Brian Ashcraft

Wondering what’s up with Bravely Default II? The official Japanese Twitter announced that it won’t be long before Square Enix is able to share info about the game. Perhaps, a release date? 

Rapper Logic Just Paid Over $183,000 For A Pokémon Charizard Card

Late last week, a gem-mint first-edition shadowless holographic Charizard #4 from 199 sold for $183,812 at Iconic Auctions. With the twenty percent buyer’s premium, the grand total was over $220,000. This is the highest price ever paid for this Charizard card. And it was paid by retired rapper Logic. The card was graded gem mint…

Track: The Pink Phantom | Artist: Gorillaz featuring Elton John | Album: Song Machine Season One: Strange Timez

Former Splatoon Pro Arrested For Alleged Sexual Abuse

According to The Mainichi Daily News (via Tokyo Reporter), former Splatoon pro Kai “YIG” Asano (pictured) has been arrested for the alleged rape of a middle school girl. A warning to readers: This story contains frank descriptions of sexual misconduct that some may find disturbing. The 20-year-old Asano has been arrested for suspected coerced sexual…

Watch People Zipline Into Godzilla’s Mouth

A life-sized Godzilla attraction will open this weekend at the Nijigen no Mori amusement park on Japan’s Awaji Island. Last month we checked in to see how it was coming along — pretty good, I thought! What makes the 390-foot-long attraction so unique isn’t that it’s just a one-to-one scale Godzilla head, but visitors can zipline…

Track: Donuts Mind If I Do | Artist: Chai | Album: Donuts Mind If I Do (Single)

Watch A Man Tear Down A PlayStation 5

The PS5 is a big console. Wonder what’s inside? Sure, the specs give us a very good idea, but that’s not the same as watching someone take the machine apart. In the seven-minute plus clip below, Yasuhiro Ootori of the company’s hardware design division gets out his screwdrivers and goes to work. Sony has not…

In Japan, Sony’s Nasne PlayStation Hub Is Returning

Remember Nasne? The Japan-only DVR was released back in 2012 primarily for the PlayStation 3 and the Vita. Later, it got an update for the PS4 but was finally phased out last year. Now, Famitsu reports that Nasne is coming back and will once again go on sale in Japan in 2021. However, this time…

Goodness, Mario Themed Pancake Sandwiches Are Coming To Japan

While Super Nintendo World won’t open until next spring, Universal Studios Japan has a taste of Nintendo starting this month. What USJ is calling “the world’s first Mario Café & Store” will set up shop in the park’s Hollywood street starting October 16, serving up yummy treats and selling cute merch. USJ wants to offer…

Universal Studios Japan’s Super Nintendo World Opens Next Spring

Originally, Universal Studios Japan’s Super Nintendo World was scheduled to open this July. But due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, the Mario-themed area was delayed. As previously reported, in the park’s attempts to maximize social distancing and avoid congestion, it was decided opening the new area would make that too difficult. Today, according to Kai-You,…

A 12-year-old child has died from a heart attack after playing PUBG Mobile for hours without a break, reports the Egypt Independent. Prosecutors are currently investigating the death. Community leaders are being called upon to warn about the game, while parents are recommended to monitor their children’s app use. 

Track: Acacia | Artist: Bump of Chicken | Album: Acacia (single)

Sony Is Changing The Confirm And Cancel Buttons In Japan And Folks Aren’t Happy

In the West, the X button has long been the PlayStation’s button to confirm selections, actions, and more. But, ever since the original PlayStation went on sale in Japan in 1994, there the circle button has been the action button. That is going to change. Famitsu and AV Watch are reporting that in Japan the…

Man Spends Four Years Making Gundam Diorama And The Result Is Amazing

What have you done during the past four years? Twitter user Mannen Factory spent it making an incredible Gundam diorama. The award-winning model maker recently uploaded images of the completed diorama, which he’s titled, “Decisive Battle – Space Fortress Solomon.” The project took almost half a decade, with Mannen Factory writing on Twitter, “To be…

Teaser For Monster Hunter Live-Action Movie Is Filled With Guns

When you think of Monster Hunter, you probably think of giant monsters and giant swords. The teaser for the Hollywood adaptation gets the giant monsters part right, but adds huge guns. Watch said teaser below: Why guns?! The film’s official description might provide insight: When an unexpected sandstorm transports Captain Artemis (Milla Jovovich) and her…

Track: The Colour Of Love | Artist: The Smashing Pumpkins | Album: CYR

While Tokyo’s Shibuya has been a hot spot for Halloween (even descending into chaos!), this year, because of covid-19, organizers will be asking revelers to visit a virtual version of the event. 

Arcade Event For 2021 Already Canceled In Japan

This year has been rough, but the novel coronavirus isn’t going away any time soon. In Japan, for example, next February’s in-person Japan Amusement Expo has been canceled. Japan Amusement Expo (JAEPO) is the industry event to show off the latest arcade hardware—as Siliconera points out, it’s the arcade equivalent of the Tokyo Game Show.…

Track: Hear Me Out | Artist: Pixies | Album: Hear Me Out / Mambo Sun

Fans Think They Hear The Final Fantasy “Prelude” In Genshin Impact

While, yes, Genshin Impact is more than a Breath of the Wild clone, the free-to-play RPG’s background music is reminiscent of another iconic game’s theme song, say some fans. As reported on Japanese site Hachima, it’s been pointed out that the music during the menu screen below seems to apparently resemble the Final Fantasy “Prelude.”…