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Kotaku EastJapan100 Japanese Households Are Getting Super Famicoms So Their Kids Will Stay Home
Since a state of emergency has been declared in Japan over the pandemic, kids are out of school. Yet, when I look out my window here in Osaka, I see gobs of them milling about in the street and the parks, playing with each other. I think they should stay home! So does the Japan…
By Brian Ashcraft Published April 24, 2020 -
Kotaku EastMario Is Ready To Protect Tokyo From Godzilla Bowser
The crossover that the world has long deserved is here: Mario as Ultraman duking it out with Bowser as Godzilla. Bid Toys, known for mash-ups like this Tetsujin 28-meets-Pinocchio, is releasing these soft vinyl “Manultra” and “Koopala” figures later this month. I don’t see any copyright on these official images from the maker Bid Toys’…
By Brian Ashcraft Published April 24, 2020 -
Kotaku EastJapanSome Pachinko Parlors In Japan Stay Open Even During Coronavirus Emergency
A state of emergency has been declared in Japan. In recent weeks, the number of covid-19 cases has increased, and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has called for an 80 percent reduction in person-to-person contact. Yet, some pachinko parlors refuse to close. Earlier this month, Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike included pachinko parlors, along with bars and…
By Brian Ashcraft Published April 24, 2020 -
Kotaku EastJapanRetro Japan Recreated In Animal Crossing: New Horizons
The customization tools in Animal Crossing: New Horizons are enabling players to show off their creativity. One of the most impressive things I’ve seen is Japan during the Showa era (1926-1989) being brought to life in Animal Crossing. When Japanese people use the word retro (レトロ) to discuss a building, town, or fashion, they are…
By Brian Ashcraft Published April 23, 2020 -
Kotaku EastJapanAnd Now, Pokémon Themed Lingerie
Peach John, the lingerie brand which previously released Sailor Moon and One Piece themed underwear, will be selling Pocket Monster lingerie starting next month in Japan. As noted on IT Media, the Pokémon Girls line features iconic characters like Eevee and Pikachu embroidered into the garments and sleepwear. It’s all rather tasteful. The Pokémon lingerie…
By Brian Ashcraft Published April 23, 2020 -
Kotaku EastJapanHere Are Some Terrific Paper Gundam Masks
Diorama artist Satoshi Araki has crafted some very cool-looking Gundam themed face masks. These are made of paper, and Araki doesn’t guarantee their efficacy (these aren’t exactly N95 masks), but does point out the crafts might be good diversions for those staying at home. Araki includes plans which can be printed out on paper and…
By Brian Ashcraft Published April 23, 2020 -
Kotaku EastJapanIn Japan, Bubble Tea Shops Turn Into Face Mask Vendors
Last year, the bubble tea business was booming in Japan. This year, with the novel coronavirus, a state of emergency has been declared in Japan. There are fewer people going out, and when they do, it’s just to buy essentials like food and face masks. As noted on bulletin board 2ch and sites like Hachima,…
By Brian Ashcraft Published April 22, 2020 -
Kotaku EastJapanThe Sound Of A Japanese Arcade Is A Beautiful Thing
2020 is a terrible year, but it’s also a time to appreciate the things we might’ve taken for granted—like the ambient noise at a Japanese arcade. Game center Techno World in Japan’s Iwate prefecture streamed over four hours of sound from inside its arcade as cabinets played demo scenes, waiting for coins and players who…
By Brian Ashcraft Published April 22, 2020 -
Kotaku EastJapanBehold, Gundam Models…In A Bottle
You’ve seen a ship in a bottle before, right? Expert model ship makers build ships in glass bottles to show off their serious skills. One Gundam model maker, it seems, is doing something similar. Twitter user Risshii has been building Gundam models in Jack Daniel’s bottles for the past few years. The shape of Jack…
By Brian Ashcraft Published April 21, 2020 -
Kotaku EastJapanNew Anime Episodes For Pokémon, One Piece And More Delayed Due To Coronavirus Covid-19
The novel coronavirus is impacting the production of anime in Japan. With a state of emergency declared, voice actors aren’t going into the studio, which makes recording new episodes difficult, if not impossible. Because of this, a number of shows will be delaying future new episodes and in their place reruns will be aired. As…
By Brian Ashcraft Published April 20, 2020 -
Kotaku EastJapanMan Recreates Cloud Strife’s Buster Sword In Cardboard
Previously, we saw the iconic Final Fantasy VII blade carved in pencil graphite. Now, let’s see it recreated in cardboard. YouTuber Crafty Transformer uploaded the clip below showing how he brought the Buster Sword to life in cardboard. In the walkthrough, Crafty Transformer shows each step along the way (unfortunately the closed-caption subtitles are only…
By Brian Ashcraft Published April 20, 2020 -
Kotaku EastJapanDomino’s Japan Releases Pizza Covered In Boba From Bubble Tea
Last year, bubble tea’s popularity exploded in Japan. Now, Domino’s decided to release a pizza covered with those tapioca starch pearls. With a state of emergency declared in Japan, perhaps Domino’s decided it was a good idea to bring bubble tea’s bubbles to people. On pizza. As Kotaku previously reported, a bubble tea boom caused…
By Brian Ashcraft Published April 20, 2020 -
Kotaku EastJapanFinal Fantasy VII Remake Has Very Realistic Air-Conditioning Units
Final Fantasy VII Remake might be set in a fantasy world Gaia and have stupid doors, but that doesn’t make the game lacks realistic air conditioning units. Players have noticed all the A/C units throughout the capital city Midgar. Similar units are seen throughout modern-day Japan, where central air is uncommon for apartments and houses,…
By Brian Ashcraft Published April 17, 2020 -
Kotaku EastJapanKingdom Hearts, Final Fantasy Voice Actor Keiji Fujiwara Has Died
Keiji Fujiwara was a veteran voice actor with an impressive resume in anime and Japanese games. Today, it was announced that he has passed away at the age of 55. His talent agency announced that Fujiwara died from cancer. As Oricon reports, Fujiwara had taken a break from voice acting from August 2016 to June…
By Brian Ashcraft Published April 16, 2020 -
Kotaku EastJapanInternet Cafes Shut Down In Tokyo Due To Coronavirus Covid-19, Putting People Out On The Streets
In Japan, internet cafes or manga cafes haven’t only been places where people got to surf the internet and read comics. Due to their low prices, they have become homes for some. Due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, these establishments are temporarily shuttered in major Japanese cities. According to AP, around 4,000 people live in…
By Brian Ashcraft Published April 15, 2020 -
Kotaku EastJapanThere Are Evangelion-Themed Tamagotchi Now
In 1996, the Tamagotchi was first launched in Japan. The pet-sim toys were a smash hit. Now, in 2020, Tamagotchi is back and getting special Evangelion-themed versions. There are Rei-, Asuka-, and Eva-01 Test Type-themed Tamagotchis going on sale in Japan this June, with the Tamagotchi featuring special Eva-themed animations. So cool, right? This is…
By Brian Ashcraft Published April 15, 2020 -
Kotaku EastJapanGame Shops And Electronics Stores In Japan Finally Get Wise About Coronavirus Covid-19
People in Tokyo and Osaka are being told to stay home. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has declared a state of emergency as the number of novel coronavirus covid-19 cases increase. And now, select electronics and game shops are finally getting the message. Earlier this month, Kotaku reported that long lines gathered at the Yodobashi Camera…
By Brian Ashcraft Published April 14, 2020 -
Kotaku EastJapan$300 Controller For Hatsune Miku Project Diva On Nintendo Switch And PS4
Hatsune Miku is no stranger to big, expensive controllers. The latest Hatsune Miku games are no exception. Peripheral-maker Hori is rereleasing a dedicated controller for the Switch game Hatsune Miku: Project Diva Mega 39, as well as one for the PS4 game Hatsune Miku Project Diva Future Tone DX. The controller’s original run sold out,…
By Brian Ashcraft Published April 13, 2020 -
Kotaku EastJapanJapan’s Game Rating Board Is Closing For A Month, Impacting Future Releases
Starting today, Japanese game rating board CERO (Computer Entertainment Rating Organization) is closing down until May 6. The decision was made in regards to the Japanese government declaring a state of emergency in the wake of increasing coronavirus covid-19 cases in Japan. According to CERO, it is difficult for the group to continue operating during…
By Brian Ashcraft Published April 8, 2020 -
Kotaku EastJapanPPAP Singer Returns, Wants You To Wash Your Hands
Remember the song “PPAP”? Singer Pikotaro is back with a new version of his 2016 viral hit. Gone are the pens, pineapples and apples. Instead, in their place are hands and soap. Watch the video below, and remember to wash your hands. Don’t touch your face, either.
By Brian Ashcraft Published April 6, 2020