Brian Ashcraft

Japan and Korea Now Arguing Over Stomping on Anne Frank’s Face

At a recent anti-Japan protest in South Korea, participants carried signs with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s face crossed out. They also carried signs with Anne Frank. One protestor appeared to stomped on both. Or did he? Whatever is going on? Relations between Japan and South Korea, to be blunt, suck. As The Wall Street…

Attack on Titan Turned into a Comedy Spoof for Japanese TV

Human-eating giants might not be funny, but human-eating giants with new jobs in construction are. Yesterday, Japanese variety show Smap x Smap did a short Attack on Titan skit called “Shiniri no Kyojin” (新入りの巨人), which translates as “Giant Newcomer” (though, the show used the subtitle “Newcomer on Titan”). It’s a pun on the anime’s Japanese…

Get Your Official North Korean Desktop Wallpaper

Something missing from your computer? Something North Korean? You can change that right now. Red Star 3.0 is the North Korean Linux operating system, and computer scientist Will Scott, who has a copy, uploaded Red Star’s desktop images. Many of them look like they’ve had the hell photoshopped out of them. Some are kind of…

Japanese Prime Minister Thinks Country Can Learn from…Nintendo

Nintendo is having atruly difficult year. Things are tough! Yet, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe thinks the country can learn from Nintendo. Earlier today, a member of the Diet asked him for his growth strategy for Japan. “Well, for example, there’s a company called Nintendo,” Abe replied. “Over there, they made hanafuda cards, but gradually…

In Japan, Sony is ceasing aftercare service for the launch PlayStation 3 consoles: the 60GB CECH-A00 model, the 40GB CECH-B00 model, and the 40GB CECH-H00 series models. Also, Sony Japanwon’t be offering aftercare for PlayStation 1, the PlayStation 2 model SCPH-50000MB, and the 1000 and 2000 series for the PSP.

When You’re Mistakenly Angered by Man Nipples

Underwear company Hong Kong Beautiful Chest Queen specializes in bras that make your breasts bigger—even dude’s boobs. But you know man breasts when you see them, right? In Changsha, China, one shopper wasn’t happy with the beautiful chests running on television screens in a shopping arcade. The push-up bra ads were running in a public…

There Are Gundam Donuts in Japan

Of course, they’re being served at the country’s Gundam Cafes. Shocking, I know! There are Gundam and Zaku donuts for 320 yen (U$3.16) each. For 420 yen ($4.16) , there’s also a Haro roll cake called “Harooru” (ハロール), which is a pun on “Haro” (ハロ) and ロール (“rooru”) or “roll”. These might go well with…

Cosplayer Pulls a Zelda Sword, Man Gets Stabbed

A domestic dispute over a woman put two men in the hospital. One of the men, a cosplayer, wielded a sword. A Legend of Zelda sword. “Swords and flower pots; it sounds nuts, he is psycho,” said Eugene Thompson, the homeowner’s boyfriend, told Local 2 news in Houston. Thompson lives at the home of his…

The Biggest Boner You’ll Ever See on a Power Rangers Robot

Scratch that. This could be the biggest boner you’ll ever see, full stop. On the latest episode of the new Super Sentai (aka Power Rangers) series Ressha Sentai Tokkyuujaa, the giant robot all the Power Rangers join forces to form gave viewers a full salute. This looks to be a knowing wink to amusing photos…

Is This the World’s First “Sexual Home Appliance?” Probably Not!

It’s come to this. Apparently. Adult toys brand Vorze is releasing what it is calling the world’s first “sexual home appliance.” Note: This article contains content some readers might find objectionable. Vorze isn’t calling its new A10 Cyclone Standalone a sex toy. Even so, it isn’t exactly the first sexual home appliance as Hitachi first…

Baked Kit Kats Exist in Japan

In a country with numerous Kit Kat flavors and a Kit Kat specialty store, this should not come as a surprise. It should come as an utter delight. The latest special flavor is “Yaki Cream Cheese” (in Japanese, “yaki” or 焼き means “baked,” “toasted,” “grilled,” “roasted,” and so on). Here’s how they compare to the…

Up Close with Metal Gear Solid‘s New Puma Jackets and Sneakers

To mark the release of Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes, Konami and Puma are teaming up for some licensed Ground Zeroes gear. There are track jackets priced at 15,750 yen (US$155) each. The camo sneakers are 21,000 yen ($206), while the “gun metal” ones are 23,100 yen ($227). You can see photos below, courtesy…

Witness the Beauty of Japanese Swordplay

Shozo Kato, a master kendo sensei, discusses Japanese concepts of beauty (such as wabi-sabi or わびさび) and the “immovable mind” (fudoushin or 不動心) as well as demonstrates kendo and laido. The result is both poetic and fascinating. This video was directed by Brady Welch and Colin Sonner. Shozo Kato – Way of the Sword [The…

Tetris Reborn as a Chewy Japanese Gummy Snack

New puzzle game Puyo Puyo Tetris doesn’t only turn Tetris blocks into anime characters. It also turns them into gummies. Behold Puyo Puyo Tetris Gummi. Priced at 100 yen (US$1) per bag, the snack comes with gummi shaped Puyo Puyo blobs and Tetris blocks in lemon, grape, strawberry, orange, melon and soda flavors. Puyo Puyo…

Japan’s Cat Apartments Come with… Cats

You know how some apartment come with furniture or kitchen appliances? These Tokyo apartments come with cats. Yes, cats! Tokyo Cat Guardian, a cat protection group, is teaming up with landlords and prospective tenants for a volunteer program that puts cats from animal shelters into apartments. This is ideal for apartment management who want to…

What’s Wrong with Modern Japan in One Stupid Commercial

There are many wonderful things about Japan. And, like anywhere, there are some not so wonderful things. Rarely do you see so many of them in one thirty-second commercial. The ad in question is for the National Association of Labour Banks, which is somewhat like Japan’s version of a credit union. The commercial was made…

Final Fantasy Themed Weddings Sure Are Romantic

Sweet and adorable, too! If you plan on getting married, may I suggest doing something like this? While the bride and groom dressed as Final Fantasy characters White Mage and Squall, those attending the wedding were encouraged to dress as their favorite characters—Final Fantasy or not. “Not all guests and relatives know Final Fantasy so…

Attack on Titan Now Selling Hamburgers in Japan

Mmm…Meat! Next month, popular anime Attack on Titan will be hawking burgers stacked with meat in Japan. And yes, they’re made with beef, not humans! Starting March 6, fast food chain Lotteria is launching special Attack on Titan meal deals: For 2,000 yen (US$20), you get one cheese burger tower plus an Attack on Titan…

North Korea’s Central Zoo Now Has Dogs. Yes, Dogs.

The Bronx Zoo has Siberian tigers. The San Diego Zoo has pandas. The Central Zoo in Pyongyang now has Yorkshire terriers. That’s according to the Korean Central News Agency, North Korea’s state news agency. The following story appeared on KCNA’s site this week: And above are photos of said Yorkshire terriers. I guess they are…

Is Nippon Ichi Software announcing a new game? This teaser site, with a URL that seems to indicate such. Let the speculation begin!