Posts made by flyingteapot

Hello, this could be my first post in years… I'm very surprised to see a step like this, so I hope writing this here is not a problem. Please delete this if this is not the place. I've been a member since 2009 and until a couple of years ago, I used to log in daily and love chatting around, loved seeing all these news and translations, and fun discussions about OP here. I used to recommend AP forums to all my friends who loved OP. It was like reading the newspaper in the morning for me.

But eventually I started noticing some very rude answers and some obvious favoritism of some more "popular" people of that time. Not necessarily always against me, but as in generally to others. These people were given a bit more authority over time despite being very rude obviously. Knowing that any form of reply or post we make could be replied by someone making fun of it took the fun out of things. Sometimes people needlessly took sides or only paid attention to what they post. So I started thinking "I'd better not say anything at all" most of the time. This pattern started to become an unwanted stress… I lost my enthusiasm for logging in daily and eventually stopped by only to read what's going on.

By the way, this is by no means pointing fingers, I even have no idea if the people I'm talking about are still active here since I'm not following everything like I used to. Anyway, it's in the past now.

Just wanted to say these since I saw first post and it pointed out "We've received complaints of favoritism and bullying/harassment; we want to address this, and will be revising our rules as a first step." and "While discussing things with the staff, we've seen a need for some more active moderation; we may be looking to adjust our roster."

Thank you for paying attention.

I hope things get better for everyone.

@zorospride:

I'm not really going to apologize for Mangastream. We all know that piracy is wrong. I do think that if Viz did a better job of releasing the chapters on time and not squatting on series they own but don't release then they would limit the number of valid excuses and complaints people have. If Funimation can do it with the anime, why can't Viz do it with the manga?

I'm not going to go into anything about the right or wrong subject here, I understand this is not the place, but I just want to say something very quickly if you excuse me.

Please watch this:

!

Or read it if you can't follow comfortably word by word.

You may not change your opinion, you're free to think whatever you want, but you should at least consider that piracy is not everything the media makes it look like. There are many, many people actually benefiting from it in their sales after all; because these days if you're not on the internet, you're not on anywhere.

I'm sure there are millions of fans who got to know One Piece through pirated ways around the world and then got into buying the volumes, DVDs, merchandise and other stuff. At least I know I did; I followed the entire series online and then spent a significant amount of money into merchandise at some point - heck, this is nothing considering people doing much more than that. But nobody can make me feel bad or wrong about following something online, considering the fact that many (at least top-level) artists make enough money to buy my house when they publish one issue of their work. And as many people pointed out, they will not be able to completely stop it after all. All I'm sad about is losing MS's (considerably) satisfactory work for all this time.

@nanly:

http://peacetheory.wordpress.com/2012/02/12/its-a-sad-sad-day-for-manga-fans-analysis/

I understand your argument and agree on generally, but it's not exactly true what it says on that link. MS was not shut down; in fact, they're talking about now having time to pick up a few new series. They just dropped the ones licensed by Viz.

@Dan:

I feel a good number of people in here don't quite fully understand the nature of the internet, as Viz clearly doesn't themselves.

Remember last year when they went after the online readers? Didn't change a thing. More recently and generally speaking, Megaupload and other similar filesharing sites went down, and not even a week later the stats indicated the shutdowns didn't even put a dent in the amount of piracy going on. Other sites simply picked up the slack.

Scans will continue. I doubt the release schedule will even be impacted much if at all. Maybe for a week or two. Before long the status quo will resume, everyone will have forgotten about this, and Viz, like the MPAA and RIAA, will probably be too fucking stupid to realize the folly of their pointless efforts.

I realize this has happened before and happens every time some company tries shutting down some other scanlation/online reading websites. Yes, this has happened before, and I think we got pretty comfortable with MangaStream for a long time - at least a long time considering how fast things change in the online world.
However, I think the real thing people (like the thousands of comments around social media) are upset and worried about this time is because this was one of the few groups who were working on so many Jump series on a regular schedule and doing a good work, and now people don't know who will pick their favorite series, if they'll be picked by good groups at all, or how long will that take, will it live up to MS's quality in terms of speed and resolution, how will the translations look, what will become of them, etc.
This same thing will happen and getting a C&D is a matter of time for every group out there (I don't know, do they even send out C&Ds anymore or has that changed into another warning? Sorry about that if it's something else now).

@Hiroy:

Other groups are nowhere near as ballsy or an easy enough target like MS, so at most… I don't think Viz would go taking down anyone else. Could be wrong, but I can't say I didn't see this coming.

I see; I honestly hope you're right. I hadn't noticed MS being ballsy, or even that could be dangerous against Viz though They were really taking chapters down regularly and all… Anyway, these first couple of weeks might be though to find a good release for every title, but I'm sure new teams would appear.

@Hiroy:

Soo… 99 cents a week and 25 bucks a year?

Looks like I'm supporting this in 2 weeks. Especially if Viz were to improve on the idea.

Now; I wouldn't mind paying for One Piece if they really went all-out against scanlation groups (though I really doubt they can actually prevent it), however if they're not up-to-date with other series I follow -like mentioned above, they're half way behind KHR just as an example- and I have to wait for months or even years until they catch up with them because they're taking scanlation teams down, I would be pissed. And no, my logic here is not "I'm paying for it, dammit"; it'd be because leaving many large fanbases out there with no option but to wait. For ridiculous long periods of time.

@Aaronrules380:

Not really. Equivalents exist for the other series on that list that are at worst only a bit slower on average

Honestly; just for an example; I don't know any equivalents -slow or not- for KHR better than MS. I'm not trying to defy though, I respect your opinion. But Alpha is half way behind that series and that was just an example. I'm well aware that MS have their flaws in translations, but speed and quality-wise they were really the best fix for some titles on that list for the past 2 years because the other releases I saw were generally and unfortunately worse. I hope some better teams appear after this.

@GearSecond:

Are there any major HQ English groups out there at the moment? NULL is gone and they were always behind (with good reason) but it seems like MangaStream was the only English scan site out there doing releases (and they had watermarks). Even our release section contains primarily Italian releases.

I'd like to know as well.

It's actually really sad to see MS dropping those series. One Piece might have been getting some better translations and better quality scans thanks to the larger fanbase; but as for most of the series on that list, MS was the best option out there for their fans.

Not sure if this is the right place to post this, but sadly we won't be reading One Piece from MangaStream anymore

http://mangastream.com/content/jump

@bran-chan
Ah yes, now that you mention it, I guess there was something like that said about PayPal a long time ago o_O
Then I guess this means that rule only includes stores and other stable selling places; not auctions because I sure made some doujin sellers filthy rich a long time ago OTL;;;

@Cyber-Robin:

drop me a PM with the doujin. I might be able to help you with it. I got some thats yet to be scanned yet.

Thank you, I did ^^~

@Al!naJames:

Hohoho, that's clever, Mandarake

haha aren't they? not taking any risks…

well, it's reassuring to know I haven't chosen some wrong payment method at least °3°

@TimeSkipLuffy
Ah no, no I choose EMS

@ziq1
sdgsa THAT COULD BE IT THEN. I have a SEGA figure but I decided to get a doujin I've been thinking about for some time since it doesn't look like it'll be scanned anytime soon.

OK if that's it, I've got no choice but to go with the credit card.

Thanks guys

Hey everyone~ ^^

Sorry if this is the wrong section; localchan informed me that I can try asking this on AP but since this is not a feedback about a seller or a market but rather a question, I couldn't know which thread to go. Please move this if I'm wrong.

I had a question about Mandarake for people who shop from there…

!

I can see Credit Card and IPMO options on Mandarake, but I can’t see PayPal o_o

Do I have to choose “credit card” and after that will I be able to choose PP after I receive the total amount by mail…? Because I have to choose something here ._.

OR am I not seeing it because there’s a certain price limit for choosing to pay with PP? (which I'm guessing could be but I'm not sure) My items are around 2700~3000 Yen.

I tried asking them, however I don't know how fast they answer these things.

I really have no idea, I never shopped by myself from here before…

Can anybody help me with this please? :sideways:

Thanks in advance and once again, sorry if this is the wrong section >///<

@sensui:

Yeah the old red sellers thread wasn't serving much purpose so it was closed and replaced with an active feedback thread for marketplace transactions on apf. These types of question can be directed there though on the general thread so it's fine….in terms of that, it sounds like they mean to refund you fully for A and partial only means out of the entire order (since you ordered A and B). If you're within the time limits of filing a claim with ebay's protection through paypal, I'd make the communication quickly to ship out B and to refund A. You should see the refund quickly but if you don't and you're borderline on the time limit of filiing a claim, I'd file the claim first as a just in case as blacksmith suggested. I'm sure your rights as a buyer is protected in terms of getting back money for something they cannot fufill.

Thank you blacksmith and sensui!
I don't know how to file a claim but I'll begin searching right now.
Thank you very much.

Umm.. sorry to dive in like this but what happened to Red-flagged Sellers topic? It's locked… o_O

I am having a problem with an eBay seller so I wanted to ask other eBay users on the topic.

I wanted to purchase 2 deformed figures (A and B versions) and I paid for them. When the seller took his/her time with shipping, I naturally asked about them.

They claimed "I've sent a mail before but it seemed lost. I'm sorry that #A was got defect before shipping. Would you mind change another? If you don't want I would make a refund and hips others out."

I asked about if all of the A versions of the figure was the same (they had some on stock when I purchased).

They said "Sorry about this. #A is the last one. Please change the item you want. Or I can make partially refund and ship others out.Please provide confirmed address & phone number."

So I said I need a full refund on A and the shipping of the other item. They also should have my confirmed contact info when I purchased them…

I just really hope they meant a full refund on #A when they said "partially refund" as in "paying for the items we won't be sending you".

I just wanted to know about my rights on eBay in case a problem occurs about this. Anybody has any ideas?

I'm once again sorry to bring this up here but the red-flagged topic was closed and I didn't know where else to go.

@Nia:

Happy birthday teapot and zachri!
Have a great one, you two http://i53.tinypic.com/2lsuqe9.jpg

@trappedolphin:

happy birthday to flyingteapot, Chiyo-chan, Brad Redfield, Kobasen, David Ludwig, and zachri!

Thank you very much ^^~♡

I'm so sorry to hear about your grandma too piratemarimo, I'll be praying for your family.

I just heard about the new earthquake a few minutes ago. Even for an aftershock it's quite huge… My friend in Tokyo has been mentioning about shaking every now and then last night but I guess something above 7.0 must be quite scary. I hope people are safe.

@Xajen:

Because that's after the ban is instated and HLJ has never been steady with getting anywhere near enough stock to fill all orders.

There has been a ban?
Pardon my ignorance, I remember reading about it but I didn't know it would affect HLJ this much.
So any chance of getting anymore Banpresto items would be from places like Otacute etc?

@Xajen:

They already went up for order on Otacute and BiJ back in January. I wouldn't really expect anyone else to have them except maybe PA when they're released.

Oh, why not? o_o HLJ usually gets these, I got all my GLM from them.
Did something happen?

New GLM looks awesome. I hope I don't miss the orders again ^^;
But I wonder when will they be up for ordering if they're May releases o-O Because as you guys know, there are items on ordering for even further release dates, wonder why these aren't anywhere yet.

Don't know if it' been mentioned but for those who have an account on Tumblr and are interested in donation:

Tumblr's taking donations for Japan too - the donation box is at the right side of the dashboard. I donated from there also. Though seems like you can only donate once as the box becomes a note saying how much has been raised afterwards. For example right now it says "$43,880 raised for Japan so far."

@roronoazoro:

Here you go toy@hachioji.com.hk

Thanks a lot! ^_^v

@roronoazoro:

No problem for me

Oh that's strange Still, thanks for your time.
Is it my connection… now I'm worried. I had no problems a few days ago.

I was about to send them a mail to ask about something, I know it's troublesome but if anybody has the time may I please ask for Hachioji's mail address for site support?

I can't connect to Hachioji for the last 2 days, is the site just down or closed?

Does anybody know? Or does this happen with them from time to time?

@Aohige_AP:

Btw, apparently some heartless hotels are denying refugees from Fukushima to stay at their hotels from idiotic paranoia of radiation.
They need to release the names of these bastards so their business suffers from the consequence.

I just read about this news too, I can't believe how heartless they can be! Indeed this shouldn't stay just as "some hotels" on the news.

From sankakucomplex:

Complaints that Japanese hotels are treating quake victims from Fukushima prefecture as radioactive lepers and refusing them board have surfaced.
Japan’s ministry of health reports receiving a number of complaints from people forced from their homes in Fukushima prefecture, saying they were refused rooms at hotels and inns, apparently on the grounds that they came from the same prefecture as the crippled nuclear reactors and must therefore be considered dangerous.
The ministry is instructing local governments to tell their hoteliers that they should not refuse lodgings to people just because they have visited Fukushima prefecture, pointing out that the radiation levels involved are tiny and pose no risk to human health.
Such discrimination may be illegal under Japanese law, which only allows hotels refusals based on infectious diseases, suspicion of criminality and, of course, lack of room.
However, in practice hotels and landlords happily discriminate against potential patrons with no real legal repercussion, and for those affected is exceptionally difficult to demonstrate mysteriously disappearing vacancies are the result of such practices.
Further complicating matters is the fact that after the quake one large hotel chain has actually begun forcing those who wish to stay in its premises into signing a contract saying they will not sue the hotel for any reason, despite such provisions themselves being illegal.
There are now concerns that Japan may start seeing widespread discrimination against those from Fukushima prefecture, with some evacuation centres now insisting refugees submit to radiation screenings.
Discrimination against Japanese overseas also seems another unpleasant possibility – a number of nations have apparently been subjecting people leaving Japan to radiation tests with the intent of refusing them entry if sufficient radiation is detected.
The case has particular resonance in Japan – “hibakusha,” survivors of the atomic bombings at Hiroshima and Nagasaki, have at times been the subject of discrimination due to the hysterical superstitions the public frequently attaches to radiation.
Online, the reaction has largely been one of disgust, but with the public unable to comprehend the notion that minuscule amounts of radiation are harmless, it does not seem likely the hardships of quake victims will be end with recovery from the earthquake itself.

@sensui:

If it helps, I purchased a bootlegged item from him and he gave me a full refund when I called him on it.

That's a big relief thank you very much! You guys are really dependable.

Hmm actually you're right (°w°) It'd be a bothersome process but still there's an option.
Thanks Cyber-Robin, I guess I needed a push ^^

Hi guys! I need a quick, little help ^^;

As front page states the seller named kakalolo12 on ebay is selling items of a mix of bootleg & official.
And I know they're pricey =_= But unfortunately what I'm looking for is only available at that seller.

Anyway, the sales page named the original company of the figure as "Tomy Yujin" and I messaged them asking "Is it the original product of Yujin / Takara Tomy?" They answered back saying they "only sell official item so it is real and official".

What I bought from them last year was an original product also however I saw some people who notified bootlegs on this thread.

That's why I wanted to ask:

After getting an original item word from the seller and stating this on the sales page - should I go with it?

Because some bootleg sellers had no problems declaring "sorry it's not an original product". So I'm thinking if it turns out to be not an original, could I take this to eBay as a problem?

I now see there are so many exaggerated info on our media too right now, it can be called an information pollution at this rate. I'm glad I'm following this thread; even though I can't explain it to everyone here the way I want =_= (It doesn't exactly go the way you expect when you say "i don't think this is it, these friends on a forum say–-", well you get the point. Though we know you guys are reliable.)

Also I'm very sorry for the old citizen who died because of the cold... I hope with the restoration of the airport, even more help reach them soon. Because even if they do their best to take the situation under control, it'd still be bad if the conditions for people keep getting worse because help couldn't reach them in time.

Great work Sai!

Also there are some before-after satellite photos here (hover over them):
http://www.abc.net.au/news/events/japan-quake-2011/beforeafter.htm

Nature is indeed scary.

@piratemarimo:

I woke up to the sound of my mom crying today. The houses have been completely submerged and we still don't have any confirmation. If there had been a tsunami warning, people could have easily escaped to higher ground. I remember when I visited Japan a couple times, there were mountains nearby… I wish someone could tell me that everyone was safely evacuated. That there was enough warning for people to get to higher ground. But that's not the case is it..? I am at a loss. I feel like I have to say something to comfort my mom but I have no words. And if she saw me crying as I am now, I think that would make things worse too.

I'm really sorry to hear that piratemarimo, I wish the best for you and your mother right now. Still, please don't give up hope. There's still many people that can't be reached because of connection or power problems, it's still too early to give up. Cry if you want to, that wouldn't make anything worse, maybe even calm you. Best wishes.

@Al!naJames:

I really hope all people with thouse disgraceful comments will suffer and burn in hell forever, if it exists.

This pretty much.

This list has come up on ANN for those interested:

Relief Funds for March 11 Earthquake/Tsunami in Japan

! > The following are locations where people around the world can donate money to assist relief efforts in Japan following the March 11 earthquake (Tōhoku Chihō Taiheiyō-oki Jishin) and subsequent tsunami waves.

• American Red Cross (Funds can also be donated US$10 at a time by texting "REDCROSS" and sending it to the number 90999)
• Australian Red Cross
• British Red Cross
• Canadian Red Cross
• Japanese Red Cross (site down at press time)
• American Cosplay Paradise
• Ayu Sakata
• Global Giving
• Numana
• The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
• Lady GaGa
• Mercy Corps
• Micah Solusod
• International Medical Corps
• The Mayor's Fund of New York City (e-mail; via NY1)
• Save the Children
• Salvation Army (Funds can also be donated US$10 at a time by texting "Japan" and sending it to the number 80888)
• Shelter Box (UK)
• World Vision (UK)

ANN is not affiliated with any of the above organizations.
Update: The media-distribution site Crunchyroll announces that it will match contributions.
Update 2: Cosplay community website American Cosplay Paradise, writer Ayu Sakata, Funimation voice actor and artist Micah Solusod, and American pop music artist Lady GaGa all offer to accept donations. [Via [URL="http://www.keepanimealive.com/news/2011-03-11/editorial-sendai-quake-kaa-encourages-you-to-donate"]KeepAnimeAlive.com]

Also this was written on top of the list of another news (the one that lists the situation of people from the industry) and I'd like to quote it:

Due to cultural differences, less people donate blood in Japan than in many other countries. The Red Cross is one of several organizations throughout the world who accept blood donations and other contributions.

Please note or share that if you are in any position to help. Not getting enough blood donations because of cultural differences is horrible.

@No:

I hope that concerns the previously mentioned hydrogen explotion. Kinda looks like it too from the pictures.

I don't know, I kinda hope it's not something new actually, with all that's been going on right now.
I've been seeing tweets in my language about an explosion for the last half hour so, so I searched for a source to confirm this and that news was listed as recent "top news", so I shared it.

Huge blast at Japan nuclear power plant

A before and after image by NHK World

The latest news from the nuclear plant are not good, I can't find a good source to copy this but I read that one of the workers has been trapped inside the control room and it's not confirmed if he's alive or not yet.

Hey Greg, nice to hear from you again.

The videos are kinda scary, I don't know what to say, I hope things will be alright for Japan…

Wow a lot has happened and I was gone just for a couple of hours. I hope the nuclear plant situation can be taken under control... When the news of it cooling down arrived yesterday I was glad it was one less thing for them to worry about but things seem to heat up again.

Steven, I know it has been quite a while since this post but I'd like to say a few things if I may:

@Steven:

Maybe someone with a better understanding of earthquakes or Japan, or simply someone with a better brain than me can answer a question. The area I live in is known for getting rocked by this monster shake every 150 years. We're overdue for it by a bit, and I was wondering if scientifically speaking the quake that just occurred could have any influence over it. Sorry if that sounds stupid, but just something that's been discussed around here.

! Usually small earthquakes happen in my country and your question is discussed at almost every news program when it happens so maybe I can repeat what they say to you.
Of course I cannot guarantee it, there's no way, but the situation of "does an earthquake triggers a bigger one that's due" is the same so maybe it's something:
In one theory, it's all about the energy collected/accumulated at the fault line. I don't know how many fault lines go through Japan, but for one of them to affect another, (even though different people sometimes suggest different theories but this is one) they're usually said that they must be connected enough to cause pressure on the other fault line.
For example, a few years ago we had a major earthquake resulting in thousands of death… that fault line was very very close to another one -the one I'm living on- and the question was "would this be a trigger". It was explained that these things may happen every 100-150 years here but if the energy that's collected there is released in small quakes, it may not be as much a big disaster as expected however there may be no way to know if those small quakes are initiators of a bigger one or not.
I don't know how much that helps, but those small quakes hopefully are some relief that the ground is settling. I'm no expert at this and you don't have to take what I say seriously, but that's as far as I know

@piratemarimo:

Still no news about my grandma. I appreciate those of who have given your condolences. There's little else that can be done. My mom isn't freaking out exactly but I know she is distressed by this and there's nothing I can do. I don't want to give up hope but she lives in Sendai not too far from the ocean, and she's also very old. It's really the not knowing which is the worst. I'm somewhat relieved to hear that others in this thread have confirmed the safety of friends/family though.

I'm so sorry to hear that piratemarimo, you and your family have my utmost condolences. I still hope with all my heart that you somehow hear from her, please try not to give up hope for now, it's only been a day.

@Silence:

Any word on what's happening in Hokkaido?

@Blacksmith:

Im still having no luck contacting 2 of my friends there. -_-
Really hope they're okay.

They're still saying the connection is problematic in some areas, so please try to be patient. I hope both of your friends are safe.

@CCC:

host sister + baby are apparently fine and at their house. couldn't understand the entire message though, because it was on my mom's answering machine and she played it for me through her cell phone.

I'm really glad to hear that CCC!

I hope everyone else trying to contact with their relatives or friends get good news soon also.

For those interested Save the Children organization is taking donations now for "the Japan Earthquake Tsunami Children in Emergency Fund to support Save the Children's relief efforts and responses to children's ongoing and urgent needs."

And I don't know how recent is this or not but TDW just posted it:

2011 Sendai Earthquake: Extent of devastation remains unclear as day breaks in Japan; radiation levels inside damaged nuclear plant 1,000 times above normal, state of emergency declared at second plant; one missing after tsunami sweeps five wave watchers to sea in Crescent City, CA; earthquake shifted Japanese coast, Earth’s axis;

People following the news may want to take a look at those links.

Also seems like the entire Japan coast shifted 2.4 metres.

Rather than asking here every few posts, anyone who wonders about the current situation of an artist, creator, etc. can follow this list as it keeps getting updated frequently as they get news from them.

http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2011-03-11/anime/manga/game-industry-members-check-in-after-quake

From some of the tweets I could understand, there's still a connection problem but the ones who can connect try to inform people of their situation.

@dragonfrost:

is greg and oda ok?

Greg has posted here, it's around the first pages. Thankfully they seem to be ok.

@Sick_Fool:

I'm so fucking scared right now. My dad's ship (he's a seafarer) is incoming to Japan today. We haven't heard any news about him because we can't contact their agency since yesterday, and now this…

I don't know if I can even sleep tonight...

I'm so sorry to hear that, I hope you can contact him soon!

@Nekketsu:

Good news: The nuclear central refrigerator system has been successfully reactivated.

Thank God, at least it's one less trouble for them now.
Any chance of details?

Maybe this might help a bit for those wanting to donate:

Donation button for Earthquake Tsunami Relief

I'm glad to hear you got news from them and they're safe Holy. Same goes for Mokenda_mint and everyone else of course!

@piratemarimo:

This is just awful. My grandma's hometown…. I haven't seen her for many years, but I pray that she is okay. We still don't have any news and I'll bet my mom is worried sick about her.

I hope your grandma is well piratemarimo!

@choperman:

Oh shit this is terrible, does anyone know if there's anyway for us in the united states to help, I'd definitely be willing to give blood or money

There is Red Cross donations so far but I don't know if more donation ways may come up in the following days:
http://american.redcross.org/site/PageServer?pagename=ntld_main

I hope it helps.

Sorry for bringing this up but it's still news:
Anime/Manga/Game Industry Members Check In After Quake • Creators, singers, translators, others report via social networking sites http://4NN.cx/58534

@asm00200:

Officials at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant will release "slightly radioactive vapour" to ease pressure in one of the reactors.

Man, I don't know what to say. I hope they can take things under control.
May I please ask where do you follow the news from? I was waiting for updates on nuclear power plant.

@Flux:

The Earthquake shifted the Earth's axis by 10 Inches.

@Insider2000:

Has….has that sort of thing happened before?

Wow. Same thing was reported for 2010 Chilean and 2004 Sumatra earthquakes. It's kinda scary.

Yes, those links are supposed to be the site, thanks guys.
I know it's a small thing, but maybe it could be worth knowing about and can help in some way…

My prayers are with you Holy.

@Holy:

Seems like the phones are down. I couldn't call anyone in my family.

Sounds like phones are restricted to emergency calls only, or something, I dunno.

There's supposed to be something like a people search/help page of Google that was posted early today. It was for people who had relatives there. I will try to find it for you, maybe it can help.

There are some reports on trains. Last I heard, around 3 trains were missing but that was many hours ago.

There are 5 trains that JR East never heard back from employees. All trains on East coastline. might have been taken by tsunami.

They're really powerful for aftershocks…

@Holy:

I'm really worried about my family. They're in sendai. I only just now woke up so this is all really surprising

I really hope they're safe and alright Holy!