OK kids, did you remember to finish your homework, brush your teeth, and smash every pot in the village?
RPGs
Japanese gamers weigh in on what prime party member number makes or breaks their RPG experience.
Common knowledge to basically anyone conceivably reading this website, Japan is responsible for two of the world’s biggest, longest-running and most well-known console RPG series: Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest. While both have historically featured similar gameplay (random enemy encounters, turn-based battles and the like), the two series are distinct enough that many JRPG fans prefer either one or the other series.
While Dragon Quest has evolved into a kind of cutesy, anime-inspired, all-ages RPG series, for example, Final Fantasy has always taken a more adult tack. And while each game in the Final Fantasy series takes place in a totally distinct universe from other entries, the games of the Dragon Quest series are at least loosely related to one another, making some interesting and sometimes dark game-to-game connections evident to observant players.
And one such dark connection may be hiding in plain sight in the upcoming Dragon Quest XI’s promotional materials.
If you’re gonna slay a dragon, you might as well do it in style. May we suggest these crazily cool-looking cutting knives that only need to be sharpened every 25 years?
You read that right: These knives will keep their edge for an astonishing 25 years – a quarter of your entire life, if you’re lucky, and five times as long as your passing interest in cooking that you took up to impress that one girl in college who was really into kale and organic, grass-fed wagyu beef.




Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
New adults go wild at Seijinshiki Coming-of-Age ceremony in Kitakyushu, Japan 【Photos】
Man arrested for violating Japan’s anti-dueling law in downtown Tokyo
Researchers in Japan give mouse glowing sperm
Survey finds more than 70 percent of Japanese children have an online friend
Starbucks Japan’s new Valentine’s Day Frappuccino is like a drinkable opera cake
Say hello to Japan’s new stationmaster cat!【Video】
Giant hotel rooms in Osaka reflect the new non-niche face of travel in Japan.
Taste of spring coming this winter with sakura flower and leaf green tea and matcha from Ito En
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
Japanese beef bowl chain Sukiya’s 2026 Smile Box lucky bag basically pays for itself
Top Japanese cosplayer Enako returns to Comiket after 6 years, creates mayhem with admirers
Umamusume anime girl plushie recalled for having parts she absolutely should not have【Pics】
Princess Mononoke magnets return just in time to treat yourself to awesome anime decorations
We ate sushi made from Japan’s most expensive tuna ever【Taste test】
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
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】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
Human washing machine pods coming to Japanese hotels【Photos】
Survey finds more than 70 percent of Japanese children have an online friend
Starbucks Japan’s new Valentine’s Day Frappuccino is like a drinkable opera cake
Say hello to Japan’s new stationmaster cat!【Video】
Giant hotel rooms in Osaka reflect the new non-niche face of travel in Japan.
Taste of spring coming this winter with sakura flower and leaf green tea and matcha from Ito En
The massive Pokémon card public art display going on in Japan right now is a thing of beauty【Pics】
Buy a Japanese ambulance, pachinko machine or samurai sword at this government auction site
Coming of Age Day costumer turns our 40-year-old reporter into a glammed up, garish Yankee【Pics】
Our lovestruck reporter tries to make a batch of cookies for his girlfriend for Japan’s White Day
Spate of violence targets people walking while looking at their phones in Japanese train stations
Japanese teen boy picks worst woman to randomly ask if she wants to make an adult video
Perfect-location Osaka hotel’s rates start at just 15 bucks, give you no reason not to visit
Japanese-style accommodation at the new Premium Dormy Inn hotel in Asakusa will blow your mind