You know what's sweet about robots? Docking. Docking definitely rules. Admit it, it's totally satisfying when two giant mechanical pieces lock into place like Legos. When two fire engines dock? That's pretty cool. When a man flies his little hovercraft into the head of a …Read more »
If you're not aware, a long-overdue child pornography law was passed in Japan this week which finally bans the possession (production and sales were already outlawed) of pornographic depictions of children. The exception is, notably, comics and cartoons, rationale being that children aren't abused in …Read more »
Humanity's collective quest to become super fighting robots may end with the world in ashes, but at least we'll make fun stops along the way like the Kuratas , and the adult-sized toy Megaman arm. Thinkgeek is showing off this prototype. As fictional dreams go, …Read more »
If Evangelion is an infinite money-making merchandising machine, then popular characters Rei Ayanami and Asuka Langley are its endlessly profitable power generators, never giving up, never stopping, always giving more and more in unlikely and surprising ways. And hey, now they have their own clothing …Read more »
News from the Japan Toy Prize contest (who knew such a thing existed?): the toys of the year include a Pokemon bracelet and a Sailor Moon ... stick. One of the winners of the prize was the Pokemon Mega Ring (kind of a misnomer, as …Read more »
The Akihabara district of Tokyo is known as a place where you can - how do we put this? - engage humans in various activities for a predetermined price ("renting people" is a bit direct, isn't it?). Walks with high school girls? They've got that. …Read more »
An arcade might not strike you as the most romantic place to get married. They’re usually dark, smoky, and probably pretty cramped. But Game Center Mikado, an arcade located in Shinjuku’s storied Takadanobaba neighborhood, is looking to change that perception by offering their establishment for …Read more »
Bishoujo (“beautiful girl”) is a word that means many things to many people, particularly when taken in the context of anime and manga. An art exhibition opening in Japan next month is looking to break Bishoujo out of its box, look at it from every …Read more »
Famous anime film director Hayao Miyazaki made waves last year when he announced his retirement from directing, leading many to speculate when he would crack and return to the director’s chair. So far he’s kept to his word, working on a variety of personal projects, …Read more »
Close your eyes for a minute and make a mental picture of Tokyo. Does it involve a crowded crosswalk flanked on all sides by tall buildings, giant screens and colorful ads? That's Shibuya, the quintessential bustling Tokyo neighborhood, a youth culture mecca that's served as …Read more »
The World Cup is right around the corner, and Adidas is supporting Team Japan with a Pokemon -themed replica jersey. These jerseys are just one part of a massive Adidas marketing effort going by the name “Enjin Project”. An enjin, you see, is the Japanese …Read more »
You’re not satisfied just watching anime, you say? Reading manga not satisfying your desire? What? You want to wear anime? Actually, we can help you with that. Rather, Japanese fashioner Haco can. They’re offering up some Kill la Kill undergarments, including a tank top and …Read more »
Frozen ’s huge. Besides winning the Academy Award for best animated feature, it’s conquered box offices worldwide, Japan being no exception. But it’s not just dominating ticket sales -- the film’s soundtrack has hit #1 on the Oricon music sales chart for three weeks straight, …Read more »
The venerable Chogokin toy line -- metal figures named for the fictional, indestructible material of the trendsetting super robot Mazinger Z -- has in recent years covered much wider ground than just robots and superheroes. Hatsune Miku has been a Chogokin. Hello Kitty, too. There's …Read more »
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was in France on May 5 for a meeting with French President Francois Hollande, where the two leaders agreed on the importance of further diplomacy with Russia and a swift resolution to the crisis in Ukraine. And then Abe went …Read more »
David Cabrera
Jason Moses
Matt Schley
Amanda Taylor
