Cel Shaded Jason Yadao

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Charity offers chance to help isle hospital

IT'S TIME now for something that has become a bit of a Cel Shaded holiday tradition. Ever since this column began in 2005, tag-team partner in fandom Wilma J. and I have asked fans to contribute to the annual Child's Play charity effort.

The drive, started by Mike Krahulik and Jerry Holkins of the online comic strip "Penny Arcade," was created in 2003 as a way to counteract negative media stereotypes of video game enthusiasts. Gamers aren't violent bloodthirsty brutes fueled by a steady diet of "Grand Theft Auto" games and first-person shooters, they reason; many are normal people willing to help out with worthy causes.

Once again among the hospitals benefiting from the drive will be the Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children. This year, according to a blurb posted on the hospital's wish list at Amazon.com, the need is mostly for movies and games, as well as a few game consoles (Nintendo's DS Lite and Wii are particularly in demand) and DVD players. Just click on the game controller icon over Hawaii on the map at www.childsplaycharity.org and start shopping at Amazon.com. Simple.

There are a few anime-related items on the wish list -- specifically the fourth Pokemon movie, "Pokemon 4Ever," and the always delightful Studio Ghibli film "Spirited Away" -- but it's really not just an anime thing. It's more a holiday-spirit-of-giving thing ...

Art contest returns

Ai Chan, Takeshi and Nami, the official mascots of local anime convention Kawaii Kon, want to take on the sports world ... and fan artists are invited to help them join in on the fun.

Kawaii Kon is hosting its second art contest, asking artists to depict any combination of the three characters in a sports setting.

The rules are the same as the first contest held earlier this year. Contest officials are looking for 2-D art pieces that can be scanned and sent electronically, with a family friendly theme.

At stake for the winner: a free three-day pass to next year's convention and an official T-shirt. For more information, visit www.kawaii-kon.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4336. E-mail submissions to Chris Macedonio at cmacedonio@gmail.com. And get cracking on your entry -- the submission deadline is Dec. 30 ...

Random plugging

Bashing a certain House of Mouse and the Happiest Place on Earth is one of those American traditions that never really goes away -- heck, this columnist once wrote a short story about a disgruntled park employee for a high school English assignment.

Which brings us to the Tokyopop global manga "Dogby Walks Alone," about a costumed dog, his sidekick Snack Girl, and a sometimes convoluted plot about a brazen daylight heist and an equally brazen murder.

Granted, it's not the greatest manga out there. If anything, author Wes Abbott knows his video games -- dead-on parodies of situations from "Street Fighter II" and "Metal Gear Solid" must be seen to be believed ...