Brian Ashcraft

Champion Martial Artist Started out at an Arcade

This is In Gun Yoo, better known as “Kick Gun.” Last year, he won Red Bull’s Kick-It tournament, cementing his place as one of the best extreme martial artists on Earth. And he got his start in a most unlikely place: at a game arcade. But he wasn’t playing games per se, he was kicking…

When Anime Statues Are Unintentionally Terrifying

What is this, I don’t even. Recently, the latest Detective Conan movie opened in China. According to GamerSky (via Livedoor), one theater rolled out life-sized Conan statues apparently made at a nearby school to help promote the film. [Photo via GamerSky] Oh boy. Obviously, Conan fans in China were surprised and amused by the statues,…

Shimokitazawa. Tokyo, Japan. By Ryan Scullin 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!

Blizzard Held a StarCraft Wedding in South Korea

Tonight, former StarCraft pro NaDa had the most fitting wedding ceremony you could imagine: at the Legacy of the Void launch party. As tipster Sang points out, the ceremony was livestreamed on Twitch and the Blizzard Afreeca channel. How’s this for an entrance? And here is NaDa’s bride, whom he met while in college, with…

Man Impersonates Dragon Quest Characters in His Underwear

Forget fancy costumes and well-made props. All comedian HollywoodZakoshisyoh needs for his Dragon Quest “impressions” are tighty whities and whatever he has around the house. Below, via IT Media, you can see his take on Dragon Quest enemies: Check out more impressions here and here To contact the author of this post, write to bashcraftATkotaku.com…

One Piece’s and Dragon Ball’s Creators Talk About Not Sleeping

Making manga is not easy. Something has to give and that something is usually sleep! Eiichiro Oda, the creator of One Piece, is an infamous workaholic. His hero, Dragon Ball creator Akira Toriyama, is no slouch. In an interview from ages ago (recently, uploaded to 2ch), the two talked about their hectic work schedules. “Now,…

Japanese Comedian Will Show You Some Butt Naked Poses

This is Tonikaku Akarui Yasumura. He’s a funny man who’s achieved a certain degree of fame in Japan for his “I’m wearing” underpants gag. As Afternoon News points out, the comedian has done an English language version of his gag: As well as a Korean and a Thai version. Butt naked gags are universal. That’s…

Daytime View. Taipei, Taiwan. By Morgan Kinkel. 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!

This Guy’s iPhone Passcode Is Too Damn Long

It really is. How does he even remember it? I have no idea! Japanese Twitter user yossy1999116, it seems, originally uploaded the clip, writing, “There’s this amazing dude on the subway…” I’ve seen other videos of people with long passcodes, but this is the first time I’ve seen someone out in the wild with one…

The Japanese Star Wars: The Force Awakens Trailer Has Lots of New Footage

This is not simply the old trailer with Japanese subs on it. This is much more. You can watch the one minute and fifty-three second trailer below. Lots of hot stuff in this trailer! Like… …and… Thanks RaviCNN and JohnTV! To contact the author of this post, write to bashcraftATkotaku.com or find him on Twitter@Brian_Ashcraft

Track: Don’t Believe the Hype | Artist: Public Enemy | Album: It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back Kotaku Soundtrack is a selection of the stuff we’re listening to – and gaming to – at the moment.

First Look at the Ghost in the Shell Theatrical Play 

While the Hollywood Ghost in the Shell movie with Scarlett Johansson lurches forward, a new GiTS stage play recently opened in Tokyo. It’s called Ghost in the Shell Arise: Ghost is Alive. It’s totally official, and the poster looks totally terrific: [via Dengeki Online] The play has gotten a decent publicity push. [Photo:cafemoca516] Here’s where…

Behold, the Hat That Looks Like Panties

What’s your thoughts on headwear that look like underpants? Because a lady who goes by Korotoro is making each pair, er hat or cap, by hand and selling them for us all to wear. On our heads. In public. Oh boy. The striped panties certainly seem anime-inspired, but as website IT Media says, these are…

The Terra Formars Movie Sure Looks Goofy 

Here’s a first peek at the live-action version of the popular manga Terra Formars. It seems silly. The movie has an assorted cast of talented Japanese actors, such Takayuki Yamada, Rinko Kikuchi, Kane Kosugi, and Rila Fukushima. Takashi Miike, who’s made a lot of great movies as well as a bunch of crap, is directing.…

Cross the Street. Osaka, Japan. By Jase Nguyen. 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: Kyouran Hey Kids!! | Artist: The Oral Cigarettes | Album: Kyouran Hey Kids!! Single Kotaku Soundtrack is a selection of the stuff we’re listening to – and gaming to – at the moment.

This Year’s Most Insane Anime Episode Won’t Get a DVD or Blu-ray Release

The first episode of the new Mr. Osomatsu anime is hilarious, trippy as hell, and won’t be getting a re-release. In case you missed it, here are Kotaku’s impressions of that episode. Even for a gag anime, it was totally bonkers. This, basically: Of course, the most suitable reaction to this is “What the fuck…

South Korea Is Building a Giant Monument to… ‘Gangnam Style’

The Seoul district of Gangnam has announced a proposal to build a huge bronze sculpture of the horsey dance. No, really. Well, with 2.4 billion views, it is the most watched video on YouTube. The Korean media (via tipster Sang) are reporting that the district set a budget of 418,320,000 won (US$366,301) and are currently…

Old Nintendo Instruction Manuals Are Truly Wonderful

Don’t you miss instruction manuals? Or even just paper? I know I do. And these photos make me miss them even more. Over on 2ch, Japan’s biggest online forum, a series of Famicom-era instruction manuals were recently posted. [via 2ch] Like the Famicom instruction manual, for example. This dates from 1983. [via 2ch] A look…

No One-Punch Man Cosplay Will Ever Top This

It’s impossible. This is the best that there ever will be. Promise. Here, we have cosplayer Sly Kucing as Saitama, the bald-headed hero of One-Punch Man. He’s joined by a host of talented cosplayers that includes Hara Takumi, Soo Hon Pong, Tony Liew, andRei Chan. Wonderful work, everyone! The above photo was taken by Le…