Anime Cel:: Hokuto No Ken TV Production Cel x 2 US $7.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Aug-28-2008 3:03:11 PDT

Good Smile Fumiko O.V. 1/8 Scale PVC Figure US $59.99 (1 Bid) End Date: Thursday Aug-28-2008 3:03:36 PDT

CARD CAPTOR SAKURA CCS Clow Card TV Series Art Book US $14.99 End Date: Thursday Aug-28-2008 3:04:24 PDT

Sekiguchi Dick Buran Miffy Friend SS Plush 14cm Lion US $9.99 End Date: Thursday Aug-28-2008 3:04:25 PDT

Sony Fun Collection 26cm Plush Toro Cat School Bag Blk US $18.88 End Date: Thursday Aug-28-2008 3:04:51 PDT

AMAENAIDEYO SEXY HOT SPRING SHOWER 6 PC TRADING FIGURE US $9.95 End Date: Thursday Aug-28-2008 3:05:05 PDT

141 pcs of TOKYO MEW MEW stickers B US $0.01 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Aug-28-2008 3:06:19 PDT

SHUNYA YAMASHITA SHOUKO SAN PVC SEXY GIRL FIGURE BLACK US $16.95 End Date: Thursday Aug-28-2008 3:09:34 PDT

YAMADAYA SEXY TENSHI SAN STAND ANGEL 1/6 PVC FIGURES WH US $23.95 End Date: Thursday Aug-28-2008 3:09:35 PDT

CAPCOM FIGHTING JAM 1 Alex ANIME MANGA FIGURE US $0.01 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Aug-28-2008 3:09:44 PDT

Rare Cool Cosplay Death Note RYUK Skull Head Belt Chain US $2.56 End Date: Thursday Aug-28-2008 3:10:13 PDT

Lovely! Japanese Gloomy Bear Grey Coin Bag Purse Wallet US $3.42 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Aug-28-2008 3:10:13 PDT

Anime Cel: Nadia TV Production Cel x 2 US $7.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Aug-28-2008 3:12:02 PDT

16" Rare Gray Hayao Miyazaki Totoro Figure Plush Chibi US $8.46 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Aug-28-2008 3:13:03 PDT

++Vampire Knight Gelpen set mint official product promo US $9.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Aug-28-2008 3:14:23 PDT

Vampire Knight Rose Cross hand towel Matsuri Hino japan US $8.90 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Aug-28-2008 3:15:03 PDT

Love Benevolence Rabbit Keychain Toy Keyring Set 10pc US $6.84 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Aug-28-2008 3:15:55 PDT

CHAX COLONY 10" GLOOMY BEAR PLUSH RED Christmas Ver. US $9.95 End Date: Thursday Aug-28-2008 3:16:42 PDT

My Neighbor Totoro Ghibli Musical Plush Ornament #B US $5.13 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Aug-28-2008 3:17:19 PDT

Grendizer (Mazinger) 13 DVD Spanish 2 BOXSET Deluxe US $65.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Aug-28-2008 3:17:33 PDT

Moomin Snorkmaiden Multi-function Hand Bag Zip Case NIB US $18.49 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Aug-28-2008 3:17:49 PDT

KATEKYO Hitman Reborn Japan Anime GOKUDERA Keychain A US $2.99 End Date: Thursday Aug-28-2008 3:18:14 PDT

Mazinger Z, Great Mazinger, Grendizer + gifts 38 dvds ! US $168.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Aug-28-2008 3:18:19 PDT

Nintendo Mario Bros Yoshi Plush Slipper Doll NDS LIte US $3.88 End Date: Thursday Aug-28-2008 3:19:57 PDT

Cosplay Costume Bleach Anime Urahara Kisuke Hat Cap US $3.42 End Date: Thursday Aug-28-2008 3:20:25 PDT

Japan Amine DEATH NOTE Yagami Light 10CM Figure#30 US $0.85 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Aug-28-2008 3:22:20 PDT

Super Mario Bros M & L RARE 10" Plush Slippers SL25 US $0.01 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Aug-28-2008 3:26:19 PDT

CARD CAPTOR SAKURA CCS Anime Official Memorial Art Book US $24.99 End Date: Thursday Aug-28-2008 3:31:11 PDT

Love Benevolence Rabbit Keychain Toy Keyring Set 10pc US $6.84 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Aug-28-2008 3:32:23 PDT

Pokemon Pikachu 12" Plush Toy Stuffed Figure Doll XY19 US $0.01 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Aug-28-2008 3:33:56 PDT

16" Rare Gray Hayao Miyazaki Totoro Figure Plush Chibi US $8.46 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Aug-28-2008 3:36:00 PDT

Japan Hot Anime Death Note (7pcs) Figure #332 US $0.85 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Aug-28-2008 3:36:16 PDT

XENOSAGA EP 3 KOS-MOS Gashapon SHION Swimsuit Normal US $2.95 End Date: Thursday Aug-28-2008 3:36:42 PDT

Bandai Naruto Gashapon figure ultimate 3 Part 7 of 6 US $9.38 End Date: Thursday Aug-28-2008 3:39:12 PDT

WINX CLUB 3D Child WristWatch Strap Watch FREE SHIPPING US $2.56 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Aug-28-2008 3:40:13 PDT

High Quality Metal Doraemon Keychain Keyring Set Gift US $0.01 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Aug-28-2008 3:40:22 PDT

Bastard Novel & Ecchi Pin-up #1 Kazushi Hagiwara OOP US $11.99 End Date: Thursday Aug-28-2008 3:40:30 PDT

MANGA Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Watanagashi-hen #1 NEW US $9.99 End Date: Thursday Aug-28-2008 3:40:35 PDT

Chi's Sweet Home Mousepad Mouse Pad Mat US $5.99 (1 Bid) End Date: Thursday Aug-28-2008 3:42:47 PDT

XENOSAGA EP 3 KOS-MOS Gashapon M.O.M.O. Figure Special US $2.95 End Date: Thursday Aug-28-2008 3:44:06 PDT

NARUTO Leaf Village Symbol Deluxe Leather WristWatch W3 US $4.27 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Aug-28-2008 3:44:21 PDT

Set of 5 Japan NARUTO Anime Action Figures Figurine HOT US $4.88 End Date: Thursday Aug-28-2008 3:45:05 PDT

CARD CAPTOR SAKURA CCS Animated MOVIE Complete Art Book US $24.99 End Date: Thursday Aug-28-2008 3:47:37 PDT

NEW Detective Conan Anime Shinichi Kudou WristWatch W31 US $5.13 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Aug-28-2008 3:54:15 PDT

MANGA Tales of Symphonia #4 (Hitoshi Ichimura) 100% NEW US $8.99 End Date: Thursday Aug-28-2008 4:00:31 PDT

Deluxe Fate Stay Night Anime Saber Metal Pocket Watch US $5.98 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Aug-28-2008 4:00:41 PDT

MANGA Tales of Symphonia Extra Load 100% BRAND NEW US $8.99 End Date: Thursday Aug-28-2008 4:01:32 PDT

HOT!! Japan Amine DEATH NOTE Misa figure #33 US $0.85 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Aug-28-2008 4:02:21 PDT

CAPCOM RACING QUEENS Morrigan ANIME MANGA FIGURE US $0.01 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Aug-28-2008 4:02:21 PDT

MANGA Tales of The Abyss #4 Dengeki Maoh 100% BRAND NEW US $8.99 End Date: Thursday Aug-28-2008 4:02:52 PDT

Buddhism isn’t just about meditation and denying self-gratification to attain a higher state of being. When I was bute a chylde, I visited a Buddhist Hell Theme Park in Thailand. Fun for the whole family: sculptures depicting tongues being torn out, lots of spikes and bodies on said spikes, and certainly heaping amounts of simulated fire and brimstone that would make other religions’ demons feel inadequate.

With great joy, my wife and I visited Higashiosaka (click to teleport), the first Buddhist Hell Theme Park in Second Life — the first I’ve ever seen, and likely the first there ever will be. Filled to the prim (pun intended) with scampering souls, corpse-crushing demons, and good ol’ Saṃghāta, that mountain that keeps squashing the sinners.

If it isn’t obvious, we had a rollicking, remarkable time. The quality of the build is superb, surrounded by metropolitan buildings out of a Godzilla movie (several demons stood watch), and centered by a pointy temple protruding out of the earth. Around the temple, sculpted little people with crudely-drawn faces and pubic hair ran around in circles, flailing, feeling ever-so-hopeless. And surprisingly animated. See Ravenelle’s video for an in-motion adventure:

While you can’t hear it in the vid, a pleasant and/or bone-chilling soundtrack of guttural screams surrounded the whole work, while skeletal hands out of an Iron Maiden album cover intermingled with firetongues. Those who aren’t so rapt on their history will also draw comparisons to certain World of Warcraft or Lord of the Rings creatures. Goes to show how creative human imaginations have always been!

There was so much to see and do here, and I really appreciate extra attention to detail like the flaming rocks coming down from the sky, the birds circling the temple’s top, the lightning bolts which (among other things) were reminiscent of the Peacock King trailer I saw the other day (wifey and I have been watching various Wuxia films), etc. They all add up for a cohesive, powerful place well-worth visiting. All in all, terribly rich, and enhanced by custom environment settings.

And now when my not-yet-Resi friends ask, “What can I see in Second Life?” I can point them here, which might be kinda edgy for the Showcase but worth the visit all the same, and it’s especially meaningful if your cultural background is attuned to the relevance of… BUDDHIST HELL! MUHAHAHA.

The only downside? Not knowing who to thank for this experience epic, and why they made it. I didn’t see any advertising, and the main builder’s profile was empty… empty! Seems like they’re of Japanese origin, tho. I’m curious, so if you know, fill me in.

Wikipedia has more info on Naraka and hells in Buddhism, and you can’t go wrong with Flickr pictures either (WARNING: NOT FOR SQUEAMISH).

Video courtesy of my gorgeous wife, the exquisite Ravenelle Zugzwang
 

I love experiencing exceptional stuff in Second Life, and this is an exception among exceptions! Disclosure: I’m beta-testing Damien Fate’s newest creations, the Loco Pocos, which effectively translates to “Crazy Tinies” from Spanish. What a catchy name, and a nice guy: he graciously gave my wife and me a tour of the forthcoming Loco Pocos Island, and you can learn more at the Loco Pocos website.

So why I am I gushing so much over these beautiful creatures? Simply put, they excel on many levels: I’ve known many SL products which were great in some ways, but felt like they were missing quality in others, and would benefit from a collaboration or further development on the part of the maker. For example, a well-crafted club which lacks event hosts so it’s always empty, or a brilliantly-scripted device which looks like crap. (What I say: can’t do it yourself? Team up with a friend… or friend-to-be!)

When evaluating Loco Pocos, let’s start with the base judgement of an avatar: how they look. In two words, they’re fantastic. Sculpted for maximum adorability and loaded with potential personality you can infuse more fun into, it’s hard to gaze at them for longer than a few seconds without going, “Awww!”

Loco Pocos are severely easy-to-use and come in different animal varieties: the Heads-Up Display allows you to easily customize your accessories, which is going to be mighty handy for both (1) newcomers and (2) non-English speakers. Damien even went to great lengths to translate the manual into 7 languages (incl. English), but the HUD itself is primarily visual and works across any tongue. You can even click a part of your body to show its options on the HUD, and wearing an accessory will also bring up the relevant palette. Soon enough, I had gone watermelon (as I’m expected to).

Next! Within seconds, I was clicking the HUD to activate my body animations. I used to lament why Second Life was missing the particle-enhanced gestural fun that There has, and there’ve been scant leaps forward over the years, but the Loco Pocos package makes animations so simple and rewarding to use: again, just click the HUD to make your Loco Poco emote. From a good belly laugh to bawling your eyes out to Zzzing lazily on the ground, there’s a fine assortment. And there are both facial and full-body animations.

Loco Pocos also make sound when emoting, and there’s currently a basic male/female selection. Damien’s planning to do more voice packs, and that’s got me intrigued. (Since I’m an aspiring voice actor.)

In a move that’d make Popeil proud, BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE! Loco Pocos have a story. That’s right, Damien put a lot of thinking into crafting a plot, and Loco Pocos Island will include not just a store (with more accessories), but games to play in mini-modular worlds, too. I tried 3, and while I can’t reveal the surprises, each had a different mode of play and was reminiscent of 3D action platformers. One of them did heavily engage our powers of observation, and the end result led to more curiosity — always a good thing if you want your audience to engage the product.

That being said, it looks like the Loco Pocos marketing is similarly awesome. On top of all the preceding elements, how is anyone going to enjoy your creation if they don’t know about it? The packages in the store were well-designed and evoke memories of the cartoony fun I had in Taco years ago. I hope word-of-mouth spreads massively here; it really deserves to, like how it benefited the spread of the earliest tiny culture.

Tiny culture is an abundantly cute part of Second Life, but it’s also overflowing with innovation. From Wynx Whiplash & ExtroVirtual’s initial accomplishments, to the advanced Japanese refinements of form, to these Loco Pocos — there’s a lot to celebrate!

^ Oh, and that points to why I hope fantabulous machinima is made with them. My wife remarked, “They look so 3D!”, referring to my post-processing having brought out the cyber-natural sheen of the Loco Pocos such that they could be in a Pixar film. Sculpted prims are really suited for these curvy, plush avatar bodies, and I’m eager to see what creations come in kind.