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Thermae Romae's Mari Yamazaki Writes Book on Renaissance Art
Sees leading Renaissance artists as "lovable eccentrics"
― Manga artist Mari Yamazaki is most famous for Thermae Romae, a story of a time- and place-traveling architect from Imperial Rome, but she also has a deep interest in and knowledge of the Italian Renaissance. She visited Italy by herself at age 17 and studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Florence. On December 17, Shueisha will publish a book...
Have a Merry Squidmas with Splatoon in Saga Prefecture
Squidmas tree also on display at Tokyo Tower
― Yobuko, a fishing village in Kyushu's Saga Prefecture, is particularly famous for its squid. With this year's Wii U game Splatoon stoking interest in the squishy cephalopods, Saga Prefecture has decided to throw a special Splatoon-themed event centering around squids in Yobuko called "Sagakeen." To promote the event, the prefecture mounted a display at t...
Watch One-Punch Man's Smooth Dance Moves in Fan Video
Old commercial repurposed
― On November 10, YouTuber kazehaya Kamito uploaded a half-minute dance video featuring the characters of One-Punch Man — One-Punch Man himself, Genos, Sonic and (very briefly) Mumen Rider — dancing very smoothly to a Japanese rap. The video was inspired by this 2008 commercial for Russ-K, a men's clothing brand, which featured the members of Japanese boy band News...
Yu-Gi-Oh!'s Dark Magician to Appear in Monster Hunter X
... Albeit in Felyne form
― The 52nd issue of Weekly Shonen Jump will announce on Saturday that the card game/anime series Yu-Gi-Oh! will have an unusual crossover with the upcoming Monster Hunter X video game. The former series' Dark Magician (Black Magician in Japan) will appear as a weapon — but as a Felyne Palico version, the "Black Maginyan." (Nyan is the Japanese version of "meow.") It can...
New Web Manga Anthropomorphizes Girls Out Of Cigarettes
In a bizarre new web manga, girls are getting smoked left and right. Web Comics Zenyon, a companion site to Monthly Comics Zenon, has begun serializing a new web series known as "Cigarholic." The manga tells the strange tale cigarettes in robotic human female form who expel tobacco from their kisses, much like regular cigarettes would. The male main character, who has never kissed anyone before, s...
Hatoful Boyfriend Plush Kickstarter Reaches Over $95,000
The bishonen pigeons are making a cuddly comeback. A recent Kickstarter campaign to create official plushies based on the feathery characters from the satirical pigeon-dating sim game Hatoful Boyfriend has reached its goal in spades. The Hatoful Boyfriend Official Plush Project has received over $95,000 from more than 1,500 backers in preliminary funding, far exceeding its initial goal of $25,000....
Street Fighter, Sumo and Horse-Racing in One Epic Crossover Campaign
For the Street Fighter cast, new challengers approach in the form of professional sumo at a Japanese horse-racing track. A new collaboration has been announced between the world-famous Capcom fighting game and the Japanese Sumo Association in honor of the upcoming 35th Japan Cup horse race. In the "Japan Sumo Cup," several characters from the game will face off against professional sumo wrestlers ...
Doraemon and Hello Kitty Join Forces for Adorable Character Goods
Two of Japan's most famous cats are teaming up for a new character goods collaboration, available at Sanrio stores across Japan starting November 18. Goods include pouches styled after Ankipan (Memory Bread), a Hello Kitty-themed 4D pocket, a Doraemon plush and mascot keychain with bowtie, a Doraemon plush keychain bundled in the Time Furoshiki (Time Kerchief), a Hello Kitty plush keychain with pr...
Recreate Steins;Gate with a Papercraft Phone Microwave
To celebrate the fifth anniversary of Steins;Gate, the December 10 release of Steins;Gate 0, and the re-broadcast of the Steins;Gate anime, Animate and Kanro Co., Ltd. are letting fans re-live the events of Steins;Gate with a papercraft Phone Microwave. While the microwave won't gelify a banana or take it back in time, fans can play make-believe with a bundled tin of bright green phone microwave c...
Famitsū Publishes Results of Musou/Warriors Poll
It's a landslide victory
― Last month, the Japanese gaming magazine Famitsū conducted a poll of its readers to see which anime or game franchise most deserved a Musou or Warriors crossover game (like Hyrule Warriors or Arslan: The Warriors of Legend). The results will be published in the December 3 issue, which hits newsstands on November 19. The winner of the game category reportedly achieved a land...
Voting Begins for Yomiuri Shimbun's Sugoi Japan Awards
92 candidates in anime, manga, novel categories
― Voting has begun for the 2016 Sugoi Japan Awards, a project by the Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper to promote pop cultural works that fans feel are most deserving of foreign attention. Divided into four categories — anime, manga, light novels, and "entertainment novels" — the awards promote the works that have the "universality," "originality" and...
4K Media Teams Up with Good Smile Company for Yu-Gi-Oh Figures
4K Media recently announced a licensing agreement with figure maker Good Smile Company to import Yu-Gi-Oh! figurines to North America, Europe, and Australia. First on deck are a Yami Yugi figma, as well as a Dark Magician Girl scale figurine. The Yami Yugi figure stands at 145 mm (about 5.7 in), and features articulated joints, a removable cape, a hand of cards, a single card, and a detachable Du...
Japanese Anime Fans Pick Best Opening Songs
Lia appears twice
― The Japanese anime website Anime! Anime! polled its readers to determine what their favorite anime opening theme was. The poll was conducted from November 6 to 12 and got 1,288 responses. The gender ratio was nearly equal, with a slight male majority. About half of the respondents were in their 10s, which is reflected in the list's tilt towards recent works. The results are: "only...
Godzilla Inspires Nike Air Max CB '94 Sneakers
The Nike Air Max CB '94, NBA legend Charles Barkley's signature shoe, is getting a sweet new color palette, inspired by the one and only Godzilla. The shoes feature reflective green lizard skin side panels, yellow/orange gradient leather, black nubuck mudguards, and soles reminiscent of the monster's teeth. It's not the first time Charles Barkley's met Godzilla, though. 90s kids just might rememb...
Make Your Workspace More Fun with Mini Ranma 1/2 Figurines
Rumiko Takahashi's beloved characters are now ready to keep you company at your desk, thanks to a new lineup of toys from Bandai Gashapon. With five Ranma 1/2 characters available to collect, the figures will be available at gashapon machines across Japan for 300 yen each (about $2.40 USD). Boy-type Ranma will be able to hold a writing utensil, while girl-type Ranma can peer at you from the rim o...
Japanese Composer Expresses Smelly Breath as Music
Hear the stench of fermented soybeans, herring
― Anyone who puts off brushing their teeth in the morning or really enjoys garlic-heavy dishes or pairing beer with cheese knows how vile breath can get. But to appreciate just how strong certain odors can be without actually being present, Lotte, a Japanese/Korean food processing corporation, commissioned composer and pianist Takashi Niigaki to play imp...
Noragami Characters Team Up with Attack on Titan Boys
Crossover poster promotes double the manga
― Yukine and Yato of Noragami Aragoto team up with Levi and Eren from Attack on Titan: Junior High in a new poster. It's no surprise, considering that the manga run in related magazines (Monthly Shonen Magazine and Bessatsu Shonen Magazine) and the characters share voice actors in the anime (Yuuki Kaji plays Eren and Yukine, while Hiroshi Kamiya plays Levi a...
Attack on Titan Junior High Students Play Dress-Up with New Lottery Prizes
Beginning December 5, fans of Attack on Titan: Junior High can join the characters in the land of make-believe with Bandai's newest Ichiban Kuji lottery prize campaign. Tickets for the Attack on Titan: Junior High cultural festival lottery cost 620 yen each (about $5), and can be purchased at participating bookstores and anime goods retailers. The prize list includes: A - Album-style illustration...
English Release of Xenoblade Chronicles X Removes Bust-Customization Option
North American and European enthusiasts of Nintendo's Xenoblade Chronicles X who were hoping to customize the size of their female characters' breasts will have to settle for fanart&8212according to YouTube channel GameXplain, the character bust-size slider will not be available in the English version of the game. Another change is the costume options for 13-year-old Lynlee. Unlike the other chara...
Marvel's Avengers Get A Korean Adaptation with Avengers K
Marvel is offering its fans a fresh new way to follow their favorite heroes with Avengers K, a collaborative effort with Korean publisher Daewon C.I. that retells the first battle between Ultron and the Avengers as told by South Korean manhwa writers and artists. Said David Gabriel, Marvel SVP, Print & Digital Publishing, "Partnered with Daewon, Marvel is poised to introduce the international comi...
Look Like Luffy or Shanks with One Piece-Inspired Beauty Face Masks
Who needs cosplay and make-up when these face masks can make you look like pirates? Japanese shop Isshin-do Honpo is now selling special "Super Kabuki One Piece" facial masks. A single pack comes with both Shanks and Luffy, the latter painted with kabuki make-up. Fans can temporarily don the faces of the favorite pirate and cleanse their skin in the process. The face pack will cost 1200 yen (abou...
Former Cultist Recounts Experiences in Manga Form
Although modern Japan is a primarily secular society with low levels of religious fervor, cults like Aum Shinrikyō (which committed two sarin gas attacks in the 1990s) and Happy Science (which supports the conservative Happiness Realization political party) have emerged in recent decades and prompted national debate and soul-searching. A former cult member who goes by the name Nozomi Temote has pu...
Space Brothers Anime Trailer Promotes The Martian Film
The Nanba brothers are rooting for their fellow space enthusiast from America as they promote the Japanese release of a US film. In a recent ad, the main protagonists of Space Brothers are hyping up the upcoming Japanese release of the The Martian, known in Japan as "Odyssey." The brothers can be seen panicking over the film's main character Mark Watney (portrayed by Matt Damon) as he becomes stra...
Anime Characters' Crazy Hairstyles Ranked in Charapedia Poll
Protagonists in anime are often notorious for their wacky and unrealistic hairstyles, but which ones are said to be the craziest? A recent Charapedia poll tallied up votes and calculated the top 20 most unbelievable hairstyles worn by anime characters. Unsurprisingly, first place went to Yugi Mutou from Yu-Gi-Oh!. With an uncanny mixture of yellow, maroon and black, styled with gravity-defying spi...
Inuyashiki Protagonist Comes to Life in Promotional Poster
Inuyashiki, the protagonist of Hiroya Oku's (Gantz, HEN) 10-volume manga about an under-appreciated salaryman whose body is rebuilt by aliens, was recently brought to life for a poster that will be displayed at Shinjuku Station until November 22. Watch the transformation here: The poster celebrates the launch of the fifth volume of Inuyashiki, which hits bookshelves November 20.
Catch a Glimpse from the Opening Night of the Haikyu!! Stage Play
The Haikyu!! stage play kicked off November 14 at the AiiA 2.5 Theater Tokyo, starring Kenta Suga as Shōyō Hinata and Tatsunari Kimura as Tobio Kageyama. The production is being billed as "manga x play x video hybrid performance hyper projection play," with video projections that allow for manga-styled speech bubbles, as well as views of the stage floor, and a revolving stage. The play will be in ...
Tokyo Airport to Test Megaphone Translator
Translates announcements into English, Chinese, Korean
― Tokyo's Narita International Airport announced that it will test a megaphone that repeats announcements at a higher volume, then translates them into three foreign languages: English, Chinese and Korean. Called the Megaphoneyaku (yaku means "translation"), its translation ability is roughly equal to that of a smartphone app, so its ability to h...
Kadokawa to Set Up Online Correspondence High School
Students to learn programming, writing, game design, and more
― Kadokawa, a Japanese corporation that owns companies involved in publishing, film and video games like Kadokawa Shoten, ASCII Media Works and Spike Chunsoft, will set up an online correspondence high school in April to teach students interested in the entertainment field. The school will be called N High School, with the "N" standing fo...
Immortalize the Space Brothers with Mutta and Hibiki Figures
At long last, the characters from the manga and anime series Space Brothers will finally have their own figures. Decked out in their orange spacesuits, Mutta and Hibito Nanba are ready for space... or at least permanent display on your shelves. Released as part of Bandai's HG gashapon figure series, each figure measures approximately 120 mm (about 4.7 in.) and will retail for 4,104 yen (about $33...
Hello Kitty Resurfaces as Summons in Tales of Asteria
Appears as three different five-star characters
― Hello Kitty first teamed up with the Tales of video game series in a 20th anniversary exhibition in Akihabara in June. She is now reappearing in the smartphone game Tales of Asteria as a five-star character Special Summons. Milla's Jude Kitty raises the Attack power of all Artes for all party members and gives a "long boost" to Attack power for joint ...
Digimon Arrive at Animate Cafe For New Event Celebrating tri.
Animate Cafe in Ikebukuro will soon host some digital monsters and their digidestined companions. Starting on November 17, the cafe will feature a special menu themed after the cast and creatures from the upcoming Digimon Adventure tri. Animate Cafe will serve dishes such as "Taichi's Clumsy Omurice" and "Yamato's Special Garlic Fried Rice." Desserts at the restaurant will include "Hikari's Fated...
Taito to Open Arcade Inside Akihabara Train Station
Arcade to use electronic money
― Akihabara is Tokyo's mecca for all things electronic, video game, or entertainment-oriented. Visitors flock to its multistory arcades and game centers, among them Taito. Now Taito is trying to reach visitors before they even leave the train station with an arcade inside of it. The arcade will feature two Nail Stage crane games (5 tries per play) and a Capriccio Star p...
Hello Kitty Impersonates Axis Powers in Hetalia Crossover
In her latest strange crossover, Hello Kitty is collaborating with the anime Hetalia The World Twinkle. The announcement was made at a screening on November 13, but there are no details yet to report. The anime's official webpage, however, has changed to one of Hello Kitty's takes on the three Axis powers, and will remain this way until midnight Japan time on November 16. Among Hello Kitty's othe...
Kyoto Temple to Unveil Star Wars Japanese Folding Screen Display
The Force is about to be strong with Kyoto. In commemoration of the upcoming, highly-anticipated release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Kiyomizu Temple in Kyoto will soon unveil a special folding screen display featuring illustrations of the characters in the film. Temporarily replacing the normal folding screen depicting conflicting Japanese gods Fūjin and Raijin, the display will illustrate pr...
Show the Power of Bakumatsu Rock with Exclusive Christmas Jewelry
Bracelets, earcuff, and secret messages
― If you've been itching to show off your appreciation for the 2014 samurai rock anime Bakumatsu Rock, now's your chance: Jewelry and other accessories that evoke the show's main characters will be available as Christmas exclusives. Each item will only have 100 pieces available. Ryōma Sakamoto is represented by these earrings with star and thunderbolt motifs. ...
Giant Terraformars Train Station Posters Blend Manga Characters with Live-Action Cast
The upcoming live-action adaptation of Terraformars is really pushing its manga-to-reality aspect with a new poster campaign. Shōkichi Komachi (left) and his live action actor Hideaki Ito (right) The film will be advertised by special lenticular posters, or "changing visual" posters. As one moves from side to side, the image will shift from a manga illustration of a character to their live-action ...
Second Hero Must Die Commercial Follows Man Who Attends His Own Funeral
In a follow-up to the first live-action ad for the Hero Must Die (Yūsha Shisu.) PlayStation Vita game, a man who attends his own funeral discovers that everyone is laughing at his funeral. More commercials will be posted in the future at regular intervals, allowing viewers to follow the character's (after-)life. Hero Must Die is scheduled for release on February 25. It follows a hero who dies afte...
Photos Showcase the Set of the Princess Knight Stage Musical
Plus, thoughts from the cast and director.
― The actors and director of the upcoming Princess Knight stage musical recently shared their thoughts prior to the show's premiere. Ikuta stressed that it was a fantasy and was eager to show off the costumes and set to the audience. Kaminaga was primarily excited about being able to perform in the Akasaka ACT Theater. Aoki was nervous about wearing colored ...
Japanese R&D Agency Brings Hatsune Miku to Life with Realistic 3-D Tabletop Projector
At SIGGRAPH Asia 2015, a conference on computer graphics and interactive techniques, Japan's National Institute of Information and Communications Technology turned a few heads with its innovative new 3-D projector, which resembles a tabletop and beams images that can be viewed from all angles (360°). The new technology, fVisiOn, was demonstrated in two ways: with characters that fight each other, ...
Seaside Town of Iwami Celebrates Upcoming Free! Prequel
Iwami is model for Free!'s Iwatobi
― Iwami, a seaside town in Japan's Tottori Prefecture, served as the model for Iwatobi, the setting of Free! - Iwatobi Swim Club. With the prequel film to Free!, High Speed! -Free! Starting Days-, set to release on December 5, Iwami is celebrating with a campaign to lure more aficionados of cute boys in swim trunks to the town. Iwami welcomes arrivals in cars at th...
Evangelion Valentine's Day Chocolates Already Teased For Next Year
With retail outlets pushing seasonal holiday merchandise earlier and earlier every year, it's perhaps not too surprising that there are already signs of next year's goodies. Department store Ginza Mitsukoshi has unveiled its 2016 Valentine's Day sweets lineup, which includes sushi-shaped chocolates, planets, ties... and chocolates themed after Neon Genesis Evangelion. You can check out a video of ...
Mobile Otome Game Makes Players Find One Good Man Out Of Several
A recently-released mobile game has you weed through some undesirable men to find the perfect guy. In "Doubt: Who's the Lying Guy?", players take control of a young woman/wedding planner with a boyfriend she's been dating since college, and the couple have their own wedding coming up. Unfortunately, the protagonist is a woman who doesn't have an eye for good men, and must work to discover what guy...
Love-Liver, Tōken Joshi Nominated for Top Buzzword of 2015
The Ryuukougo Taishou contest has just announced its nominations for 2015, and Love Live and Tōken Ranbu terminology have made the cut. Every year, the Jiyuu Kokumin Sha holds an awards contest for the top buzzwords in Japan. Included among the 50 nominations are the terms "Love-Liver" and "Tōken joushi." "Love-Liver" refers to a fan of Love Live while "Tōken joushi" refers to the female audience ...
Sailor Moon Gets 3rd Round of Candy Compacts
Last month, the Sailor Moon candy dispenser compacts added the heroine's original transformation brooch, the Starry Music Box, Chibi Moon's Prism Heart compact, and the Silver Crystal. The previous release included the Crystal Star Brooch, the Cosmic Heart Compact, the Crisis Moon Compact, and the Luna-P Ball. A third round of the cute charms are open for pre-order now for 5,400 yen (US$44) for 1...
Pocky Day Shares Celebration with K-On's Azu-nyan, Idol Reina Tanaka
On November 11, Japan celebrated National Pocky Day to honor the world-famous sweet-and-crunchy snack. However, otaku have their own reasons to celebrate as well. From the 2009 anime K-On, Azusa Nakano—or Azu-nyan—celebrates her birthday today. As such, a string of celebratory goods have been prepared for the occasion. The t-shirt pictured above comes in medium, large and extra large sizes and go...
Sailor Moon Italian Theme Gets Boy Band Makeover
The Italian singer/songwriter Paolo Tuci, released a full music video mashup cover of the third Italian Sailor Moon opening theme sung "e Il Cristallo del Cuore" by Cristina D'Avena. The twist is the song is combined with Madonna's hit, "La Isla Bonita." The video recasts Tuci and dancers as Sailor Moon, Mercury, Mars, Jupiter and Venus. A topless male Tuxedo Mask also makes an appearance. The vid...
Dragon Ball Super Collaborates With Maruchan Instant Noodles
Earlier this year, Vegeta teamed up with Cup Noodle for his very own flavor. Now the Z Fighter crew have apparently jumped ship for rival instant noodle maker Maruchan. Starting on November 23, Dragon Ball Super and Maruchan noodles will collaborate in a new campaign and give away Dragon Ball Heroes cards. Special cards will be distributed when customers buy select flavors of Maruchan ramen. The D...
Seraph of the End Chosen as Top Fall Anime Viewers Want to Cosplay
The website Anime! Anime! held a poll from October 27-31 asking its readers which Fall 2015 series' characters they would cosplay. A total of 286 people responded. Seraph of the End: Vampire Reign topped the results, like due to the character's snazzy vampire-fighting uniforms, this was followed by K -Return of Kings-, another anime with color-coded uniforms and Noragami Aragoto. The rest of the r...
C – Control Designer's Hatsune Miku Gets 1/7-Scale Figure
C – Control – The Money and Soul of Possibility and Aura: Koga Maryuin's Last War character designer mebae's Hatsune Miku illustration is jumping into the 3D world. The 1/7-scale figure shows the popular Vocaloid as a barefoot ballerina balancing delicately on her toes. Max Factory will release the figure in June for 18,333 yen (US$149). Customers who pre-order the figure through Good Smile Compa...
Love Live's Eli Ready for Training in New Nendoroid
Student council president Eli Ayase is ready to get down to business in her training clothes Nendoroid. Eli from Love Live is joining the previously released training outfit Nendoroids today. The Nendoroid comes with two expressions: a smiling expression as well as a stern expression. She comes with an alternate hair piece so she can wear her hair up or down. So far Maki, Honoka, Umi, Kotori, Kay...
Egyptian God Medjed's Legacy Continues in Otome Game
The obscure Egyptian god Medjed has enjoyed internet cult status for the last three years, ever since he appeared in an exhibit at the Mori Arts Center Gallery in Tokyo. His simple yet cute appearance inspired fan art, web comics, mobile games, and eventually an appearance in Puzzles & Dragons. A new otome game will add the ghost god as a possible romance partner in Egykoi! Egypt Kami to Koishi yo...
Robot Damashii Side MS ver. A.N.I.M.E Gundam Toy Line Announced
Bandai's commercial for the "Robot Damashii ver. A.N.I.M.E" HGUC RX-78-2 Gundam began streaming on Monday. The commercial hearkens back to scenes from the original anime, similar to an earlier commercial for "Shinsei -Revive-" model. The new toy line features more elaborate joints for increased movability in the toy's arms, legs, and abdomen. The RX-78-2 will be released first in February for 5,4...
Singer Daigo and Other Japanese Celebrities Play Monster Hunter X in TV Ads
Even the leader of J-rock band BREAKERZ needs to grind a bit for some monster hunting. BREAKERZ member and J-rock star Daigo can be seen in a new TV ad for the upcoming Nintendo 3DS game, Monster Hunter X. In this recent commercial, known as "KWKW," Daigo can be seen hard at work defeating a monster; he takes advantage the Hunting Arts (kari-waza, hence the "KW"), a special technique that can only...
Sailor Moon Honey Salon Accessories Releasing in Japan This Holiday Season
Sailor Moon and fashion shop Honey Salon are collaborating to release a string of new products in time for the holidays to be sold at Honey Salon locations in Japan. November alone will see the release of over five new fashion accessories. One such item is the idol pouch. Ranging from pink to navy to lavender and multicolored, these pouches come in small and large sizes and feature Sailor Moon-in...
Geminoid F Android Makes Her Movie Star Debut
Recent award winner, robotics researcher and Osaka University professor Hiroshi Ishiguro has worked hard on his Erica, Otonaroid, and Geminoid robots. The latter includes the Geminoid HI-2 which he modeled after himself and the female version Geminoid F, who is the recent star of a motion picture. Geminoid F stars as Leona with organic actress Bryerly Long as Tania in the film Sayonara. In the fil...
Scene in Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans Causes Viewer Complaints
The Japanese Broadcasting Ethics and Program Improvement Organization (BPO) watchdog group has recently published viewer complaints for October, one most likely stemming from a scene in Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans. The complaint refers to an anime where "several nonresistant prisoners and enemy soldiers are gunned down by the young male protagonist." It does not directly name Iron-Bl...
Yana Toboso, Sakurako Ishinaga Collaborate on Ciel Phantomhive Figure
Black Butler creator Yana Toboso and sculptor Sakurako Ishinaga collaborated on a new, gorgeous Ciel Phantomhive figure. The limited edition figure is available only through Aniplex+ with shipments scheduled for early summer 2016. The figure costs 16,000 yen (US$130) and measures 220mm (8.6in) high including the base. Reservations are accepted until December 25.
Ride in Style with One Piece Motorcycle Helmets
The Whitebeard Pirates and Sabo will help you look cool on your motorcycle with two new helmets by Brujula. The company has previously created tie-ins with Ace, Trafalgar Law, Chopper, the Neo Marine logo, Boa Hancock, and many more characters from the manga and anime series. The Whitebeard helmet features purple, tribal-style flames. The pirate crew's logo is on the back with the group's smaller...
Prince of Tennis Creator Signs Exclusive Performing Contract with Shueisha
Takeshi Konomi to star in January stage show
― Takeshi Konomi, the manga artist best known for Prince of Tennis, has signed an exclusive artist contract with Shueisha. He is already slated to appear at a one-man live performance, "Takeshi Konomi Surprise Live ~One-Man TeniPuri Festa~," on January 16 at the Toyosu Pit concert hall in Toyosu, Tokyo. Tickets are now available for pre-order on the Japan...
Gamer Recreates the Inside of a Tenga in...Mario Maker
Gamer and Twitter user @Moscow17 has created a very unique Mario Maker level. Using a cross section of the well-known Tenga male masturbation aid, Moscow17 mimicked the rifts and valleys to create the "Super Tenga Nai Brothers" level. .@moscow17 pic.twitter.com/EhUiqEP3Pt— ❤️モスクワ❤️ (@moscow17) November 8, 2015 The official Tenga Twitter account took notice and requested gamers take a stab at the l...
Mobile Workers from Gundam: The Origin Now Available as Figures
Recreate the Ramba Ral vs. Mash fight
― To celebrate the recent release of the second episode of the Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin OAV series, Premium Bandai has also released figures of the Mobile Workers Model 01 (MW-01) introduced in the series. The figures are 1/144 scale and come in two variations: blue (Ramba Ral's suit) and orange (Mash's suit). They were sculpted from detailed molds and inc...
New Haikyu!! Figures Displayed at Prize Fair
Kōtarō, Keiji, Kenji, Takanobu heading to arcades next spring
― Four new figures from the hit volleyball manga/anime Haikyu!! were on display at the 42nd Prize Fair on November 6, an exhibition of new and upcoming arcade prizes in four Japanese cities (Tokyo, Fukuoka, Osaka and Sapporo). These figures of Fukurōdani's Kōtarō and Keiji are scheduled to hit arcades in late March. Date Tech's Kenji and ...
Gintama Guys Reimagined as Bird Plushies
Puts new meaning to term "chickbait"
― Gintoki, Hijikata and Okita of Gintama have appeared in so much merchandise, it may seem like the different ways to portray them have been exhausted. But then there's their gender-bent versions, complete with accompanying merchandise. Now the video game and character goods company Broccoli is launching a new take on these characters: plump birds. They may seem ...
Fan-Made Live-Action Metroid Brings Samus to Life
Rainfall Films, director Sam Balcomb, and actors Jessica Chobot (Nerdist) and America Young (Halo 5) put an impressive effort into bringing Nintendo's Metroid to life. "Metroid: The Sky Calls" starts out with Samus discussing how a seemingly dead planetary system managed to send her a distress call and she's gone to investigate. Over the next 11 minutes she utilizes the character's well-known abil...
5.5K One Piece Run Sprints Through Japan Next Year
The Strawhat Pirates are ready to run for a brand new event next year. Okinawa will hold the One Piece Run on March 30, 2016. Participants will race in a 5.5km marathon through various sets modeled after locations in the show. The event will offer interesting photo ops and goods such as shirts and wristbands. Applications are currently being accepted on a first come, first serve basis. Those that ...
Upcoming Tokyo University Course Will Teach How to Be a Fool
Analyzes work of Fujio Akatsuka
― Although obscure overseas, the gag comedy manga of Fujio Akatsuka and their anime adaptations (Tensai Bakabon, Mōretsu Atarō, Osomatsu-kun) have had a tremendous influence on Japanese pop culture, and Akatsuka is considered "the God of Gag Manga." One of his favorite themes (especially in Tensai Bakabon, which translates to "Genius Foolbon") was foolishness, since i...
Former Ghibli Animator Gives the Low-Down in New Book
Since Hayao Miyazaki's retirement, books and events looking at never-before-seen materials and discarded projects have been offered to entice fans. One former Studio Ghibli animator, Hitomi Tateno, is promising further incite into the animation studio with her new book Enpitsu Senki: Dare mo Shiranakatta Studio Ghibli (The Pencil Wars: The Studio Ghibli that Nobody Knew). The book is scheduled for...
1st 7 Minutes of Japanese-Dubbed RWBY Web Series Streamed
The first seven minutes of the Japanese dub of Rooster Teeth's anime-style RWBY web series is streaming for two weeks only on the series' official Japanese website and other sites. The cast includes: Saori Hayami as Ruby Rose Yōko Hikasa as Weiss Schnee Yu Shimamura as Blake Belladonna Ami Koshimizu as Yang Xiao Long Hiro Shimono as Jaune Aya Suzaki as Nora Megumi Toyoguchi as Pyrrha Souma Saitou ...
AKB48 Unlimited Photo Event Announced Alongside Upcoming Single
The nationally-renowned J-pop idol group AKB48 will soon hold special photo events in Japan. News has been circulating throughout the net about the group's upcoming "Photo Session and Exclusive Coverage Convention." The event was announced alongside the release date of the group's new single on December 9. This memorial project will be held across several days between February 21 and May 21 of nex...
Kirimi-chan Situation CD Preview Video Posted
45-second preview posted online
― Kirimi-chan., Sanrio's salmon fillet mascot-turned-magical girl, has a merchandise promotion at the Ikebukuro, Tokyo branch of the Animate store chain. A clear file (350 yen/$2.88 plus tax) and six kinds of badges (300 yen/$2.47 each, plus tax) will be on sale featuring Kirimi-chan. and her anthropomorphized fish friends. Customers will receive a free Vanguard card ...
New Frontiers in Urban Innovation Explored in Second Anime Short
Japanese researcher applies skills to solve Jakarta's traffic issues
― Asia University, a university with a pan-Asian focus based in Musashino, Tokyo, promoted its Department of Urban Innovation with a roughly minute-and-a-half-long anime short. The video focuses on Satoshi Sakurada (played by Subaru Kimura), a graduate of the program now assigned to alleviate the epic traffic jams of Jakarta, Indone...
Studio Trigger Animates Extra For Toy Story That Time Forgot Home Video Release
Hiroyuki Imaishi, Yoh Yoshinari, Akira Amemiya, more work on short
― Studio Trigger announced on Friday that it animated a "BATTLE SAURS Opening Animation" short that is featured on the Blu-ray Disc home video release of Disney and Pixar's "Toy Story That Time Forgot" CG short. Disney and Pixar's promo video for the home video release shows a few seconds of Trigger's extra (at 00:37 in the below vide...
Gundam's Zabi Family Inspires New Teacups
Following the earlier announcement of Gundam-themed Kutani ware, Bandai is issuing its own traditional glassware. Pre-orders opened on Friday for Zabi family teacups. The cups and saucers come in red (Degwin Sodo Zabi), green (Dozle Zabi), and blue (Kycilia Zabi). The green and red cups are a sturdier design while Kycilia's teacup is more delicate in appearance. The family crest is depicted on ea...
Ladies of Live-Action Prison School TV Show Collab with Prison-Themed Restaurant
The actresses of the live-action Prison School TV series are featured on a brand-new "Tie Up Menu" for the show's collaboration with a prison-themed restaurant. The live-action show is currently teamed up with prison restaurant "The Lockup" to serve specialty cocktails inspired by characters. The restaurant is serving the Crow-user Mari drink, Hana-chan's Medusa and Meiko's Punishment; Mari's drin...
Goku Rides Away on a Dinosaur for Latest Real McCoy Figure
Pre-orders opened on Friday for MegaHouse's Desktop Real McCoy Repaint of Son Goku. This version depicts the Super Saiyan riding on a dinosaur howevere it substitutes the previous version's red, orange, and black for blue, red, and purple. Original version New painted version The statue measures 150mm (5.9in). It retails for 5,000 yen (about US$40) and will ship in mid-March.
Manga Creators Share Their Beloved Cats in New Book
Many popular manga creators and anime industry professionals share a love for cats. Horror mangaka Junji Ito describes his life with his two felines, Yon and Mu in Junji Ito's Cat Diary: Yon & Mu, Shoko Nakagawa famously owns 10 cats herself, and they inspired her own series of essays and a subsequent anime series. Publisher Ichijinsha released a photo collection on October 31 specifically focuse...
Fan Work Unlikely to Be Prosecuted Without Rights Holders' Consent
Japanese ministry conducts hearing on TPP copyright issues
― The Trans-Pacific Partnership, a free-trade agreement covering 12 nations in East Asia, Oceania and the Americas (including Japan and the United States), was concluded on October 5, but several issues remain to be ironed out. Among these are copyright laws, which vary from country to country. In Japan, copyright infringement is considered a...
Dress Up Your Cu-poche Figure With Kotobukiya's X-Mas Themed Outfits
Kotobukiya's line of miniature Cu-poche figures is along the same vein as Good Smile Company's Nendoroids, with larger heads and posible limbs. The company also releases clothing and accessories for the figures, so buyers can change up the appearance of their favorite characters. This year, Kotobukiya is releasing Christmas-themed outfits, specifically a reindeer kigurumi and a Santa-themed dress...
Attack on Titan x Monster Hunter's Crossover Includes Unique Beasts
Details on Koei Tecmo's multi-platform AoT game also announced
― The Attack on Titan and Monster Hunter Explore mobile game collaboration launched today. While players knew Survey Corps and Garrison costumes and weapons were being added, no one expected a muscle-exposing Deviljho or a Titan-sized Arzuros. This Deviljho variant resembles the Colossal Titan and even emits steam. Arzuros appears in the...
Premium Bandai Announces Ojamajo Doremi's 1st Ever Cosmetics Item
Premium Bandai, the seller behind the avalanche of Sailor Moon 20th anniversary merchandise, is bringing Ojamajo Doremi in for its first ever cosmetic tie-in. The Ojamajo Doremi Cosmetic Set: Magical Ball Face Powder & Stick Makeup looks kinda like Dippin' Dots but is meant to be used as a skin brightener. The makeup container is modeled after Doremi Harukaze's Tap (Dream Spinner) transformation ...
Shima Withdraws Official Backing for Pearl Diver Mascot
Megu Aoshima to continue in unofficial capacity
― Shima, Japan, the location for the upcoming G-7 diplomatic summit, unveiled a mascot honoring its local female pearl divers in November 2014. Named Megu Aoshima, she is part of a trend of regions and cities in Japan promoting themselves through youthful, moe characters. But pearl divers (ama) are 70 years old on average and bear little resemblance to ...
Street Fighter Techno Video Will Have Dhalsim Dancing in Your Head
Promotes upcoming Street Fighter V
― A new commercial for the upcoming Street Fighter V video game celebrates the Indian yogi Dhalsim, famous for his stretching attacks and stock phrases, "Yoga Fire!" and "Yoga Flame!" Naturally, those phrases are exactly what you'll hear in the video, which pairs his attacks with a techno beat to create what it calls a "Yoga Rap." After the "rap," a quiz tests viewe...
Utawarerumono: The False Faces Fans Decode On-Screen Language
Dedicated fans of Utawarerumono: The False Faces have deciphered the anime's on-screen alphabet. The original and foreign writing seen in the show uses a substitution cipher in which various symbols (similar in appearance to traditional Japanese kanji) can be replaced with letters from the Roman alphabet, which spell out Japanese vocabulary. The official cipher is pictured below: Based on this cip...
Japan Post Offers Moe New Year's Card Designs for 2016
Japan Post is currently offering brand new nengajo (New Year's card designs) to greet your loved ones, business associates, and dutiful customers on January 1. On the Post's official website, customers can download from 10 cards featuring illustrations from 10 Japanese artists. Each features a traditional Japanese style of New Year's celebration with some featuring a monkey motif as a shout-out to...
Red Bull Flugtag Competition Dumps Gundam Into Kobe's Harbor
Every year the Red Bull Flugtag tasks amateur flight enthusiasts to create their own human-powered machine under specific rules, and fly it off a pier to see how far it will go. Some make serious attempts while others look at the event as an excuse to create a comedic stage piece to throw into the water. The competition is held at multiple locations around the world, with locations this year in Os...
One-Punch Man's Saitama Proves His Strength as Upcoming Nendoroid
Known for his unbeatable strength despite his small stature, Saitama's might is portrayed almost too appropriately as a chibi figure. From the popular new anime One-Punch Man comes a brand new Saitama Nendoroid. Simply designed with an amusingly-blank expression, Saitama's personality is perfectly depicted in this figure. With a variety of arm parts such as a determined fist and crossed arms, the...
Haikyu!! Stars Spike to Victory on The Rim of Your Cup
PUTITTO is adding the boys from Karasuno and Nekoma volleyball teams to its series of drink companion figures. Karasuno's Hinata, Kageyama, Nishinoya, Tsukishima, and Yamaguchi and Nekoma's Kuroo and Kozume are included in the first release slated for January. Each figure 540 yen or an entire box of eight figures costs 4,320 yen. PUTITTO previously released drinking figures of Golgo 13, Pikachu, ...
Enjoy Your Christmas Cake with Haruka Tomatsu—Virtually
Christmas in Japan is predominately a romantic holiday full of cake, sharing scarves, and kissing under the twinkling lights of a Christmas tree. Christmas cake is such a well-established tradition that specialized cakes, including ones featuring anime characters, open up for pre-orders months in advance. Not everyone has a special someone to share this tradition with, but if you're holding out fo...
Sword Art Online Character Poll Results Announced, Kibaō Still Makes Top 10
Two weeks ago, the staff at Dengeki Bunko called a do-over when minor Sword Art Online character Kibaō shot to the top of the character charts during the intermediary results of an ongoing poll. The poll itself is to select the series' five most popular characters. The novels' artist abec will draw the winners for an upcoming art book cover. Staff adjusted the poll after acknowledging that fraudul...
Longtime Japanese DJ to Release Mix CD of Classic Anime, Tokusatsu Music
Lupin III, Kamen Rider, Captain Future, Spiderman well represented
― Japanese hip-hop MC and DJ MURO has been producing music for 30 years, first with the groups Krush Posse and Microphone Pager, and then (after 1999) as a solo artist. To celebrate his three decades in the business, he is releasing a mix CD entirely featuring anime and tokusatsu music and sound effects from the 1970s: Super Animated ...
Sign Official Documents with Godzilla Monster Stamps
Stamp company Itaindō will soon sell official Godzilla inkan stamps, which in Japan can be legally used in many institutions, such as banks and government offices, on documents instead of signatures. The stamps feature the 13 monsters from Toho's kaiju film franchise, including Godzilla himself. Itaindō will release the series as part of Godzilla's birthday on November 3, the 61st anniversary of ...
Kingdom Hearts II's Halloween Town Sora and Riku Get PlayArts Kai Figures
Pre-orders opened this week for Kingdom Hearts II's Halloween Town Sora and Riku PlayArts Kai figures. The holiday-themed Sora comes with two weapons: his Kingdom Key and Decisive Pumpkin Keyblades. Bonus parts include multiple masks and hands to hold the items. The grown-up Riku wears the same outfit seen in Kingdom Hearts II. He comes with his Keyblade, "Way to the Dawn." Both figures retail fo...
SuperGroupies Makes Tokyo Ghoul Cute With Bag, Booties
SuperGroupies is here to prove that even supernatural cannibals can inspire cute women's accessories. The company looked to Sui Ishida's Tokyo Ghoul manga and anime adaptations for a new handbag and a pair of booties. The bag is based on silver-haired Ghoul Investigator Jūzo Suzuya and his red bobby pins. The roman numeral "XIII" is visible on the clasp while red x stitching outlines the flap. Th...
Shibuya Sees Chaos After Halloween Crowd, Super Citizens Clean Up Morning After
Japan is no stranger to the mischief that can take place on Halloween night, and Shibuya looks to have suffered the brunt of it. Opting for tricks rather than treats, a costume-clad crowd of people celebrating Halloween in Shibuya caused quite the commotion amidst all their partying. The mass of people clogged up the Shibuya intersection, with Shibuya station receiving very long ticket lines. Loca...
Puzzle & Dragons Collaborating With Shonen Sunday Magazine
The Puzzle & Dragons mobile game announced at its live-streaming "Volsun Descends" event on Tuesday that the game will collaborate with Shogakukan's Weekly Shōnen Sunday magazine. The staff didn't announce when the collaboration will start but it did reveal several popular manga characters will appear in the game. The line-up so far includes: Aladdin (Magi - The Labyrinth of Magic) Recca Hanabish...
Fans Criticize Softbank's Anime Character Live-Action Phone Ads as 'Disrespectful'
Last month, SoftBank's series of commercials depicting several classic anime characters all grown up premiered. The ads star Kyoko Koizumi (Tokyo Sonata, Hanging Garden) as Usagi Tsukino (Sailor Moon), the proprietess at Moon Ribar an atmospheric rooftop bar. She's assisted by Maruko-chan (Chibi Maruko-chan, played by Suzu Hirose) and welcomes guests like Fist of the North Star's Kenshiro (famous ...
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