Book 2 of one of my favorite American comicss has come out this month. King of RPGS by Jason Thompson published by Del Rey books. Check out this review and preview.
It's a funny story about a role playing gamers in college.
Jason Thompson is a manga scholar and is the author of Manga the complete guide, so it makes sense that his handsome comic is very influenced by Japanese manga. It has the look and feel of a Japanese comic. Please take a look at the website http://www.kingofrpgs.com/
If you are in SEattle or San Francisco, you can meet the author at a book release party. See the Above link for more information.
Takeo-Kun and I celebrated the 4th of July, America's Independence Holiday, in Venice Beach, CA. It was a Japanese party, so we celebrated with a traditional Japanese game called Suika Wari (Watermelon Splitting). It is similar to a pinata party, but instead of candy hidden inside of a donkey or Pikachuu, you get to eat the sweet, juicy flesh that is hidden inside of a watermelon.
If you are a fan of Japanese manga or anime, you probably know Suika Wari. It's in almost every summertime story that takes place on a beach, especially in a romance comic. The player is blindfolded, and spins around until they don't know which way the watermelon is. The spectators guide the player to help him get closer to the melon. Once the player thinks she has found the watermelon, she gets one whack. If she misses, another person gets to play.
I hope you will get a chance to split a watermelon this summer, or at least eat one.
