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Friday, October 17, 2014Fun with visual memes in anime, and how baby names work in Japanese.
Ever since the rise of "All Your Base Are Belong To Us" 14 years ago, people have been used to the idea of memes spreading randomly through our popular culture. While many of these memes have no problem crossing national or linguistic boundaries, such as the Haruhi Hare Hare Yukai dance back in the mid 2000s, others seem limited to a certain language zone. For example, Japanese fans have no awareness of the "It's dangerous to go alone, take this!" meme from The Legend of Zelda, while jokes that reference the classic "You hit me! Even my father never hit me!" scene from Mobile Suit Gundam might sail over the heads of Western fans. Memes are an important part of anime, serving as building blocks for creating characters that will be instantly familiar to viewers even though the characters themselves are new. A character designer might add a pinch of absolute zone socks here and a dash of shimapan there, or perhaps choose the "twintails chara" route, as in the new anime Ore, Twintail ni Narimasu, about a guy who loves girls with twintail hair so much he ends up becoming one himself. Recently a new anime meme called #PregnancyAnnouncement exploded onto the Internet thanks to a Japanese Twitter user who created a generic image of hands holding a pregnancy kit, which fans combine with their favorite anime characters, creating much mirth and entertainment.
When Japanese couples get ready to have a baby, they naturally start making lists of possible baby names, searching for one that captures the dream they have for their new child. Just as there are dozens of ways to write names like Ashley in English, some of them quite ridiculous, Japanese parents have a wide range of kanji characters to choose from when thinking up names, or they can choose to keep it simple and go with no kanji at all. While a person usually only needs to be able to read 500-1000 characters to read Japanese (far fewer than are needed for Chinese), there's a lot of nuance that goes into names for people, and it's not uncommon at all for names to be quite difficult to read, something the staff of J-List is all too familiar with, as the pen-names of manga-ka seem can be especially esoteric. Choosing names seems to be something the Japanese take quite seriously. Before our kids were born, my wife went to visit our local Buddhist temple to get advice from the priest on what to name each child, and she was advised to choose a name for our daughter that had the same number of strokes (lines needed write each kanji) as her own name, so she could pass her own "strong luck" on to her daughter.
The Japanese have a fun tradition called fuku-bukuro or "Lucky Bags" in which you get a bag filled with random stuff from Japanese department stores and other stops. Our customers love our annual Lucky Bag tradition, so this year we decided to start sales of the ecchi grab bags -- huge collections of awesome products which are sent to you in a secure box from either Japan or San Diego -- a few weeks early. Each is filled with awesome English eroge titles and DVDs, personal stress toys, personal lotion, manga and shrinkwrapped JAV DVDs, and we really went out of our way to make sure this year's lineup of products was great. Browse them all now! (Non-adult grab bags will be posted to the site in November.)
Today's New & Restocked Items
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New Issue of Cutie November 2014
Welcome to Cutie, the extremely kawaii magazine of Japanese fashion and cuteness for young and vibrant Tokyo girls.view products -
Zettai Fukuju Game ~ Absolute Obedience Game
Fans of joso and traps will love this new manga about a school that forces all it's boys to cross-dress and the single student who's determined to stop this tradition.view products -
Amazing Twins ~ Takehito Harada Design Works
Fans of the Disgaea games and Amazing Twins anime already know the talents of Takehito Harada. This collection shows-off his amazing artwork in grand fashion.view products -
New All-Ages Manga: Futsu no Joshi kousei ga...
A fun new 4koma (4 panel) manga featuring "LocoDol" or local idols who use their talents and cuteness to promote their city or prefecture in Japan.view products -
Gorgeous Anime, Art and Other 2015 Calendars
Remember that this year's lineup of moe and anime artist calendars are extra awesome. We got the new Kantoku calendar ready for preorder too!view products -
Other Awesome 2015 Calendars Posted
Got more cool new 2015 calendars for you like this awesome calendar featuring the live action movie of Rurouni Kenshin. Stock is limited so grab one now.view products -
Super Sonico Swimsuit Figures and More
If you love the cute mascot of Nitroplus then grab these sexy swimsuit figures plus other cool products featuring Super Sonico. Browse now.view products -
High Quality Anime Figures In Stock
If you're looking for some cute and/or sexy new figures for your collection, look no further. We have Haganai, Oreimo's Kirino, Vividred Operation, and more!view products -
Cotton 100% Shimapan Border Shorts ~ Turquoise Blue
The holy grail of anime cosplay are shimapan, worn by the cutest anime girls. See the new Turquoise Blue design!view products -
We Love Japanese Socks
Japanese girls in black Knee Socks are the hottest thing in this world, and this is a hot pair of knee socks for you. Click to see.view products -
Today's Recommended J-List T-shirt: Twintails!
If you love twintails, then we have a great T-shirt for you. Check out our "I Love Twintails" tribute T-shirt in stock in San Diego.view products -
Rilakkuma Plush Egg
Rilakkuma is one of the most popular characters in Japan, and we love him because he's so soothing to be around. See the new Rilakkuma Plush Egg.view products -
Spirited Away Plush Toys!
Tons of Spirited Away and other cute Studio Ghibli plush toys. A wonderful assortment of fun items that children love and adore. Click to browse.view products -
Totoro, Studio Ghibli Handkerchiefs & Towels
Definitely something we'd like to get as a gift, these Ghibli themed Handkerchiefs and towels have cute Totoro, Kiki's Delivery Service, and Laputa designs.view products -
Are You 'Takoyaki (Octopus Balls) Curious'?
You can't go to a Japanese festival without eating at least one takoyaki, and we've restocked our favorite octopus ball cooker today, plus other fun items.view products -
The Most Awesome Pens from Japan Restocked
We've got a nice update of Japanese pens today, plus the most useful mechanical pencil from Japan we've seen in a while. Browse now.view products -
Bourbon Every Burger
A classic snack from Japan, this is Every Burger, a delicious box of hamburger-shaped cookies that are fun to eat.view products -
Some of our Favorite Japanese Snacks Restocked
Then we have a bunch of great restocked snacks, including Glico Cheeza, Bourbon Fettuccine Gummy, Pure Mist Candy, Kracie Pukapon, Meiji Coffee Beat, and more.view products -
Totoro and Other Bento Boxes Restocked
We've made a huge updating of our bento boxes for you, like this cute Totoro bento plus modern and traditional bento boxes, too.view products -
Bento and Other Kitchen Accessories
We love to delight our customers with fun bento accessories, and today we posted some extra cute ones, incl. Jello molds and animal shapers.view products -
Transforming Towels, Other Traditional Items
Get these towels a little wet and see them change design right before your eyes, wow! We also have good luck charms, kinchaku bags and more.view products -
Fun Prison School Products Posted
Fans of the hilarious Prison School manga will love these fun products from oppai mousepads to pillow straps, and more. Click to see our excellent selection.view products -
Michiru Matsushima 1/6 Figure ~ Grisaia no Kajitsu
Check out this amazing 1/6 scale figure of Michiru Matsushima from the hit anime and visual novel Grisaia no Kajitsu. So cute!view products -
Ciel Phantomhive 1/8 Figure ARTFX J ~ Black Butler
Another outstanding item you'll want to look at is the upcoming 1/8 scale figure of Ciel Phantomhive from Black Butler: Book of Circus.view products -
Rias Gremory 1/7 Cast off Figure -Underwear ver.
Wow! Check out this detailed and sexy figure of Rias from High School DxD. Features cast-off clothing for a look at her sexy body.view products -
Kuroneko 1/7 Figure MIZUGI Version Smile!! ~ Oreimo
And for all you Kuroneko and OreImo fans, you've got to see this cool, swimsuit figure of everyone's favorite fujoshi / otakukko (female otaku).view products
Dengeki Girl's Style Nov 2014
A new issue of Dengeki Girl's Style, the bimonthly magazine dedicated to you awesome otaku girls. Comes with tons of great articles on games like Diabolik Lovers, Hanasaku Mani Mani, and UtaPri, plus you get an exclusive Marginal # 4 Poster! It's a great magazine for all fangirls to learn about new shows and games, so grab a copy. Supplies limited, so buy now!VIEW PRODUCTS
New and Restocked NSFW / 18+ Products
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Super Sexy 18+ Magazines w/DVDs!
More "H" magazines for you, including Cho Kirei Cho Kawaii and Wetting Office Lady, plus more live action publications with hours of naughty content.view products -
enjyou -- Chisato Shoda Nude Photobook
Enjoy beautiful shots of Chisato Shoda, one of the hottest mature AV actress from Japan, in this amazing hair nude photobook. Check it out.view products -
Big Update of Hentai Manga Today
Today's new manga offerings are tasty. First, enjoy NTR Ai for NTR lovers and then check out Sex no Shikumi with hot 2D girls and art.view products -
Super Ecchi Doujinshi Posted, Too
Enjoy new and restocked doujinshi, including SAO, Super Sonico, Love Live, and a Tony Taka artbook plus the return of UDON-YA 10th anniversary artbook and more.view products -
Gorgeous Restocked 'H' Manga
Some outstanding restocked "H" manga today, including my favorite, Maid Bride, plus Nakadashi Platonic, Renai Sample, Giri Giri Sisters and more.view products -
Fuku-Bukuro -- The Ultimate Hentai Otaku Lucky Bag
Remember, when you get one of our ultimate hentai grab bags from San Diego you get a bunch of cool stuff, including two English translated eroge!view products -
Tae Kokuten 1/7 Figure ~ Comic Aun - illustrated by Inuburo
This scrumptious figure is based on an Inuburo design, and you won't be able to look away from her beautiful body. Too hot!view products -
Restocked Ero Artbooks, Too
We also restocked some of our favorite artbooks by the likes of Satoshi Urushihara plus the School Days Series artbook, too. Love them all!view products -
New Onahole: Dero Punyo
This is a new onahole from Prime, the popular Japanese adult toy maker, that should please all our lonely men customers.view products -
Fun Toys for Anal Play
From Tamatoys comes an amazing new toy for adults who want to spice us their sex life, in the form of a black, soft anal plug / vibrator.view products -
Hidachitukko PLUS DX Internal Hole
Can an onahole be better than the real thing? We're not sure, but if it's possible, this might be the hole that proves the concept. Click to view now!view products -
Parody Anime Stress Toys In Stock
We love selling parody stress toys, and the popular Oreimo toys are all restocked. Who will you choose: Kirino, Kuroneko or Ayase?view products -
"Sujiman" Deluxe Onaholes Restocked
When you need the very best, reach for the Sujiman Kupa series of super-realistic onahole toys. You certainly won't be sorry.view products -
Amazing Otokonoko Products Restocked
For cosplayers or otokonoko who want the perfect item, J-List has restocked these amazing silicon pads. Make an order now!view products -
New English RPG: Demon Master Chris
Escape from another world while stripping and befriending monster girls! A great new English-translated "H" RPG with fun gameplay.view products -
Passage! ~ First Limited Edition
Veteran developer Giga presents a wonderful game for fans of "childhood friend" heroines with lots of cute girls and gorgeous art.view products -
Kyonyu Cosplay Complete Works HD 8 Hours (Blu-ray)
Super cosplay action featuring only big breasted heroines in anime and manga, all packed onto this sensational HD Blu-ray disc.view products -
Forbidden Bondage Lesbian Vol. 7
Here's a great new lesbian title for all fans of BDSM and bondage. 3 girls submitting each other to their partner's fantasies and requests.view products -
Super Star -- Nana Ayano
Then enjoy the debut release of Nana Ayano into the world of AV by MAX-A. It's great to see this cute girl's first performance in front of a camera.view products -
First Bukkake -- Emiri Okazaki
Emiri Okazaki stars in her first Bukkake release in which she delights her partners by taking full loads of semen on her pretty face.view products
Twintails, Other Gorgeous Ero DVDs & Blu-rays
Enjoy a huge restocking of ecchi JAV titles, including the great works by Nozomi Asou, Shock! Futanari when Waking in the Morning, Invisible Man Z, the busty Azumi Kinoshita and Julia and Shion Utsunomiya Best 8 Hours, plus great Tokyo Girl Lesbian works and hentai anime for you to enjoy.VIEW PRODUCTS