Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver accessory once again shows that Nintendo will not be rushed in showing its hand.

The Pokémon video game series has been going strong for more than two decades now, and part of the secret to its success is that the franchise’s handlers never let it go more than two years without a sequel or remake. As such, you won’t find very many people passionately and actively playing 2009’s Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver these days, since there are newer and shinier Pocket Monster games to enjoy than those paired Nintendo DS iterations.

HeartGold and SoulSilver did have one very unique gameplay aspect, though, in that they came bundled with a special pedometer called a Pokéwalker (pictured above). After catching a Pokémon in the DS game, players could transfer it to the Pokéwalker and accumulate experience for the Pocket Monster as they took steps in the real world.

It was a cool bit of combined tech, and also sort of a precursor to Pokémon GO’s buddy system. No fewer than five new Pokémon games have come out since then, though, so it’s not like people are still excited about leveling-up their HeartGold and SoulSilver stables. Nevertheless, Japanese Twitter user @suica_pokeca has made a habit of keeping his Pokéwalker in his pocket whenever he goes out for the last seven years, and recently made an astounding discovery.

苦節7年、ついにポケウォーカーカンスト達成！！ https://t.co/0B87m0jrNF

—
スイカ (@suica_pokeca) March 14, 2017

On March 14, @suica_pokeca looked at the pedometer’s screen and saw the message “Congratulations!!” (おめでとう!! in the pictured Japanese text). Still in possession of this DS and copy of the associated Pokémon game, he connected the pedometer to the handheld system, and was greeted with a screen informing him:

“You have finally reached 9,999,999 steps on your Pokéwalker!”

“After seven years of dedication, finally I maxed out my Pokéwalker!!” boasted @suica_pokeca along with the tweet. It’s a little sad to think that the pedometer wasn’t able to officially record his ten-millionth step, but it’s still a gaming/fitness accomplishment to be proud of. It also serves as a reminder of both the facts that there’s more than one way to beat a game, and that of all the ways to describe Nintendo, “patient” might just be the most appropriate.

Source: Jin
Top image: Wikimedia Commons/Evan-Amos

Even for identical twins, keeping up the resemblance sometimes requires a little help, especially when one of you makes a big change.

Look through the pantheon of Japanese show business luminaries and you’ll find a few sets of famous siblings. Pop singers Misono and Koda Kumi, for example, are sisters. Lifestyle celebrities/busty models Kyoko and Mika Kano are another prodigious pair.

Twins, though, are a rarer commodity in the entertainment industry, and that’s much to the advantage of up-and-coming media personalities Rarapi and Rurupi. Billed as the “Twin Idols,” Rarapi and Rurupi have been building a name for themselves through their anime and video game cosplay efforts and event appearances.

▼ Rarapi

AbemaTV こちらみんカメ編集部 14:00〜14:40 生放送みてねっ💓 ウェイトレスでーす！ appsto.re/jp/rQseab.i https://t.co/lgIRsyco7r

—
ららぴ(´◉ω◉` )ぽんこつ (@Lalapi16) February 25, 2017

▼ Rurupi

連投すいません。 次の方ーどうぞ 診察しますので服を脱いで下さいね///// あ、間違って下は脱がないでね♡ ふぁぼりつしてくれない悪い子にはお注射です(｀・д・)σ https://t.co/8AV6PqNkLd

—
るるぴ( •8• )@ぽんこつ (@suzutan16) March 11, 2017

双子、知らんけどとぽんこつでやって来てましたが共通してぽんこつになりました(ノ)・ω・(ヾ)💓 これかもぽんこつ双子をよろしくお願いします 世界中のぽんこつを集めてぽんこつ帝国を作って世の中の皆を変態ぽんこつにするのが夢です… twitter.com/i/web/status/8…

—
るるぴ( •8• )@ぽんこつ (@suzutan16) March 01, 2017

The two often dress in costumes that complement one another, and the double dose of stylish cuteness helps them stand out from the crowd in a very competitive field. And yes, their familial relationship is genuine and not some shady marketing ploy, as they are indeed identical twins.

今日レムりん誕生日ってツイートしてるけどラムちーもだからね(><)！！ ラムレムおめでとうっ🎂💓 Re:ゼロ２期まだぁ(´◉ω◉` )？ https://t.co/0VtgvpBPvy

—
ららぴ(´◉ω◉` )ぽんこつ (@Lalapi16) February 01, 2017

However, during a recent appearance on variety program EXD44, it came to light that the striking resemblance between Rarapi and Rurupi is only partially due to their having shared the same zygote. On the March 13 episode of the TV Asahi program, the pair revealed that they owe part of their visual similarity to cosmetic surgery.

テレビ朝日の【EXD44】 tv-asahi.co.jp/exd44/ ◾放送日時 3月13日（月）24:15 ～ 24:45 出演してますので是非見てください💓 https://t.co/y7YD9c5YTU

—
ららぴ(´◉ω◉` )ぽんこつ (@Lalapi16) March 13, 2017

At some point in the past Rarapi decided that she wanted a nose like that of actress Nozomi Sakaki, and turned to cosmetic surgery in order to get it. Seeing as how they’re identical twins and all, it would have been understandable if this had ruffled Rurupi’s feathers (since Rarapi can’t really be dissatisfied with the nose she was born with without also expressing the same sentiment about her sister’s). But Rurupi proved to be rather good-natured about her sister’s choice. As a matter of fact, she was so OK with it that she went to the same clinic and requested that the same doctor that had given Rarapi a nose job perform the exact same procedure for her, so that the two could go on looking exactly alike.

今日のみんカメゲストさんは蒼井そらさんと アジアンの馬場園さんでした💓 とても気さくで楽しい方でした😊👏 https://t.co/FSlKrfbcom

—
ららぴ(´◉ω◉` )ぽんこつ (@Lalapi16) February 18, 2017

While the clinic no doubt appreciated the extra business, the story highlights the unique challenge of becoming a famous celebrity who’s also a twin, and also the reason RocketNews24’s Mr. Sato hasn’t had any work done yet.

Source: Narinari via Jin
Featured image: Twitter/@suzutan16

Explore the film’s magical world for yourself in a whole new way.

The hit anime film Your Name by director Makoto Shinkai has surpassed records and expectations since its Japan release in August 2016, becoming the second-highest grossing Japanese film ever, and the highest-earning anime ever worldwide. Its heartfelt story and beautiful imagery have captivated viewers and kept them coming back again and again.

If watching the film on repeat still hasn’t kept you satisfied, you now have the chance to experience it in a whole new way thanks to Twitter user @kokopyy, who recreated the town Itomorimachi, where the movie’s female lead Mitsuha is from, in Minecraft.

Minecraftで君の名は。の糸守町を作ってみました。 マインクラフトの描画距離やブロック等の関係上、原作の糸守町とは多少異なりアレンジを多々加えているので完全再現ではありません。 追記でマップのダウンロードページを添付します。… twitter.com/i/web/status/8…

—
kokopy (@kokopyy) March 13, 2017

@kokopyy put some amazing detail into the scenery, and included famous landmarks from the movie including Miyamizu Shrine, Itomori Lake, and even the school.

@kokopyy たくさんのリツイート、いいねありがとうございます。 予想外の反響だったのでマインクラフトを持ってない方のために画像追加しておきます。 ちなみにダウンロードファイルの中にこのセーブデータの地形をpngに出力した画… twitter.com/i/web/status/8…

—
kokopy (@kokopyy) March 13, 2017

The game data is available for Minecraft users to download here. Even if you don’t play the game, you can enjoy the scenes set to the song “Yumetoro” from the official soundtrack, which will send you on another emotional roller coaster ride.

Due to the game’s limitations, @kokopyy says it wasn’t possible to create the town to scale, and some small details had to be overlooked. To create the town from start to finish took about a month to complete, with particular attention paid to Miyamizu Shrine, which @kokopyy ended up rebuilding dozens of times to get just right.

If you’re in the U.S. chances are you’ve yet to see the film on the big screen. Hopefully this Minecraft recreation has helped pique your excitement, as there is just under a month left until its North American release date!

Source, featured image: Twitter/@kokopyy via Net Lab

With more than ten cute items to collect, this is a range we’ll be saving our yen for.

Japan’s plastic-windowed gacha capsule toy vending machines can often be seen outside arcade centres and novelty goods stores, piled high on top of each other and tempting customers with a variety of tiny wares encased inside colourful, ball-like globes.

These spheres have delivered surprises like hats for cats, Pikachu futon smartphone cases and even drink bottle underpants, but now there’s a surprising collaboration with the smash hit Japanese film Your Name that’s got everybody talking.

Premier gacha capsule toy maker Kitan Club will be bringing out two official merchandise ranges, with a total of 11 items to collect. The first collection contains a set of fabric “omamori” protection amulets, which are usually purchased from Japanese shrines and temples by those seeking good luck in business, health, exams or romance.

Omamori often come with the name of the temple or shrine printed on the outer fabric, and these amulets are no different. The thing that makes these ones so special, though, is the fact that “Miyamizujinja” is printed in gold on the outside of each amulet. Fans of the film will know that this is the name of the mystical shrine that appears in the movie.

▼ There are five colours in the range to collect: red, blue, yellow, green, and pink.

The second range of Your Name merchandise coming to vending machines is a collection of fabric smartphone pouches, containing six different designs.

▼ These two feature the main characters of Taki and Mitsuha, drawn in the popular “super deformed” caricature style.

▼ And these two capture the beautiful sentiment of the film.

Priced at 300 yen each, both ranges of merchandise go on sale at gacha vending machines around the country for a limited time from 20 March.

Sources: Kitan Club (1, 2)
Featured image: Kitan Club Press Release
Insert images: Kitan Club (1, 2)

Get ready for hours of scenes, songs, and memories that tantalize your ears.

Anyone who’s a fan of Studio Ghibli anime knows it’s not just the stories, scenic landscapes, or lovable characters that drive their obsession, but the music has also played a huge role in the popularity of the animated movie company. For those who don’t have time to sit down and cue up every Studio Ghibli movie, the Radio Ghibli music mix might just be for you.

In January, NTS Radio released their first one-hour playlist that featured music and songs from Studio Ghibli movies released from 1986 to 1992 mixed by Sega Bodega. The selection includes the studio’s first feature film Castle in the Sky as well as Grave of the Fireflies, My Neighbor Totoro, Kiki’s Delivery Service, Only Yesterday and Porco Rosso.

This month, NTS Radio has released their second mix, which features the music from movies that came out between 1994-2001. For fans who don’t have a Studio Ghibli timeline memorized that means music from Pom Poko, Whisper of the Heart, Princess Mononoke, My Neighbors the Yamadas, and Spirited Away.

The one-hour mixes provide a fun and new way to listen to the magical and wonderful music of Studio Ghibli in a convenient set it and forget it kind of way. The blend of our favorite lyrical songs with the occasional poignant line from a movies makes these beautiful melodies into truly wonderful listening. There will be a final mix released later in the year that will feature the rest of the Ghibli films so listen to them while you work, or while you create some amazing Ghibli fanart, either way we know what we’re listening to around the RocketNews24 offices.

Source: Studio Ghibli Unofficial Fansite
Featured image: Instagram/nts_radio

Veteran vocalist shows she can sing in English like nobody’s business in preview for Japanese release of animated musical Sing.

Many anime voice actors and actresses pull double duty by contributing vocals to the production’s associated collection of songs. Often, though, the major appeal of their singing stems from the goodwill fans feel towards the characters they portray, an so the less-than-stellar technical aspects of their musical performance get smoothed out by harmonizing with a handful of other singers, or perhaps being relegated to special “character image song” CDs that aren’t part of the actual in-anime soundtrack.

However, Maaya Sakamoto has no need for such smokescreens. Since her big break as both the sole opening theme vocalist and the protagonist of 1996 TV anime The Vision of Escaflowne, the 36-year-old Sakamoto has proven time and again that she’s equally skilled at performing character dialogue and carrying a high-profile tune all by herself.

That skill set made Sakamoto an easy choice for the producers of the Japanese-dubbed version of Illumination Entertainment’s computer-animated musical Sing, in which she takes over the role of Rosita the pig from Reese Witherspoon. In the original, English-language version of the film, Witherspoon provides both Rosita’s speaking and singing voice, and so Sakamoto does likewise in the Japanese dub. But while Rita speaks in Japanese in the dub, she apparently still sings in English, which means Sakamoto does too, as shown in this clip of the anime veteran covering Katy Perry’s “Firework.”

Despite singing in a language other than her native tongue, Sakamoto’s vocals are clear and filled with passion. They’re arguably even better than the American-born Witherspoon’s, whom Sakamoto hs much more extensive experience than as a singer.

▼ Witherspoon’s cover from the English-language Sing

Sing, in both its original-language English and Japanese-dubbed version, finally hits theaters in Japan on March 17, three months after it premiered in the U.S. That sort of delay is par for the course in Japan, though and at least this time Sakamoto’s vocals mean there’s something new to look forward to after the long wait.

Source, featured image: YouTube/編集部 eigafan
Top image: Sing official Japanese website

Teen heroines suddenly discuss the importance of hiding their narcotic heroin.

While anime narratives can take their characters to some pretty dark and gritty places, those aren’t really words that would appropriately describe the plot of ongoing TV series BanG Dream! Yes, the title may sort of sound like it indicates each episode will focus on a different sexual fantasy, but in reality, BanG Dream! is another innocuous entry in the “high school girls form a band” genre that’s taken root over the past few years.

▼ One of the many musical numbers of BanG Dream!

The premise of BanG Dream! (first-year high school student and newbie guitarist meets new friends and recruits them into a plucky musical group) suggests pretty predictable story arcs. And yet, Japanese Twitter user @RinPANA10101254 was in for a big surprise when he flipped on the closed caption subtitles while watching BanG Dream! through the Bandai Channel video service.

バグって海外ドラマの字幕出てきてめっちゃ笑ってるｗｗｗ https://t.co/j2mWBZ7tr9

—
炊飯鬼 (@RinPANA10101254) March 16, 2017

Those girls may be smiling cheerfully in the scenes shown in the tweet, but the story being told by the subtitles isn’t nearly so lighthearted. For example, the top left screen shot, where the girl with the bow on her head seems to be relating some innocent anecdote to her friend, bears the much more violent subtitles:

“I scared them off with my gat.”

And in the top right scene, where the characters are holding instruments? According to the subtitles, they aren’t discussing an upcoming concert but how to cover up a crime.

“Grab the dead guy’s body and bury it in the woods.”

Meanwhile, as they sit on the grassy lawn in the bottom left:

“People tend to get emotionally unstable after their wife gets whacked, you know.”

And finally, all those chipper schoolgirls at the bottom right are raising their hands in enthusiastic support of the statement that:

“The important thing to do is to get rid of the heroin.”

Sadly for fans of subversive anime, it turns out that none of these captions accurately matched what the characters of BanG Dream! were actually saying at the time. “There was a glitch with the subtitles, and I got the captions for some overseas TV drama,” says @RinPANA10101254.

Now we can’t help wondering if someone else sat down to watch a hardboiled crime story, and instead got subtitles in which a group of violent drug dealers engaged in lengthy conversations about doing their best at the school festival and staying in touch after graduation.

Source: Jin
Top image: BanG Dream! Official English website

Pass the first stage interview with karaoke! Or, by playing wink murder.

For many Japanese university students job hunting is a near full-time activity, involving visiting countless job fairs and doing internships left, right and centre. Key is standing out from their plain black suit-clad fellows, which can be difficult, especially for those lacking in interpersonal skills, not traditionally the strong suit of the intensely dedicated anime fans known as otaku.

But entertainment company City Communications are looking for students currently between their third and fourth years (and thus due to graduate in the spring of 2018) who are as keen on otaku culture as they are about joining the company.

▼ City Communications runs a number of entertainment and hospitality-related businesses.

The first interview can be passed by performing at least one anime song at the company’s Anime Song Cafe in Yokohama. Even better (worse?) the staff there will be doing cosplay as they greet potential candidates. Open trials are being held on 4 and 18 April and 17 and 29 May this year.

Of course singing isn’t for everyone, particularly singing in front of strangers. So, City Communications is also holding another job fair at its Dice Internet Cafe in Tokyo’s Ikebukuro district. The unusual selection process this time? A massive, up to one hour, game of the game wink murder (also commonly known as killer), a party game where one or more murderers can kill with a wink, and the dwindling survivors attempt to identify the killers in their midst before they too are done in. The wink murder game job auditions are being held on 10 April and 23 May.

▼ “Murder! Culprit-catching game”

Is there a better place in the world to be an otaku than Japan? With their own dating service (since they actually make quite the catch), their own Mecca in the form of Tokyo’s Akihabara neighborhood, and now their own job hunting style, probably not.

Source, images: PR Times via Jin115

Find out what the country’s most well-known onsen look like as a cute idol group in their very first video.

When it comes to anthropomorphising inanimate objects, nobody does it quite like Japan. From historical swords as handsome men in the animated game Touken Ranbu to warships as cute girls in anime series KanColle, talented illustrators around the country have a knack for turning the world’s most unlikely objects into cute wide-eyed anime stars.

Now it’s time for Japan’s onsen hot springs to come to life as anime characters, with a group of animated idols called “Onsen Musume” or “Onsen Girls“. Created by a start-up company called Enbound, in conjunction with Tokyo Otaku Mode and Dai-ichi Kangyo Credit Cooperative, the characters are part of a new multimedia project designed to help promote Japanese hot springs. And if the new promotional video for the group is anything to go by, these girls are definitely going to do a good job of getting people interested in the country’s onsen.

Take a look at the girls’ debut in the promotional video below:

There are nine onsen girls in the Onsen Musume group, including Saya Hakone representing Hakone Onsen.

▼ And Yuina Kusatsu as Kusatsu onsen in Gunma Prefecture.

▼ Ayase Noboribetsu is the character for Noboribetsu, Hokkaido’s most famous hot spring resort.

The other girls in the group include: Nanako Akiu, Kanade Baden Yufuin, Izumi Dougo, and Mitsuki Gero, whose surnames all link up to the onsen they’re embodying. There’s also Fuuka Arima and Rinka Arima, who are Arima’s famous silver hot spring and golden hot spring respectively.

According to the team behind the project, the Onsen Musume story begins when the onsen are summoned forth by the hot spring god Sukunahiko to become anthropomorphised members of an idol group called SPRiNGS. Starting with these nine members, who will compete against each other in song and dance, the project hopes to expand to include all of Japan’s thousands of hot springs around the country, and eventually culminate in a game and anime TV series about the girls.

The release of the promotional video coincides with the launch of the group’s official campaign on Japanese crowdfunding site Makuake. Offering returns like mini-album CDs, cute merchandise, and tickets to live shows, the project has already raised 3.4 million yen (US$30,165) of its 5 million yet target goal, with 39 days left in the campaign.

With so much interest in the new Onsen Musume series, it shouldn’t be too long before we get to see more from the singing and dancing hot springs. After all, there’s already a novel about a boy who’s been turned into a hot spring, so now it’s time for hot springs to have their turn in the spotlight, this time as a group of fun-loving young girls!

Source: Net Lab
Featured image: YouTube/公式温泉むすめ
Insert images: YouTube/公式温泉むすめ

Two young boys’ imaginations and one loving father’s artistic skills continue to combine with amazing results.

As anyone who’s spent much time with young kids knows, their interests can change very quickly. The toy or hobby that seemed like their whole world just the other day can quickly get tossed aside when so much of the world is still so shiny and new to their young minds.

So while we thoroughly enjoyed the first four entries in French-born, Japan-based anime artist Thomas Romain’s Father and Sons Design Workshop series, we weren’t sure how long the project was going to last. The starting points for each illustration after all, are concept sketches from Romain’s sons (aged 10 and 8), which the elder Romain then polishes using the skills he’s put to use in helping to produce the visuals of anime including Space Dandy and Symphogear.

But luckily for us, the kids seem to still be thoroughly enjoying making art with Dad, and the series has been chugging along with Romain sharing a new entry through his Twitter account at a pace of roughly one every seven days or so.

▼ Original concept on the left, finished illustration on the right

親子デザイン工房 (No.05) コズミックロボ 原案:長男 イラスト:パパ Cosmic Robot Original design: son Illustration : dad Be original, be yours… twitter.com/i/web/status/8…

—
ThomasRomain ロマン・トマ (@Thomasintokyo) January 29, 2017

Kids are very quick to pick up on anything that could be construed as unfair or imbalanced, but Romain looks to be keeping everyone happy by alternating between his two sons’ designs. So after finishing the Cosmic Robo shown above, which sprang from the imagination of his 10-year-old, next up was the younger boy’s Tulip Brothers.

親子デザイン工房 (No.06) チューリップブラザーズ 原案:次男 イラスト:パパ Tulip brothers Original design: son(8) Illustration : dad Have a nice,… twitter.com/i/web/status/8…

—
ThomasRomain ロマン・トマ (@Thomasintokyo) February 05, 2017

But don’t assume that the friendly flower siblings mean the little brother is always opting for cuter characters. Big Brother’s Sand Golem…

親子デザイン工房 (No.07) サンドゴーレム 原案:長男 イラスト:パパ Sand golem Original design: son Illustration : dad Without ideas, skills a… twitter.com/i/web/status/8…

—
ThomasRomain ロマン・トマ (@Thomasintokyo) February 11, 2017

…was followed by Little Brother’s Snake Fighter, which isn’t a man who battles snakes, but a multi-armed giant viper carrying an arsenal of medieval weaponry…and also a glistening lollipop (because, after all, the designer is still eight).

▼ Although according to Romain’s notes even the candy raises the Snake Fighter’s combat capabilities.

親子デザイン工房 (No.08) 蛇戦士 原案:次男 イラスト:パパ Snake fighter Original design: son (8) Illustration : dad The lollipop grants… twitter.com/i/web/status/8…

—
ThomasRomain ロマン・トマ (@Thomasintokyo) February 19, 2017

▼ Further fantasy with the Fire Guardian…

親子デザイン工房 (No.09) ファイヤーガーディアン 原案:長男 イラスト:パパ Fire Guardian Original design: son (10) Illustration : dad Kids, don't… twitter.com/i/web/status/8…

—
ThomasRomain ロマン・トマ (@Thomasintokyo) February 26, 2017

▼ …then back to sci-fi with the twin-torso Killer Ball robot

親子デザイン工房 (No.10) キラーボール 原案:次男 イラスト:パパ Killer Ball Original design: son (8) Illustration : dad Old school robot de… twitter.com/i/web/status/8…

—
ThomasRomain ロマン・トマ (@Thomasintokyo) March 05, 2017

▼ The Cloud Dwellers giving a sendoff to a fallen comrade

親子デザイン工房 (No.11) くもの上の住人 原案:長男(10) イラスト:パパ Cloud dwellers Original design: son Illustration : dad Lost a friend t… twitter.com/i/web/status/8…

—
ThomasRomain ロマン・トマ (@Thomasintokyo) March 12, 2017

And finally, we come to the most recent entry, the robot K-3, a pun on the Japanese words for “three” (san) and “calculation” (keisan), which explains the mathematical markings.

親子デザイン工房 (No.12) K-3 (計算) 原案:次男(8) イラスト:パパ K-3 (Keisan) Original design: son Illustration : dad Do you like math?… twitter.com/i/web/status/8…

—
ThomasRomain ロマン・トマ (@Thomasintokyo) March 19, 2017

As the series’ popularity has grown, Romain has begun offering glimpses at the production process. Here, he breaks down the sketching, inking, and coloring of the Cloud Dwellers illustration.

Process☁️ 親子デザイン工房のイラストの描き方。 下描き➡️ペン入れ➡️水彩 https://t.co/wz1LHzYV0Y

—
ThomasRomain ロマン・トマ (@Thomasintokyo) March 14, 2017

And while his job in the animation field means Romain spends most of his time at work creating in a computerized environment with pro-spec technology, for this family project he uses much simpler materials, such as paper notebooks and 100-yen (US$0.90) markers, and it’s a change he has no complaints about.

This is what I use. 2H pencil, 100 yens marker, watercolor, different sketchbooks. But remember, tools are not what… twitter.com/i/web/status/8…

—
ThomasRomain ロマン・トマ (@Thomasintokyo) March 03, 2017

Process. Rediscovering the fun of drawing on paper after years of digital artworks. 紙で絵を描く楽しさを忘れていました。 https://t.co/yoUrbaDpJZ

—
ThomasRomain ロマン・トマ (@Thomasintokyo) January 31, 2017

Romain is also quick to give credit to his kids’ key role in the creative process, stressing that without their ideas, their awesome collaborative artwork wouldn’t be possible. Perhaps coolest of all is that as time goes by, his sons’ concept sketches are becoming more detailed and defined, so in addition to enjoying the finished products, following the series lets you see the children’s development as artists’ themselves.

Let’s just hope the boys don’t get too good and go solo too quickly, though, so that we can look forward to the teamwork of the Father and Sons Design Workshop continuing for a long time to come.

Featured image: Twitter/@Thomasintokyo

Both sides of the debate express concerns about children’s mental and emotional development.

Considering the copious amounts of anime, manga, and video games that Japan produces, one might assume that the whole country has a more or less favorable image of those three media categories. That’s not the case, though, with a not-insignificant number of parents seeing Japan’s most iconic pop culture representatives as a detriment to their children’s mental development.

Japanese website My Navi Gakusei no Madoguchi recently polled current university students in Japan whose parents had prohibited them from watching TV, reading manga, or playing video games while growing up and asked them if they intended to do the same if and when they had children of their own in the future. While the researchers collected answers from only 81 respondents (34 men and 47 women), they received a wide variety of thought on the pros and cons of letting young children indulge in the popular forms of entertainment.

37 percent of the respondents said that they plan to raise their children as they themselves were raised, not allowing them to consume anime, manga, or video games. Though that makes the group the minority, it’s still a surprisingly large contingent of early-twentysomethings to be championing such a strict parenting policy.

Several cited concerns that the unholy triumvirate of manga, anime, and games would hamper their children’s studies. “I want my kids to get into a good college,” stated one of many who equated the hobbies with reduced academic performance. “I have an image of kids not studying very much if they spend too much time playing games,” worried another, and at least one respondent said she had experienced such a phenomenon first-hand after getting into college. “Once I became able to read manga and watch anime, the amount of time I spent studying dropped,” recalled the 19-year-old freshman.

Another reason multiple respondents plan to keep anime and games away from their kids is a fear of it negatively impacting their physical well-being or social circle. “I want my kids to play outside energetically. [Games and anime are] bad for their eyes,” declared one survey subject. “If they don’t play outside with friends when they’re kids, they’ll have problems when they grow up,” fretted another.

On the other side of the debate, though, the 63 percent who plan to give their kids more freedom than they enjoyed had counter arguments for many of the points mentioned above. Not being able to play video games at all can actually make it harder for some children to make friends, as more than one respondent remembered feeling left out of fun conversations among game-loving classmates. “I’d like them to have common interests they can talk about with other kids,” said one proponent of more lenient parenting.

Others on the pro-anime/game side argued that as far as mental development is concerned, learning self-control and time management are as important as achieving high test scores. “I want my kids to learn how to judge for themselves whether it’s time for work or play,” hoped one, while another said “Rather than being banned from enjoying those things, the important thing is for them to learn to know, on their own, when it’s time to stop.”

One of the strongest supporters of pop culture felt as he did because “Games and anime are a part of culture, and I want my children to experience them.” That might sound like a lofty estimation of entertainment media, but even things that were originally made to provide fun or enjoyment can eventually become part of a society’s shared cultural experience, like Star Wars and Lord of the Rings have in the West. One man in the survey even went so far as to say that he hopes that through experiencing the variety of perspectives portrayed in fiction, his children will become more flexible and open-minded thinkers.

Finally, there were those who plan to let their kids enjoy anime and manga for practical reasons. “If you tell kids they can’t enjoy those things at all, that just makes them all the more likely to get completely absorbed in them,” felt one respondent, echoing a theory that we’ve heard before.

Perhaps the most rationally minded comment came from the man who said “Doing anything to excess isn’t good for you. There’s nothing wrong with games in and of themselves,” which explains why the majority of the survey respondents concluded that prohibiting them outright is going a step too far.

Source: Nico Nico News via Jin
Top image ©RocketNews24
Insert images: Pakutaso (1, 2)

One of Japan’s most popular casual clothing retailers finally brings Sailor Moon clothing and accessory options to everyday anime fans.

25 years after its first episode aired, Sailor Moon remains one of the most beloved anime franchises of all time. However, the series’ sustained popularity is a bit of a double-edged sword for fans.

On the one hand, two-and-a-half decades of staying power attracts plenty of creative partners willing to produce a steady stream of Sailor Moon merchandise, including adult fashion. On the other hand, enough time has passed since the anime’s premiere that many fans are now in their 30s and 40s, which means that a lot of those cool Sailor Moon clothing and accessory options are priced to drain a sizable chunk of a grown-up paycheck.

So it’s refreshing to see a fashion collection that firmly tugs at Sailor Moon fans’ heartstrings without ruthlessly snatching at their wallets, like this one from Japanese retailer GU, the even-more-affordable offshoot of already-affordably-priced brand Uniqlo.

The feline fashionable Luna and Artemis shoulder bags above, for example, as well as the more understated Crystal Star Compact bags, are just 1,990 yen (US$18) each. For the same price, you can also get a pair of “skants,” extra-billowy pants with a skirt-like drape, in either Sailor Moon or Princes Serenity designs, the former of which mirrors the color scheme of the heroine’s pleated skirt and chest ribbon.

The lineup’s price points are so low that they top out at 2,490 yen, which will get you a pair of Sailor Moon jeans or transformation item dress.

For tops, the 1,490-yen Luna and Artemis blouses would pair well with their respective shoulder bags.

There’s also a huge variety of T-shirts, which at just 790 yen are less expensive than bootlegs from an anime convention dealers’ room.

▼ Individual Sailor Senshi shirts

▼ Luna and the Moon Stick

▼ Even more shirts featuring the titular heroine herself, in the “Sailor Moon Illustrated Print T-shirt” series

And finally, to add a finishing accent to your ensemble, GU has five different Sailor Moon charms that you can clip to your bag, each priced at 590 yen.

The entire line goes on sale March 24 (the Sailor Moon Illustrated Print T-shirt, jeans, skants, and Luna/Artemis blouses are limited to larger GU branches), so if you’re a fan with a couple of spare bucks in your budget, you can find a list of GU locations right here.

Source: GU via Nijimen
Images: GU (edited by RocketNews24)

Now in its 13th year, the Den Den Town event is one of the biggest otaku gatherings in central Japan.

While Tokyo’s Akihabara is the worldwide center of otaku passion, anime and video games are big enough parts of the Japanese pop culture landscape that fans assemble in other parts of the country as well. One such congregation occurs every spring in the neighborhood of Osaka called Den Den Town, when the streets are closed down for the annual Nippombashi Street Festa cosplay extravaganza.

This year, the 13th iteration of the event was held on March 19, where for three hours cosplayers and fans flooded the pavement to mix, mingle, pose, and photograph.

ここ(大阪)で死んで頂きます #ストフェス #ストフェス2017 #shadowverse https://t.co/AFc5RVFjrU

—
礼奈るみ・8・24〜26モーターサイクル (@oOsuyaaaOo) March 19, 2017

ストフェスでバサバサ翼😈👼 #ストフェス #シャドウバース https://t.co/8LUycmfieR

—
空綺 一愛♥ストフェスオリヴィエ (@HimeStrawberry) March 20, 2017

While traditionalists may dismiss the business model as turning digital entertainment into a cheap, shallow, and entirely disposable commodity, free-to-play mobile games still inspired some impressive outfits. In addition to the Shadowverse swordswoman and winged creature above, Fate/Grand Order, a free-to-play offshoot of the Fate multimedia series, had a strong showing.

頂いたストフェスのデータに自撮りする私が入ってた。すごいキメ顔してて笑っちゃう😳 https://t.co/aHPqve4gbs

—
わせりん㌠ｽﾄﾌｪｽ→ｾｲﾊﾞｰｵﾙﾀ (@wasse_ring) March 21, 2017

ストリートフェスタの写真！FGOのネロブライドをやりました〜！ #ストリートフェスタ2017 #ストリートフェスタ #ストフェス #ストフェス2017 #FGO #FateGO #Fate https://t.co/tuchOwuKzu

—
赤木クロ@ストフェス ネロブライド (@akagikuro) March 21, 2017

▼ This dedicated cosplayer was accompanied by a team of four assistants who helped him recreate the iconic Gate of Babylon magical assault.

Fateのギルガメッシュおったｗｗｗｗｗ #ストフェス2017 #ストフェス https://t.co/vYOD59Ro6L

—
しずくβ@ｽﾄﾌｪｽ⏩春ｺﾐ (@siz33) March 19, 2017

タグ付けるべきとの指摘ありましたので再掲 ストフェス終了。 英雄王御一行からお手伝いの褒美に完全版ゲートオブバビロンを動画撮影する栄誉を賜ったのでご覧下さい。 #ゲートオブバビロン #FGO　#FateGO… twitter.com/i/web/status/8…

—
血尿＠化け猫㌠ (@k2nyo) March 20, 2017

▼ A sharp-dressed spellcaster from mobile game Granblue Fantasy

遅くなったけど、ストフェスはグラブルファンタジーのマギサです！ 神撃のバハムートから大すきなキャラです！！😳♥ #ストフェス2017 レイヤー @165_ponu カメラ 1.2 @code_xxx 3… twitter.com/i/web/status/8…

—
椿いろこはひかえめ6V☆おっぱいタオル (@165_ponu) March 21, 2017

Characters from full-priced console games were also represented, though, such as Persona 5’s Anne…

ペルソナ5 高巻杏 少しだけデータ触りました… 明日はストフェスこれで行くのでフォロワーさん写メ撮りましょ💓よろしくです🙏✨ Photo・@ebi_D_A #ストフェス2017 https://t.co/5Rsj4KYIkY

—
みいすけ🌻ストフェス高巻杏 (@huji_mi1113) March 18, 2017

…and Metal Gear Solid’s Raiden.

@Nyxus_MGS @metalgear_en I did a costume play of the RAIDEN by an event of Japan！ https://t.co/sX3rz7PrBx

—
イクシロ@ライジング雷電(ストフェス) (@exlo123456789) March 21, 2017

Even foreign-produced games got some love, like with this cosplay of D. Va from Overwatch.

ユリオと打って変わって昨日のストフェスはオーバーウォッチのD.VAちゃんでOW併せしてました！IvIizさんが綺麗に撮ってくれたのでとりあえず上げます(∩｡•ω•｡ )⊃━✩*⋆.･¨｡*⋆ https://t.co/gqtnj1FvJj

—
🍓真輝🍓NieR 2Bコス出します (@makimelo_1005) March 20, 2017

On the anime side of things, one of the biggest hits among otaku during the current TV season has been anthropomorphic moe-fest Kemono Friends, which meant cosplayers dressed as series mascot Serval…

ストフェスでのサーバルちゃんコスのお写真いただきました🐱🌳✨ photo by @rairaisansan https://t.co/JafBq8XJtK

—
モニ子 (@monico_PC) March 20, 2017

…and the surprisingly scantily dressed Emperor Penguin.

@VT1100C2RIDER 昨日大阪のストフェスにいたコウテイペンギンがこちらになります（@itsuki_akira ）お納めください( ´艸｀) https://t.co/Pn3vzIibjr

—
ぺとらるか (@cute_petrarca) March 20, 2017

日本橋ストリートフェスタ けものフレンズ / コウテイペンギン 五木あきらさん（ @itsuki_akira ） #ストフェス2017 https://t.co/OqhVy9lLdJ

—
エル＠ストフェス (@OtherLhurgoyf) March 20, 2017

2017.3.19 日本橋ストリートフェスタ りっきゅん(@riku_cos_9) #ストフェス #ストフェス2017 https://t.co/2lCrL7pJFq

—
すぷ (@soup_photo) March 22, 2017

Another popular choice from the recent crop of new anime: Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid.

#ストフェス 小林さんちのメイドドラゴン トール:@Shinoda_Kana エルマ:@moguuuuuuua ファフニール:リアンさん https://t.co/3WLLB4IdPn

—
ゆうめるん ⌨️ (@Yuumeln) March 20, 2017

小林さんちのメイドラゴンのルコアさんをしてきました♪正式にはケツァルコアトル。元神か羽毛ある蛇か金星人がいい☆(*´∇｀) 1枚目:たけさん(@take559) 2-3枚目:タカオさん(@tkake773)… twitter.com/i/web/status/8…

—
七青@ストフェスおつでした！ (@nanaonk) March 21, 2017

▼ A faithful recreation of Gintama’s Kagura, who wouldn’t look out of place in the upcoming live-action adaptation…

ストフェス 銀魂〜吉原炎上編〜神楽 Photo ▶︎ロセッティさん(@rossetti_7) ありがとうございましたm(__)m #ストフェス2017 #ストフェス #日本橋ストリートフェスタ #銀魂 https://t.co/21T6pV2K0A

—
🎀ひちゃき🎀ストフェス 神楽 (@Hcyak3110) March 21, 2017

▼ …and a gender-switched version of the titular series star.

ストフェスは銀魂から銀子さんです☺ みなさまに会いたいですー😍 #ストフェス2017 #ストフェス https://t.co/oS4GL5Xsc2

—
しいなもえ@ストフェス銀子 (@fallenangel0710) March 19, 2017

▼ A dynamic duo from My Hero Academia

みてみてみてみて…!!!💥 念願のオールマイトとの2ショット…!!!💥 最高に幸せすぎて普通に笑ってるワイ!!笑 こたつさんほんまにめっちゃかっこよかったですーーーｯ( ´;ω;` )!! 有難うございました!!!… twitter.com/i/web/status/8…

—
ゆめちか🌎ｽﾄﾌｪｽ爆豪ﾋｰﾛｰｽｰﾂ (@B_Planet39) March 21, 2017

Even anime fans from the animal kingdom got in on the fun, such as this pair of kitties dressed as San and Ashitaka from Studio Ghibli classic Princess Mononoke…

▼ Not cosplaying as Totoro’s Catbus seems like sort of a wasted opportunity, though.

日本橋ストリートフェスタ2017 もののけ姫: 猫のサンとアシタカ🐱！ #ストフェス2017 https://t.co/7bHS1Atp6s

—
夕雨(ゆうあめ)@ｽﾄﾌｪｽ✩撮側 (@you___rainy) March 19, 2017

…and this pack of pooches dressed as Attack on Titan’s Survey Corps, complete with miniature Three-Dimensional Maneuver Gear.

進撃のﾜﾝちゃんが可愛すぎた、立体起動装置ついてるし(　´∀｀)b #ストフェス2017 https://t.co/0hWaua9cX7

—
mossi@のんびりまったり (@mossinyanta) March 19, 2017

But before you go declaring cute little pets doing anime cosplay to be the most Japanese thing since sailor suit Pikachu, consider this other contender: Godzilla doing an otaku-style ota-gei dance.

ゴジラのオタ芸 #ストフェス2017 https://t.co/MeaQ2k4Cd0

—
なまおっぱい・ふぉん・でぐれちゃふ (@yuyu_extremists) March 19, 2017

Street Festa really is a world unto itself, but with such colorful and creative participants as the ones seen here, it’s a world that we’re happy exists.

Featured image: Twitter/@cute_petrarca

Two more of the anime and manga franchise’s characters get the “bathing beauty” treatment.

Anime and manga franchise One Piece owes much of its success to the way it provides a little something for everyone. If you’re looking for a manic adventure story, you’ll enjoy watching the Straw Hat Pirates chase after treasure and square off against increasingly powerful adversaries. On a deeper level, the heroes’ escapades thread together to form deep, emotional bonds that are touching and inspiring to behold.

And if you’re just in the mood to stare at women with large busts and willowy limbs, One Piece can deliver on that front too. As the years have gone by, series creator Eiichiro Oda has shown a penchant for drawing certain members of the cast with increasingly exaggerated proportions, and that aesthetic has gotten kicked into overdrive with merchandiser Bandai’s Portrait of Pirates BB (“bathing beauty”) line.

Previously, we’ve looked at the BB figure versions of One Piece characters Carifa and Boa. Now the spotlight swings back to the series’ most prominent heroine and the Straw Hat Pirates’ first female member: Nami.

In its standard configuration, the 135-millimeter (5.3-inch) one-eighth-scale figure portrays Nami in the midst of pouring a drink of cool, refreshing water down to her throat, no doubt a purely plot-based pose, given the importance of proper hydration when sailing the high seas. However, should one desire, the bottle can be removed, which leaves Nami seemingly cupping an invisible tube of considerable girth, with an ecstatically expectant and enthusiastic expression on her upturned face and open lips.

Nami is joined in the BB lineup by Tashigi, yet another lithesome member of the extensive cast of One Piece.  

Tashigi’s 125-milimeter figure is actually a reworked version of the character’s BB statute from last year, in which she wore the same design of one-piece swimsuit but with blue as the primary color and black trim. Regardless of the color scheme, the outfit is extremely revealing, showing off not only plenty of side boob…

…but also a lot of front boob, for lack of a better term.

And to show that Bandai knows exactly which side their bread is buttered on here, the background of the promotional image for Tashigi’s figure is an obvious homage to Japan’s most famous adult video filming location.

The figures are being sold through online retailer Premium Bandai, which will start taking orders for the 9,720-yen (US$86) Nami (available here) and the 9,504-yen Tashigi (here) on March 24.

If you just can’t bear to choose between the two, Premium Bandai is also offering a bundle pack of both figures here for 17,928 yen, roughly 1,300 yen less than the sum of their individual purchase prices. Shipping is scheduled for early September, just as real-life swimsuit season is winding down.

Source: Premium Bandai
Top image: Premium Bandai (1, 2) (edited by RocketNews24)
Insert images: Premium Bandai (1, 2) (edited by RocketNews24)

Love of anime, light novels, and/or costuming essential, desire to actually sleep optional.

Japan’s Junkudo is, first and foremost, a bookstore. You can tell that from all the shelves stocked with books, plus the team of employees who’ll let you exchange money for them.

But every now and again, Junkudo becomes a sort of hotel too. In October of 2015 the chain held its first Try Living in Junkudo event, in which lucky bibliophiles won the chance to spend the entire night in one of Junkudo’s Osaka branches. A second such event was held almost exactly a year later at Junkudo’s Tachikawa branch in Tokyo, and now the company is speeding up the cycle with another overnight event in the Tachikawa store.

This time, though, there’s an added wrinkle. On the night of June 10, the Tachikawa Junkudo won’t be just a bookstore and a hotel, but a cosplay studio too, as event participants will be allowed to cosplay and take photos all night long.

While the Try Living in Junkudo events were capped at 10 participants, the bookseller is counting on a much larger turnout for the first-ever costuming promotion officially called Won’t You Try Cosplaying at Junkudo? The organizers are looking for five groups, with up to five cosplayers and three support members (such as cameramen or assistants) allowed for each team.

Participants will gather at the Tachikawa Junkudo at 10 p.m. on the night of June 10, and after an hour of orientation and set-up time, will have until 6:30 the next morning to take cosplay photos, socialize, and, should they actually get around to it, sleep. While eating and drinking will be allowed in a designated area, no food or beverages will be provided, so you’ll want to procure provisions at one of the local convenience stores before arriving (participants are also required to bring their own sleeping bags).

The whole thing is absolutely free although you will need to fill out a survey and participate in a feedback session the next morning, before the whole event wraps up at 8:30 a.m. If you and your cosplay crew are interested, and 18 years of age or older, applications can be made online here between now and April 10, and those selected will be notified by April 14.

Shop information
Junkudo Tachikawa Takashimaya branch / ジュンク堂（立川高島屋店）
Adress: Tokyo-to, Tachikawa-shi, Akebono-cho, 2-39-3, Tachikawa Takashimaya 6th floor
東京都立川市曙町2丁目39番3号　立川高島屋6階
Website

Source: Maruzen Junkudo via Kai-You
Images: Maruzen Junkudo

The video streaming giant took the rights to a live-action Death Note movie…and made it!

Next week, the long-anticipated, much-discussed Hollywood live-action version of Ghost in the Shell finally makes its debut at theaters in the U.S. But that’s not the only feature-length reimagining of an internationally beloved anime/manga franchise coming this year.

In late summer, video streaming service Netflix will at long last be releasing its originally produced live-action Death Note movie, the latest branch of the multimedia juggernaut that began as a manga in 2003 before becoming an anime, then both live-action film and TV drama series in Japan. While Netflix has dabbled with comic adaptations before (its Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, and Iron Fist series all originated as Marvel comics), and also purchased the streaming rights to 2014 anime Knights of Sidonia, its Death Note is the company’s most ambitious Japanese pop culture-based endeavor so far, and it’s just released the movie’s first teaser trailer.

It’s worth noting that the preview announces, in an extremely edgy font, that this is “A Netflix original film, based on the international phenomenon.” There’s no specific mention made anywhere of Death Note’s anime or manga roots, nor of the franchise’s country of origin. The setting has been shifted to Seattle (or at least a city that’s at least copied the Washington State city’s Space Needle), with Light now played by non-Japanese actor Nat Wolff.

Still, the production designers seem to be trying to carry over at least some of the anime’s aesthetics, what with darkly circled eyes and a lingering shot of an apple with black feathers fluttering about a shadowy environment.

▼ Not seen in the teaser: potato chips

The basic premise seems to have stayed the same, too, with Light opening the mysterious Death Note and reading aloud that “The human whose name is written in this note shall die.” If nothing else, Netflix’s decision to present the phrase exactly as it appeared in the anime, clumsy English syntax and all, shows a certain respect for the source material and its pre-existing fans.

The video also gives us our first sample of veteran Hollywood actor Willem Dafoe’s vocal performance as death spirit Ryuk, who asks “Shall we begin?” in a scratchy voice that’s somehow at once both darkly menacing and oddly sociable.

Since it’s only about a minute long, the teaser doesn’t give enough information to say how closely the events of the Netflix film are going to mirror those of the original manga (if they do divert widely, it wouldn’t be the first time for a live-action adaptation of the series). Death Note is set to start streaming on Netflix on August 25, and should it be a hit, maybe one day we’ll get to hear Dafoe singing “Pen-Pineapple-Apple-Pen.”

Source: YouTube/Netflix US & Canada via IT Media
Images: YouTube/Netflix US & Canada

Now you can enjoy the flavours of some well-known characters from the acclaimed animation studio.

If you’re looking for Studio Ghibli merchandise in Japan, one of the best places to head to is a chain of official stores called “Donguri Kyowakoku” or “Acorn Republic“. Here you’ll find everything from Howl’s Moving Castle cookware to Totoro umbrellas with patterns that appear in the rain, and even a No Face money box that burps as it gobbles up your coins.

In their never-ending quest to delight customers with new and exciting merchandise, Benelic, the company behind the Donguri Kyowakoku stores, has outdone themselves again, this time by teaming up with popular Japanese tea retailer Lupicia, in order to create an adorable new range of teas featuring some of our favourite Studio Ghibli characters.

First up in the range are two beautiful tins adorned with characters from the 1989 anime film, Kiki’s Delivery Service. Jiji the magical black cat appears on the “Jiji and Butterfly” tin, which contains a fragrant rooibos tea filled with the flavours of strawberry, apricot and honey. Made with rose petals, pink peppers and dried blueberries, this blend has been designed to conjure up all the warm, friendly thoughts that Jiji has for her human friend Kiki.

Kiki herself appears on the beautiful “Kiki and Townscape” tin. Inside this one is a black tea filled with the sweet and tart flavours of strawberry and blackcurrants, a combination that’s said to resemble Kiki’s bittersweet struggle to become a full-fledged witch, as she leaves her family behind to fulfil her calling and find friendship with a boy called Tombo.

The third and final tin in the new collection features one of the most popular and well-known characters from the Studio Ghibli franchise, the loveable Totoro from the 1988 anime film, My Neighbour Totoro. The “Napping Totoro” tin looks absolutely adorable, with the sleeping giant surrounded by a couple of soot sprites and a collection of his beloved acorns. The tea inside is especially unique too, as it uses hojicha roasted green tea sourced from the Sayama Hills in Saitama Prefecture, which is the real-world setting for the anime film and the place where Totoro is said to reside in real-life. The roasted green tea contains less caffeine than regular green tea, which makes it a perfect option for unwinding and relaxing before bedtime.

The 40-gram (1.4-ounce) tins of tea will retail for 1,500 yen (US$13.50) each at Donguri Kyowakoku stores around the country from from 22 April.

The tea range is set to be incredibly popular, so to ensure you don’t miss out, head on over to their online store to pre-order them for domestic delivery here. Unfortunately, the items are yet to be made officially available for overseas customers, but there’s a chance that they might appear on international delivery sites like Global Rakuten or Japan Trend Shop soon so be sure to check them out for more details!

Source, images: PR Times

The Japanese schoolgirl star even comes with a personalised CD so you can listen to her calling you by name.

Ever since the trailer for PlayStation’s VR title Summer Lesson was shown at the Tokyo Game Show last year, people have been dreaming up ways of getting close to Hikari Miyamoto, the star of the virtual reality game.

Now there’s a way for fans to bring the video game character out of the virtual reality world and into their homes, with a brand new life-sized figurine of the star produced by Bandai and Tamashii Nations.

Standing at 165 centimetres (5 foot, 3 inches) tall, Hikari comes dressed in her signature school uniform, with incredible attention to detail that can be seen in her realistic eyes, hair and skin texture.

The model’s school uniform even looks like it’s made from cotton, and the student comes complete with an English Communication textbook in one hand, ready to brush up on her second language skills with her in-game, or real-world, tutor.

Adding to the realism is a pair of standard-issue school shoes and socks, and an adhesive bandage just above her right knee.

Not only does the figure look real, but she aims to sound real too, as she comes complete with a personal letter and a 10-15 minute recording that plays a personalised message from her to you, where she specifically mentions you by name.

▼ Hikari is ready to welcome you home from a long day at work, complete with vocal stylings.

Created with a high-precision 3-D printer, each life-size model is carefully crafted with utmost attention to detail. The high-quality figure also comes with a high price tag of 2.916 million yen (US$26,248). For those unable to splurge their savings on the life-size model, the figurine will also be available in a more affordable one-eighth scale version in August for 9,504 yen (US$85.60). Both figures also come with a code to download a bikini DLC outfit for the character in the game world, however, the smaller model doesn’t come with a personalised letter or CD.

While the official delivery date for the life-size figurine is yet to be revealed, registrations are currently being accepted online from those wishing to make a purchase. Before making an application, however, Hikari asks would-be buyers to be careful about three things. Firstly, they should check that they have enough space for her in their home. Secondly, Hikari asks whether the buyer has informed their family about the purchase, saying “They’ll be surprised to see me if I show up suddenly, so be sure to tell them first”. Lastly, they should check their wallet to make sure the purchase doesn’t send them broke. As she says, “If you wind up with hardly any money like me, you’ll be in trouble!”

Once you’ve checked off all those things, you have Hikari’s blessing to make the purchase, and then you can join the ranks of rare figurine owners like this fan, who welcomed a life-size anime character into his home last year.

Source, images: Tamashii

The cast of hit anime Puella Magi Madoka Magica take a break from saving the world to help teens learn English by learning about France.

While Japan is generally more accepting of the notion that anime can be for adults too, a lot of anime is designed specifically to appeal to teenagers. As a matter of fact, some parents are so worried about the ability of anime to captivate young minds that they go so far as to forbid their children to watch it until they’ve gotten accepted to college.

But at least one textbook publisher thinks that rather than being a distraction, it can channel the passion that anime fans feel for the medium into improved academic performance. That’s why when some Japanese students flip open the pages of a new English textbook, they’ll encounter the cast of magical girl anime Puella Magi Madoka Magica.

新しい教科書にまどマギのってて焦った https://t.co/85l9rsraHX

—
* ちろる * (@Nonon_ii_) March 07, 2017

This isn’t a self-published fan work, either, like the English-learning KanColle book from last year. No, Madoka and her witch-hunting cohorts appear in a legitimate textbook that’s being used in actual schools in Japan.

▼ “Check it out! There’s a Madoka Magica illustration in my high school textbook.”

みてみて 私の高校の教科書 まどマギ挿絵に使われてる https://t.co/0LFlOcfFlR

—
⑅⃛ちぇあり⑅⃛ (@cheariii) March 20, 2017

But despite the eye-catching anime artwork taking up half a page, the associated reading exercise isn’t about the characters shown, but about the popularization of Japanese food overseas. The passage reads:

“How about a piece of karaage?” says a girl.

“Thanks!” answers her friend.

The above is one scene from an anime. School girls are eating bentos at lunch time. You’ve probably had a bento for lunch like these girls many times.

Most French people, however, had never seen such a lunch before they watched Japanese anime. They took a great interest in the scenes of people eating bentos. To French people, they looked like full-course meals of rice and other delicious things packed into little boxes.

The French have always loved cooking and eating good food, and France is famous for its gourmet culture. The Japanese bento appealed to people in France so much that it has become popular there. Now it has also spread to other countries.

高校の英語教科書にハルヒ載るみたいだけど、私の高校の教科書にはまどマギが載ってた https://t.co/VvH2CJwtGf

—
れもえーど。 (@remoe_do) March 19, 2017

Hard-charging linguists and multiculturalists might find it odd that the writers of an English-as-a-second-language text decided to use a lesson to highlight how cool Japanese food is and how well it’s been received in a French-speaking country. The untranslated instances of “karaage” and “bento” also seem like a missed opportunity to introduce some easy-to-remember vocabulary (“Japanese-style fried chicken” and “boxed lunch”) and their usefully flexible grammatical construction.

Still, it’s important to keep your spirits up while studying, and just as many people have an easier time concentrating in a comfortable cafe than a dusty old library, perhaps the surprise appearance of these characters will give them the emotional boost they need to keep trying even if the material is difficult for them.

And who knows? Maybe the results will be so impressive that the Madoka cast will start showing up in books for other subjects too. With all of the series’ talk about contracts, they’d be a good fit for a business law text…or, considering how some of the anime’s magical girls end up losing their souls or minds through those deals, maybe an ethics course too.

Source: Jin
Featured image: Twitter/@Nonon_ii_

Schoolgirls, demons and anthropomorphised characters show us their best side at this year’s event dedicated to all things anime.

With an alluring catchphrase that announces “Here is Everything About Anime”, Anime Japan is an event that’s been attracting more and more attention since it first made its debut back in 2015.

On 25 March, it was time for Anime Japan 2017 to open its main stage area to the public, and crowds of fans headed to the venue at the Tokyo Big Sight convention centre to indulge their senses in the best the anime world has to offer.

Inside the venue, three zones had been set up for live talks, booths, and a variety of entertainment. But what attracted the most crowds of onlookers were the amazing costumes seen on the cast of cosplayers who came out to promote titles and enjoy the event.

Unlike Tokyo’s bi-annual summer and winter Comiket events, which are held in oppressively humid and conversely frigid conditions, Anime Japan fills the sweet spot in between seasons, making it a perfect climate for cosplayers to show off their poses in skimpy outfits or more elaborate, heavier costumes. Let’s take a look at some of the standouts from the day below!

As the Demon of Envy, Leviathan from anime series The Seven Deadly Sins roused jealousy from other cosplayers with her short horns, long purple locks, and a pair of impressively made silver belt pants.

Erika Ootori, the main character from Love of Ren’ai Koutei of LOVE! was there to welcome visitors to her official exhibit.

▼ As was Sherlock “Sherly” Shellingford from Tantei Opera Milky Holmes.

Characters from Onmyoji turned heads as they posed in their traditional Japanese environment.

▼ Here we have Momo no Sei…

▼ …and Youtouhime.

Elias Ainsworth and Silver (Silky) from The Ancient Magus’ Bride struck some impressive poses for visitors.

While Cocoa from Is the Order a Rabbit? greeted guests with her friendly, bubbly personality. 

Her fellow castmate, Chino, appealed to passers-by with her quieter and softer-spoken manner.

There was also a booth dedicated to Bilibili, a China-based video-sharing website similar to Nico Nico Douga, themed around manga, game and anime fandom.

Meiko “Menma” Honma from Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day made an appearance in her frilled white frock.

▼ And Illya from Fate/kaleid liner Prisma Illya was also there to say hello.

“Cruel Princess” Aki Adagaki from Masamune-kun’s Revenge kept men at an arm’s distance.

While perennial favourite KanColle was represented by anthropomorphised warship character Shigure.

The well-known Tama and Friends franchise showed off their own anthropomorphised characters too.

And it wasn’t just locals getting dressed up for the event, with a number of foreign cosplayers seen at the venue as well, including Patricia from Nora to Oujo to Noraneko (Nora, Princess and Stray Cat).

▼ And this pair, spotted outside as Asuna and Yuuki from Sword Art Online.

Back inside the venue, other cosplayers made the most of the special cosplay area set up for them, with popular characters from Fate/Grand Order striking a pose.

And Airi reminds us that no cosplay meetup would be complete without an appearance from the Idolmaster Cinderella Girls.

▼ Bleach characters also turned heads, with a revealing display from Tier Harribel.

▼ While Baraggan showed off his more stocky physique.

Sharing the backdrop with the Bleach characters was Mash Kyrielight from Fate/Grand Order.

In another corner, Beaver and Prairie Dog represented the hugely popular Kemono Friends franchise.

▼ While this Kemono Friends fan took the concept of low-cost cosplay to the main character of Serval.

On our way home from the convention, we spotted some more creative cosplay with Sougo Okita’s gender-swapped character Fusako Okita from Gintama’s Dekobokko Arc.

And the good-looking Taiga from Toradora! reminded us to mark down our diaries so we wouldn’t forget to enjoy the four-day event again next year!

With so many characters representing decades of popular anime franchises, Anime Japan is definitely an event worth attending. Whether you’re a fan or a cosplayer, there’s plenty to see and do so be sure to check out the official website so you can join in the fun next year!

Photos: ©RocketNews24