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Manga wallpaper is now available at B&Q

Date: 2014 January 13 19:16 | Posted By: Voxie

On the off-chance of a friend sending me a photo of her shiny new computer, I notice her room is emblazoned in manga comic art. I find out she bought it from B&Q a while a go.

The art in question is not an excerpt from an existing manga publication, but seems to be a one-off by artist and fashion designer Jean-Charles De Castelbajac

The wallpaper can be purchased online. It's available for £19.98 for a roll that spans 53cm in width and 10 metres.

Souce: B&Q

The latest craze in Japan - eyeball licking?

Date: 2013 August 02 14:46 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Freaky Things

We know readers of Otaku News are up to date with all the latest crazes in Japan, but have you heard about eyeball licking? If you read some news websites they state that it's the latest craze in Japan. They all give the impression that it's sweeping the country. They also interview various doctors who confirm that eyeball licking isn't a healthy thing to do. What they don't do is actually double check with anyone in Japan about this strange craze, because if they did, they'd find out that it isn't really happening. It's another one of those weird Japan stories that people just assume is true.

The Number 1 Shimbun has an excellent article by Mark Schreiber who analyses the origin of the story and how lack of any fact checking caused the article to be picked up by more prestigious news outlets.

Thanks to Matt Alt for making us aware of this story.

Souce: Number 1 Shimbun

Tentacular! An interview with Toshio Maeda

Date: 2012 December 09 12:17 | Posted By: Priss

Category > Features

October 2012's London MCM expo was the most successful ever. It included a stall by influential and controversial manga artists Toshio Maeda. Creator of the the renowned Urotsukidoji and La Blue Girl. We caught with the manga artist and were lucky enough to interview him at the Expo.

NSFW Content Warning. This article contains content that is not safe for work. This article contains an interview with the creator of a certain tentacle based genre of manga.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

Street Fighter and Sanrio Join forces!

Date: 2012 November 20 15:20 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Retail

Every so often we get sent product details we just have to shout about. Something so amazing, so just wow, they need to be documented, the word needs to be spread about them. A while ago we covered some interesting Evangelion products, and what we've just discovered is just as awesome.

Viz Media have sent us details of new mashup - Street Fighter x Sanrio where the characters from Street Fighter and Sanrio combine. We know many fans have been anticipating this combination since the famed Gloomy Bear x Hello Kitty.

The characters are as follows:
Hello Kitty is Chun Li
Badtz-Maru is Ryu
Pochacco is Ken
My Melody is Cammy
Keroppi is Blanka
Purin is Zangief
Tuxedosam is E.Honda
Hangyodon is Guile
Monkichi is Dhalsim,
Kuromi is M.Bison.

To celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Street Fighter they've released two new books Street Fighter x Sanrio: World View and Street Fighter X Sanrio: Sticker Book. Both are available to buy now.

Order Street Fighter X Sanrio: World View from:
Amazon.co.uk
Amazon.com

Order Street Fighter X Sanrio Sticker Book from:
Amazon.co.uk
Amazon.com

Gyo: Tokyo Fish Attack UK Release Details

Date: 2012 August 08 15:46 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > DVD

UK anime fans looking for something different, will want to give Gyo: Tokyo Fish Attack a try.

The title is due out on Monday 20th August 2012 and is available for pre-order now. We haven't seen it yet, and we're unsure how to pitch this, perhaps it's the cure for watching too many moe titles?! Forget regular zombies, a fish that sprout legs and attacks the land is not something you hear about everyday!

Necomimi Brainwave Cat Ears are now available to buy in the UK

Date: 2012 June 27 15:46 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Retail

Following on from our story on Brainwave Controlled Robotic Cat Ears, they've finally hit retailers in the UK! United Publications is now listing them for a very reasonable £73 a set. This will make an ideal gift for cosplayers, furries or those who just like wearing cat ears.

Souce: United Publications

Video Games Music reaches the Classic FM Hall of Fame 2012

Date: 2012 May 13 08:26 | Posted By: Voxie

Category > Gaming

After voting from fans, two video game entries have made the Classic FM Hall of Fame.

At number 16 is Aerith's theme from Final Fantasy VII, composed by Nobuo Uematsu. And at number 238 is Skyrim, composed by Jeremy Soule.

As a person who began liking classical music through video games in the first place, this is absolutely amazing news! Video games have come a long way!

Simulated Rhino Escape at Tokyo Zoo

Date: 2012 February 11 14:43 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Freaky Things

BBC News have some amusing video footage of a fake rhino escape attempt at a zoo in Tokyo.

The training exercise was used to see how staff would cope with a rhino escape at the zoo. The video features a cardboard rhino, and some great attention to detail, notice how the ears and tail move!

Souce: BBC News

Japanese Queen Tribute act at London's Japan Underground

Date: 2012 January 21 08:47 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

Readers in London wondering thinking - Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy? Caught reading this website should head over to The Pipeline in Liverpool Street London on Saturday 4th and Tuesday 7th February 2012 to catch one of Japan's hottest new Queen tribute acts. The band are called Queer (yes, that's actually their name) and will be playing a warm up set as part of Japan Underground, keeping in theme for the night the even will have DJ sets of famous rock hits covered by Japanese artists, plus an 80s themed dress code. The fun and games begin at 7pm and is set to run until midnight.

Tickets can be bought for £5 in advance, or for £7 at the door for each show.

Brainwave Controlled Robotic Cat Ears

Date: 2011 May 06 18:58 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Technology

The folks at Boing Boing have pointed out an amazing new item for fans of cat girls. It's Cat Ears Controlled by your brain. The team known as neurowear have developed a special headband with motorised cat ears on.

Called necomimi the device can read your brainwaves, and then interprets them making suitable gestures with the ears. Marketed as a fashion gimmick and a "neuro communication machine", the Otaku News crew can see this taking off in fandom and similar circles. This means cat girl cosplayers are going to get more realistic (if such a thing is possible).

Souce: Japan Trends

Momo the Chihuahua set to join the Japanese Police

Date: 2010 November 21 15:53 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Current Affairs

BBC News are reporting an amusing story about the Japanese police force who have recruited a chihuahua named Momo. The tiny dog has been selected to become part of a search and rescue team which are used for disasters such as earthquakes. It's small size will allow it to squeeze into places too small for regular rescue dogs to reach.

Souce: BBC News

Reni's Maid Show and Cosplay Cafe - NYC September 19th 2010

Date: 2010 September 05 16:02 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

New York City based fans of maids, moe and cosplay will want to keep Sunday September 19th 2010 free for Reni's Maid Show and Cosplay Cafe. From 12 Midday to 3pm.

2nd Floor of Amber Asian Cuisine on 432 6th Avenue (9th & 10th Street) .
Please note that there's a $12 door charge, which does not include the cost of lunch.

Fandom + Creativity + Recycling = Rannagandamu

Date: 2010 August 29 09:01 | Posted By: Voxie

Category > Fandom

What better icon for recycling than a Gundam model made from the plastic runners left out of Gundam model kits?

Japanese blogger hirotyun1000 has posted up a day-to-day diary on building his "Rannagandamu" (Runnergundam). Some of the runners were even donated by generous readers.

The recycling icon is currently on show at the Hobby Japan 2010 event happening this weekend

Souce: hirotyun1000\'s Blog

Beckii: Schoolgirl Superstar at 14 - BBC TV documentary

Date: 2010 August 08 12:34 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > TV

We've mentioned the BBC covering Beckii Cruel before and BBC Three are set to cover the teen idol this week. Beckii: Schoolgirl Superstar at 14 focuses on the 14 year old school girl from the Isle of Man who is also known as Beckii Cruel a teen icon and internet sensation. It all started when she uploaded films of herself dancing to YouTube.

The hour long documentary forms part of the BBC Three Adult Season which explores the pressure of young people to grow up quickly and what it means to be an adult.

The documentary is set to broadcast this week on BBC Three at the following times:

Thursday 12th August 2010
21:00

Thursday 12th August 2010
23:45

Sunday 15th August 2010
23:15

Monday 16th August 2010
03:15

Update:
The BBC TV blog also has some background details on the making of the documentary.

British readers can now see the documentary on BBC iPlayer.

Souce: BBC Three

Idle Idol - The Japanese Mascot

Date: 2010 June 23 15:11 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Culture

Fans of Japanese street furniture, retail space and the quirky side of things will want to check out the new book called Idle Idol: The Japanese mascot. The authors have sent details about this book, which collates the plastic mascots found outside shops, restaurants and other places trying to draw the attentions of passers by.

News in manga format

Date: 2010 June 11 08:58 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Current Affairs

Wired have an interesting article about news in manga format. The website newsmanga.com has current affairs explained in manga. The site employs more than 100 manga artists to cover breaking stories, updating 10 or 15 times a day. The site is in Japanese, but the Wired article has some translated and mirrored examples when you wave the mouse over the image.

Souce: Wired

Where not to mug someone - Outside ninja school

Date: 2010 May 23 11:49 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Freaky Things

BBC News have an amusing story about some muggers in Sydney, Australia who picked a victim outside of a ninja school. Three thieves were assaulting a German medical exchange student down an alley, when they were spotted by a pupil at the school. Instructed by their ninja master to take action the ninjas in training ran outside clad in black ninja gear and frightened the muggers. Two of the criminals were caught by the police, a third one got away.

The article doesn't mention what kind of ninjas they were and if they were wailing on their guitars, training for a fight with the local pirates, or doing chakra training.

Souce: BBC News

Tokyo's First Robot Wedding

Date: 2010 May 16 10:47 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Technology > Robotics

BBC News have a fascinating article about a wedding with a difference in Tokyo. It was the worlds first wedding to be conducted by a robot. Appropriately both bride and groom are connected to Japan's robotics industry. The robot is called the I-Fairy, has flashing eyes and a flowery headdress, it speaks in Japanese and can be seen on the BBC video instructing the groom to to lift the brides veil for the traditional first kiss. The article does not state if the robot has any legal power to marry anyone.

Souce: BBC News

Japanese PM's dress sense proves unpopular

Date: 2010 May 15 05:41 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Current Affairs

BBC News have an interesting article about Japanese PM Yukio Hatoyama's fashion sense, or rather lack of it. A checked multi-coloured BBQ shirt he recently wore draw a lot of criticism. Apart from raising lots of eyebrows with bad dress sense the Prime Minster has seen his ratings tumble for not fulfilling a key campaign promise of moving the American Military base in Okinawa.

Souce: BBC News

Dating by blood type in Japan

Date: 2010 April 28 02:11 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Culture

BBC News are running an interesting story about blood types in Japan. Similar to horoscopes, profiling people by A, B, O or AB is common, with it even being a popular question in speed dating. Blood group B get sounded out for people having bad experiences with them being "flamboyant free-thinkers, but selfish". You may have also noticed blood groups as part of the character profile in some games too.

Souce: BBC News

Therapeutic ringtones for mobile phones

Date: 2010 March 23 10:35 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Freaky Things

The Times have an interesting article covering a new fad for Therapeutic ringtones in Japan. With hefty claims such as improving your skin tone with the power of alpha-waves the ring tones have a lot to live up to. The different melodies are designed to ease a range of various day-to-day issues. There's one for hang overs, one for going to sleep, another for staying awake and so on. These are the latest creation from Matsumi Suzuki and the Japan Ringing Tone Laboratory. The ringtone providers are currently excited about their new range of ringtones that promise to relieve hay fever, however no research has been conducted in this area.

Souce: The Times

DVD Horror Stories

Date: 2010 January 24 15:51 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > DVD

For a change, here's a little horror story that will make some anime fans cringe and check their collection, and others not even blink.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

Eat the Samurai way, this May

Date: 2010 January 21 21:23 | Posted By: Voxie

Category > Freaky Things

If you're feeling both feisty and hungry at the same time, why not satisfy those needs over your favourite bowl of udon? With samurai chopsticks!

Kotobukiya should be releasing them this coming May, and will no doubt be stocked up by many otaku shopping sites.

Souce: Kotobukiya

Dogs as fashion accessories

Date: 2010 January 18 17:21 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Culture

It's well know that cute things are popular in Japan. BBC News have an interesting article about dogs in Japan that are used as fashion accessories.

It highlights the lucrative business of doggy fashion and how papered the pups get well groomed in special beauty parlours (which isn't that uncommon in the UK and US).

The article has lots of pictures of dogs dressed up in clothes apparently dungarees are fashionable for dogs in Tokyo this year. It also points out that due to the declining birth rate in Japan dogs are said to outnumber children under the age of 10. As a result dogs are pushed around the cities in buggies instead.

It also briefly covers the trend of cat cafes where you can rent cats to pet by the hour.

Souce: BBC News

Santa Penguins of Matsue City

Date: 2009 December 08 04:17 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Freaky Things

BBC News have an amusing article about the Santa Penguins of Matsue City. The article includes a video of the 5 African penguins who parade around a local park in Santa costumes. The handmade costumes consist of a red cape, with small bell along with a white trim. The parade is due to take place everyday until Christmas. It's not every day you see cosplaying penguins! We wonder if they dress as Pen Pen for the rest of the year?

Souce: BBC News

The world's best bike shed

Date: 2009 November 06 03:43 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Technology

Japan is often seen as the nation of innovation. The latest invention from Japan, the Bike Tree solves a common problem around the world. The Guardian reports about the world's best bike shed. Illegal parking of bicycles is a problem in Japan. Other countries have problems with bike theft. Steel company JFE Engineering have solved this problem. This invention works on a subscription basis you pay 1800 yen a month (about £12 GBP or $20 USD), your bike gets an electronic tag so the machine can read it. The machine then takes the bike and places it in it's stacking system. It works in a similar way to automated tape backup systems (think of a large robotic arm fetching an item).

This bike shed looks great and we hope it gets picked up around the rest of the world, it would solve the long term problem of bike theft!

Souce: The Guardian

MaiOtaku - Dating for Anime Fans

Date: 2009 November 05 17:02 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Fandom

Otaku Dating sites seem to be all the rage at the moment. So we've discovered another dating site for anime fans MaiOtaku. They're pitching themselves as the OKCupid for anime lovers.

London Gets Shibuya Style Crossing

Date: 2009 November 02 05:33 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Current Affairs

BBC News have an interesting article about a new crossing on Oxford Street in London.

The London shopping district now has a crossing inspired by the X style walk way. The most famous of which can be seen at Shibuya in Tokyo and is frequently filmed in documentaries that feature Japan.

The opening ceremony sounds like a lot of fun -
"In homage to its Far Eastern inspiration, the mayor will strike a two-metre high cymbal as Japanese musicians play taiko drums."

They even got cosplayers involved too -

"A giant X, in the form of 60m (196ft) of red ribbon will then be unfurled by devotees of cult Japanese Manga characters dressed in colourful costumes."

The London Mayor said the crossing was "a triumph for British engineering, Japanese innovation and good old fashioned common sense".

Oxford Street is frequently very busy with more than 200 million visitors a year and ideas like this help ease congestion at the bottle neck area of the tube station.

The BBC News Website has photos of the event you can even see a few cosplayers there too. ^_^

Update We've been sent some great photos of the opening ceremony.

The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan

Date: 2009 October 19 15:18 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Fandom

Contributing writer for G-FAN magazine Armand Vaquer has sent us details about a new travel guide he's written called The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan.

The travel guide is due out next month and will retail for $15 a copy.

Kashiwa Mystery Cafe

Date: 2009 October 01 03:41 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Culture

Not knowing what to order at a cafe? Or fancy a surprise? Mac software developer Cabel Maxfield Sasser has discovered the solution. At the Kashiwa Mystery Cafe. Essentially it's a bit of performance art. You order and pay for something, and then you get what the previous person ordered. For example if you ordered a lemonade, you'd get an orange juice, and the person who orders after you gets a lemonade and so on...

Officially called the Ogori Cafe, the idea is to treat someone.

It's an interesting experiment. Of course if you can't read Japanese this can be very confusing!

Souce: Cabel\'s Blog

MTV Iggy on Otaku Culture

Date: 2009 September 10 14:36 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Fandom

The good folks at MTV Iggy (which is focused on breakthrough music and pop-culture from around the globe) have sent us details of their new feature - Otaku Culture.

They've got a couple of videos up from Otakon 2009 in Baltimore. It includes some otaku steampunk culture along with a video on ball jointed dolls. They've also got details of J-Rockers VAMPS, and plenty more to explore too.

Souce: MTV Iggy

Bunny Cafes in Japan

Date: 2009 August 30 11:42 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Culture

BBC News have an interesting article about the current trend in Japan of Bunny Cafes. The article focuses on one in Nagoya, which allows visitors to pet cute rabbits, eat rabbit themed food (nothing with carrots in, just cute pictures of bunnies on). Guests can even bring their own pet bunnies to socialise.

Souce: BBC News

MCM Expo Retain Video Games Cosplay World Record

Date: 2009 August 24 14:16 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Gaming

We've just been send the details from the folks behind the MCM Expo. They currently hold the Video Games Cosplay World Record with 376 cosplayers at the 23rd May 2009 London MCM Expo. They expected the record to beaten at Gamescom in Cologne, Germany. However they managed to get 311 video games cosplayers. As a result they intend to raise the bar even higher at the next London MCM Expo this October 2009.

Japanese Harry Potter Fan meets the film stars

Date: 2009 July 20 04:02 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Fandom

Tokyo Mango has discovered some amusing footage of a Japanese Harry Potter fan meeting the stars from the Harry Potter movie. Japan Probe has indepth coverage. It's nice to see a bit of role reversal when a Japanese otaku goes to the west.

Souce: Japan Probe

Giant Gundam robot stalks Japan

Date: 2009 July 08 08:24 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Fandom

BBC News are currently running an interesting story featuring the Giant Gundam model in Tokyo. It focuses on Japan's great love for all things giant and robotic.

They get Patrick Galbraith, ethnographer at the University of Tokyo (I want his job), and author of The Otaku Encyclopedia to explain what Gundam is.

The article then goes to explain the rise of otaku culture and concludes with how robots will become more common place.

Souce: BBC News

British fans of Manba

Date: 2009 July 04 07:59 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Culture

BBC News have discovered the Manba scene in the UK. The article titled Japan's fashion rebellion goes West, features two fans of the Japanese fashion, along with a video of them Para-para dancing and a separate video interview.

"British teenagers like 18-year-olds Eilish and Declan got caught up in manba after an interest in Japanese culture led them to start researching on the internet, where they came across the style."

They've discovered how to apply the make-up by watching videos on YouTube, and use Japanese social networking site Mixi to keep up with Japanese people who are also into manba fashion. The article also mentions they meet up with other mamba fans in London's Chinatown.

Souce: BBC News

Too pretty to be Gundam, but it is!

Date: 2009 June 24 21:06 | Posted By: Voxie

Category > Freaky Things

Now we might have all heard of the life-size Gundam that was recently placed up in Odaiba. But how about an all pink, gender-questioning Gundam?

It's that same model everyone has seen before, only coaxed into believing it should be a strawberry cheesecake...

Souce: Gizmondo

Homemade Katamari Controller

Date: 2009 May 26 04:05 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Gaming

On browsing the internet we've discovered a hardware hacker at play. Kellbot has built a Katamari Ball Controller for the Playstation 2. There's video footage explaining how it works along with a circuit diagram on her blog.

The Katamari controller is basically a giant trackball. The creator considered using a yoga ball, but found it impractical. We wonder if Namco will create an official trackball add on for the game? There seems to be tons of alternative controllers for consoles now, and a trackball could surely be used in more than one game? Super Monkey Balls would be great too!

Souce: Kellbot

Cosplayers Wanted - Storm Trooper Escort Provided

Date: 2009 May 06 17:23 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

Are you a cosplayer? Are you free on Saturday 16th May 2009 and able to get to London? The people behind the London MCM Expo are looking for 10 cosplayers. They want you to help with publicity for the Expo, you'll be protected by a group of Storm Troopers (yes Storm Troopers ^_^).

The mission is a daring raid on Oxford Street. Where you'll be handing out flyers. The cosplayers will be given free passes to the Expo as a way of saying thank you.

Is Mikado Pocky? A Taste Comparison

Date: 2009 April 26 16:27 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Cuisine

UK readers might have noticed adverts on TV, for a product called Mikado, which looks strikingly like the favourite otaku snack Pocky.

In this article we'll do a taste comparison and reveal the differences, and answer the question, is Mikado Pocky?

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

Dragonball Evolution Review

Date: 2009 April 08 14:35 | Posted By: LittleWoodenBoy

Category > Anime > Film

Here's a review of the the live action film based on Akira Toriyama's manga Dragonball. The story follows Son Goku as he tries to finad the seven Dragonballs in order to defeat the evil Piccolo.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

HRP-4C the Humanoid Female Robot

Date: 2009 March 16 16:33 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Technology > Robotics

BBC News have some interesting video footage of a life-like walking female robot.

The HRP-4C has 30 motors in it's body which allow to walk and move it's arms. It also has 8 motors in it's face to create various expressions.

Evangelion Merchandise Selection

Date: 2009 March 08 14:58 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Retail

Anime and merchandise naturally go hand in hand, with some titles just a thin excuse to create merchandise. Generally the more popular the series, wider and crazier the variety of merchandise available. With Neon Genesis Evangelion, regarded one of the most popular titles of all time, I thought it would be worth looking into the more unusual merchandise available from the franchise. When researching this article I expected to find some oddities, after all you can even get an Eva Unit-01 mountain bike. However I was really surprised by what's out there!

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

Japanese Toilet Exhibition

Date: 2009 January 25 14:19 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

Fans of Japanese plumbing in Tokyo, will want to go to Toire Hakubutsukan Exhibition as reported by The Japan Times. Highlights include the toilets used by sumo wrestlers, which apparently 5 cm wider and 7 cm longer than the regular Japanese toilet bowl.

Other famous toilets include the "throne" of feudal lord Takeda Shingen. The article claims the a quarter-size model of the field toilet was used by as he "mulled strategies during the Warring States Period (1467-1568)".

Admission is free, Tokyo show ends Jan. 27, moves to Kasugai, Aichi Prefecture Feb. 5-9. 2009 Toto Tachikawa Showroom is near Izumi Taiikukan Station on the Tama Toshi Monorail Line. Call 042-537-1010 for further details.

Souce: Japan Times

Domo goes pink for Valentine's Day

Date: 2009 January 25 13:05 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Toys

Looking for the perfect gift for the significant otaku other? Amazon.com are stocking a Valentine's Day Pink Plush Domo Kun Doll. Everyone's favourite little brown monster appears in pink for valentines day. His little tag even has a heart on.

Note to readers - it's is hard writing about this without mentioning little pink monsters, the possibility for double entendres in an article like this is endless.

Souce: Amazon.com

USB Lunch Box Keeps your food nice and hot

Date: 2009 January 19 18:09 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Freaky Things

We love USB powered gadgets and so do many Japanese gadget manufacturers. Tokyo Mango have discovered another great bit of gear by Thanko. The USB Hot Lunchbag. It keeps your meal at a constant 60 degrees Celsius until it's lunch time.

Souce: Tokyo Mango

Cat Cafes in Tokyo

Date: 2009 January 14 08:58 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Culture

BBC News have an amusing story about the current trend in Akihabara - Cat Cafes. The article mentions Ja La La Cafe, where clients pay by the hour for the company of cats petting and photographing them. We've heard of these pet rental places before. Most Japanese apartments don't allow pets, and for many jet setting business people pet ownership isn't practical, so the pet cafes have sprung up as a result.

Canadian Man Builds Perfect Woman

Date: 2008 December 11 14:08 | Posted By: Spike

Category > Freaky Things

A news story from The Sun found via Slashdot (so it HAS to be true) reports on a man from Ontario, Canada who has constructed himself the perfect woman.

Miterudake The Eye Contact DVD

Date: 2008 November 25 15:49 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Freaky Things

Wired have posted an article about a rather strange Japanese DVD, Miterudake (which translates as just looking), is aimed at introverted otaku who have trouble making eye contact with others. It features plenty of footage of ladies to make eye contact with. Each one is in front of a white background. They blink and you make eye contact with them, and that's all there is. Wired helpfully point out you can buy it on Amazon Japan here

Souce: Wired

Japanese Man Seeks to Marry in Two Dimensions

Date: 2008 November 01 14:59 | Posted By: Spike

Category > Freaky Things

A Japanese man has launched an online petition to allow the legal marriage of fictional characters. Taichi Takashita has started the online petition to allow himself to marry an undisclosed Manga character and has requested an amazing one million other people to follow suit by signing up.

Batman Manga from 1966

Date: 2008 October 29 18:52 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

Boing Boing have posted an article about the discovery of a manga version of Batman from 1966. Apparently these comics have been lost for ages and have recently been found and compiled into a new book Bat-Manga!: The Secret History of Batman in Japan.

The book features the authentic manga by Jiro Kuwata, who was commissioned to do a regular Japanese version of Batman. It's aimed at a Japanese audience with different expectations than those in the west.

"The result was stunning: a weird blend of genius suspense and gonzo weirdness, as villains turn into dinosaurs, commit strange crimes, rise from the dead, and rampage through a mangified Gotham City that has the streamlined wonderfulness of space-age Japanese pop culture."

Souce: Boing Boing

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