Brian Ashcraft

Track: Cathedrals of the Mind | Artist: Doves | Album: The Universal Want

Kojima Productions Is Now Promoting A Delivery Company In Japan

Makes sense, I guess? Kojima Productions developed Death Stranding, a game about delivering things, and now the Tokyo-based game studio is doing promotion for Kuroneko Yamato Transport, a Japanese delivery company. As My Game News Flash reports, a special website has been launched, with notes of encouragement for delivery workers that can be printed out,…

One Piece Will End In Four Or Five Years

Since 1997, Eiichiro Oda has churned out One Piece. It has become the most successful manga ever. And one day, One Piece will end—according to Oda, in the next four to five years. Recently, Oda appeared on Japanese TV and was asked how much longer the manga will run, reports Daily Sports. “Four or five…

The Japanese Town That’s Covered In Evangelion

Hakone, Japan is known for mountain views, hot springs, and Evangelion. The anime is set in Tokyo-3, a city constructed in Hakone. Earlier this year, it was first reported that the area would be teaming up with the iconic anime for an “Evangelion x Hakone 2020: Meet Evangelion in Hakone” collaboration that, most likely, hoped…

Track: Pretty Thing | Artist: Bo Diddley | Album: The Best of Bo Diddley 

VR-Controlled Robots Coming To Japanese Convenience Stores

This summer, VR-controlled robots are coming to select Family Mart convenience stores in Japan. As Time Out Tokyo reports, these robot employees are being introduced to improve efficiency and lower costs, as offsite workers will control the robots to stock store shelves. But… seeing the robots in action, the efficiency argument is odd. Because, one…

Track: Look Inside America | Artist: Blur | Album: Blur 

Fall Guys Fans Create Wonderful Concept Skins

Fall Guys is the most downloaded PlayStation 4 game ever. We’ve already started seeing some collab costumes, such as the Gordon Freeman skin, and we’re bound to see many, many more. Yoko Taro, for example, is interested in a Nier-themed outfit for the giant-bean characters. I am certain he is not alone! In the meantime,…

The Official Kingdom Hearts III Boots Are What You’d Expect

If you were to imagine what official Kingdom Hearts III boots would look like, you might imagine buckles, straps and chains. Plaid too, maybe! That pretty much sums up these boots. Japanese clothing company Super Groupies, whose slogan is “Anime into Fashion!”, created this officially licensed footwear inspired by Sora, Riku, Kairi, Roxas, and Axel.…

Up Close With The Latest Giant Evangelion Statue

This fall, a 49-foot-tall Evangelion Unit-01 bust will open in Kyoto. Website RyuTokyo got to check out the attraction, which is pretty much just a photo spot—but then again, that’s what nearly all these giant anime-themed statues are. Eva Kyoto Base will open at Toei Kyoto Studio Park in Kyoto and will also feature a…

Yakuza Producer Finally Apologizes For Mocking Puzzle Game Esports Pros

In July, Yakuza executive director and producer Toshihiro Nagoshi used slang to disparage puzzle game pro players during a livestream. Sega soon apologized, and now, nearly a month later, so has Nagoshi. As previously reported, Nagoshi had said that Puyo Puyo esports players seemed like they eat beef bowls with cheese. The term chiizu gyuudon…

Track: Moon | Artist: The Lemon Twigs | Album: Songs For the General Public

Snuggle Up With A Chopped Off Pikachu Tail Pillow

If you are in the market for a hug pillow and like Pokémon, here’s one that looks like a giant, chopped off Pikachu tail. Priced at 8,658 yen ($81.31), the hug pillow measures 110 cm (43.3 inches) and sure looks comfy. While this was previously released in 2018, the tail will be re-issued this December.

Japanese Vending Machines Are Selling Bugs You Can Eat

Japan is famous for vending machines. While most sell soft drinks and coffee, there are some unusual ones selling batteries, umbrellas, and bottles of sake. Add insects to that list. In Japanese, the word 昆虫食 (konchuushoku) means “insect eating”. During the past few years, it seems, there has been an increasing number of vending machines…

The Internet Reacts To Fall Guys Being 6ft Tall

Not only is Fall Guys a big hit, but the jelly bean characters themselves are also big—measuring in at six feet to be exact. The official Fall Guys Twitter account posted the above image, writing: In awe at the size of this lad. Absolute unit. 183 cm Fall Guys actual size. Yikes! I imagined the…

Track: Fade Into You [cover] | Artist: Bully | Album: N/A

Used Pokémon Popsicle Sticks Fetching High Prices Online In Japan

It’s summertime! It’s hot. Time to eat popsicles and—if you are in Japan and like Pokémon—perhaps buy the used sticks for hundreds of dollars. On June 1, as Kotaku previously reported, Garigari-kun popsicles were teaming up with Pikachu for a limited collab. A box of six Pokémon Garigari-kun cost 350 yen ($3.30), but according to…

Smile Masks Look Kinda Creepy, But Aim To Improve The Customer Experience

Tokyo discount store Takeya has launched a “smile campaign” with staff wearing masks emblazoned with photos of their smiling grin. Honestly, they look kinda creepy. This is a good idea and in a terrible, most unusual year, I appreciate the sentiment. But…yikes! I’ve worn masks in the past due to seasonal allergies, but now because…

Japan’s First Officially Licensed Video Game Bar Opens In Tokyo

While video game bars are popular in Japan, they do operate in somewhat of a gray area. In 2018, for example, there were instances in which video game bars were shut down over copyright claims. People were even arrested. Video game bars typically let customers play games for free while charging them for drinks. The…

Ramen Waiter Robots Coming To Japan

Later this month, ramen chain Kourakuen in Fukushima will begin trialing robot waiters to bring patrons hot, steaming bowls of ramen. Called K-1, the robot is supposed to help with social distancing in the age of covid-19, offering contactless service and reducing the burden on restaurant staff. K-1 is outfitted with voice guidance as well…