Brian Ashcraft

They’re Making a Hack-and-Slash Dragon Quest

And it’s called Dragon Quest Heroes. It looks like Dragon Quest meets Dynasty Warriors. Dragon Quest Heroes will be out on the PS3 and the PS4 next spring in Japan. Expect lots of this: To contact the author of this post, write to bashcraftATkotaku.com or find him on Twitter @Brian_Ashcraft Kotaku East is your slice…

Bloodborne will be out February 5 in Japan on the PS4.

The alpha for The Tomorrow Children, an interesting PS4 action game from Q-Games and Japan Studio that looks inspired by Communist design, begins next month.

Japan Getting a Light Pink PS Vita

Out November 13 for 18,980 yen, the Light Pink/White PS Vita is apparently, as Sony Computer Entertainment Japan honcho Atsushi Morita points out, aimed at women.

Watch Sony Japan’s Fall 2014 Press Conference Here

Today in Tokyo, Sony Computer Entertainment Japan is holding a press conference. What will be revealed? Watch and find out. (Note: the presentation is over.) Here is English! Broadcast live streaming video on Ustream

How Does the “New” 3DS Compare to the “Old” One?

The New 3DS is faster and bigger with improved hardware and a better battery life. While the New 3DS is slightly heavier, the New 3DS XL is actually lighter. Let’s get a better look at that new analog stick, which Nintendo is calling the C-stick: The battery life for the New Nintendo 3DS is from…

​Nintendo Just Announced a New 3DS. It Has Another Analog Stick.

It’s called the New Nintendo 3DS. It’s faster with bigger screens and better battery life. It also has a new analog pad called the “C-stick.” Wow! This sounds great. The New Nintendo 3DS comes in White and Black. There is also a New Nintendo 3DS XL that comes in Metallic Blue and Metallic Black. Note…

Bravely Second Will Be Out This Winter in Japan

According to today’s Nintendo Direct, the eagerly-awaited Bravely Second will be released on the Nintendo 3DS this Winter in Japan. No word yet about a Western release window.

Watch today’s Nintendo Direct right here. The presentation, which is in Japanese, will center around Nintendo 3DS games. No wonder this is called “Nintendo 3DS Direct 2014.8.29.”

Oh Hey, It’s a $675 Attack on Titan Statue

Open your wallets. Wide. That is, if you plan on buying this Attack on Titan statue. Produced by GoodSmile Company and designed by famed figure sculptor Takayuki Takeya, this 19-inch statue of the Colossal Titan will be released in March 2015 and is limited to 500 numbered pieces. It’s not cheap! GoodSmile is listing the…

One of the Most Convincing Product Tests You’ll See

A fellow from Korean lock company ST System showed off its latest crime prevention product called “smart lock.” Just wait until after he gets his gloves on. The gentlemen will attempt to convince you that by using the lock, it’s impossible to shatter or open the window all the way. Convinced? As tipster Sang points…

Lupin The Third Turned into an All-Women’s Musical

Japan’s legendary all-women theatrical company the Takarazuka Review is bringing Lupin The Third to the stage. For a hundred years, the Takarazuka Review has been entertaining Japanese audiences. The group is comprised solely of women performers, playing both the male and female roles. The Review was even influential on Osamu Tezuka, Japan’s “god of manga,”…

Unmasking the Mysterious Batman of Japan’s Highways

Recently, photos of Batman on a Japanese highway surfaced. Who was that masked man? People want to know! And through the magic of television, we found out. Since this Batman is usually spotted in Chiba Prefecture, he’s known as “Chibatman” (千葉ットマン or “Chibattoman”). [Photo: coresugo] [Photo: ananweblog] The 41 year-old Chibatman works as a welder,…

Nintendo is holding a Nintendo Direct tomorrow in Japan, starting at 8pm Tokyo Time. The presentation will cover 3DS games.

For a Brief Moment, This Otter’s Manners Were Excellent

Look at that this cute otter. He’s sitting at the table, eating his food, like a well-behaved critter. Fret not, things go downhill from here. This video is from Japanese YouTube user mixjam11. If you like otters, do check out that user’s channel. カワウソ劇場 行儀よく？？ [mixjam11@YouTube via DailyPicksAndFlicks via Laughing Squid] To contact the author…

You Really Shouldn’t Google “Pokken” Images Right Now

Pokkén! It’s Pokémon meets Tekken, so hey, that’s a clever title. Maybe. And you might be interested in the game, but whatever you do, don’t google “Pokken.” Seriously, don’t. “Pokken” is not only the name of the upcoming Pokémon arcade fighter, Pokkén Tournament, but also the Dutch word for smallpox. And here, via Interglot, is…

Don’t Be Silly, Hello Kitty Is a Cat

Earlier today, numerous websites reported that Hello Kitty is not a cat. That’s not only an oversimplification, it’s also not quite true. Hello Kitty is a feline—just an anthropomorphic one, Sanrio told Kotaku. The whole Hello-Kitty-is-not-a-cat thing was set off by an L.A. Times article on an upcoming Hello Kitty at the Japanese American National…

More Silly Schoolbook Drawings from Japan

School books aren’t for studying, you know. They’re for drawing goofy pictures in. Because that certainly makes class time fly by. Previously, Kotaku introduced some of Japan’s wonderfully wacky schoolbook doodles. Sometimes, people draw over existing images or fill in what’s missing, while other times they go as far as erasing the original image to…

If Real Combat Was Like Online Shooters

Video games and real-life combat are obviously different. But what if real combat was like an online shooter? Well, it might be like this. Below, you can see a series of fun and clever South Korean commercials for Nexon’s online first-person shooter Sudden Attack via Siliconera. As tipster Sang points out, the ads star Kpop…

The Internet Reacts to the New Pokémon Fighting Game

There’s a new Pokémon game! It’s an action fighting game. For arcades. In Japan. I bet the internet has something to say about that. As previously reported, The Pokémon Company roped in Namco Bandai, the makers of Tekken, for the arcade game. It’s called Pokkén Tournament and will be out next year in Japan. And…