Brian Ashcraft

Social Distancing Cafe Opens In Tokyo

In what must be an oxymoron, a social distancing cafe has opened in Japan. The name? Social Distancing Tokyo. As the cafe announced in an official release, when patrons enter the cafe, they need to use hand sanitizer and submit to a mask check. Talking is not allowed unless you are in the Zoom room.…

Cosplayer Kusarine Matsu has been uploading a series of clips to Twitter parodying the original Resident Evil game with a humorous twist. The movements and difficulty tables pose are on point.

Japan’s Animal Crossing: New Horizons Creations Continue To Amaze

People around the world are creating amazing things in Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Japan, in particular, continues to make incredible things. Previously, Kotaku introduced incredible outfits, rooms and retro islands made by Animal Crossing players in Japan. Now, let’s check in to see what they’ve been up to! Under-the-sea themed. A flea market on a…

How To Draw Totoro: Draw Some Circles, Draw The Rest Of The Fucking Totoro

Studio Ghibli producer Toshio Suzuki appears in a short one-minute tutorial for how to draw Totoro. Suzuki points out that one key thing to keep in mind when doing Totoro is to draw the character’s eyes far apart. So, yes, draw some circles. Then, draw the rest of the fucking character. So easy!

Track: Little Wonder | Artist: David Bowie | Album: Earthling

Man Arrested After Lying To Police That He Had Covid-19

In Yokohama, a 25-year-old man was late on his rent to the tune of 160,000 yen ($1,490). The apartment’s management couldn’t get in touch with the resident and asked the police to check in on the man. When the police arrived, he told them a lie because he wasn’t making any money selling in-game items.…

And Now, Some More Gundam Sneakers

Over the years, we’ve seen official Gundam shoes as well as ones the iconic mecha anime inspired. Now, French sportswear brand Patrick is teaming up with Bandai for a line of Gundam sneakers. The shoes are made in Japan and features all sorts of little nice touches that would please Amuro Ray or Char Aznable.…

China Isn’t Cancelling Its Biggest Game Show

While E3 and the Tokyo Game Show have been scrapped in favor of virtual events, China Joy will go forward as planned—as an in-person event. As Shanghai Daily reports, the show will be held from July 31 to August 3. Special measures will be in place to help keep visitors and exhibitors safe. Besides submitting…

Track: Send Me Some Lovin’ | Artist: Little Richard | Album: Lucille / Send Me Some Lovin’

Japanese Geek Culture In The Age Of Covid-19

A state of emergency was declared in Japan due to the novel coronavirus pandemic. Many people have stayed home, and businesses were temporarily closed. The whole world has been affected and changed by the virus. What does that mean for Japanese otaku culture? So much of this culture centers around people congregating in geek centers…

The fall Wonder Festival has been canceled in Japan due to coronavirus covid-19. The popular figure event has been held since 1984. Organizers are currently considering the advisability of holding the next winter Wonder Festival, which is slated for February 2021. 

Japan’s Longest-Running Anime Broadcasts Reruns For The First Time in 45 Years

Since 1969, Sazae-san has been airing continuously, making it not only the longest-running anime in Japan, but in the entire world. The show is one of the few anime that everyone in the country knows, and it’s enjoyed by young and old alike. But because of the novel coronavirus pandemic, production is stopping for the…

Track: False Prophet | Artist: Bob Dylan | Album: Rough and Rowdy Ways

Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo Disney Sea will continue to remain closed. The resort’s website states, “The reopening of the Parks was to be decided in mid-May; however, based on the extension of the state of emergency declaration, hereafter, the decision on the reopening date will be made and announced once the requests from Government and…

Chinese Anime Fans Send 10,000 Face Masks To Japanese City

The anime Love Live! Sunshine!! is set in the Japanese seaside city of Numazu. Recently, Numazu’s mayor Shuichi Yorishige showed boxes of face masks that Chinese anime fans had sent. The city has become a destination for anime fans, who want to tour the location that was recreated in the Love Live! Sunshine!! anime. According…

Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night got a major update today, with the second playable character, Zangetsu, and a new game mode. In case you missed it, be sure to read Kotaku’s Bloodstained review right here.

The New Animal Crossing Guide Book Draws A Crowd In Japan

Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a smash hit in Japan. Some players aren’t content to discover what’s in the game on their own; they really want tips. A book’s worth of them, and they’ll willing to wait in line to get them There are three main New Horizons guidebooks on sale in Japan: one from…

In Nintendo’s most recent financial statement, the company listed “TBA” for the release of Bayonetta 3, Metroid Prime 4 and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild sequel. This shouldn’t be too surprising, but just in case you were wondering, now you know!

How Coronavirus Might Impact Nintendo’s Game Development

As the world deals with the coronavirus pandemic, Nintendo released its most recent financial statement. In it, the Kyoto-based game maker discussed how the virus has impacted the company, as well as possible forecasts for the future. According to Nintendo, covid-19 caused delays in production and shipments of the Switch, Ring Fit Adventure, Joy-Cons and…

Over 11 Million Units Of Animal Crossing: New Horizons Sold In Just 11 Days

On March 20, Animal Crossing: New Horizons went on sale. The game moved 1.88 million copies in Japan at launch, surpassing the country’s previous biggest-selling Switch hit at launch, Pokémon Sword and Shield. Worldwide, the game was also a smash—a massive one. According to Nintendo, there have been 11.77 million units of Animal Crossing: New…