Bringing you yesterday's news from Japan and Asia, today.
video games
A few weeks ago the Pokemon Company revealed the 3DS LL Pikachu Yellow, a limited edition version of the handheld console purchasable by preorder at Pokemon Center stores from August 25 to September 14.
To the surprise of no one, Japanese customers lined up outside and waited for over 4 hours to purchase the device, clearing out stocks at Pokemon Centers in Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka on the first day.
Many foreigners view Japan as some marvelous dreamland of technology and culture; a place where crazy is the norm and embracing fantasy in everyday life is acceptable.
But to Japanese people, Japan is just that place you were born. Everyone and everything is routine, and it’s often difficult to see why the rest of the world get’s so worked up about “Japanese culture.”
Earlier this month, we sent one of our Japanese reporters to Comic Market (or “Comiket“), the world’s largest self-published comic book fair and otaku mecca, to interview real live foreigners and ask them what it is they really think about this country.
While North America and Australia are still have a week to wait before they can get their hands on the Nintendo 3DS XL, Japan is already getting its first limited edition version of the little giant: Nintendo 3DS LL Pikachu Yellow.
Famitsu has revealed three new songs for the upcoming Playstation Vita game Hatsune Miku Project DIVA f and it looks like one of the internet’s favorite memes, the Nyan Cat song, made the list.
We haven’t been this excited for a rhythm game since Trogdor made it into Guitar Hero II.
Collecting is one of the predominate themes of the Pokémon franchise and Nintendo never seems to run out of new things for fans to spend their Pokédollars on.
For example, on August 3, The Pokémon Company reveled, “Pokemomo,” their newest lineup of adorable Pokémon merchandise featuring the artwork of Japanese illustrator Momo Okada.
August 1 was a big day for Japan as it marked the release of Dragon Quest X, the latest installment in the iconic series and the first to force players to play online. While the release of a new Dragon Quest game is usually something akin to a national holiday here, many people were wondering if mandatory online play wasn’t too tall of an order for a series traditionally known for sticking to its tried and true formula.
To get an idea of just how excited the country really is over Dragon Quest X, we sent resident reporter Mr. Sato to a video game shop in Shibuya the day before release to stand in line until the store opened the game went on sale the next day at 7:00 am.
Of course, anyone can wait in line for a day, but it takes a true Dragon Quest fan like Mr. Sato to wait in line for a day dressed as the series’ most beloved monster, slime.
Tokyo family serves totally non-traditional super old-school katsudon at century-old restaurant
Taste-testing famous ramen from Kobe turns into moment of self-reflection for Mr. Sato
Family Mart goes matcha crazy with new lineup of green tea sweets in Japan
Haku is…Chihiro’s dead brother? Studio Ghibli fans blown away by Spirited Away theory
Off the beaten Japan travel path in Amami Oshima’s mangrove forests【Photos】
Kyoto will abolish one-day bus passes to combat tourism overcrowding
New Studio Ghibli exhibition brings anime movie magic to cities around Japan
Does Mos Burger’s new Muscle Burger give you muscles?
Cherry blossom-viewing bus tour for dogs now available in Japan
Spruce up your office with Pikachu date stamps in various sizes and styles
Japanese Penis Festival shrine distances itself from penis mascot
Satoshi/Ash’s voice actress almost couldn’t make it through final Pokémon anime recording session
Super budget dining in Japan – What’s the best way to spend 1,000 yen at restaurant Saizeria?
For you, this is good enough! Appliance maker’s brutally honest ads charm Japan
Cup Noodles Breakfast brings American morning meal taste of pancakes and sausage to instant ramen
Pikachu afternoon tea adds an anime twist to high tea in JapanKyoto will abolish one-day bus passes to combat tourism overcrowding
The beautiful booth models of the Tokyo Motorcycle Show【Photos】
Nikka Whisky’s recipe for Bacon French Toast turns bread crusts into the perfect drinking partner
The booth models, booths, and official cosplayers of Anime Japan【Photos】
Message to foreigners at Japanese convenience store sparks controversy online
Japan’s number-one cosplayer Enako cosplays as Valorant character in amazing transformation
Gigantic new anime store opening soon in Tokyo, and here’s a sneak-peek【Photos】
Daiso opens massive new 25,392-square foot Tokyo flagship store with its two sub-brands included
Japan’s randoseru school backpacks keep getting more expensive, so now parents can rent themJapanese Penis Festival shrine distances itself from penis mascot
Japan’s newest capsule toys: Capsules that Absolutely Won’t Open【Photos】
New Japanese KitKat combines two flavours in one for brand new taste sensation
Shinjuku izakaya’s all-you-can-eat-and-drink plan is one of Tokyo’s best secret cheap eats
Ghibli Park visitors caught in lewd acts with anime character figures
Manga artist wants Japanese teachers to feel, for two seconds, how dumb their girls’ dress code is
One Punch Man manga artist’s amazing “practice” drawing is so good we think he might not be human
Sony’s wearable air conditioners selling like cold cakes in heat-stricken Japan
Travelling to Japan soon? Beware the “Three Small Hells” awaiting tourists upon arrival
Japan ends travel ban on individual tourists, waives visa requirements for certain countries
One Piece’s Luffy spent years of manga’s publication without saying a word to one of his nakama
Pokémon Center apologizes for writing model Nicole Fujita’s name as Nicole Fujita
Princesses, fruits, and blacksmiths: Study reveals the 30 most unusual family names in Japan
Image-generating AI’s picture of “Final Fantasy VII Cloud” is so wrong, yet so right
New Studio Ghibli humidifiers breathe anime magic into your home
Kyoto will abolish one-day bus passes to combat tourism overcrowding
New Studio Ghibli exhibition brings anime movie magic to cities around Japan
Does Mos Burger’s new Muscle Burger give you muscles?
Cherry blossom-viewing bus tour for dogs now available in Japan
Spruce up your office with Pikachu date stamps in various sizes and styles
Can you customise the Starbucks Snoopy Frappuccino to make it even more like Snoopy?【Taste test】
The beautiful booth models of the Tokyo Motorcycle Show【Photos】
How to fold an adorable towel bunny while you wait for your meal
Lotteria teams up with Demon Slayer for epic hunger-slaying “Oni-on” combos
Sailor Moon’s Senshi team up with Hello Kitty and Sanrio for pajama party crossover merch line
Cup Noodles Breakfast brings American morning meal taste of pancakes and sausage to instant ramen
A Ghibli mystery solved — the identity of exotic looking food in Spirited Away revealed!
We test Daiso’s new storage container to see if it keeps rice fluffy even after freezing
Japanese Penis Festival shrine distances itself from penis mascot