Japanese manga artists have a problem with… bicycles. Here’s why
Bicycle-themed manga artist Gaku Miyao explains why cycling characters are so hard for anime and manga to get right- the answer is probably not what you think
VERACITY IN GAMING
VERACITY IN GAMING
Verity Townsend
Automaton West Editor and translator. She has a soft spot for old-school Sierra adventure games and Final Fantasy VIII (yes, 8!). Can often be found hunting down weird forgotten games and finding out everything about them. Frequently muses about characters and lines from Metal Gear Solid and Disco Elysium. Aims to keep Automaton fresh and interesting with a wide variety of articles.
Minecraft: City mod is so lifelike it’s mistaken for real Japanese city
Japanese modding group creates stunningly realistic Japanese cityscape in Minecraft, causing some people to have trouble believing their eyes
How did the niche gem Suzuki Bakuhatsu come to be? The producer explains the bizarre bomb disposal game’s origin
Takehiro Ando reveals how the PlayStation 1's quirkiest Japanese puzzle game ended up featuring cute models, weird bombs and a robot anime parody
The Exit 8 has been creepily recreated in “live-action” video
Wandering around The Exit 8's liminal spaces is creepy enough, but VFX artist Ray Wakui recently upped the scare factor by combining real-life footage with assets from the game.
New Japanese AI tool will detect suspicious job listings
Tokyo-based recruitment website operator to introduce a generative AI tool to help detect the increasing number of shady part-time job listings in Japan.
Nintendo Switch gaming brings cheer to children in earthquake evacuation center
Noto Peninsula earthquake evacuees enjoy a Smash Brothers tournament on the Nintendo Switch thanks to community organization efforts and the local power company.
Mario creator Miyamoto explains why designers shouldn’t be involved in initial stage of game development
In a recent interview, Shigeru Miyamoto explains why it is best to start out with a small team when developing a video game.
Japanese industry veteran warns about negative impact of gamers’ harsh language
Former Hudson Soft executive Takahashi Meijin called on pro-gamers and game companies to consider the detrimental effects of strong language and ultra-realistic FPS games on children.
Einhander: Square’s fiendish, stylish and polished space shooter classic
We look back at the challenging but well-crafted Psone era scrolling shooter Einhander, examine its legacy and why it is still worth playing.
20% of the anime industry’s profit comes from outside of Japan
The popularity of Japanese anime is showing no signs of slowing down, with overseas sales increasing by 11% compared to the previous year.
New official Final Fantasy XIV potato chips are floor-lickin’ good?
Square Enix is collaborating with Koikeya to release more Final Fantasy XIV Eorzea Popoto Chips, this time in a humourous spicy flavor that references gamer slang.
Shock as YOASOBI’s Idol is excluded from the Japan Record Awards Grand Prix
Oshi no Ko theme song Idol by YOASOBI is arguably Japan's biggest hit song of 2023 but why has it been excluded from the top award at Japan's equivalent of the Grammys?