I kinda reminisce about the past recently, the games I grew up playing, the shows I grew up watching and the cartoons I grew up with. I was looking at some fro You tube and started to wonder why they don’t make such stuff anymore… Haha.. I’m getting old but these cartoons have left a deep impression on my mind.

1) Thundercats
Thunder Thunder Thundercats….. I still remember coming back from school and switching on the telly at a specific time to watch this cartoon. I also remember my cousin who used to tape all the episodes and rewatched them. Absolutely fabulous. I’m still waiting for a Thundercats Movie.

2) The Real Ghostbusters
Slimer, the Marshmellow man… the song.. arghh…

3) Transformers
More than meets the eyes… I can’t believe my luck when they start showing this series recently on TV. Hehe… The old transformers.. the old Starscream…This cartoon ran for several years, it must be good..

4) Saber Rider and the Star Sheriffs
Has one of the most catchy songs during the 80′s. I remembered I never miss a single episode of this cartoon and was in love with that cowboy character

5) Alvin and the Chipmunks
A different genre of cartoon altogether. Who doesn’t love them? I can’t wait for the squekuel of the movie to come out at the end of the year

This website has been neglected for almost 2 months. My sincere apology. So many things cropped up during these 2 months, so much so that I didn’t even get the chance to catch Dragonball evolution. Now, how busy can one get?

Some say April is the beginning of summer. I can’t agree more. The weather this week has reached a whopping 35 degree Celcius! We are all sweltering and covered with a BO that refuses to diffuse

Summer brings us a lot of memories, both fun and not. One of the funniest and most engaging activities that those anime characters do during the summer is water-melon smashing. Haha… And the venue is usually the beach! How apt can that be? I suppose water-melon is considered a refreshing fruit, and it does quench your thirst on a hot scorching day. But is that the reason the smash it open?

I’ve done some research and collected some fun water-melon smashing scenes for our viewing pleasure…

1) Azumanga Daioh
Done between Tomo and Kagura for several times.

2) Full Metal Panic
Between Sousuke and his classmates, but that never happened. I can’t find the picture, so I substituted it with this…

3) Nogizaka Haruka No Himitsu
Hazuki has done us proud

4) Ranma 1/2
There are numerous water-melon smashing scenes, even a contest. However, I can’t find any pictures of them.. just his one with Ranma in a watermelon swimsuit and with some watermelons in the background

I love watermelon on a hot day.. don’t you?

I can’t help but notice that the day is approaching when Dragonball evolution will open in theaters. Posters were put up almost everywhere – walls of MRT stations, bus stops, etc. The movie is scheduled to open in Singapore and Malaysia on March 12, 2 days before the 1st term holiday starts. How apt! In the US, it’s scheduled to release in April.

I have read a lot of comments on the movie – both good and bad. I myself don’t know what to expect. I suppose I will just go and watch But is it worth it to pay S$9.50 (approximately) for a bunch of actors that I hardly now portraying the heroes that I’ve come to love since young? Arrggghhhh!!! The thought frustrates me!

For those of you who have not seen the trailer, here it is:

Sad the say, the story’s been twisted. Shenlong created Dragonball, not some monks! Chow Yun Fat as master Roshi is just hmmmm… weird! He’s too young. Hehe..

For Chinese, the Lunar New Year is fast approaching Kartun will like to wish all the Chinese a Happy New Year and may the God of Fortune bring the much needed money to all

Getting into the festive mood, I can’t help but search for some Chinese New Year goodies in youtube. And look what I found, a pig delivering money So cute!

I’m sure this was made 2 years ago, when it was the year of the pig. Do they have one made for the year of the cow as well?

Singapore is holding its first Night F1 race on 26th September 2008. That’s a mere 5 days away! The Marina Bay area is beautifully donned up, awaiting visitors and F1 lovers. Temporary seats have also been erected for the viewers’ pleasure. The last I visited the official website, over 95% of the tickets have been sold. The only ticket left is the 3 DAY ESPLANADE PREMIER GS -STANDARD, selling at S$2,588.00!!!! Hmmm….

No, Kartun is not here to promote readers to buy the tickets. But with the recent hype about F1, I cannot help but link the current situation to animes that revolve around car racing. But before I give you my opinion, what exactly is F1 and how did it originate?

How did F1 start?
There was no such thing as Formula 1. The first ‘organised’ car race took place from Paris to Rouen in 1900. The then existing vehicles were simply raced. 

The first F1
The world’s first F1 took place on   13th May 1950 at ‘Silverstone’ Tracks in the U.K. That’s more than 50 years ago!

Some known facts
F1 car engines have a capacity of 3.0 litres/19,000 Rpm. Nowadays, F1 cars can achieve an average speed of over 300 km/h. The highest straight-line speed recorded was 356.5 km/h by David Coulthard during 1998.

Typical F1 vehicle

Cool eh?
 

Now that we know somethings about F1, let Kartun show you some of her favourite car racing animes:

1) Initial D
This anime keeps me on the edge of my seat all the time! It’s fast paced and exciting. The main character, Fujiwara Takumi drives a Toyota Trueno AE86. So how is a Trueno compared to the F1 vehicles racers use?

Well… A typical Trueno is only 1.6 litres and can top the speed at about 193 km/h. That’s a far cry from F1. But Takumi doesn’t really care, does he? The racers in Initial D race down the hill most of the time, so skill is more important than speed

2) Speedracer a.k.a. Mach Go Go Go!

Full of action, technology and danger, this anime talks about Speed Racer (a.ka. Mifune Go), who fell in love with car racing. He usually drives the Mach 5 (Thus the name Mach Go – which is 5 in Japanese). So how Mach 5 different from the typical F1 car?

Unlike the normal F1 car, Mach 5 has a series of buttons. Button A - Auto Jack, Button B – Belt Tires, Button C – Cutter, Button D – Defensor, Button E – Illuminating Eye, Button F – Frogger Mode (when Mach 5 goes under water), Button G - Gizmo Rocket and Button H - Homing Device. All of these buttons will disqualify an F1 racer. But this is anime. It makes life more interesting.

3) GPX Cyber Formula

Car racing in the future – is that how it will be? Cyber Formula is a show about F1 in the future, when race cars are equipped with computer support systems called ‘Cyber Systems’. Cool eh? The star of the show, Kazami Hayato is a mere 14 year old at the start of the show. Imagine… car racing at 14! He drives an Asurada GSX in 2015, and is continuously upgraded throughout the series.

The Asurada looks like a typical F1 vehicle, with the exception of its cyber systems within. In fact, the Asurada GSX is the first car to feature the revolutionary a Super Nero Computer as the primary cyber system. Yay! I believe that’s the way to race in the future.

There you go – Kartun’s humble opinion on F1. I don’t know how car racing will revolutionalise in the near future. Perhaps we can really have a race car like the Asurada GSX! That will be exciting! F1 engineers must work harder!

Ever wonder how to attain a body that’s the envy of everyone you know and don’t know? Oh.. just look at those six packs!

Do you want to look like this even when you are sitting down? Notice: there’s no spare tyres!

Do you want people to drool at you when you’re wearing a swimsuit, any swimsuits?

Do you want to look good with any clothes, so much so that when people walk past, they’ll whistle at you?

Think no more! Kartun will teach you how to keep fit, according to the Sims’ way! All you need to remeber are 5 main points:

1) You must have a good relaxation- Don’t be too stressed! Learn to relax! Enjoy the view aound you. Read a good book. Listen to music. Go for a hot shower… you get the idea

2) You must have good exercises - Exercise is the key to building a well sculpted body. Here are some suggested exercise to tone up the body and burn away the fats:

Running on the treadmill – Classic! You can even build up your stamina with this.

Swimming – recommended if you have a pool or have access to a pool nearby. Great to tone up shoulders!

Yoga – Not for the fainhearted. Some of the poses can be quite tough and steps are intensive. But you’ll definitely be more flexible if you persist.

3) You must eat good food – Not any food, but good food. Look at the food on my Sims’ platter. They’re good food! Away with the fries and welcome the grilled salmon! And of course, remember to chew properly before you swallow

4) You must get a good sleep – There’s no need to say more. Hit the sack early and make sure you give your body a chance to recuperate.

5) You don’t need to have good looks – Good looks are not from the genes. Change the way you look once in a while, you’ll feel different. Learn to pamper yourself. Go for massages and facials.

There you have it – Kartun’s five simple ways to keep fit  and obtain a great physique Easy and straight to the point and it’s hassle free!

Hmmm… I’m not sure whether this rumour is true but if it is, what is Hollywood thinking? According to most of the sources, this is only a Dragon Ball movie, not Dragon Ball Z. Which means, no Vegeta, no Cell

Here’s a picture of Gokou:

Of course, we recognise the “turtle” symbol at his back and the supposedly hmmm… dragon ball on his hand? Gokou is played by an actor called Justin Chatwin (Lost). The rest of the cast are as follows:

• Jamie Chung as Chi-Chi
• Emmy Rossum as Bulma:
• Chow Yun-Fat as Master Roshi – I’m looking forward to this!!
• Joon Park as Yamcha
• Eriko Tamura as Mai
• Texas Battle as Carey Fuller
• Luis Arrieta as Weaver
• Randall Duk Kim as Grandpa Gohan
• Ernie Hudson as Master Mutaito
• Shavon Kirksey as Emi

Kartun has no idea who are Mai, Carey, Weaver, Master Mutaito and Emi. I supposed they are characters developed by Hollywood to fill in the stories. Not mentioned in the list of cast is Kuririn, Gokou’s best friend! How can a Dragon ball movie be Dragon Ball without Kuririn. I wonder who’s gonna play that part…

The movie is said to be directed by James Wong and produced by Stephen Chow. It should be in the theatres by April 2009. Although I can’t totally agree with the cast, I don’t think I’m giving this movie a miss. It’s a Dragon Ball movie. Of course kartun will go!

Who wouldn’t want to be a millionaire? Have you ever envied those who made it to the fortune 500? We at kartun.com certainly have. Being so set to become millionaires ourselves, we sent our reporter (Kartun #1) to interview one of the youngest multi-millionaire known in the history of anime and cartoons – Trunks! Not only that, we managed to interview three (yes 3!) different Trunks from different times. All thanks to the time machine that his mom has invented

Here’s how the interview went:

1. Interview with 8 year old Trunks

Kartun #1: Hallo Chibi Trunks! It’s very nice of you to do this interview with me

Chibi Trunks: No worry… I have lots of time!

Kartun #1: Ok.. Haha.. How I wish I can say that. So… what’s your secret to becoming a millionaire at just 8 years old?

(At this point of time, Chibi Trunks started to get cocky)

Kartun #1 was flabbergasted with the number of toys Chibi Trunks took out! She was stuck with him for hours before she could go on with her interview with the second Trunks…

2. Interview with 18 year old Trunks

Trunks: Hallo everyone! I am Trunks, heir to Capsule Corporation soon.. I am also handsome and loaded with money (grinning widely)

Kartun #1: (Cough..) Hello Trunks! Before we begin, I just want you to know that it’s a great pleasure to have you here with me today.

Trunks: Hey! Don’t mention it! I don’t mind interviews at all. So what do you wanna know?

Kartun #1: Hmm… thanks! I understand that at 18, you already have a fortune with you. So what is your secret to becoming a millionaire?

Kartun #1 received some flying kicks and punches that naked eyes could not detect. Arghhhhh…….. =_=;

3. Interview with 28 year old Trunks

Kartun #1 was stunned the moment Trunks walked into the interview room. I think we all know the reason why @_@

Trunks: (Waving his hand in front of Kartun #1′s face) Are you ok?

Kartun #1: Yeee… sss… .Er… Ya…. Oh…. Hmmm.. (stammering because of nervousness sitting in front of such a handsome man)

Trunks: Are you really ok?

Kartun #1: (Composing herself and trying to look good despite the ‘black’ eye) Yea… Erm… Oh.. Thanks for being here for this interview. I know how busy you are, being the president of Capsule Corporation and all.

Trunks: No problem. I always appreciate time off no matter how busy I am.

Kartun #1: Let’s not waste your precious time then… So Trunks, we are all very interested in how you manage to acquire such a fortune at a young age. Can you please tell us the secret? (Yes! kartun #1 got her professionalism back

So there you have it – Secrets to becoming a millionaire, as shared by the same person at different ages. Don’t waste anymore time! Go and get your millions!

Ever wonder how you can be stone-faced and yet have hundreds of girls screaming your name everywhere you go? Think of Rukawa Kaede from Slam Dunk. This man hardly opens his mouth, sleeps in class, and scorns at others. Yet, legions of female fans worship the very path he walks on. How.. just how do we get to be like him? Fear no more, let us analyse Rukawa and give you a low down on how to be… cool yet popular!

1. Have a bushy hairstyle that spikes naturally! I know that sounds hard to achieve, but with the wonders of miracle gels and waxes in the market, it’s gonna be a piece of cake.
2. Half close your eyes all the time! This is easy if you have small eyes… but with big eyes… hmmm… well, just close them halfway. Do not glare. Glaring will not make you cool.
3. Pick up a sport, preferably one that draws crowds (like basketball or soccer).
4. Ride a bicycle while listening to your mp3 with earphones, NOT headphones.
5. Sleep in class and while riding a bicycle. But then, perhaps not!
6. Answer questions in monosyllables.
7. Do not smile.

The above 7 points are only guidelines. Try them at your own leisure and pleasure

After studying Rukawa for some time, I’ve decided to create a virtual being that resembles him (maybe a little) and test out the reactions. Here’s what I’ve created using Sims 2. What do you think? Can he be cool yet popular?

Don’t you ever wonder how you survive through a week? Well, the Kartunitez’ (Yes! That’s what we call ourselves ) week is no different from the rest of you folks out there…

We like Snoopy! He’s about the cutest 2D canine invention that ever appear on paper. Looking at Snoopy summarising our typical work week some how let us see the humourous side of life… Are we really that routinised? Are we really dead by Wednesday and hoping that weekend will arrive soon?