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modeling

Japan’s favorite anti-piracy mascots become fashion models【Video】

Ah, the classic career path from copyright infringement PSAs to the runway.

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“Japanese Beyoncé” Naomi Watanabe is now a model for Beyoncé’s Ivy Park collection

The fashion icon goes from impersonating Queen Bey to working for her as a model.

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Virtual model imma to pose in fashion magazine with real models, advertising makeup brand KATE

The CG-created model is getting her big break in the fashion industry!

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Japanese idol supergroup AKB48 said to phasing out swimsuit modeling for younger teen members

Rumors cite possible overseas criticism as reason for new policy.

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Japanese publisher sparks backlash over plan to have anime voice actresses pose for bikini photos

Japan usually has no complaints about swimsuit modeling, but this time is a little different.

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Japanese diorama artist makes models smaller than an actual thumbnail【Photos】

Shunichi Matsuba, a self-proclaimed diorama artist, creates extraordinarily detailed miniature scenes of Japanese life past and present — often using models smaller than a fingertip.

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“Best Body Japan” winners are in just in time to make us ashamed of our holiday gorgefest

Model Saya Kagawa takes the women’s crown, distracts everyone from a bunch of ripped dudes flexing in the background.

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“Live2D Euclid” technology creates 3-D models while retaining the essence of a 2-D drawing

What happens when you take the merits of both 2-D and 3-D animation and combine them to make a new hybrid form of animation technology? Unfathomable as it may seem, that’s precisely the type of technology that Japanese company Live2D is in the midst of developing. Their latest achievement, known as “Live2D Euclid,” is software that is able to transform your 2-D drawings into a 3-D reality while still retaining the look and details of a pen and paper illustration. In other words, it looks like “a hand-drawn picture that will move in the way you want it to.”

Still confused? Check out the introductory video after the jump to see this new technology that is revolutionizing the way we animate characters in anime and video games!

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TV icon Hard Gay thrusts into the world of professional modeling

Japanese comedian and former pro-wrestler, Masaki Sumitani, better known by the name Hard Gay, has been struggling to find a new outlet for fame and success. Ever since being outed as a straight man, Hard Gay’s comedic mockery of gay flamboyancy has fallen from popularity in Japan. And, after a severe foot injury in July of 2009, his wrestling career has also been forced to a close. According to an interview conducted by the online news site Owarai Natalie, while Sumitani is still interested in continuing work as a comedian, he has decided to revamp his public image. We’re not sure how easy it will be to replace the image of Hard Gay’s tight, leather booty shorts, aviator sunglasses, and frantic hip thrusting that’s been burned into our mind’s eye. However, the comedian hopes that by starting a second career as a professional model he can achieve even greater success as himself and not his character. And hey, if these test shots are anything to go by, we think he may be on to something!

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