I’ve Seen Star Wars: The Force Awakens! Here is the Ending!

日本語はココです：　激速『スター・ウォーズ/フォースの覚醒』！http://bit.ly/1NwevBW

I’ve Seen Star Wars: The Force Awakens!　

Lots of people have been wondering what’s up with the new Star Wars movie. Some have high expectations; some expect Disney to screw it up!

But, as my regular readers know, I work in the mass media and I have had access to a private viewing of the film ! Yes! I have seen it and Disney doesn’t disappoint!

In the climax scene, Han Solo is valiantly (but vainly) fighting it out with the evil Darth Vader.

Chewbacca tries to help, but what good is a simian versus the Dark Side? Just as Vader is about to lop off Solo’s head and end his life, Buzz Lightyear appears yelling, “To infinity and beyond” as he zaps the light saber out of Vader’s hands and scoops up Solo in an exciting rescue scene!

Wow! What an exciting Disney ending! I told you that Disney, “Doesn’t disappoint”! No, they don't. But expect that they will make a Star Wars film that sucks as bad as the rest of them (excepting the original.)

OK? Now, no matter what happens, you won't be disappointed (too much). Just don't ever expect that this new movie to ever come close to the original and you won't be unhappy! (Creepin' Jesus, it's a Disney film fer cryin' out loud!) You can thank me later!

Have fun at the movies!

Japanese version of this blog is here: 激速『スター・ウォーズ/フォースの覚醒』！ / I’VE SEEN STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS! robot55.jp/blog/激速『スター・ウォーズフォースの覚醒』！/

Pure Genius in Marketing: Star Wars Lego! The World's Most Popular Boys Toy? The Best Educational Toy Ever Made?

UPDATE DIRECT FROM LEGO AT BOTTOM!


I think it is pretty safe to say that judging from my son, and all of his friends, as well as what I've seen from older boys (and adults) that Lego is most definitely the most popular boys toy in the world. 

Lego Imperial Star Destroyer

May I also venture to say that, what Apple computers are for adult men over 25, Lego is to the 4-years-old boys to 16-years-old market for young men. Lego is, perhaps, one of the greatest toys ever made. Lego is a hands-on solutions for science, mathematics, spatial concepts, designing and 3D skills (there's probably more that I'm not seeing). Through Lego, kids learn to combine logic with reasoning and eye hand coordination. They get to transform, explore and combine ideas and objects. Not only that! The kids get to use their imaginations after the toy is constructed and deconstructed (which they all inevitably seem to be at my house) into brand new objects that are conceived of whatever my son wants and imagines them to be! 


I am convinced that Lego is pure genius and probably one of the greatest toys ever made! I think Star Wars Lego is the greatest boys toy ever made bar none! Why I say that is because my son and his friends have been Star Wars Lego crazy since he was four years old. Lego sets start at 4 years old and up. Currently, my son is eight but he is now working on a Lego Star Wars set that was designed for sixteen-years-old and up. 


Ah! Say "Star Wars" and what child between 4 and 40 doesn't light up with extreme interest immediately? Say "puzzle" or "3D puzzle" and you'll get yawns and a distinct lack of enthusiasm from the recipient, but say "Star Wars" or "Star Wars Lego" and you'll have your kid all over it and jumping up and down saying, "Daddy I want one!"

Buy these when they first come out and they are $200 ~ $300. Later they become collectors items like this... This is no longer a child's toy. I bought this one for my son new when it was $180 (about).

Find me one other educational toy that invokes such a strong desire and reaction out of the average child and you'll be showing be another genius invention. I can't think of any, can you?


Some people will say that Lego is "So expensive" but I don't think so. If you consider Lego just a toy, then maybe it is expensive. But Lego is not just a toy. Lego is a toy, a learning experience, a science tool, a babysitter, a world of imagination all it's own and much more. A Lego toy is played with for months if not years after it is first taken from the box and assembled! 


Lego is not expensive at all when you consider all that you get for your money.


I especially enjoy the fact that my child can learn at his own speed. If he is five and is ready for the Lego designed for 7 years old boys, have at it. If he is 7 and can do the 12 years old and up, then take the challenge! Why not? He is learning as he is having fun!


Learning and having fun while doing so is the key to the perfect education.


For the more advanced Star Wars Lego sets, there's no way that a child (along with dad, who needs to spend more time with son, by the way... Ahem) can put one of these things together in one sitting. The current model my son and I are working on is a Lego Star Wars Imperial Shuttle. It is for 16 years old and up. It has 2503 pieces so, knowing that, you'd know that it will take quite a while to construct this toy.


It is taking all the resources the empire can muster to put this shuttle together in time to be ready for battle!


I always try to work together with my son when he is constructing his Lego sets. As I mentioned, it is a great time (and future memory) together. He does all the assembling and I help with pushing in difficult or extremely tight fitting pieces (and refrain from doing so unless absolutely necessary - I want him to have strong hands). He assembles and I sit and find pieces for him (mom helps when were stuck). We chat about various things while doing so. It's a great way to spend time together.

We've been working on this one for two weeks at about 30 minutes a day. Very cheap entertainment for father and son (especially when raining or dark outside). Quality and fun time together.

We usually block off 30 ~ 40 minutes at once to work on the kit. So far, we've been working on this one model on and off for nearly two weeks and we're not even half way done so you can see that this is a great way to spend time learning with your child and having fun while doing it.


Another amazing thing I have to point out to everyone about the value of Lego is the customer service is great. Over these last four and one half years, my son has constructed every single Lego Star Wars that was made. I think that must be easily 40 or 50 different models. Many of those models have had over 1,000 pieces. It doesn't happen often, but, there have been times when pieces were missing...


Now, usually when something like pieces missing happens, it's a major headache; find the receipt, take the toy back, wait in line, hassle with details, ... Not with Lego! With Lego, you go online to their Lego customer service page for Replacement Parts and order the parts you need. They then send them to you in three weeks for FREE! Now that is killer customer service!


Out of well over 50 Lego sets that my son has assembled over these few years, we've discovered missing parts only three times. Three times I ordered the pieces and got them delivered to my home with no hassles and No Questions Asked! They didn't ask where I purchased the toy, where my receipt was, or any intrusive questions! They just shipped me what I needed! They even ship them to Japan, where many of the models are not sold, with free shipping too! (I buy the models overseas as many are not available in Japan and bring them back!) 


Wasn't I saying something about, what Apple computers are for adult men over 25, Lego is to the 4-years-old to 16-years-old market for boys and young men. 


Lego's service might even be better than Apple's and that is hard to do!


Like I said, I think Lego is a genius toy and probably one of, if not the, greatest boys toy ever invented.


(Disclaimer: No I do not own Lego company shares nor do I have any plan to. If there are any complaints about Lego, then may I say that I wish they'd license all the Star Wars Lego's for the territory of Japan also so that I may order them directly in Japan? I always have to order in the USA and then sent to my family then to be sent to me! I sure hate bothering the folks.... Or, how about this; "Hey Japanese toy manufacturer! License these products for Japan!")

Lego Star Wars Motorized Walking AT-AT

If you can still find this Lego Star Wars Imperial Walker buy it. This is, I think, the best one at the best price so far. I bought it at $170 new (now sells for $199) and had about 1100 pieces as well as a motorized engine that made it walk. It was wonderful for my son to see how and engine works and turns gears. He built it a year ago and still plays with it!

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UPDATE: 


Just to show what a fine and quality company Lego is, they found this article written about them (smart companies are checking the Internet t see what people are saying about them!):


Dear Mike,

I really enjoyed your article and I must say your son's LEGO Star Wars collection is rather impressive! I'm glad you've been so content with our customer service and I must say I really liked this phrase:

"Lego's service might even be better than Apple's and that is hard to do!"- very nice compliment, thanks a lot!

I hope you will continue your LEGO Star Wars collection for years because no one is too old for LEGO sets!

Best wishes,

Malgorzata Napierala
LEGO Direct


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For the history of Lego see here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lego   

Shopping on Christmas Day!? Are You Nuts?

I just had the misfortune of being tortured for thirty minutes in being seated in an area where a TV set was on and the channel was on Fox News.


Oh, the horrors!


Besides the usual litany of fluff, they actually showed shopping malls packed with people doing their Christmas shopping on Christmas Day! Are these people nuts?


Haven't any of them ever heard of the Internets?


Time is the only nonrenewable resource, my friends. Don't waste it on shopping (or going out anywhere for that matter) that is packed with people, during a rush, and the parking lots are full.


Spend that time with your family instead.

This is what I do every year instead of the Christmas rush.

You can do this too!

Here's my hint (and it's no big secret): Do all your Christmas shopping starting 12/26 until 1/30. I do. In fact, I've done that every year for the last ten years or so.


I have an eight year old son. I finished all his big Christmas items shopping at the start of 2010. I bought this year's presents for him in 2010...In fact, I have his big Christmas items already bought for 2012 and 2013.


In my case, it's pretty easy, I suppose. It's simple to figure out what a Star Wars crazy six-year-old kid would want in the next few years. I bought the big Star Wars items that retailed for $500 - $600 at 44% off (about) through Amazon.


You can do it too.


Save yourself time and money. Start your Christmas shopping (preferably online) from tomorrow until about Feb. Save a ton of money and time.  

Japan Has R2-D2 Birthday Cakes... for $360 USD a Shot!

Sometimes Japan has some of the nicest things for kids...

How about this R2-D2 birthday cake I saw yesterday?

Any Star Wars fan would love this. Especially a little kid. The dad won't like it though... Especially for a ¥30,000 price tag! (About $360.00 USD!) But the cake was a super hit and the child was thrilled... So it was worth every cent!

Probably the best birthday cake I've ever seen or eaten!

Two-Foot Tall Star Wars Stormtrooper Toy from Japan!

Laughing Squid introduces us to a two-foot tall Star Wars Stormtrooper toy from Super Seven!

Check out the TV commercial:



Laughing Squid reports:

“Lost” 1970′s Japanese Star Wars toy commercial for the Stormtrooper Super Shogun available at Super7.

The Star Wars Stormtrooper Super Shogun stands a whopping 24 inches tall, and includes all of the features that you expect from an authentic Jumbo: free rotating wheels on the bottom of his feet, and a spring-loaded Rocket Punch firing fist!

From the Super Seven website:

The Star Wars Stormtrooper Super Shogun stands a whopping 24 inches tall, and includes all of the features that you expect from an authentic Jumbo: free rotating wheels on the bottom of his feet, and a spring-loaded Rocket Punch firing fist! 

Utilizing the same techniques implemented by Japanese toy manufacturers in the 1970s, the Super Shogun is constructed from durable, blow-molded polyethylene with a painted vinyl helmet. The figure is articulated at the neck and shoulders, and includes a removable, highly-detailed BlasTech E-11 laser blaster. The blaster even features a posable stock that unfolds from below the barrel. Collectors of both Japanese and Star Wars memorabilia are sure to be impressed with the care taken to fuse the disparate concepts into a new unique entity.

Packaged in gift box illustrated with iconic graphics from both franchises, each Stormtrooper is individually serial numbered as part of this one time limited edition production run. As a special bonus, metallic foil stickers are included for you to customize the torso with the character name in English or in Japanese. 

For even more photos, videos, and information, please visit our dedicated mini-site at

Super 7 Store

This toy sells for $299.00... If you have a seven-year-old at home DO NOT SHOW THIS TO THAT CHILD!!!!

Marketing Japan: Japan Sunday Bizarreness! Darth Vader & Giant Squid on Train!

By Mike in Tokyo Rogers!

Great ideas come from getting out of the rut and going out and seeing and doing things that widen your horizons. That's why, today, I'm starting a new Sunday series called, "Japan Sunday Bizarreness!" It's just going to be short tidbits of weird stuff I've found in Japan that I hope you get a kick out of. Hopefully, they can help you to think of good ways to promote or market your product or service.

Two guys were riding a train and they were going to work to do some sort of promotion. Who knows what? But they decided to have some fun and one guy crouched behind the giant squid while the other took his photo. Maybe a possible good idea for a promotion? Hmmm? 

This was a while back, but I just found it. They had a kids night at baseball to get youngsters more interested in the sport. I hear that young kids no longer are interested in Star Wars (tell that to my 6-year-old!) and are into Poke-Mon, but this is an interesting idea too...

Okay, while we're at it... for all you Star Wars fans... This one about Darth Vader in Japan is pretty funny.

This next photo is at a McDonald's in Japan. It looks like these kids are between, or before, a performance for school or something. Interesting...

It's definitely fall or winter... You could never wear that mask during summer in Japan! Too hot!

Finally! I found a great place to study Japanese for free and it's on Youtube of all places! Youtube has an entire section of old Japanese fairy tales that you can watch. Studying animations on TV was how I learned to speak Japanese. I think it is a great way.  Here's how:

1) Watch the videos over and over.

2) Record the sound to your MP3 player or cassette. Listen repeatedly.

3) Write down the entire text in a notebook.

4) Get a Japanese speaker to help you learn the text by heart.

The Youtube site is called  まんが日本昔ばなし (Manga, Japan's Ancient Stories). The Youtube site is here. The level is easy so it's a great place to start. I've embedded one here for your enjoyment.

This great site was introduced to me by my good friend Leon Tsunehiro Yu-Tsu Tai. Thanks Leon!

Have a great weekend! Comment or write to me sometime!

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Keywords, Star Wars, Darth Vader, Mike Rogers, Squid, McDonald's, Marketing, Marketing Japan, Manga, Youtube, photos, Manga, Mike in Tokyo Rogers, Manga, Japan's Ancient Stories, Ancient stories

Marketing Japan: Star Wars Type Holograms Impossible? Not for Japan

By Mike in Tokyo Rogers

Remember in the first Star Wars movie when Princess Leia input that holographic distress message into R2D2? Remember thinking how cool that was and just how much you wished we could do that today?

Well, get this... Japan has promised that if it is allowed to host the 2022 World Cup games, then Japan will develop the technology to make holographic images and broadcast them around the world to over 360 million people in over 208 countries...

No kidding.

The plan is called The Universal Fan Fest and it even has its own Wikipedia entry. Here's a snippet to prove to you that I am not making this stuff up:

Japan has pledged that if it is granted the rights to host the 2022 World Cup games, it will develop technology enabling it to provide a live international telecast of the event in 3D, which would allow 400 stadiums in 208 countries to provide 360 million people with real-time 3D coverage of the games projected on giant screens, captured in 360 degrees by 200 HD cameras. Furthermore, Japan will broadcast the games in holographic format if the technology to do so is available by that time. Beyond allowing the world's spectators to view the games on flat screens projecting 3D imaging, holographic projection would project the games onto stadium fields, creating a greater illusion of actually being in the presence of the players. Microphones embedded below the playing surface would record all sounds, such as ball kicks, in order to add to the sense of realism.


You might think that this is all pie-in-the-sky nonsense, but Japan already demonstrated holographic display technology at the 2009 National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) show. 

Japan is perfect for developing this technology, not only do we have the geeks to do it, we also have the "Otaku" who will use it for the ultimate purpose: Dressing up in high school girl uniforms for "Cos play."


See Wikipedia "Universal Fan Fest" here.


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Keywords:


Marketing Japan, holographic, NAB, Japan, HD cameras, 2022 World Cup Games, technology, Star Wars, Princess Leia, Mike Rogers, 3D imaging, holographic projection, Mike in Tokyo Rogers, broadcast

Marketing Japan: Star Wars Type Holograms Impossible? Not for Japan

By Mike in Tokyo Rogers

Remember in the first Star Wars movie when Princess Leia input that holographic distress message into R2D2? Remember thinking how cool that was and just how much you wished we could do that today?

Well, get this... Japan has promised that if it is allowed to host the 2022 World Cup games, then Japan will develop the technology to make holographic images and broadcast them around the world to over 360 million people in over 208 countries...

No kidding.

The plan is called The Universal Fan Fest and it even has its own Wikipedia entry. Here's a snippet to prove to you that I am not making this stuff up:

Japan has pledged that if it is granted the rights to host the 2022 World Cup games, it will develop technology enabling it to provide a live international telecast of the event in 3D, which would allow 400 stadiums in 208 countries to provide 360 million people with real-time 3D coverage of the games projected on giant screens, captured in 360 degrees by 200 HD cameras. Furthermore, Japan will broadcast the games in holographic format if the technology to do so is available by that time. Beyond allowing the world's spectators to view the games on flat screens projecting 3D imaging, holographic projection would project the games onto stadium fields, creating a greater illusion of actually being in the presence of the players. Microphones embedded below the playing surface would record all sounds, such as ball kicks, in order to add to the sense of realism.

You might think that this is all pie-in-the-sky nonsense, but Japan already demonstrated holographic display technology at the 2009 National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) show. 

Japan is perfect for developing this technology, not only do we have the geeks to do it, we also have the "Otaku" who will use it for the ultimate purpose: Dressing up in high school girl uniforms for "Cos play."

See Wikipedia "Universal Fan Fest" here.

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Keywords:

Marketing Japan, holographic, NAB, Japan, HD cameras, 2022 World Cup Games, technology, Star Wars, Princess Leia, Mike Rogers, 3D imaging, holographic projection, Mike in Tokyo Rogers, broadcast