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“Once-in-a-millenium beauty” dominates Tokyo Halloween event

Mike
Nov 1, 2015
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The last couple of years have been benchmark ones for Halloween in Japan. What was once a holiday marked mostly by the infrequent sighting of a handful of mildly embarrassed-looking, costumed foreigners on the Yamanote Line train has grown into a massive industry.

In fact, Halloween has become just as much a holiday about 20 and 30-somethings dressing up as sexy nurses, sexy zombies, sexy superheroes, and other sexy-choose-a-nouns as its American counterpart. But while those costumes were no doubt getting plenty of attention on Shibuya Crossing last night, the Japanese Internet had already decided the undisputed Queen of Halloween was this far more conservatively dressed “once-in-millenium beauty”.

Short CG film shows everyone’s life in Tokyo with a major and exciting twist【Video】

KK Miller
Nov 1, 2015

There are millions of people living in Tokyo, and most of them moved from somewhere else to Tokyo in order to find work in the bustling city. Among these millions is a large number of people who choose to forgo a long commute and live on their own in a tiny apartment, so we’re sure many share very similar experiences at home.

A whimsical CG film entered in the 17th DigiCon6 ASIA Supreme Short Movie Contest has captured a ton of popularity for its animation style, which many say is reminiscent of a Pixar movie. But what really sets it apart is the fact that the short film shares Pixar’s playfulness as well.

Our reporters search for the spirit of Halloween in Shibuya and make some new friends

Master Blaster
Nov 1, 2015

It’s been months of events and marketing in the making, and Halloween has finally arrived in Japan. Our own Mr. Sato and P.K. Sanjun decided to hit the streets of Shibuya in costume to report on the festivities at hand.

Well actually, they went a day early, but as we’ll soon see, October 31st ain’t nothing but an ordinal number assigned to anachronistically named month, because in Japan, Halloween comes whenever you want it to.

The most ingenious David action figure is here to strut his stuff and show his new moves【Photos】

Meg Murphy
Nov 1, 2015

Michelangelo’s marble interpretation of David is without a doubt one of the most iconic statues in history. I’m sure every one of you out there is familiar with that stony gaze and perfectly-chiseled, rock-hard body as David stands poised and ready to face the giant Goliath.

But after centuries of standing and waiting to fight, David is now ready to strike a few new poses, with your help, as he makes an appearance as your very own personable, posable action figure!

Adorable parrot uses magazine scraps to enhance tail feathers, be the squawk of the town 【Video】

Scott Wilson
Nov 1, 2015

Being a parrot is tough. You can easily get stuck in things, and you might find that repeating what the humans tell you can get you in a lot of trouble. Sometimes it feels like the whole world is against you.

But all that hasn’t stopped one parrot from doing everything she can to look her best. This little bird loves carefully tearing small pieces out of magazines and then stuffing them into her tail feathers, making her look like the fanciest parrot on the block.

Her Japanese owner managed to catch her doing it on camera, and you’ve got to see it to believe it!

Bandai to release life-like posable plastic figures to help you draw “realistic” epic poses

Scott Wilson
Oct 31, 2015

It seems like Bandai really wants us to get better at drawing. First they released the totally awesome and totally-not-just-for-kids Magic Illustrator, and now they’ve announced that they will be selling life-like posable figures for all of your human-sketching needs.

And what’s more, these figures come with dozens of sweet accessories, making it easier than ever to draw a someone wielding a sword, a deadly cellphone, or their own awesome lightning fists. Ready to never again lose friends by asking them to hold a pose while you carefully draw it? Then read on!

The internet’s latest culinary masterpiece: Cup Noodle Steamed Egg【Taste Test】

Master Blaster
Oct 31, 2015

Although the internet has revolutionized our lives in countless ways, one of the most appreciated is the simple yet outside-the-box recipes that appear on it from time to time. Where else can we discover that a rice cooker can be used to make mind-blowing pancakes or crème caramel on top of instant ramen makes for a delicious flavor boost?

Now, a Twitter user going by the handle of @rea941 has unveiled a new way to enjoy Japan’s favorite instant food, Cup Noodle. With the leftover soup you can make a delicious chawanmushi egg custard. It’s so easy the entire recipe could fit in a single tweet!

With easy, delicious, and cheap being the trifecta of RocketNews24 gourmet bliss, we couldn’t help but make some for ourselves.

Axent Wear, those cat-ear headphones with LEDs and external speakers, are finally going on sale!

Jamie Koide
Oct 31, 2015

Think cat ears are only appropriate for cosplay and on Halloween? Think again!

Thanks to a highly successful crowd funding campaign, these amazingly awesome cat ear headphones are now, after what feels like an age since we first discovered them, hitting the market, and just begging to be worn just about anywhere.
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Tokyo clinic’s Cinderella Breast Augmentation will boost your bust, but only for a single day

Casey Baseel
Oct 31, 2015

Everyone knows the story of Cinderella, right? It’s a classic tale of a young woman who’s transformed into the most enchanting lady in the kingdom when her fairy godmother shows up and gives her a beautiful dress, loose-fitting footwear, and a pair of shapely, ample breasts.

Wait, that last part actually isn’t in the traditional version of the fairy tale. Nevertheless, one Tokyo-based cosmetic surgery clinic is offering something it calls the Cinderella Breast Augmentation procedure, which can increase your bust size by up to one and a half cups. But just like Cinderella’s magic ended at the stroke of midnight, so too do your breasts return to their normal size the next day.

Japan’s most spectacular views (and the lists behind them)

Amy Chavez
Oct 31, 2015

Have you ever wondered what the most spectacular views in Japan are? Allow us to enlighten you!

Recently, we told you about Japan’s top three night views according to the Night View Summit 2015. You may have also heard about Japan’s Three Scenic Spots, one of the many lists of the top three this or that in Japan. So, what’s the deal with all these lists? And who designates them? Find out while checking out some of the best scenery Japan has to offer.

Kentucky Fried Chicken set to open all-you-can eat buffet restaurant in Japan

Casey Baseel
Oct 31, 2015

If you’re walking into a branch of KFC, it’s a pretty safe bet that you’re there to eat fried chicken. You could even argue that the whole process of ordering is partially redundant, since the question isn’t whether you want some of the Colonel’s deep-fried bird, but simply how much.

And if your answer to that query is “All of it,” then head on over to Osaka, where the first all-you-can-eat Kentucky Fried Chicken buffet is about to open.

Video documentary explores the Essence of Humanity in the film works of Hayao Miyazaki【Video】

Aleisha Riboldi
Oct 31, 2015

Hayao Miyazaki film buffs will appreciate the popular video documentary “Hayao Miyazaki – The Essence of Humanity” created by Lewis Bond, an English film maker. The 16-minute video, featuring a montage of Miyazaki’s much-loved animated films, beautifully explores human nature, Miyazaki’s vision, and the universal appeal of his movies.

Do Minecraft lessons, an edible garden, and diploma iPads make this the greatest school in Japan?

KK Miller
Oct 31, 2015

Education is always one of the number one topics of conversation among citizens. People want to know that their child is given the best education that they can get, and they will pick up and move to a new neighborhood just so their kids can be in a better school.

But just how do you determine what the best school is? A strong case can be made for Aiwa Elementary School in Tokyo as the best elementary school in all of Japan, and we are going to give you three reasons why: Minecraft, edible gardens, and iPads.

Japan’s Delusion Curry comes packaged with a DVD of a sexy model pretending to be your girlfriend

Casey Baseel
Oct 31, 2015

Not everyone has the time or skills necessary to cook a tasty meal, which is why so many bachelors rely on microwavable and other instant foods when they get hungry. But most men will tell you everything in life is more enjoyable in the company of a beautiful woman, which is why this new brand of instant Japanese curry comes bundled with a DVD of a sexy model who will pretend to be your girlfriend while you eat it.

Talented Thai artist provides peek inside the secret world of miniature people【Photos】

KK Miller
Oct 31, 2015

We never stop talking about the different ways that people pay tribute to Studio Ghibli. Artists and designers create some amazing work that stems from the themes and ideas that the famous Japanese animation studio put on the silver screen.

One photographer from Thailand was struck with Ghibli-fluence after watching The Secret World of Arrietty and wondered, “What would life be like from the perspective of miniature people?” Take a look after the jump to see the secret world of tiny people not named Arrietty.

Photos of scrawny-looking lion and tiger raise concerns for Beijing Zoo’s big cats

Meg Murphy
Oct 30, 2015

Zoos bring the thrill of being able to observe wild, exotic animals up close that we normally wouldn’t have the opportunity to see. For young and old alike, seeing one’s favorite animal just a few meters away can be a magical experience, but sadly for the animal involved, the experience may not be a happy one.

With news like the deer who died from plastic consumption and the lonely “headbanging” bear, it seems that recently there are an increasing number of sad stories coming from zoos. Unfortunately we have yet another to add to the list, as photographs of a couple of Beijing Zoo’s big cats surfaced on the internet this past week that beg the question of how well these animals are being taken care of.
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Bandai’s new Magic Illustrator may be for kids, but we want one too!

Scott Wilson
Oct 30, 2015

Are you terrible at drawing but really wish you could to sketch some pictures of things you like? Do you have zero qualms about using a giant plastic drawing board designed for small children?

Well then we have good news for you! Bandai’s “Magical Illustrator” turns anything you can look at into something that you can trace into a perfect two-dimensional rendition. The only catch? Well, you’re going to have to be taught how to use it by two elementary school girls.

Sexiest stickers ever? Boys’ love game maker produces official stickers of gentlemen’s nip-nips

Joan Coello
Oct 30, 2015

Earlier this week, we took a look at Out Division, a boys love online game produced by BLobby, and its unique nipple matching memory game. Even among fans of the genre, people who generally enjoy the visual delight that is dishevelled men, some found the nipple-centric features of Out Division to be slightly disturbing and borderline ridiculous.

But it seems the game maker’s fixation with man nips doesn’t end there: BLobby has announced its participation in this year’s Animate Girl’s Festival, and it has prepared some rather eye-catching merch for the event…

May the Chill be with you — with the $10,000 moving, life-size R2-D2 refrigerator!

Kay
Oct 30, 2015

With the release of Star Wars Episode VII less than two months away, fans (and merchandise manufacturers) are naturally hyper-excited about the myriad Star Wars related gadgets, as well as foods and drinks, that are hitting the market around the world.

Now, it looks like we may have found the ultimate collector’s item for Star Wars fans. It’s cute, it beeps, it’s a limited edition made-to-order item and best of all, it can bring you a cold can of beer—it’s the life-size, moving R2-D2 refrigerator, and it can be yours for a cool US$9,000!

Carry a cute kitten in your handbag with the adorably soft kitten pouch!

Oona McGee
Oct 30, 2015

While tiny dogs don’t mind being ferried about in designer handbags, cats would rather scratch our arms off than let us take them outside the front door. Cat owners have suffered for too long, going about their lives outside without the company of their feline companions, but now there’s a clever way for us to carry a cute kitten around in our bags and keep our arms at the same time, with the adorably realistic cat pouch from Felissimo.