Mojacko (Chu-Chu-Chu!)

The orange, fluffy alien was another popular anime character in the Philippines. Mojacko was manga back in 90's in Bokura magazine then followed as an anime in year 1995 to 1997. Created by Doraemon manga-ka Fujiko Fujio, Mojacko is an alien from planet Moja-Moja who along with his robot assistant Donmo went to planet Earth due to spaceship crash. The Japanese title is called Chu-Chu-Chu! and also based on it's opening song.

In early episodes,Mojacko met an elementary student named Sorao Amana and stayed to his place until their spaceship is fixed. The anime series was perhaps divided by two seasons with additional characters. In almost half of the season (that is from episode 1 to 30) Mojacko and his friends met Sorao's friend Miki who later involve the secret that there are aliens in earth and Wutan, Surao's enemy and a bully (I think Wutan is very similar to Takeshi/Damulag from Doraemon). They also met Mojacko's siblings who followed them in search of their brother. Mojari, is a pink alien ball with pigtails while Mojaro a small, green and youngest sibling who has an ability to manipulate supersonic waves when crying or being disturbed from his sleep. In another season, Momonja - a ninja-like alien ball follows them in order to get the "greatest treasure in the universe" and then later stays at Wutan's place. As a sci-fi genre, Mojacko and his friends travel different planets up to another universe for their adventures and excitement plus their friendship.

I'd say Mojacko was one of the high-rated anime series in the Philippines since it started aired locally around 1998 or 1999 every weekday afternoons. The show was featured in GMA commercial with Doraemon as anime-crossover lineup entitled "We Are Family". Mojacko merhandises were popular back then like plushies (as seen on this picture here). In Youtube, you can also see the opening song here in Japanese plus few old episodes dubbed in Tagalog. For now, Mojacko seems to be on the old cabinet in GMA ever since they wouldn't decided not to air it anymore until further notice.

Yawara! A Fashionable Judo Girl

Yawara! A Fashonable Judo Girl is Naoki Urasawa's first manga series back in 1986 to 1993 before other of his famous manga series in America like Monsters and 20th-Century Boys. It became a success franchise because Yawara! was somewhat related to real-life judo sports. Real life sports? Back in year 1992, which I tell you about the Barcelona Olympics where female players in judo are honored to participate in that flourish event. One of the female competitors of Japan, 16-year old Ryoko Tamura took the place being the world champion in Women's Judo. Since that time, Ryoko was given a nickname "Yawara-chan" to many people in Japan and still as popular as ever.

In the other hand, Yawara! was of course Naoki Urasawa's manga series which ran in 29 volumes in manga and 124-episodes (including special episodes) in anime version. Yawara! tells about a protagonist high-school girl named Yawara Inokuma who dreams to go with friends, shopping and getting her dream boyfriend. Unfortunately for her, she forced to train judo since childhood under her grandfather Jigorou Inokuma. Jigorou's dream was to make her granddaughter become a champion in Barcelona Olympics. Because of Yawara's less interest in judo, Jigorou found a perfect rival for her - a spoiled, rich lady named Sayaka Honami. When Yawara defeat Sayaka in few sweats, Sayaka decided to train judo so she could beat Yawara in a championship. Meanwhile, a sports reporter named Kosaku Matsuda found Yawara's talent in judo and convince her to be a champion.

It doesn't matter if you're not into judo but in fact there are heartwarming sensation coming through in many episodes - from comedy to romance. There are funny moments (especially when it comes to Jigorou's being over-protective to Yawara) that present. At first, we may think Jigorou is a pain a butt but no. We see him as a challenge for Yawara. His love in judo and food are always on his mind...of course his care of his granddaughter is the most. He always believe that Yawara will embrace her talent and will work hard for honor in Japan. At every end of episodes, who would love his appearances in countdown for Barcelona Olympics? Aside from Jigorou, we could see Sayaka Honami as another obstacle. Sayaka was defeated by Yawara eventhough she was trained for few weeks. In few episodes, we can tell that Sayaka's weakness for her, is an embarrassment for getting a false tooth. Later, she hired a handsome coach named Shinosuke Kazamatsuri. For Mr. Kazamatsuri, he uses his handsome looks to attract many girls around but when it comes to Yawara he skip his heart and turning to be his love interest. Sayaka already found Kazamatsuri's behavior to Yawara and decided to become rivals in love also. On the other hand, Kosaku is not only just interested in Yawara's dream, he also protects her even though he's a clumsy and goofy reporter. I can't tell much about spoilers...better watch what's next, thou.

The anime series was featured in 1989, which the same year Ranma 1/2 ran it's animated series. Not only it's anime version, Yawara! was also adapted into live-action as evidence in this Amazon.com.jp here. Both of the franchises also became a popular culture like, I said before Ryoko Tani as "Yawara-chan". With it's hip beat and lovely music, judo action, and a good premise Yawara is sure really enjoying to watch.

If you're in the Philippines, you can watch Yawara! on QTV channel 11 weekdays at 3:00 PM.

Up

I've seen the international trailer of Pixar's latest collaboration move, Up in TV5 earlier. It will soon appear in theaters. For more info about the movie visit the website at http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/up/

Update: Up will be feature in theaters in August 19.

Up © 2009 Disney/Pixar. Poster image from Google, Disney and Pixar

Anime and Cartoons on ABS-CBN

Check out the ABS-CBN's new cartoon and anime shows. Note: Their line-up schedules may change.

Anime

Ang Pangarap ni Cosette: Les Miserables / Les Miserables: Shojo Cosette

Blue Dragon

Naruto (season 4)
- rewind after season 3

Cartoon

Wolverine and the X-Men

Teenage Shows Before Adik Sa'Yo

Image borrowed form gmaseven.blogspot.com

I'm not sure if I'm mistaken that Adik Sa'Yo is a teenage show despite that the main characters are adults now. Okay, okay I admit I never focus on this show because it airs every weeknights on GMA as a part of Telebabad. It reminds me that Adik Sa'Yo can be somehow considered a teenage show because there is romance, conflicts and soulmates. Before that show, there are many shows for youth were aired in (mostly) in GMA or ABS-CBN and scheduled during afternoon of a certain day. For now, it seems that youth-oriented shows will still be recognized although not much as strong as before.

Anyway, here are some list of youth-oriented shows which aired in GMA and ABS-CBN start from 90's. Lists referenced from Wikipedia.

GMA Network

Growing Up (Produced by Viva Television, 1997-1998, re-aired 2000-2001)
- it was re-aired during the 50th anniversary of GMA.

T.G.I.S and T.G.I.F. (Produced by Viva Television, 1995-1999, re-aired 2000-2001)
- after the popularity of Grown Up, T.G.I.S (Thank God It's Saturday) might be considered as a spin-off. It was aired every Saturday afternoons. The show turned into T.G.I.F. because it moved to Fridays. T.G.I.S was re-aired on GMA as a part of 50th anniversary of GMA.

Campus Romance (1997-1999)

Click (2001-2005)
-replaced T.G.I.F.

Joyride (2004-2005)
- aired every weekday afternoons before Anime Swak Pack.

Love to Love (2002-2006)

Boys Next Door (2007-2008)

StarStruck (2003-2007, returns in 2009)
- sometime around this year, StarStruck will return this year for new 5th season.


ABS-CBN

Ang TV (1992-1996; reaired 2007)
- can be considered one of the most popular youth-oriented show during early 90's. The show made recognized some popular artists like Jolina Magdangal and Paolo Contis, and spawn their own movie sitcom. Ang TV 2 was aired around 2001 after the success of first season. Ang TV was also the inspiration for airing Goin' Bulilit.

Berks (2001-2004)

Tabing Ilog (1999-2003)

F.L.A.M.E.S. (early 90's?)
- it was based on a game and debut into a teenage show. It was aired in the afternoons.

Gimik (1996-1999)
- it made into a movie entitled Gimik: the Reunion. Not to be mistaken in G-mik which was another show aired in year 1999 to 2002.

K2BU (2002)
-probably one of the shows where Bea Alonzo started in showbiz career.

Buttercup (2003-2004)

Let's Go (2006-2007)

Gokada Go! (2007)
- sequel of Let's Go

Star Magic Presents series (2006-2008)