tba Highlights: June 23 2008

Flying saucer no longer spotted, but created! via newlaunches
China is developing flying saucers, the only down-side is that it can’t carry a person yet. The Harbin Smart Special Aircraft uses propellers that runs on methanol. It can climb up to 1,000 yards and at a speed of 50 mph and can fly for 40 minutes.

Funny Thai Ad: Your Love, Hero or …? via AsianOffbeat
A funny Thai commercial that’s definitely worth watching (C’mon! it’s on the tba Highlights!).

World’s Largest Working Cell Phone? via WAN
This Chinese has apparently build the world’s biggest mobile phone. It’s 621 times bigger than his own, which he used as a reference. and measures at 36 x 17 x 6.5 inches and weighs around 48.5 pounds.

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Gurren Lagann Parallel Works 2

Here’s the second parallel works video on Gurren Lagann.

This time, the Gurren Lagann crew uses their spiral power for a cause much lesser than saving the universe - to play Pachinko. For those that aren’t aware of what Pachinko is; it’s a Japanese pin ball-like game mixed with a video slot machine basically.

Anyway, this time, you get to see Kamina, Viral, Yoko and Simon put their skills to the ultimate test by playing a Pachinko Gunman using their own Gunman.

Here you have it:

Source:
Japanator

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Chinese Farmer Builds Home-Made Glider

Here’s a video that’s been circulating the internet which shows a Chinese farmer (I’m not sure how they know he’s a farmer since we can’t even see his face in the video) taking off, flying and landing his home-made glider (or plane, if you want to make it sound awesome).

Whoever this farmer is, he is damn resourceful, plus takes a lot of guts to fly a glider you built yourself, not knowing if it can fly or not. From the video, you can see, he only has a seatbelt for safety which is not much when you’re that high up in the air.

Nonetheless, you need to give him credit for his piloting skills, he landed pretty well and I’m not sure if he even learnt how to fly before!

Here’s the video:

Amazing stuff right?

Source:
IfGoGo via Asianoffbeat

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Japan’s Space Wedding Service

For 240 Million yen ($2.2 million) you can have your wedding in space.

Rocketplane Kistler (Space transporation provider) and First advantage (Wedding planner) are working together to provide space wedding to the masses. Your $2.2 million will buy you an out-of-this-word experience on a 1-hour trip aboard the Rocketplane XP suborbital spaceship where you will reach altitudes higher than 100 km. Not only that, the service will also provide you with:

“Photo and video album, original dress, wedding certificate and other ceremonial items.”

“Cost of transportation to and from the launch site, accommodations, a live broadcast of the ceremony to friends and family at a reception hall on the ground, and 4 days of rehearsal.” - Pink Tentacle

For those that have pockets deep enough and are looking for a thrill on their wedding day, you’ll have to wait to till 2011 which is when the space wedding service is planned for. However, not to worry, they will start accepting applications next month. You can visit their official site here (if you can read Japanese).

This remind me of Moonlight Mile for some reason. Nonetheless, it’ll be fun being the priest for that company, you’ll get to go into space more times than astronauts.

Source:
Pink Tentacle
Picture courtesy of spacewedding.jp

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Short Documentary on Japan’s No. 1 Food Fighter

Takeru Kobayashi (‘The Tsunami’) weighs in at 87 kg. At first glance, no one would expect this young Japanese to be a ‘competitive eater’, otherwise known as ‘Food Fighters’ by the fans of the sport.

There’s a short documentary of The Tsunami’s daily routine and training in preparation for eating competitions on YouTube which can be viewed here.

If you’re still bored, you can watch Takeru, the former world record holder for hot dog eating for six years eat a hot dog in slow motion.

Here it is:

You can learn more about Takeru Kobayashi here.

Source:
JapanProbe
Picture Courtesy of Can’tStopTheBleeding

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tbA Highlights: June 16

Obama, Japan - Neatorama
The resident of the small town of Obama, Japan (pop. 34,000) is taking advantage of Obama running as the democratic candidate for president to try and get new residents and put themselves on the map. They’ve made T-Shirts, chopsticks of Obama and they even have a Obama dance troupe called the Obama Girls.

↑ ↑ ↓ ↓ ← → ← → B A: Google Reader Does Contra Code - fanpotai
Google Reader is finally getting in on the most famous cheat in video game history - Konami Code (Up Up Down Down Left Right Left Right B A). If you have a Google Reader, just type that in and watch what happens.

Hulk Hogan: Carefree in Japan - Weird Asia News
Another Japanese commercial starring an American celebrity. This time it’s Hulk Hogan….

Chinese Man Pierced 2008 Times for Upcoming Olympics - Weird Asia News
In an attempt to grab attention and be patriotic, this 60 year-old Chinese acupuncturist have pierced his head, face, chest, and arms with 2008 decorative needles in five different colours. Enough said.

Release of Metal Gear Solid 4
This week marks the end of a legendary Metal Gear Solid series. I hope, by now, most of you would have gotten the game and be thoroughly enjoying it. A review of it will be coming up soon, so stay tuned and let me ask you - is your age of hero over yet?

A little trailer to jog your memory:

That’s all for this week.

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First Gurren Lagann Music Video

Gainax is currently doing a Gurren Lagann Music Clip Project (or Gurren Lagann Parallel Works) from June 16 to June 22. This first video is places the gurren lagann crew in a medieval fantasy setting where Viral, Shimon and Kamina are going to infiltrate a castle to rescue a princess. The video is directed by Keisuke Watanabe. I won’t spoil too much, so go watch the video already!


Here it is:

You can visit the official site for the videos here. Also, the next video is expected to be out on June 23.

Source:
ANN

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