Pharrell Williams, the singer behind “Happy,” has a new video out for his single “It Girl,” and it features animation produced by none other than superflat artist Takashi Murakami. Murakami, whose anime-inspired works propelled him to fine art fame in the 90s, animated the video …Read more »
Today's oddball collaboration of note comes from none other than Sanrio's iconic mascot Hello Kitty. Forget all those debates about what she is or isn't, because this cat is getting ready to step onto the streets of Ikebukuro in a collaboration with the new Durarara!! …Read more »
“This is Japanese culture!” wails a drunken May’n fan next to me, crushing a Chu-hi tallboy can in his fist. This was the scene at yesterday’s Moshi Moshi Nippon Festival , an “initiative to help improve tourism and promote Japanese Pop Culture throughout the world” …Read more »
The third edition of the Manga Translation Battle is underway. The competition, sponsored by Japan’s Agency for Cultural Affairs, pits aspiring manga translators in a competition to see who can best translate a given chapter of manga from Japanese to English. The grand prize winner …Read more »
The idea that the figure behemoth Good Smile would expand its offerings is almost absurd, given they've produced over 600 figures in the Nendoroid and figma lines alone. Or it isn't, because the flagship figma line-- an action figure line that has become the default …Read more »
Despite its biggest chains being owned by foreign corporations, Japan’s fast food culture has a life all its own. The Japanese versions of McDonald’s, Burger King, KFC, and what-have-you regularly offer up strange and wonderful limited-time items. We’ve previously covered anime-related promotions Lotteria’s Evangelion burger …Read more »
A bizarre bit of news hit the net a few days ago when a man decked out in Pikachu T-shirt and hat and carrying a stuffed Pikachu decided to jump the fence of the White House – on 9/11, no less. He was promptly accosted …Read more »
The Death Note musical has found its L. The world’s greatest recluse detective will be played by Teppei Koike, member of the singer-songwriter duo WaT. Koike joins cast members Kenji Urai and Hayato Kakizawa, who are double-cast as Light Yagami. “I can’t believe I get …Read more »
July saw the changing of the guard at Namco’s Characro – a anime cafe and bar with rotating themes – from Tiger and Bunny to Macross Frontier . Named Nyan Nyan after the Chinese restaurant featured in the show, the Macross Frontier cafe and bar …Read more »
The world was introduced to some new information about Sanrio mascot Hello Kitty recently, though some of what emerged from an L.A. Times article ended up causing widespread confusion. You wouldn't think the world would go so topsy turvy just by reading that Hello Kitty …Read more »
The Sega Genesis, birthplace of Sonic the Hedgehog , Streets of Rage and countless other 16-bit video game classics, recently had its 25th Anniversary in the United States, and what better way to celebrate than with a Transformer that turns into the iconic game machine? …Read more »
Nine days until the release of the new live-action Lupin III film in Japan, and the hype machine is in full swing. You can now swing by your local Newdays or Kiosk convenience store and pick up some Lupin III bread. The whole thing is …Read more »
Apparently a complete takeover of the city of Yokohama was not enough for Pikachu, as the electric-type Pokemon has also moved into the oh-so-fashionable Roppongi Hills building in central Tokyo. In celebration/promotion of the new Pokemon XY movie, Tokyo residents can now visit Pokemon The …Read more »
What's the plural of Pikachu? If we follow standard Japanese-to-English grammar rules, we probably shouldn't add an "s" on the end. But we're going to make an exception here, because the singular doesn't really convey how many darn Pikachus there are in Yokohama right now. …Read more »
Japan's most popular non-human idol is heading Stateside. Hatsune Miku, the virtual idol, will "play" two back-to-back concerts October 17th and 18th at the Hammerstein Ballroom in Manhattan. She'll also be the subject of an exhibition entitled "Universal Positivity" running from October 9th to 19th …Read more »
Matt Schley
Joseph Luster
Jason Moses
