Daily Bits

japan

Japan Popstar Turns Out to Be CGI

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AKB48

It was bound to happen. Ever since I saw S1m0ne ((S1m0ne)), that Al Pacino movie about a computer-generated actress, way back in 2002 (or thereabouts), I was thinking why nobody had done it yet. The day has come, and there is really no surprise as to where – Japan.

Prior to the revelation of her real identity, fans believed Aimi Eguchi to be a “normal” 16-year-old from Saitama Prefecture (which is located North of Tokyo). However, Aimi Eguchi is nothing but a dream – a dream made possible by computers and inspired by the six other members of the girl band she belongs to – AKB 48. According to a report by the Telegraph, “Eguchi Aimi has been created using the hair and body of AKB48 band member Yuko Oshima, while her facial shape is taken from Takahashi Minami. She has Maeda Atsuko’s eyes, Watanabe Mayu’s eyebrows, Itano Tomomi’s nose and Shinoda Mariko’s mouth.” ((Source))

The idea of creating Aimi Eguchi came from Ezaki Glico, a confectionary company – obviously as a marketing ploy. I am not sure if the band’s management and the confectioner were meaning to disclose Eguchi’s real identity (they couldn’t possibly NOT have meant to, right?), but the management did go to great lengths to make people believe that the singer was real. Then again, they also left clues that, to the observant and to the real fan, would reveal that there was more than met the eye to the singer.

It’s not quite like S1m0ne, but the similarities are there. It just goes to show what technology can do! Here’s a video on the creation/making of Aimi Eguchi.

http://youtu.be/aIpYpRobez4

Other News

Japanese pop star Miyavi gets under the skin of brutal POW camp commander in Angelina Jolie WWII drama Unbroken

Japan-South Korea relations remain hostage to history

 

 

A Sea of Tweets: Another Way to Show Japan Your Support

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It has been over a week since the first earthquake hit Japan and tsunamis wreaked havoc. Some of us may have already moved on with our lives, reading the occasional news report of what’s going on in Japan. Others may be getting their act together with regard to disaster preparedness. Have you showed your support for the victims of the quakes and the tsunamis in one way or another?

Last week, we published an entry about a fundraising drive for Japan. It is not too late to chip in. You can also check with the Red Cross to see what you can do to help. While not everyone may have a lot to spare, there are other ways by which you can express support.

Here is one interesting initiative that I discovered: A Sea of Tweets. This movement is spearheaded by artists Mark Skwarek, Tamiko Thiel, and John Craig Freeman, who are converting tweets into paper cranes and placing them in front of Mt. Fuji and along Japan’s coastline. The act is purely symbolic, but the message is strong and clear: there are people who care and want to show their support.

How do you participate? It is rather simple: just use the hashtag #seaoftweets to your tweet, and it will be counted and converted to a paper crane.

To learn more about this movement, visit A Sea of Tweets. More than using the hashtag, please remember to look at other practical ways you can send some help. Even the tiniest bit of help will be appreciated!

Google Person Finder for Those in Japan

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People Finder
The whole world is watching the events unfold in the east following the 8.9 magnitude earthquake that hit Japan earlier today. Though the country is the most prepared country in the world for this kind of natural disaster, today’s event is another reminder of how helpless us humans can be when the forces of nature are unleashed.

While many of our readers may not be directly affected by the earthquake and the following tsunamis, let us collectively show our support to our fellowmen in whatever way we can.

If you know anyone who is affected by the earthquake and tsunamis, or you have any information related to the disaster, here is a tool that you can use. Google has come up with a People Finder site, which is both in English and Japanese.

Let’s say a prayer for everyone out there.

5 Strange Cases to House Your iPhone In

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When Apple first announced that they had a smartphone in the works, the world waited with bated breaths for its release. Four (but soon to be five) generations later, the iPhone is still the most popular smartphone out there that has managed to attract a huge and fanatical following. Of course, it’s to be expected that something so popular will probably spawn the production of related gadgets and stuff, like accessories, sleeves, and–our favorite–cases.

You’ve probably already seen the plain old generic silicone and leather cases, but have you seen the ones that are born from wacky minds and free-spirited imaginations that require more than just a second (or third) glance because they’re just that strange or creative or just plain weird?

1. Ear iPhone Case

Ear iPhone Case

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