Japanese Postcards

On the 1st of January, a ton of postcards usually arrive called Nengajo [年賀状]. Nengajo are new year greeting cards that most folks in Japan send to each other. If you are receiving one from a friend, it usually has a photo of their family. If you are receiving it from a business client then the design could be anything as you will see from the following photos.

Towards the end of the year, one would see a load of ads on TV for sending or making Nengajo. One has the option of printing them at home or getting folks like Fuji film to make them for you. Lovely retro ad for Nengajo below.

Today we are going to take a look at just some of the Nengajo from companies that I do business or collaboration with.
Good Smile Company have a very unique Nengajo - berry long desu! 1/3 scale Dollfie size ^^;
The reason that I have a few is because different department in GSC send them to me ^^;
Probably should give some up for a giveaway.

Some snaps of the back of the Nengajo from Good Smile.
Big Boss Aki on the left. At the age of 38 he has already managed to change the world.

The project management and production team - you will be familiar with some of these faces if you have been reading for a bit.
Can you at least name the 3 ladies on the left?

Sales team.

The design team. These are the folks who we work with the most. Mikatan with the glasses looking lovely.

The 3D team and general admin ladies.

And here are the guys who sculpt your figures. Oda san middle in black is the one looking after our Mirai-chan figma.

Black Rock Shooter anime due out this Spring.

Which character design do you prefer? BRS or Miku?

And a look at the rest. Cospa.

Dwango (Nico Nico folks).

Max Factory.

The Max Factory run Indian restaurant Indo Tei.

Carnival (Dacapo).

The Klein Dytham one comes with a spoon ^^;

And one from Oguri Shun too!
Its actually from the post office and He's been helping the Japanese postal service to get people to send Nengajo.
With more and more people using the Internets, less people are using post and are sending electronic Nengajo instead.
While many of my clients accept electronic invoices, some of my clients need to process printed invoices - so we print them out > send invoice by snail mail > arrives at client > client retypes invoice details...
Complete waste of time.

And one from comrades at the WWF too ^^;
Hmmm. Wonder what I would be doing with them ^^;

Most Nengajo come with numbers like these printed on them - they are lottery numbers which are printed in the newspapers - if the numbers match, you could win a few million yen. Have not checked yet ^^;

During the end of the year, the post office gives priority in getting the Nengajo out as soon as possible which is why most post boxes are labeled - one for Nengajo and the other for anything else.

Ah, just got this in the post from Taitan-san featuring his most cutesome daughters.
Are new year greeting cards sent as a custom in your kingdom?
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三年せいとオタク
Lol I was really expecting a card with Taiga on it sadly disappointed. Also WWF I thought they go by Smackdown and Raw now.
Rocketman
WWE now.
Taigaaa....DX
Student - Video Game Design & Development
2010 is the year of the Taiga ^_^
Otaku Social Media/Blogger/Event Coverage
Hey Danny, thanks for sharing. It was fun to look at the postcards and it was really awesome that you displayed each one individually with the dollfies. :D Love the BRS one.
三年せいとオタク
This is my favorite one in the bunch it's grrreat!
Researcher, translator, demonic blogger
http://evils.tumblr.com
You bet!!
student, otaku, fast food worker
Very interesting danny. Seeing the WWF negajo only made me realize that when they say WORLD wrestling federation they mean WORLD.
Car Washer
Those are pretty awesome. Especially the black rock shooter one.
Shimapan tiger? :3
Web programmer
http://www.micky2be.com
I like this one
Web programmer
http://www.micky2be.com
I really like the nengajo, it's a real joy to find the pack of post card on the First day of the year.
Also like to make and send som as well ;)
High School Student
http://flawlessexa.wordpress.com
I didn't receive any. T.T
New Year doesn't seem to be a big deal here...
lol
Love this one X3
Pseudo-Graphic Designer, 触手 wrangler, H-Man
http://lightningsabre.blogspot.com/
Very nice nengajo collection! I like BRS, but maybe because I'm a sucker for blue eyes.
part time illustrationist, doll clothing seamstress
http://puppy52art.com/
lovely cards! Looks like you need a little folder for them or something :P
Software Consultant
http://kamlau.com
Bery cool to see the nengajo designs. I am surprised that businesses actually design their own nengajo. Isn't that a lot of work? Do they make new designs every year?
CEO MIrai Inc
http://www.dannychoo.com/profile/eng/
They usually get their design department to do it ^^;
http://myanimelist.net/profile/Chace
om nom nom.
now im hungry....
Student
http://mikumin.wordpress.com/
Love the BRS nengajo!
Also, lovely custom. I think it would be nice to receive cards like nengajo, but like Danny said the internet is taking over with their e-cards and such.
NEET (no, student, AND employed min. wage)
What are some of these icons....
NEET (no, student, AND employed min. wage)
...wait, exactly what is DC's connection with WWE? Wonders if Danny is going to lay some Imperial Smack Down on people...
On the left we have Stone Cold Steve Austin!
And on the right we have the Tokyoooooo Stormtrooooper!!! LOL
commis ^^
and the dancing tournament start :p first location? akihabara :p
Student!
http://zh3us.wordpress.com/
LOL and on the right....
NEET (no, student, AND employed min. wage)
I am surprised at the number of connections you have Danny
Nendo Exhibitionist
http://www.kodomut.com
Would have been even more awesome if it was a BRS poster/wall scroll!
Where's the MIKU cosplaying BRS voting option. That would be a winner (:
中学生
http://thezhukeeper.blogspot.com
totally agree!! It's so sinful to choose any of the current options! >.<
haha, I like the breakfast cereal tiger one!
Student
The cards to look cool. Over here almost no one sends physical cards anymore, only internet flash animation cards if they send them at all.
Dance Trooper: DCX-001 O.D.E. (Order of the Dancing Empire)
http://dannychoo.com.my
I got the same from Sony Columbia Pictures ^o^
Dance Trooper: DCX-001 O.D.E. (Order of the Dancing Empire)
http://dannychoo.com.my
Very creative, LOL!
Engineering Student
http://wakuwakusuru.zeroclipse.net
Creative indeed.
Dance Trooper: DCX-001 O.D.E. (Order of the Dancing Empire)
http://dannychoo.com.my
Tokyo Stormtrooper in the ring?!
Wannabe Mandalorian + Otaku
Now that be awesome, Tokyo Stormtrooper laying some pain in the ring ^^.
Animator
http://www.jurgistamulis.com
Cool postcards! There is a topic on ANN also. They posted 54 greeting cards made by different anime studios and illustrators who work for them.
Dance Trooper: DCX-001 O.D.E. (Order of the Dancing Empire)
http://dannychoo.com.my
Danny uses LR too ^^
Student, otaku
What is LR?
CEO MIrai Inc
http://www.dannychoo.com/profile/eng/
Adobe Light Room. I use the first version as the later versions are crappy.
Dance Trooper: DCX-001 O.D.E. (Order of the Dancing Empire)
http://dannychoo.com.my
I started using LR in version 2.1, now is 2.6 as it support newer camera model RAW format.
Game Programmer
http://softwerkz.net
Those are bunch of nice postcards. The dollfies made a good job in showing them ;)
Student artist
http://www.requestview.wordpress.com
this is an awesome card...
Ninja / Engineer / Sensei / 魔法少女 (What!?! I can't be, I'm a guy...)
I got a few myself. Considering I haven't been here that long, I didn't think I would receive any. That combined with the fact that most people don't know my actual address. ^^;
銀河帝国五〇一軍团 TK/TD 8316 M.E.P.D. 軍曹/Droid Hunter
http://gordonator.com/
danny not at the back of GSC's nengajo? ('~')
collector of stuff
http://www.tristanforsyth.com
What the hell?
WWE?
I would have never guessed Danny!
collector of stuff
http://www.tristanforsyth.com
LOL!!!!!!!!!
Student
http://foxkey.blog126.fc2.com/
Cards are more of a Christmas thing here, as opposed to a New Years thing.
Look forward to Black Rock Shooter!
Stormtroopers Wrestling League? SWL!
Student
I can see you... :3
Student
Why isn't he looking at the camera?
Student
Isn't this cereals? :P
College student
lol!
Student
Sending christmas cards around during christmas but other than that I don't think mail is used other than transporting loot. :P Would love to receive that BRS one tho. And some of the cards were really funny. ^^
Student
censored?
Student
http://abyssimaldysnomia.deviantart.com
Wow! I would really want that BRS card, so beautiful.
Also the one the Indo Tei, TOO FUNNY LOL! ^^'
Tech Support Officer - Network Security Engineer
http://burugureibi.blogspot.com/
a spoon - well as long as it fits through the mail slot...
what do you do after to the nengajo after a few weeks of collecting them?
ice scraper? coasters? feed them to the fishes?
student
http://fletkumato.deviantart.com/
For a second I thought you were serious about the Oguri Shun thing so I yelled WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT DANNY KNOWS OGURI SHUN!? and my head almost exploded.
I have a friend who is HUGE fan of him :D
Nope, we don't send any new year cards here.. But we send LOTS of christmas cards and we usually write Merry christmas and happy new year~ so it's like two strawberries in one cake! -_-; orsomethinglikethat..
Hetalayer
http://ameblo.jp/ichiloli
AHAHAHA, I thought the same thing.
Maybe I should design and send some at the end of this year... How do you know it's going to arrive exactly on new years day?
studying comp studies
http://bruneian-otaku.blogspot.com
BRS ^o^
Student
Would be funny to see if Danny is involved in relations between WWE and Good Smile Company, if they plan to make Wrestler Nendoroids XD
Student, Otaku, She-Geek(Sheek lol)
http://meimi132.wordpress.com/
I lol'd. And I accidentally pressed ok on the fork note before I wrote anything...
So glad it wasn't really MJ marketting.
Student
http://shacher.host22.com/
It is the first time I see Black Rock Shooter somewhere
NEET,no namecards.
Lol , its amazing how people fist started to spam and put notations all over oppai when they see it , but it soon relaxed then people started using normal comments )>=w=)>
nice system you have over there , dont get anything,ANYTHING at all like that here.
Never once in my entire life , someone sent me a postcard from the same country , it will be awkward to do so in your own country , but want to experience it.
Student
Nice cards you got there, the Max Factory restaurant one is smartly done.
University student
Nice habit, these New Years Postcards. Almost all of them are very original :)
http://xcomprandomness.co.uk/
Lol at the Kellogg's Frosties one. Nice sweet (literally) cereal! Reminds me of those adverts... "Tony the Tiger" and "Eye of the tiger".
The few Nengajos I receive from Japan are usually hand drawn and written which I think has a much more personal touch to them than using a computer to be honest ^^;
anime, programmer, gfx designer, illustrator ^^
http://denkikoiji.com
i was wondering if anyone else got the brs card ? and if not danny could you scan take a picture of the card full size and upload it ? i would love to get a full sided image/ scan of the black rock shooter card ^^
Student
"Mmmh... I see what you did there"
Student, ACG Fans
http://modvisc.blogspot.com
I like the BRS nengajo the most, but other nengajo also quite nice.
I long time never receive any new year card, i think no one sending now...
Wannabe Mandalorian + Otaku
Pretty cool custom to have, I reckon. And the BRS neganjo is lookin' pretty sweet ^^...not that the other is less than good, mind.
My fav by far.
pervert
danny going to join pro wrestling?
CS student
He should!
Student, otaku
Ribbons...? Can I keep this one at my hostel?
houkouonchi
http://www.flickr.com/photos/red_mango/
With this talk of post cards, has any anime made it to postal stamps?
CEO MIrai Inc
http://www.dannychoo.com/profile/eng/
Yes - wifey has a few ghibli ones.
Love this one very cute
broke college student
http://www.shoutlife.com/bloodboughtsamurai
I guess this means the second book is going well, right?
The Boy Who Cried Bear
http://supermariabros.deviantart.com/
lol michael jackson likes indian food i hope :D
broke college student
http://www.shoutlife.com/bloodboughtsamurai
I am also curious as to why you get cards from the WWE.
CEO MIrai Inc
http://www.dannychoo.com/profile/eng/
Muhehehe.
The Boy Who Cried Bear
http://supermariabros.deviantart.com/
i can imagine dannys face in this body lol XD
want !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Student
http://johndiew0107.wordpress.com/
This is brilliant
Mad scientist
http://yazor-san.daportfolio.com/
Great cards! I love the whole year of the tiger theme.
Sentai Ranger
http://morganlamia.blogspot.com/
Oooh, I like this one ^^
Sentai Ranger
http://morganlamia.blogspot.com/
My mum sent a couple of New Year's card to people in December. It was the first time that I and my girlfriend have ever known anyone here to do that o.o
Student, Uncle & hopfully a good husband..
I didn't received any cards on New Year's Day...only packages that i was expecting....
Student
http://lordofgundams.blogspot.com/
They have a slot for New Year's Mail? Hopefully, they would have priority to get to there destination on time.
Researcher, translator, demonic blogger
http://evils.tumblr.com
Isn't it Taiga? or a distant relative ^^
Production Technician
http://www.facebook.com/awang.andy
Thx Danny for showing us all the wonderful postcards especially the BRS its the best of all!
Textmate instead of Coda ? why ?
CEO MIrai Inc
http://www.dannychoo.com/profile/eng/
Coda is great for updating sites using FTP.
Textmate is great for working on projects with multiple developers.
The search tools are amazing. Not sure how I survived so long with it.
Was a Coda user before.
Figurine Enthusiast, Uni Student
transmission! xD
best thing on the web!
Is a nice gesture to send postcards. Before it was sent postcards and in my country, but now are sent only by e-mail
by the way, my favorite are Hobby Stock and Broccoli~ so cute ^_^
Student, part-time worker
My friend sent me a new year's card from Japan, she's so sweet. X3
I thought I saw Oguri Shun in that first picture of all the postcards. Personally I liked last year when Sakurai Sho helped out JPost. He had cute commercials.
Sweden
Love those :D
Scientist, unemployed.
http://fmphoenixhawk.livejournal.com
No cards for New Years. Christmas cards. I don't get many because I live with my mother, but still get one from my sister. Not too concerned, I'm not a big card person anyway.
Student
http://tejiendoelmundo.com
Omg, she looks like exactly like one girl form the high I graduated....
Still....these dolls for me are kind of creepy!
Student
http://tejiendoelmundo.com
Blegh! Those guys are as fake as there muscles
SalaryMex XD
http://www.morningmusumex.com/
Zucaritas de Kelloggs!
SalaryMex XD
http://www.morningmusumex.com/
paint is deteriorating...too many rub action? XD
Email & Network Support/Administration
http://badger11.animeblogger.net/
Hey Danny, any plans to use Zoho for invoicing?
RIA designer
At first, I thought that someone had shopped their faces over the wrestlers'
RIA designer
A building? They should've put a Dollfie instead.
Service desk support
http://lookingglass.kokidokom.net
I don't really do any of the really festive stuff like sending christmas and new years cards out to people.
but I did send a chrismas themed e-message to some people this year just before christmas. It was of my Santa Hoihoi and christmas wishes. I sent it out about a week before I posted her up for the general public.
Danny was one of the recipients, I think, but it seems that some people didn't get the message, or so they claim...
???Confused???
Your next daughter Danny?
Creative Director
Seriously. Where can I get this figure?
Student or something like that
http://otakumimi.blogspot.com
I need One!!!!!
or i want one??.... Both!!
High School Student
Cool! I wouldn't mind having a few of those.
Student
http://otakupride.hyouri.org
OH lalala Black Rock Shooter. Can't wait for this anime to be released!
Me thinks those are nice cards ^^V
master of woodchop
http://www.bookindian.wordpress.com
Larry, Moe and Curly . . . XO
master of woodchop
http://www.bookindian.wordpress.com
Abe Lincoln, yeh?
Permanent Japanophile
Looks just like a cutout of the box!! But oh so cute!
Editorial. Of sort.
http://damondasaru.deviantart.com
ROFLMFAO! I want/love that COSPA one. So cute!
Student
To :LMr.danny ,
what do you mean by prefer BRS or hatsune ?
Researcher
Dejiko chan! So cute >w<
Trooper
I voted for Black Rock Shooter because she is just freakin' bada$$ looking. SHe is way cooler than Miku. I remember when Miku was becoming the talk of the town, and I was like, "I don't get it. What's the big idea? Its a Sailor Moon with blue hair?" Never bought into the whole leek thing either. I really like the idea of giving new years cards to people. Like little book marks. I'm a sucker for book marks. I really liked the Digi-charat one the best.
大学の学生 1st year
http://www.twitter.com/NaKAhi70
They gave you a spoon?? O-o
student, gamers,computer programming
http://silvercrystal.wordpress.com
Haha.. MJ holding a spoon and a fork..
great one...
Master Storyteller
http://www.u-b-emo.com/index.html
Creeps: Send me a postcard D:
CS student
:)
Student
http://theotakukid.com/
Nengojo have become a puzzle of the pass and now every bodies are sending electronic one. 10 years back my dad like to send new year card to his clients and business friends but now an SMS or e-card does all.
Won't it be hectic to send them?
Study Services Analyst
http://nrshenanigans.blogspot.com/
Danny Choo...The next guest host on RAW!
College Student , butts kicker
http://k2-darky.blogspot.com/
omg ...some one is taking pics of us !!!
College Student , butts kicker
http://k2-darky.blogspot.com/
heavy ho
Student / Free Thinker / Otaku
http://www.google.com/profiles/SeanSigloch
I wonder how my family would react to getting an anime/manga related postcard. Might even send a nice Queen's Blade one, if there are any, for added "shock & awe" effect. =P lol
Technoserf
http://www.frontiernet.net/~darkside
What a perfect lead-in to a Black Rock Shooter dollfie. Upcoming project, perhaps?
lonely student
the BRS postcard looks so nice > <
professional magician
http://vampybit.me
that is awesome! i love black rock shooter
Writer of the Words
How cool!! The postcards are so pretty :) I like the broccli card lol!! ^.^
Student
http://www.fabricerequin.com
Wow! I would really want that BRS card, so beautiful.
Also the one the Indo Tei, TOO FUNNY LOL
宇宙ぐんじん (学生・軍人)
Like the Hobby Stock one and the Indo Tei one, took me while to see the tiny letters. Hah MJ?