Fri Aug 21 10:33:13 EDT 2009

you learn new things every day

"Gohou Shoujo Sowaka-chan Explained"

One of the first popular Vocaloid videos, c. 2007, was a poorly drawn anime OP, as featured in the Chibu Miku-san comics. The reason it was popular was not for the artwork or the music but because it was full of esoteric Buddhist references which no Westerner has ever successfully explained. The title was Gohou Shoujo Sowaka-chan (護法少女ソワカちゃん), which is a humorous reference to “mahou shoujo” but literally means Apologia Girl Svāhā, svāhā being Sanskrit for “Hail!”, which I will tone down a little to Apologist Girl Sowaka-chan.

This is your first chance to stop reading this article.

[...]

what is this I don't even

As you can clearly see here, she is reciting the mantra of love in the siddham script. The fact that there are eight Sowaka-chans in a ring references the eight bodhisatvas that surround eternal Buddhas in Shingon.

Thank you, internet. I'll never be the same.

But wait, there's more!

NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwire - August 12, 2009) - Dennis Haskins, A.K.A. "Mr. Belding" from the popular television series "Saved By The Bell," is set to release a one-of-a-kind, first ever celebrity CD/DVD karaoke package on September 1, 2009 titled "Karaoke With Your Favorite Principal Dennis Haskins A.K.A. 'Mr. Belding.'"

This CD/DVD combo package contains an audio CD with 7 karaoke songs. The purchaser can choose to sing along with Dennis, or sing solo to the additional instrumental tracks.

Haskins says, "I love to sing and have been doing karaoke for the past six years. Karaoke is about having fun and I hope everyone will have fun singing along with me or on their own with our karaoke CD/DVD!"

Apparently this is a real thing that actually exists. (via) That's great. Just... awesome.


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