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The problem with traditional hug pillows is they just can’t mimic the warmth of a human body. But now, with a new USB-powered hug pillow from Thanko’s Raremono shop, you can enjoy the feeling of cozying up to a perfectly-heated, just-slightly-under-body-temperature 36 °C warm body. And, because it’s inflatable, it’s also very light (740 g [~1.6 lbs]), for all those times you need to roll it up for travel, or you want control over the firmness of your pillow.
AKB48 founder and producer Yasushi Akimoto announced the formation of the Niigata-based idol group NGT48 at the “AKB48 Request Hour Set List Best 1035″ event in Tokyo on Sunday. His aim in creating another local group, he says, is to ultimately form an idol group called “Japan48” by the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Japan48 will draw its members from each of the local “48 groups.”
San Francisco design agency Pictogram has reimagined several Pokemon as corporate logos, joking that “since the Pokémon Corporate Personhood Act of 2015, as spearheaded by Professor OAK, Pokémon became free to start their own companies, mandating the design of Pokémon brand identities.”
Here are some of our favorites:
Mexican clothing company Heredia Clothing has been promoting their line-up of Dragon Ball Z sneakers for a few months now, but fans heading to Expo TNT on January 31-February 1 in Guadalajara can also get their kicks autographed by the original Mexican voice actors for Goku and Vegeta, Mario Castañeda and Rene Garcia.
Universal Studios Japan is formally opening its new Attack on Titan attraction on Friday. “Attack on Titan The Real” is part of the Universal Cool Japan event (along with Evangelion, Resident Eviland Monster Hunter) which will run between January 23 and May 10. Musician and well-knownEvangelion fan HYDE was among the celebrities who attended Thursday’s opening ceremony. TheMainichi Shinbun paper’s MaiDiGi filmed the opening:
The former AKB48 idol Anna Mori is crowdfunding her first photobook after recently turning 20 years old (the “age of majority” in Japan, similar to turning 18 in the U.S.) and quickly raised 2,000,000 yen (about US$16,957) with a little help from some unique backer rewards. Mori offered threedates for backers who paid 200,000 yen (US$1,695).
The official Sailor Moon YouTube channel began streaming a clip from the musical Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Petite Étrangère. The clip features the main cast singing the song, “Ai no Starshine” (Starshine of Love.)
The official YouTube channel for girl idol group Momoiro Clover Z (Sailor Moon Crystal, Bodacious Space Pirates) began streaming a full animated and live-action music video for “Yume no Ukiyo ni Saitemina,” the group’s collaboration song with American rock band KISS. Masatsugu Nagazoe (Momoiro Clover Z‘s “GOUNN” video) directed the video and Sushio (Kill la Kill) handled the animation
Sports anime remains popular in Japan, despite its checkered history in the West. Stories of characters overcoming emotional and physical obstacles to bring their team to victory or rooting for the underdog against the better funded team resonates with genre fans. Charapedia asked 10,000 fans which sports anime “moved” them the most. Here are the results!
For years glasses have been the bane of many young person’s existence. They have been seen as a mark of nerdiness and the source of ridicule. But recently, thanks to a renewed image through the lens of anime and manga, glasses have been transformed into a winning point for many characters, making them seem intelligent, sensitive, and even cool. In celebration of good looking men in glasses, publishing company Kodansha ran a popularity poll for 20 of their bespectacled charmers to discover who among their manga publications would be chosen as the most popular. While Miyuki Kazuya seems to have held onto his early lead, Chihayafuru‘s Arata surged in the polls at the last moment to take second.
After one lucky shopper made $2,500 from his factory defect dual-wielding Samus Amiibo, others have been pouring onto eBay in the hopes of making a quick buck.
One seller’s three-armed Peach reached $365, although it wasn’t enough to meet the reserve price.
Satsuma Shuzo began streaming an animated commercial directed by Yoshiharu Sato last week. The commercial, titled Oyaji no Imo no Kamisama. (Dad’s Potato God.), advertises the company’s Satsuma Shiranami sweet potato shochu (traditional japanese hard liquor).
Entertainment news source Variety reported on Monday that Scarlett Johansson has signed on to star in Dreamworks‘ adaptation of Ghost in the Shell. Deadline reported in October that the actress was offered the role, but she was still undecided at the time.
The film has not yet been greenlit for production, but Variety notes that Johansson’s involvement should make production more likely.
Comic book fan, cosplay aficionado, and 15-year veteran deputy sheriff Michael Wilson (@knightmage) brought cheer to countless families on December 18 when he strolled into his local Ohio TOYS R US dressed as Dragon Ball‘s Piccolo and paid off everyone’s layaways.
The U.S. rock band KISS is no stranger to merchandise collaborations with Japan, but the maskedglam rock band is marking its first time working with a Japanese musical artist with a new single next year. KISS and the Japanese pop idol group Momoiro Clover Z are set to release a new single together on January 28, 2015.
In case your figure collection needs more naked people or angry titans, Kotobukiya is releasing a 160 mm (~6.3″) figure of Attack on Titan‘s Eren titan.
Starbucks Japan adds a new Frappuccino and Milk to the menu, but are they worth the calories?
War in Iran causing dark development for potato chip packages in Japan
Don’t miss the Tokyo Tower City Light Fantasia ~Summer Landscape 2026~ event during your travels
Akira creator opens his own anime studio, is recruiting artists even without Japanese fluency
Starbucks Japan releases two new “chunky” drinks… and matching gel designs for our nails
Japan now has gyoza doughnuts, and they taste like no other doughnut we’ve tried before
Pokémon retro black-and-white Game Boy art T-shirts are on the way from Uniqlo[Photos]
Japan’s largest online resale site banning scalper sales of McDonald’s new anime Happy Meal toys
Pizza Hut now sells curry pizza in Japan
Dr Pepper knockoff Mr Popper is a cult drink in Japan, but does it taste like the real thing?Japan now has gyoza doughnuts, and they taste like no other doughnut we’ve tried before
The average age of Japan’s hikikomori shut-ins is getting older, survey showsStarbucks Japan releases two new “chunky” drinks… and matching gel designs for our nails
Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
Mt. Fuji hot spring inn gets even more beautiful after dark with Firefly Festival
Does one of Japan’s favorite chocolate brands work with the Pringles chocolate hack?
Japanese criminals are now using crabs to hunt for burglary targets
Japanese hair salons going bankrupt in record numbers
Japan releases new ramen sandwiches… that don’t taste like ramen
Japanese Pokémon card shop grabs scissors as part of its plan to keep scalpers away
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful gardenThe average age of Japan’s hikikomori shut-ins is getting older, survey showsJapan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan
Japan’s awesomely beautiful Alpen Route snow corridor is now open
Japan’s new Pokémon jackets give you the look and powers of the Kanto starter trio
Injuries on stairs in Tokyo highlight an overlooked design flaw
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
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visaJapan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Japan now has gyoza doughnuts, and they taste like no other doughnut we’ve tried before
Pokémon retro black-and-white Game Boy art T-shirts are on the way from Uniqlo[Photos]
Japan’s largest online resale site banning scalper sales of McDonald’s new anime Happy Meal toys
Pizza Hut now sells curry pizza in Japan
Dr Pepper knockoff Mr Popper is a cult drink in Japan, but does it taste like the real thing?
The 3 best secret places to eat a cheap One Coin lunch in Shinjuku
Japan releases new ramen sandwiches… that don’t taste like ramen
Mt. Fuji hot spring inn gets even more beautiful after dark with Firefly Festival
Pokémon hot spring footbath opening in Japan this spring
This train station bento boxed lunch shop has been in business for nearly 100 years
Criminals of Japan’s Edo Period Were Often Punished by Getting Face Tattoos
Japanese criminals are now using crabs to hunt for burglary targets
McDonald’s Japan hack: Make a Chicken Tatsuta in five minutes anywhere in the world
Does one of Japan’s favorite chocolate brands work with the Pringles chocolate hack?
