Kotaku East

The Art of Traditional Japanese Storytelling Makes for a Compelling Anime

Rakugo, the art of traditional Japanese storytelling, has existed for over 1000 years. Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju uses the modern day world of Rakugo to tell a story of love, loss, and tragedy through the life of Japan’s last great storyteller. At first, however, Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju seems nothing like this. The start of…

The New Kojima Productions Logo Has a Whole Body, Apparently

You’ve seen this, no? It’s the new Kojima Productions logo (above), which was first shown last December and which shows a skull and some sort of helmet. But that’s not all, according to Hideo Kojima. “I can’t really say yet,” Kojima recently told Famitsu, “but this logo has a secret. It has a full body,…

The Super Lucky Cat Has Its Own Buddhist Temple

You’ve might have seen the super lucky cat in restaurants and shops. But did you know the cat has its own temple in Tokyo? In Japanese, the lucky cat is called “maneki neko” (招き猫) or “beckoning cat.” Japanese in origin, some Westerners think the cat is waving good-bye. However, it is making the Japanese gesture…

Damn, This Korean Dude Is Good at Overwatch 

In places, it’s hard enough trying to keep up just watching this play through. Imagine going against it. Via tipster Sang and r/Overwatch, here’s popular Team Fortress 2 pro “Pine” showing what he can do in Blizzard’s Overwatch as Widowmaker. He can do a lot. And very, very quickly. Man. And this is only the…

In Japan, over a million copies of Minecraft: PlayStation Vita Edition have been sold, making it the package version the biggest selling PS Vita title in the country.

Anime feature The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, which is fantastic, is getting a live-action TV drama version in Japan. Premiering this July, it will star actress Yuina Kuroshima and singer Fuma Kikuchi from the Japanese boy band Sexy Zone.

Hideo Kojima Gives an Update on His New Game

Late last year, Hideo Kojima set up his new studio and started work on a brand new title. In a recent Famitsu interview, he talks about how things are progressing. Granted, this past February, the former Metal Gear maven also talked a teeny bit about his upcoming title, saying it was “big” and has “lots…

Former Xbox Japan honcho Takashi Sensui has joined Tokyo-based game company Marvelous as Executive Vice President, Nikkei reports. Previously, Sensui had returned to the U.S. to work at Microsoft after Xbox Japan went pear-shaped.

At Meiji Shrine. Tokyo, Japan. By Caio Fabricio. 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!

Japan’s Newest 3DS XL Colors Look Terrific Together

Japan is getting Lime and Black as well as Pink and White. Both combos look very, very good, especially if you like Splatoon On June 9, Nintendo is launching both color combinations with the handhelds priced at the standard 20,304 yen (US$187). Via Nintendo’s official site, here is a closer look at the hardware. They…

Poll: Has One Piece Gotten Worse? Most People Say “No.”

It’s biggest selling manga in Japanese history. You know it, you love it, and it might be wearing you out. Maybe not, but a recent poll shows that some readers are getting tired of the series. Most, however, are not. One Piece debuted way back in 1997. But, according to the manga’s editor, creator Eiichiro…

Dress Like Japan’s Hentai Superhero for Only $50

You know, kinda like official Batman or Spider-Man costumes, but instead with underpants for your face. Note: This article contains content some readers might find objectionable. Originally a manga, Hentai Kamen is once again returning to the big screen this May. (And once again, it’s being released by a major Japanese film studio!) Titled HK:…

Here’s a look at Hellgate VR Announced back in August 2015, the game is being developed by Hanbit Soft and was shown at a Sony event today in South Korea. It’s a first-person shooter. [Thanks, Sang!]

On the Rocks. Odaiba, Tokyo, Japan. By Rob McMaster 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!

Konami Denies Connection to Panama Paper Listing

You know the Panama Papers? You know, what’s being called “the biggest leak in history “ that shows where the super rich hide their money. An entity called “Konami Corporation Limited” is named in those papers, it seems, but the Tokyo-based game maker denies any relation. Here is the listing via Offshore Leaks Database (more…

China’s Newest Game Machine Seems So Familiar

Here’s an Android powered Chinese game machine that copies both the PS4 (in console design) and the Xbox One (in controller design). That isn’t all. I can’t help but feel I’ve seen its user interface before. The machine was shown at a press event today in Beijing attended by a Kotaku tipster. The console itself…

I’m Starting to Worry Kirby Isn’t a Hero, You Guys

I mean, he does kill an awful lot of innocent people. Growing up, I never played Kirby games. Of course, I knew who the little pink blob was thanks to commercials and, later, Super Smash Bros. on the N64. Despite my lack of firsthand knowledge, I always assumed he was a hero. However, the more…

Blizzard Sends Nice Wedding Cakes

That is, if the groom is one of the greatest StarCraft players to ever live. Lim Yo-hwan (aka BoxeR) secretly married Korean actress Ka Yeon Kim back in 2011, when everyone, including Kotaku, still thought they were dating. Recently, the two finally decided to hold a wedding ceremony, and, as tipster Sang points out, Blizzard…

Deceased Writer’s Coffin Was Covered in Anime Girls

Sadly, Japanese author Tomohiro Matsu recently passed away at the age of 43. At the funeral service, his coffin was covered with expressions of gratitude and anime girl drawings from friends and colleagues. Matsu was perhaps best known for writing the light novel series Listen to Me, Girls. I Am Your Father! (aka PapaKiki!). As…

Wonderful Weather. Kyoto, Japan. By John Ta. 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!