Kotaku: Ninokuni

Ni No Kuni Comes West This Winter, Includes Japanese Vocals

Luke Plunkett — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 19:47:00 EST

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Namco Bandai will be releasing Level-5/Studio Ghibli collaboration Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch in North America sometime during "Winter 2012". For Europe, it's early 2013. More »

Ni No Kuni Isn't Miyazaki/Ghibli's First Video Game Appearance

Luke Plunkett — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 00:00:00 EST

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Much has been made, and rightly so, of the involvement of Hayao Miyazaki's Studio Ghibli with Level-5's PS3 RPG Ni No Kuni (out this week in Japan). It's helped the game look amazing. While it's a welcome partnership, though, it's not the first time the animation legend, or his studio, have turned up in a video game. More »

The Most Elaborate PS3 Game Manual Ever Made

Luke Plunkett — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 02:00:00 EST

When Ni No Kuni was released on DS last year, it shipped in just about the coolest box ever, which housed an extravagant spell book. Well, early adopters of the PS3 version, at least in Japan, will get the same book. More »

Make a Live-Action Ni No Kuni Movie, Please?

Brian Ashcraft — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 07:30:00 EST

Ni No Kuni Movie, Please?" alt="Click here to read Make a Live-Action Ni No Kuni Movie, Please?" src="http://cache.kotaku.com/assets/images/9/2011/11/small_8fc4e89ffc1bcb481c762eb09bbfe128.jpg"/>

Considering how game developer Level-5 collaborated with anime studio Studio Ghibli, I guess the logical thing would be to ask for an animated Ni No Kuni. Screw that. More »

In Korea, Ni no Kuni Is Rated for Adults

Brian Ashcraft — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 02:30:00 EST

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As far as PS3 role-playing games go, Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch is one family friendly game. In Japan, it's rated all ages and promoted with one of the country's most popular child stars. In South Korea, it's a different story. More »

Ni No Kuni's Cutscenes are a Gorgeous Way to Start your Monday

Luke Plunkett — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 00:30:00 EST

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I'm quite taken by Level-5's upcoming RPG Ni No Kuni. A big reason for that is the helping hand the developers have had from animation powerhouse Studio Ghibli. So watching three of the game's cutscenes is definitely something I can recommend. More »

Ni No Kuni Gets Extra Help in the Cute Department

Brian Ashcraft — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 03:00:00 EDT

Ni No Kuni Gets Extra Help in the Cute Department" alt="Click here to read Ni No Kuni Gets Extra Help in the Cute Department" src="http://cache.kotaku.com/assets/images/9/2011/10/small_ninokuni.jpg"/>

Ni no Kuni isn't only the PS3's most beautiful game, it's also pretty darn cute. Thank Studio Ghibli for that. Know what cute calls for? A cute kid. More »

See the Stunning New Trailer for Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch

Owen Good — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 18:00:00 EDT

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Level-5 has followed their announcement that Namco will be publishing Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch's western releas, with this trailer, which showcases gameplay, cutscenes, combat and, of course, one gorgeously animated game. More »

Namco Bandai Bringing Ni no Kuni to the West

Brian Ashcraft — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 00:20:00 EDT

According to Ni no Kuni developer Level-5, Namco Bandai will be publishing the PS3 version coming to North America and Europe next year. [@LEVEL5_IA] More »

Does Studio Ghibli Have the Best Beer Label? Yes, Yes It Does.

Brian Ashcraft — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 04:00:00 EDT

Studio Ghibli, known for classic anime like My Neighbor Totoro and now PS3 game Ni no Kuni, has a museum. And at that museum, there is beer. And that beer is awesome. More »

Ni no Kuni's Funny Bone Has Quite the History

Brian Ashcraft — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 02:00:00 EDT

Ni no Kuni's Funny Bone Has Quite the History" alt="Click here to read Ni no Kuni's Funny Bone Has Quite the History" src="http://cache.kotaku.com/assets/images/9/2011/10/small_manzailede.jpg"/>

The Kansai area of Japan includes Osaka, Kobe, and Kyoto. It's famous for its food, such as okonomiyaki and beef, its companies, like Panasonic and Nintendo, and its comedians, which include about half of the people on television. More »

Is This Ni no Kuni's Official English Title?

Brian Ashcraft — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 06:00:00 EDT

Ni no Kuni's Official English Title?" alt="Click here to read Is This Ni no Kuni's Official English Title?" src="http://cache.kotaku.com/assets/images/9/2011/10/small_ghibli.jpg"/>

The PS3 version of Ni no Kuni, the prettiest game of this year's Tokyo Game Show, is coming to America. More »

Finally, a Lupin III Board Game!

Kirk Hamilton — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 21:30:00 EDT

Lupin III Board Game!" alt="Click here to read Finally, a Lupin III Board Game!" src="http://cache.kotaku.com/assets/images/9/2011/09/small_lupin_iii_board_game_01.jpg"/>

While I may never get to play the cel-shaded Castle of Cagliostro video game of my dreams, I was happy to hear that the Italian board game publisher Ghenos Games will be putting out a board game based on the adventures of the animated film's protagonist, Lupin III. (And hey, from the sound of things, Level 5's Ni No Kuni is as close as we're gonna to get to a playable Miyazaki film. And by the sound of things, that's gonna be just fine by me). More »

Over Thirteen Minutes of Gameplay Footage from the PS3's Best-Looking Game

Luke Plunkett — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 06:30:00 EDT

Level-5's Ni No Kuni was easily my "game of the show" for 2011's Tokyo Game Show. It's the first game I ran to on opening day, and it's the only game I went and played twice. More »

Ni No Kuni is Coming to America

Luke Plunkett — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 07:15:00 EDT

Ni No Kuni is Coming to America" alt="Click here to read Ni No Kuni is Coming to America" src="http://cache.kotaku.com/assets/images/9/2011/09/small_ghibli.jpg"/>

Speaking at a Tokyo Game Show event earlier today, Level-5 Akihiro Hino boss made a lot of people reading this website very happy, announcing that the PS3 version of gorgeous RPG Ni No Kuni would be getting a North American release. More »

Ni No Kuni's Gameplay Footage Shows Why This is TGS' Best-Looking Game

Luke Plunkett — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 07:00:00 EDT

Ni No Kuni's Gameplay Footage Shows Why This is TGS' Best-Looking Game" alt="Click here to read Ni No Kuni's Gameplay Footage Shows Why This is TGS' Best-Looking Game" src="http://cache.kotaku.com/assets/images/9/2011/09/small_explore_kotaku_videos_1945.jpg"/>

Just in case you didn't believe me that upcoming RPG Ni No Kuni looks shit hot, here's a ton of gameplay footage shot from the floor of this year's Tokyo Game Show. More »

I Think I Just Played the Prettiest Game On the PS3

Luke Plunkett — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 06:00:00 EDT

What determines somebody's "best-looking" game on a system is a subjective thing. Some will prefer clean lines, others copious effects. Me, I can do without either if a game just has great art. More »

Ni No Kuni Is Looking Beautiful In This New Trailer

Luke Plunkett — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 01:30:00 EDT

Ni No Kuni Is Looking Beautiful In This New Trailer" alt="Click here to read Ni No Kuni Is Looking Beautiful In This New Trailer" src="http://cache.kotaku.com/assets/images/9/2011/09/small_qbbv7zvtocg.jpg"/>

Here's a new trailer for the upcoming Ni No Kuni for the PS3. The more I see of this game, the more I clench my fists, grind my teeth and try and will it into already being out. And in English. More »

Meet The Most Beautiful PS3 Of Them All

Luke Plunkett — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 23:39:00 EDT

Level-5 and Studio Ghibli's Ni no Kuni may well be one of the prettiest games on the PS3 when it's released, so it's only fitting that its special edition console is just as easy on the eyes. More »

More Painfully Pretty Screens From Studio Ghibli's PlayStation 3 Game

Mike Fahey — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 14:40:00 EDT

Now that the PlayStation 3 installment of Level-5's Ni No Kuni has a release date, Japanese gamers know exactly how long they have to drool over the gorgeous visuals before diving into Studio Ghibli's video game adventure. More »

That Studio Ghibli Game Is Finally Coming to the PS3 (But It's Expensive!)

Brian Ashcraft — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 03:00:00 EDT

Finally Coming to the PS3 (But It's Expensive!)" alt="Click here to read That Studio Ghibli Game Is Finally Coming to the PS3 (But It's Expensive!)" src="http://cache.kotaku.com/assets/images/9/2011/08/small_ninokuni.jpg"/>

About a thousand years ago, Fukuoka-based game developer revealed it was working on a PlayStation 3 version of Ni no Kuni, its collaboration with venerated anime house Studio Ghibli. More »

Hayao Miyazaki Advocates Knives, Fire-Making And Other Stone Age Skills

Brian Ashcraft — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 09:00:00 EST

Japan's answer to Walt Disney does not like technology. Hayao Miyazaki is concerned that the virtual world of video games, television, and even his own Ghibli Studio animated movies, is snatching away power from kids. Better teach them how to use knives! More »

Ni No Kuni's First Fifteen Minutes Translated For Your Listening Pleasure

Brian Ashcraft — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 07:00:00 EST

Ni No Kuni, the Nintendo DS title from animator Studio Ghibli and Professor Layton developer Level-5, is out in Japan. Those outside The Land of the Rising Sun are out in the cold. This video might make things all better. More »

Studio Ghibli Game Will Animate Japanese Sales

Brian Ashcraft — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 03:00:00 EST

Today, the Nintendo DS game from Professor Layton developer Level-5 and My Neighbor Totoro creator Studio Ghibli goes on sale in Japan. How's it going to do? Well, how do you think it's gonna do? More »

The Last, Adorable Breakthrough For The Nintendo DS

Luke Plunkett — Fri, 26 Nov 2010 01:30:00 EST

With a touch screen and microphone, the DS has seen some pretty unique games over the years. But wielding the handheld and a giant book at the same time? That's new! More »

Hail To The King Of DS Box Art

Luke Plunkett — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 04:30:00 EDT

This is one of the biggest - and most beautiful - boxes for a Nintendo DS game you will ever see. More »

Level-5's New Games Go From The Courtroom To The Cabaret

Brian Ashcraft — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 09:30:00 EDT

Today in Tokyo, Fukuoka-based developer Level-5 held its annual press event. Kotaku Japan was in attendance as Level-5 revealed a handful of new titles. But what new titles? More »

Ni No Kuni Gets The Handcraft Treatment

Luke Plunkett — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 05:30:00 EDT

Ever wonder what the name of that weird little lantern-nosed guy from upcoming DS/PS3 role-playing game Ni No Kuni is called? His name's Shizuku. And he is adorable. More »

At Least One Japanese Game Developer Is Doing Great

Brian Ashcraft — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 09:00:00 EDT

Level-5, the Fukuoka-based developer behind Professor Layton and White Knight Chronicles, is loving the Japanese game industry. Why? Because it has made the company lots of money and funded some swanky corporate digs. More »

Ni No Kuni Looks Just As Good On DS

Luke Plunkett — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 01:30:00 EDT

It would be silly to spend all our time showing off the PS3 version of Ni No Kuni, when the game will also be turning up on DS. More »

Ni No Kuni's TGS Trailer Is The Most Delightful Thing We'll See All Week

Luke Plunkett — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 07:30:00 EDT

All those colours...all those Studio Ghibli-designed characters...Level 5 running things under the hood...2011 can't come soon enough for the PS3 version of Ni No Kuni. More »

Let's Watch Some Ni No Kuni Gameplay Footage

Luke Plunkett — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 01:30:00 EDT

During Sony's TGS press conference, a short clip was shown which gave us our first prolonged look at the gameplay for upcoming Level 5/Studio Ghibli RPG Ni No Kuni. Or, at least the PS3 version of the game. More »

Ni No Kuni PS3 Hands-On Impressions

Brian Ashcraft — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 00:00:00 EDT

Studio Ghibli, Japan's beloved animation studio, is teaming up with Level-5, one of the country's most popular game makers, for a new adventure called "Ni no Kuni". A high definition version is coming to the PS3. It is beautiful. More »

First Ni no Kuni Commercials Look Like This

Brian Ashcraft — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 17:00:00 EDT

This winter, role-playing game Ni no Kuni will be released on the Nintendo DS. Know what that means? Marketing blitz! More »

Studio Ghibli's Gorgeous Ni no Kuni Gets Hands-on At Tokyo Game Show

Michael McWhertor — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 18:40:00 EDT

We're just a few weeks away from the 2010 Tokyo Game Show and publishers are started to tout their wares. Professor Layton and Dragon Quest developer Level-5 is one of the first to announce its plans... and they're exciting! More »

Ghibli Has A Dissolution Plan (Long Live Ni No Kuni!)

Brian Ashcraft — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 05:00:00 EDT

Studio Ghibli, currently at work on role-playing game Ni no Kuni with developer Level-5, is famous for its films created by Hayao Miyazaki. Not to be morbid, but Miyazaki won't be making movies forever. What does that mean for Ghibli? More »

Studio Ghibli's Game Getting A Western Release

Luke Plunkett — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 06:30:00 EDT

Ni no Kuni, a joint project being worked on by Level 5 and animation legends Studio Ghibli, will be released in Western markets, Level 5's CEO has confirmed. More »

Studio Ghibli's DS Game Also Looking Beautiful

Luke Plunkett — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 00:00:00 EDT

Ni no Kuni, a collaboration between Japanese developer Level 5 and animation powerhouse Studio Ghibli, wowed us yesterday with the PS3 version's glorious trailer. Don't forget, though, that the game is also coming to the DS. More »

See The Trailer For Ghibli's PS3 Game

Brian Ashcraft — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 06:30:00 EDT

Famed animation company Studio Ghibli is collaborating with Fukoka-based game developer Level-5 on the upcoming Ni no Kuni. It is now coming to the PS3. We've posted screens of the game. Would you like to see it in motion? More »

Studio Ghibli's PS3 Game Is Breath-Taking

Brian Ashcraft — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 03:30:00 EDT

Ni no Kuni, the collaboration between famed anime company Studio Ghibli (My Neighbor Totoro, Kiki's Delivery Service) and Professor Layton developer Level-5, is not only coming to the Nintendo DS, but also the PS3. It will knock your socks off. More »