Bentley Arnage, Technology Frontier

Bentley Motors continues the intensive development of its flagship Arnage range with the introduction of a major program enhancements for powertrain and chassis Model Year 2007. The famous V8 engine Arnage 6.75 liters now grown up to 500bhp and mated to a six-speed automatic transmission performance advantage, driving dynamics and refinement. Changes in the powertrain equipped with a smooth exterior, interior and under-bonnet design cues.

The key to improving performance is the most powerful version of Bentley's legendary V8 engine ever built at the company headquarters in Crewe, England. In the model of performance-oriented Arnage T, a twin-turbocharged V8 engine produces 500bhp revised surprising and 1000Nm torque - 11percent increase in power and torque increase of 14 percent on top models come out. Twins with the latest ZF six-speed transmission automatic, which uses state-of management of computer-the-art, performance and refinement are optimized at all speeds. In the Arnage R and RL models the new engine driven from 400 to 450bhp, while torque rises from 835 to 875Nm.

500bhp Arnage is a true driver's car with much higher performance and provides a driving experience that is more useful. Improvement of refinement and comfort to 450bhp Arnage R are equally striking, while the long-wheelbase RL shares the same power output increases with the increase of the rear passenger cabin.

Bentley 6.75-liter V8 engine is the center of the development program of 2007 model Arnage. Extraordinary machine, the basic design which has served Bentley models proudly for nearly five decades, has been widely reengineered to provide, in Arnage T specification, 500bhp and 1000Nm torque - figures that ensure that the legendary Bentley wave of torque and even more amazing than ever. Top speed of the Arnage T has risen from 168mph/270km/h to 179mph/288km/h, while increasing the maximum speed 450bhp Arnage R and RL's with 13mph/21km/h to 168mph/270km/h.

When the first V8 engine was built in the1950s, the design brief unwittingly benefit of later generations of Bentley engineers. That is a very forward thinking design with all aluminum construction-, a five main-bearing crankshaft, and well-supported camshaft. Steps taken then laid the foundation for the longevity of the engine.

"People might raise an eyebrow when they were told that the V8 engine in 2007 Model Year Arnage they first used by Bentley in 1959," says Bentley Motors' Director, Powertrain and Chassis, Brian Gush. "But the reality is the basic design was so good that we have been able to continue to improve it for nearly 50 years.

"One of the reasons the engine has been developed with success is the position of the exhaust valves, high in the cylinder head, originally designed for rapid heat dissipation to help engine cooling. Decades later it meant that we could heat the catalytic converter because the shortest path from valves to catalysts , Which favors emissions. This is just one reason why this brilliant engine lives on today. "

The first 6.25-liter engine that produced around 200 horsepower - the new 2007 Model Year 6.75-liter V8 has more than twice that output, with 500bhp and torque 1000Nm to T. Arnage That is the introduction of turbocharging and intercooling in the early 1980s that saw step-change increase in the performance of a V8, and the latest engine program is no different. Two new low-inertia turbochargers operate with far greater efficiency at lower engine speeds - they reach maximum turbine speed in half the time of the previous unit - thereby ensuring significantly reduced turbo lag and extraordinary wave of torque at any revs.

In addition, reprofiled camshaft with an all-new system of roller tappet provides revised valve timing and substantially improved repair. These changes also provide for increased power, enhanced durability and ensure compliance with European EU IV and U.S. LEV II standards. Although the 6.75-liter engine 2007MY producing around 300 horsepower more than 1959 predecessor, fuel consumption is only 60 percent of the original and thanks to the sophisticated fuel injection and exhaust controls, its emissions output is an incredible 99 percent lower than Bentley's first V8.

2011 New Land Rover Defender, Symbol of Heritage 4X4

The Land Rover Defender has been voted 'Top Choice' reader 'at this year's Reader Awards front of more than 200 other vehicles. The Land Rover Defender 4x4 is a symbol of heritage and plays an important role in the lives of thousands of customers from all over the world who buy every single year.

Farmers, aid workers, NGOs and explorersall over the the world value Defender'sversatility ,extraordinary strength ,endurance and ability . The unique combination of these attributes helps account for very high-level model of customer loyalty.

Land Rover launches new 2011 Land Rover Defender X-Tech Limited Edition in Brussels Motorshow 2011. The Land Rover Defender X-Tech offers a raw and edgy style, with top-class all-terrain capability that you expect from the automotive icon.

Team Land Rover hard and quietly working on the project despite the time limit rather far, aiming to update the classic Defenders with the principles of modern design while maintaining simple, efficient brutal abilities intact. Unlike most current stablemates, the new Project Icon vehicles are expected to dodge out of aluminum for reliable and rugged steel chassis borrowed from the soon-to-be-replaced the Discovery and Range Rover Sport models, reports Autocar. News from the maturity date of 2013 comes from the report today by the Detroit Free Press.

Like its predecessor, Project Icon trucks will be made in the appropriate form factor with a variety of missions, and although it was originally built only in the UK, there is considered a plan to send it to China, Russia, India and elsewhere in the form of knock-down to the final assembly on the road .

Defender Upgrade to T5 will mean suspension chassis independent, hard or soft tops and a choice of steel or air spring depending on the application. Power will most likely come from the existing lineup of diesel engine company of four and six cylinder.

exterior is available in Zermatt Silver, Black finish enhanced with contrast Santorini to the roof and wheel arches. And, for the first time, the Defender is equipped with a unique gloss black 16 inch alloy wheels Saw Tooth, to create a sense of crude utilitarianism.

The interior is available in Ebony and the seat offers additional leather side bolsters, to resolve more subtle. The Land Rover Defender X-Tech is available in the Commercial Hard Top 90 derivatives, with various kinds of accessories are also available to enhance the ability and individuality.

Powered by 2.4 liter common-rail diesel, Defender offers fuel efficiency and performance with 360Nm of torque to be withdrawn easily and increase the-road performance.

According to the exterior color, interior is either black or black and tan and we discover with pleasure a leather steering wheel with contrasting stitching, body color center console, air conditioning, front storage box between the seats. ABS, ETC, trailer hitch are also part like the famous radio RDS CD with 2 speaker

The Land Rover Defender X-Tech Limited Edition will be sold from March 2011 starting from £ 24.995.

2011 Nissan LEAF Exclusively On Electric Power

Nissan LEAF is a tremendous accomplishment - one in which all Nissan employees can take great pride," said Nissan President and CEO Carlos Ghosn. "We have been working tirelessly to make this day a reality - the unveiling of a real-world car that has zero - not simply reduced - emissions. It's the first step in what is sure to be an exciting journey - for people all over the world, for Nissan and for the industry."

Key characteristics of the Nissan LEAF include:

Zero-emission power train and platform

• Affordable pricing
• Distinctive design
• Real-world range autonomy - 160km (100 miles)

The "LEAF" name is a significant statement about the car itself. Just as leaves purify the air in nature, so Nissan LEAF purifies mobility by taking emissions out of the driving experience. However, the company expects the car to be competitively priced in the range of a well-equipped C-segment vehicle. Additionally, Nissan LEAF is expected to qualify for an array of significant local, regional and national tax breaks and incentives in markets around the world. As an added benefit, because the vehicle has less mechanical complexity than a traditional gasoline-powered car, Nissan LEAF is designed to be friendly to the wallet as well as to the environment.

2011 Nissan Leaf is a pure electric car first offered for sale to the U.S. mass market. This 5-passenger, 4-door hatchback runs exclusively on electric power. The leaves come in two trim levels, base SV and uplevel SL. All use a 107-horsepower electric motor and lithium-ion battery. Nissan claims a maximum driving range of 100 miles. Leaves charging port can accommodate a 110-volt household outlet or 220-volt. It takes about 20 hours to charge from 110-volt outlet. Using a special station at home 220-volt charging, fully charged takes about 8 hours. SL models are available with port "quick charge" that can charge to 80 percent capacity in 30 minutes. The leaves come only with single-speed transmission that functions like automatic. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, front-side airbags, and curtain side airbags. A navigation system is standard on all. SL model has a rearview camera and a small roof mounted solar panels, which provide cost drip into 12-volt batteries that power accessory items, such as the climate system.

The engineers and designers behind Nissan LEAF worked to create a competitively priced real-world car that would enable Nissan to lead mobility into the zero-emission era. To ensure comfort, spaciousness and cargo capacity, Nissan LEAF employs a completely new chassis and body layout.

"Our car had to be the world's first, medium-size, practical EV that motorists could afford and would want to use every day. And that's what we've created. The styling will identify not only Nissan LEAF but also the owner as a participant in the new era of zero-emission mobility," said Masato INOUE, Product Chief Designer.

Nissan LEAF's frontal styling is characterized by a sharp, upright V-shaped design featuring long, up-slanting light-emitting diode (LED) headlights that employ a blue internal reflective design that announces, "This car is special." But the headlights do more than make a statement. They are also designed to cleverly split and redirect airflow away from the door mirrors, thus reducing wind noise and drag. And, the headlights provide yet one more benefit in that they consume just 10 percent of the electricity of conventional lamps, which helps Nissan LEAF to achieve its world-class range autonomy.

Through bright trim colors inside, Nissan LEAF creates a pleasing and stylish cabin environment. An environmentally friendly "blue earth" color theme originates from the Aqua Globe body color of Nissan LEAF's introductory model. This theme is carried into the interior through blue dashboard highlights and instrument illumination.

Zero-emission mobility programs under the banner of the Renault-Nissan Alliance include partnerships with countries such as the UK and Portugal, local governments in the Japan and the USA, and other sectors, for a total of nearly 30 partnerships worldwide.

In these partnerships major efforts focus on three areas:

* Development of a comprehensive charging infrastructure through public and private investment,

* Incentives and subsidies from local, regional, and national governments, and

* Public education on the individual and societal benefits of zero-emissions mobility.

2011 Chevrolet Camaro, Luxurious Car

2011 Camaro is a 2-door, 4-passenger sports car, or convertible sports car, available in 9 trims, ranging from the 2SS Coupe LS Conversion. After the introduction, the LS Coupe is equipped with a standard 3.6-liter,, engine 312-horsepower V6 that achieve 17-mpg in the city and 28-mpg on the highway. A 6-speed manual transmission with overdrive is standard, and 6-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is optional. The 2SS Convertible is equipped with a standard 6.2-liter,, engine 426-horsepower V8 that achieve 16-mpg in the city and 24-mpg on the highway. A 6-speed manual transmission with overdrive is standard.

2011 Camaro will come in ten colors. They are Ice Silver Metallic, White, Black, Rally Yellow, Victory Red, Jewel Tint Coat Red, Imperial Blue Metallic and Orange Metallic Inferno. There is also Aqua Blue Metallic and Cyber Gray Metallic colors to choose.

Wheel size and type for 2011 Camaro will be 18 inches by 7.5 inches for the LS steel, 18 inches front and 7.5-inch aluminum 19-inch by 8-inch rear aluminum for this LT. SS will have a 20 inch by 8 inch aluminum for the front and 20 inches with 9 inches to the rear aluminum. LS and LT will have all season tires and the SS will have the summer tires. wheelbase is 112.3 inches/2852mm.

The car will have an overall length 190.4 width 75.5 inches/4836mm inches/1918mm. Curb weight for the Camaro will be £ 3,750 for automatic LT, LT 3741 for manual, automatic LS £ 3,769 to £ 3,780 for the manual and LS. SS will have a curb weight of 3913 pounds to 3860 pounds for the automatic and manual. Luxurious interior and will accommodate two in front and two behind with 42.4 inches of legroom in front and 39.9-inch legroom in the rear. Shoulder room on the front 56.9 inches and 42.5 inches in the rear. Cargo space is 11.3 cubic feet with the fuel tank nineteen-gallon. The 3.6L will take 7.6 liters of oil and 6.2L will take 8.9 liters of oil.

All cars come with air bags, air conditioning, audio system, and 4-wheel anti lock, 4-wheel disc brakes, and center console with an auxiliary input jack, cruise control, daytime running lights, rear window defogger and programmable power locks with lockout protection. They also have duel stainless steel exhaust with polished tips, interior lighting and a front seat reading light, On Star, keyless entry, power steering with variable ratio, telescopic and manual rake steering column. There is also a tire monitoring system and power windows.

The electronic brake distribution and electronic traction control will give the driver complete control over the car on the road. The limited slip differential in the rear is another aspect of the Camaro that will make it handle the road better. With the added stability control, you will have a smooth ride with all the control you need when running at top speeds.

2011 Nissan March New Model

Nissan introduced a new global compact car in Geneva. In Europe, this car will replace the Micra, the popular entry-level car that we did not get here. This car is sold as March in Japan. This is the company's first model to be developed on the new V platform. What makes the special V light platform, which should translate to better performance and fuel economy of the current Micra / March.

One thing about Japanese society is where new cars are built. The Micra / March has been built at Nissan's Japanese factories since it was introduced, but this new car will be built at Nissan's factory in Thailand.

"No need to worry about it," said one person in the Nissan. "There are few cars sold here in Japan are made in Thailand, and no problems with them."

The new entry-level Nissan will be supported by a 95-bhp 1.2-liter inline-4 mated with CVT transmission. Because the car is expected to weigh around 2100 pounds, the new Micra / March should be relatively quick. The car will come in the form of 5-door hatchback, sedan version may come later.

Small rounded body design, fuel efficient, and various security features, Nissan March has everything what it needs from a city car. Especially easy to drive on narrow roads and looking for parking plus a smooth and comfortable control.

Models of stylish, easy to get people to see. Unique exterior design with a long wheelbase, the wheels look in every corner of the vehicle. It is also believed to participate to improve maneuverability.

In terms of comfort, given the European version in March and the parking space sensor measurement (PSM) recently with three skill levels (amateur, normal and cunning). A unique feature to overcome when parking in tight and this seems to be a popular innovation in Europe.

variants from Europe will get the derivative of the engine, designated HR12DDR. This is the Miller-cycle engine injection directly to the supercharger that automatically turned off at a lower speed to conserve fuel. The three cylinder 1.2-liter equipped with idling-stop system and is designed to emit ultra-low 95 g / km of CO2, while providing equivalent power to the engine 1.5-liter normally aspirated four-cylinder. jau-carmodification.blogspot.com

2011 Mitsubishi Pajero, New Appearance

Pajero is off right-roaders, and a legend in its own right. He received a massive overhaul for 2007, with all-new interior, and can have doors in both the three-or five-door body styles. From 2010, the powertrain option either 3.5-liter V6 mated to a 4-speed automatic or a 3.8-liter V6 engine mated to a 5-speed auto. ActiveTrac standard package includes four-wheel-drive with the rear wheels, a full-time all-wheel and 4WD high and low range with locked center differential.

Pajero short wheelbase three door holds five passengers, while the long-wheelbase model holds seven, with third row seats can be folded into a well in the cargo floor area, or removed entirely. Standard features include meters RV shows external temperature, time, date, compass, pressure, height and maintenance intervals. Also standard is a radio cassette player with 6 speakers, an automatic c /, dual front airbags, keyless entry, power windows and mirrors, and 16-inch alloy wheels. Model higher get 6-disc CD changer, fake wood interior trim, sunroof, front and rear automatic a / c, traction control, ABS with EBD, cruise control, cool box, leather seats and 17-inch wheels. Only top-level 3.8 models get side airbags as standard.

2011 Pajero 2.5 gets a new engine VG Turbo, which claimed more powerful and efficient. 4D56 diesel engine type 2,500 cc turbodiesel power spraying 178PS at 4,000 rpm and torque of 350 Nm at 1800-3500 rpm. Mitsubishi Motors Thailand claimed the most powerful engine in Thailand. In fact, this engine is more powerful than Pajero Sport which sold in Indonesia.

"In order to achieve high-efficiency cars and much more environmentally friendly, Mitsubishi Motors Corporation chose shrink the capacity of the machine. We stop the machine and concentrate on the 3200 cc 2,500 cc engine using advanced technology for Sport Pajero and Triton, "said Nobuyuki Murahashi, President MMTh.

For comparison engine Pajero Sport is sold in Indonesia, 4D56, DOHC, Common Rail turbocharged intercooler, 4-cylinder in line, 2,500 cc, 136 hp burst power and torque of 314 Nm.

jau-carmodification.blogspot.com

Pokémon

Pokémon (ポケモン, Pokemon^?, English pronunciation: /ˈpoʊkeɪmɑːn/, POH-kay-mahn) is a media franchise published and owned by the video game company Nintendo and created by Satoshi Tajiri in 1996. Originally released as a pair of interlinkable Game Boy role-playing video games, Pokémon has since become the second most successful and lucrative video game-based media franchise in the world, behind only Nintendo's own Mario series Pokémon properties have since been merchandised into anime, manga, trading cards, toys, books, and other media. The franchise celebrated its tenth anniversary in 2006, and as of 28 May 2010 (2010 -05-28)^[update], cumulative sales of the video games (including home console versions, such as the "Pikachu" Nintendo 64) have reached more than 200 million copies The name Pokémon is the romanized contraction of the Japanese brand Pocket Monsters (ポケットモンスター, Poketto Monsutā^?), as such contractions are quite common in Japan. The term "Pokémon", in addition to referring to the Pokémon franchise itself, also collectively refers to the 649 fictional species that have made appearances in Pokémon media as of the release of the Pokémon role-playing game (RPG) for the Nintendo DS, Pokémon Black and White. Like the words deer and sheep, the word "Pokémon" is identical in both the singular and plural, as is each individual species name; in short, it is grammatically correct to say both "one Pokémon" and "many Pokémon" as well as "one Pikachu" and "many Pikachu". In November 2005, 4Kids Entertainment, which had managed the non-game related licensing of Pokémon, announced that it had agreed not to renew the Pokémon representation agreement. Pokémon USA Inc. (now The Pokémon Company International), a subsidiary of Japan's Pokémon Co., now oversees all Pokémon licensing outside of Asia.

The Pokémon anime series and films are a meta-series of adventures separate from the canon that most of the Pokémon video games follow (with the exception of Pokémon Yellow, a game based loosely on the anime storyline). The anime follows the quest of the main character, Ash Ketchum^[22] (known as Satoshi in Japan) a Pokémon Master in training, as he and a small group of friends^[22] travel around the fictitious world of Pokémon along with their Pokémon partners. The original series, titled Pocket Monsters, or simply Pokémon in western countries (often referred to as Pokémon: Gotta Catch 'Em All to distinguish it from the later series), begins with Ash's first day as a Pokémon trainer. His first (and signature) Pokémon is a Pikachu, differing from the games, where only Bulbasaur, Charmander, or Squirtle could be chosen. The series follows the storyline of the original games, Pokémon Red and Blue, in the region of Kanto. Accompanying Ash on his journeys are Brock, the Pewter City Gym Leader, and Misty, the youngest of the Gym Leader sisters from Cerulean City. Pokémon: Adventures in the Orange Islands follows Ash's adventures in the Orange Islands, a place unique to the anime, and replaces Brock with Tracey Sketchit, an artist and "Pokémon watcher". The next series, based on the second generation of games, include Pokémon: Johto Journeys, Pokémon: Johto League Champions, and Pokémon: Master Quest, following the original trio of Ash, Brock, and Misty in the western Johto region.

The saga continues in Pokémon: Advanced Battle, based on the third generation games. Ash and company travel to Hoenn, a southern region in the Pokémon World. Ash takes on the role of a teacher and mentor for a novice Pokémon trainer named May. Her brother Max accompanies them, and though he isn't a trainer, he knows large amounts of handy information. Brock (from the original series) soon catches up with Ash, but Misty has returned to Cerulean City to tend to her duties as a gym leader (Misty, along with other recurring characters, appears in the spin-off series Pokémon Chronicles). The Advanced Battle series concludes with the Battle Frontier saga, based on the Emerald version and including aspects of FireRed and LeafGreen. The Advanced Generation series ended with Max leaving to pick his starter Pokémon, and May going to the Grand Festival in Johto.

In the Diamond and Pearl series, baded on the fourth generation games, Ash, Brock, and a new companion, an aspiring Pokémon coordinator named Dawn traveled through the region of Sinnoh. In the end of the series, Ash and Brock returned to their home region where Brock started to follow his newfound dream of becoming a Pokémon doctor himself.

Pokémon: Best Wishes!, based on the fifth generation games, Pokémon Black and White, is the newest installment of the Pokémon anime series currently being broadcast only in Japan. It features Ash and Pikachu traveling through the region of Isshu along two new companions, Iris and Dent. Both characters appear in the games as gym leaders, but so far, only Dent has been shown as one in the anime series.

In addition to the TV series, thirteen Pokémon films have been made, with a fourteenth film in the making. Collectible bonuses, such as promotional trading cards, have been available with some of the films.

Films

Given release dates are the original Japanese release dates.

1. Pokémon: The First Movie (1998)
2. Pokémon: The Movie 2000 (1999)
3. Pokémon 3: The Movie (2000)
4. Pokémon 4Ever (2001)
5. Pokémon Heroes (2002)
6. Pokémon: Jirachi Wish Maker (2003)
7. Pokémon: Destiny Deoxys (2004)
8. Pokémon: Lucario and the Mystery of Mew (2005)
9. Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea (2006)
10. Pokémon: The Rise of Darkrai (2007)
11. Pokémon: Giratina and the Sky Warrior (2008)
12. Pokémon: Arceus and the Jewel of Life (2009)
13. Pokémon: Zoroark: Master of Illusions (2010)
14. Pocket Monsters Best Wishes: Victini and the Black Hero: Zekrom (2011)

Soundtracks

There have been several Pokémon CDs that have been released in North America, most of them in conjunction with the theatrical releases of the first three Pokémon films. These releases were commonplace until late 2001. On March 27, 2007, a tenth anniversary CD was released containing 18 tracks from the English dub; this was the first English-language release in over five years. Soundtracks of the Pokémon feature films have been released in Japan each year in conjunction with the theatrical releases.

Year	Title
June 29, 1999	Pokémon 2.B.A. Master
November 9, 1999	Pokémon: The First Movie
February 8, 2000	Pokémon World
May 9, 2000	Pokémon: The First Movie Original Motion Picture Score
July 18, 2000	Pokémon: The Movie 2000
2000	Pokémon: The Movie 2000 Original Motion Picture Score
January 23, 2001	Totally Pokémon
April 3, 2001	Pokémon 3: The Ultimate Soundtrack
October 9, 2001	Pokémon Christmas Bash
March 27, 2007	Pokémon X

Pokémon Trading Card Game

Main article: Pokémon Trading Card Game

Palkia, the Spacial Pokémon Trading Card Game card from Pokémon TCG Diamond and Pearl

The Pokémon Trading Card Game is a collectible card game with a goal similar to a Pokémon battle in the video game series. Players use Pokémon cards, with individual strengths and weaknesses, in an attempt to defeat their opponent by "knocking out" his or her Pokémon cards. The game was first published in North America by Wizards of the Coast in 1999. However, with the release of Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire Game Boy Advance video games, The Pokémon Company took back the card game from Wizards of the Coast and started publishing the cards themselves. The Expedition expansion introduced the Pokémon-e Trading Card Game, where the cards (for the most part) were compatible with the Nintendo e-Reader. Nintendo discontinued its production of e-Reader compatible cards with the release of EX FireRed & LeafGreen. In 1998, Nintendo released a Game Boy Color version of the trading card game in Japan; Pokémon Trading Card Game was subsequently released to the US and Europe in 2000. The game included digital versions cards from the original set of cards and the first two expansions (Jungle and Fossil), as well as several cards exclusive to the game. A Japan-exclusive sequel was released in 2001.

Manga

Main article: Pokémon (manga)

There are various Pokémon manga series, four of which were released in English by Viz Media, and seven of them released in English by Chuang Yi. The manga differs greatly from the video games and cartoons in that the trainers, though frowned upon, were able to kill the opponent's Pokémon.

Manga released in English

• The Electric Tale of Pikachu (a.k.a Dengeki Pikachu), a shōnen manga created by Toshihiro Ono. It was divided into four tankōbon, each given a separate title in the North American and English Singapore versions: The Electric Tale of Pikachu, Pikachu Shocks Back, Electric Pikachu Boogaloo, and Surf’s Up, Pikachu. The series is based loosely on the anime.
• Pokémon Adventures (Pocket Monsters SPECIAL in Japan), a shōnen manga based on the video games.
• Magical Pokémon Journey (a.k.a. Pocket Monsters PiPiPi ★ Adventures), a shōjo manga
• Pikachu Meets the Press (newspaper style comics, not released by Chuang Yi)
• Ash & Pikachu (a.k.a. Satoshi to Pikachu, not released by Viz)
• Pokémon Gold & Silver (not released by Viz)
• Pokémon Ruby-Sapphire and Pokémon Pocket Monsters (not released by Viz)
• Pokémon: Jirachi Wish Maker (not released by Viz)
• Pokémon: Destiny Deoxys (not released by Viz)
• Pokémon: Lucario and the Mystery of Mew (the third movie-to-comic adaptation)
• Pokémon Diamond and Pearl Adventure!

Manga not released in English

• Pokémon Card ni Natta Wake (How I Became a Pokémon Card) by Kagemaru Himeno, an artist for the TCG. There are six volumes and each includes a special promotional card. The stories tell the tales of the art behind some of Himeno’s cards.
• Pokémon Get aa ze! by Miho Asada
• Pocket Monsters Chamo-Chamo ★ Pretty ♪ by Yumi Tsukirino, who also made Magical Pokémon Journey.
• Pokémon Card Master
• Pocket Monsters Emerald Chōsen!! Battle Frontier by Ihara Shigekatsu
• Pocket Monsters Zensho by Satomi Nakamura

Criticism and controversy

Morality

Pokémon has been criticized by some Christians, Jews, and Muslims. Christian concerns over Pokémon have primarily addressed perceived occult and violent themes as well as the concept of "Pokémon evolution" (which some relate to the theory of evolution), which is said to go against the Biblical creation account in Genesis, which the majority of Japanese, not adhering to Christianity, do not believe in. The Vatican, however, has countered that the Pokémon trading card game and video games are "full of inventive imagination" and have no "harmful moral side effects". In the United Kingdom, the "Christian Power Cards" game was introduced in 1999 by David Tate who stated, "Some people aren't happy with Pokémon and want an alternative, others just want Christian games." The game was similar to the Pokémon TCG but used Biblical figures. In 1999, Nintendo stopped manufacturing the Japanese version of the "Koga's Ninja Trick" trading card because it depicted a clockwise manji. The Jewish civil rights group Anti-Defamation League complained because the symbol is the reverse of a swastika, which is considered offensive to Jewish people. The cards were intended for sale in Japan, but the popularity of Pokémon led to importation in to the United States with approval from Nintendo. The Anti-Defamation League understood that the issue symbol was not intended to offend and acknowledged the sensitivity Nintendo that showed by removing the product. In 2001, Saudi Arabia banned Pokémon games and cards, alleging that the franchise promoted Zionism in violation of Muslim doctrine. Pokémon has been accused of promoting materialism. In 1999, two nine-year-old boys sued Nintendo because they claimed the Pokémon Trading Card Game caused their problematic gambling.

Health

Main article: Dennō Senshi Porygon

On December 16, 1997, more than 635 Japanese children were admitted to hospitals with epileptic seizures. It was determined the seizures were caused by watching an episode of Pokémon "Dennō Senshi Porygon", (most commonly translated "Electric Soldier Porygon", season 1, episode 38); as a result, this episode has not been aired since. In this particular episode, there were bright explosions with rapidly alternating blue and red color patterns. It was determined in subsequent research that these strobing light effects cause some individuals to have epileptic seizures, even if the person had no previous history of epilepsy. This incident is the most common focus of Pokémon-related parodies in other media, and was lampooned by The Simpsons episode "Thirty Minutes over Tokyo" and the South Park episode "Chinpokomon", among others.

Monster in My Pocket

In March 2000, Morrison Entertainment Group, a small toy developer based at Manhattan Beach, California, sued Nintendo over claims that Pokémon infringed on its own "Monster in My Pocket" characters. A judge ruled there was no infringement so Morrison appealed the ruling in November 2001.

Cultural influence

Pokémon, being a popular franchise, has undoubtedly left its mark on pop culture. The Pokémon characters themselves have become pop culture icons; examples include two different Pikachu balloons in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Pokémon Jets operated by All Nippon Airways, thousands of merchandise items, and a theme park in Nagoya, Japan in 2005 and Taipei in 2006. Pokémon also appeared on the cover of the U.S. magazine Time in 1999. The Comedy Central show Drawn Together has a character named Ling-Ling which is a direct parody of Pikachu. Several other shows such as ReBoot, The Simpsons, South Park, The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy, Robot Chicken,All Grown Up! and Johnny Test have made references and spoofs of Pokémon, among other series. Pokémon was also featured on VH1's I Love the '90s: Part Deux. A live action show called Pokémon Live! toured the United States in late 2000. It was based on the popular Pokémon anime, but had some continuity errors relating to it. Jim Butcher cites Pokémon as one of the inspirations for the Codex Alera series of novels.

In November 2001, Nintendo opened a store called the Pokémon Center in New York, in New York's Rockefeller Center, modeled after the two other Pokémon Center stores in Tokyo and Osaka and named after a staple of the videogame series; Pokémon Centers are fictional buildings where Trainers take their injured Pokémon to be healed after combat. The store sold Pokémon merchandise on a total of two floors, with items ranging from collectible shirts to stuffed Pokémon plushies. The store also featured a Pokémon Distributing Machine in which players would place their game to receive an egg of a Pokémon that is being given out at that time. The store also had tables that were open for players of the Pokémon Trading Card Game to duel each other or an employee. The store was closed and replaced by the Nintendo World Store on May 14, 2005.

Joseph Jay Tobin theorizes that the success of the franchise was mainly due to the long list of names that could be learned by children and repeated in their peer groups. The rich fictional universe provided a lot of opportunities for discussion and demonstration of knowledge in front of their peers. In the French version Nintendo took care to translate the name of the creatures so that they reflected the French culture and language. In all cases the names of the creatures were linked to its characteristics, which converged with the children's belief that names have symbolic power. Children could pick their favourite Pokémon and affirm their individuality while at the same time affirming their conformance to the values of the group, and they could distinguish themselves from other kids by asserting what they liked and what they didn't like from every chapter. Pokémon gained popularity because it provided a sense of identity to a wide variety of children, and lost it quickly when many of those children found that the identity groups were too big and searched for identities that would distinguish them into smaller groups.

In December 2009, a "Pokémon profile picture month" on popular social networking website Facebook started, with over 100,000 (by some estimates) Facebook users changing the image displayed on their profile webpages to that of a favorite Pokémon. In 2010, more than 252,000 people replied as "attending", or taking part in, the event, at least double the previous year.

Pokémon's history has been marked at times by rivalry with the Digimon media franchise that debuted at a similar time. Described as "the other 'mon'" by IGN's Juan Castro, Digimon has not enjoyed Pokémon's level of international popularity or success, but has maintained a dedicated fanbase. IGN's Lucas M. Thomas stated that Pokémon is Digimon's "constant competition and comparison", attributing the former's relative success to the simplicity of its evolution mechanic as opposed to Digivolution. The two have been noted for conceptual and stylistic similarities by sources such as GameZone. A debate among fans exists over which of the two franchises came first. In actuality, the first Pokémon media, Pokémon Red and Green, were released initially on February 27, 1996; whereas the Digimon virtual pet was released on June 26, 1997.

See also

Pokémon portal

Pokémon general

• List of Pokémon
• List of Pokémon characters
• Pokémon regions

Books

• Pokémon (manga)
• List of Pokémon chapters

Games

• Gameplay of Pokémon
• List of Pokémon video games
• Pokémon (video game series)

Television

• Pokémon episodes removed from rotation
• List of Pokémon episodes
• Pokémon (anime)

References

Books

• Tobin, Joseph, ed. Pikachu's Global Adventure: The Rise and Fall of Pokémon. Duke University Press., February, 2004. ISBN 0-8223-3287-6

Notes

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