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Why
Gaijin?
Gaijin: A savage, barbarian, foreigner, and westerner.
A derogatory term used by the Japanese for any westerner. Now that you
know what a Gaijin is, you are probably wondering why I would call a column
on Japanese toys, Gaijin.
It's because I am a Gaijin. |
Previous Columns
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Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade
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I don't normally review anime in this column
unless it directly relates to Japanese toys, however I had to make an
exception for this movie. While Jin-Roh does have a few action figures
released in Japan it is by no means an action figure friendly movie. However,
Jin-Roh is relevant here as it is one of a handfuls of anime movies that have
been released for audiences over the age 15 here in the US. No fancy
Kung-Fu, no Giant Robots, no Giant Monsters, no teenage heroes, just a good
story with good animation. |
The date is now, the setting modern day Japan, but something has changed.
While the movie only hints at the history, it's still pretty easy to make out.
Seems in this world the Germans won WWII and turned on their Japanese alias. The
movie mentions "after the occupation" ,and I take that to mean that
they Germans were the occupiers. All of the cars, guns and uniforms are
German.
Brad Walker collects American and Japanese action figures,
customizes them, and "hangs out" by sitting on the hood of a car drinking
Colt.45 at his local Dairy Queen parking lot. "Gai-Jin" is what he calls
himself, but most folks call him "white trash". You can reach him at gaijin@zappowbang.com
if he can get his PC to work, and if he's in a good mood he will
reply.
You can also visit his custom action figure site here:
http://members.tripod.com/~bwalk06/.
For "big ass robot shampoo bottles (Shogun Warriors)" go here: http://members.tripod.com/~bwalk06/shogun/. |
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