In Real Life

Would You Like To Pilot The Life-Size Gundam? Virtually?

Yahoo! Japan is running an auction that will give one lucky winner the chance to virtual pilot the one-to-one scale Gundam in Tokyo’s Odaiba. Don’t get too excited just yet.


February 20, 2012
In Real Life

Weirdo Pikachus In Tokyo, Taking Trains, Eating Burgers

Tokyo is pretty normal. Though, sometimes, there’s the occasional oddness. In years past, people would simply mutter to themselves, “Boy that was strange.” Now they take photos and paste them on the internet. Progress!


January 23, 2012
News

New DoDonPachi Maniac Shooter Teased

Cave, the Tokyo-based shmup studio, teased a new DoDonPachi, dubbed DoDonPachi: Saidaioujou. More details on January 23. [Official Site]


January 4, 2012
In Real Life

Japanese Shinto Tradition Goes Geek

During New Year’s, Japanese people visit shrines and temples. There are many traditions observed during this period, such as omikuji — a type of fortune telling. In the last few years, one ancient tradition in which people write wishes on wooden plaques is now taking a decidedly otaku bent.


November 26, 2011
In Real Life

Giant, Life-Sized Gundam Is Returning!

Many a Tokyo visitor has asked me, “Brian, where can I see the giant Gundam?” I always tell them, “Random person, you cannot see it anymore. It’s gone.” Next year, that will change. The giant Gundam is coming back.


October 26, 2011
In Real Life

Where Tokyo Meets Blade Runner

Phew. All this video game stuff, especially Battlefield 3 stuff, is wearing me out. Time to take a few minutes to chill, relax, watch a soothing movie where footage of modern-day Tokyo is played to the accompaniment of the Blade Runner soundtrack.


September 28, 2011
In Real Life

Look At Japanese Booth Babes Until You Get Barfy

During this year’s Tokyo Game Show, Japanese website Inside Games thought it would be a good idea to film this year’s booth companions. Maybe it was.


September 20, 2011
News

Blip Japan Artist Profile: M7Kenji

Are you guys excited about the Blip Festival Tokyo? For those of you who are, we’ve got an interview with one of the artists who will be playing during the shows dates of October 22-23, 2011.


August 17, 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.


August 15, 2011
In Real Life

A Giant Gundam Hand Fit For Your Ass?

From August 13 to August 21 (my birthday!), the life-sized Gundam statue will be on display in Tokyo’s Odaiba. But it won’t be looming tall. It will be in pieces, strewn on the ground.