First it was POKEMON, now BABEL is freaking some people out.
Seven people have complained of nausea and other health symptoms at theaters in Aichi and Mie prefectures after watching the Oscar-nominated U.S. movie “Babel,” theater officials said Monday.
The sickness is believed to be linked with a scene about one hour and 20 minutes into the movie where the high school student played by Japanese actress Rinko Kikuchi dances in a club that has strobe-effect lighting. The blinking lasts about a minute.
Read more here.
Josh Spear highlights the work of Tokyo-based interior designer Steve Lidbury.
You can read all of my Gridskipper posts here (or even subscribe to a feed).
We finally get a few details on director Satoshi Kon’s next project.
Tokyopop has posted an exclusive
interview with Satoshi Kon, director of Tokyo Godfathers and the more recent Paprika. In the interview, Kon talks about the other writers who have indirectly influenced his work, such as Kurt Vonnegut and Philip K. Dick, and mentions that he is already writing the script for his next film. He expects this work, which he calls “a future folklore story,” to be completed in about two or two and a half years. After he has completed several more feature films, Kon would also like to again direct a television series. (Anime News Network)
If you’re a fan of Shugo Tokumaru and have been having a hard time getting your hands on his first album, a reader just sent me this bit of info:
Animator Tim Rudder has put up a site for the photography he’s been taking in and around Tokyo since he moved to the city.
Paul stopped by the “Tokyo Fiber” exhibition at Spiral, and recommends it. On the picture he took (you’ll find a few more on his Flickr account): “Droplets slowly grow through the fabric to spell out the event’s name and then glide down. Impressive effect.”
Some new Wonderwall eye-candy updates, including photo galleries of the Tokyo Curry Lab at Tokyo Tower (pictured above), a Dean & Deluca store in Seijo, and the Kafka restaurant at Tokyo Midtown (which also features art direction by Kashiwa Sato).
THE JAPAN TIMES has a piece up on mobile phone-formatted manga, which to me, really does sound like something I’d like to see grow even more (including from North American publishers).
PingMag loves magazines almost as much as I do, and in their latest piece interview magCulture‘s Jeremy Leslie about Die Gestalten Verlag‘s WE LOVE MAGAZINES (he art directed the book).
Looking to get your hands on some Ooito clothing, the urbanwear brand designed by Huschang? Planet Sports is carrying a few items (there’s a pull-down menu with English option to the right).
It’s official, yesterday marked the release of Tokyo Fun Party‘s first two albums on its music label, Digiki’s BEAT VACATION and Chimidoro’s MINNA NO UTA. The albums will be available in most stores — they even got a stand at Tower Records — and you can also purchase them online pretty much everywhere (all ordering details, which include album trailers: BEAT VACATION and MINNA NO UTA). Also, to celebrate the launch, TFP is holding a big all-night bash this coming Sunday (April 29, 23:00-5:00) at Hijouguchi in Shinjuku (entry 1500 yen, includes a drink). Get all the details on the event here, and go to show your support!
This month’s edition of my “On Design” column was in yesterday’s edition of THE JAPAN TIMES. In it, I cover n.o.l’s Conof shredder, One Percent Products, 100%‘s Stand Umbrella, Panasonic‘s RP-SFP01 mini-speakers, and Tokujin Yoshioka’s Media Skin.
Jean Snow is a contributor to 
He will be contributing to the upcoming fifth editions of 
