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japan

Behold, Japan’s Geekiest Taxi Cabs

Brian Ashcraft Yesterday 8:00 PM

In Japan, taxis are typically black. Sometimes, they’re white or even yellow. Generally, people think of them as being dark-coloured and dull-looking. These taxis, however, are anything but.

In Real Life

Guess Which Game Falls Under Which Awesome Japanese ‘Genre’

Richard Eisenbeis Yesterday 5:30 PM

Ever wonder why Metal Gear Solid comes with the tagline “Tactical Espionage Action” printed right on the box? Well that’s simple. While it may be a tagline in the West, it’s actually the game’s official genre in Japan.

24 May 2013

In Real Life

Japanese Media Seems To Want Otaku To Be More ‘Otaku-ish’

Toshi Nakamura 24 May 2013 11:30 PM

For the longest time in Japan, to be an otaku was to be an outcast. To be labelled an “otaku” was to be branded with the staple of being an awkward, obsessive social outcast, and/or potential sexual predator/criminal. While the times have changed, it appears that Japanese mass media’s preconception of the “otaku stereotype” has not.

PlayStation

I May Have Misjudged Freedom Wars

Toshi Nakamura 24 May 2013 11:00 PM

My good friend Martin has a saying whenever we talk about upcoming movies: “Trailers lie”. Rarely will what we see in a trailer accurately encapsulate what the actual finished movie or game will be like.

In Real Life

Here Are 10 Games Japanese Players Recommend

Toshi Nakamura 24 May 2013 10:30 PM

2013 is approaching the halfway point and this year, we’ve already seen several heavy-hitting game releases. Often, it’s difficult to choose a single game to buy out of several when you have a limited budget. The biggest and most influential factor in making a choice is usually other players’ opinions.

In Real Life

Sure Seems Like Jaleco Is Either AWOL Or Dead

Brian Ashcraft 24 May 2013 10:00 PM

Remember Bases Loaded? And Wii role-playing game Ougon no Kizuna (above)? Or that Japanese truck-driving game? The company known for those titles, Jaleco, seems to have fallen off the map.

In Real Life

Wikipedia Writers Sure Know Their Hentai

Brian Ashcraft 24 May 2013 8:00 PM

Outside of Japan, the word “hentai” is used to refer to a certain type of Japanese anime, manga or video games. It’s a genre. In Japan, it’s not.

23 May 2013

In Real Life

Chinese Newspaper Confuses The Japanese Military With… DeviantArt

Brian Ashcraft 23 May 2013 9:00 PM

A website for Chinese newspaper Global Times recently published photos of a new Japanese military helicopter “design concept”. Too bad it’s not real. It’s not even made by the Japanese military.