akb48
In Real Life

This Wreck-It Ralph Character Looks Just Like… A Real Japanese Popstar

Wreck-It Ralph recently opened in Japan, where it’s titled Sugar Rush. Besides enjoying the flick, Japanese moviegoers are doing something else: Comparing the character Vanellope to a real idol.

22 November 2012

Nintendo

These Japanese Commercials Will Delight And Amuse You

The Wii U is out in Australia on November 30, but Japan will have to wait until December to get the new Nintendo console. To build hype, Nintendo is now running commercials for the hardware. But that’s not the only game in town. There are entire channels filled to the brim with wonderful Japanese commercials. Some of them are selling snacks. Others detergent or video games. Let’s have a look.

8 February 2012

In Real Life

Idol’s Mother Arrested For ‘Obscene Acts’ With Student

The 44-year-old mother of singer Minami Takahashi was arrested for obscene acts with a 15-year-old boy. Takahashi, 20, is a member of AKB48, the country’s most popular female pop group and, CNET reported, a US$200 business.

26 November 2011

Nintendo

This Japanese Wii Commercial Is Just Mean To Grandma

New Year’s, the time with extended families come together, is just around the corner in Japan. When grandma and grandpa come over, perhaps the kids want to play videos games, instead of talking to their elderly relatives. Heck, I know I did!

22 November 2011

Nintendo

Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater 3D Finally Sneaks Out A Release Date

Originally Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater 3D was supposed to be out this December. Then, at September’s Tokyo Game Show, Metal Gear creator Hideo Kojima said the game would be out in early 2012.

17 November 2011

In Real Life

If Only Xbox Japan Was As Popular As This Girl

Rena Matsui isn’t the one per cent. She’s the less than one per cent. As far as idols go, she’s quickly shot to the top of the group she belongs to, SKE48. No wonder Microsoft roped her into promote Kinect in Japan.

17 October 2011

In Real Life

Is This Lady The Most Famous Final Fantasy Tester Ever?

Meet Yuko Oshima. She’s 23. She’s famous. And she’s testing Final Fantasy XIII-2.

3 October 2011

In Real Life

Ripping Off Your Biggest Fans

Japan is expensive. Tokyo and Osaka consistently rank among the most expensive cities in the world. With the strong yen, Japan is even pricier for foreign visitors. It’s no steal for nerds, either. It’s highway robbery.

17 August 2011

In Real Life

Time To Rock Your Balls Off

Japanese pop, rather Jpop, is pigeonholed as cute, ear saccharine. That might not exactly be fair. But there’s no arguing, sometimes Jpop needs more guitars. More awesome hair. Sometimes it needs more metal.

19 July 2011

In Real Life

Legendary Japanese Club Reborn With Trolling

If you were in Tokyo in the late 1990s and you liked to party, you went there. Towering over six floors and holding over 1,500 people, Velfarre was a legendary Roppongi club that claimed to be the biggest of its kind in Asia.

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