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Gasp! Yakuza 3 cut more content than we thought
by Josh Tolentino, 03/12/2010
Gasp! Yakuza 3 cut more content than we thought photo

We already know how Yakuza 3 is blatantly better than Final Fantasy XIII, but it turns out that it could have been even more blatantly better, because some folks have reported that SEGA cut much more content out of the game than was originally revealed.

It wasn't just the hostess bars and the obscure history trivia minigame that were cut out, it seems that the mahjong, shogi, "loser song" minigames were axed, as well as dozens of side quests. Estimates are placed at about 13% of the content available in the game's first 6 chapters were absent from the English version of Yakuza 3.

And it's not just a problem of most players not knowing what they'll miss. Many of those sidequests are worth experience and cashed used to buy upgrades and items, potentially making the game more difficult or grind-heavy.

I don't really understand why they had to go and do this. Why were they concerned about releasing the game ASAP? Were they in that much of a hurry to get steamrolled by Final Fantasy XIII and God of War III? And it's not as if cutting content suddenly makes an already very Japanese game more appealing to western audiences. After all, it was the constant whining by Japanophiles like myself that convinced them to bring the game over in the first place. Sega's continuing inability to properly gauge its audience is maddening.

All that said, I'm just glad Yakuza 3 is happening at all. There's plenty more content available to play, even with the cuts, and I encourage everyone who's interested to take the plunge. If nothing else, you'll get a good game, and Sega might be convinced to bring Yakuza 4 over in a more complete state.


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 Download the new Japan Nite compliation for free!
by Colette Bennett, 03/12/2010
Download the new Japan Nite compliation for free! photo

Japan Nite? Oh yeah, we've gone to that. And taken some photos of the whole shebang. In fact, we plan to go again, as in two weeks it'll all be going down at the annual Japan Nite in Los Angeles, CA this March 27th at the Viper Room. You can catch Tim, Jake and I hanging out that night at the show, so if you live in the area and want to come hang out with some Japanator peeps, come by!

If you're nowhere near the area though, I've got a second option for you: download the Hear Japan compilation of Japan Nite artists for absolutely no cost whatsoever. Eight free tracks are yours for the taking right here. It may not be as good as hanging out with us and rocking out live, but you really can't beat free. Enjoy!


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  1 comments Latest by HaloZ
"I cant wait! 1 week and counting!! I'll be at the SXSW show on Friday. Thanks for the DL!"...read more



 Watch carefully: How to be a true manga artist
by Colette Bennett, 03/12/2010
Watch carefully: How to be a true manga artist photo

Do you know what it takes to be a true mangaka? Do you emulate the master artists that draw such fine series as Naruto and Inuyasha? Do you know the pains of drawing boys (and how much harder they are to draw than girls)?

This video is what you need. I promise you, you will be forever changed by watching it.

Hit the video and you will learn the true meaning of a magical phrase like "Do you know how difficult it would be to just draw a bunch of snakes in human form?"


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  20 comments Latest by AQua ng
"I don't know."...read more



 Viz is hiring for a Financial Analyst!
by Brad Rice, 03/12/2010
Viz is hiring for a Financial Analyst! photo

The financial industry is one that's probably the hardest hit out of all of them in this economy. I know lots of people who used to earn high-paying salaries or do seriously complicated work in the finance world, only to have the rug pulled out from under them. Well, if you're one of them, and are willing to pick up and move to San Francisco, then Viz has the job for you.

They're looking for someone with serious chops -- 7+ years in financial planning, and ideally another 2-4 years as an accountant -- in order to pore over the financial dealings of Viz and help them figure out their budget, profitability and all those other things that require you to develop "complex financial models."

I don't have a great head for math -- that's my father's business -- but I encourage all of you who do to take a look at the listing here, and let us know if you decide to apply! We'll be cheering for you.


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 Legendary yaoi manga Finder available Summer 2010
by Josh Tolentino, 03/12/2010
Legendary yaoi manga Finder available Summer 2010 photo

If you're into yaoi or looking to get into yaoi, it's best to start with the best, and according to Digital Manga Publishing and Libre Shuppan, they've got the right one for you.

Finder, the seminal (no pun intended) yaoi manga by Ayano Yamane has been acquired by DMP from Central Park Media, and fans of man's love can look forward to fully retranslated and republished volume, under the DMP June imprint, this Summer.

People who've found Finder already will also be pleased to know that Kazuma Kodaka's KIZUNA will also be available in September. In the meantime, relax and let this information about Finder's first volume in:

While out on assignment trying to document the illegal activities of the Japanese underworld, photographer Takaba crosses paths with the dark and mysterious leader Asami. Asami takes Takaba captive, in an attempt to subjugate and possess him. But when the son of the Chinese mafia enters demanding evidence that Takaba may have, will Takaba be able to survive being caught in the crosshairs of a deadly underworld feud?


  5 comments Latest by Colette Bennett
"I'm with Yaku. PRETTY BOYS HELL YEAH"...read more



 Prepare for a new character in K-ON!! - Miura Akane-chan
by Brad Rice, 03/12/2010
Prepare for a new character in K-ON!! - Miura Akane-chan photo

That's right, they're adding a new girl to the second season of K-ON!!, named Miura Akane-chan. Instrument of choice? Tuba. She's about 5'8", which puts her well above everyone else in the group -- Mio is the tallest of the original five, at 5'2". So, this will prove to be interesting.

We've got the character art and some profile information down in the gallery below, but since I have a shred of dignity about me, I'm not going to go ahead and translate all that, because what's the point in spoiling the mindless drivel for K-ON!!?  Surely you want to find out for yourself just what Akane's favorite foods are, don't you?

I'll be watching K-ON!!, for some strange reason, but at least I have something to look forward to: a giantess trying to mix in a tuba with a pop band. This is going to be good.

  14 comments Latest by Sephiroth87
"@Bacon5200 Oh my god, I already love K-On, but Hokugaku Ska Time would just awesome xD "...read more

Gallery Images:
Photo Photo


Learning Japanese with waterproof flashcards
by Karen Gellender, 03/11/2010
Learning Japanese with waterproof flashcards photo

Now, I know the purpose of these waterproof flashcards is to allow you to study while soaking comfortably in a nice warm bath, but I think I'm ready to take it one step further: I think I'm ready to start studying Kanji completely underwater.

Just think- it's March already. Soon it will be spring, after spring comes summer, and then I'll be in the pool. When I was a little girl I used to pretend that I was Ariel from The Little Mermaid and spend all of my time at the bottom of the pool, and to be honest I never really broke that habit- I mean, I don't usually find myself thinking "it's time to pretend that I'm a mermaid!" or anything, but the fact of the matter is that I do most of my swimming underwater. In fact, I try to spend as much of the summer underwater as humanly possible.

That's why it would be a nice touch if I could integrate my summer plans with learning Japanese the Baka Way- that is, continue studying kanji not only between trips to the pool and by the pool, but in the pool. This way, I could punish myself for forgetting kanji by staying underwater for an extra five seconds or something, meaning that my very survival would depend upon improving my Japanese reading comprehension. What can I say, I'm one of those people who works better under pressure.

I'm not trying it at the beach, though- I don't think I could take getting sand in my bathing suit AND trying to memorize multiple kun readings. I can deal with one or the other, but not both.

 

  5 comments Latest by MihoChan9
"Irothtin: You made my day"...read more



 Lightning Warrior Raidy II now available for preorder
by Karen Gellender, 03/11/2010
Lightning Warrior Raidy II now available for preorder photo

Considering how often I say things like "Why must it always be PORN??", I might not seem like the most likely person to be bringing you news about the hentai dungeon-crawler Lightning Warrior Raidy II:Temple of Desire. However, not only do I own the first game, but I've written about it in the past.

Why is this? Well, see, the thing is I love dungeon crawlers. I love dungeon crawlers to a stupidly huge extent. This led my fiance to wonder whether or not I could love ALL dungeon crawlers unconditionally, so I was gifted Lightning Warrior Raidy in order to find out the truth. It turns out that I do NOT love all dungeon crawlers unconditionally, but it wasn't the hentai images in the game that I had a problem with- it was the navigation. The useless map system in the game annoyed me long before the porn had a chance to. Plus, the combat was about as basic as it gets. If you weren't into the ero side of it, there was very little there.

However, if the new game actually has loads of new features and "a brand new map interface" as promised, I will face a dilemma- what if the second LWR is actually a good game? Will I get addicted to it, and then start getting into yuri through osmosis? It makes my life easier when hentai games just suck- then I can simply mock them and move on. This game seems to be in way too much danger of actually being decent under a thick coat of ero-paint.

You can pre-order Lightning Warrior Raidy II:Temple of Desire for $34.95- which is actually cheaper than most translated bishoujo games that I've seen. So at the very least, it has a good price point going for it; we'll just have to see about the rest.


  6 comments Latest by peterinjapan
"HoodedMiracle, Raidy I is "all yuri" (well, one of the bosses is male, but except for him). Raidy II is like 3x the size, and has plenty of yuri, but not near total. "...read more



 The Otaku Sex Industry: 3D women desired, for now
by Karen Gellender, 03/11/2010
The Otaku Sex Industry: 3D women desired, for now photo

According to the Japan Subculture Research Center, many otaku haven't given up real women for the likes of Nene from Love Plus just yet. Of course, that doesn't mean that they're going out on dates either- pssh, that's just crazy talk. No, the current trend among Japanese otaku is to pay real women gobs and gobs of yen to dress up like maids and/or anime characters, and listen to them babble about anime. Or, otaku might pay a cosplayer to accompany them while shopping in Akihabara, so the be-ruffled lass can whisper encouraging things like "you have great taste in LCD monitors!", or "you're so tech-savvy, SUGOI!"

I never thought I would encounter an activity that would make traditional prostitution look so classy in comparison. I mean, normally I'm very conscious of checking my Western-bias; I am not quick to pass judgment on a culture that I know I do not truly understand. However....seriously, how messed up is this?

The fact that the current rift in Japanese otakudom is not between dating-vs.-not-dating, but 2D, imaginary girlfriends versus costumed, paid escorts/prostitutes (not that all of them are prostitutes; a full range of services are offered, from the innocent to the ridiculous), just seems beyond dysfunctional to me. I don't put all the blame on the stereotypical lonely otaku, either; apparently, many Japanese women refuse to give men the time of day, meaning that many otaku cannot get female companionship unless they a)pay for it, or b)imagine it.

I can't exactly condemn Japanese women for not wanting to jump to the barefoot-and-pregnant stage, but I sense a tremendous, growing fear of real women on the part of otaku that must be coming from somewhere; I think part of the popularity of moe is due to the fact that moe characters are vulnerable, inexperienced, and need protection, and inspire a sense of virility in men that they can no longer get in their interactions with contemporary women. Is the problem that many Japanese women simply are not interested in men? Or are Japanese men simply unprepared to deal with independent women, even if the women in question are open to dating? In any case, I call sociological shenanigans here.


  22 comments Latest by Nihon Freak
"@Crimson Blade: This article is about people, not anime...and damn. You ought to publish that as its own article. It's such a complicated topic! I keep trying to write a reply, but can't. On the..."...read more



 Glowsticks should be banned from the next Miku concert
by Josh Tolentino, 03/11/2010
Glowsticks should be banned from the next Miku concert photo

They nearly ruined the whole affair, especially for folks who have to view such things through a certain series of tubes, like myself.

The issue is - and I'm not afraid to admit it - that Miku and her Vocaloid friends are not real people. Until Crypton Future Media can build/grow proper vessels for their greatness, their concerts will be done via holographic projection onto a clear screen placed onstage.

What that means, then is that the audience should not  be allowed to bring in objects that will reflect on the screen. Because it, y'know, reminds everyone that hey, Miku doesn't have a proper physical form yet. 

Anyway, that aside, the concert went swimmingly. Check below for some awesome footage of her duet with Megurine Luka. 

If there was one good thing to come from all those damn glowsticks, someone in the crowd assembled several white and green ones to form a large leek-shaped glowstick.


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  20 comments Latest by FifthDream
"Yep, totally Macross Plus'd here, too."...read more






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