The Halloween night was dark and eerie. Amidst the blackness, a witch appeared, her silhouette standing tall against the moonlit sky. She was not like the other witches, shrouded in darkness and malice. No, this witch was different. As the clock struck twelve, she began to sway, her broomstick transforming into an electric guitar. With a flick of her wrist, she strummed the strings, filling the night air with a haunting melody.
The video released last month encourages Indian children to become friends with Kumamon and learn good habits from him such as trimming nails, washing hands, and wearing masks to "win over the pandemic," according to the lyrics of the song.
The video released last month encourages Indian children to become friends with Kumamon and learn good habits from him such as trimming nails, washing hands, and wearing masks to win over the pandemic, according to the lyrics of the song. LINES OF CREDIT OPEN Keep potential lines of credit open for financial emergencies and use our financing to help build your business credentials with any bank.
With a flick of her wrist, she strummed the strings, filling the night air with a haunting melody. The music echoed through the streets, captivating all who heard it. With every note, the witch's power grew stronger.
FEATURE: Japan mascot Kumamon teaches hygiene to Indian kids in dance video
Kumamon, the popular black bear-like mascot of southwestern Japan's Kumamoto Prefecture, is being used to teach hygiene to Indian children while dancing to a Hindi song in a video recently released by Japan's aid agency, in an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
The approximately four-minute video, a joint collaboration of the Japan International Cooperation Agency and the Kumamoto prefectural government, shows the famous mascot washing his hands before having "chai" tea at an Indian restaurant, with Indian performers and children dancing to local music played in the background.
Photo from a YouTube video shows Kumamon (C) dancing with Indian performers to a Hindi song. (Photo courtesy of JICA)(Kyodo)
The video released last month encourages Indian children to become friends with Kumamon and learn good habits from him such as trimming nails, washing hands, and wearing masks to "win over the pandemic," according to the lyrics of the song.
It was shot in Japan and India and has been uploaded on JICA's official YouTube channel. A shorter version lasting about one minute has earned around 5,000 views so far.
The project is a part of JICA's "Achhi Aadat" (good habits) campaign launched in January this year in India, with the aim of raising awareness about the importance of hygiene practices to prevent the spread of coronavirus infections and other diseases.
Photo from a YouTube video shows footage of an Indian boy watching the Kumamon dance video on a smartphone. (Photo courtesy of JICA)(Kyodo)
The one-year campaign has been implemented in partnership with Japanese companies and local nonprofit organizations in India.
"We hope that Kumamon will play a significant role in inspiring children and the youth in India to enjoy learning hygienic practices," JICA Senior Vice President Keiichiro Nakazawa said at a ceremony held at the Indian Embassy in Tokyo to officially launch the video in late November. Kumamon also attended the event.
Welcoming the move, Indian Ambassador to Japan Sanjay Kumar Verma told Kyodo News that JICA's campaign adds value to New Delhi's "Clean India Campaign" covering the streets, roads and infrastructure of the country commenced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014.
The video disseminates "information on good hygiene in an interesting way using the famous Japanese character Kumamon," the envoy added.
A Kumamoto prefectural government official said, "We hope Kumamon's video stirs Indian children's interest in our prefecture and Japan."
Japanese mascot Kumamon, Indian Ambassador Sanjay Kumar Verma (2nd from L), Japan International Cooperation Agency's Senior Vice President Keiichiro Nakazawa (3rd from L), Kumamoto Gov. Ikuo Kabashima on the screen and others pose for a photo at a ceremony held at the Indian Embassy in Tokyo on Nov. 26, 2021. (Photo courtesy of JICA)(Kyodo)
In the video, Kumamon also dances in front of the famous Kumamoto Castle to the lyrics that say he will have to "visit India to eat a local delicacy" and meet his Indian friends. A JICA official said the organization will aim to help Kumamon take a trip to India.
In Japan, mascots like Kumamon are collectively known as "yurukyara," which literally translates as "loose characters." Their laid-back attitudes garner them followers who help them promote their regions and businesses in Japan.
Kumamon was initially created in March 2010 to promote Kumamoto ahead of the launch of the Kyushu shinkansen bullet train service the following year. Since then it gained popularity in Japan as well as in other parts of Asia.
Sales of products bearing the mascot's image reached 169.8 billion yen ($1.5 billion) in 2020, hitting a record high for the ninth consecutive year, according to the local government.
Last year's sales were up 11.9 billion yen from the previous year, boosted by goods such as masks and face covers amid the pandemic, it said.
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She became an embodiment of mischief, her magic amplifying through the vibrations of her guitar riffs. People were drawn to her, unable to resist the entrancing music. Her cackles merged with the chords, creating a symphony of wicked joy. The town was transformed into a witch's haven, as everyone danced and laughed under her spell. It was a Halloween night unlike any other, where darkness and celebration intertwined. The witch continued to rock on, her energy electrifying the souls of all who witnessed her performance. She became a symbol of liberation and rebellion, challenging the stereotypes and expectations typically associated with her kind. As dawn approached, the witch's guitar began to fade, returning to its original form. The spell was broken, and the townspeople dispersed, their souls forever touched by the witch's magical music. The witch, now just an ordinary woman, smiled as the sun's rays illuminated her face. She had created a night of pure magic, reminding everyone that even in the darkest times, there is always a spark of light. She had shown that witches could embrace their uniqueness and make their own mark on Halloween. From that day forward, the witch became a legend, her tale passed down through generations. Every Halloween, the town would remember the witch who rocked on that fateful night, and they would dance and sing in her honor. And so, the witch's legacy lived on, reminding all that with a little bit of music and a lot of conviction, one can create their own magic..
Reviews for "Witch-inspired fashion: Rocking the spooky vibe on Halloween night"
1) John - 1 star - I was really disappointed with "Witch rocking on Halloween night". The storyline was weak and predictable, and the characters were one-dimensional. The animation was also subpar and lacked the detail and vibrancy that I expected. Overall, it felt like a rushed and poorly executed production. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for a captivating Halloween film.
2) Sarah - 2 stars - While "Witch rocking on Halloween night" had potential, it fell short in many aspects. The plot felt disjointed and lacked coherence, making it difficult to fully understand and engage with the story. The animation style was also not to my liking, as it appeared outdated and didn't capture the magical essence of Halloween. I believe there are better options out there for those seeking an enjoyable Halloween movie experience.
3) Michael - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "Witch rocking on Halloween night", but unfortunately, it didn't meet my expectations. The character development was lacking, with most of them being stereotypical and uninteresting. The humor also fell flat, as the jokes felt forced and didn't elicit any genuine laughs. Additionally, the pacing of the film was off, making it feel tedious at times. Overall, I found it to be a forgettable and underwhelming Halloween movie choice.
4) Emma - 1 star - "Witch rocking on Halloween night" was a complete letdown for me. The music and songs, which should have been a highlight of the film, were forgettable and uninspiring. The plot lacked originality and failed to hold my attention, feeling like a recycled version of other Halloween-themed movies. The animation quality was also subpar compared to other contemporary animated films. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this movie, as it simply didn't deliver the magic and excitement I was hoping for on Halloween night.