Brian Ashcraft

Anime’s Bloody Nose Trope Isn’t Backed By Science

In anime and manga, when characters get excited—often sexually excited—blood dribbles or squirts out of their noses. But is this backed by medical science? Nope! The notion that arousal or excitement induces bloody noses (hanaji or “鼻血”) isn’t just part of anime or manga iconography. It’s also become an old wives’ tale of sorts. Well,…

Pokémon Manholes Installed Across Japan

Japanese cities and towns across the country have their own manhole designs. Each one is unique and reflects the local culture, history or beauty. Fittingly, the country now has Pokémon manholes. Earlier this year, the city of Ibusuki unveiled a series of Eevee-themed manholes. Here’s what the city’s typical manholes looked like: They’re pretty nice!…

Shy Girl. Nippon TV building in Shiodame, Japan. By Shawn Danker | Official Site 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!

Track: Something (2019 Mix) | Artist: The Beatles | Album: Abbey Road

Here is the trailer for Kyoto Animation’s Violet Evergarden spin-off anime, Violet Evergarden Side-Story: Eternity and the Auto Memories Doll. As previously reported, the movie will be released as planned next month 

Japan’s Most Famous Cosplayer Draws Huge Crowds

This is Enako. As Kotaku previously reported, she’s making some serious cash as a cosplayer. She’s also drawing massive crowds. Enako appears on mainstream Japanese television (here and here, for example) as well as in-game advertisements (below). She is making a name for herself as Japan’s most well-known cosplayer. During this and last year’s Comiket,…

3D Printing Makes Yu-Gi-Oh! Truly Spellbinding

One Twitter user has used a 3D printer to replicate the spell on the Yu-Gi-Oh! Polymerization card. The whole process looks rather complicated. And while the colors are slightly muted in the finished version, I think the result turned out extremely well. 

Memories of Winter. Schiermonnikoog, the Netherlands. By Jesse Dijk | Instagram  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!

Track: Never | Artist: Orbital | Album: Wonky

Watch A Dude Make Dragon Ball‘s Goku From Wood

Workshop Au Lac Wood Art does highly-detailed, traditional wood carvings in its native Vietnam. Instead of watching artisans carve a Buddhist deity, let’s watch one make a Goku! But first, take a moment to appreciate the artisan’s skills and dedication: Incredible, no? Below, those skills are brought to bear in creating this Goku wood carving.…

Man Threatens Square Enix With A Kyoto Animation Repeat, Gets Arrested

Forty-year-old Kenichi Hiratsuka has been arrested after allegedly sending a threatening message to Square Enix. Fuji Network News reports that the message was sent via Square Enix’s inquiry page. “Gimme my money back for your shitty game,” read the message. “Want me to do a repeat of Kyoto Animation?” In July, a suspected arsonist allegedly…

Imabari Shipyards. Ehime, Japan. By JC Fang.  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!

Track: Digital Love | Artist: Daft Punk | Album: Digital Love 

Excellent Cosplay Heats Up Summertime In Japan

It’s August! That means two things: First, the weather is hot; second, it’s time for some great Comic Market cosplay. The bi-annual event is underway, with cosplayers showing off their creative creations. This year’s stuff is particularly great! The photos are terrific, too. Comiket 96 runs from August 9 to August 12 and is being…

This Is Some Serious Metal Slug Training

At select arcades in Japan, you can rent a cabinet for a flat fee for a specific period of time. This is a good way to improve your skills. But those hoping to take their play to the next level might need to make things more difficult for themselves. That’s exactly what Twitter user Kaizou_001…

Track: Catfish Kate | Artist: Pixies | Album: Beneath the Eyrie Kotaku Soundtrack is a selection of the stuff we’re listening to at the moment. 

Berserk is back! The manga will get another serialized chapter later this month in Young Animal magazine. The manga’s last chapter appeared in April after it had been on an eight-month break. Berserk has been no stranger to extended hiatuses.

Beware Of Fake Retro Games

While fake retro games are certainly not new, now is a good a time as any for a reminder to watch out when shopping. In the past few years, more and more retro games have been sold in Japan via e-commerce sites Mercari and Yahoo! Auctions. Twitter user Jabberlooper cautioned that many phony versions of…

Digital Arts Museum. Kyoto, Japan. By Thomas Carney 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!

Samurai Slices A 100 Mph Baseball in Half

Master swordsman Isao Machii is back! This time he’s here to cut a fastball in two. This latest clip is done in one continuous take so you can see that Machii doesn’t need camera trickery. He only needs a sword. In the clip, they show how the radar clocks the ball’s speed at 161 km/h…