Brian Ashcraft

Ike Joins Super Smash Bros., Gets Compared to a Gorilla in Japan

Nintendo just announced that Ike from Fire Emblem is returning to Smash Bros. So, he’s not a new character to the series, but he now looks…different. And in Japan, some are mocking his pumped up appearance. On popular game sites like Hachima and My Game News Flash, there are commenters calling the muscular Ike a…

I Wish Video Games Had High-Speed Gesture Tech Like This

The Ishikawa Watanabe Laboratory at the University of Tokyo recently showed off its very cool 3D gesture tech. Using high-speed camera, the system is able to track hand movements at 500 frames per second. The lab hopes the tech can be used by surgeons. I say bring on the video games. High Speed Gesture Recognition…

Japan Did BioShock In 1973

SF Magazine is a well-known sci-fi magazine in Japan. Launching in 1959, it’s still published today. And in July 1973, the cover looked like BioShock BioShock was released decades later in 2007 (the above image features a still from the 2010 sequel). But wow, look at the similarities—especially the similarities with the Little Sister from…

Cats Videos Are Better with Sports Announcers

In your time on the internet, you’ve probably seen a ton of cat videos. Cute ones, funny ones, and jumping ones. But, you know what was missing from them? Taiwanese baseball announcers, that’s what. Recently, the Facebook page for internet feline friends MuMu and MianMian uploaded the following YouTube clip, which features an audio track…

Good news, Dragon Quest fans! DQ creator Yuji Horii tells VJump that the next Dragon Quest won’t be a smartphone game, but perhaps, more of a weighty title. Meaning? Don’t expect a casual game, but hopefully, something closer to a traditional DQ experience.

Japanese Selfie Trend Will Leave You Shaking Your Head

It seems like there’s always a new photo trend, doesn’t it? Some are big. Some are small. Well, this one could have you shaking your head. Literally. Earlier this week, head-shaking photos were uploaded to bulletin board Viper 2ch, with the original uploader writing, “You’re able to forget your troubles hahahahahaha.” In Japanese, this is…

That’s One Giant Sailor Moon Head

It really is. But getting your hands on this collectible Pullip doll is bound to be difficult. Pullip is a line of fashion dolls, and the latest addition is a limited edition Sailor Moon doll that is priced at 17,280 yen (US$171). The doll even comes with a cute little Luna plush toy. Pre-orders start…

Demon Souls and Dark Souls director Hidetaka Miyazaki has been named the president of From Software, the company said in an official release. That’s terrific news for fans of those games. Good news for him, too.

It’s X-Men: Days of Future Past Meets…Japanese Professional Baseball

One of Japan’s most popular baseball teams, the Hanshin Tigers, released a new poster that looks exactly like the poster for X-Men: Days of Future Past. That’s no accident. To promote the movie’s release, as well as an upcoming interleague game with the Tigers’ minor league all-stars, posters have been plastered near Osaka Station as…

Is This South Korea’s Next Dance Craze?

Forget “Gangnam Style.” Forget “Bar Bar Bar.” 2014 could be the year that we all start dancing to “Ear Attack.” By “we,” I mean “you”—or, at least, someone you know. Below, you can watch the video for “Ear Attack.” It’s a tune by a new Korean pop group called Badkidz. At the time of posting,…

Anime Delay Shows How Strict Japan Is about Drugs

Here’s a thought: If the West is too lenient regarding controlled substances, then perhaps, Japan is too strict? As reported by Asahi News, Japanese popstar Aska of the wildly popular group Chage & Aska was recently arrested for allegedly possessing stimulants, including MDMA. Increasingly, Japanese authorities have been cracking down on drugs and celebrities. Instead…

Zelda Musou (aka Hyrule Warriors), the hack-and-slash Zelda game, will be out August 14 in Japan. According to a Famistu leak, Team Ninja is also working on the game with Koei.

“Kinky” Japanese University Gets a New Name

A well-known university outside of Osaka, Japan has changed its English name. The reason? So it won’t be confused with perverts. Previously, Kinki Daigaku* (近畿大学) was known as Kinki University, but as News2U reports, the university is hoping to become more global. Thus, starting in April 2016, its English name will be Kindai University. In…

The Spinning Lady Will Mess with Your Mind

You are looking at an optical illusion. It’s been doing my head in all day. Do you know which direction the woman is spinning? Is she spinning clockwise? Counter-clockwise? Or does she suddenly change directions? Try blinking and see what happens. Maybe she changes direction. Maybe not. It depends on how you see. The Spinning…

Spider-Man Appeared on Japanese Television Tonight. Chaos Ensued.

Make that, Spider-Woman. Japanese celebrity and serial cosplayer Natsuki Okamoto was on her regular current events program dressed as everyone’s friendly neighborhood superhero and then started “shooting” webs. Via 2ch, here’s how that went down: Okamoto often dresses as things she’s into, whether that’s an athlete she follows, a historical period she enjoys, or in…

Studio Ghibli Characters Sure Look the Same

They don’t look exactly the same. But damn, many of the characters from Japan’s most beloved anime certainly look similar. Studio Ghibli, of course, is famous for anime like My Neighbor Totoro, Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, and Ponyo—all of which were created by Hayao Miyazaki. As noted on Japanese Twitter site Ghibli_Fan7,…

The Inevitable Attack on Titan Gay Porn

In December 2013, Kotaku reported that Attack on Titan was getting an “absolutely mental” looking adult movie, complete with incredibly elaborate sets and make-up. Now, it’s getting a gay porno. No surprises there! Note: This article contains content some readers might find NSFW. The name of this upcoming flick is Attack on Boys Love, and…

Japan’s Surprise Hit Is Getting a Special Nintendo 3DS XL

With a sequel for smash Yokai Watch coming out, Nintendo is releasing a special Nintendo 3DS, emblazoned with Yokai Watch character Jibanyan. Priced at 18,000 yen (US$177), the pack does not come with either Yokai Watch or Yokai Watch 2. However, the sequel will be out the same day this special 3DS XL hits: July…

Here, Have Some Dog Butt Curry

Picking up where corgi omelettes, panda curry, and hamster rears left off, there’s this: Shiba inu butt curry. Because shiba inu. Twitter user Mesomeso1009 uploaded this curry creation, which isn’t made with actually dog butt. Instead, this is rice shaped like a shiba’s backside. The photo has been retweeted over seven thousand times and even…

One Piece Brought to Life with Stop-Motion Animation and Toys

Using One Piece figurines from the posable Cry Heart series, stop motion photography recreates the Oath of the Brothers scene. Earlier this year, the Cry Heart figures were used in another stop motion clip, which was also quite impressive. Have a look: ワンピース Cry heart～children’s dream～ [MaiDigiTV] ストップモーションアニメ [MaiDigiTV] To contact the author of this…