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Kotaku EastJapanJapan Now Has Gundam-Shaped Vending Machines
When you think of Japan, you probably think of Gundam. Maybe you think of vending machines. Now both have been joined into one single entity. Behold, the Gundam-shaped vending machine. As Waseda’s Jeffrey Hall points out, the vending machine has been rolled out at Aichi Prefecture’s Lagunasia water park. The machine has also been spotted…
By Brian Ashcraft Published July 17, 2019 -
Kotaku EastJapanYu-Gi-Oh! Creator Apologizes After Criticizing The Current Japanese Government
Yesterday, Yu-Gi-Oh! creator Kazuki Takahashi uploaded an original illustration to Instagram, urging his fellow Japanese citizens to vote in the upcoming election. But that wasn’t all he posted Speech bubbles in the illustration read “Honestly…It’s gotten hard to live in Japan” and “Dictatorship = The future is a dark dimension.” Yugi Mutou holds up two cards…
By Brian Ashcraft Published July 17, 2019 -
Kotaku EastJapanJapanese Restaurant Bans Japanese Customers, Says They’re Rude
This is a change. For years, there were stories of Japanese establishments with “Japanese-only” policies, refusing foreigners. But now, one noodle restaurant in Okinawa is refusing to serve Japanese customers, saying that they are ruder than the foreign patrons. According to Tokyo Reporter, ramen restaurant Menya Yaeyama Style has instituted a no-Japanese customer policy starting…
By Brian Ashcraft Published July 16, 2019 -
Kotaku EastJapanJapan Polled Over Nintendo Switch Lite Interest
Are folks in Japan interested in buying a Nintendo Switch Lite? Let’s see what a new poll on Japanese site Inside reveals. The poll asked Switch owners and non-owners whether or not they planned to purchase a Nintendo Switch Lite. There were over 3,000 replies (3,780 to be exact). Update: July 16 – 8 pm:…
By Brian Ashcraft Published July 16, 2019 -
Kotaku EastJapanThis Huge Godzilla Collectible Is Only $600
Fans of Godzilla: King of the Monsters, listen up! Here is a new Godzilla statue, based on the King of the Monsters design, that measures 18.5 inches high and 38 inches long. According to Figsoku, the figure is slated for a November release in Japan. The highly detailed PVC statue lists for 66,000 yen ($611)…
By Brian Ashcraft Published July 15, 2019 -
Kotaku EastJapanStay In A Japanese Castle For Only $9,000 A Night
Starting next year, Ozu Castle in Ehime Prefecture will open its doors to tourists willing to cough up a cool 1 million yen ($9,250) per couple for a night’s stay. This is not the only castle in Japan that will begin offering accommodations next year. Ozu Castle was originally built in 1331. According to Nikkei,…
By Brian Ashcraft Published July 12, 2019 -
Kotaku EastJapanWhen Yu-Gi-Oh! Meets Tokyo Fashion
Recently Tokyo high schooler Makocha was featured on the popular Tokyo Fashion Instagram account, wearing a hoodie, cutout pants, Dr. Martens, and Yu-Gi-Oh! cards. Have a closer look at Makocha’s outfit. Each card is a piece of Exodia the Forbidden One Makocha’s chain motif works well thematically with the cards.
By Brian Ashcraft Published July 11, 2019 -
Kotaku EastJapanWhat One Ton Of Manga Looks Like
Have you ever wondered what a ton of manga looks like? You know, as in 2,204.62 pounds (the “ton” that people pretty much everywhere outside the U.S. use) of manga. It looks like this, apparently. Twitter user Pekin-san has a collection of Weekly Jump manga spanning 30 years. Another Twitter user did the math, calculating…
By Brian Ashcraft Published July 11, 2019 -
Kotaku EastJapanThe Boy Band Anime That’s Drawing Crowds In Tokyo
Originally based on a smartphone game, Idolish 7 follows the adventures of a young woman who manages a boy band. Last week, a series of posters and digital ads went up in Tokyo’s Ikebukuro Station and fans came out in droves. So many people wanted to snap photos of the ads that the official Idolish…
By Brian Ashcraft Published July 9, 2019 -
Kotaku EastJapanHideo Kojima Explains How Spider-Man Is Similar To Japanese Superheroes
Out of all American superheroes, there is one that many in Japan seem to like best: Spider-Man. But why? In a recent interview, Hideo Kojima explains how Spider-Man is like Japanese heroes, which might explain the character’s appeal to local audiences. How better to explain this than a man whose Twitter profile says his body…
By Brian Ashcraft Published July 5, 2019 -
Kotaku EastJapanThe New Sailor Moon Anime Movie Looks To Please Fans
If you like the way the original Sailor Moon and Sailor Moon R anime looked, then you’ll probably dig Sailor Moon Eternal: The Movie As Kai-You reports, Sailor Moon creator Naoko Takeuchi is overseeing the upcoming movie, while Kazuko Tadano, who was the character designer for the anime’s first two seasons, is returning as character…
By Brian Ashcraft Published July 1, 2019 -
Kotaku EastJapanAttack On Titan‘s Final Season Is Coming In Fall 2020
The final season of the Attack on Titan anime will premiere in fall 2020. A short teaser announcing the news has been released. In it, Mikasa is heard saying, “Eren, please, come back.” Attack on Titan debuted as a manga back in 2009. The first season of its anime adaptation premiered in April 2013. Next year…
By Brian Ashcraft Published July 1, 2019 -
Kotaku EastJapanLife In An Iconic Tokyo Building
This is Nakagin Capsule Tower. Built in 1972, it was designed by architect Kisho Kurokawa and a prime example of the Japanese architectural movement known as Metabolism, in which the concept was to design buildings that are organic and not static, making them reminiscent of living beings. The Nakagin Capsule Tower consists of a series…
By Brian Ashcraft Published June 27, 2019 -
Kotaku EastJapanPeople In Japan Don’t Seem Thrilled With Kim Kardashian West’s Kimono Underwear [Update]
Kim Kardashian West has not only launched a line of shapewear called “Kimono,” but has also reportedly filed a trademark for it in the US. Folks in Japan don’t exactly seem thrilled. Update: July 3 – 5:00 am: Kim Kardashian West has decided to launch her shapewear under a new name. Original story continues below.…
By Brian Ashcraft Published June 26, 2019 -
Kotaku EastJapanTourists In Kyoto Are Making Geishas’ Lives Difficult
If you are visiting Kyoto, you probably want to take lots and lots of photos. But when you do, there are some things to keep in mind, especially when you see geisha. Recently, the influx of tourists has put a strain on Kyoto. Hopefully, these are growing pains, and the city will develop better infrastructure…
By Brian Ashcraft Published June 25, 2019 -
Kotaku EastJapanIn The Pokémon Anime, Get Ready For Ash’s Crushing Defeat
In the Pokémon Sun & Moon anime, the Alola League is getting underway. There is rampant speculation that this time, Ash is going to win. But don’t get your hopes up. It’s Ash after all. As teased in the most recent episode, the Alola League champ gets to battle the Masked Royal: The theory is…
By Brian Ashcraft Published June 24, 2019 -
Kotaku EastJapanIconic Anime Characters Made Realistic And Freaky-Looking
Sazae-san is the longest-running animated TV show in the world. Debuting in 1969, the anime is iconic in its native Japan. People have grown up with the characters, and now they get to see them all real and creepy-like. This is what the characters in Sazae-san usually look like. The main character is Sazae, who…
By Brian Ashcraft Published June 21, 2019 -
Kotaku EastJapanIt’s Hard For Japan To Change Its Escalator Manners
One of my first memories of moving to Japan in 2001 was the surprise at seeing how everyone lined up on one side of the escalator, leaving an open path for people in a rush. How courteous, I thought. But now, there are campaigns to change the country’s long-standing escalator manners. The tradition is so…
By Brian Ashcraft Published June 20, 2019 -
Kotaku EastJapanAt Tokyo’s Ninja Bar, Drink Beer And Throw Shuriken
On July 1, the Ninja Cafe and Bar will open in Tokyo’s Asakusa. You can eat, drink, dress up like a ninja and throw shuriken. Food includes curry and rice, pasta, udon and more. Drinks include draft beer, whisky and soda, coffee and tea. The cafe is aimed at tourists who hope to get a…
By Brian Ashcraft Published June 19, 2019 -
Kotaku EastJapanPerhaps The Best Bread Art In Japan
We’ve previously seen made-in-Japan latte art and banana art. Both are great. Now let’s marvel at the art bread of Twitter user Izuyo. All the coloring is done with completely natural ingredients, Izuyo writes. Obviously, the fact that the bread will expand and rise when baking must be taken into account. Amazing! Have a look…
By Brian Ashcraft Published June 18, 2019