Kotaku East

Is This South Korea’s Next Dance Craze?

Forget “Gangnam Style.” Forget “Bar Bar Bar.” 2014 could be the year that we all start dancing to “Ear Attack.” By “we,” I mean “you”—or, at least, someone you know. Below, you can watch the video for “Ear Attack.” It’s a tune by a new Korean pop group called Badkidz. At the time of posting,…

Anime Delay Shows How Strict Japan Is about Drugs

Here’s a thought: If the West is too lenient regarding controlled substances, then perhaps, Japan is too strict? As reported by Asahi News, Japanese popstar Aska of the wildly popular group Chage & Aska was recently arrested for allegedly possessing stimulants, including MDMA. Increasingly, Japanese authorities have been cracking down on drugs and celebrities. Instead…

Zelda Musou (aka Hyrule Warriors), the hack-and-slash Zelda game, will be out August 14 in Japan. According to a Famistu leak, Team Ninja is also working on the game with Koei.

“Kinky” Japanese University Gets a New Name

A well-known university outside of Osaka, Japan has changed its English name. The reason? So it won’t be confused with perverts. Previously, Kinki Daigaku* (近畿大学) was known as Kinki University, but as News2U reports, the university is hoping to become more global. Thus, starting in April 2016, its English name will be Kindai University. In…

Gundam Unicorn Is an Excellent Ending to a Story 35 Years in the Making

Originally started four years ago as a six-part anime movie adaptation of a novel series, Gundam Unicorn has finally reached its conclusion with the 7th and final chapter, Gundam Unicorn 7: Over the Rainbow [Note: While original planned for 6 parts, due the massive amount of remaining content, the creators announced a 7th episode to…

The Spinning Lady Will Mess with Your Mind

You are looking at an optical illusion. It’s been doing my head in all day. Do you know which direction the woman is spinning? Is she spinning clockwise? Counter-clockwise? Or does she suddenly change directions? Try blinking and see what happens. Maybe she changes direction. Maybe not. It depends on how you see. The Spinning…

Spider-Man Appeared on Japanese Television Tonight. Chaos Ensued.

Make that, Spider-Woman. Japanese celebrity and serial cosplayer Natsuki Okamoto was on her regular current events program dressed as everyone’s friendly neighborhood superhero and then started “shooting” webs. Via 2ch, here’s how that went down: Okamoto often dresses as things she’s into, whether that’s an athlete she follows, a historical period she enjoys, or in…

I Love “Trapped in a Video Game” Stories

I love “trapped in a video game” stories—be that in books, anime, or even games. As a gamer, such stories directly relate to my greatest passion. But more than that, “trapped in a video game” is setup brimming with the potential for epic plots and thematic explorations. Much can be done with the “trapped in…

Studio Ghibli Characters Sure Look the Same

They don’t look exactly the same. But damn, many of the characters from Japan’s most beloved anime certainly look similar. Studio Ghibli, of course, is famous for anime like My Neighbor Totoro, Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, and Ponyo—all of which were created by Hayao Miyazaki. As noted on Japanese Twitter site Ghibli_Fan7,…

The Inevitable Attack on Titan Gay Porn

In December 2013, Kotaku reported that Attack on Titan was getting an “absolutely mental” looking adult movie, complete with incredibly elaborate sets and make-up. Now, it’s getting a gay porno. No surprises there! Note: This article contains content some readers might find NSFW. The name of this upcoming flick is Attack on Boys Love, and…

Japan’s Surprise Hit Is Getting a Special Nintendo 3DS XL

With a sequel for smash Yokai Watch coming out, Nintendo is releasing a special Nintendo 3DS, emblazoned with Yokai Watch character Jibanyan. Priced at 18,000 yen (US$177), the pack does not come with either Yokai Watch or Yokai Watch 2. However, the sequel will be out the same day this special 3DS XL hits: July…

Here, Have Some Dog Butt Curry

Picking up where corgi omelettes, panda curry, and hamster rears left off, there’s this: Shiba inu butt curry. Because shiba inu. Twitter user Mesomeso1009 uploaded this curry creation, which isn’t made with actually dog butt. Instead, this is rice shaped like a shiba’s backside. The photo has been retweeted over seven thousand times and even…

The Sword Art Online Game Is a Boring Slog, Unless You Are a Fan

Sword Art Online is an anime about 10,000 gamers trapped in a VR MMORPG where if they die in the game, they die in real life. So of course it was only a matter of time before they made a game about it. Unfortunately, if you aren’t already a fan, there is little in this…

With Military Drills, China Steps Up Its Security

Every year around this time, China holds a massive military drill. Like clockwork. Military police units from across the country’s thirty-four provincial level districts show off the latest in domestic security. This year, the theme is knife attacks. Over the last couple of years, knife attacks have become more common in China, and the need…

One Piece Brought to Life with Stop-Motion Animation and Toys

Using One Piece figurines from the posable Cry Heart series, stop motion photography recreates the Oath of the Brothers scene. Earlier this year, the Cry Heart figures were used in another stop motion clip, which was also quite impressive. Have a look: ワンピース Cry heart～children’s dream～ [MaiDigiTV] ストップモーションアニメ [MaiDigiTV] To contact the author of this…

Chinese Artist Throws Himself Into Comics and Cartoons. Literally.

As if taking a page out of the classic movie Who Framed Roger Rabbit, a Chinese graduate student has thrown himself into the world of cartoons. The artist, most commonly known by his stage name Ge Kuo, is a graduate art student at the Beijing University of Chemical Technology. This time his work involves famous…

The Most Energized School Kids in Japan

The internet is filled with hyperbole, but hyperbole, this ain’t. Don’t believe me? Just check out the above video. In elementary schools across Japan, students have morning assemblies. They take roll and greet each other. Younger grades are noisy, sure, but this class, however, is something else. The video is titled “Salutations Training” (あいさつ訓練 or…

Watch 1,700 People Play a Giant Game of Tag

In Japanese, tag is called “oni gokko” (鬼ごっこ). This weekend, approximately 1,700 played the game at a stadium in Tokorozawa, Japan. The fifty oni (demon) were “it” and wore red tights so they’d be easy to identify. There were referees, and once you got tagged, you were out. The event was held by New Balance.…

Nurses Cosplay as Flight Attendants at a Chinese Hospital

In the city of Huai’an, a group of registered nurses is now working at a local hospital, dressed as flight attendants. According to CNTV and People’s Daily, twelve nurses went through a one-month flight attendant etiquette training course. Instead of typical white outfits, these nurses actually wear flight attendant uniforms, while working at the hospital.…

Hello Kitty Fire Extinguishers Exist in Japan. No, Really.

Why wouldn’t they? From vibrators to kendo gear, Hello Kitty has been slapped on just about everything. As pointed out by the Sankei Newspaper, Japanese fire extinguisher company Hatsuta is launching a line of Hello Kitty fire extinguishers, priced at around $80. They’re designed to be kept at home (you know, should you have a…