As further proof that cats rule the Internet and humanity at large, the relaxed, mostly goal-less mobile app time waster, Neko Atsume—which tasks players with simply collecting a bunch of cartoon cats and kind of just watching them do stuff—proved a massive success in Japan despite a distinctive lack of explosions, destruction and, er, constantly running from left to right that are the typical hallmark of successful mobile games.
In fact, the game is so popular among cat lovers (read: everyone) that the Japanese version of the game began trending abroad, even though the large majority of fans surely had to resort to Internet guides to make any sense of the Japanese kanji plastered all over the in-game menus and inventory.
Said fans were in for a great surprise, though, when last week, developer Hit-Point updated the game with full English support thanks to renowned localization agency 8-4. We had a chance to sit down with the 8-4 team and chat about the behind-the-scenes work that went into localizing the app for an English speaking audience.
Japan’s EF English Proficiency Index rank drops for 11th straight year, hits lowest ever
Major Japanese noodle chain is closing on Christmas Eve so workers can spend time with families
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
Miffy Cafe in Shibuya looks so deliciously cute we could eat it right up 【Pics】
The top 5 ice creams you should try at Family Mart convenience stores in Japan this summer
Tokyo city hall gets menacing red makeover as coronavirus infection numbers rise【Photos】
Daiso has giant new branch in middle of Tokyo’s Shinjuku neighborhood (and another beneath it)
Reports that using -chan in Japan constitutes sexual harassment are at least a little exaggerated
New Kyoto experience package lets you film epic samurai battles with your friends
Japanese train company is letting fans buy its actual ticket gates for their homes
Yoshinoya adds first-ever chain-wide ramen with new beef and pork-broth noodle hot pot meals
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Shibuya’s Don Quijote?
Japan considering raising international traveler departure tax even more than previously reported
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowd sizes in Nara?
Studio Ghibli stamps lift your spirits with motivational phrases from Totoro
New fish discovered and named “Vanderhorstia supersaiyan” for obvious reasons
Japanese town suing resident for being a jerk
Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas goods and a rhinestone tumbler that costs 19,500 yen
Real-world Nausicaa Ghibli anime glider completes its final flight in Japan【Video】
Brand-new Pokémon park opens in Japan with larger-than-life-size Lapras【Photos】
Unique inclined elevator in Japan leads to a town that inspired Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Tokyo’s Asakusa neighborhood?
The 10 best day trips from downtown Tokyo【Survey】
Naturally brown-haired Osaka student sues government for forcing her to dye her hair black
Tokyo hotel lets you make your stay a Sanrio one with special My Melody and Kuromi rooms【Pics】
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
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】
The top 10 annoying foreign tourist behaviors on trains, as chosen by Japanese people【Survey】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
J-pop mega star Ado reveals she’s been living in the U.S., may not understand language acquisition
The top 5 ice creams you should try at Family Mart convenience stores in Japan this summer
Tokyo city hall gets menacing red makeover as coronavirus infection numbers rise【Photos】
Daiso has giant new branch in middle of Tokyo’s Shinjuku neighborhood (and another beneath it)
Reports that using -chan in Japan constitutes sexual harassment are at least a little exaggerated
New Kyoto experience package lets you film epic samurai battles with your friends
Japan’s Shinkansen trains are getting a Super Mario makeover【Pics】
We tried Tokyo’s “rent a middle-aged Japanese man” service, and it was awesome!
Sales for clear soy sauce are up, and here’s one way to use it to beat the heat with a cold treat
This Osaka laundromat wants to clean more than your clothes; it also wants to clean you
Tokyo’s Ueno Station has an unmanned noodle restaurant on its platform, and its no-joke good
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Shibuya’s Don Quijote?