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Kotaku East
Anime Episode Resembles Real-Life Murder, Won’t Be Broadcasted
This week’s episode of popular anime Psycho-Pass New Edit Version won’t be broadcasted in Japan. In light of a recent murder, the show’s creators deemed the episode “inappropriate.” Note: This article contains content some readers might find objectionable. It also contains what some readers might view as spoilers. As reported by our colleagues at Jezebel,…
By Brian Ashcraft Published July 31, 2014 -
Kotaku East
Peaches Sold as Sexy Butts in China
Peaches have long been compared to backsides. Because, well, peaches look like tushes! And now, thanks to some fruit venders in China, they really look like butts. Sexy butts. These peaches are apparently being sold to capitalize on the the upcoming romantic Qixi Festival. They’re a novelty present! And should be taken as such. But,…
By Brian Ashcraft Published July 31, 2014 -
Kotaku EastCan You Even Do This in Fighting Games?
Tricking has been called “the most extreme martial art.” That’s for good reason. What’s tricking? It’s a combination of an array of martial arts with gynmastic flips to create a truly spectacular performance. The video below is from a few years back, but it’s a good explainer: While tricking has certainly established itself, it still…
By Brian Ashcraft Published July 30, 2014 -
Kotaku East
The Xbox One Will Be China’s First Major Home Console Since The PS2
Microsoft is going to be able to start selling the Xbox One to the more than one billion people living in China starting on September 23. The company announced launch plans at a press event in Shanghai. Until recently, home consoles have been banned in China, with the PlayStation 2having the honor of being the…
By András Neltz Published July 30, 2014 -
Kotaku East
Professional DOTA 2 team Rave were given sports visas by the South Korean government to stay in the country as athletes. The players—who are from the Philippines, the U.S., and Canada—can stay in the country for up to a year and play eSports. [Thanks, Sang!]
By Brian Ashcraft Published July 30, 2014 -
Kotaku East
There’s No Reason To Get Out of Bed. Ever.
You know some mornings when you wake up and think, “Why do I have to get out of bed?” Well, you don’t! Behold, the “Super Upward-Looking Dozing Desk.” It’s for folks who like to doze and nap. Folks like me. Going on sale this month in Japan for 8,980 yen (around US$90), the desk can…
By Brian Ashcraft Published July 30, 2014 -
Kotaku East
In Japan, Starbucks’ Secret Menu Isn’t So Secret
Diehard Starbucks drinkers are probably familiar with its secret menu, whipped up by dedicated fans and creative Starbucks employees. In Japan, one furtive drink in particular is now out in the open. In Japanese, secret menu is called “ura menu” (裏メニュー), and, like elsewhere, the country’s Starbucks have numerous customized drinks that aren’t official. Due…
By Brian Ashcraft Published July 30, 2014 -
Kotaku East
Black Bullet Irredeemably Ruins An Otherwise Good Premise
Back at the start of the spring season, as I wrote short summaries about all the season’s then upcoming anime, post-apocalyptic tale Black Bullet was one of the anime I was most looking forward to. However, less than two episodes in I could already see that it was failing to live up to its interesting…
By Richard Eisenbeis Published July 29, 2014 -
Kotaku East
New Anime Casts the Ghostbusters as Penguin-Hunting Kidnappers
Tokyo ESP is the story of a teenage girl with the power to phase through solid objects and a teenage boy with the power to teleport who decide to become superheroes. So while I wouldn’t have been surprised by an X-Men cameo, I certainly didn’t expect the Ghostbusters to show up—especially as villains! In all…
By Richard Eisenbeis Published July 29, 2014 -
Kotaku EastWatch Us Play the Neptunia SRPG
In the past, the Neptunia series has taken the form of turn-based JRPGs and an idol simulator. Now, the newest game moves the series into the realm of tactical strategy RPGs. Join us as we see how this game full of game-series-reimagined-as-anime-girls plays. Hyper Goddess Faith Noire: Ultra Goddess Black Heart was released for the…
By Richard Eisenbeis Published July 29, 2014 -
Kotaku East
Pervy Super Famicom Game Lets You Play One-Handed
Makes sense as this is, perhaps, the Super Famicom’s most dubious unlicensed game: SM Teacher Note: This article contains content some readers might find objectionable. Recently, Twitter user No3_hiyamugi uploaded the following pic from the game’s instruction booklet. The underlined section reads, “You can use your right hand freely” (右手は自由に使えます or “migi te wa jiyuu…
By Brian Ashcraft Published July 29, 2014 -
Kotaku East
Tetsuya Mizuguchi of Rez and Lumines fame is working on a new puzzle game. 4Gamersays it’s for smartphones, while Insider says the platform hasn’t been announced. The title is TBA, but the game will have a “mysterious story” and is slated for this winter. Currently, there are negotiations for a global distributor.
By Brian Ashcraft Published July 29, 2014 -
Kotaku East
Pokémon Wearing Glasses Is a Meme
Who knew Pocket Monsters looked so good in glasses? I sure didn’t. But now I do. In the past few days, fans have been uploading photos of their Pokémon plush toys wearing glasses. Their look is somewhat unexpected! Even Pokémon game designer Junichi Masuda has been retweeting the pics. I’m assuming that recent promotional material…
By Brian Ashcraft Published July 29, 2014 -
Kotaku EastIf Your Phone Rings on Live TV, Don’t Do This
Recently, on a Vietnamese morning show, a guest was talking about the serious flooding in Lang Son when something unexpected happened: His phone rang. In the clip below from YouTuber Góc Thư Giãn, you can see the stealthy way the guest dealt with the situation: Very smooth! Didn’t even notice. Phóng Viên Ném Điện Thoại…
By Brian Ashcraft Published July 29, 2014 -
Kotaku East
Here’s a Godzilla Plush Toy Priced at $500
Open your wallets! Wide. Germany’s premiere stuffed toy maker Steiff is releasing a Godzilla plushie for a whopping 51,300 yen, or $504. According to website Response, the Godzilla plush toy will mark the character’s 60th anniversary. Measuring 50 centimeters (about 20 inches) tall and covered in mohair, each Godzilla is made by hand by Steiff’s…
By Brian Ashcraft Published July 28, 2014 -
Kotaku East
Professional Gaming Is Hard
Pro-gamers dedicate long hours honing their skills to compete on a world class level. According to one team manager, in the world of Dota, the stress to win is heavy. In an interview with Sina Games, Team Newbee manager Tong Xin talks about the pressures his players face going into every game, including their run…
By Eric Jou Published July 28, 2014 -
Kotaku East
Accused Murderer and Victim Both “Liked Anime”
Over the weekend, a Japanese teenage girl was accused of brutally murdering a 15 year-old acquaintance. The crime is shocking and terrible. And some members of the Japanese media have pointed out that the suspect and the victim might have shared a love of anime. According to Kyodo News, the suspect, who is a minor,…
By Brian Ashcraft Published July 28, 2014 -
Kotaku East
Soldiers Try Charming Women with Push Ups
When some male animals attract mates, they often present themselves in a way that shows off their virility. This form of mating ritual is often called peacocking, and it appears that in China’s military speed dating circles, it’s done through push-ups. Chinese News Agency Xinhua brings us a set of photos of soldiers attending a…
By Eric Jou Published July 28, 2014 -
Kotaku East
S.W.A.T. Team Wedding Photos Are More Romantic Than Tactical
Twenty-nine year-old S.W.A.T. team member Hou Weilin wasn’t able to get time off from work to take wedding photos, so he did the next best thing: He brought his wedding pics to work. According to the Global Times (via The Nanfang Insider), the couple appeared in a series of romantic special weapons and tactics-themed pics.…
By Brian Ashcraft Published July 28, 2014