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only in japan

The Wii Bikini Queens (Not In Bikinis)

Nintendo's Japanese ads are smart. They don't just feature famous celebrities, but former-bikini-girls-turned-mainstream celebs. That's curvy cheesecake pin-up turned actress Eiko Koike on the new Wii Fit TV spot. Sure, the Nintendo ad isn't gratuitous in the least, but it certainly doesn't turn its back on Koike's most famous assets. This isn't the first bikini girl to shill Wii stuff. Earlier this spring, Swimsuit idol Aki Hoshino appeared in Mario Kart Wii spots in a mini-skirt.

They've both done some risqué stuff in the past — nothing X-rated. Google if you like! Just know: These sorts of celebs advertise all kinds of stuff in Japan, so it's not totally unusual to see that here. Either shows how mainstream these models are or how progressive Nintendo's Japanese advertising is. Hit the jump for the Hoshino ad from earlier this year, via Jean Snow at Game|Life.

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7:20 AM on Wed Jul 2 2008
By Brian Ashcraft
18,299 views, 34 comments

Latest by Onizuka-GTO: Oh yes. more »

minimum risky

Curvy Japanese Bikini Lady Shows Us Bape Nintendo DS

If you've spent time on the Japanese nerd internet, you've seen images like this: Pin-up model posing with game hardware. Very common! This, this one's got a little more. That's curvy swimsuit model Yuuri Morishita holding the pricey and hard-to-get Baby Milo/Bape limited edition Nintendo DS. While we noticed that this DS was somewhat popular, we haven't actually seen a non promo image of the Bape DS! So here it is. With this lady. And look at that, the limited edition DS looks like a regular DS with stickers on it. A shot of the DS on what looks like Morishita's mattress or something.

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5:00 AM on Thu May 15 2008
By Brian Ashcraft
28,397 views, 70 comments

Latest by Shiroi Kaze: My god, she's beautiful... more »

maximum risky

Butt Flasher Lady Returns For More Butt Flashing!

Even cops can't stop Ass Flasher. Tush thong lady Asuka Sawamoto hit Akihabara this week and hit it hard — two cheeks at a time. Previously, Sawamoto mooned all of nerdom, causing a mob scene of sweaty dorks with cameras and boners. The act hit Yahoo! News Japan. While the cops have been cracking down on Akihabara street performances to hopes of avoiding such shameful (and potentially dangerous) displays. The "singer" was back for the hat trick this Sunday, putting her arse out for the third time. This time TV crews were on hand to catch the cheeky act and butt in for a quick interview or two.

Hit the jump for a pic of the ass flashery madness! It's somewhat safe for work. But creepy as hell.

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1:00 AM on Mon Apr 21 2008
By Brian Ashcraft
51,122 views, 106 comments

Latest by OddManOut: Hmmm...interesting how many people seem to think ill of the Japanese for for being interested enough in this to stop, stare, and take pictures. Like Americans or others are somehow above such... And yet...how much FLAP was there when more »

maximum risky

Ass Flasher Idol Planning More Ass Flashery

Tush thong lady speaks! "Singer" and swimsuit model Asuka Sawamoto has hiked up her mini skirt to Akihabara nerds many times. No big whoop for her! It is for the Tokyo Metropolitan Police, who have been cracking down after her flashing incidents ended up on Yahoo! News Japan. Sure, we've all seen Asuka's hindquarters, but what about the woman behind the behind? What does she thing of the ballyhoo? The 22 year-old self-described "multi-sexy idol" says:

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6:00 AM on Thu Apr 3 2008
By Brian Ashcraft
32,734 views, 58 comments

clip

Shokotan Looks For Akiba's King Nerd

That's admitted cat-head-swallower-turned-mainstream-idol Shoko Nakagawa finding bigger nerds than her! She encounters some dude playing Taiko no Tatsujin blindfolded, nerd group dancers and another dude (with no teeth) cosplaying as anime character Haruhi Suzumiya. She then dresses up as a life-sized Evangelion figurine. None of the passer-byers think that, you know, a real human being would actually do that. A chubby guy finally recognizes her. Good for him! He's even dressed as his own self-created character called A-Hero (Akihabara Hero) and protects the Akiba "holy land" by walking around from store-to-store with other nerds. He's even got his own slogan and poses. Uh-huh yep yep.

Shokotan Searches [Japan Sugoi]

7:00 AM on Tue Nov 13 2007
By Brian Ashcraft
2,470 views, 45 comments

Latest by n/a: What happens to the shut-ins when their parents die? Do they just starve to death in their rooms, or do the cops drag them off to a mental hospital? more »

clips

THE iDOLM@STER Clumps to Beautiful Katamari

I went through a phrase, a phase in which I was doing posts on popstar sim THE iDOLM@STER — sometimes every day. I've slowed down and only to only once or twice a month. And with that, I bring you this month's iDOLM@STER post... More »

10:00 PM on Fri Oct 19 2007
By Brian Ashcraft
4,023 views, 33 comments

idoru

The Voice of Haruhi

Back when I worked in the movie business and hung out with movie stars, I met a voice actor at some random party. He did a ton of cartoon and commercial work, and he actually was doing very well financially. Originally, he intended to be an actor, but he didn't have the look. He didn't even have the weird guy character actor look. He was rather bland. But his voice? Golden.

Because of that experience, my mental image of voice actors is: Balding dudes in Dockers and boat shoes. Well! In Japan, that is the furtherest thing from the truth. Just take a gander at 99.9 percent of voice actresses! Above, that's Aya Hirano, pop singer and the the voice of Haruhi Suzumiya from monster hit anime The Meloncholy of Haruhi Suzumiya. Here she is promoting the upcoming Haruhi PS2 game and just being. Sadly, she's not really into games, which means she loses nerd cred points. Lots of them, dammit. Oh well.
More Pics, Game Screens, Too [IT Media]

4:00 AM on Wed Oct 17 2007
By Brian Ashcraft
3,512 views, 51 comments

idoru

Japan's Marilyn Monroe Promotes Wii Golf Game

Camelot developed We Love Golf! needs a spokesperson. We Love Golf! has one! That's bikini model Waka Inoue, who is noted for having the same bust/waist/hip measurements as Marilyn Monroe. She's slightly on the wain popularity-wise (she is 27), but still one of the more famous idols. Expect her (and her Monroe measurements) in a slew of We Love Golf! ads. If Hot Shots Golf-clone plus Nintendo Wii plus curvy idol isn't a sure fire Japan hit, we don't know what the hell is. More »

9:00 PM on Mon Sep 3 2007
By Brian Ashcraft
5,945 views, 47 comments

Latest by OtakuboyT: @Kyle81: LOL more »

animal instinct

Coin-Collecting Akiba Idols in Furry MMO

Nope, that isn't a homeless cheerleader squad accepting donations. Well, they are accepting denotations, but they're not homeless. That's idol group Chu!Lips (a Japanese pun on "kiss" and "tulip") collecting pocket change for the World Wildlife Fund. Why would Akihabara pop idols be doing that? Well! The troop is appearing in MMO Holy Beast Online, a Taiwanese developed game that lets players switch back and forth between human and animal form. The game has even teamed up with WWF Japan. Hardcore! So yes, these girls aren't only lending their likeness to furry MMO, but doing their part to help wildlife. They must really, really like animals. Just as long as they don't like animals.
Watch Chu!Lips in Concert [YouTube]
Holy Beat Pics [IT Media]

6:40 AM on Tue Aug 28 2007
By Brian Ashcraft
3,411 views, 31 comments

Latest by Terrorsaur: Change? Oh theres some in my pocket. DEEPER. more »

we are freaked out

Former Sega Campaign Girl "Live Face" Mask

Just because space cadet Yuko Ogura is no longer Sega's "image character" doesn't mean we can't post non-news about her. Oh no. Once a SEGA spokesperson, always a SEGA spokesperson! Above is a an official Yuko Ogura LIVE MASK. Just take a gander at that! Are you creeped out? We are totally creeped out. And it takes a lot to creep us out. More »

4:00 AM on Thu Aug 23 2007
By Brian Ashcraft
6,932 views, 51 comments

clips

Akihabara's Idol Wonderland

Game localizer, author and robot freak Matt Alt gets his otaku on as he provides a guided tour of Akihabara's street idol singers. With costumes inspired by anime and games, the performers must pound the pavement themselves to create a name. Check out the second clip after the jump. It features some impressive nerd dancing. More »

10:00 PM on Tue Jul 17 2007
By Brian Ashcraft
3,229 views, 33 comments

idoru

SEGA's New Spokesmodel

The SEGA "image character" daisy-chain goes something like this: MEGUMI, Yuko Ogura (twice) and now Satomi Ishihara. Ishihara is best know for her work in Pocky commercials. Well, that's how I know her. She'll be appearing in TV spots, on the SEGA website and on posters and banners. About her predecessors: bikini model and actress MEGUMI is sassy and opinionated, while fellow model and weirdo Yuko Ogura is annoying, claiming to be from outer-space. Ishihara is cute but seems, well, kind of bland. Same goes for SEGA's new arcade slogan: "Welcome to SEGA... With Smile." Wonder how long it took the marketing wizards to come up with that one.
Ishihara Welcomes You [Game Watch]

1:00 AM on Thu Jul 5 2007
By Brian Ashcraft
5,632 views, 38 comments

Latest by GamePark32: @Erinaceus: You mean Segata Sanshiro, right? [en.wikipedia.org] I bought this Warioware-type game for Saturn and my friends and I had an absolute blast playing it. Good times. more »

clip

Shokotan Takes On Housewife In Pokemon Battle

Every Sunday from 7:30 am, Japanese children gather in front of the TV to stare glassy-eyed at Pokémon Sunday. Sponsored by Nintendo and the Pokémon Company, the program features the cartoon as well as live action video segments that feature info about card playing or DS battles. It's basically a big Pokémon ad, but does feature famous celebs like Shoko Nakagawa and Gorugo Matsumoto. In the above clip, Shokotan and Gorugo take on some kid and his mother. The winner gets one of the loser's Pokémon. Not terribly exciting, but if you're a kid, FASCINATING.

5:00 AM on Tue Jul 3 2007
By Brian Ashcraft
1,771 views, 26 comments

Latest by crobat62: Kid had an uber. Well, even if Zapdos doesn' count as an uber, he's the only one that brought out a legendary. Shame. Could have taken Rhyperior out with a good Ice Fang (Tyranitar)... 8D more »

idoru

Promoting Kanji Circling With Schoolgirl Skirts

Take note: if you plan on promoting a relatively innocuous, boring DS game, make sure you promote it with girls in schoolgirl outfits! A press event for Tsugawa Method DS (AKA Maru Kaite DonDon Oboeru: Kyoui no Tsugawa Shiki Kanji Kioku Jutsu) was held in Tokyo with idol group AKB48 (AKA AKIHABARA 48). The game helps folks remember difficult kanji through the Tsugawa Method — circling parts of the kanji you cannot remember in hopes of remembering them. For the press event, the members of AKB48 circled stuff and sat at desks in short skirts. All this under the guise of learning stuff. Seems like a ploy! More »

7:20 AM on Tue Jun 26 2007
By Brian Ashcraft
13,812 views, 91 comments

Latest by Spoffoth: Thanks quen, that looks right up my street! I hoped someone would be able to hold back a bit of blood for their brain. more »

not a real ninja

Win Signed Ninja Gaiden Sigma Poster

For a game that got good Famitsu scores (9,8,8,8), Ninja Gaiden Sigma itself isn't the really marketing focus, but rather big-in-Japan American-born Leah Dizon, who's appearing in the title's TV spots. More »

4:00 AM on Tue Jun 12 2007
By Brian Ashcraft
4,290 views, 43 comments

idoru

The Book Display M@ster

Just when you thought that otaku had moved on comes this: THE iDOLM@STER book tower. Found at TORANOANA in Osaka, this display features character books and comics. More »

5:00 AM on Wed May 30 2007
By Brian Ashcraft
1,502 views, 31 comments

clips

How To Make Puyo! Puyo! Ad With Pretty Model

Last year, model Yuri Ebihara was everywhere. This year, she's still around, but less so. Still, Sega hired her to promote the new Puyo! Puyo! game for the DS. We've posted the tv spot before (it's after the jump), but not this making-of clip, which even at two minutes plus feels long. Hearts of Darkness or Burden of Dreams, this ain't. Brian Ashcraft More »

6:00 AM on Tue May 15 2007
By Brian Ashcraft
2,114 views, 13 comments

hey japan

Gaming With Her Via Xbox Live Is Possible

That's bikini model Yuuri Morishita. She recently came to play to Test Drive Unlimited online with dorky plebs. To get everyone in the mood for the Hawaiian course, she even wore a lei! While she said she's not much of a real driver herself, she also added that she hasn't been gaming much recently. Boy, that's how you promote a game: Say you don't really play them. The best bit? Since this is Japan, the chances of people actually getting in some game time with Ms. Morishita were pretty darn high. Gotta love the odds! Brian Ashcraft More »

5:00 AM on Tue May 15 2007
By Brian Ashcraft
1,870 views, 21 comments

Latest by Sandcastle: Smart. They actually enlist the 'help' of Japan's industry of swimsuit model girls now. :D Hmm, will the West do the same? Only time will tell now. more »

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