Call me old fashioned but I remember when mascots were meant to be cute, not demons spawned by human weakness or yam ninjas.
Master Blaster
Writer / Translator
Master Blaster is the two-man translating team of Canada’s Steven Le Blanc and Japan’s Masami M, a pair who in addition to writing work are in English education and created the StudyNow app for Japanese students of English.
Together they have written somewhere around 1,500 articles for RocketNews24 covering such diverse topics as Chinese men selling sanitary napkins to each other and a Japanese guy dragging an ear of corn around the Tokyo train system. A few of these were actually good, but don’t take our word for it! Here’s what our beloved readers had to say:
“One isn't always in the mood for bold tastes. But when I'm in the mood for bold flavor I turn to you.”
“Stupid article. Who cares what the Japanese think it's cool. You don't call a monkey, "gorilla".”
“You know, this is about the most cogent explanation of how a turbocharger works that I have ever seen in the non-motorsports world.”
“Thanks for the article peter!”
“It's people like you who make exploitation possible.”
“It looks yummy and the story was great. Thank you for the smile.”
StudyNow App
Posted by Master Blaster (Page 125)
Love watching cats play with robotic vacuum cleaners? Then, how about 48 continuous hours of it live?
Despite being the first person in Japan to purchase the latest iPhone on more than one occasion, Mr. Sato was shunned by his phone company this time around.
Generally mystery meat is something to be avoided, unless you’re talking about Cup Noodle brand mystery meat.
Whenever there’s a slow news day at the office, we do what any journalist would and attempt to toy with the forces of nature.
We finally get a chance to test this portable laundromat and see just how clean it can make your clothes.
That wily shrunken PI always gets to the bottom of things, even while licensing his brand to a line of curry.
These days its hard to describe any music as “unique” but Aragehonji certainly fit that bill.
Yes, you, too, might become a double-medalist in the Olympics, but only if you eat your instant curry!
Power harassment is a relatively newly defined but widespread form of workplace harassment in Japan where people abuse their rank by demeaning their subordinates. But why do people do it?
A handful of golf courses in Fukuoka Prefecture have refused to add a certain checkbox to their applications for fear of their lives.
Do you dread the time the mic gets passed your way during Karaoke functions? We have the answer.
Brush up on your flying chariot versus incense chariot tactics with this close-quarters version of the complex Japanese relative of chess.
Read More
As usual, when Mr. Sato thinks he has a good idea, we strongly recommend you don’t try it at home.
What was meant to be a brief but shameful public apology by the parent of a rape suspect turned into a lengthy feeding frenzy by the media.
The answer may not surprise fans of the lovable rock band.
Read More
Of course making a giant robot suit is no easy task, but Hajime Research Institute is 22 percent there.
When staying at this century-old correctional facility, you might hope they lock you up and throw away the key.
MOST POPULAR
Today
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Japanese airport rebrands itself as “Sushi Airport” to attract foreign tourists
New Mt. Fuji overnight bus takes travelers from downtown Tokyo straight to the most popular hiking trail
Tochigi man shares his family’s process for creating 16 years worth of rice paddy art
Climbing season officially opens for Japan’s Mt. Hiyoriyama, the shortest mountain in the country
Yoshinoya and Dragon Quest slaying scalpers with shift to made-to-order collaboration merch
Tokyo revises accommodation tax amidst tourism boom, Airbnb rentals now included
7-Eleven Japan now has Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches, but how do they taste?[Taste test]
Raw chicken dishes to be regulated by Japanese government
Foreign tourists injured in Nissan GT-R crash near Tokyo’s Shibuya Scramble Crossing
Weekly
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir- Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Japan triples departure tax, foreign tourists and locals now must pay more to leave country
A visit to Sri Lanka’s knockoff knockoff Uniqlo (no, we didn’t stutter) to see its rare “Pikachus”- New Mt. Fuji overnight bus takes travelers from downtown Tokyo straight to the most popular hiking trail
Starbucks Japan teams up with Converse Tokyo for a new limited-edition collection in honour of Tanabata
Don’t judge this Kiki’s Delivery Service book by its cover, because it’s not actually a book!
7-Eleven Japan releases chocolate cookies that taste like freshly baked melon bread
Japanese overnight sightseeing train returns for summer with ramen stops and ocean views- 7-Eleven Japan now has Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches, but how do they taste?[Taste test]
Monthly
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad- Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
- Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Studio Ghibli store Donguri Republic announces opening of first-ever store in America
New Japanese overnight train coming to connect Tokyo with Tohoku in sleep-travel style- Japan triples departure tax, foreign tourists and locals now must pay more to leave country
Japan launches first overnight Shinkansen bullet train between Tokyo and Osaka this summer
Japanese sweets shop sells an ohagi so exquisite it sells out by noon
Forget Tokyo go-karts – there’s a new way to sightsee on four wheels in Japan
Yearly
- 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】- Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
RECOMMENDED STORIES
Yoshinoya and Dragon Quest slaying scalpers with shift to made-to-order collaboration merch
Tokyo revises accommodation tax amidst tourism boom, Airbnb rentals now included
7-Eleven Japan now has Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches, but how do they taste?[Taste test]
Raw chicken dishes to be regulated by Japanese government
Foreign tourists injured in Nissan GT-R crash near Tokyo’s Shibuya Scramble Crossing
Japan now has a Pokémon airport that features every species of Flying-type ever[Video]
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Starbucks Japan puts a bow on peach season with new limited-edition Peach Creamy Tea Latte
Japan to get new high-speed train connecting Haneda and Narita airports, ease overtourism
Grandpa Sensei solo art exhibition returning to Tokyo and he’ll be there every day of it
A visit to Sri Lanka’s knockoff knockoff Uniqlo (no, we didn’t stutter) to see its rare “Pikachus”
Famous sweets store in Ameyoko fills a bag with sweets and a show, but is it still worth it?
Potato-Chip-Flavored Dressing coming to stores in Japan
The quest for Dragon Quest Yoshinoya figure sets: Worth taking for fans, tricky for scalpers[Pics]
-
