An Apocolypse of Elements

As i'm sure that many of you will know, on March the 11th this year there was a catastrophic earthquake just off the coast of Japan. This quake measured a 9 on the richter scale and caused a huge Tsunami suspected of killing at least 10,000 people. The force of the earthquake was enough to shift the country of Japan 7ft (approx. 2.5m) closer to China and to alter the Earth's rotational axis.

After the earthquake it was realised that the Fukushima Nuclear power station had malfunctioned and more than one of the reactors had failed to shut down automatically as is proceedure. A large area surrounding the power station has now been evacuated, however the reactors are not cooling correctly and there is a danger of melt down.

There was also a fire at an oil refinary.

Thousands of people have been left homeless and yesterday it began to snow.

I know that you will all join me in hoping that Naoko Takeuchi and her friends and family are all safe and well, but i hope that you will join me too, in extending this hope to all the people of Japan. The people of Japan have bourn this tragedy with dignity and patience. There have been no reports of violence or looting and people have been helping each other as much as possible during such a difficult time.

If you have any money to spare at all, pleae donate it to the Red Cross who are doing fantastic work out there, bringing food, providing blankets and shelter and giving medical care. If you don't want to give to the Red Cross then please donate to which reputable charity are doing work in Japan.

Character Profile #13 ~ Naru Osaka

Naru Osaka is the daughter of the owner of "Osa-P", the Azabu jewellery store which features in the opening act of Sailor Moon. She is Usagi Tsukino's best friend and it is to her aid that Usagi rushes upon discovering her powers. Naru doesn't have a very large role in the manga although it is always hinted that she is not neglected by Usagi in favour of her Senshi friends.

In the original Sailor Moon series however she takes a starring role due to her romantic relationship with Nephrite. This storyline is a nice touch to the Sailor Moon saga as it shows that you do not have to have Senshi like superpowers to make a difference! Naru changes Nephrites heart with the simple force of her affection. Her relationship with Nephrite is sadly not meant to be however and he dies in her arms having protected her from Zoisite to the very end. Naru ends up in a relationship with the geeky and kooky Umino Gurio, although she maintains her role as Usagi's friend by joining her in certain "drooling sessions" over handsome young men.

It should never be said however that Naru is oblivious, ignorant or stupid for ignoring Usagi's sudden disappearences or odd behaviour. In the manga, she admits to the reader that she is aware that Usagi is almost inhabiting a different world but that she wants to help Usagi in any way that she can. This is Takeuchi-sama's way of showing true friendship. Naru knows that she can't do much, but is willing to do whatever she can to help Usagi.

"You're lying again!!" - Naru Osaka