The ComicBook Factory: 2016

切腹姫とスケ番ジェシカ - Princess Seppuku and Boss Girl Jessica

Toge no Jizo Publishing has created a beautiful 96 page book collecting Princess Seppuku (2 mini-comics) and Jessica of the Schoolyard (12 mini-comics, note "Jessica of the Schoolyard" didn't translate well into japanese hence the slightly different and I think slightly better "Boss Girl Jessica"). There's new cover art and a free postcard. Buy it directly from the publisher (if you can read japanese) HERE or from The ComicBook Factory shop HERE. I only have a few copies so grab one while you can... 日本語を練習する必要があります!

切腹姫とスケ番ジェシカ

Princess Seppuku and Boss Girl Jessica

96 pages - Japanese - Black and White

ISBN 978-4-990-53454-7

Click HERE to visit the shop

Cartoon Signs in Japan part 2

Moving van (I think) seen in Shinjuku

Singing sheep promoting food at an event near Yoyogi park

Something about earthquakes being dangerous, seen outside a construction site in Shinjuku

An excellent example of 'suicide food' on a resturant sign, Shinjuku

I think this one was on the side of an electrical box on the footpath (Kyoto). He's telling you to not play on it.

A sign next to a covered car, Kyoto. Barrier to stop dogs, ice skaters and wild board from peeing on your car tire? Just a guess...

Sign promoting the aquarium, Miyajima

Construction site sign next to the "floating" torii gate at Miyajima.

District mascots from around Japan? Not sure. Another one near Yoyogi park.

Cartoon Signs In Japan - Part 1

Here's a few photos from my trip to Japan. There are cute cartoon characters on almost everything, and they're everywhere...

I spotted this electric salamander mascot for a power company in Nishiogikubo.

Lots of warning signs about the dangers of using cell phones near train tracks.

A sign at Himeji Castle (see above also). This one is offering guides to show you around for ¥2000 (NZD$30).

In Kyoto, don't run over any kids playing in the area.

A very cool poster outside the pop-culture megastore Mandarake, Nakano Broadway.

Outside the Nakano train station, the bird is saying he doesn't want to be fed (such lies.)

Stop hustling customers into your bars in Shinjuku.

Please clean up after your dog makes a mess in Kyoto.

Shinjuku, no smoking in public (I think).

More to come...

Oh, Pussycat!

German sci-fi website Die Zukunft (The Future) plugs the Connie Radar short Over the Moon.
Here's the article translated through google:

[Oh, Pussycat
"Over the Moon" - The first moon landing (as it really was!)
by Bernd Kronsbein
Reading time: 1 min.

Everything was completely different! Already in 1957, entered Connie radar the moon. Twelve years later, the lords of creation also came with a shaky rocket is injected - what Connie and her pal Julius sheet does not fit. What happens then is wonderfully amusing, not to say: screamingly funny!

James Cunningham has the short film "Over the Moon" made in 2013 - based on the short-lived Webcomic by Karl Wills - but the seven minutes have lost none of its charm. Beautiful Sunday movie!]

Source: Die Zukunft Oh, Pussycat!

Princess Seppuku Postcard Artwork

Promotional postcard that comes with the new anthology.

Collected Comic Coming

Finally something worth mentioning, a complete collection of Jessica of the Schoolyard (12 mini-comics) and Princess Seppuku (2 mini-comics) is being published overseas as a 96 page book. I'm currently working on the front cover and will post some more detailed information about the book soon. The image above is from an unfinished third Princess Seppuku mini-comic (no idea if I've posted it before).