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Human Versus Machine Japanese Translation Mini Battle

Date: 2024 May 09 20:06 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

The manga tech start up Orange Inc recently raised over 19 million USD in funding for machine translated manga. We were quite intrigued because machine translation hasn't always worked out in the past for manga titles. One recent example was the Ranking of Kings Manga that had to be pulled because the quality of the translations were so poor. What's worse was the lack of quality control from everyone involved in the publishing of the title.

As we were curious, we reached out to some professional translators to ask their opinions on the current state of translation.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

Manga Tech Startup Orange, Inc. Raises JPY 2.9B (USD 19.5M) in Pre-Series A Financing

Date: 2024 May 09 20:06 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

The people from manga tech start up Orange, Inc have sent us details about their latest fundraising. They've managed to get JPY 2.92 billion (approximately USD 19.5 million* ) fundraising in pre-series A financing.

The company pitches itself as a a manga localization technology company that uses deep learning models to translate manga. In a web comic they explain how it's not cost effective to get humans to translate the bulk of manga published in Japanese. As a result they claim less than 2% of Japanese manga has been translated.

The pitch also says they'll have skilled translators polish the output, while in reality, for a translator it's actually easier to translate directly than to tidy up machine translated text.

Machine translation does have it's place. It's frequently (and successfully) used to translate text with a consistent context, such as instruction manuals and technical documents. This text is often very dry, but also very limited in scope with fixed and repeated text. Once a human has corrected it the machine model can then use the preferred translation for that expression again and again, which makes sense in an instruction manual.

Manga however is a creative endeavour and as a result the translations have a very wide scope. Translators have to be creative, who is speaking? What's their background? What mood are they in? What's the context of what they're saying? Is it a pun? Are they speaking formally? Do they have a regional accent? This and many other factors have to be taken into account words don't always have a one to one mapping, as context and intent makes manga translation an art form unto itself.

We're reminded In an industry where companies are trying to lower translation costs at the expense of translators wages, it can make it difficult to earn money as a freelance translator when companies are trying to race to the bottom.

We're thinking if you gave the Otaku News Team 2.92 billion JPY, we wouldn't publish as much manga as Orange Inc are intending to, but we'd pay our translators, letters and other production staff a decent wage. So if any companies looking to send us almost 19.5M USD to publish, then please do get in touch. We've got a list of manga we'd like to license and translate!

On a more serious note, we reached out to a few professional translators to ask their opinion on the Orange Inc News and machine translation in general. We also got them to do a translation mini battle.

Voidol3 Anime Style Voice Changing Software Release Details

Date: 2024 January 06 12:47 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Retail

The good folks from Japanese software firm Crimson Technology have sent us details about their English language launch of Voidol3. This is real time voice conversion software primarily aimed at streamers, v-tubers and people who have the need to change their voice in real time.

We reviewed Voidol2 when it came out a few years ago.

This new version is available for Windows and macOS. You can purchase the standard version for $270 (USD) or upgrade from Voidol2 for $170 (USD).

Voidol2 Anime Style Voice Changing Software Review

Date: 2022 February 08 21:06 | Posted By: Voxie

Category > Features

After we heard about Crimson Technology's voice changing Voidol2 software we were curious to know more about it. It's aimed at those who want to change their voices to that of a Japanese school girl, robot or something else for whatever reason. It's mainly aimed at streamers, VTubers and other content creators.

Thanks to the good folks at Crimson Technology we were able to get our hands on a review copy to give it a go.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

Voidol2 Anime Style Voice Changing Software Release Details

Date: 2021 November 25 21:59 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks from Japanese software firm Crimson Technology have sent us details about their English language launch of Voidol2. This is real time voice conversion software primarily aimed at streamers, v-tubers and people who have the need to change their voice in real time.

The software has many voice modes and can make you sound like an anime character or even a robot and everything else in between. It retails for 13,200 JPY (about $114 USD / £86 GBP), but is currently on offer for 8,800 JPY (about $76 USD / £57 GBP). It's available to download on Windows or Mac via Sendowl.

Finnish iOS Users are Discovering a Whole New World of Anime with Autocorrect

Date: 2016 April 26 14:57 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Freaky Things

We're not certain if all our readers keep up to date with Finnish tech current affairs, so read on if you haven't heard about this already. In order to explain this we need to teach you some basic Finnish.

Hatsune Miku by iDoll x Nendoroid at Wonder Festival

Date: 2016 February 09 16:50 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Technology

Fans of collectable anime figures will already be aware of winter Wonder Festival 2016. It's always interesting to see what figures have been launched and how stressful it will be on your wallet. The good folks from Yukai Engineering Inc have sent us details of their latest concept project. A collaboration with figure firm Good Smile The iDoll x Nendoroid combines the Yukai Engineering iDoll with Good Smile's popular Nendoroid figure. They've created a singing dancing Hatsune Miku figure that interacts with a smart phone app.

Yukai Engineering Inc are not new to making otaku products they were also involved in the necomimi, those brainwave reading cat ears.

Hatsune Miku at the Photographers' Gallery in London

Date: 2015 August 22 14:24 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

London based fans of everyone's favourite Vocaloid will want to head down to The Photographers' Gallery in Central London. Their media wall is currently showing Hatsune Miku as part of the d(^_^)b Exhibit, which runs up until Tuesday 15th September 2015.

Fans will also want to attend the Vocaloids and Alternative Universes talk which is set to run at the gallery at 6pm on Tuesday 8th September 2015. It's set to explore the theme of "How are new forums are being created online through fan and user generated music and images?" It should be an interesting discussion, but we wonder why no-one who is a Japanese Culture expert is on the panel? The talk costs £8 to attend or £5 for TPG members and concessions. It certainly does look interesting and worth attending.

Using an Anime Image Tool to Upscale Traditional Japanese Prints

Date: 2015 May 21 11:26 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Technology

John Resig is not normally a name you'd expect to see on Otaku News. He's a JavaScript Guru and the creator of the hugely popular jQuery JavaScript library. While he's not being awesome with JavaScript he is also busy working on a Database of Japanese Prints.

In a recent blog post he explains how he's been tinkering with a tool called Waifu2x to enlarge low res images of wood block prints. Waifu2x was originally designed to enlarge anime and fan art, but as John explains it can be used with Japanese Prints (with some trade offs).

Souce: John Resig\'s Blog

Hyper Japan Event Details - July 2014

Date: 2014 July 03 15:28 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

UK based fans of Japanese culture including anime, manga, food, J-Pop, cosplay and more traditional things will want to head to London on Friday 25th to Sunday 27th July 2014 for Hyper Japan.

The annual J-culture event returns promising to be it's biggest Hyper Japan yet.

It'll have all sorts of fun things to see and do. Including a game and anime park, fringe market, a section of pure kawaii, plus much more!

REZtron - Otaku News Event Review - Wednesday 18th September 2013

Date: 2013 September 23 16:37 | Posted By: Guest Contributor

Category > Events

Written by Voxie and Franki Webb.

What does a gamer look like? Today this is an impossible question to answer. It's 7:45 pm, and as we walk into REZtron, we see a crowd ranging from 20s to 40s, male and female, from a range of backgrounds. It's clear that a gamer as no specific look.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

An Interview With Anime Director Kenji Kamiyama

Date: 2013 June 03 15:20 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Features

April 2013, it's spring time in London, it should be warm and sunny, but instead it's snowing sideways. We're off to meet renowned anime direction Kenji Kamiyama, writer and director of hit titles like Ghost in The Shell: Stand Alone Complex, Eden of the East and Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

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

Netflix Streaming Service opens in UK/Ireland

Date: 2012 January 08 23:45 | Posted By: Eeeper

Category > Anime

American streaming service launches in the UK and Ireland with selection of anime films and series available for streaming.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

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

NFC Mobile phones in Japan

Date: 2011 April 29 10:28 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Technology

BBC News have an interesting story about Near Field Communication embedded in mobile phones (Keitai) used in Japan. This allows the user to have a card payment system built into their phone, check into hotels and even access their hotel room using the mobile phone as an entry card. Combined with the QR code users can read details from the environment around them. Augmented Reality also gets a mention too.

This technology is emerging in the English speaking world, but is firmly established in Japan.

Souce: BBC News

BBC News on the OS-tans

Date: 2010 December 13 16:54 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Fandom

BBC News have discovered the cute Japanese take on Operating Systems, the OS-tans.
The cute anthropomorphic characters of operating systems which later spread to characters of popular programs being made too.

Originally a fan made effort article points to how in some places anime style characters have been created as official mascots such as Microsoft's Silverlight having it's own character in Taiwan.

Ruth Keattch of Sweatdrop Studios comments on them in the article and introduces the readers to the basics of the OS-tans.

Fans of the OS-tans might also be interested in Ubunchu The Ubuntu Linux Manga.

Souce: BBC News

In Japan a Robot is like a friend

Date: 2010 December 05 17:28 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Technology > Robotics

It's the 21st Century and everyone wants their own robot companion. Japan is leading the way with this technology as a great video from BBC News shows. The first half of the video shows robotic legs forming in an exo-skeleton which is used to help stroke patients with walking. It even has a lady who is wheel-chair bound walking down stairs using this technology. The second half of the video focuses on a robot companion used to help blind people. It's fascinating stuff.

Souce: BBC News

Using eBook Readers for Manga

Date: 2010 October 24 14:52 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

eReaders have started to move from that realm of expensive gadget, to a more affordable and practical solution to lugging books around. The benefit of such a tiny device able to hold thousands of books versus having to actually carry many books around is clear. They're great for printed text, but what about manga? Are eReaders suitable for reading manga on?

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

Low-tech Japan

Date: 2010 July 13 08:24 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Current Affairs

BBC News have an interesting article about the often unnoticed low-tech side of Japan. The article highlights some interesting points such as ATMs that close when the bank does and how lots of processes are still paper based.

Souce: BBC News

The Anime Machine: An Illustrated Lecture at London's BFI Southbank

Date: 2010 June 23 15:35 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

Fans of futuristic technology and anime who can get to London will want to head over to the BFI Southbank on Sunday 11th July 2010 for their special lecture on the world saturated with technology. Called The Anime Machine: An Illustrated Lecture by Thomas Lamarre it's set to start at 6pm. You can also get a joint ticket for a screening of Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence.

Fans of more tradional Japanese cinema will want to consider the BFI Southbank season of Akira Kurosawa and His Influence.

As always we advise booking in advance for such events to avoid disappointment.

Souce: BFI Southbank

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

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

Shinto Shrine Blesses Gadgets

Date: 2009 June 29 04:13 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Technology

Wired are currently running a feature article about the technology blessings at the Kanda Shrine near Akihabara in Tokyo. For a small fee (800 Yen, which is about 5GBP or 8 USD) you can get good luck charms that look like microchips to protect your favourite gadget, or for 5,000 Yen (about 30 GBP / 50 USD) you can get a private blessing ceremony.

Apparently the Shinto shrine started doing IT blessings when Windows XP went on sale in Japan. The local otaku started to snap up the protection talismans to prevent system crashes, and from then on the requests started flooding in. Apart from gadgets the shrine will even bless blogs and ISP services!

Update: Spike reminds me that we covered this story last year, before it was covered on Wired.

Souce: Wired

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

Ubunchu The Ubuntu Linux Manga

Date: 2009 April 21 17:32 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Technology

Wired have discovered Ubunchu, a manga series featuring the Linux Distribution Ubuntu. The manga was originally authored by Hiroshi Seo and has been translated in English and a few other languages too.

Operating Systems have been covered by manga before with the OS-tans, Ubunchu sets out to be more informative. The manga is billed as romantic school comedy and is a great introduction to Ubuntu for new users.

Souce: DoctorMO\'s Blag

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.

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

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.

Japanese Cars at the Science Museum in London

Date: 2008 October 19 12:55 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

Fans of design, cars, science or just cool Japanese stuff in general will want to pay a visit to the Japan Car exhibition at the Science Museum in London, from 29th November 2008 until 19th April 2009.

The exhibition is set to focus on size, environment and "moving urban cells". It will also display cars along other elements of Japanese culture, including bonsai, art and design.

Gadget Shopping in Akihabara

Date: 2008 September 18 08:32 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Technology

BBC News have an interesting Photo Feature about the latest gadgets in Akihabara, known the heartland of otaku in Tokyo. It focuses on some of the more unusual items on sale in the area, it and also features a few gothic lolita girls who are visiting from out of town.

Souce: BBC News

Origami Paper Planes to fly in space

Date: 2008 February 07 09:03 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Technology

BBC News are running a story about the University of Tokyo's latest engineering project. They are currently testing a paper aeroplane that they want to launch from the International Space Station to glide back to earth.

The plan is to get a Japanese astronaut to throw 100 plans into space so they will land on earth.

The paper planes are designed by the Japan Origami Airplane Association. The planes actually are made out of paper, but are treated with a special compound to increase heat resistance. Currently the research looks promising, with planes can resist winds speeds up to Mach 7, and also endured temperatures of around 300 degrees Celsius.

The project is being done to inspire new designs for lightweight re-entry vehicles and similar craft to explorer the earth's atmosphere, as well as inspiring school children to taken an interest in science.

Souce: BBC News

Virtual Idol Proves to be big in Japan

Date: 2007 December 11 16:27 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Gaming

The Mainichi Daily News have published an interesting story about some new software that allows users to create their own songs and have them performed by a virtual idol singer. This sounds a bit like a real world example of Sharon Apple to us!

The software Vocaloid 2 Hatsune Miku uses computer-generated vocals mixed with an actual human voice (supplied by voice actress Saki Fujita). It can be configured to perform any song and has proved to be a big hit with people wanting to create their own virtual idol generated songs.

The article states that the software is especially popular with the middle aged, even though it's priced at 16,000 yen (145 USD / 72 GBP) to appeal to the teen market.

Souce: Mainichi Daily News

Teleshadow the shadow lamp video phone

Date: 2007 August 09 18:02 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Technology

BBC News are currently running an interesting story about video phones that only project the callers shadow onto a special lamp. The concept comes from the traditonal Japanese paper walls known as shoji. The system is known as Teleshadow aims to fill the gap between live video and static images.

Souce: BBC News

Japanese MP gets virtual office

Date: 2007 June 11 08:27 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Freaky Things

In what sounds like something from Serial Experiments Lain, BBC News are running an article about a Japanese MP who has opened an office in the virtual world of Second Life.

MP Kan Suzuki states that he wants "to discuss new policies with net citizens, deliver lectures and also hold meetings".

Mr Suzuki claims to be the first Japanese politician to establish an office there. Interestingly the MP could be breaking the law by doing so, the Public Office Election Law (which is over 50 years old), restricts election campaign materials to postcards and pamphlets, with officials recently deciding that web pages cannot be created or updated during the official period of campaigning for elections.

The BBC conclude that it's not clear if this will affect Mr Suzuki's plans to use his second life office to help him win re-election. Some have claimed this is just a gimmick. What the article doesn't say is what Mr Suzuki's avatar (on-line character) looks like, the Otaku News crew suspect it's probably a virtual copy of him, but we're secretly hoping it's something a lot cooler. ^_^

Souce: BBC News

Media Immersion pods

Date: 2007 May 19 20:07 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Technology

BBC News have an interesting story about Japan's high end cyber cafes, the article calls them Media Immersion pods, and amusingly describes them as "drug dens for internet addicts". We've been aware of these cyber cafes like these since the late nineties, but from the article it seems to imply it's not an office type cubicle, but a luxury booth with a private door you can sit in for more privacy. Each "pod" is supplied with a computer, that you can also use to watch TV, play DVDs and games on, as well as surf the internet. Like all good Japanese internet cafes, Bagus Gran Cyber Cafe (the cafe featured in the article), has a fully stocked manga and DVD library for you to enjoy. Otaku heaven.

Souce: BBC News

Hotto! Raisu the food of the future

Date: 2007 May 07 15:21 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Cuisine

Japan is famed for being the homeland of the invention of instant noodles, but now with the latest development in food technology is rice that gets hot when you add cold water. According the Mainichi Daily News, Hotto! Raisu is the special non-perishable food pack that creates steaming hot rice when cold water is poured over an exothermic agent pack, producing steam that warms the rice making it piping hot in 15 minutes. Currently it's been suggested that the packs could be distributed to areas struck by natural disasters where electricity is often unavailable. However the packs are not cheap, costing 10,000 yen for 30 with pickled ume plum.

Souce: Mainichi Daily News

Learn Japanese on-line with Urban Japanese

Date: 2006 November 28 16:53 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Press Releases

We've been sent a press release from Japanese video game and toy concept development company Gamewax, who have developed a interesting concept in learning Japanese remotely. They claim to be the UK's first fully interactive recordable on-line Japanese language school, Urban Japanese. Distance learning is nothing new, as universities and other education institutions have been tinkering with the concepts for years now, but this is certainly the first private company in the UK we're aware of that offer Japanese lessons.

Captain Tsubasa Mangaka makes a cameo in Toyota commercial

Date: 2006 October 16 17:25 | Posted By: Dallas Marshall

Category > Technology

46 year old Yoichi Takahashi, creator of the hit manga, Captain Tsubasa will have a cameo in a TV commercial for Toyota Motor in Japan. The artist and story maker becomes the latest celebrity to take part for an ad campaign Toyota launched in April. Other celebrities in the commercial series include American actor Leonardo DiCaprio. Anime and Manga achievers promoting Japanese automobiles is nothing new, just a few years ago Evangelion animation director Hideaki Anno starred in a spot for Nissan.

Souce: Anime News Service

ADV Launches Download Site

Date: 2006 September 29 12:18 | Posted By: Jeremy

Category > Anime

ADV Films has joined the anime downloading craze with the opening of their new digital download store, ADV Universe. Anime fans can now, after signing at the official website, browse and shop for episodes of their favorite ADV releases, including Gilgamesh, Godannar, and Comic Party to watch on their computer through Windows Media Player.

While the price for episode downloading has not been disclosed, signing up for service at ADV Universe is free! And as an added incentive, fans will receive the first episode of Guyver: The Bio-Booster Armor, soon to be released by ADV, for free after signing up. It’s just one more way at how much anime fandom is progressing in this high-tech, digital age.

Souce: ADV Films

Miuro The iPod Robot

Date: 2006 September 01 08:33 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Technology > Robotics

For the otaku that has everything Japanese firm ZMP have developed a robot that rolls around playing music. The egg shaped robot is called Miuro which stands for - music innovation based on utility robot technology. Miuro has all sorts of interesting features such as an iPod dock, a remote control and can even use wireless signals from a PC to play music from iTunes or similar software (the article isn't clear which wireless technology is used). The robot uses a Kenwood speaker system. Camera and sensors are available as an optional extra to allow Miuro to map out it's on position and remember routes.

Miuro is available to buy on-line in Japan, with overseas availability expected in the second half of 2007. Retailing at $930 (USD), it isn't exactly at the cheap end of iPod accessories.

Souce: Yahoo! News

Japanese School Girls on Discovery Science UK

Date: 2006 July 18 11:48 | Posted By: Azure

Category > Anime > TV

Being the eagle eyed people we here at Otakunews are we've spotted a new show on Discovery Science UK. Japanese school girls is a gadget and technology show fronted by four Japanese school girls. Two episodes air today (Tuesday 18th) at 7pm and 7:30pm on Discovery Science.

Souce: Discovery Science

Japan's Toys for the Elderly

Date: 2006 May 02 18:23 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Toys

In a rather interesting story, following on from their earlier story about declining birth rates in Japan, BBC News have posted an interesting story about Japan's toys for the elderly. It covers Tomy's new product, a doll for the over sixties designed to be similar to a small child, the doll will welcome the owner back home and even weights the same as a small infant.

The article states that due to the falling birthrate Japans population could decrease by as much as 28 million people by 2050. As a result Tomy is keen on developing toys not just for children.

'"We go for teenagers, we go for people in their twenties and thirties, we go for housewives, families and for older people too. It's a strange culture but we are very lucky," Mr Tomiyama says'

The article goes to mention Nintendo's success with it's Brain Training Game. It ends with a the suggestion that games for adults are nothing new in Japan highlighting pachinko as an example, although it doesn't mention that games for adults are played in other countries too, such as pool, snooker, darts, lawn bowls etc..., it just seems odd that they highlight the Japanese adults love of games when almost every country in the world has games enjoyed by grown-ups. ^_^

Souce: BBC News

VIZ and Cartoon Network Go Broadband

Date: 2006 April 27 11:01 | Posted By: Jeremy

Category > Anime

VIZ and Cartoon Network to launch new broadband site, Toonami Jetstream, to feature recent television hits and new shows not yet available.

Mobile Manga on the Rise

Date: 2006 April 14 10:27 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

The Mainichi Daily News is currently running an interesting article on the rise of Mobile Manga - manga displayed on users mobile phones.

The subscription service is seen by many as good value for money and more convenient than paper based manga. Comic Site, a service set up by telephone company NTT, has had over 10 million downloads since starting in August 2004. Mobile manga also adds effects not found on it's paper equivalent, with pages that can make the readers phone vibrate when they are a reading a shooting scene. The future looks promising for mobile manga in Japan, and it seems from the article it is DRM free, as it mentions that school girls share their favourite manga files.

Souce: Mainichi Daily News

Robot Super Model to the Rescue

Date: 2006 April 09 11:53 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Technology > Robotics

The Mainichi Daily News has an interesting story on Robo Garage who have previously made a child and an adult robot which appear to be male, have produced a "Female Type" bipedal robot.

Weighing just 800 grams and 35 centimetres tall the tiny Female Type (or FT), has a feminine shape and can strut along like a super model! Bipedal robots have always presented a challenge, since it's tricky to get a robot to walk and balance on two legs. A low centre of gravity helps, which would have made the robot look fat, so to counter this a lightweight motor was used, along with two sensors to detected if the robot starts to lean.

Souce: Mainichi Daily News

Multilingual Online TV Broadcasting to Start

Date: 2006 February 28 16:29 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Websites

According to Crisscross, Japan Information Network Inc will start Japan's first multilingual online television broadcasting this Friday. It aims to help foreigners learn more about Japan! ^_^

With their Roppongi based studio they will cover Japanese politics, economy, society and culture in Japanese, English and Chinese for several hours a day. JIN intend to expand in the near future with a 24 hour broadcasting system with 12 languages.

Souce: Crisscross

PC Case For Real Otaku

Date: 2006 February 13 14:49 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Freaky Things

Even here at Otaku News, every now and then we find something that just screams hardcore otaku. It's normally something odd that only an otaku would want, but not just a everyday otaku, someone who wants to scream out to the world that they are a more extreme breed of otaku. Shuttle PC cases are cool, but can you image one with an anime paint job on the case? The example here is based on the hentai game Gift (although you wouldn't guess it's hentai from looking at the case), retailer Fast Online have a few other models too.

Shuttle have a good reputation for producing barebone systems with a smaller form factor, and have excellent build quality. Looking at the photos the artwork looks really nice and we're actually tempted to buy one since they're 39,800 JPY (which works out at $340 USD or £195 GBP), but then again, we're not into hentai.

Souce: Fast Online

Stay Cool With Doraemon

Date: 2006 February 13 12:06 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Freaky Things

Those enterprising folks at the 0123 have released a Doraemon portable fridge! Now you can get everyone's favourite atomic kitten to chill your orange juice, well at least that's what the advert seems to be about. It can also keep things warm. The only downside is this is a promotional item only available to people who use the 0123's services between a set period of time for a minimum amount of money. We hope this gets a mainstream release in Japan. ^_^ Check out the site for full spec and some cheesy adverts of the chiller in use!

Souce: The 0123

Anime Network at Top of Podcast Charts

Date: 2006 January 30 10:36 | Posted By: Jeremy

Category > Anime

Anime Network show "Digital Dojo" cracks the Top 20 on the podcast charts in North America.

Otaku News Launch PSP Edition

Date: 2006 January 17 16:31 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Websites

We've been listening to what our readers want, and we know that many anime fans are also keen PSP owners. Which is why we've made a PSP version of Otaku News, designed especially for Sony's box of tricks. It has less content than the full versions of this site, but is designed for quick loading times and navigation, which is ideal when you're out and about with wireless access. To access it all you have to do is visit http://www.otakunews.com/psp/ (go on, bookmark it on your PSP you know you want to). The main article content and DVD reviews are identical to the other editions of Otaku News.

Souce: Otaku News - PSP Edition

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