culture smash
-
Japan’s Take On Military Pin-Ups Seem…Different
In the past, there was a tradition in the U.S. military to paint pin-ups on aircrafts. Today, that tradition lives on in Japan. But there’s an important difference: they’re not cheesecakes pin-ups. They’re anime girls.
-
The Controversy Surrounding The Launch Of This Year’s Biggest Wii Game
It finally happened. For years, Japan has been waiting for the latest Dragon Quest game, and yesterday, it launched. Anxious gamers lined up in droves to purchase the title. In Shibuya, there was a special countdown event at retailer Tsutaya for the game. The first person in line appeared on stage and received his purchased…
-
How Apple Is More Japanese Than Japan
Apple and its late co-founder Steve Jobs are American success stories. Yet, there isn’t much that’s baseball and apple pie about them. Instead, there is something very Japanese about both. At times, Apple is more Japanese than Japan. Here’s why.
-
How Nintendo Created A Sex Symbol
Dressed in smart business attire and glasses, she takes her seat behind a desk. She’s here to explain a turn-based strategy game. Yet online forums are buzzing in Japan that she is “way too erotic”. She is Cepko Culd, Japanese gaming’s newest sex symbol.