Brian Ashcraft

Awesome Tech Demo Turns You into Iron Man

To promote Iron Man 3‘s Hong Kong release, there’s a really cool tech demo at Hysan Place shopping mall. Powered by Hot Toys and pure awesome, it allows people to wear virtual Iron Man armor. And after you suit up, you can dance around like a goofball. Hong Kong’s Hot Toys, of course, is responsible…

Chinese Man Pickpockets an iPhone By Using… Chopsticks

And if that wasn’t enough, the man used chopsticks to pickpocket from a woman riding a bicycle. And she apparently didn’t even notice and continued pedaling! Photos of the “suit man”, surnamed Wang, pulling off his amazing petty crime in downtown Zhengzhou recently appeared online in China. Wang would later say he began committing crimes…

Studio Ghibli Denies Involvement in Rumored Live-Action Kiki’s Delivery Service Film

There’s a rumor that Kiki’s Delivery Service is being turned into a live-action film. The rumor, via Twitch, stated that Ju-On and The Grudge director Shimizu Takashi would be helming the picture. And now, Studio Ghibli has commented on the matter. Speaking with Japanese site Cinema Today, Studio Ghibli denied involvement, saying, “This doesn’t have…

After Brutal Murder, Taiwanese Gamers Apparently Kept Playing

On April 3, an 18 year-old man entered an internet café in Taiwan and stabbed another man to death. Even after that horrific event, some in the café apparently continued gaming. One patron reportedly did so in blood splattered clothes. Note: This post contains content that some might find disturbing. Reader discretion is advised. Shenzhen…

PSY’s Follow-Up to “Gangnam Style” Leaks Online

This Saturday, PSY will be performing at Seoul World Cup Stadium. According to AP, PSY said he will “share his new single with the world”. Too late, it’s already leaked online. That’s the internet for ya! Dubbed “Gentleman”, the tune is South Korean performer’s follow-up to the smash hit “Gangnam Style” and is on sale…

In Japan, Some of the Wii’s Network Services Are Going Offline

Today in Japan, Nintendo announced that a handful of its network services would no longer be offered. As of June 28 this year, Nintendo will end the following services: Forecast Channel, News Channel, Everybody Votes Channel, Nintendo Channel, and Check Mii Out Channel. What’s more, Nintendo is ending the ability to exchange data with friends…

This Restaurant Is a Nerd Paradise

Toys. Figures. Statues. For the past ten years, designer Woong Cho has collected memorabilia. And he decided he wanted to share his passion with the world. So, Cho created a restaurant with an amazing museum. It’s dubbed “CW Restaurant”, which is short for “Cinema World”, and is in Daegu, South Korea. The chic eatery is…

Street Fighter‘s Greatest Fight Visualized

You’ve seen it. You know it. You love it. The Daigo Umehara versus Justin Wong Street Fighter III: Third Match is the stuff of fighting game lore. And now, you can see it again. Visualized. The image below has the iconic match’s move input and damage output in visual data form. It’s fascinating stuff and…

These Superhero Suits Cost US$200,000

Famed Japanese anime Science Ninja Team Gatchaman is coming to the big screen. And it’s bringing new Gatchaman suits with it. Those G-suits don’t come cheap! According to Japanese site Sanspo, the suits took one year to make, from concept to final outfit. The filmmakers needed costumes that not only looked good, but also that…

The Most Obsessive Vending Machine Blog I’ve Ever Seen

You know those people who take pictures of themselves everyday? Now imagine that, but with a Japanese vending machine. Since August 5, 2005, Japanese site I take a picture of the vending machine every day (or so). I’m very sorry. has uploaded well over two thousand photos of the same Coca-Cola vending machine. Photos go…

Well, This Anime Looks Different. Thank Goodness.

For what seems like forever now, googly-eyed saccharine cute characters have dominated Japanese anime. In the past few years, there seems to be a sea change. This is a good thing. Granted, I don’t hate the cutesy moé style. I just like a little variety! And new anime The Flowers of Evil offers just that.…

League of Legends Server Problems Are Pissing Off Korean Gamers

In South Korea, League of Legends is popular—perhaps the most popular game at the country’s net cafes. That’s both a good thing and a bad thing. What makes being popular a bad thing? For starters, the League of Legends server always seems to be under maintenance. Last night, for example, LoL underwent emergency maintenance until…

Controversy Over a Cool Visual Technique Being Ripped Off [Update]

There’s a first time for everything. And once something is pioneered, others move in and make it theirs. But is that a rip off? One band seems to say so. Above, you can see a music video from the Australian group Clubfeet. The name of the song is “Everything You Wanted”, and it hit earlier…

This Fake Dark Souls Anime Is Brutal

While totally not a real anime per se, this hand-drawn fan-made clip mashes Dark Souls with Neon Genesis Evangelion. The title is “Dark Souls Neon NEET-gelion”. Originally from the UK, the term “NEET” means a young person who is not in education, employment, or training. As one would expect, this faux anime looks totally unforgiving.…

Call Her Tali’Zorah vas…Cosplay

Tali’Zorah is one of Mass Effect‘s most memorable characters. Of course, much of that is due to Tali herself, but the character’s superbly designed outfit and gear don’t hurt, either. No wonder so many cosplayers love bringing the character to life. Previously, Kotaku took at look at how cosplayers did up Commander Shepard (DudeShep and…

There Is No Third Console Curse. Don’t Believe It.

The next Xbox will be Microsoft’s third video game console. And there are already those who say the still unannounced machine is doomed. You see, some believe in a Third Console Curse. Whether it’s gamers on the IGN boards or GameFaqs, there’s chatter of a “dreaded console curse.” Heck, even as early as 2009, there…

After “Gangnam Style”, There’s This Song and Dance

This is “Cutie Song”. In its native Korean, it’s called the “Gwiyomi” or “Kiyomi” song, depending on how you write it in English. And it’s the viral music craze that’s been spreading through Asia in the wake of “Gangnam Style”. Last October, the “Gwiyomi” jingle and dance originally appeared on a Korean variety show called…

Want to Live in a Large Aluminum Box? In Japan, You Can.

Space can come at a premium in Japanese cities. Depending on the area, apartments can get incredibly expensive. One company thinks it has a solution: Aluminum boxes. Dubbed “T2”, the interior of this housing unit measures seven feet by 12 feet across. The ceiling is over seven and a half feet high. The dwellings look…

Akihiro Hino, president of Japanese studio Level-5, recently told Nikkei Trendy that things were still in the planning stages when asked if his studio was doing a PS4 title. “We might be able to announce something shortly,” said Hino.

This Man Will Draw Two Pokémon Doing Whatever You Want*

Drawings of Pocket Monsters visiting the psychiatrist? Hanging out by the water cooler? Racing mopeds? You betcha. Here’s a small sample from Tumblr site illdrawpokemonforyou Want something drawn? Here are the rules. But for goodness sake, don’t request two Pokémon screwing! There are more interesting and funny things that can be drawn. illdrawtwopokemon [Tumblr]