Brian Ashcraft

Track: Home (Live at Home) | Artist: B’z | Album: The Ballads ~Love & B’z~

Fender Is Making An Evangelion Themed Guitar

Designed after Evangelion character Asuka Langley Soryu’s plugsuit, this guitar is a limited edition Fender Telecaster with an anime flair. Called the 2020 Evangelion Asuka Telecaster, it features all sorts of neat little details, like the number 2, referencing the Evangelion Unit 02 that Asuka pilots. There is also a Nerv logo tastefully placed on…

Today, demolition work on Kyoto Animation’s Studio 1 building was completed. Last year, a fire was set, killing 36 people and injured another 33. A decision will be made regarding the site after meeting with community locals and family members who lost loved ones.

Mom Makes Cardboard Laptop For Her 4-Year-Old

Twitter user Koshiyoda went above and beyond when her four-year-old asked her to make a computer. The result is this incredibly realistic laptop. The details on the cardboard laptop are incredible. Just look at how each letter and Japanese character is painstakingly added on each key. Instead of an Apple logo, Koshiyoda created a cute…

Let’s Compare Xenoblade Chronicles Wii And Switch Graphics

Xenoblade Chronicles was first released on the Nintendo Wii in 2010 in Japan. Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition will be released on the Switch next month with new character models. Obviously, the graphics will be improved, but let’s see how so. As Kotaku previously reported, the Definitive Edition features revamped visuals and sound, a new user…

Track: Living In A Ghost Town | Artist: The Rolling Stones | Album: Living In A Ghost Town (Single)

BitSummit will be held online. Earlier this year, it was announced that the indie game event would not be held this May to coronavirus covid-19 concerns. In its place, “BitSummit Gaiden,” an online iteration, will be held from June 27 to June 28, giving indie games in Japan the spotlight they deserve.  

Face Masks Spark Creativity In Japan

It’s not easy to find disposable face masks in Japan. The ones issued by the government are too small. And so, people in Japan have been making their own. Some have been doing so in the most creative fashion. Under the hashtag #自慢のマスクを見てくれよ (“Show the mask you’re proud of”), folks have been uploading their best…

New Leaves. Osaka, Japan. By Brian Ashcraft | Twitter JPGs is a photo peek into wherever gamers might find interesting. If you’re a photographer and have images you want to share, drop us a line

Nintendo Confirms Around 160,000 Accounts Breached

Nintendo has confirmed the possibility that as many 160,000 Nintendo Accounts were breached in a hack earlier this month. According to Kyoto-based game maker, the Nintendo Account breach was connected to users with Nintendo Network ID logins. Starting today, the company has disabled the NNID login function and reset the passwords of the affected accounts.…

100 Japanese Households Are Getting Super Famicoms So Their Kids Will Stay Home

Since a state of emergency has been declared in Japan over the pandemic, kids are out of school. Yet, when I look out my window here in Osaka, I see gobs of them milling about in the street and the parks, playing with each other. I think they should stay home! So does the Japan…

Mario Is Ready To Protect Tokyo From Godzilla Bowser

The crossover that the world has long deserved is here: Mario as Ultraman duking it out with Bowser as Godzilla. Bid Toys, known for mash-ups like this Tetsujin 28-meets-Pinocchio, is releasing these soft vinyl “Manultra” and “Koopala” figures later this month. I don’t see any copyright on these official images from the maker Bid Toys’…

Some Pachinko Parlors In Japan Stay Open Even During Coronavirus Emergency

A state of emergency has been declared in Japan. In recent weeks, the number of covid-19 cases has increased, and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has called for an 80 percent reduction in person-to-person contact. Yet, some pachinko parlors refuse to close. Earlier this month, Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike included pachinko parlors, along with bars and…

According to Nintendo’s Japanese page, production has ended for the gray, neon yellow and red Joy-Con sets. The controllers will be available in other colors in Japan.

Track: Nostalgia | Artist: Joe Hisaishi | Album: Dream Songs

Retro Japan Recreated In Animal Crossing: New Horizons

The customization tools in Animal Crossing: New Horizons are enabling players to show off their creativity. One of the most impressive things I’ve seen is Japan during the Showa era (1926-1989) being brought to life in Animal Crossing. When Japanese people use the word retro (レトロ) to discuss a building, town, or fashion, they are…

And Now, Pokémon Themed Lingerie

Peach John, the lingerie brand which previously released Sailor Moon and One Piece themed underwear, will be selling Pocket Monster lingerie starting next month in Japan. As noted on IT Media, the Pokémon Girls line features iconic characters like Eevee and Pikachu embroidered into the garments and sleepwear. It’s all rather tasteful. The Pokémon lingerie…

Here Are Some Terrific Paper Gundam Masks

Diorama artist Satoshi Araki has crafted some very cool-looking Gundam themed face masks. These are made of paper, and Araki doesn’t guarantee their efficacy (these aren’t exactly N95 masks), but does point out the crafts might be good diversions for those staying at home. Araki includes plans which can be printed out on paper and…

Japanese actress Kumiko Okae has passed away due to pneumonia induced by coronavirus covid-19. Okae acted in TV dramas and voiced Haru’s mother in the Studio Ghibli anime The Cat Returns. She was 63. 

Track: Under the Table | Artist: Fiona Apple | Album: Fetch The Bolt Cutters