure the group activities run smooth, making sure everyone is accounted for and no one is hurt. You can tell what kind of leader this boy is just by hearing him say, “I choose to believe in my teammate” with a smile. Even though he is only a boy and a fictional character, he can teach us a lot about being a leader.

Our ninja boy, Kyuma, is the happy smiling kid, who always shows extreme team effort. He does not want to let his team down and always provides his best. Unfortunately, he does not know when to stop when he has reached his limit. Read the book and you will find out. But do not worry, Kyuma learns that winning is not everything and losing is not the worst thing that can happen to one self. He also learned that he should never go over board to please his teammates, because if something happens to him, it not only affects the team at a game, but it will affect the team as a whole. As Kyuma said, “I’ve learned that this battle isn’t the end,” which is a good lesson to learn.

Now I could go on and on about what I have learned from other characters, but I think you should read and find out yourself. This is a book that I think any adult can relate to, especially those who have worked in teams or group projects, and it does not have to be sports related. If you want someone, child or not, to learn a lesson or two about the value of teamwork and what one should and should not do, this is the teaching tool for it. Read and find out yourself. Do not worry grown-ups; the humor that comes into the book is the ninja aspect. I laughed quite a few times and cannot wait for volume 2.
© 2009 Linda Thai

When the series is coming out:
Vol.1(APR 2009) ISBN: 978-1-897376-86-7
Vol.2(SEP 2009) ISBN: 978-1-897376-87-4
Vol.3(FEB 2009) ISBN: 978-1-897376-88-1

Thank you Udon Entertainment and Manga For Kids for their manga, logos and cover image!
Fors more information check out Manga For Kids from Udon Entertainment.

Saturday, March 14, 2009

What is Anime/Manga for the Kinokuniya Bookstore Membership?

Hello Readers!

Recently, Kinokuniya Bookstore located near New York City Bryan Park announced a new opportunity for their fans, visitors and buyers: Anime/Manga Membership Program. Hearing the words "anime" and "manga," one might be thinking "Japanese comics" in graphic novel format and "Japanese animation" in DVD format. As a result, one might be asking "The English version or Japanese version? Is that all that counts toward the membership discount?" I decided to ask John Fuller, the manager at the Bryan Park Kinokuniya Bookstore for some clarity.

He told me "It's pretty much anything that you can think of that falls into the category," but there are exceptions. Just to name a few:

1) All stationary items even if they are related to an anime example Totoro
2) Tokidoki ,Spicy Brown and Tokyo Star Apparel T-shirts
3) Mimobot and Momiji
4) Monchicchi
5) Hello! Kitty
6) Aranzi Aronzo
7) JM for kids such as Mebae, Shogaku 1 nensei
8) Johnny’s line
9) Books about Gothic and Lolita(ゴスロリ) such as the Gothic Lolita Bible
10) EB academic, research book on Japanese anime, subculuture on the 1st fl
11) Light Novels, Japanese novels for juvenile (ラノベ)



So, what exactly, falls under the category? For now:

1) Japanese or English comic books
2) manga or anime art/illustration books,
3) manga/anime DVDs or CDs,
4) manga/anime toys
5) manga/anime posters
6) manga/anime t-shirts

IMPORTANT: Even though this is a list of items under the category, always ask the cashier or information desk if the item you want falls under the anime/manga membership program, before purchasing.

Kinokuniya Bookstore could be getting items in different formats and mediums that are NOT listed above or the lists may change. Also keep in mind that what you may think that falls in the anime/manga category or exceptions may or may not be true. So always double check before purchasing!



Photography by Jason Linetsky.
© 2009 Linda Thai

Friday, March 6, 2009

New York Times has a Graphic Books Best Seller Lists

I thought this was awesome and wanted to share it with you guys. Yeah I know they call it "Graphic Books" instead of "Graphic Novels," but they got their reasons. Regardless, the fact that the NYTimes has a list such as this that includes manga say a lot about out place in the American pop culture world. BTW there is A LOT of Naruto on this list...

Check out the list Introducing The New York Times Graphic Books Best Seller Lists

Here are a couple of articles on it:
New York Times Introduces Graphic Books Bestseller List from Diamond Bookshelf March 6, 2009

'New York Times' Adds 'Graphic Books' Bestseller Lists Hard, Soft, Manga ICv2 Published: 03/05/2009, Last Updated: 03/06/2009 11:20am

© 2009 Linda Thai

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Anime Day At Kinokuniya Sunday, March 15th!!


MediumAtLarge.net has a LONG list of items and information about Anime Day.

Flyer from
Kinokuniya bookstore. Click on it for more information about the event.

Monday, March 2, 2009

Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. Wins Preliminary Injunction Against The Upper Deck Company


Ruling Bars Upper Deck and its Agents from Holding Themselves Out as the Authorized Distributor of the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME™

El Segundo, CA – (March 2, 2009) – In December 2008, Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. (KDE) was forced to notify its distributor, The Upper Deck Company (Upper Deck), that the parties’ agreement for distribution and marketing of Konami’s Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME™ (TCG) had terminated. At that time, KDE filed an amended complaint in federal court in Los Angeles, alleging that Upper Deck had distributed counterfeit cards from the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG. Upper Deck refused to accept the termination of the parties’ agreement, and issued a press release stating that it was maintaining “business as usual” and “fulfilling orders” for Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG products.

In orders issued the afternoon of February 27, the federal court granted KDE’s motion for a preliminary injunction against Upper Deck, prohibiting Upper Deck from using Konami’s trademarks and from claiming that Upper Deck is an authorized distributor of Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG. The Court found that KDE made a “clear showing” that it is likely to prevail on its claims that Upper Deck, while acting as the authorized distributor of Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG, distributed counterfeit Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG cards.

The ruling re-affirms that KDE is the sole authorized distributor for Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG in North America, and represents a significant victory for Konami, its partners, and the public.

“This is a great victory for Duelists, distributors and our hobby and retail partners and protects the integrity of the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME for future generations,” commented Kazumi Kitaue, Chairman and CEO of Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc.

Under the terms of the Court’s ruling, Upper Deck and all persons acting in concert with Upper Deck will be prohibited from using Konami’s trademarks and the copyrighted artwork from Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG, from holding itself out as “an authorized distributor or rights holder to the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG,” from “referring to the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG as one of Upper Deck’s brands,” and from distributing unsold Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG products obtained from Konami during the term of the parties’ distribution agreement.

KDE is very excited about the future of Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG and remains fully committed to marketing and promoting Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG, and to developing innovative Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG products for Duelists to enjoy.


~~~

From Konami Press Release

For previous news about this case please refer to this Legal Times: Old and New, Upper Deck Konami and YuGiOh

Graphic Novels and Librarians of Today

Librarians and graphic novels...How do libraries feel about them? Are the responses positive? Are they negative? Well, you do see a graphic novel section in your librarian, right? Doesn't that say something?

Check out the article Graphic Novels in Today's Libraries from Graphic Novel Reporter, who interviewed four librarians about their graphic novels in their respective libraries!

© 2009 Linda Thai