Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on January 2013

QUESTIONING DUFFY

Regarding “Up The Duff” (The Last Word, Dec 7): I was really hoping for a lot more about Duffy. Why was he brought to prominence instead of a pre-existing Disney character? Who came up with the idea of Duffy? How many Duffy items are sold each year? Has there been any talk of bringing him and his friend Shellie Mae to an international market? I would have loved to see an interview with somebody associated with Duffy—presumably someone from the Oriental Land Company rather than Disney. There’s more actual information here about Cabbage Patch Kids and Hello Kitty than there is about Duffy! I am fascinated by his dominance. I see him adorning purses etc. on a near-daily basis here in Tokyo, but I know almost nothing about him. Bring us more details, Metropolis! Side note: I went to DisneySea a couple of days ago. Lines were much longer for the new Toy Story ride than for anything Duffy-related. That ride is CRAZY popular!—Meredith

GO GO KOENJ1

Regarding “The Best of Koenji” (Local Flavors, Jan 4): It would be hard to say these places are the best in Koenji. It’s obvious the writer hasn’t spent much time there. Best bar? Really, the title is unfair to start with. It depends on what you want. I will say the best coffee does go to Amp, but that’s not a difficult one since it is the only decent cup in Koenji.—Mark James Hill

Fatz’s is the best burger in Koenji.—Tommy House

Fatz is waaay better than Bake Crowns bake is a skimpy proportioned J-burger. FATZ has a better selection and variety and authentic American taste.—Bill Burger

SAY THAT AGAIN?

Regarding “PM 13: Welcome to the New Japan” (The Last Word, Jan 4): Umm, Mainland China and South-Korea still insist the past during WW2 that being forever to seek a kind of indemunisation [sic] taking advantage of various chances so that the post-war generation are getting to have more “fastidio,” or hateful thoughts against so-called “specific East Asian nations,” that tendencies or influences exist among the neto uyo (right-wingers on the internet) from the young to the middle aged, etc.—masatoshi

Great to see Giorgio Shani’s featured essay in Metropolis!—Mark Flanigan

SINGING ANOTHER TUNE

Regarding “Children’s CD of English Songs” (MetVids, Dec 6): Oh my gosh, not another kids’ songs CD… > < I’ve seen and heard so many, it’s just ridiculous :(.—mono_locco

Terminal boredom. Awful accents and the same songs you can buy anywhere else.—Komakino

BOOR WAR

Regarding “Art of Gaman” (Art, Nov 20): C. B. Liddell is most probably one of those boorish foreigners who find time to prattle on about “comfort women” and “war reparations,” all the while offhandedly whitewashing his own country’s atrocities. No wonder the Japanese never take foreigners seriously.—Johnny Rabbit