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Kotaku EastBurger King Releases A Chocolate Whopper In Taiwan
Back in 2018, Burger King announced a chocolate Whopper. That was an April Fool’s prank. Now, in 2020, that joke has become a reality. The original gag was more dessert than a burger, featuring a chocolate cake bun, a chocolate patty, raspberry sauce, white chocolate rings, and candied oranges. This, however, is a real burger.…
By Brian Ashcraft Published September 7, 2020 -
Kotaku EastJapanThe Death Stranding PC Case Is Subtle
With Death Stranding released on PC this July, emblazoned computer hardware and gear was only a matter of time. Here’s a look at the game’s upcoming PC case. Mind you, this (above) is a rendition of the actual case… It’s subtle, sure, but I don’t know how functional it is. Are those air vents enough?…
By Brian Ashcraft Published September 4, 2020 -
Kotaku EastJapanThis Isn’t An Enormous Nintendo Switch, It’s A TV
The Nintendo Switch is a neat handheld you can connect to the television. One Twitter user, however, decided to turn a TV into a giant mock-up Switch. The result is excellent. Kai.mariosfun created this Switch-themed television board, with each of the giant faux Joy-Cons doubling as cabinets. The design is creative and wonderful. I love…
By Brian Ashcraft Published September 4, 2020 -
Kotaku EastJapanAn Iconic Osaka Symbol Is Now Gone
One of the most iconic symbols of Osaka is the fugu (blowfish) paper lantern that hangs over the city’s Shinsekai area. This week, the lantern was taken down as the restaurant it advertises will close. The fugu-specialty eatery Zuboraya opened in 1920 and went on to become popular with tourists, with the blowfish lantern becoming…
By Brian Ashcraft Published September 3, 2020 -
Kotaku EastJapanA Look At Tokyo Without Tourists
Typically, parts of Tokyo are overrun with tourists. These are not typical times. Because of covid-19, Japan has closed the country to tourists (until this month, it had also closed the country to foreign residents and even made it exceedingly difficult, if not impossible, for permanent residents to leave and then re-enter the country). While…
By Brian Ashcraft Published September 3, 2020 -
Kotaku EastJapanXbox Is Coming Back To The Tokyo Game Show, But Without Next-Gen News
In years past, Microsoft had massive Xbox booths at the Tokyo Game Show, going head to head with the likes of Sony. But, as it turns out, Japanese gamers aren’t really into Xbox! So, as well as missing the 2012 show, Microsoft really went M.I.A. starting in 2015. Now that this year’s TGS is virtual,…
By Brian Ashcraft Published September 2, 2020 -
Kotaku EastJapanLet’s See Life In Japan Over 100 Years Ago
It’s 2020. Perhaps you’ve been to Japan (or even live here), but if not you can always see copious clips of what life is like in the country. But what about, say, over a hundred years ago? There is video about, of course, but YouTube user Denis Shiryaev has upscaled footage taken in Japan between…
By Brian Ashcraft Published September 2, 2020 -
Kotaku EastJapanRecreating Gundam Box Art With Gundam Models
Gundam models have excellent box art. Twitter user Cody has brought classic mecha art to life with a three-dimensional plastic model. The result is very impressive—and the painting alone took 15 hours. As you can see Cody painted the model to resemble the flat box art. Cody has done other pieces that, likewise, are recreations…
By Brian Ashcraft Published September 1, 2020 -
Kotaku EastJapanPikachu Stars In The PPAP Singer’s New Music Video
In 2016, comedian Pikotaro went viral with his song “PPAP.” Earlier this year, he released a song to encourage people to wash their hands. Now, he’s back, and this time he’s hanging out with an electric rodent. The new song is called “Pikataro and Pikotaro” (Pika to Piko in Japanese). In much of it, Pikataro…
By Brian Ashcraft Published August 31, 2020 -
Kotaku EastJapanAkihabara Will Look Different After This Arcade Closes [Update]
The Sega Akihabara 2nd arcade, which was formerly known as Akihabara Gigo, is closing at the end of the month because 2020 sucks. The arcade, a two-minute walk from Akihabara Station, is famous for its Sega-emblazoned escalators and is an area landmark. The official notice states that the arcade’s last day of operation is August…
By Brian Ashcraft Published August 31, 2020 -
Kotaku EastJapanAfter Nine Years, A New Haruhi Suzumiya Novel Will Be Released
Originally a light novel, Haruhi Suzumiya launched an iconic anime and manga in the 2000s. The manga is ongoing, but there hasn’t been a new Haruhi novel since 2011. Until now. This November, a new Haruhi volume will be released in Japan. According to Japanese site Kai-You, it will be out November 25. Titled Suzumiya…
By Brian Ashcraft Published August 31, 2020 -
Kotaku EastMangaOne Piece Will End In Four Or Five Years
Since 1997, Eiichiro Oda has churned out One Piece. It has become the most successful manga ever. And one day, One Piece will end—according to Oda, in the next four to five years. Recently, Oda appeared on Japanese TV and was asked how much longer the manga will run, reports Daily Sports. “Four or five…
By Brian Ashcraft Published August 28, 2020 -
Kotaku EastJapanVR-Controlled Robots Coming To Japanese Convenience Stores
This summer, VR-controlled robots are coming to select Family Mart convenience stores in Japan. As Time Out Tokyo reports, these robot employees are being introduced to improve efficiency and lower costs, as offsite workers will control the robots to stock store shelves. But… seeing the robots in action, the efficiency argument is odd. Because, one…
By Brian Ashcraft Published August 27, 2020 -
Kotaku EastJapanThe Official Kingdom Hearts III Boots Are What You’d Expect
If you were to imagine what official Kingdom Hearts III boots would look like, you might imagine buckles, straps and chains. Plaid too, maybe! That pretty much sums up these boots. Japanese clothing company Super Groupies, whose slogan is “Anime into Fashion!”, created this officially licensed footwear inspired by Sora, Riku, Kairi, Roxas, and Axel.…
By Brian Ashcraft Published August 26, 2020 -
Kotaku EastJapanYakuza Producer Finally Apologizes For Mocking Puzzle Game Esports Pros
In July, Yakuza executive director and producer Toshihiro Nagoshi used slang to disparage puzzle game pro players during a livestream. Sega soon apologized, and now, nearly a month later, so has Nagoshi. As previously reported, Nagoshi had said that Puyo Puyo esports players seemed like they eat beef bowls with cheese. The term chiizu gyuudon…
By Brian Ashcraft Published August 26, 2020 -
Kotaku EastJapanSnuggle Up With A Chopped Off Pikachu Tail Pillow
If you are in the market for a hug pillow and like Pokémon, here’s one that looks like a giant, chopped off Pikachu tail. Priced at 8,658 yen ($81.31), the hug pillow measures 110 cm (43.3 inches) and sure looks comfy. While this was previously released in 2018, the tail will be re-issued this December.
By Brian Ashcraft Published August 25, 2020 -
Kotaku EastJapanJapanese Vending Machines Are Selling Bugs You Can Eat
Japan is famous for vending machines. While most sell soft drinks and coffee, there are some unusual ones selling batteries, umbrellas, and bottles of sake. Add insects to that list. In Japanese, the word 昆虫食 (konchuushoku) means “insect eating”. During the past few years, it seems, there has been an increasing number of vending machines…
By Brian Ashcraft Published August 25, 2020 -
Kotaku EastJapanUsed Pokémon Popsicle Sticks Fetching High Prices Online In Japan
It’s summertime! It’s hot. Time to eat popsicles and—if you are in Japan and like Pokémon—perhaps buy the used sticks for hundreds of dollars. On June 1, as Kotaku previously reported, Garigari-kun popsicles were teaming up with Pikachu for a limited collab. A box of six Pokémon Garigari-kun cost 350 yen ($3.30), but according to…
By Brian Ashcraft Published August 24, 2020 -
Kotaku EastJapanSmile Masks Look Kinda Creepy, But Aim To Improve The Customer Experience
Tokyo discount store Takeya has launched a “smile campaign” with staff wearing masks emblazoned with photos of their smiling grin. Honestly, they look kinda creepy. This is a good idea and in a terrible, most unusual year, I appreciate the sentiment. But…yikes! I’ve worn masks in the past due to seasonal allergies, but now because…
By Brian Ashcraft Published August 24, 2020 -
Kotaku EastJapanJapan’s First Officially Licensed Video Game Bar Opens In Tokyo
While video game bars are popular in Japan, they do operate in somewhat of a gray area. In 2018, for example, there were instances in which video game bars were shut down over copyright claims. People were even arrested. Video game bars typically let customers play games for free while charging them for drinks. The…
By Brian Ashcraft Published August 21, 2020