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KochiKame Manga Gets Infinity Volume With Mini Scroll
The ∞ (mugen, or "infinity") volume of Osamu Akimoto's Kochira Katsushika-ku Kamearikouen-mae Hashutsujo ("Kochikame") police comedy manga shipped in Japan on Friday. The special book retails at 2,700 yen (about US$26) and bundles a 3.8-meter (about 12-foot) mini picture scroll. A KochiKame scroll that stands more than 8 meters (about 26 feet) tall was dedicated at Tokyo's Kanda Shrine on Septembe...
your name Inspires New Relationships with Matchmaking Events
Osaka gathering scheduled for November 12
― The hit anime film your name has been tearing up the Japanese box office for weeks, partially through its story's multiple-demographic appeal. Machicon Japan, an initiative by the company Linkbal, Inc., is taking advantage of this by organizing two events that bring your name fans together to share their thoughts and feelings about the movie and, hopefully,...
Watch Death Note's Ryuk Sing His Version of "Pen-Pineapple-Apple-Pen"
Ryuk, the macabre Shinigami (death god) from Death Note, is noted for his fondness for apples. It should be no surprise that to promote his latest movie, Death Note: Light Up the New World, he's performing his take on Daimaō Kosaka's viral hit "PPAP (Pen-Pineapple-Apple-Pen)." The video, much like other "PPAP" parodies, has caught on, racking up over 9 million views at press time. It's anyone's gu...
New Power Rangers Film Reveals Megazord Design, But in Toy Form
The official Twitter account for the Power Rangers franchise has revealed the first look at the Megazord that will appear in the upcoming new Power Rangers film. However, instead of revealing the Megazord design in gritty poster form as the film's Zords were originally revealed, the Megazord has been revealed through its tie-in merchandise. The upcoming interactive figure will have expandable win...
Chinese KanColle Ripoff Game Launches in Japan
Chinese game developer Moe Fantasy launched the Senkan Shōjo R (Battleship Girl R) smartphone game for iOS and Android devices in Japan on October 24. Even before the launch, Japanese net users were quick to notice something familiar about the game. The smartphone app is an apparent ripoff of Kadokawa Games' Kantai Collection (KanColle) browser game. In the new game's story, warships from various ...
Ayana Taketatsu Cosplays as Her K-ON! Character Azusa
Voice actress Ayana Taketatsu (Sword Art Online's Leafa/Suguha, My Wife is the Student Council President's Ui) posted pictures on her official Twitter account on Friday of herself cosplaying as her K-ON! character Azusa Nakano. One image showed her in the cat-eared persona of "Azu-nyan," and the other image shows her in a gravure image with Azusa's plain uniform. The 27-year-old became her teenage...
Kabaneri Compilation Films Audition Fans for Kabane Voices
Twenty slots available
― Fans of Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress with an interest in voice acting will get a chance to contribute to the voice work in the compilation films premiering at the end of the year, as these films are auditioning voice work for the zombie-like Kabane using the music social media service nana. Interested fans must record their groans and screams, using the above scene as refer...
Japan's Hot Springs Join Anthropomorphization, Idol Craze
Lead character design revealed
― Although they are iconic features of the Japanese cultural landscape, hot springs are seen as somewhat old-fashioned today, and they are dealing with declining visitor numbers. To help drum up interest among the youth again, they are turning to Onsen Musume (Hot Spring Girls), a multimedia idol project by Enbound, Inc. with support from Tokyo Otaku Mode and Daiichi Ka...
Japan Celebrates Godzilla Day
Special film screenings, stores, and "live"-tweeting
― The influential monster movie Godzilla premiered on November 3, 1954. In a nod to its predecessor, this year's entry in the franchise, Shin Godzilla, used November 3 as the date when the monster first emerges out of Tokyo Bay. Accordingly, November 3 was celebrated as "Godzilla Day" in Japan this year. To mark the occasion, Toho Cinemas Shinjuku ...
Human Rice Balls Become Ninja Friends in App Game
From highway service stations to months to Christian denominations, Japan loves to turn inanimate objects or concepts into humans. Now, Visual Works is teasing a new game that anthropomorphizes unassuming rice balls into attractive male ninjas. The official website and Twitter account for Yui no Shinobi posted character silhouettes on Friday. Pre-registration is now open, and the "ninja friendship...
'17-Year-Old' Voice Actress Kikuko Inoue, Daughter Pose as Schoolgirls
The perpetually 17-year-old voice actress Kikuko Inoue and her actually 18-year-old daughter Honoka posed as high school students for promotional pictures. The mother-daughter duo are promoting Elecom's new "stereo headphones perfect for anime music." The pair appear as good friends waiting on a train station platform during their commute to school. They use their special headphones to make the ti...
Pokémon Trading Card Game Launches Throwback Website
The Pokémon Trading Card Game celebrated its 20th anniversary last month. Leading up to the event, the game got booster packs featuring the original packaging design, throwback commercials in Japan and a book collecting the original artwork from the game. The English side is also celebrating with a painfully accurate 1990s-style website. Clicking the launch link starts a dial-up modem sound effect...
Tite Kubo Returns to Twitter With Manga, Bleach Cosplay
Bleach creator Tite Kubo abruptly left Twitter without an explanation in September 2015. However, Kubo launched a new official Twitter account on Halloween this year. Although Kubo describes the return as "casual," his comeback is leaving a striking impression so far. お久しぶりです。久保です。ふらっと軽い気持ちでTwitterに戻ってきました。 pic.twitter.com/uBT0KouFtQ— 久保帯人 (@tite_official) October 31, 2016 Kubo's first picture pos...
J-World Tokyo Hosts Event For Naruto: Sasuke Shinden Novel, Previews Anime Visual
Indoor theme park hosts event for novel from December 1-January 9
― Namco's J-World Tokyo indoor theme park for Shueisha's Shonen Jump properties announced on Friday that it will have an event based on the Naruto: Sasuke's Story - Sunrise (Naruto: Sasuke Shinden - Raikō) novel. The event will run from December 1 to January 9. The theme park unveiled an anime visual for the event (seen below), and wil...
Pepper Robots' Turn as Love Live Idols Isn't Up to Snuff
The Pepper robot has proven its an adequate stand-in for its human counterpart in a number of career avenues, including manning a cell phone store, backing up Asian Kung-Fu Generation, brewing coffee, and officiating weddings. Pepper's versatile programming is impressive, but it looks like its not up to par with complicated choreography Japanese idols have to learn to entertain fans. Nine Pepper r...
'Bathing Boyfriend' Bath Product Line Launches Manga
Anna Takamura's Nyūyoku Kareshi -Hadaka de Aroma Healing- (Bathing Boyfriends: Naked Aroma Healing) manga launched in this year's 46th issue of Kadokawa's B's Log Comic magazine on Monday. Anime studio TMS Entertainment provided the original concept, and Takamura is illustrating the series. The manga adapts TMS Entertainment's line of bishōnen bathing products. The line debuted this past February ...
3rd Voice Actor Ramen Campaign Unveils New Recipes
Maruchan announced its third Voice Recipe campaign and app on Tuesday. Voice Recipe 3 introduces new recipes and characters. Members of the campaign's male idol group Donpuri4 and "fresh ramen girls unit" Okamochi Sisters teach ramen connoisseurs how to make unique dishes. The members of DonPuri4 are returning character Hikaru Higashimizu (voiced by Daisuke Ono), Bonito Misaki (Tetsuya Kakihara), ...
FOVE 0 Eye-Tracking VR Headset Collaborates With Sword Art Online Movie
Demonstration features Asuna explaining headset's features, reacting to user's eye movements
― Virtual reality headset company Fove, Inc. announced on Thursday that it will launch a collaboration with the Sword Art Online: Ordinal Scale anime film in January. The collaboration will consist of a demonstration of Fove's "FOVE 0" eye-tracking VR headset, featuring the character Asuna explaining the feat...
Pokémon Fans Aren't Ready to Tell Serena Goodbye
Our intreprid protagonist is really growing up. In episode 47 of Pokémon XY & Z, Serena made her feelings to known to Ash in the frankest way possible. She's travelled with Ash since the start of Pokémon XY and has been a staple of Ash's crew for the last 140 episodes. When all of it culminated into Ash's first, genuine romantic experience in 20 years, fans went nuts. Needless to say, quite a few ...
Attack on Titan's Mikasa Gets Articulated Figure from McFarlane Toys
McFarlane Toys, the makers of posable figures from popular U.S. shows and games like The Walking Dead, Five Nights at Freddy's, Titanfall 2 and Gears of War 4 are adding Attack on Titan's Survey Corps. member Mikasa to its Color Tops toy line. The Color Tops toy line features prominent characters from popular brands in a collector's style window box. Each figure is posable and 7 inches in height;...
Crunchyroll Releases Map of Most Popular Fall Simulcasts for U.S., Canada
Crunchyroll released on Twitter maps of the U.S. and Canada late last week showing the site's most popular fall simulcast anime by state and province. In the U.S., Drifters appears the most popular in 20 states, followed by Yuri!!! on Ice in 11 states and Keijo!!!!!!!! in nine states. In Canada, Haikyu!! appears most popular as number one in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, and New Brunswick. I...
Sony Apologizes for Keyakizaka46 Idol Group's Nazi-Like Costumes
Idol group Keyakizaka46 received a lot of backlash online after pictures of the members' Nazi-like costumes gained international attention this week. The group wore military-style black dresses, black silver-buttoned capes, and matching hats with bird insignia for the "Perfect Halloween" concert at Yokohama Arena on October 22. Sony Music Entertainment issued a statement on the costumes in Japanes...
Fan Video Sends Mario Into the Underworld
The popular Netflixs sci-fi horror series Stranger Things crosses over with Nintendo's famous plumber in a new live-action fan video where Mario enters the "upside down". "Super Mario: Underworld" by Andrew, Matthew and Seth McMurray sees Mario fall from his level into a forested area where previous mis-jumps by the player have caused Mario to fall to his doom. Things only get more disturbing for ...
Latest Emotional Webcomic Explains Why Quitting A Job Isn't a Cure for Depression
Japanese net users are delving into all kinds of emotional topics by publishing their manga online. Former idol fans, lonely office ladies, and anime fans have talked in detail about the dark side of their hobbies through this visual medium. A new manga by Twitter user @Sodium discusses the stress of Japanese work-life, a burden so great the manga's protagonist considers jumping in front of a trai...
Studio 4°C Animates Short About Kanji Aptitude Test
Short features mysterious boy fighting "Unknown" creatures
― The official Youtube channel of the Japan Kanji Aptitude Testing Public Interest Foundation (Nihon Kanji Nōryoku Kentei Kyōkai) began streaming an anime short by Studio 4°C titled "Chiryokumaru" on Monday to promote the Japan Kanji Aptitude Test (Nihon Kanji Nōryoku Kentei, or "Kanken"). The short centers on a mysterious boy who fights crea...
Toriko Manga Helped Raise Awareness of 'Autophagy' Before Nobel Prize
The scientific term "autophagy" grabbed attention throughout the scientific community after Yoshinori Ohsumi won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine this year for his work. The Tokyo Institute of Technology professor won the prize for discovering and clearly explaining the process of autophagy. Autophagy is the process where cells degrade and recycle its own components. The topic may have ha...
Multiple Memoirs Go Behind-the-Scenes of Studio Ghibli
Last year former Studio Ghibli animator, Hitomi Tateno, published her memoir Enpitsu Senki: Dare mo Shiranakatta Studio Ghibli (The Pencil Wars: The Studio Ghibli that Nobody Knew). The book offered insight on Hayao Miyazaki, Toshio Suzuki, and Isao Takahata and Tateno's own experiences working as an image motion checker. Since her memoir was published, several more staff members from the acclaime...
7-Meter Tall Straw Godzilla Goes on Display in Fukuoka
Every year, the small town of Chikuzen in Fukuoka prefecture holds its Dōntokagashi harvest festival. Despite the town's small population of approximately 30,000, they decided to celebrate in a big way. The town constructed a seven meter tall (23ft) tall replica of Shin Godzilla's titular monster out of bamboo and straw. The artists have faithfully recreated Godzilla's image down to his rippled sk...
Ghost in the Shell Hollywood Film Gets Exclusive Tokyo Event in November
In light of the Hollywood Ghost in the Shell film starring Scarlett Johansson and directed by Rupert Sanders, a special "Ghost in the Shell Exclusive Event" will take place in Tokyo on November 13. For public relations, Johansson will be visiting Japan, too, which is the first time since the film Lost in Translation 14 years ago. Paramount Pictures and Dreamworks Pictures' live-action Ghost in th...
Production I.G Creates Short Anime to Celebrate Iwaki Meisei University's New Nursing School
Iwaki Meisei University in Iwaki, Fukushima plans to open a new School of Nursing next April. This wouldn't typically be anime news, but Production I.G has created a short promotional video for the announcement titled "Ohai Alii ~Kagayaku Hi no Tame ni~ where "O'hai Ali'i" is a type of flower used in Hawai'i to create leis. The animated promotional video shows what student life will be like at the...
Keyakizaka46 Idol Group Members' Nazi-Like Costumes Raise Eyebrows
Keyakizaka46 is a sister idol group of Nogizaka46, which is in turn a spinoff "rival" group of the popular AKB48. Their relation to the popular idol groups isn't what's getting attention on the internet though, it's the group's recent off-color costume choices. Keyakizaka46 held a concert at Yokohama Arena on October 22 called "Perfect Halloween." During the show, the idols (ranging in age from 15...
Detective Conan Fan Buys Auctioned Mugs at Huge Markup
One Detective Conan fan may be drowning financial sorrows with two cups of coffee today. This year's 39th issue of Shogakukan's Shonen Sunday magazine offered a prize lottery for exclusive Shūichi Akai and Tōru Amuro "pair mugs." The lottery gave the mugs to 150 winners for free. A lucky recipient of the mugs who was looking to make some cash listed the set on the Yahoo! Auctions website. After 26...
Happy Halloween — Anime Style
It's Halloween, and this means lots of fun art and cool drawings from various artists, creators, games, and anime series. Below is a compilation of some of the ones we've seen so far this year. As usual, the entries are arranged alphabetically by title, or the artist's last name. Ajin ハッピーハロウィーン\(^o^)/10/31...ハロウィンですね!きっとIBMのコスプレをしてくださっている人がたくさんいますように...(´･_･')アニメ「亜人」好評放送中!!#亜人計画 pic.twitter.com/...
One Piece Campaign Raises Money to Revitalize Kumamoto Prefecture
Trains and One Piece-related rewards for philanthropy
― On October 24, Weekly Shonen Jump announced a One Piece campaign to raise funds for Kumamoto Prefecture, which was badly damaged by earthquakes in April this year. Eiichiro Oda, the creator of One Piece and a Kumamoto native, celebrated the project with this artwork of the Straw Hat Pirates in front of Kumamoto Castle (which was damaged). Two tr...
Gintama Manga Gets 1st Exhibition in Tokyo This Winter
Exhibition runs from December 23-January 9
― This year's 48th issue of Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump magazine revealed on Monday that Hideaki Sorachi's Gintama manga is getting its first exhibition. The exhibition is titled "Rensai Kanketsu Sunzen Dai Gintama-ten: Tsuke ga Mawaru Mae ni Ketsu wo Fuke" (Big Gintama Exhibition On The Verge of the End of its Serialization: Wipe Your Butt Before You Pay ...
Cocktail Prince Mobile Game Streams Gimlet, Long Island Iced Tea, Mistia Royal Videos
Geechs' upcoming mobile game Cocktail Prince, which centers on attractive young males who represent cocktails, announced voice cast for three more characters on Thursday. The project also began streaming videos for the newly announced roles. The "Gentlemanly, Wholesome Otaku Mom," Gimlet Voiced by: Yūya Hirose Day Job: idol Height: 175 cm (5'9") Hobbies: gardening, reading He is kind and always sm...
Voice Actor Nobuhiko Okamoto's First Album Recalled
One song plagiarizes Kenichi Suzumura
― On October 27, a mere day after its release, the first album of voice actor Nobuhiko Okamoto, Happiece, was recalled by its label, Lantis. It had become aware that one song on the album, the unfortunately titled "Bokura no Catastrophe" ("Our Catastrophe"), shares the same score as Kenichi Suzumura's "Hitotsu" ("One"). This video compares the two songs. "Hitotsu...
Kingdom Hearts' Sora Appears in World of Final Fantasy Game
Official Twitter accounts for the World of Final Fantasy game and Kingdom Hearts series announced on Friday that Sora will be available as free DLC in World of Final Fantasy. Sora will be available this winter as a Champion players can summon. The release marks Sora's first appearance in a Final Fantasy world. The release of Sora in the game is a collaboration with Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Cha...
Ultra-Ultra-Rare Pokémon Card to Go on Auction
Estimated worth: $50,000
― Pokémon card collecting and trading have been common pastimes for 20 years, and many have childhood memories of fierce haggling for holographic cards or tearing through packets upon packets of cards hoping to find a Charizard. It's extremely unlikely, however, that you or anyone you know owns the Holy Grail, the Koh-i-Noor, the Fountain of Youth of all Pokémon trading cards...
Tokyo Politicians Cosplay for Ikebukuro Halloween Event
Governor and mayor dress up as Princess Sapphire, Mario
― Since 2014, the annual Ikebukuro Halloween Cosplay Fest has brought tens of thousands of cosplayers to Ikebukuro's streets to celebrate Halloween; it is also livestreamed on Nico Nico Douga. At this year's event on October 29, two local politicians appeared in cosplay: Yuriko Koike, the governor of Tokyo, impersonated Princess Sapphire of Prin...
Bandai's Tamashii Nations Collectible Line Holds 10th Anniversary World Tour
Bandai's Tamashii Nations line of collectibles is holding the Tamashii Nations 10th Anniversary World Tour from December 2016 to November 2017. The tour will visit ten locations to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the line known for anime figures. The tour will kick off at CCXP at Sao Paulo Expo in Brazil from December 1 to December 4. The tour will then visit Hong Kong, the United States, Japan...
Museum of Modern Art Acquires Original 176 Emoji
New York's Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) announced on Wednesday that it has acquired the original set of 176 emoji for its permanent collection. The emoji will appear in MoMA's lobby beginning in December. Shigetake Kurita, creator of the original pictographs, confirmed the announcement on his Twitter page. Kurita created the emoji set for Japan's mobile carrier NTT DoCoMo, and they made their debu...
Poopman Plans Flash Mob in Shibuya This Sunday
Mascot hopes to spread smiles through power of poop
― Ah, Halloween. That magical, wonderful time of year when grown adults are free to wander the streets dressed in whatever silly costume they please, whether it be monsters, cultural icons, or... poop?!? That's right, Poopman is hitting the streets of Tokyo on October 30. He's planning a flash mob through Shibuya on 6 PM. Hopeful participants are to...
RADWIMPS Release your name's "Sparkle (original ver.)"
To appear on forthcoming album
― The Japanese rock band RADWIMPS has released the music video for their song "Sparkle (original ver.)." The "movie version" of this song, unusually, was released first — in the hit film your name. While the music video is primarily a reedit of scenes from the film, it includes several new scenes, mostly shots of nature and the protagonists staring at hourglasses. ...
Upcoming Smartphone Game Casts Ninja as Rice Balls
Meet honorable warriors Marinated Pollock Roe and Kelp
― The peaceful land of Inaho has vast territory, abundant natural resources, and all four seasons at once. Our hero's hometown, O-hitsu, is home to many yuinin, talented ninja who serve the local lord faithfully. But when our hero leaves the village for training, the lord dies and the land is partitioned. What's more, O-hitsu suffers an attack, a...
Hatsune Miku Undergoes Ballet Transformation for Isao Tomita Memorial Concerts
Hatsune Miku switches out her usual pop style for a classic ballet look for the upcoming Dr. Coppelius concerts, a special collaboration performance series in memory of the late composer and synthesizer artist Isao Tomita. The production announcement press conference at Tokyo Yotsuya JFIC Hall Sakura on October 26 announced the news and released an image. Also during the press conference, the staf...
Real Figure Skaters Endorse Yuri!!! on ICE
The new ice skating anime Yuri!!! on ICE is attracting fans who are actual ice skaters. First among these is Russian skater Evgenia Medvedeva, the 2016 World Champion, who has expressed her appreciation for the show — especially its more erotic scenes — on her Twitter feed. Perfect Just waiting next series .. #yurionice pic.twitter.com/XOKx7wrK2H— Evgenia Medvedeva (@JannyMedvedeva) Octo...
Voice Actress Yuko Gibu Announces Pregnancy
Voice Actress Yuko Gibu, known for her roles as Maon Sakurada in the Tamayura series and Akira Okudaira in Aoi Hana, announced her pregnancy via her personal blog on October 26. My apologies for writing about myself, but after infertility treatment I've now become five months pregnant... Day by day my body gets fatter, and when I use the bathroom I don't feel completely refreshed. Thinking "Ah, o...
Magic of Stella Celebrates Halloween with Special Artwork
For a limited time, the Magic of Stella official website is greeting visitors with a special Halloween illustration. The official Twitter account for the series tweeted the art, as well, and added "please enjoy the different appearance from the usual outfits♪". The Magic of Stella series started off as a four-panel manga in 2013 by cloba.U and runs in Houbunsha's Manga Time Kirara Max magazine. Th...
Original Games' Red, Blue Return in Pokémon Sun & Moon
The original rival characters Red and Blue (known as Green in Japan) are returning in the upcoming Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon games. The games unveiled official art and a trailer on Thursday that features updated versions of the primary characters from Pokémon Red and Pokémon Blue. For comparison, here are the designs of the characters from the original 1996 games: Although fans like to comment ...
Beijing Mall Holds Exhibit of Bad Life-Size Naruto, One Piece Characters
Beijing's Viva Plaza mall recently set up a display of popular anime characters. Fans can touch and take pictures with the life-size figures, but some are saying the quality leaves something to be desired. Judge for yourself: NarutoOkay, that's not too bad. NarutoWait, does the "B" stand for "Boruto?" SasukeIs he holding... a blue tree? LuffySo, he does own another outfit. AceIt's time to go home,...
Update: Tokyo Comic Con Rescinds Ban on Male Crossplay
Opts for color-coded gender IDs instead
― On October 21, Tokyo Comic Con instituted a ban on male crossplay. The ban ignited controversy on foreign websites (including this one), especially since no such ban was instituted for female crossplay. While the con committee did not explain the ban, there is speculation that these types are rules are put in place to prevent large numbers of middle-aged men ...
House of Gash/Zatch Bell's Makoto Raiku Posted for Sale Online
The home and office of Konjiki no Gash!! (Zatch Bell) manga creator Makoto Raiku is listed for sale on Mitsui Fudosan Realty's Mitsui no Rehouse website. The 325.88-square-meter (about 3,508-square-foot) house in Tokyo's Nerima ward is priced at 220 million yen (about US$2.1 million). (Note the above R・Studio logo in the bottom right of the image below.) The house was built in March 2005 and is a...
Pokémon Go Acquaintance Turns Out to Be Yakuza, Blackmails Player
Everyone born within the last three decades, give or take, knows the Pokémon world's organized crime syndicate Team Rocket. The mafia-like group's vague goals and ineffectual members prevent Team Rocket from doing any real harm by the time Ash and friends come to save the day. However, the Pokémon franchise now has a connection to the truly dangerous, real-life Japanese yakuza. Police announced on...
Choose Your Side with New Detective Conan Criminal and Kaitō Kid Themed Curry
Chose your side with the new Detective Conan "Criminal's Black Curry" and "Kaitō Kid Brilliant White Curry" launching this month in the Runatown online shop and countrywide hobby shops. The black curry contains black pepper and pork, while the Kaitō Kid-themed white curry is filled with spices and chicken. Character illustrations of Conan Edogawa, Kaitō Kid Kid, Heiji Hattori, and the unknown cri...
New Nintendo Switch Already Inspired Plush Puppy
Nintendo just recently officially unveiled its new console, the Nintendo Switch, and already popping up on the internet are puppy comparisons. Twitter user @TheAnnaTheRed tweeted her take on the buzz with a dog plush she crafted. She stated that she was inspired by Japanese musician Prof.Sakamoto's drawing of his own visions on how the controller looks like a dog, along with Twitter user artist @c...
MegaBots Giant Robot Battle to Be Televised Next Year
Last year, the U.S.-based MegaBots company launched a successful Kickstarter campaign to fund its duel with Suidobashi Heavy Industry's million-dollar Kuratas robot. Since the campaign completed, MegaBots has started its documentary series with two episodes thus far chronicling how to both destroy and create a giant robot. But what about the duel everyone is looking forward to watching? The Wall S...
Yakuza 6 Gets Its Own PlayStation 4 Variant Console
Sony Interactive Entertainment Japan Asia and Sega revealed that Ryū ga Gotoku 6 (Yakuza 6) game will also get its own PlayStation 4 console variant. The console, which will bundle the game, has an engraved top cover and comes in both 500 gigabyte and 1 terabyte versions. It also comes with Yakuza 6-themed packaging and an original PlayStation 4 theme. Pre-orders will open at the Sony Store on Oc...
Hunter x Hunter's Togashi Makes Appearance at Kochikame 40th Anniversary Bash
Manga creators of all stripes came out to celebrate the 40th anniversary and conclusion of Osamu Akimoto's Kochira Katsushika-ku Kamearikouen-mae Hashutsujo ("Kochikame") police comedy manga. In attendance was Hisashi Eguchi (Stop! Hibari-kun), Kyosuke Usuta (Sexy Commando Gaiden: Sugoi yo!! Masaru-san), Yudetamago (Kinnikuman), Yoshihiro Togashi (Hunter x Hunter), Masanori Morita (Rookies), Shinj...
Tokyo Comic-Con Bans Males Crossplaying
Tokyo Comic-Con has raised eyebrows in the fan community for specifically banning male crossplay. The rule is listed on the event's official cosplay guidelines as a bullet point beneath restrictions like no real military costumes, excessive skin exposure, and transparent costumes. This particular ban, targeting only men dressing as female characters but not vice-versa, is actually surprisingly com...
Experience a One Piece Winter and Hunt for Treasure at new Tokyo One Piece Event
"This winter, let's treasure!" is the catchphrase of the illuminated, seasonal One Piece event "WINTER ONE PIECE 2016-2017" which includes Japan's largest snow dome (six meters in diameter). The motif is cherry blossoms' miraculous winter bloom. Once inside the dome, located at Tokyo Tower, you'll be immersed in cherry blossom colored illuminations, fluttering snow, and projections of the anime's...
Pom Pom Purin Wards Off Halloween Vandals in Shibuya
Halloween has gotten pretty crazy in Shibuya over the years with parades and costumed participants increasing in size and number. The crowds have drawn police intervention to maintain order and Good Samaritans came out the next day to sweep up the trash. The party atmosphere has Shibuya City Tourism Association worried about vandalism. The information center located in a green train car at Shibuya...
SaGa Scarlet Grace RPG Gets PS Vita Console Variants
Square Enix's SaGa Scarlet Grace PlayStation Vita role-playing game is getting its own set of console variants in different colors in Japan for a total of seven types. Each version features engraved artwork drawn by Square Enix collaboration artist regular Tomomi Kobayashi. The Scarlet Grace Edition comes in Metallic Red. The Malevolent God Edition comes in Glacier White and Black. The Turbulent ...
New Ghost Pokémon Mimikyu Wants to Be Your Friend
Following up previous official Pokémon songs for Magikarp and Slowpoke, the official YouTube channel for the Pokémon franchise released a Japanese song honoring Pokémon Sun & Moon's new fan-favorite. Mimikyu is a Ghost-type Pokémon that hides under a hand-crafted sack costume to imitate Pikachu. According to the song lyrics, Mimikyu did this to win over friends since Pikachu is so popular. Despite...
More Mr. Osomatsu Hug Pillow Covers Revealed
M's Factory unveiled designs for more Mr. Osomatsu hug pillow covers on Thursday. The sextuplets appeared on as bishōnen on a separate set of hug pillows earlier this year, but this time they recline in white military-inspired uniforms. The brothers also showcase their favorite sleeping poses. The normal versions of the hug pillow covers with smooth fabric costs 9,000 yen (about US$87) each. The ...
7th Silent Manga Audition Invites Global Audience to Draw Japanese-Style Comics
This year's theme: "unforgettable taste"
― The seventh round of the Silent Manga Audition is underway. Initially launched in 2012, this now biannual contest challenges skilled comic artists from around the world to draw Japanese-style comics for monetary prizes. The contest is judged by famous manga artists and, as the name suggests, demands the works be silent (include no written dialogue) to ensure...
New ItaCafe Adds Russian Flavor to Maid Cafe Formula
In Waseda, Tokyo, two minutes from the train station, sits the unique ItaCafe. This Russian maid-themed cafe held its grand opening on October 16, debuting its Russia-inspired decor, cooking, and cosplay. The woman who launched the shop is called Nasuchan, and sported a Girls und Panzer cosplay. The other employees, Usagi (rabbit) and Ario, were dressed in the cafe's Russian maid style. Even thou...
Lady Gaga Reveals Geeky Side in New Behind-the-Scenes Video
Pokemon cap and mask... and more
― American pop star Lady Gaga may have an adoring fanbase of so-called "Little Monsters," but a new video showing behind-the-scenes footage of the making of her new single "A-Yo" reveals that she has an interest in other little monsters too. Warning: Explicit language. As she dances and goofs around while producing the song, she puts on a yellow cap with a PokeBall wh...
Fans Rank Top 2000s Anime Songs With Female Vocalists
The Charapedia website announced the results on Thursday of its poll that asked 10,000 anime fans to name their favorite anime theme song from the 2000s that features a female vocalist. The website conducted the poll from October 13 to October 19. Among respondents, 59.1% were male, and 40.9% were female. The majority of the respondents were young people, with 63.7% in their 10s or 20s and 36.3% i...
Cute High Earth Defense Club LOVE! LOVE! Boys Wear Cat Ears in Namja Town
Namja Town, an indoor theme park inside the Sunshine City shopping complex in Tokyo's Ikebukuro district, will collaborate with the Cute High Earth Defense Club LOVE! LOVE! anime for its next tie-up event. Exclusive illustrations of the anime's characters wearing cat ears will feature at the event from October 28 to December 4. The Earth Defense Club members will appear wearing both their battle s...
Takuya Eguchi's Hilariously Bad Doodles Return
Find all the different forms of "Egumon"
― Voice actors Takuya Eguchi (Hachiman in My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU, Shinji in Kuroko's Basketball, Takeo in My Love Story!!) and Kōtarō Nishiyama (Atsushi in Cute High Earth Defense Club LOVE!, Yoshiharu in Kiznaiver, Yūto in All Out!!) are promoting the second season of their TV travel show, Eguchi Takuya no Ore-tachi Datte Iyasaretai! ("Takuya Eguchi's ...
MangaOne App Launches Mob Psycho 100 Manga Contest
Shogakukan's web comic magazine Ura Sunday announced on Thursday the results of its first MangaOne Monthly Award manga contest. The contest invited aspiring manga creators to enter their works for a chance at publication in the MangaOne app and monetary prizes. The contest selected one grand prize winner and fours runners-up. But people who didn't win in that contest don't have to give up hope. Ur...
Chūbu Electric Power Company Points Out Power Plant in your name is Fictitious
your name has inspired a new anime pilgrimage, as fans have flocked to locations like a pedestrian stairway in Tokyo and the mountain town of Hida to glimpse the real world inspirations for the movie's settings. One prominent location from the film, though, will not become a pilgrimage destination: Chūbu Electric Power Itomori Substation. Chūbu Electric explained why in an announcement on Septembe...
Data Suggests Pokemon Go's Fiscal Effect Was Exaggerated
Data analyst studies statistics from over 2 million businesses
― The smartphone game Pokemon Go was this summer's smash hit, drawing hordes of eager gamers onto the streets in search of Pokemon. Data suggested that businesses near PokeStops, in-game beacons that attract Pokemon, saw sales increases of $2,000 a week. Media outlets were full of stories about the game saving small businesses and boostin...
Tokyo Metro Subway Revamps Their Mascot Girl
The Tokyo Metro's mascot character, 23-year-old subway service manager Michika Ekino, just got an interesting upgrade. The company released the new Michika model along with advertisement for the "Connect! Nationwide 'Railway Daughter' Tour" that will be held from February 11, 2017 to May 31, 2018. In the event, participants collect stamps from all 32 operator staff of various new and old railway m...
Play Ping Pong With Scorching Ping Pong Girls Voice Actresses
The official website for the Shakunetsu no Takkyū Musume (Scorching Ping Pong Girls) television anime announced on Thursday that it is collaborating with the Akiba Takkyū Style ping-pong lounge to hold a tournament-style event. Winners selected by lottery will get a chance to play a one-set match with Ayaka Imamura (pictured right), voice of Munemune, and Hisako Tōjō (pictured below left), voice o...
Saekano's Megumi Manages Your Life as Smartphone App
Starting this fall, you'll be able to have Saekano: How to Raise a Boring Girlfriend's Megumi Katō as a personal assistant on your phone. Megumi will feature in the "voice interactive agent" app Main Heroine Katō Megumi for Android devices. Megumi: Yeah, yeah. It's OK. Go ahead and do as you like. Sony Communications unveiled the app on Thursday. Sony developed the app from the concept of an alarm...
Black Butler: Book of the Atlantic Film Gets Private Screening Cruise
The Kuroshitsuji: Book of the Atlantic (Black Butler: Book of the Atlantic) anime film will sail into theaters across Japan on January 21. Before it makes land on the silver screen, Aniplex is offering a chance for fans to experience the film through a private screening on a real cruise liner. The Kuroshitsuji Cruising Party ~Sono Shitsuji, Shukkō~ (Black Butler Cruising Party: That Butler, Sailin...
Japan's 1st Cat Anime Magazine Features Nyanko-sensei
A special extra November issue of Gakken's Animedia magazine went on sale in Japan on October 3 under the title Nyankomedia. The issue marks the launch of Japan's first magazine dedicated to information about cat characters in anime. The magazine aims to appeal to both cat lovers and anime fans. The cover of the first issue features Takashi Natsume and Nyanko-sensei from the Natsume's Book of Frie...
Fans React to i☆Ris Voice Actress/Idol Group Skype Call Campaign
The voice actress and idol group i☆Ris announced this week that it is offering fans a chance to chat with performers via Skype. The service will be available for a fee, and fans have to apply to get a chance at a one-on-one with the idols. This is a rare opportunity for fans to interact with idols on an individual basis and in an isolated setting. While most fans are thrilled about the chance, som...
Things Get Intense in The Battle of Pokemon Go Fan Video
If you thought things were crazy when a Vaporeon caused an exodus of hundreds to take over Central Park, YouTube creator RATE VFX shows what happens when a wild Mew appears. The Pokemon Go inspired video blends the mobile game with a first-person shooter when player Rate's chances of catching a Mew are almost thwarted by Team Rocket. A rail-gun toting Pikachu, Blastoise, and Voltorb help keep enem...
Amazon Offers "Manga Model" of Kindle E-Book Reader, But Only in Japan
Amazon has released an e-book reader in Japan especially designed for manga fans. The "Manga Model" of the Kindle Paperwhite is an upgrade from the previous release, offering more storage space at 32GB and additional features. One feature is a "rapid page turn" that allows readers to flip through their digital manga 33 percent faster and a two-page display function so art can be displayed side-by-...
Let Hitomi's Tarot Cards Guide You Courtesy of Funimation
Funimation's successfully funded Kickstarter campaign for the Escaflowne television anime and film's home video release shipped out on Tuesday. One of the backer rewards tiers included a replica set of protagonist Hitomi's tarot cards, but for those who didn't snatch the deck up, Funimation is offering a simple browser-based tarot reading to provide guidance for all your major life decisions. Simp...
Yo-Kai Watch Crowds The Kitchen at McDonald's in Japan
If there's one place you don't want to be caught with ghosts, it's in a crowded kitchen. Yo-Kai Watch characters Jibanyan, Komajiro and Komasan filled in for McDonald's employees in Japan as part of a current collaboration campaign. The three giant, ghostly cats "supervised" burger flipping and fry cooking for a special DVD that comes as part of the nationwide campaign. Starting on November 3, McD...
The Voice Thailand Contestant Belts Out Dragon Ball Z Theme
The popular singing contest program The Voice originally launched as a Dutch television program but has since spawned counterparts around the globe. The Thai version of the show is in its fifth season and one contestant is taking the internet by storm. Ditthawat Chaikaewruchikorn was the last contestant to perform during The Blind Auditions episode on October 9 and got a four-chair turn from the c...
Pokémon Itasha BMW Sports Car Cruises Through Miami
Anime and game themed itasha sell for big bucks in Japan but spotting one state-side is far less common. One rental company in Miami is changing that by offering its own Pokémon itasha to customers. It doesn't hurt that it's also a BMW i8 sports car. Veluxity Car Rentals specializes in exotic car rentals, but this completely wrapped Pokémon BMW takes the cake. The company took the vehicle to Miami...
Beat Test Stress By Channeling Your Ninja Power Poses
Research has shown that power posing, the act of assuming a confident posture like raising your arms above your head, can affect cortisol and testosterone levels in the brain and thus increase confidence. It's a quick way to give yourself a boost before a job interview, a test, or other stressful situations. Like storming Oda Nobunaga's stronghold. You see, no one knew stress quite like the ninja....
Fans Can Shape Sword Art Online: Hollow Realization Character's Personality via Social Media
Bandai Namco Entertainment launched a new game project on Monday titled Jinkō Chinō Shōjo Ikusei Project CODE ZERO: PREMIERE (Artificial Intelligence Girl Raising Project CODE ZERO: PREMIERE), a spinoff of its upcoming Sword Art Online: Hollow Realization PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita game. The project will run until November 30. The game features Premiere, a character from Sword Art Online: ...
Universal Studios Japan to Offer Evangelion, Attack on Titan Attractions in January
Park also offering attractions based on Godzilla, Sengoku period
― Universal Studios Japan announced on Tuesday that it will hold its Universal Cool Japan 2017 event on December 16 until June 25. The event will encompass four different attractions, which include two based on Neon Genesis Evangelion and Attack on Titan. The "Evangelion XR Ride" will feature virtual reality goggles to give patrons a 36...
New Lingerie Exemplifies Hatsune Miku's Softer Side
We can't verify if this lingerie set is an accurate replica of Hatsune Miku's undies, but it sure looks like something the virtual idol might wear on a night in. The otaku mail-order fashion site SuperGroupies created a bra and panty set and a camisole inspired by Hatsune Miku. Both designs focus on the idol's minty-green hair color. The camisole's pleated skirt also references Miku's iconic outf...
3D CG High School Girl Saya Gets Video Movement Footage
Freelance 3D CG artist pair TELYUKA uploaded to their Twitter a facial expression test video of their realistic 3D CG high school girl Saya. Saya began last October as part of a "virtual human project". The creators are entirely self-taught, having no formal training in computer graphics. Originally, the creators released only still images of her to the public, but at recent exhibit "CEATEC JAPAN ...
Seven Deadly Sins Characters Guest-Star in Mobile RPG Hortensia Saga
Sins team up with Knights of Ober to defeat Hendrickson
― Characters from The Seven Deadly Sins -Signs of Holy War- are currently making an appearance in Sega's smartphone RPG Hortensia Saga. The crossover characters are six of the Deadly Sins (Escanor is omitted as he hasn't appeared in the anime yet) and Elizabeth. Melodias and Elizabeth are appearing as UR units, while the rest are SSR units. The ...
Live-Action 'Museum' Launches Japan's 1st Film VR Website
The live-action film adaptation of Ryōsuke Tomoe's Museum (Museum - The Serial Killer is Laughing in the Rain) manga will open in Japan on November 12. Fans can get a sneak peek into the world of the film by checking out its virtual-reality (VR) website that launched on Wednesday. The site is Japan's first VR website for a film. The VR website is separate from the film's main website, and users m...
New Akihabara Hair Salon Caters to Anime Fans
Get your hair styled in an anime-friendly environment
― Tokyo's electronics district, Akihabara, has earned a reputation for catering to the anime fan market with its used video game stores, hobby shops, and maid cafes. OFF-KAi!!, which opened on October 1, offers something even more niche: a hair salon for anime fans. OFF-KAi!! proclaims itself to be "of otaku [anime fans], by otaku, for otaku." The...
Galaxxxy Fashion Brand Collaborates With Adventure Time
Japanese fashion label Galaxxxy is no stranger to collaborations with famous works of Japanese popular culture. The brand already teamed up with Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt, Sailor Moon, Dr. Slump, Nanbaka, and even the Sega Dreamcast. But this time, the company is joining forces with the American animated series Adventure Time to release a new line of shirts. The shirts features characters ...
Voice Actress Sachi Kokuryu Marries Stage Actor
Voice actress Sachi Kokuryu announced on Twitter on Friday that she has married stage actor Kōsei Shiozaki (X-Quest). They entered their names into the family registry. Kokuryu told her fans that "I'm still inexperienced, but I'm going to contentrate [on my work] without changing, so please support me from here on, too." Shiozaki said, "I think something like this is once in a lifetime, and I'll b...
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