Japan

A $3,200 Pikachu Engagement Ring That Looks Kinda NSFW

The Pokémon Company is once again teaming up with Tokyo jeweler Ginza Tanaka for a Pocket Monster-themed engagement ring. The center is a diamond, and the two things sticking out are supposed to be, um? Dicks? They look like dicks. But, they are not dicks; they’re supposed to be Pikachu ears. Available via Pokémon Center…

Universal Studios Japan’s Super Nintendo World Delayed Due To Covid-19

This summer, Universal Studios Japan’s Super Nintendo World was slated to open. As Kotaku has previously reported, the park is coming along nicely. However, due to the novel coronavirus, the Mario-themed area will not open. The state of emergency has been lifted in Japan, and USJ re-opened on June 8. Visitors, however, have been restricted,…

Political Candidate Uses Anime Cosplay In Campaign, Apologizes

Whenever there are elections in Japan, candidates put up posters with their names and slogans. One Tokyo political hopeful named Teruki Goto added cosplay, dressing up as Lelouch from Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion On the poster, his slogan reads, “I, Teruki Goto, command that you vote for me.” (Note: I once interviewed Takafumi…

Because Of Covid-19, Meeting Pop Idols In Japan Has Changed

In the pre-novel coronavirus world, Japanese pop idols held meet-and-greets with fans in which they’d shake hands and pose for pictures. Now, they’re doing it, too, but things have changed. As reported by News Gamme, a series of precautions are being taken for an idol group Momoiro Revolution’s recent live event. For example, fans were…

In Japan, An Esports Facility Is Opening For Elderly People

On July 2, an esports center aimed at senior citizens will open in Kobe, Japan. Called ISR Esports, it will only cater to people who are aged 60 years old and up. The established is open to those who have never played a video game before, with staff on hand to help. First, seniors are…

Earth Defense Force 6 Announced, Scheduled For 2021 In Japan

Earth Defense Force 6 has been announced on a teaser site. It’s slated for 2021 in Japan, and it has giant bugs. Of course! Platforms are TBA, but the first screenshots certainly look current-gen. So far, the game has been announced for Japan. No word yet on an international release date. If you’ve never played…

Here Are Some Official Pokémon Purses And Bags

Japanese fashion brand Samantha Vega is teaming up with Pokémon for a line of purses and bags. As seen on At Press, there are different themes in the collection, and while a couple of the bags just look like purses with Pokémon face slapped on it, that Poké Ball one is especially excellent. Ditto for…

A Device To (Maybe) Help You Get Out Of Zoom Meetings

With people at home, enough more of our lives have gone online. In Japan, on-nomi, short for “online drinking parties,” are a way for people to gather in Zoom and drink. But what if you are ready to log out? This gag device might help. Maybe not! This is being referred to as an online…

The PlayStation PocketStation Makes For An Excellent Backpack

Remember the PocketStation? Released in Japan for the original PlayStation, it was a Memory Card peripheral outfitted with LCD screen and the ability to run software. Turns out the PocketStation’s shape works very well in backpack-form. Twitter user Yoshito created this PocketStation backpack. It’s not working or playable, of course, but does feature the white…

A Kamen Rider Store Is Opening In Japan

In a country with Ultraman, Godzilla, and Gundam stores, it was only a matter of time before an official Kamen Rider store opened in Japan. On July 1, the Kamen Rider Store Tokyo will begin serving customers. It’s located on Tokyo Character Street, a hub of anime and manga related shops in Tokyo Station. As…

Long Lines In Japan For Uniqlo Face Masks

While some people in the United States are refusing to wear masks, people in Japan are lining up for them, especially at clothing retailer Uniqlo Lines for masks were common earlier this year during the initial novel coronavirus outbreak, with mask shortages causing people to wait in front of drugstores for the latest shipments. Now,…

First Look At Studio Ghibli’s Upcoming CG Movie

As previously reported, Studio Ghibli is doing a long-form adaptation of Diana Wynne Jones’ novel Earwig and the Witch. Here is a first look at what the full CG adaptation will look like. The following screenshots were published by Comic Natalie. Titled Aya to Majo (Aya and the Witch), the movie won’t play in theaters…

Condom Maker Creates Promotional Anime

Okamoto Industries, one of Japan’s biggest condom manufacturer, has created an online anime series to promote safe sex. Dubbed Condom Battler Goro, the show takes its stylistic cue from classic Japanese anime, including Dragon Ball, Pokemon, Fist of the North Star and Yu-Gi-Oh, among many others like Ashita no Joe. According to PR Times (via…

After 30 Years, Namco Bandai Releases New Version Of Amusement Arcade Game

If you’ve ever been to an arcade in Japan, you’ve probably seen Wani Wani Panic. It’s similar to Whac-A-Mole, but with alligators, and is a mainstay of Japanese game centers. (Whac-A-Mole was invented in Japan and licensed to Bandai in 1977.) Originally released in Japan in 1989, Wani Wani Panic did come to North America…

Nintendo’s stocks have hit a two-year high in Japan over second-wave covid-19 concerns. “The stock had been struggling the past two months with demand for stay-at-home stocks dropping as the economy re-opened…” said analyst Katsuyuki Fujii. “But as fears for the second wave of coronavirus grow, people are taking a second look at those stocks.” 

Super Mario LEGO Is Launching First In Japan

Previously, Kotaku reported that Super Mario LEGO was launching on August 1 in North America. Today, Nintendo announced that the Starter Course and two expansion sets will launch first in Japan on July 10. As you can see, besides the Starter Course, the two expansion sets include Piranha Plant Power Slide and Desert Pokey Expansion.…

One Piece Fan Fills Home With Awesome Dioramas

One Piece diehard Take World12 has been uploading his awesome do-it-yourself dioramas to showcase his figure collection. The result is way better than simply storing them in acrylic cases. The dioramas are filled with all sorts of details that help bring the One Piece figures to life. For more, follow Take World on Twitter and…

Let This CG Food Make You Hungry

Are you hungry? I am! Let’s look at some CG food and get even hungrier Under the hashtag “CG gohan” (CG food), Twitter users have been posting incredible-looking CG food that not only looks realistic but also so darn delicious. Many of these images were part of Dell’s CG World Kitchen contest with Amnys’ oysters…

Animal Crossing: New Horizons‘ Real Money Trade Violates The Terms Of Service, Nintendo Points Out

A digital economy has sprung up around Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Japanese website J-Cast reports that the characters Dom (pictured), Judy, and Marshal are being sold for 5,000 yen ($46.59) on Twitter in Japan in the real money trade. The character Jack, J-Cast adds, is going for 8,000 yen ($74.49). Nintendo has strictly defined rules…

And Now, Realistic Trash For Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Twitter user Noanoa has been doing an amazing job recreating trash bags and cardboard boxes in Animal Crossing: New Horizons Just look at this: And in motion: Noanoa’s work is often dystopian. But sometimes so are the times in which we live. For more, follow Noanoa on Twitter.