Kotaku East

New 3DS ‘Filters’ The Internet In Japan

In what seems to be a new form of parental control, New 3DS consoles will come with a pre-installed filter which limits what websites can be visited using the built in web browser. The filter can be turned off for a fee of 30 yen ($0.29), which is deducted immediately upon registering a valid credit…

The Friday Morning Stream Plays Persona 4 Arena Ultimax [Done!]

Welp, I had so much fun two weeks back filling in for Fahey with the Saturday Morning Stream that I decided to do it again. Only this time, with the new Persona fighting game in my hot little hands, I just couldn’t wait till Saturday. So join me as I play Persona 4 Arena Ultimax…

A Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate-New 3DS XL bundle will be going on sale in Japan on October 11. It will cost 25,600 yen, or roughly $245, and it includes the game, and a 3DS XL unit with a nice silver finish from Nintendo’s upgraded 3DS line.

How Does the “New” 3DS Compare to the “Old” One?

The New 3DS is faster and bigger with improved hardware and a better battery life. While the New 3DS is slightly heavier, the New 3DS XL is actually lighter. Let’s get a better look at that new analog stick, which Nintendo is calling the C-stick: The battery life for the New Nintendo 3DS is from…

​Nintendo Just Announced a New 3DS. It Has Another Analog Stick.

It’s called the New Nintendo 3DS. It’s faster with bigger screens and better battery life. It also has a new analog pad called the “C-stick.” Wow! This sounds great. The New Nintendo 3DS comes in White and Black. There is also a New Nintendo 3DS XL that comes in Metallic Blue and Metallic Black. Note…

This is the World’s First “Live Anime”

You’ve seen live sporting events and live concerts. Now Japan brings you the world’s first “live anime,” Minarai Diva. Minarai Diva is the story of two idols in training: Ruri Aoi and Ui Harune. Over the course of each episode, they write lyrics to and even sing a newly completed song by the time it…

Watch today’s Nintendo Direct right here. The presentation, which is in Japanese, will center around Nintendo 3DS games. No wonder this is called “Nintendo 3DS Direct 2014.8.29.”

Oh Hey, It’s a $675 Attack on Titan Statue

Open your wallets. Wide. That is, if you plan on buying this Attack on Titan statue. Produced by GoodSmile Company and designed by famed figure sculptor Takayuki Takeya, this 19-inch statue of the Colossal Titan will be released in March 2015 and is limited to 500 numbered pieces. It’s not cheap! GoodSmile is listing the…

One of the Most Convincing Product Tests You’ll See

A fellow from Korean lock company ST System showed off its latest crime prevention product called “smart lock.” Just wait until after he gets his gloves on. The gentlemen will attempt to convince you that by using the lock, it’s impossible to shatter or open the window all the way. Convinced? As tipster Sang points…

Hyrule Warriors is Far More Dynasty Warriors than Zelda

While the plot, setting, and characters may all be of Zelda lineage, make no mistake, when it comes to gameplay, this is a Dynasty Warriors game through and through. Good – Dynamic Battles In the game’s story mode, each battle begins with a simple main objective—usually something along the lines of killing the main enemy…

Lupin The Third Turned into an All-Women’s Musical

Japan’s legendary all-women theatrical company the Takarazuka Review is bringing Lupin The Third to the stage. For a hundred years, the Takarazuka Review has been entertaining Japanese audiences. The group is comprised solely of women performers, playing both the male and female roles. The Review was even influential on Osamu Tezuka, Japan’s “god of manga,”…

Things Sound Grim for the Lupin Movie

Lupin the Third is one of Japan’s most iconic manga/anime characters, loved by millions. His second live-action movie adaptation opens on Saturday, and one of the first reviews for it is brutal. Japanese movie critic Yuichi Maeda, who is a well-known yet controversial critic in Japan, recently gave the movie a piddling 3 out of…

Unmasking the Mysterious Batman of Japan’s Highways

Recently, photos of Batman on a Japanese highway surfaced. Who was that masked man? People want to know! And through the magic of television, we found out. Since this Batman is usually spotted in Chiba Prefecture, he’s known as “Chibatman” (千葉ットマン or “Chibattoman”). [Photo: coresugo] [Photo: ananweblog] The 41 year-old Chibatman works as a welder,…

The Yakuza Prequel Was a Long Time Coming

As previously reported, the new Yakuza game, Yakuza 0, has been announced. As you can probably guess from the number, it’s a prequel. Breaking the age-old video game rule that the third game in a series is always a prequel, Yakuza 0: The Promised Place (龍が如く0 誓いの場所) is the sixth numbered Yakuza game. The story…

For a Brief Moment, This Otter’s Manners Were Excellent

Look at that this cute otter. He’s sitting at the table, eating his food, like a well-behaved critter. Fret not, things go downhill from here. This video is from Japanese YouTube user mixjam11. If you like otters, do check out that user’s channel. カワウソ劇場 行儀よく？？ [mixjam11@YouTube via DailyPicksAndFlicks via Laughing Squid] To contact the author…

Once Again, Atlus Doesn’t Want You to Spoil the New Persona

Persona 4 Arena Ultimax is out in stores in Japan right now, and once again, Atlus is asking that people be considerate. If you access the Japanese Persona 4 Arena Ultimax homepage right now, you’ll be greeted by an image overlay of the character of Teddy – or rather the shadow version of Teddy –…

You Really Shouldn’t Google “Pokken” Images Right Now

Pokkén! It’s Pokémon meets Tekken, so hey, that’s a clever title. Maybe. And you might be interested in the game, but whatever you do, don’t google “Pokken.” Seriously, don’t. “Pokken” is not only the name of the upcoming Pokémon arcade fighter, Pokkén Tournament, but also the Dutch word for smallpox. And here, via Interglot, is…

Don’t Be Silly, Hello Kitty Is a Cat

Earlier today, numerous websites reported that Hello Kitty is not a cat. That’s not only an oversimplification, it’s also not quite true. Hello Kitty is a feline—just an anthropomorphic one, Sanrio told Kotaku. The whole Hello-Kitty-is-not-a-cat thing was set off by an L.A. Times article on an upcoming Hello Kitty at the Japanese American National…

More Silly Schoolbook Drawings from Japan

School books aren’t for studying, you know. They’re for drawing goofy pictures in. Because that certainly makes class time fly by. Previously, Kotaku introduced some of Japan’s wonderfully wacky schoolbook doodles. Sometimes, people draw over existing images or fill in what’s missing, while other times they go as far as erasing the original image to…

If Real Combat Was Like Online Shooters

Video games and real-life combat are obviously different. But what if real combat was like an online shooter? Well, it might be like this. Below, you can see a series of fun and clever South Korean commercials for Nexon’s online first-person shooter Sudden Attack via Siliconera. As tipster Sang points out, the ads star Kpop…