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Kotaku East
Japanese Twitter Users Stand Up to ISIS with…a Photoshop Meme
Yesterday, a video allegedly uploaded by ISIS demanded that the Japanese government pay $200 million for two hostages. In it, a cloaked man waving a knife told the Japanese people to pressure their government to pay or the men would die. Online, the country’s Twitter users have responded. With a meme. The political reality here…
By Brian Ashcraft Published January 21, 2015 -
Kotaku East
Japanese Pop Star Swallowed by Microphones in Hong Kong
Singer Sakura Miyawaki of the pop groups HKT48 and AKB48 was recently in Hong Kong to promote Japanese ramen chain Ippudo. First there was a photo op. Then, this. As one 2ch commenter pointed out, it’s hard to tell if the press is interviewing her or promoting itself! That was nice of them to create…
By Brian Ashcraft Published January 21, 2015 -
Kotaku East
Eating Pokémon Food Can Be Frightening
Well, that certainly is scary. Website Omo69 visited the newly opened Pokémon Cafe Ω Ruby & α Sapphire in Tokyo, ordering the Pikachu rice omelette with blue “aqua sauce.” You can also order magma sauce, instead. This is the meal. Its official name is “Rice Omelette that Would Also Make Pikachu Smile.” And the aqua…
By Brian Ashcraft Published January 21, 2015 -
Kotaku East
Shirobako Is an Anime about Making Anime
Ever wonder how an anime is made? Good – Dreams Versus Reality Shirobako is the story of five girls who, after making a short anime while members of their high school animation club, promise to come back together as adults and make their own full anime. Aoi, the main lead of Shirobako, dreams of being…
By Richard Eisenbeis Published January 20, 2015 -
Kotaku EastSony Makes a College Class You Wouldn’t Skip
I dunno. Maybe you would skip it. But if you like video games, chances are this PlayStation university course is something you’d attend. Last fall, Kotaku reported that Sony was teaming up with Sangmyung University in Seoul, South Korea to offer a PlayStation college course. The class featured guest speakers and students, who sat at…
By Brian Ashcraft Published January 20, 2015 -
Kotaku EastHow Final Fantasy XV Is Influenced by Back to the Future: Part II
Don’t expect DeLoreans, hoverboards and sports almanacs. But according to Wan Hazmer, Final Fantasy XV lead game designer, the title has found inspiration in an unlikely source: Robert Zemeckis’ 1989 sci-fi flick. In an interview with Travel Garage TV, Hazmer talks about how the game’s developers are striving to create believable environments. “A concept of…
By Brian Ashcraft Published January 20, 2015 -
Kotaku East
My, My Cid, How You Have Changed
While each Final Fantasy tends to be set in a different world, there are a few staples you can expect in each one—most prominently, a character named Cid. And the newest game in the franchise, Final Fantasy Explorers, is no exception. Over the years Cid has gone through some changes since his first appearance back…
By Richard Eisenbeis Published January 20, 2015 -
Kotaku EastShaolin Monk “Runs on Water” for Almost 400 Feet
This week in Quanzhou, China, a Shaolin monk showed it was possible to do more than walk on water. The Shaolin monastery is famous for its kung-fu monks that undergo rigorous training to pull off amazing acrobatic and physical feats. Last October, Shi Liliang from Quanzhou Shaolin Temple ran on thin plywood planks floating in…
By Brian Ashcraft Published January 20, 2015 -
Kotaku East
The Left 4 Dead Arcade is Basically Left 4 Dead 2, But Worse
This past weekend, needing a bit of zombie killing in my life, I joined some friends at a local arcade to spend some time with Left 4 Dead Survivors. Honestly, I wish I’d just stayed home and played Left 4 Dead 2 Left 4 Dead Survivors is largely a port of Left 4 Dead 2…
By Richard Eisenbeis Published January 20, 2015 -
Kotaku East
Nintendo Closing Club Nintendo (But Don’t Panic)
For years now, Club Nintendo has been offering special goodies to fans. But as of today, it’s going away. But don’t fret. Not yet. Nintendo is planning a new loyalty program with new rewards. Official notices have been posted by Nintendo in Japan, Europe, and Australia. The U.S. site is currently closed for maintenance. Kotaku…
By Brian Ashcraft Published January 20, 2015 -
Kotaku EastCall of Duty Online is a Big Surprise
Forget everything you saw and experienced in Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare, forget Jack Mitchell and harken back to the days of Soap, Ghost and Price. Remember those good ol’ days with them boys? Well, you can relive that whole experience again and then some in the China-only Call of Duty: Online That’s right, CoDOL…
By Eric Jou Published January 19, 2015 -
Kotaku EastTeam of Keisuke Honda Clones Plays Pro Evo
You know Keisuke Honda? He plays for Milan in Serie A. And Shunsuke Nakamura? He does stuff like this. Eleven Hondas just faced off against eleven Nakamuras. Honda. Honda. Honda. Honda. Nakamura. Nakamura. Honda. This comes from YouTuber Zyagariko san, who made each team, and then had both sides face off in auto play. The…
By Brian Ashcraft Published January 19, 2015 -
Kotaku East
Why Big Hero 6 Is Upsetting Some People in South Korea
You’d think Disney’s Big Hero 6 would steer clear of controversy. That it would be a fairly innocuous movie. You’d think! Money Today reports that the movie, which isn’t out yet, is already creating some controversy online in South Korea, because net users are upset that the movie features alleged Rising Sun imagery. The sun…
By Brian Ashcraft Published January 19, 2015 -
Kotaku East
Dota 2 Event Prompts Legal Spat Between Streaming Sites
The video gaming live-streaming business is huge right now. Amazon purchased Twitch.TV for $970 million last year. Well, in the land where everything has a Chinese version, China, the Chinese equivalents of Twitch are in a legal war over the Dota 2 Asia Championships. Sina news reports that two of China’s newest and fastest growing…
By Eric Jou Published January 19, 2015 -
Kotaku EastStan Lee Finally Makes His Kpop Video Debut
Phew! With all that Stan Lee has already done, you were probably wondering when he was going to appear in a Kpop video. Well, at the tender age of 92, it’s happened. As tipster Sang points out, Lee makes a special guest appearance in Clara‘s new music video “Gwiyomi Song 2.” You might remember the…
By Brian Ashcraft Published January 19, 2015 -
Kotaku East
Predicting Anime Characters’ Future Appearance Is Easy
Jibanyan is the most popular character in Yokai Watch, Japan’s new favorite anime and video game. The character is new, but what will it look like in ten years? As Kotaku has previously mentioned, characters change. Heck, look at how Pikachu has developed over the years. Via Japanese web forum 2ch, here’s a guess at…
By Brian Ashcraft Published January 19, 2015 -
Kotaku East
The Up All Night Stream Plays Box Boy (Stream Finished)
While everyone was learning about the new 3DS and the re-release of Majora’s Mask, Nintendo quietly released their newest game, Box Boy, in Japan which is half-Tetris, half platformer. So let’s play it. (Full disclosure: It’s really cute, you guys.) Update: Stream is over, you can see it below! Watch live video from BiggestinJapan on…
By Richard Eisenbeis Published January 17, 2015 -
Kotaku EastTiny Android Box is Pretty Good for TV, Not So Much for Games
Yesterday in Beijing, Chinese handset maker Xiaomi revealed the Mi Box Mini, an Android TV-like device that can play games. Everyone and their mother (in Tech News) is monitoring Xiaomi, the *fourth largestsmartphone maker in the world behind Samsung, Apple and Lenovo (owners of Motorola). But that doesn’t mean everything they put out is gold.…
By Eric Jou Published January 16, 2015 -
Kotaku East
National Manhunt in Japan for a YouTuber Who Allegedly Stole…Snacks [Update]
Japanese police are currently scouring the country for a 19-year-old YouTuber. His alleged crime? Stealing snacks and fizzy drinks as well as poking holes in food packaging. Update: The teen was finally captured and arrested. According to Mainichi News, however, it’s now believed that the suspect faked the shoplifting, by apparently bringing his own pre-bought…
By Brian Ashcraft Published January 16, 2015 -
Kotaku East
Few Anime are as Fun as Amagi Brilliant Park
Some anime get the adrenaline pumping. Others tug at the heartstrings. Some are mindless adventures while yet others make you think. And then there are those like Amagi Brilliant Park that are just fun for the sake of fun. Good – A Plot You’d Never Expect One day, high schooler Seiya is asked out on…
By Richard Eisenbeis Published January 16, 2015