-
Kotaku East
If You Swallow an SD Card with Illicit Photos, the Cops Will Know
Earlier this month, a 55 year-old junior high school teacher allegedly took pictures up a young woman’s skirt at an anime shop in Osaka’s geek district, Den Den Town. The teacher, Manabu Wakita, admitted that he was following a 20-something woman around, but “absolutely” denied that he took illicit photos of her with a small-sized…
By Brian Ashcraft Published May 24, 2012 -
Kotaku East
Images of this Skyscraper City Will Blow Your Friggin’ Mind
To say Hong Kong is crowded is an understatement. Over seven million people are squeezed into just 1,108 square kilometers. And boy, in some places it’s a tight squeeze. As website China Smack pointed out, the city has 6,588 high-rise buildings, which is more than New York’s 5,818. Hong Kong truly is a “skyscraper city”.…
By Brian Ashcraft Published May 24, 2012 -
Kotaku East
Doorknob Licking Girls Invade Tokyo Bookstores
Last fall, a series of photos featuring girls licking doorknobs took the internet by storm. This year, the photographers behind the pics are hoping they do the same in bookstores. The “Doorknob Shojo” or “Doorknob Girl” pictures were recently published in a new photo book. Japanese website Akiba Blog picked it up at bookshops in…
By Brian Ashcraft Published May 24, 2012 -
Kotaku East
Foreign Languages Kill Your Video Game Bullsh*t Detectors
There’s an image floating around online. It’s rumored to be a “major specifications” sheet for the PlayStation 4. Personally, I don’t buy it. The PlayStation 4 is coming. It’s inevitable. Kotaku first broke that the console is codenamed Orbis. This “major specifications” sheet, however, certainly can be disputed. However in Japan, websites and blogs are…
By Brian Ashcraft Published May 24, 2012 -
Kotaku East
Creepy Jerk Arrested for Illicit Photos. He Tried To Blame Video Games.
In years past, video games have been scapegoats. Need something to blame social problems on? Blame video games. This is changing, sure, but that doesn’t mean people still don’t try to do it. Heck, even suspected criminals do. On April 30, a 38 year-old Osaka City bureaucrat was arrested for taking upskirt photos of a…
By Brian Ashcraft Published May 24, 2012 -
Kotaku EastOne of Japan’s Greatest Directors Brings Steel Battalion to Life
Mamoru Oshii, the creative force behind the Ghost in the Shell anime, recently helmed a live-action TV spot for Kinect game Steel Battalion: Heavy Armor. This is it. The result will look familiar to those who saw Oshii’s 2001 live-action flick Avalon Yes, this is a nice spot. Needs more basset hound, though. Check out…
By Brian Ashcraft Published May 24, 2012 -
Kotaku East
A Love of Japanese Vending Machines
While some Japanese vending machines are under fire for offering sexy good times, the vast, vast majority of vending machines offer only beverages. Good times, though! You can buy either cold or hot canned drinks. I’ve always been fascinated about being able to buy a can of hot coffee. It’s truly marvelous. And sometimes you…
By Brian Ashcraft Published May 24, 2012 -
Kotaku East
Nine Nerd Belongings That Freak Japanese Ladies Out
If you are a nerd, be proud. But also beware that some people in Japan might not be totally cool with your otaku (geek) lifestyle—even fellow geeks. There are otaku belongings, let’s call them lifestyle products, that make some recoil. Everyone has his or her own boundaries! Japanese website Sugoren ran a list of nine…
By Brian Ashcraft Published May 24, 2012 -
The Four Best Diablo III Errors You’ll Never Get
Error 37. Error 3003. Error 84. After waiting 12 years to play Diablo III, your game might be throwing up all kinds of errors. But, thankfully, it won’t be throwing up any of these. Here are four Diablo III from the folks at Team Coco. 8 “Diablo III” Server Errors Worse Than “Error 37” [Team…
By Brian Ashcraft Published May 23, 2012 -
Chun-Li: Who Wore It Best?
As far as video game characters get, few are as iconic as Street Fighter‘s Chun-Li. She’s not only a player favorite, but also a fan one. Many a cosplayer has donned her qipao. But who wore it best? Let’s find out. In the above gallery, there’s a smattering of Chun-Li cosplay. It’s a small sampling.…
By Brian Ashcraft Published May 23, 2012 -
Kotaku EastGiant Bosses and Big Swords, Check Out this Chinese MMORPG
Sure the tite, God Slayer, sounds like the Japanese game God Eater (which is a bit like Monster Hunter, so whatever). This Chinese developed MMORPG runs on the CryEngine 3, and the physics look slightly off in places. But maybe it’s fun—who knows. I do like the boss fight in the above trailer. God Slayer…
By Brian Ashcraft Published May 23, 2012 -
Kotaku East
Thanks Tokyo Skytree, You Just Ruined Japanese Monster Movies
In Japanese kaiju movies (or giant robot anime), Tokyo becomes a stomping ground for larger than life characters. Cars are crumpled under their feet. Buildings are smushed during falls. And in the distance, Tokyo Tower is usually visible. But now a new tower, the Tokyo Skytree, towers over the Tokyo Tower. Opened yesterday, the Tokyo…
By Brian Ashcraft Published May 23, 2012 -
Kotaku East
Chinese Lara Croft Lookalikes Handing Out Traffic Warnings in Hotpants
A trio of young college students took to the streets of Chengdu City. Dressed in Tomb Raider-esque outfits and carrying fake guns, the trio sent “warnings” to illegally parked drivers by firing suction cup bullets. The publicity stunt was to remind Chinese motorists about traffic laws, but really just reminded me why Lara Croft models…
By Brian Ashcraft Published May 23, 2012 -
Kotaku East
That Fake Retro Nintendo Event Looked More Interesting than a Real One
You’ve already had a taste of the fake, one-of-a-kind game cartridges on display at Japanese indie Meteor. Now have a look at the event itself. As previously posted, the goal of the exhibition is simple: artists submit a cartridge for a fake Famicom game. It can be whatever they want, basically, meaning some can be…
By Brian Ashcraft Published May 23, 2012 -
Kotaku East
Japanese Vending Machines, Selling You Hallucinogenic Herbs for Sexy Good Times
Prior to the 2002 World Cup, hallucinogenic mushrooms were legal in Japan. They were sold in little vending machines at love hotels across Japan and funky little shops. Then, worrying about an influx of soccer hooligans, mushrooms were outlawed. These days, there are quasi-legal herbs. And some are being sold in vending machines and even…
By Brian Ashcraft Published May 23, 2012 -
Kotaku East
Let These Flying Dragons Wash Over You. In Crimison.
Upcoming Kinect-based game Crimson Dragon has a release date for Japan: It will hit Xbox Live Arcade on June 13. Crimson Dragon is basically Panzer Dragoon minus a letter or so. Don’t believe me? Watch this Kinect専用STG「Crimson Dragon」の配信日が6月13日に決定 [4Gamer]
By Brian Ashcraft Published May 23, 2012 -
Yakuza 5 Is a Brand New Yakuza, Ready To Punch Your Face In
Sega’s Yakuza games (above) are wonderful. They have great dialogue. Great cutscenes. And cool combat. Yet, they feel like PlayStation 2 games. They’re not—they are PS3 games. But they feel so last gen, due to the tech that powers them. That is going to change with the upcoming Yakuza 5. According to the upcoming issue…
By Brian Ashcraft Published May 23, 2012 -
Kotaku East
Remember That Chinese One Piece Theme Park? Well, It’s a Rip-Off.
Surprise! While earlier reports appeared to confirm that the famed pirate manga (and anime) was getting an officially approved One Piece theme park, that doesn’t appear to be the case. One Piece‘s publisher told Japanese site RocketNews that it has not formally approved the theme park, which now appears to be a theme park made…
By Brian Ashcraft Published May 23, 2012 -
Kotaku East
First Look at Dead or Alive 5‘s Lei Fang
Everyone’s favorite supreme ultimate fist college student Lei Fang is back for Dead or Alive 5 The latest issue of Japanese game mag Famitsu has images of Lei Fang and the outfits she’ll be wearing while fighting—in style. Have a gander in the above gallery. Dead or Alive 5 will be out this September. DOA5…
By Brian Ashcraft Published May 23, 2012
Brian Ashcraft
Brian Ashcraft's posts