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Gintama Characters to Host Variety Program Next Month
The Gintama television anime might be over for now, but the characters are keeping busy. Starting on July 2, the Kids Station satellite channel will air the Gintama Station variety program, with new episodes every other week. During the 14-minute program, characters will address comments from viewers which can be submitted through the Kids Station website. The show will host Gintoki Sakata, Shinpa...
Square Enix Streams Introduction Movie for Visual Works Exhibit
Visual Works, the CG movie production department of game developer Square Enix, is the subject of an exhibition currently being held at the Ooka Makoto Kotoba Museum in Mishima, Shizuoka. The game developer began streaming an introduction film for the exhibit on Tuesday to give a taste of what visitors can see. The exhibit opened on March 26 and will run until August 31. Visitors get the opportuni...
Tour a Manga-ka Share House in French TV Program
The French television program toco toco began streaming its interview with Yuka Fukuma, the manager of the Tokiwa-so Project, on Wednesday. The project was founded 10 years ago and provides low-cost housing in Tokyo for aspiring manga creators working on their professional debut. The video shows one of the houses that can host up to five people. The project has expanded beyond Tokyo and into Kyoto...
Nostalgic Fans Recall When Taking Care of a Tamagotchi Wasn't So Easy
The creature-raising Tamagotchi keychain game was originally released by Bandai in 1996 and kept many owners awake in attempts to keep their beloved digital pets from dying, either from starvation or poor living conditions. Tamagotchis couldn't be toilet trained and owners risked the little monster becoming increasingly filthy. The toys were popular with school children, so much so that they were ...
Color-Coordinated Mr. Osomatsu Lingerie Revealed
The collaboration brand Tajuary is working on its next lingerie project after previously creating Gangsta-inspired women's underwear. This time the company is looking to the limitless popularity of Mr. Osomatsu to create a series of color-coordinated two-piece camisole and bloomers. The main color is a sheer aqua blue with dark pink, dark blue, light green, yellow, lavender, and light pink accent...
Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra Plans 'Hatsune Miku Symphony' Concert
The Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra is following the NHK Symphony Orchestra's lead by performing a concert with virtual idol Hatsune Miku. While the NHK Symphony's concert paired Hatsune Miku and other artists with the orchestra, the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra's concert is described as the "first-ever concert to showcase masterpieces focusing on Hatsune Miku." The orchestra will perform Hatsune Mik...
Free!'s Iwami Recruits Cosplayers for Pool Clean-Up Duty
Iwami is a seaside town in Western Japan's Tottori Prefecture and the setting of Free! Eternal Summer. Like the first episode of the anime, the pool at Iwami High School is in need of a clean-up and staff are hoping to enlist the help of 40 volunteers. Volunteers will be split into groups of 20, with the first group helping on June 4 and the second group on June 12. If there's a large turn out, st...
Takeshi Konomi Announces Prince of Tennis Charity Event in Kumamoto
On May 26, Takeshi Konomi, the manga artist behind The Prince of Tennis, announced that he would participate in a Prince of Tennis charity event on June 26 to benefit the victims of the April earthquakes in Kumamoto. To drum up anticipation beforehand, he posted a series of tweets in the voices of his characters (particularly in those of Kippei and Senri, who hail from Kyushu, where the earthquake...
Popin Q CG Idols Show Off Their Dance Moves
The idols of Toei's upcoming Popin Q movie dance their hearts out in two CG-animated promotional videos. In the first video, character Isumi Kominato joins with a group of chibi dancing animal people that represent each of the film's characters. The following video is set to the movie's theme song "Teenage Blues" performed by P.IDL. The cast appears in both their normal forms and animal forms. The...
Pikachu Name Change Protest Highlights Language Tensions in Hong Kong
A small protest took place at Chater Garden in Centra to the doors of the Consulate-General of Japan in Hong Kong on Monday. Approximately 20 protesters held signs and marched together to protest Pikachu's pending name change from Bei Ka Chiu (Cantonese) to Pei Ka Yau (Mandarin). At first glance, the issue may seem minor but it highlights a general discomfort with perceived "cultural whitewashing"...
English Textbook Character Ellen Baker Gets Unauthorized Hug Pillow
Ellen Baker, the fictional young English teacher featured in the new edition of the Japanese English-language textbook New Horizon who achieved wide-spread internet popularity is now featured on an unauthorized hug pillow despite her creators' request for "discretion." The hugging pillow cover is for sale on Yahoo! Japan's shopping website for 5,088 yen (US$46). The pillow is being sold by Pepera ...
Idolish 7 One-Year Anniversary Campaign Includes Full Album, Themed Cafes
Also: Ichiban Kuji lottery
― August 20 will be the one-year anniversary of the release of IDOLiSH7, a rhythm mobile game focusing on male pop idols. To welcome the occasion and thank fans for their support, Bandai Namco Online is unrolling a campaign months in advance. On August 24, IDOLiSH7 will finally get its first full album, i7. The album will contain 12 songs and come in three different edition...
Nodame Cantabile Actress Juri Ueno Marries Singer Shō Wada
"For the two of us, it was very natural"
― GYABO! Juri Ueno (Nodame in the live-action Nodame Cantabile) announced via fax on May 26 that she has married Shō Wada, singer and guitarist for the rock band Triceratops. She is 30 years old and he is 40. Ueno was added to Wada's koseki (family registry) and will live with him, but the ceremony and reception haven't been held yet. A photo posted by JURI (@...
Toast Dragon Quest's 30th Anniversary with Premium Sake
Also: deluxe artbook
― It's been 30 years since the first Dragon Quest introduced role-playing gameplay to the Famicom/NES, and Square Enix is determined to honor the occasion. On May 27 it offered fans a junmai daiginjōshu (the highest quality of sake) from Fukumitsuya to celebrate. The sake, called Soshite Densetsu e... (roughly, "And Then, Towards Legend..."), is brewed from 100% Yamada Nishiki r...
Pretend You're Spending the Night in the Matsuno Household at Ikebukuro Hotel
Futons, Hatabō's flag, even Chibita's oden stall
― The Sunshine City Prince Hotel in Ikebukuro will offer Mr. Osomatsu fans a big treat this summer: a suite that recreates the Matsuno household thanks to the niche interior design company SO-ZO. Guests are greeted by Osomatsu at the door and the other brothers in the entryway. The room itself is decorated and outfitted in the same way as the Matsuno b...
[email protected]'s Hiromi Hirata Gives Birth to Baby Girl
Voice actress Hiromi Hirata (Makoto in THE [email protected], Ruji in Zoids Genesis, Maggie in R.O.D -The TV-) hadn't updated her blog since February. Her latest post, on May 26, reveals that there's a good reason for that: she's given birth to a girl this month. In the cool season of May, I gave birth to my second child, a girl! We are both healthy, and now my eyes are spinning at the thought of a four...
Dedicated Fans Can Get 8" Tora Figure with 13 Blu-ray/DVD Volume Purchases
Ushio & Tora fans who purchase all 13 home video releases of Ushio & Tora can apply to receive a 20cm (about 8in) Tora figure. Each Blu-ray volume costs 6,500-8,500 yen (US$59-77). Buying the entire series on Blu-ray would cost roughly 97,500 (US$883). There are additional bonus items available for customers who buy the whole set. Amazon Japan will offer a storage box and digipak with new artwork...
Join NERV's Godzilla Division With Bags, Keychains. and Storage Bins
The only organization strong enough to take on all the Godzilla and Unit 01 crossover merchandise is U.N. NERV's Anti-Godzilla Division. The specialized unit has a modified logo, replacing NERV's maple leaf with the spikes from Godzilla's back. Prospective recruits can join the battle between Unit-01 and Godzilla by purchasing a folding storage container, camo duffle bag, storage pouch, t-shirt, ...
Hello Kitty & My Melody Step Out for Adventure in Super Mario Maker
Sanrio's Hello Kitty and My Melody are joining the roster of Nintendo's Super Mario Maker Wii U level-creating game. The two mascots join Nisekoi's Chitoge, the original Pokemon starters, Babymetal, and Daigasso! Band Brothers P's Yu Ayasaki. Nintendo began streaming a gameplay video of Hello Kitty and My Melody on Friday. The character costumes are available after players clear a new event course...
Inti Creates CEO Joins Criticism of Mighty No. 9 Trailer
Trailer slammed for narration, graphics
― A trailer for Mighty No. 9, the Mega Man-styled action-platforming video game developed by Comcept and Inti Creates, was released on May 25. It has received widespread scorn, in part because of its graphical quality and in part because of its narration, which is widely perceived as patronizing. The most derided line is "stuff... that'll make the bad guys cry ...
Monster Hunter Stories Game Plans Pom Pom Purin, DAIGO DLC
CAPCOM's Monster Hunter Stories Nintendo 3DS role-playing game isn't even out until October but the company is already planning its downloadable content. After the game's release, CAPCOM will offer a Pom Pom Purin costume for Naviloo, turning the Felyne into Sanrio's beret-wearing dog mascot. More details on how to obtain the costume will be announced later. The recently wed singer and BREAKERZ ba...
Sadako & Kayako's Next Collaboration is Spooky-Cute Hello Kitty
The ghoulish stars of Sadako vs. Kayako have gone horseback riding and stumping to promote their film's release on June 18. The duo's next collaboration is with Sanrio's Hello Kitty, a mascot all-too-familiar with crossovers of every stripe. The merchandise, which features a long-haired Hello Kitty climbing out of a well and her twin sister Mimmy as Kayako, launches on the same day as the film. I...
Scientists Nickname Gas-Absorbing Galaxy 'Akira'
Galaxy steals gas from neighboring galaxy, Tetsuo
― A team of scientists answered an intergalactic riddle that has left many stumped. An international team discovered why galaxies that previously absorbed gases at a rapid rate and produced an impressive amount of stars will suddenly stop. University of Tokyo's Edmond Cheung and his team used manga, the kind penned by Katsuhiro Otomo and the Mapping N...
Space Patrol Luluco Crosses Over with Animator Expo's SEX and VIOLENCE with MACHSPEED
Studio Trigger's short form sci-fi comedy Space Patrol Luluco has recently crossed over with the studio's other projects as the protagonists travel through space in search of a stolen city. Luluco, Midori, and Nova have encountered obvious references to Kill la Kill and Little Witch Academia. In the latest episode premiering today, director Hiroyuki Imaishi takes the crew to his yellow world from ...
Horror Icons Sadako and Kayako Compete in Cup no Fuchico Horse Racing Web Game
Sadako options added to game
― The upcoming film Sadako vs. Kayako pits two iconic ghosts, Sadako from Ring and Kayako from Ju-On: The Grudge, against each other for the first time. On May 29, the Japan Derby horse race will be held. What better way for these vengeful spirits to exercise their animosities than by racing horses? The face-off, organized by the Japanese entertainment site Kai-You, was c...
Barefoot Gen Author's Undelivered Letter to President Obama Discovered
A letter penned by the late Barefoot Gen author Keiji Nakazawa to U.S. President Barack Obama was discovered. In the letter dated August 20, 2009, Nakazawa praises the President's speech in Prague calling for an end to nuclear weapons and urges him visit the atomic bomb museums in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, talk to survivors, and continue to push for disarmament of nuclear weapons worldwide. You can ...
Smartphone Game Features Stray Cats Who Turn into Handsome Hunks
Stars Shinnosuke Tachibana, Hiroki Yasumoto and others
― The Japanese smartphone game Alchemy of a Stray Cat and Love (Noraneko to Koi no Renkinjutsu) revolves around a familiar premise: a young lady finds herself surrounded by a group of attractive young men with an assortment of hair styles and personality types. The twist in this case is that the lady is an alchemist and the men are all actually s...
New Sailor Moon Musical Cast Will Appear at Usagi & Chibi-Usa Birthday Celebration
The new cast appearing in the fourth 20th-anniversary stage musical of Naoko Takeuchi's Sailor Moon manga will attend this year's Usagi & Chibi-Usa birthday celebration.The five actresses will be joined by Sailor Moon voice actress Kotono Mitsuishi. Tickets to the event will be distributed by lottery to members of the Sailor Moon fan club. Members can enter the lottery via an application on the me...
New York Nintendo Store Will Demo Wii U Legend of Zelda Game
Nintendo will show off its upcoming The Legend of Zelda game at its booth at this year's E3 convention in Los Angeles. Those bound to the East Coast that can't make it to the public E3 Live event can instead head to the Nintendo Store in New York for a chance to play the game and watch a live-stream from the show floor. Nintendo will select 500 fans who sign-up at its Super-Fan Signup Day on June ...
Ghibli Museum Will Reopen with Miyazaki-Curated Retrospective, Giant Catbus
The Ghibli Museum in Tokyo is preparing for its reopening in July with brand-new exhibits and attractions, including a retrospective on animation curated by Miyazaki himself and a Catbus large enough for adults to climb inside. Miyazaki's exhibit isn't strictly limited to Ghibli works and includes Goldilocks and the Three Bears and The Nutcracker alongside Spirited Away, Heidi, Girl of the Alps, P...
Char, Garma Star in Gundam Thunderbolt Theater Manners Ad
Bandai Visual began streaming a theater manners ad for the upcoming Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt: December Sky theatrical screenings. The video stars bird versions of Char and Garma where Char misbehaves by recording footage, yapping on his cell phone, and kicking the seat in front of him. In this version, the duo speak in a Kansai dialect. Garma: Gosh, am I looking forward to the movie! Char: H...
LaLa Magazine Celebrates 40 Years with Exhibition in July
Hakusensha's LaLa has been the home for popular manga like Snow White with the Red Hair, Kare Kano, Natsume's Book of Friends, Maid-sama!, Ouran High School Host Club, and Vampire Knight since it launched 40 years ago. The publisher and a total of 63 creators are participating in a large-scale exhibition event with original artwork and areas set up by theme. Visitors can see works in the "LOVE," "...
Watch Hideo Kojima's Full Q&A Session at the Nordic Game Conference
Last weekend, the annual Nordic Game Conference took place at Slagthuset in Malmö, Sweden. The first event was held 2004 and has since established the Nordic Game Program and a grant to fund gaming projects.The conference's speakers included Kojima Productions founder Hideo Kojima. Kojima participated in a 30 minute question and answer session which is now streaming with English subtitles for anyo...
Max Factory's Makes 10 Life-Size Bridal Lingerie Momo Belia Deviluke Figures for 2.5 Million Yen
Hobby collectible producer Max Factory first unveiled its life-size figure of To Love-Ru -Trouble- Darkness' Momo Belia Deviluke at the Tora no Ana 20th Anniversary Appreciation Fair last year. The figure depicts Momo in bridal lingerie like the cover of the To Love-Ru -Trouble- Darkness: Venus artbook. The company announced that it will produce a total of 10 of these 160cm (5'2") figures and rel...
Justin Leach, Dai Satō Name Promising Anime Directors to Watch
Animator and producer Justin Leach (Kick-Heart) and scriptwriter Dai Sato (Ergo Proxy, Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex), both members of Japan Society's Innovators Network, held a talk for New York's Japan Society titled "The State of Japanese Animation in a Post-Miyazaki World" last month. Part of the discussion included what directors could possibly fill the void left by Miyazaki. While ...
Eva Store Stocks Evangelion x Godzilla Regional Hand Towels
The Eva Store is stocking 10 limited edition hand towels featuring Godzilla, Evangelion units, Angels, and regional Japanese landmarks. The set includes Tokyo, Kanagawa, Shizuoka, Nagoya, Osaka, Nara, Kobe, Hiroshima, and Fukuoka. Each towel costs 1,296 yen (US$12). With Hideaki Anno (the director of Neon Genesis Evangelion) helming the upcoming Godzilla Resurgence film (along with Attack on Tita...
Mr. Osomatsu's Matsuno Brothers Celebrate Their Birthday with Theme Song Remix
The sextuplet stars of Mr. Osomatsu are celebrating their birthday this week with a special remixed version of "Six Same Faces ~Kon'ya wa Saikō!" starring the life-size Matsuno brothers and Iyami. The brothers are also planning a birthday party event on Tuesday at Charmant Scena Tokyo wedding hall in Shibuya with all six brothers appearing in costume, a huge cake, and keepsake prizes. HAPPY BIRTHD...
Cosplayers VampyBitMe & Livia Chu Star in Food Wars! Spoof
Cosplayers Linda "VampyBitMe" Le and Livia Chu star in a Food Wars! Shokugeki no Soma live-action spoof as cutting edge chef Alice Nakiri and meat advocate Ikumi Mito. The short opens with three customers requesting Japanese-style food, but the order elicits a disagreement between the two characters. It's decided that the only way to settle the matter is with a Shokugeki. The short was written, di...
Chalk Artist Renarena Returns to Create Giant Dragon Quest Heroes Ⅱ Mural
Square Enix began streaming a video on Friday to promote the release of its Dragon Quest Heroes II: Twin Kings and the Prophecy's End action game for PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, and PS Vita. The video artist Renarena draw a huge, 14-meter wide mural of monsters and characters from the game entirely out of chalk. The blackboard was transported to and displayed at Shinjuku Station. The mural will ...
Megumi Hayashibara Shares Her Thoughts on Modern Voice Acting
"You're made to feel like an indispensable person, but in three years' time that position might change"
― The mook (a publication that's part magazine, part book) Seiyū Premium interviews voice actors who got their start in the industry in the 1990s, a time when demand sharply increased for new talent, especially female talent. Among these actresses is the legendary Megumi Hayashibara (Rei in Neon Ge...
Love Live! School Idol Festival Event Draws 51,149 in Attendance
Franchise confirms Festival event for 2017
― The official Twitter account of KLab's Love Live! School idol festival smartphone game announced on Sunday that the game's "School Idol Festival Thanksgiving 2016" event that took place over this past weekend drew an attendance of 51,149 visitors. Last year's event drew 39,459 visitors. The Twitter post also confirmed that there will be a Thanksgiving even...
Aichi Prefectural Police Turn to Pretty Boys to Stop Train Groping
Previous campaigns used female characters
― As fashion gradually changes with the warming weather, incidents of molestation and illicit photography on Japanese trains increase. That's why the Aichi prefectural police are launching a campaign to eradicate molestation and make women feel safer on transit. They're spreading the word through crime prevention lectures, musical performances, public announc...
Love Live! Thank-You Event Draws Massively Long Lines
Crowds already huge five hours in advance
― Over the weekend (May 21 - 22), the Love Live! School idol festival Thanksgiving 2016 event was held in the Ikebukuro Sunshine City complex in Ikebukuro, Tokyo. Livers (Love Live! fans) clamored to obtain exclusive merchandise and see the girls of Aqours and their sub-units take the stage. The lines this event drew even had many Livers' jaws on the ground. ...
Space Brothers' Kasarinchu Performs at Japanese Space Center
Coincides with new album release
― On May 18, the J-pop band Kasarinchu performed a concert at the Tanegashima Space Center south of Kyushu. The band is associated with Space Brothers, having performed its seventh ending theme, "New World," and their concert included the song "Ato Ippo" ("One More Step"), an image song dedicated to the Space Brothers character Serika. Their concert, titled "To the IS...
Yo-kai Watch to Haunt Universal Studios Japan This Summer
Also: new commercial for Dragon Ball Z attraction
― Yo-kai Watch is returning to Universal Studios Japan in Osaka this summer as the "Universal Yo-kai Watch Festival." The main attraction will be Yo-kai Watch: The Real, which has visitors walk through a town street searching for hidden Yo-kai with the help of a Yo-kai Pad (map), Yo-kai Watch (which alerts the wearer to nearby Yo-kai) and Yo-kai Lens ...
Get a Mr. Osomatsu-Style Makeover with "Matsumaker"
2015's surprise hit, Mr. Osomatsu, stands out with its old-fashioned, cartoony art style. This has made it very easy to imitate for fan artists everywhere, but now a fun online service, Matsumaker, makes designing a Mr. Osomatsu-style character a cinch. The service gives you a set of options with your character's hair, shirt, mouth, eyes, and accessories, along with the background. The emphasis is...
New Artbook Presents Japanese Illustrators' Takes on Classic Paintings
Vermeer, Monet, Van Gogh and more reinterpreted
― Japanese illustrators tend to work on things like video games, light novels, and commercial promotions, but that doesn't mean they can't take on "high art." As if to prove this point (or disprove it, if you prefer), 43 professional illustrators have drawn their own versions of classic artwork and collected them in an upcoming artbook, Eshi de Irodoru ...
Evangelion × Godzilla Crossover Continues with Another Eva-Colored Godzilla
Also: chibi Evangelion × Godzilla characters
― With Hideaki Anno (the director of Neon Genesis Evangelion) helming the upcoming Godzilla Resurgence film (along with Attack on Titan's Shinji Higuchi, who wrote and storyboarded several Evangelion episodes), an Evangelion × Godzilla crossover should come as no surprise. And indeed, that's what transpired following an April Fool's update to the Godzilla...
Takayuki Yamada Casts Dragon Quest Spells at Work in New Commercial
Also discusses personal Dragon Quest preferences
― It can be easy to forget that even widely known fan jargon still sounds like complete gobbledygook to ordinary people. Still, it's unlikely that most of us use it as much as Takayuki Yamada (Terraformars, Bakuman.) does in his commercial for Dragon Quest Heroes II: Twin Kings and the Prophecy's End. The commercial shows Yamada at a board meeting deli...
U.S. Band Pentatonix, Daisuke Ono Collaborate for Planetarium Show
Texas-based a cappella group Pentatonix and voice actor Daisuke Ono are being featured together in a new program screening at Konica Minolta Planetarium in the Sunshine City building complex located in East Ikebukuro. The "Star Flight Hokkaido" program is narrated by Ono while the Pentatonix is providing the music. The program will launch on June 11 and runs for about 40 minutes. It offers views o...
NIS America Opens Poll to Add Character to Touhou Genso Rondo: Bullet Ballet Game
NIS America opened a poll on Wednesday for fans of Touhou Project. The poll specifically refers to the Touhou Genso Rondo: Bullet Ballet shoot'em up fighter game for the PlayStation 4. The title will expand its roster, but players can first vote on which character they'd most like to see added to the game. The character with the most votes will be included as the People's Choice Winner when NISA r...
Ayana Taketatsu Goes Steampunk for Latest Single
Voice actress and singer Ayana Taketatsu has lent her vocal chops to Dagashi Kashi, Lance N' Masques, High School DxD New, and Yuruyuri - Happy Go Lily. On June 22, she'll release her ninth single "Miss. Revolutionist," a song that blends a near future aesthetic, steampunk, and "revolution." The music video (note: video is region-locked in the U.S.) was created under the supervision of Toshitaka S...
British Animator's Full R-Type Animated Short Project Streamed
Paul Johnson's animated R-Type project for the YouTube channel Mashed began streaming on Wednesday. R-Type is a side scrolling shoot-em-up arcade game from the late 80s. Johnson, with inbetween assistance by Claudia Montealegre, created the short with 17 drawings per second. Mick Lauer and Hayley Nelson voice Player One and Player Two, respectively. For comparison of Johnson's inspiration, here's ...
Ghibli Animator Directs Kumamoto Union's 'Nikoyaka Shokudō' Anime Ad
Koji Aritomi directed, storyboarded commercial at Encourage Films
― The Kumamoto Prefecture Agricultural Cooperative Union's website began streaming an anime commercial titled 'Nikoyaka Shokudō' (Smiling Restaurant) on Wednesday. The commercial is intended to highlight produce grown in the prefecture, including meat (niku), rice (kome), vegetables (yasai), and fruit (kajitsu). The first characters of...
Check Out the Unique Displays from the Attack on Titan: Wall Sapporo Exhibit
The Attack on Titan exhibition took over Tokyo in 2014, followed by stops in Oita, Osaka, and Taipei. The exhibit is currently running in Sapporo until May 25 with exhibits unique to the location. Outside is a smaller-sized, but still grotesque, titan to greet visitors. Inside, among the standard displays, is a model of the Colossal Titan attacking a snowy city. A larger version made of snow was f...
Takuya Eguchi, Sōma Saitō Join Sanrio Boys Project
Sanrio's bishōnen mascots that love Sanrio mascots are one step closer to a potential anime, game, or idol unit. Five popular voice actors signed on to bring the characters of Sanrio Danshi (Sanrio Boys) to life in a mini-drama on YouTube ahead of the Sho-Comi manga adaptation that launches next month. The cast includes: Takuya Eguchi (Haikyu!!'s Yūji Terushima, My Love Story!!'s Takeo Gōda) as Kō...
Music Unit eyelis' New Album Includes Group's Anisong Works
The musical unit eyelis has created theme songs for Hayate the Combat Butler: Can't Take My Eyes Off You, Unlimited Psychic Squad, and the most recent season of Snow White with the Red Hair. The unit, consisting of Satomi Kawasaki, Takeshi Masuda, and Wataru Maeguchi formed in 2012 and they released their first single the same year. On Wednesday, the group will release the full-length album cresce...
Midori/Shōjo Tsubaki Café Isn't for the Faint of Heart
If the idea of an eyeball panacotta and a sundae topped with maggots doesn't have you screaming in terror, the stomach-churning Shojo Tsubaki cafe might be up your alley. The café "holy" in the Daikanyamachō area of Shibuya is getting a menu makeover from May 24-31 to mark the debut of the live-action "erotic grotesque" film based on Suehiro Maruo's Shojo Tsubaki horror manga. A store inside the c...
Hikaru Utada's 1st MV in 6 Years Uses Stop-Motion Animation
Singer Hikaru Utada released a 30-second preview of her music video for her single "Hanataba o Kimi ni" (Bouquet for You), the artist's first in six years. The video uses stop-motion animation with artwork by Keiko Tsuji. A music video preview for the track "Manatsu no Tōriame" (Midsummer Shower) is also streaming. Longer version of both videos can be viewed at Utada's website. Singles for both tr...
Hentai Kamen's Revealing Superhero Garb Now a Costume
The barely-there costume worn by panty-mask superhero Hentai Kamen will be available for sale to anyone brave enough to wear it. Don Quijote and MEGA Don Quijote retailers will stock the costume set. Each set comes with the face transformation mask, panty mask, the V-shaped bodysuit, beige inner pants to wear underneath (lest onlookers get a real eyefull), and fishnet stockings. Price for the set...
All Out!! Rugby Anime Inspires 3 New Figures
This year's upcoming rugby anime All Out!! attracted attention with its announcement flyer, specifically Captain Takuya Sekizan's front and center derriere. Union Creative's Menshdge Technical statue line is adding three of the characters from the manga and anime, bringing their athleticism into the 3D world. Captain Sekizan, the timid and shy protagonist Sumiaki Iwashimizu, and Wing-position Mas...
Art of War Will Re-Release "Spinning Cannon Slice Guts" Statue in 2 Versions
The Kensin production company's Art of War store announced that it will re-release its "Guts -The Spinning Cannon Slice" statue from Kentarou Miura's Berserk manga. Art of War will release the 1/6-scale statue in normal and "Blood Splatter" versions at the end of July or early August. The re-release is to commemorate the upcoming Berserk television anime debuting this summer. The statues are re-r...
30 Countries Prepare for World Cosplay Summit 2016 in Nagoya
Cosplay enthusiasts are preparing to descend on Nagoya City in Aichi prefecture for the 14th annual World Cosplay Summit. A total of 30 countries are competing for the title. Last year's competition ultimately crowned Mexico's Twin Cosplay as champions. This year, the competition is adding Canada, India, Switzerland, and Sweden for the first time. The championship is also expanding to cover two da...
My Melody Pulls Ahead in Sanrio's 2016 Character Popularity Poll
My Melody has pulled ahead of last year's winner and preliminary front runner Pom Pom Purin in Sanrio's 2016 character popularity poll. Purin is trailing behind Melody in second place followed by the steadfast Cinnamon in third. Hello Kitty has managed to jump the ranks from eighth to fourth with Gudetama holding his own in fifth. The current Top 10: My Melody Pom Pom Purin Cinnamon Hello Kitty G...
Erotic Manga Magazine to Feature Ancient But Youthful-Looking Women
Anime and manga are full of characters who look young, even childlike, but are actually centuries old. Think of Sasami in Tenchi Muyo!, Holo from Spice and Wolf, Mito in Space Pirate Mito, or Tomoe from Kamisama Kiss. An erotic manga magazine focusing on these characters (just female ones, though) was announced in December: Towako ("Eternal Damsels"). Towako will be published by Akane Shinsha, whi...
Japanese Readers Choose Sexiest Shonen Jump Villains
Two dastardly dreamboats tie for top spot
― As befits its action-packed, high-tension stories, Weekly Shonen Jump also boasts a diverse array of charismatic and diabolical villains. But which of them are sexy? There's no denying the appeal (for some at least) of sultry villainy, and the Japanese survey site Goo Ranking polled 500 Shonen Jump readers on the villains they thought were sexiest. The fanb...
Spanish Soccer Team's New Kit Evokes Attack on Titan
Muscle-bound jersey resembles Colossal Titan
― The Spanish soccer team CD Palencia has debuted new kit to be worn in their upcoming playoffs. Its muscular theme has been called "horrendous" and "headache inducing" by the English-language media, but Japanese news sites are excited by its resemblance to the fearsome Colossal Titan in Attack on Titan. The bizarre uniforms are mostly an effort for Palenc...
Bride's Story Cosplayer Heads to Mongolia for Extra-Realistic Photo Shoots
Previously visited Uzbekistan
― Cosplayers are known for their dedication, but it's unlikely you know one as dedicated as Matsuri. An avid fan of manga artist Kaoru Mori, and in particular her work A Bride's Story, she spent years recreating Amir's elaborate dress and embroidered it by hand. Matsuri also made Amir's headdress, boots, and accessories. She's finally finished the costume, but where to t...
Nissin Asks Japanese Customers Which Foreign Cup Noodle Brand They Want to Sample
Choices range from Indonesia to Brazil to Germany
― Though they are a Japanese invention, instant noodles have spread around the world and are a staple of diets for busy people everywhere. Many of these flavors imitate local cuisine and are unknown to Japanese consumers. In order for its home customer base to get a taste of some of these soup broths, instant noodle producer Nissin is launching a camp...
Laboratory Will Attempt to Recreate Scenes from Gundam: The Origin
Staffed by grown-up Gundam enthusiasts
― To celebrate the premiere of Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin III - Dawn of Rebellion on May 21, Animax has announced the launch of a laboratory, Gundam: The Origin Technology Labo, to attempt to recreate scenes from Gundam: The Origin. The teaser website sets out the laboratory's mission: To all adults who grew up watching Gundam: Do you remember the shock of G...
Toyota Uses Dragon Quest Monsters to Illustrate Appeal of Prius C
Also: win a Dragon Quest monster-themed toy car
― Toyota's compact car, the Prius c (called the Aqua in Japan), has recently reached the milestone of 1 million units in global sales. To show off, Toyota revamped its website to explain the car's appeal using monsters from the classic RPG series Dragon Quest. Golems adorn its trophies for best-selling car in Japan. Its fuel efficiency makes the Prius c...
Manga Artist Hisashi Eguchi Takes "Credit" for Hunter × Hunter's Hiatuses
"It's my accomplishment"
― Despite achieving popularity and success, Yoshihiro Togashi's manga series Hunter × Hunter has been plagued with many hiatuses since launching in 1998. Since 2006, it has been on hiatus more than in publication, frustrating fans and bookstores. On the May 12 episode of the Kanto regional talk show Otona no! ("For Adults!"), manga artist Hisashi Eguchi (Stop!! Hibari-kun!) w...
Sanrio Moves Forward with Godzilla x Gudetama Goods Campaign
Sanrio is moving forward with its collaboration between the lackadaisical Gudetama and this summer's Godzilla Resurgence (Shin Godzilla) film. The pairing between the unmotivated egg and the destructive lizard was first introduced as part of Sanrio's collaboration poll. The poll hasn't ended yet, but the official Gudetama website announced the collaboration will take place immediately. Starting n...
Orange's Ichigo Takano Illustrates SKY-HI Music Video
Ichigo Takano, the manga creator behind the romantic drama Orange, illustrated the music video for SKY-HI's new single "Chronograph." The single was released in Japan on Wednesday. Takano's Orange manga will be adapted into an anime series this summer by Telecom Animation Film and TMS Entertainment. Seven Seas Entertainment published the original manga in North America, and it describes the manga'...
Aoshima Reveals 'Transforming' Macross Valkyrie Girl Model Kit Concept
Model maker Aoshima displayed concept art for a planed transforming Macross Valkyrie girl model kit at the 55th Shizuoka Hobby Show on Thursday. The concept would start in the Battroid mode and be able to transform into Fighter and Gerwalk modes. The model kit varies from its Macross Delta counterpart by replacing the mecha-like center with a cute girl. The sketches are dated for December 5, 2016...
Merriam-Webster Has Noticed 'Senpai' for Possible Dictionary Addition
Every year, Merriam-Webster considers the latest slang and idioms for possible addition to the unabridged dictionary. Just last month, words and abbreviations like "dox," "microbead," "TMI" and "hella" were added among the 2,000 new entries. The company takes addition seriously with a focus on certain criteria, including longevity of use. One word that's caught the Massachusetts-based company's at...
Cardcaptor Sakura Teacup Sets Given as Game Prizes
Beginning this month, fans of Cardcaptor Sakura can add teacups to their growing list of collector's merchandise. The two cups are part of prize giveaways at arcades and shops. Cardcaptor Sakura ribbon pins were given away last month. In September, a Sakura figure will become available, followed by a Tomoyo figure and gift pouches in October, pocket watches and brooches in November, and blankets ...
Chinese Social Game Turns Historical Figures into Moe Girls
Includes dictators like Adolf Hitler, Kim Jong-un
― The moe boom has led to a wave of anime and games representing macho Asian historical figures as cute girls, such as Koihime Musō and The Ambition of Oda Nobuna. A Chinese social networking game, Meng Wang EX ("Moe King EX"), has nonetheless raised eyebrows among a few Japanese netizens for its take on "great" political and military leaders of the p...
Sadako & Kayako Want Your Vote for the Ghost with the Most
The promotional campaign for Sadako vs. Kayako, the upcoming horror film that pits Juon: The Grudge and Ringu ghosts against one another launched tongue-in-cheek "general election" ads. The commercials have a seemingly serious political slant for what is actually a popularity contest between the two characters. In the video, using an interpreter, Sadako tells potential voters that the country is s...
Canada's Official Twitter Account Asks: 'Which Pokémon is the Most Canadian?'
The Pokémon Company announced the starters for the Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon Nintendo 3DS games on Tuesday, prompting waves of excitement. The renewed interest made its way to our northern neighbor. Canada's official Twitter account asked the internet which Pokémon is the most Canadian. .@Pokemon has been around in Canada since 1998! Which Pokemon do you think is the most Canadian? #PokemonSunM...
DIY Video Series Shows How to Make Your Own Metroid Arm Cannon
The web series "DIY Prop Shop" took on Samus' Arm Cannon in its latest video. While the version won't shoot beams of energy at your foes, it does add a finishing touch to your Metroid costume. Host Vinny Logozio breaks down how to make the item using PVC pipe, foam, and a wooden dowel. The actual light requires a bit of tech savvy and a soldering iron. The DIY Prop Shop series has more videos deta...
Songs Announced for Halko Momoi's New Cover Album
Singer and voice actress Halko Momoi opened the floor to submissions in March for her Pink Hippo Album ~Self Cover Best~, her new album of cover songs. The title is taken because many of the tracks were created by Momoi, either in composition or lyrics, but not performed by her. She asked fans to submit songs originally performed by men to include on the release. Momoi announced the CD's track lin...
Winner of New Game! Anime's Theme Song Group Name Contest Announced
fourfolium unit sing opening theme song "Sakura Skip," ending theme song "Now Loading!!!!" for July anime
― The official website for the television anime adaptation of of Shōtarō Tokunō's New Game! manga announced the anime's theme song artist unit name as well as the theme song titles on Monday. The new unit composed of Yūki Takada, Megumi Yamaguchi, Megumi Toda, and Ayumi Takeo will be named "fourf...
Off-the-Wall Swiss Otaku Recreates Bakuon!! Fanservice Scene
Otaku and general mischief maker "@meidocafe" or "Extreme Swiss Otaku" previous grabbed attention for plastering a men's restroom with posters of Yudachi Kai Ni from KanColle and posting pictures of himself dressed as Hestia while posing suggestively with his television. His latest target is the girls' motorcycle club anime Bakuon!! The show recently aired a fanservice segment of the female charac...
Official Bakuon!! Itasha Motorcycles Will Go on Sale
The Bakuon!! anime about a girls' motorcycle club quickly snagged real-life sponsors like the NORIX SIMPSON motorcycle helmet and Kawasaki, Suzuki, Ducati, Honda, and YAMAHA motorcycle manufacturers. It was only a matter of time before the series' characters graced the frames of their favorite machines. The anime's official Twitter account announced that three ita-sha motorcycles will go on sale o...
Dead or Alive 5 Last Round Will Add Gust's Atelier Series Costume
The May 26, 2016 issue of Weekly Famitsu magazine is announcing on Thursday that Dead or Alive 5 Last Round will collaborate with Gust for at least one costume. Gust is the developer of the Atelier and Ar tonelico series of games. KOEI Tecmo America will release Atelier Sophie: The Alchemist of the Mysterious Book (Sophie no Atelier: Fushigi na Hon no Renkinjutushi) on PlayStation 4 and PlayStatio...
Cocktail Prince Mobile Game Casts Its Leads
Geechs' Cocktail Ōji (Cocktail Prince) mobile game starring male characters inspired by alcoholic drinks announced the voice actors of its star ikemen on Tuesday. The player will control a woman who was previously living a carefree life until she inherits a bar from her grandfather and is tasked with reviving its popularity in just one year. She hires six "princes" to assist her but could find he...
Shaft's Madogatari Exhibit Publishes Heroine Poll's Results
Studio Shaft's Madogatari exhibit, which celebrates their 40th anniversary and focuses on its two most popular works — Puella Magi Madoka Magica and the Monogatari series — wrapped up its Nagoya run on Sunday. The exhibit included the Madoka Magica concept movie, an exhibit on Gekidan Inu Curry (the animation troupe behind Madoka Magica's witch realm), an art exhibit based on a short story by Nisi...
Controversial Artist Rokudenashiko Found Guilty on Obscenity Charge
Recently engaged artist Megumi Igarashi —pen name Rokudenashiko— was found guilty of breaking Japan's obscenity laws in Tokyo court on Monday. 44-year-old Igarashi was arrested in July 2014 for distributing 3D printer data of her own genitalia as part of a backer reward for her crowdfunding campaign to construct a vagina kayak. Judge Mihoko Tanabe ruled that the data was "flat and inorganic" but r...
Spiderman Swings Into Feudal Japan for New Figure
Move over Darth Vader, Spiderman has his own samurai dreams to fulfill. Marvel's web-slinging superhero is joining Tamashii Nation's Meisho Realization figure series later this year and Bluefin will distribute it in late summer or fall. The reimagined seven-inch Spiderman looks at home in feudal-era Japan with web-like black and crimson armor. Customers can pose Spidey in a number of ways thanks ...
Super Mario Gets Cubed for Minecraft Wii U Edition
The Wii U retail edition of Minecraft is partnering with Nintendo's iconic plumber for the “Super Mario Mash-Up Pack.” The additional content includes Super Mario-themed skins, a pre-made world, music and textures. The trailer boasts giant colossus versions of the game franchise's characters and elements from Super Mario Bros. 3 and Super Mario 64. The pack will be available digitally starting on ...
Attack on Titan Exhibition Goes Overseas, Starting with Italy
The Attack on Titan exhibition took over Tokyo in 2014, followed by stops in Oita, Osaka, and Taipei with the exhibit currently running in Sapporo until the end of the month. Its next stop is a large leap out of Asia and into Europe, specifically Italy. Attack on Titan producer Kensuke Tateishi revealed on Saturday that the exhibit will head to Treviso in northern Italy during the Nipponbashi fest...
Voice Actor Yoshimitsu Shimoyama Reveals Marriage to Satomi Arai
Voice actress Satomi Arai (Beatrice in Re:Zero, Peke in To Love Ru: Darkness) announced her marriage in 2012. Arai had kept the union under wraps for four years as well as her almost two-year-old son. The identity of her husband wasn't disclosed. On Friday, the last mystery was revealed when voice actor Yoshimitsu Shimoyama announced the two were married. Shimoyama, who plays Alzack Connell in Fai...
Novelist Tomohiro Matsu's Memorial Celebrated with Tribute Casket Art, Anime Theme Song
Mayoi Neko Overrun! and Listen to Me, Girls. I Am Your Father! novelist Tomohiro Matsu's memorial service was held on May 8 after his sudden passing from an unspecified sickness on May 2. Many friends and acquaintances came to pay their respects at the service. Special attention was made to acknowledge not only Matsu, but his work as well. The theme song "Happy New Nyaa" from the anime adaptation ...
Japanese Fans Polled on Favorite Mid-Season Spring 2016 Anime
Winner didn't even appear on "most anticipated" lists
― The Japanese anime, manga and video game character database Charapedia conducted a survey of fans' favorite spring 2016 anime a month into the season. (Technically, the question was "Which anime would you like to keep watching next week?") The survey was carried out from April 28 to May 4 and canvassed 10,000 people. 61.1% of the respondents wer...
Special Yu-Gi-Oh! Movie Screening Lets Fans Be Noisy
Also: Film includes frame drawn by Kazuki Takahashi
― Film screenings in Japan are usually staid affairs: the audience is quiet and respectful of other viewers. But sometimes fans want to have fun and let themselves go; movies are a social event, after all. In their honor, several theaters around Japan are offering special screenings of Yu-Gi-Oh!: The Dark Side of Dimensions on May 13 that encourages...
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