#13: Buddha, Lost and Found — January 13, 2013 It wasn't Friday the 13th, but it might as well have been. Because, to our great horror, we discovered we lost our beloved Manga University Daibutsu while taking for a ride on the JR Yamanote Line. It put a damper on an otherwise pleasant outing. But when we arrived home, there he was, sitting at one of the Manga University workstations. Just like magic.

  #12: Rock 'n' Roll Buddha — January 12, 2013 Buddha rocks — and in more ways than one. The Manga University Daibutsu doesn't care much for leather pants, but he loves a good gig. Today, he's on hand for the rehearsal and sound check at Live Gate Tokyo, where renowned Japanese guitar gods Takashi O'Hashi and Ace Shimizu are performing two sold-out shows.  Who says Buddhism and heavy metal can't mix?

  #11: Sun-Kissed Buddha — January 11, 2013 We found the Manga University Tokyo Daibutsu hanging out on the campus rooftop today. There he was, just kicking back, soaking up the sun and enjoying the view. We should all do the same once in a while. Peace.

  #10: Row, Row, Row Your Buddha — January 10, 2013 Not far from the Manga University Tokyo Campus is the Toda Sōteijō (rowing course), a 2,000-meter man-made waterway that runs along the Arakawa river in Saitama Prefecture. The course was built in the late 1930s, and was the host venue for rowing events during the 1964 Olympics. Rowing teams from the nation's top universities have clubhouses here, and tournaments take place several times throughout the year.  Rumor has it that the Manga University Tokyo Daibutsu is lobbying on behalf of the Japan Olympic Committee to bring the Summer Games back to...

#9: Volunteer Buddha — January 9, 2013 To better prepare the city in the event of a major disaster, the Tokyo Fire Department is seeking volunteer firefighters. Pictured here is a TFD recruitment poster inviting potential volunteers to contact the department for more information. This particular poster was tacked to a bulletin board outside a community center. We couldn't resist taking a photograph of the Manga University Tokyo Daibutsu resting in the outstretched hand of the poster's manga-style firefighter.  No word yet on whether his application to volunteer has been accepted.