Yesterday, the World Health Organization officially declared covid-19 a pandemic. The NBA suspended the season. E3 was canceled. The Osaka sumo tournament banned in-person spectators. But Japan’s Comic Market, dubbed the largest fan event on Earth, still seems slated for this May. Update: 3/27/2020, 7:30 p.m. EST: IT Media reports that this May’s Comic Market will…
Some players have been adding Yamcha’s infamous pose to Animal Crossing: New Horizons. But why? The pose is well known, but the reason is more than how striking (and humorous) it looks in New Horizons. Rather, Yamcha’s birthday is March 20, which is the day Animal Crossing: New Horizons was released. When New Horizons was…
Not only are people crafting wonderful outfits in the latest Animal Crossing, but they are also decorating interesting and wonderful rooms. Of course, room decoration isn’t new to the Animal Crossing games. But the release of New Horizons has sparked players’ creativity, resulting in an array of living spaces. Let’s take a look! In case…
Anyone who speaks Japanese and has spent time in the country has heard it: nihongo ga ojouzu (“Your Japanese is good”). Even Animal Crossing isn’t safe from this inevitable and dreaded compliment. That’s exactly what happens in Animal Crossing: New Horizons if you play the game in Japanese. Below is a screenshot from a North…
Here is a look at the live-action version of popular cycling manga Yowamushi Pedal. The movie is slated for an August 14 release in Japan and stars Kentaro Ito and Kanna Hashimoto. No word yet about an international release.
Because of coronavirus covid-19 concerns, “social distancing” has become the word of the day. Folks are at home. They might need something to do. Well, thanks to one Japanese adult video maker, they can watch adult videos for free. As reported on Livedoor News, Japanese porn maker Soft on Demand has made around 200 videos…
If you wear glasses, like I sometimes do, you know that sickness masks fog them up right quick. The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department has tips on how to avoid that. According to the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, there are two ways to prevent fogging up: One is to simply fold the top fourth of the…
Each spring, over 150,000 people gather at the Makuhari Messe convention center outside Tokyo for the Nico Nico Cho Kaigi (Super Meeting). The event, sponsored by the company behind the Nico Nico video platform, brings together fans of anime, gaming, cosplay, music and more. This year, that will happen online. Because of coronavirus COVID-19 concerns,…
When glasses-wearing characters in anime are shown from their profiles, the sides of their frames are often, but not always, removed to show their eyes. It’s a stylistic and artistic convention. Now, it’s being brought to real life. Japanese design firm EkōD Works created these glasses. The studio is known for its tongue-in-cheek designs, and…
In one of Akira’s most memorable scenes, Shotaro Kaneda skids his 200-hp motorcycle sideways. The skid in the original manga isn’t the iconic showpiece that it is in the anime, but the anime’s scene has been copied and references by numerous anime, cartoons and live-action shows. Just how many? Let’s try to find out! The…
Daigo Umehara is one of the greatest Street Fighter players ever. But did you know that’s not his only game? Turns out he’s also very good at Uno. In a Twitch Japan online invitational tournament called Twitch Streamer Battle: Uno, Umehara made it to the last round of 16 players. He certainly gets excited at…
You have probably seen one of Japan’s life-sized Gundams, whether in person or in photos. But have you seen the skeleton legs of a one-to-one scale movable Gundam? I have not! Currently, the 59-foot-tall Gundam is being constructed, with the frame being put together in Ibaraki Prefecture. To ensure the giant mecha can move, it…
Smash Bros. creator Masahiro Sakurai has written about working out in his regular column in Weekly Famitsu. One reader sent in a question asking Sakurai if he’s also careful about what he eats. After a recent, momentary blackout at the gym, it sounds like he needs to be and probably should be better hydrated and rested.…
On March 4, 2000, the PlayStation 2 went on sale in Japan. Can you believe it? It only seems like yesterday I got my PS2 at the Yodobashi Camera in Osaka’s Umeda. The PlayStation 2 wouldn’t launch in North America, Europe and Australia until later. The console would go on to become the best-selling video…
Gaming chairs? Been there, done that. I’ve seen the future, and it’s gaming beds. Japan’s Bauhutte specializes in gaming-centric furniture. If you coordinate correctly, I guess you too can have a bedroom set-up like this. This is a combination of several Bauhutte products, like its bed desk, its bed side-board, side table and more. The…
Hiroshi Ono, aka Mr. Dotman, created some of gaming’s most famous pixels while working at Namco. He was a graphic designer on iconic games including Pac-Man, Xevious, Dig Dug, and Galaga. The designs were originally drawn by hand, and according to Japanese retro game researcher Zek, they’ve been stolen. Zek has interviewed Mr. Dotman for…
Earlier this week, toilet paper was widely available nearly everywhere in Japan. Now, it’s selling out at stores throughout the country because of coronavirus. Here’s how this happened. Rumors had been circulating that the raw materials used to make toilet paper couldn’t be imported due to coronavirus and would thus cause shortages. With it already…
Numerous events scheduled for the next few weeks have been canceled in Japan and abroad. Idol group 2o Love to Sweet Bullet isn’t rescheduling upcoming events, but rather charging extra for fans who don’t wear masks. 2o Love to Sweet Bullet isn’t a mainstream idol group. It’s what’s called a chika aidoru (地下アイドル) or “underground…
One of Japan’s biggest cosplay gatherings, the Nipponbashi Street Festa in Osaka, will not be held this year due to coronavirus concerns. The Street Festa has been held annually since 2005 and draws as many as 200,000 people. This year’s event was supposed to kick off on March 15. There are no plans to reschedule.
Gym Leader Bea from Pokémon Sword and Shield appears in the most recent episode of the Pokémon: Twilight Wings anime. Notice anything different about the character’s animated version? Below are Bea’s official game art and a screenshot from Pokemon.co.jp: More in-game images from event scenes: As Japanese site Hachima Kikou points out, here is how…
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