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Meet the Chinese Company Who’s Fighting Apple
There’s a legal brouhaha going down. Proview Shenzhen is trying to stop Apple from selling the iPad in China, where it’s made. It’s even filing suit in California, where the iPad is designed. Previously, Kotaku reported that Proview, which developed an “iPad” desktop computer years ago, felt deceived by Apple’s agreement and is trying to…
By Brian Ashcraft Published February 27, 2012 -
Kotaku East
Xbox Booth Babes Bundled Up with Scarfs and Sweaters
Say what you want about Xbox Japan—how it struggles and has a rough time—but one thing it does better than any other Japanese operation is dress its event companions. It’s not that Xbox event companions wear super revealing outfits, but rather, that they wear sensible outfits they feel comfortable in. That, as Xbox Japan told…
By Brian Ashcraft Published February 27, 2012 -
Kotaku EastUnboxing Nerdy Stuff. In the Bathtub.
In my day, I’ve seen loads of unboxing videos—you know, those clips in which people remove products from, well, their boxes. I thought the strangest one I’d ever see depicted shirtless fat men unboxing Skyrim. I was wrong. This is YouTube user Nervli (aka Melonpan). He unboxes otaku stuff in this bathtub. However, I worry…
By Brian Ashcraft Published February 27, 2012 -
Kotaku East
An Elevator TO SPACE
If you thought you were going to have to wait until 2307 for Gundam 00 style space elevators, good news! You might only have to wait until 2050. That is, if a Tokyo-based company gets its way. Obayashi Corp. hopes to construct an operational elevator, able to whisk passengers 36,000km above Earth. According to the…
By Brian Ashcraft Published February 27, 2012 -
Kotaku East
Mass Effect Explained with Cute Schoolgirls
As far as space operas go, Mass Effect‘s storyline isn’t *that* hard to follow. But if you are a latecomer to the series, you might need a primer. So what better way than with Asari schoolgirls wearing sailor uniforms? Japan’s Dengeki Online is serializing the manga, which is titled “Teach me! Professor Mordin!”. Drawn by…
By Brian Ashcraft Published February 27, 2012 -
Kotaku East
Fake iPhone Gas Stoves Seized in China
Apple makes a lot of different things, such as laptops, displays, and phones. It does not make gas stoves—regardless if the Apple logo and iPhone brand seem to indicate otherwise. I know better, you know better, and the Chinese government knows better. On Feb. 23 in Wuhan, authorities raided a warehouse with stacks of green…
By Brian Ashcraft Published February 27, 2012 -
The Dog from the Oscars Also Works for Nintendo
This month is Responsible Pet Owners Month. And to mark it, Nintendo hired Uggie, the Jack Russell terrier from The Artist, as its official spokesdog. This month is also the Academy Awards. During last night’s Oscar presentation, Uggie was on stage as The Artist won the Academy Award for Best Picture. He donned a bowtie…
By Brian Ashcraft Published February 27, 2012 -
When Gal Gun Is Maid to Order
Gal | TOKYO, JAPAN: Gal Gun gets an Akihabara maid cafe promotion (Photo: Mantan Web) A Beautiful Collection of Awesome Nintendo Logos I like the games and the hardware, of course, but one of my favourite things about Japanese video games from the 1980s were the logos. And some of the best ones came out…
By Brian Ashcraft Published February 24, 2012 -
Kotaku East
Crazy Dude Tearing Off Women’s Underpants
There is a stream of reports of women having their underwear forcibly torn off of them. No, this isn’t Akiba’s Trip. This is real—and frightening. According to Nippon TV, a man called out to his victims as they minded their own business, walking down the street. Then suddenly, he forcibly lifted their skirts, peeled off…
By Brian Ashcraft Published February 24, 2012 -
Kotaku East
This Metal Gear Cosplay Is Direct-Action, Bananas
Omi Gibson isn’t called the queen of Metal Gear cosplay for nothing. It’s because, you know, she is. Check out her latest effort from Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker, complete with Direct-Action Suit and banana. The costume work on display is, per usual, amazing. Check out more pics the gallery above. MSF女子兵士 （ZERO ver ）/…
By Brian Ashcraft Published February 24, 2012 -
Kotaku East
Otaku Meccas Are More Than Video Games
In Japan, the two most famous geek districts are Akihabara (in Tokyo) and Nipponbashi (in Osaka). Just their names alone conjure up notions of cute anime characters and old Famicom consoles. Yet, these areas aren’t only for gamers or folks into anime/manga. Take my father-in-law. He has zero interest in video games, comics, or cartoons.…
By Brian Ashcraft Published February 24, 2012 -
Kotaku East
Gossip! Rumors! What Is Nintendo’s Track Record?
Earlier this week in an uncharacteristic move, the president of one of Japan’s biggest companies, Nintendo’s Satoru Iwata, hopped on Twitter to address “gossip”. “By the way,” Iwata tweeted, “on Monday there was an inaccurate report online. This sort of thing has continued repeatedly, with no context, self-serving language, and the blurring of truth and…
By Brian Ashcraft Published February 24, 2012 -
Kotaku East
Chinese iPad Dispute Is Coming to America
While Apple is duking it out in Chinese courts over the iPad name, Proview, the company that is claiming legal rights to the iPad moniker, is now filing a lawsuit in California. The Shenzhen-based company is accusing Apple of using deception to get the trademark, Reuters reported. In the lawsuit, Proview is alleging that Apple…
By Brian Ashcraft Published February 24, 2012 -
Kotaku East
This Metal Gear Figure Costs Nearly $500!
The master craftsmen at Hong Kong’s ThreeA are working on a Metal Gear Rex figure. It’s 1/48 scale, which sounds small. That is, until you see someone hold it. Then, it looks friggin’ enormous. The Rex goes on sale this March for US$490. That’s a big price for a big figure. ThreeA’s Metal Gear Rex…
By Brian Ashcraft Published February 24, 2012 -
Kotaku EastMai Shiranui, Brought to Life
Mai Shiranui from The King of Fighters isn’t real. But a few days ago in Taiwan, you could’ve swore she was. Taiwanese model Yoyo appeared dressed as SNK’s jiggly ninja at a promotion for her new photobook, which features photos of her in various states of dress against cheesy Photoshopped backgrounds. Yoyo isn’t a stranger…
By Brian Ashcraft Published February 24, 2012 -
Kotaku East
Girl Group Wants Japan To Stop Killing Itself
Suicide is serious. It’s horrible. It’s touched me personally as well as many people in Japan, which has one of the highest suicide rates in the world. The ruling political part decided to take action to help prevent it: with a slogan and cute idols. Earlier this month, the Democratic Party of Japan unveiled a…
By Brian Ashcraft Published February 24, 2012
Brian Ashcraft
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