Samurai Equine

Samurai Equine makes himself comfortable in the locker room. He has taken one of the lockers in the corner, and converted that corner into an oriental shrine of sorts. There are shoji screens, festive yellow lanterns, a lucky cat statue, incense burning in a bowl, a pair of wall scrolls with Japanese text on them, and the box containing his armory put to the side. Samurai is sitting upright on a fancy pillow, waving a paper fan over his face. He looks oddly still, yet he is observing Agririon, Encore, Syuren, and many other competitors that pass by and find their own lockers. "Some of these competitors will be really strong. My magic is telling me they have more than their physical strength and tactics to rely on. I should be prepared..." Samurai Equine thinks to himself as his horn glows a few times. Finally, he decides to speak. "Come, champions all!! Before the tournament, if anyone would care to listen, and I shall tell you the tail of Momotaro! Once long ago, their lived an old married couple who lived a humble life as rice farmers. Though they toiled the fields, they were sad that they could not bear children of their own. However, one grateful evening, a giant peach floated down the stream near their village. As the old stallion gathered it and took it home for dinner, the old couple discovered a baby colt inside! ..." Samurai continues his story, entertaining some but mostly using it as an opportunity to better understand his fellow competitors.

Maybe this is just an American thing, but... Anyone ever notice how the woman's section of a clothing store is usually triple the size of a men's clothing section? To me, that just isn't right... I know sometimes they have kids clothes pretty close to the women's section, but even those sections can be pretty small by comparison, so they don't add that much in terms of size.

The personal Japanese name I have chosen for myself is Tomokazu. My real name is Thomas. I don't trust online name generators. Most of the time, they are just random with barely any rhyme or reason. Because of that, I want to choose my own Japanese family/inherited name. It's not been easy. My last name starts with a G, and it's hard to find a Japanese family name that starts with a G or something similar to a G sound. Did you know that a lot of inherited family names in Japan are actually spelled out with Chinese symbols? In fact, some family names actually have a translation. It's really weird! Anime and tokusatsu uses this to it's advantage many times. You'd be surprised how many times a character's name actually translates into something, and that translation usually reflects the character themselves or gives away their roll in the show.

I admit, I am very lonely right now in my life. I have no girlfriend, and I really want some more SUPER solid friends in my life. I hardly had any friends at all when I was growing up, but I don't want that trend to continue. That's a big part of why I came here; to make new friends and broaden my horizons. Dating can come later, when my life is everything I want it to be.

At the moment, I would let her enjoy it, maybe even enjoy it myself. But I'd stay firm, hold her by the upper arms, then gently pull away from her. I'd all ready be wearing a tailored tuxedo with vest and tie, as well a wide brim fedora. Turning my back to her, I'd throw on my double breasted overcoat, and tip my hat so the brim hides my eyes. I'd tell her not to give me her heart so easily like that. A heart that wants can easily be lead astray. You fell in love with a dream, not the real me. Someday, you'll find someone else, someone better. After that, I'd walk away, or maybe she would run off saddened. As we part ways, jazzy, bluesy saxophone music would play in the background. Something hard boiled. I'd keep my cool demeanor, my face looking cold and emotionless. But deep down inside, my heart is racing, and I'm silently hoping... Hoping that she gives chase, hoping that she'll stop me in my tracks, hoping that she'll prove she wants me no matter what. A good, strong willed woman would do that. Not many like that exist in this day and age. Especially not here, in this big city that never sleeps...

PICTURES!!! Just wanted to say that this thread is VERY helpful and I might use this topic as advice, and I encourage people to post as many pictures as possible to go with the discussion. That being said... In real life, I do put some effort into my fashion. I want to look better than your average person. Here in the hot state of Texas, it's easy for people to just throw on some very basic stuff and call it a day. I enjoy wearing stuff with personality, and I like wearing suits more often too. And I do it up all the way. Ties, vests, dress shoes, french cuffs, etc. Even my casual wear has more thought put into it. The only thing is, I can't always wear fitted clothes. It's been a while since I've hit the gym really hard, and I have a slight case of the chubs. That's going to change some day, I swear! But until then, I like to wear clothes that give me a little breathing room while still making me look slim. You know, something that hides my problem areas without drowning me in something too big. I like finding that right balance. Right now, if I were to give advice, I'd say... Don't wear 1 solid color, please. By that, I mean, make sure your shirt is NOT the same color as your pants/shorts. If you're wearing blue jeans, don't wear a blue shirt. If you're wearing white slacks, don't wear a white shirt. Etc, etc... There might be some exceptions, but don't risk it. Even if your shirt is a different shade or has stripes of other colors or whatever, don't risk it. The only time dressing like this is okay is when you're at a funeral, when you're SUPPOSE to wear black on black. There might also be other situations out of your control, like company uniform rules, etc. Otherwise, break it up a little. That being said, remember to pair up pieces with colors that match and compliment, not colors that clash or compete against each other. I know people and things have done this, but try not match blue and red, or red and green, etc. Even if they are muted colors, just don't. The best thing to do, if you can't judge which colors go together, match a color with a neutral color and you should be fine. Neutrals include black, white, grey, beige/tan, and sometimes brown.

Though many had gathered, and quite a few had decided to compete in the tournament, there was still one who had not signed up yet. On this evening, with a subtle sense of doom stirring in the wind but only for those keen enough to sense it, a brave stallion walks the streets and combs through the growing crowd. He is strapped to a rather oriental-looking carriage. However, it's actually a cart that he hauls with him. And hooked to the top of that cart is a samurai helmet. For now, this pony is not wearing his armor nor brandishing any weapons. In fact, most of the citizens and visitors in Canterlot might not even guess what lies inside his fully concealed cart. All they see for now is a fearsome look in his eyes. His eyes are sharp like someone who is angry, yet dull like someone who has been tainted by the tides of war. In his head, he sees a large oriental castle with many maze-like walls surrounding it. The entire premises is big enough to cover an entire town or villa. The insides of the maze and the lower levels of the castle are littered with fallen ponies; many of them armored and a few of them not. Flags and weapons of various types and sizes are discarded or lodged in some of the corpses. And the outer parameters are surrounded by both ponies who are trying to force their way in and opposing ponies trying to keep them out. As he imagines this, the stallion in question is keeping an internal dialogue. "My brethren. My ponies... Corruption has invaded your weak hearts and minds. The homeland we once stood for and protected with pride has been brought to siege by civil war! They've all forgotten why they keep fighting, yet they keep pressing forward. But for some reason, I am stronger. I have kept a clear head. Whatever supernatural forces drives them to darkness has not affected me, however... Something beckons me here, to this place. I was not given orders to come here, nor would I normally leave Japon without orders to do so, and yet... Something tells me that if I want salvation for my kind, then I must start here! And I shall." None of the other attendees in Canterlot even so much as make him flinch or shake. Rather, his stern presence makes others take notice. As he goes to sign up to enter the tournament, he actually finds comfort in this. "I care not for any gold or frivolous reward. I seek my own prize. However..." The stallion combs the crowd. "...It would make me feel better if there were other Japonies that decided to gather her beside me." He speaks to no one but himself. Finally he is able to enter and sign his name. He writes it down in their language: Samurai Equine.

I like cucumbers! Carrots are okay, lettuce, spinach, cabbage, broccoli, and asparagus are all good too. Even onion, peppers, and garlic are enjoyable when they are pared with something hearty, like the right kind of meat and stuff.

Not in high school, but in middle school I did! ...For less than half a semester, anyways. So many things went wrong. I missed the sign up day and ended up stuck with being a trombone player, the place was setting off my allergies something fierce (tears and all, and in middle school, kids won't stop giving you crap about that kind of thing!), and I was sitting next to a bully who kept stealing my sheet music and threatening me (this was the kind of bully who would sneak in pocket knives to school and was practically a juvenile criminal waiting to happen). Point is, I couldn't stand it there. It was a bit childish of me back then, but I was NOT going to go back to that. I wanted out, and I convinced the vise principal to set up a study hall period for me to go to instead. The best part is, it was held by my favorite teacher at the time! She had sweets, computers with games, and her lesson plans were always fun! ...These day, I do wonder about the road less traveled from time to time (not much though). I never got to be part of a band class, but it's probably for the better. I'd rather be part of a garage band, honestly. And maybe one day I'll learn to play an instrument of MY choice, on my own time of course. I might take guitar lessons some day, or maybe learn to play the shamisen...

Yes I have! It's happened with Cream too, in Sonic X and in some of the games (Sonic Heroes). I think that joke comes off a little better than Rouge's character type. But I think the reason we like these characters, despite any ecchiness or fanservice, is because most people in Japan challenges themselves to be thoroughly creative. They don't let a stereotype character stop them from developing their characters beyond just that. Otherwise Rouge wouldn't be the talented spy that she is, Amy wouldn't have made that tearful confession at the end of Sonic X season 1, etc.

My 2 top favorites are Davros and The Master, but not so much the 10th Doctor/Tennant version of The Master. He had his moments, but I felt like his defeat was a little... anticlimactic? Just felt like he deserved more. I also kind of like the Vashta Nerada, the Sontarans, and the upgraded Cybermen from the 11th Doctor/Matt Smith season (the ones that could walk at super speed).

Let's not forget that she is also a government spy, and she has impressive combat skills. She has a powerful kick attack that can rival just about any strength Knuckles can put behind his fists. Something about seeing a fanservice character makes most Sonic fans forget this, which is really sad. What's even more sad is that a lot of fans don't realize that she isn't really a "fanservice" character, she is just a sexy-type character, practically a stereotype. Her sexiness is meant to be played up for laughs, not to tantalize. I don't always understand the Japanese sense of comedy, and sometimes they don't always tell the joke correctly. But basically, when we see her, we're suppose to react "lol bewbs", not "Ooh! Bewbies! Me gusta."

I like the black cat from Trigun. ...I think it has flees. Good thing you crossed that out. Inuyahsa is a dog demon. Inu means dog.

You mean besides Sonic himself? Well, if it comes down to that, I'll choose Knuckles every time. And Blaze is a close second. HOWEVER! I think that deep down, all Sonic fans actually like Sonic himself, even if they don't realize it. He's the father of the franchise, the star of just about every game. When a new Sonic game comes out, do you really only play it for Tails, Shadow, Eggman/Robotnik, or whoever? When a cartoon is made, do you really only care about the side characters? It's almost like running into a brony/pegasister who says that they don't like Twilight or the Mane 6, only Derpy or some background pony. Yeah, they're great, but that's pretty sad if that's the only reason you watch the show. They might not even appear in the background! And you'd be missing out on something great. There is nothing wrong with liking the star or main characters. Other characters are great, but the fun and enjoyment is till there and felt by lots of people.

Wow... Lots of songs have made me tear up a time or two, and for different reasons. Some good, some bad. But off the top of my head, this one for sure... "The Moment" by Trans-Siberian Orchestra. And speaking of TSO, they also made another song that makes me tear up. I play it every Christmas because it really spells out the reason for the season. It's "Old City Bar". And I'm sure I'm forgetting TONS of others, but that's all I've got off the top of my head.

Sort of? I love Tokusatsu, and Dai Kaiju movies/shows are in a similar vein. But as far as Godzilla, I'm more of a casual viewer, but I prefer if it is something made by the Japanese company that owns it or if the American production team at least collaborated with them throughout the entire project.

Hmm... Name a few, name a few... Sonic the Hedgehog Doctor Who Various anime Tokusatsu (and Dai Kaiju to a lesser degree) Samurai movies and Japanese period pieces Lots of music And that's about all I can think of off the top of my head.

I'm awesome because I believe in myself! It's a little thing I call self-confidence. You should try it some time. *Get ready y'all! Inspirational speech mode has been activated!!!* I don't say this much online, but there is something I've been saying a lot of lately in real life: Live like a rock star. Live out loud. What does it mean to live out loud? What if you're NOT a rock star? Basically, the phrase means, do your best to live without regrets. Live life to the fullest every chance you get. There might be a lot of things in life that keep you from doing things, but don't let your own fears or doubts stop you from living life to the fullest. Don't stop yourself from being all that you can be. You wanna walk with stride and say Hello to every passing stranger you see? Then go for it! Wanna make some silly videos and put them on Youtube? Go ahead! Wanna travel the world and live it up for a while? Make it happen! Don't let the haters or anything get you down. Don't be a follower, be a leader. Carve out your own life style, and no matter how dumb or silly you might think it is, rock it out like it's the next greatest phenomenon that's going to take the world by storm!! As someone who use to be depressed and suicidal as a young teenager (grew out of it), I can gladly say it's never too late to start smiling, to believe in yourself, and realize that the future is always open and full of bright and wonderful possibilities just waiting for you to explore! If you think this world is over rated and there's nothing left to see or experience, trust me, you haven't seen anything yet. Living should be more than something you just do, it should be something you choose to do. And I think if you put your best foot forward, keep your head held high, and never stop believing in yourself no matter what, the world will be your friend. You'll be the trend setter, people will want to be your friend, and great things will come your way. So just own up to yourself and everything about you because, and I promise you this, the world has been waiting for you and it's glad you're finally here.

Hmm... Wow. What a topic! Well, there is nothing wrong with having standards, but I always want to tread lightly in that area, and I encourage others to do the same. Wouldn't want to keep yourself from finding your potential true love just because you're married to an unrealistic set of standards that you can't find in most people. That being said... I have a total weakness for ladies who wear ruby red lipstick. Match that up with the right kind of eye shadow and complimenting make up, and oh... Forget about it! I'm weak in the knees just thinking about it! I also think Asian women, especially women of Japanese decent, are some of the most attractive women in the world. Outside of that, most importantly of all, I'm really attracted to women who are just well rounded and have a great personality. Outside of having about the same morals as me, I like women who have strong character traits. Women who can be spontaneous one minute, but don't mind the small and humble things in life. Women who can work up a sweat in the gym or play a friendly sports game, but can also put on a dress or something fancy for an evening out. A woman who puts some pride into how she looks and how she lives, but is never stuck up or thinks she is better than everyone else. A woman who can be selfless and really nice, but strong and independent where it counts. Yes, if I can find a woman like that, than this will trump all other criteria. Because I don't want race or physical attractiveness to stop me from dating someone. I may have some standards, but more than anything, I want to see and appreciate my girlfriend/possible wife for who she really is deep inside. And if she isn't a beautiful, wonderful soul, then I'm not interested.