Yoko Kanno Creates Song of Comfort for Quake & Tsunami Victims

Pixiv Source

The song titled Kimi de Ite, Buji de Ite was created by Kanno this week and posted on Youtube in support of those going through the aftermath of the Sendai earthquake.  She was born in Miyagi, one of the prefectures that was hit hard by the tsunami, so this song is surely made from the deepest parts of her heart.  Jpopasia translated the lyrics into English:

Worried, the world is worried about you

Searching for your name

With you, the whole world is with you

Going to meet your life

Your heart and your body unbroken

Until we hold you and see you

Be you, be safe

2011 Sendai Earthquake/Tsunami Relief

Hi everyone, time for a “real life” post.  If you haven’t been following the news today, a 9.0 scale earthquake hit off the eastern coast of Japan today.  An extra wave of destruction was caused by a tsunami and quake aftershocks.  The areas most affected were the northern prefectures of Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima, but areas as far south as Tokyo and Yokohama also received moderate damage.

I’ve often kept aware of disaster news in recent years and do my best to donate money towards relief efforts.  But this is the first event that has personally affected me.  After being in Japan last summer and meeting many people, I’ve had to send messages all day to see who’s safe.  Most have replied back that they’re alright; some have not.  Many are stuck in places without electricity and have no idea when they’ll get home or how much of their home will be left standing.

So please, if you have any money to spare, please donate to a relief organization that is helping in Japan.  Yahoo! has compiled a list where you can donate online:

AMERICAN RED CROSS: Emergency Operation Centers are opened in the affected areas and staffed by the chapters. Donate here.

GLOBALGIVING: Established a fund to disburse donations to organizations providing relief and emergency services to victims of the earthquake and tsunami. Donate here.

SAVE THE CHILDREN: Mobilizing to provide immediate humanitarian relief in the shape of emergency health care and provision of non-food items and shelter. Donate here.

OXFAM USA: Oxfam is poised to respond if disaster strikes vulnerable countries in its path. Donate here.

AMERICARES: Emergency team is on full alert, mobilizing resources and dispatching an emergency response manager to the region. Donate here.

CONVOY OF HOPE: Disaster Response team established connection with in-country partners who have been impacted by the damage and are identifying the needs and areas where Convoy of Hope may be of the greatest assistance. Donate here.

INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL CORPS: Putting together relief teams, as well as supplies, and are in contact with partners in Japan and other affected countries to assess needs and coordinate our activities. Donate here.

SHELTER BOX: The first team is mobilizing to head to Japan and begin the response effort. Donate here.

—————-

P.S. – A note for now and the future:  If you live in the Pacific Ocean area, on the U.S. west coast or anywhere in risk of a tsunami, please DO NOT go down to low-lying areas to look at the tsunami effects.  Several people have already been dragged out to sea, and it’s not worth risking your life.

P.P.S. – To make this post somewhat anime-related, ANN has reported a list of anime/manga/game industry related persons who have checked in as being fine.

My Trip to Evangelion World + EVA-Themed Hotel Room

This past summer I took a weekend during my study abroad in Japan to go down to the Mt. Fuji area.  On the last day, I headed over to an amusement park called Fuji-Q Highland and visited the new Evangelion World exhibit.  It was probably the biggest anime geek moment of my stay in the country, and I throughly enjoyed it.  Here are some pictures that I snapped (sorry in advance for any blurriness):

Infinite Stratos – Episode 8 & 9

So do I Char-chan, so do I.

Maaya Sakamoto’s Official Youtube Channel

THE VOICE ACTING QUEEN OF JAPAN HAS A YOUTUBE CHAAANNEL!  Right now it’s pretty sparse, but more videos should be uploaded as time goes by.  It’d be cool if she puts up her older vids as well.  Oh, and if you’re wondering why she’s the queen: