
While North America has had the PlayStation 4 for a few months now, Japan had to wait until February 22 to pick up the (arguably) hottest console in the world. Now that the long wait is over, Japanese gamers can hunker down and get some serious gaming done!
And, thanks to the PlayStation 4’s snazzy new streaming technology, they don’t even need to leave the house to catch a live idol show! This Thursday (March 6) at 6 pm JST, the game-centric group Game Girls will give their debut performance–and be the first to stream a live show via PlayStation 4! Because…umm…well, why the hell not, right?
Featuring members from a variety of groups like Alice Juban and Gamen Kanojo from the Alice Project talent/idol agency, Game Girls is made up of six singers who, ostensibly, love games. And not just Flappy Bird casual games either–these idols love everything from Kill Zone to Street Fighter 2 to Tetris, according to their profiles.
▼In case you can’t tell, this is how you mime the Konami Code (↑↑↓↓←→←→BA)!
Billed as “Japan’s first gaming idol unit,” they are said to be the idol group that gaming fans have been waiting for. Their collective dream seems to be: “To star in commercials for games we love!” While that might seem like a peculiar dream, it’s important to remember being in TV commercials is generally considered a good thing in many Asian countries–it’s not viewed as “selling out.”
Though the Game Girls’ debut show isn’t until this Thursday, they have been active as a group for a little bit already. They lined up to buy PlayStation 4s together on February 22 at the Sony Building in Ginza and posted photos of their goodies on their website.
▼We get waiting in line to buy awesome stuff in the cold…but no pants??
So, for their debut this week, the group apparently decided to make it as special as possible by being the first in Japan–or possibly in the world–to stream their performance live via PlayStation 4. Why they decided to use a gaming device instead of, say, just for example, a camera and a computer, we have no idea! Either way, it looks they’ll be broadcasting from P.A.R.M.S, the Alice Project official theater in Akihabara using Sony’s Playroom feature.
While it seems unnecessary, we have to admit, it kind of makes sense. If they’d decided to do it with Facetime or something, then it might have been weird…
▼ Got a problem with it? Take it up with Kanon Mori, Game Girl and alleged ninja.
Anyway, if you’re up for watching some live, never-before-seen idol action, you can catch the stream on the official Game Girls Ustream this Thursday (March 6) at 6 pm (JST).
Maybe for their follow-up performance, we’ll get Twitch Plays Game Girls! If nothing else, it would be a great way to turn a 30-minute performance into a 4-day ordeal.
Images: Game Girls, Twitter
[ Read in Japanese ]




Sony Unveils its Vision for the Future of Video Games with PlayStation 4
It’s official! The Sony PlayStation is coming to China
Newsflash: PlayStation TV coming to the West this autumn
PlayStation 4 gets limited edition ‘Yakuza Kiwami’ model
Japanese gamer shares PlayStation VR experience at virtual anime idol concert
Foreign tourists in Japan eat far more rice than previously thought, according to new data
Kyoto receives more foreign tourists than ever before, but fewer visitors say they’ll return
JR releases prediction of peak Shinkansen crowdedness for Japan’s Obon travel season
Starbucks Japan unveils exclusive new Frappuccinos limited to three regional areas
Life-size Legendary Pokémon Mega Rayquaza digitally greeting travelers at Tokyo train station [Vid]
Maximum entry fee for sento public baths in Tokyo increases slightly for adults next month
Starbucks Japan releases new “Afterword” collection that gives coffee waste a second life
Japan has a maid hotel you can stay in, and it’s now taking reservation applications
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
McDonald’s Japan goes viral for Samurai Mac burger hack
New Shinkansen luggage drop-off system begins in Japan, making train travel even easier
Japanese Shinkansen becomes an overnight hotel for three nights this summer
99-year-old woman rescued while attempting to climb Mt. Fuji
Which country’s foreign tourists spend the most money per-person in Japan? Hint: Not the U..S. or China
Starbucks Japan releases a miniature display rack so you can create your very own store at home
Giant Evangelion Spear of Longinus to be installed at Japanese train station with Eva art trains
Face lettuce appears in Japan, with the face of Death Note’s Light Yagami, but why?
Kodama Shinkansen trains on popular Japan route get a whole new look this winter
Starbucks Japan adds a new summer Frappuccino to the menu, but is it as refreshing as it looks?
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Japan now has human refrigerators inspired by Japanese vending machines
Hatsune Miku collaborates with Hokusai’s art in new Vocaloid ukiyo-e illustration series [Pics]
Japan triples departure tax, foreign tourists and locals now must pay more to leave country
Studio Ghibli releases anime T-shirts that pay homage to one of Hayao Miyazaki’s most personal films
Family Mart opens new “Famima” flagship store in Tokyo that’s like a tourist attraction
Sanrio Character Poll announces winners, Hello Kitty absent from top 10 in many countries
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Sony officially announces pricing for PlayStation VR add-on for PlayStation 4
Nintendogs coming to a PlayStation Vita near you?
The new PlayStation VR comes with an adorable miniature PlayStation 4
Sony ends shipments of PlayStation TV in Japan
PouchStation — Cool multi-pouches look just like the first-gen PlayStation【Photos】
Final PlayStation 4 design revealed! Priced at $399! 【Update: Photo gallery】
So long, PlayStation 4 – Sony announces it’s ending repair service for early PS4 models
The 20 most fun PlayStation titles, as picked by Japanese gamers
Rumour: PlayStation 4 camera to be sold separately
PlayStation 4 gets a price drop in Japan this October, Project Morpheus given an official name
Free ninja robots mini-games for PlayStation 4 Camera coming later today 【Update: Now live】
Tokyo Game Show 2016 trailer for VR title Summer Lesson shown at PlayStation press conference
Party at Sony’s place! Over a million PlayStation 4 consoles sold in first 24 hours
Sony announces PlayStation Classic retro mini console【Video, photos】