Brian Ashcraft

Dotombori River. Osaka, Japan. By Joey Crowdell. JPGs is a photo peek into wherever gamers might find interesting. If you’re a photographer and have images you want to share, drop us a line! 

Track: Party Hard | Artist: Andrew W.K. | Album: I Get Wet Kotaku Soundtrack is a selection of the stuff we’re listening to at the moment.

Looks like classic shooter Ikaruga could be coming to the Switch! Game developer Treasure tweeted out this photo, show the game on the Switch and with Nintendo’s hardware held up by cheap stands.

Cosplay Isn’t Only About Clothes, But Also About Facial Expressions

Cosplayer Mosuke has recently uploaded a comparison in which she’s attempted to recreate the facial expressions of Golden Kamuy’s Asirpa. This proves an important point, I think. Cosplay isn’t about clothes. It’s also about facial expressions. Attitude, even. You need more than accurate threads to bring a character to life, and bravo to Mosuke for…

Japan’s School Bags Are Expensive and Fashionable

Grade schoolers across Japan carry leather backpacks called “randoseru” (ランドセル). Traditionally, kids have carried one of two colors: black for boys, and red for girls. In recent years, however, that’s changed. This article was originally published on September 3, 2014. Randoseru, which comes from the Dutch word “ransel,” or “backpack,” vary in price. It’s possible…

The Entrance. Tokyo, Japan. By Alessandro Arcidiacono | Instagram JPGs is a photo peek into wherever gamers might find interesting. If you’re a photographer and have images you want to share, drop us a line! 

Track: Time After Time | Artist: Cyndi Lauper | Album: She’s So Unusual Kotaku Soundtrack is a selection of the stuff we’re listening to at the moment.

Three Video Game Bars Shut Down In Japan Over Copyright Claims

This week, three Osaka video game bars announced that they were closing. The reason, it seems, was copyright violation. According to IT Media, the three game bars—1Up, Catena and Clan—will cease operation on July 29 when their lease ends. 1Up opened in 2013, while Catena and Clan both opened in 2016. The bars allowed customers…

Anime Figures Make Excellent Earphone Stands

Why only collect anime and game figures when you can use them to hold earphones? Recently, fans and retailers alike in Japan have been using them to do just that. This trend isn’t brand new, and there are examples of people uploading photos of their figures-turned-earphone-stands from a while back. People were probably doing this…

Want to watch a cardboard Optimus Prime being built? Sure you do! YouTuber Hamster & Toy recreates Takara Tomy’s “Speed Change” series of Transformers toys.

The Inevitable Dragon Ball Z Porn Parody

Of course, there is a Dragon Ball Z porn parody. It’s called Dragon Boob Z and appears to feature cosplaying performers with pun-filled character names. Like Vagin Buu, Prickolo, Vageata, and Ballma. There’s also Gokooze, which I don’t get. Sorry! The trailer below doesn’t feature any uncensored nudity, but there are dick drawings. It also…

And The Wheel Goes On. Himeji, Japan. By Sammy Fatnassi | Tumblr JPGs is a photo peek into wherever gamers might find interesting. If you’re a photographer and have images you want to share, drop us a line!   

Track: Here | Artist: David Byrne | Album: American Utopia Kotaku Soundtrack is a selection of the stuff we’re listening to at the moment.

Legendary Tokyo Game Shop Closes 

On April 8, legendary video game retailer Games Maya closed, bringing to a close a 35-year history. Some of the biggest names in Japanese gaming paid their respects. Games Maya wasn’t a mega-corporate chain retailer, but a mom and pop operation. Frequented by game industry types, the shop was known for its impressive stock, fair…

YouTube Trend In Japan: Let’s Study And Do Homework Clips 

A Japanese morning show recently did a report on how some kids are doing their homework while playing clips of YouTubers studying. The show featured a clip by Hajime Shacho, one of Japan’s most famous YouTubers. The clip dates from fall 2016 and has racked up over three million views. While this wasn’t a first,…

How To Make Super Cheap Cosplay

Last year, Kotaku profiled Japanese cosplayer Takaya. His creations aren’t only clever, but also super cheap. He’s been showing off his creative process. Each tweet begins with the character Takaya hopes to bring to life. That’s followed by household items, snacks and cheap creativity. Takaya is a low-cost cosplay genius. For more, follow him on…

Night Pink. Hinokicho Park, Tokyo, Japan. By Ernst de Jong. JPGs is a photo peek into wherever gamers might find interesting. If you’re a photographer and have images you want to share, drop us a line! 

Japanese Exoskeleton Suit Goes On Sale For Only $93,000

If you have a hundred thousand bucks you’d like to spend, perhaps you’d be interested in an exoskeleton suit? Even if it won’t make you super strong? According to Japanese site IT Media, Skeletonics, the folks behind this exoskeleton, is now offering order-made suits that start at $93,000. The suits are nine-feet tall and weigh…

Your Spring 2018 Anime Guide [Updated]

It’s spring. Can you believe it? We could go outside and look at blooming flowers. Or…we could stay inside and watch anime. You decide! Update April 10 – 8:03 am: This guide has been updated with new simulcast announcements. Below are the shows that will air during the spring 2018 anime season. Which ones are…

Poll: The Most Beloved Japanese Games According To People From Around The World

The most recent issue of Weekly Famitsu polled 6,678 non-Japanese people, asking their opinions about Japanese video games. Which twenty did they say they liked most? Let’s find out! Here is the breakdown by age: Under 9 years old: 2 people In their teens: 717 people In their 20s: 4,429 people In their 30s: 1,378…