Brian Ashcraft

Akihiko Yoshida, a brilliant artist and character designer, is leaving Square Enix. Yoshida, however, said he will continued to work on Bravely series.

Confusing U.S. Military Lingo Explained

Before Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 made “Oscar Mike” (“on the move”) famous, I confess that I’d never heard the expression before. But that’s just one phrase in a rich vocabulary of U.S. military slang. Website Global Post has a glossary of military terms, some of them appearing within the last decade, some of…

You’ll Never Guess Where Puzzle & Dragons Is Hitting Next

Role-playing game Puzzle & Dragons, which features puzzles and, um, dragons, has been a smash hit mobile title. The game is getting a 3DS version this month in Japan. And next spring, it’s coming to Japanese arcades. Yes, arcades! Remember those? Developed by Square Enix, the arcade version is called Puzzle & Dragons Battle Tournament…

Ketchup? Ha! Dip Your Fries in Chocolate

Lotteria, the most bonkersfast food chain in Japan, is rolling out its latest unusual meal: French fries with chocolate dipping sauce. Hell, why not? I’m game. In Japan, chocolate-covered potato chips have started appearing in supermarkets and convenience stores in the past few years. They’re still somewhat of an odd product, but there are those…

How Pokémon Battles Are More “Realistic” in the New Anime

It’s a subtle change. If you’re watching the new Pokémon anime, Pokemon XY, you might not have even noticed. But the battles are a little more “realistic.” The word is in quotes, because let’s face it, Pokémon battles by their very nature are not realistic (they are, of course, in relation to the actual game).…

Prankster Attempts to Prove All White Guys Look the Same

Is that tennis legend Roger Federer? No, it’s not. It’s YouTube user Donnie Doespranking the people of Shanghai. Yes, Donnie is a jerk! And yes, feel bad for the folks who had him sign their stuff. But don’t feel for the person who got the Stevie Mittens drawing. DONNIE DOES | Fake Federer [Donnie Does@YouTube]…

First Look at Bravely Second, the Totally New Bravely Default Sequel

The eagerly-awaited sequel to role-playing game Bravely Default (pictured) has apparently been announced for Japan. According to an unconfirmed leak, it’s titled Bravely Second. And it’s a brand new game. Note: the announcement came via a Japanese magazine leak. Kotaku has yet to confirm the leak first hand with the actual magazine. The magazine article…

Giant Phone or Small PlayStation Controller?

Quick! Answer! Which is it: a jumbo phone or a teeny PlayStation controller? Here, I’ll give you a hint: It’s not a huge phone. Big hint, I know! These “ear phone jack mascots” go on sale next April in Japan. No word yet on pricing. 2014年”プレイステーション”旋風到来！！ [あみあみ] To contact the author of this post, write…

Check Out Japan’s Pointlessly Adorable Radish Art

From the country that mastered latte art, comes grated radish art. It’s cute and pointless. And that’s what makes it so damn wonderful. Japanese radish, or “daikon” (大根), is a common vegetable in the country’s cuisine. Grated Japanese radish is called “daikon oroshi” (大根おろし), and it is served with fish and stew (nabe)—among many other…

Here’s Another Call of Duty: Ghosts Comparison For Xbox One and PS4

Last month, we saw Call of Duty: Ghosts compared on PS3, Xbox 360, and PS4. In the following video, you can finally see the Xbox One and PS4 versions of the game compared. It’s really getting harder and harder to tell the difference. At least for me. Can you spot any discrepancies? It’s a YouTube…

Got $40,000? Buy Bruce Lee’s Shrunken Yellow Jump Suit

Bruce Lee is gone, but his movies live on. That, and memorabilia, including his most iconic outfits, which are up for auction in Hong Kong,. The marquee item is the trademark yellow jumpsuit, one of two Lee wore in Game of Death, his last film. Reuters reports that four jumpsuits were created, but the other…

Microsoft Is Researching a Bra. Well, a Smart Bra.

There’s a good reason for that. According to Microsoft, a bra is close to the heart. You know what else it’s close to? The stomach, that’s what. The BBC reports that researchers from Microsoft’s visualisation and interaction research group designed a bra that’s able to detect emotions. This comes after the reveal of Sony’s smart…

You’d Never Skip Class at This Chinese Elementary School

In the city of Shenzhen, a Super Mario Bros. mural was recently added to the side of an elementary school. Flickr user DCMaster first spotted the mural, which appears to be more than just a painting. If you look closely, you’ll see how the characters actually appear in relief. And as one Kotaku reader pointed…

The global PS4 beta for Final Fantasy XIV begins on February 22, 2014. An April 2014 release date was also announced. That’s for Japan and,it seems, North America. [Thanks, Alex!]

Gaming Handheld Allegedly Used in Horrible Bullying Incident [Update]

A portable gaming machine was apparently used in an alleged bullying incident that left one kid humiliated and claiming mental anguish. According to Japanese wire service Jiji Press, a sixth grade boy in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan was allegedly bullied in between May 2012 and this past September by seven other children in the same sports…

Amazon Cardboard Boxes Make a Beautiful Buddhist Temple

What do you do with your Amazon cardboard boxes? Throw them away? An individual in Japan turned them into one of the country’s most famous temples, the Byodoin. The templeis a national treasure in Japan and is featured on the back of ten yen coins. NicoNico Douga user Upuaza Touryou took around five months to…

Diplomat Accused of Embassy Arson Looks Dumb in Body Paint

Thirty-year-old Japanese diplomat Shinya Yamada is accused of embezzling US$260,000 and torching the Japanese embassy in Democratic Republic of the Congo. Serious allegations. Leave it to the Japanese media to use a stupid pic. As pointed out on 2ch, Japan’s largest internet forum, Nippon TV used the above pic of Yamada, which appears to be…

The Craziest Otaku in the World

That’s not my opinion, mind you. That’s what people online in Japan are saying. This is Melonpan, a geek from Switzerland who has been amusing the internet for the past few years with his antics. Perhaps you’re a fan. Or maybe you remember the time he jumped out of a plane with a hug pillow.…

For Ten Bucks, Delicious Hamburgers Should Look Better

You know, ten bucks is a lot for a hamburger. Especially from a fast food joint. And especially when it doesn’t look so delicious. But what if it tastes good? Last week, Japanese fast food chain Lotteria launched its latest “Reward Burger” (ご褒美バーガー or “Gohoubi Baagaa”). Called the Japanese Black Cattle Beef Hamburg Steak Burger,…

Rude Cosplayers Pissing Off Park Visitors in Japan

Shuzenji Niji no Sato is a park in Shizuoka, Japan. And it’s not happy with some ill-mannered cosplayers. If the situation doesn’t improve, cosplay photography could be banned. On December 1, the park posted a notice on its blogregarding “worsening manners” among cosplayers. Lots of cosplayers are good people, but it seems some rotten apples…