Digital | ON: GAMES Dec 2, 2019
Releases to keep the fans happy
by Brian Ashcraft
The crowdfunded Shenmue III is finally out; Pokemon Sword and Shield top the charts; and Capcom brings its best merch to Shibuya's Parco
Business Aug 13, 2019
Japan's popular Pokemon cards go Indonesian, with anime set to air as well
Pokemon Co. has launched Indonesian versions of its popular trading cards in the Southeast Asian country and plans to air its animated TV show there later this year. The company, which began selling the cards last week, is collaborating with Salim Group, one of Indonesia's ...
Food & Drink | DESSERT WATCH Aug 10, 2019
This summer, Pokemon get even cooler with themed ice creams and cakes
by Patrick St. Michel
This summer, the Pokemon Co. and Baskin-Robbins are bringing fans a variety of cool Pokemon-themed sweets.
Business / Corporate May 29, 2019
Pokemon Co. looks to cash in on 'Detective Pikachu' with Switch game, and make sleep more fun
Pokemon Co., partly owned by Nintendo Co., unveiled several new initiatives at an event in Tokyo, including a game inspired by the "Detective Pikachu" film for the Switch console and a new device for tracking sleep. The Detective Pikachu title aims to cash in on ...
Business / Corporate Jan 31, 2019
Nintendo Co. topped quarterly profit estimates on brisk holiday demand for the "Pokemon" and "Super Smash Bros. Ultimate" games, but slower Switch shipments forced the company to cut its outlook for the gaming device. Operating profit was ¥158.6 billion ($1.5 billion) in the last three ...
Culture Dec 20, 2018
by Jason Coskrey
Many gamers began 2018 by teaming up with a garishly outfitted cat and rushing into battle against a big, angry monster. Some of those same people will usher out the year by punching Nintendo icon Mario in his famously mustachioed face. It was a good ...
Food & Drink | DESSERT WATCH Dec 1, 2018
Gotta catch 'em all: Mister Donut's launches two Pokemon-themed donuts
by Patrick St. Michel
Mister Donut is offering two special Pokemon-themed creations, a banana-chocolate-flavored Pikachu and a strawberry white chocolate one shaped like a red-and-white Pokeball.
Digital | ON: GAMES Nov 25, 2018
by Brian Ashcraft
"The Last Remnant" finally makes to PlayStation after an 11-year wait; "Disaster Report 4" returns since 3/11; and "Pokemon: Lets Go!" is set to bring "Pokemon Go" fans into home-gaming.
National / Media | Japan Pulse Nov 17, 2018
Live-action Pokemon trailer reaffirms Pikachu's enduring popularity
by Tom Hanaway
Ever since the original release of the “Pokemon” games for the Nintendo Game Boy back in 1996, the series’ central character — the electric, yellow rodent Pikachu — has found a permanent place in the world’s pop-culture zeitgeist. Pikachu has since shown up everywhere, ...
Business / Tech Nov 16, 2018
by Yuji Nakamura
Nintendo Co. is gambling that it can sell millions of Switch consoles this holiday season by introducing a new "Pokemon" game that interacts with the free-to-play mobile hit "Pokemon Go," as well as a new character that resembles a hex nut. "Let's Go Pikachu" and ...
History | Defining the Heisei Era Oct 27, 2018
Defining the Heisei Era: When anime and manga went global
by Roland Kelts
The Heisei Era commenced after two gods fell in rapid succession. The first, Emperor Hirohito, was no longer officially a god, having repudiated his quasi-divine status under the terms of Japan's surrender in World War II, but he remained god-like in stature. His January ...
Style & Design Sep 23, 2018
The steady pace of mainstream fashion
by Samuel Thomas
The cliche, albeit an increasingly true one, that style trends are here today and gone tomorrow continues to define the extremes of the Tokyo fashion scene.