This is the beginning of Bashcraft's PS3 Launch coverage. Check back for regular updates.

It has begun. I'm in Osaka's Umeda Station, and it's a little past 5pm. People are coming and going, and the city is influx. Pushing my way through the crowd, making my way over to Yodobashi Camera.

Tomorrow morning, the PLAYSTATION 3 will launch in Japan. After a false start, the console has finally arrived. Over at Neo GAF, they posted a Famitsu pic of the Ikebukuro Bic Camera (and the eight people lined up out in front). And Gizmodo Japan reported that by 1pm, the line had grown to 25 people.

Earlier, I swung by Sofmap in Den Den Town to see what the status was. No line. Drawing for consoles tomorrow morning, come back then, a clerk told me. Come early.

Bic Camera in Namba, likewise, empty—save for some dude smoking. At around 4pm, not a single person lined up. And earlier I'd heard the same thing from Kotakuite Brad: The Bic Camera in Tokyo's Yurakucho was dead. The PS3 launch was looking to be bust.

It's hard to tell exactly what was going on in front of the Yodobashi Camera in Osaka. A throng of people cross the street. Foot traffic is heavy.

And that's when I see the line. It's about 200 people strong, and the first guy has been here since 7am. That's what he tells me.

Sony, they're here for your console. All 150 plus of them. Brian Ashcraft

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