Bringing you yesterday's news from Japan and Asia, today.
Retro Game Master
Two weeks ago, we brought you news about an upcoming 10th anniversary project for much-loved gaming show GameCenter CX — an event that was rumoured to take a full year to prepare. Today, we’re happy to bring you further details on the project, including the news that GameCenter CX THE MOVIE is in the works! Full details after the jump.
“GameCenter CX”–also known as “Retro Game Master” in the West– has captured the hearts and minds of literally millions of video game fans across the globe since first airing in 2003. The premise of the show is simple: middle-aged, self-confessed game otaku and part-time comedian Shinya Arino pits himself against a series of treasured but often fiendishly difficult old-school video games, playing through them with the help of his cheeky “assistant directors”, a pile of snacks and stack of cooling towelettes to stick to his forehead.
The show has already spawned nine DVD boxsets in its native Japan, with English translations of many of the shows made available to Western audiences both in DVD format and online. But now, the show’s parent company has announced that a special 10th anniversary project is underway that will purportedly take an entire year to complete.
Japanese ramen restaurants under pressure from new yen banknotes
McDonald’s new Happy Meals offer up cute and practical Sanrio lifestyle goods
Sakura tree falls on man at Sannenzaka near Kiyomizu temple in Kyoto 【Breaking News】
New private rooms on Tokaido Shinkansen change the way we travel from Tokyo to Kyoto
Japanese company starts project to restore Nakagin Capsules to capsule hotel
French Fries Bread in Tokyo’s Shibuya becomes a hit on social media
Secret Kitchen bento serves Japanese flowers, birds, wind and moon in a box, but is it worth it?
Beautiful Ghibli sealing wax kits let you create accessories and elegant letter decorations【Pics】
Katsudon vs. tonkatsu vs. katsu sandwich – What’s the best way to eat pork cutlet in Japan?
Non-ramen Ramen Restaurant Stars: The quest begins at Tokyo’s Oreryu ShioMcDonald’s new Happy Meals offer up cute and practical Sanrio lifestyle goods
All-you-can-drink Starbucks and amazing views part of Tokyo’s new 170 meter-high sky lounge
More foreign tourists than ever before in history visited Japan last month
Starbucks reopens at Shibuya Scramble Crossing with new look and design concept
Disney princesses get official manga makeovers for Manga Princess Cafe opening in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli releases new action figures featuring Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind characters
Beautiful new Final Fantasy T-shirt collection on the way from Uniqlo【Photos】
Is the new Shinkansen Train Desk ticket worth it?
Studio Ghibli glasses cases let anime characters keep an eye on your spectaclesFrench Fries Bread in Tokyo’s Shibuya becomes a hit on social mediaMcDonald’s new Happy Meals offer up cute and practical Sanrio lifestyle goods
Studio Ghibli releases Kiki’s Delivery Service chocolate cake pouches in Japan
New definition of “Japanese whiskey” goes into effect to prevent fakes from fooling overseas buyers
Our Japanese reporter visits Costco in the U.S., finds super American and very Japanese things
Studio Ghibli unveils Mother’s Day gift set that captures the love in My Neighbour Totoro
Domino’s Japan now sells…pizza ears?
New Japanese KitKat flavour stars Sanrio characters, including Hello KittyAll-you-can-drink Starbucks and amazing views part of Tokyo’s new 170 meter-high sky loungeMore foreign tourists than ever before in history visited Japan last month
New Pokémon cakes let you eat your way through Pikachu and all the Eevee evolutions
Sales of Japan’s most convenient train ticket/shopping payment cards suspended indefinitelyMcDonald’s new Happy Meals offer up cute and practical Sanrio lifestyle goods
Sold-out Studio Ghibli desktop humidifiers are back so Totoro can help you through the dry season
Japanese government to make first change to romanization spelling rules since the 1950s
Ghibli founders Toshio Suzuki and Hayao Miyazaki contribute to Japanese whisky Totoro label design
Doraemon found buried at sea as scene from 1993 anime becomes real life【Photos】
Tokyo’s most famous Starbucks is closed
One Piece characters’ nationalities revealed, but fans have mixed opinions
We asked a Uniqlo employee what four things we should buy and their suggestions didn’t disappoint
Princesses, fruits, and blacksmiths: Study reveals the 30 most unusual family names in Japan
French Fries Bread in Tokyo’s Shibuya becomes a hit on social media
Secret Kitchen bento serves Japanese flowers, birds, wind and moon in a box, but is it worth it?
Beautiful Ghibli sealing wax kits let you create accessories and elegant letter decorations【Pics】
Katsudon vs. tonkatsu vs. katsu sandwich – What’s the best way to eat pork cutlet in Japan?
Non-ramen Ramen Restaurant Stars: The quest begins at Tokyo’s Oreryu Shio
The oldest tunnel in Japan is believed to be haunted, and strange things happen when we go there
Cosplay in front of explosions and flames at the upcoming fiery Baku Festival
Family Mart makes matcha dreams come true with new lineup of strong green tea sweets in Japan
Japan has stopped printing its current yen bills, Mt. Fuji only element to be retained in new set
Hello Kitty isn’t a cat!? We called Sanrio to find out!
We tried Korea’s way-too-big King Tonkatsu Burger at Lotteria 【Taste Test】
Japan’s Baby Bird Reincarnation sofa bed — So cozy you won’t want to go back to being a human?