Japanese store advertises with novel photography tip: wear adult diapers
I’m all for being passionate about your hobby, but that’s a wee bit over the top, don’t you think?
It seems that popular electronics retailer Yodobashi Camera is supplying a rather unusual item in their camera department: adult diapers.
Eagle-eyed Twitterer @AntiBayesian spotted this advertisement on a recent trip and leaked it to the Internet, saying, “I went to check out the popular items in the camera section and this is apparently what Yodobashi Camera thinks is the most effective thing to place in the customers’ line of sight.”
That’s a big ol’ bin of adult diapers, all right. And the sign suggests taking them along on long filming excursions so you’ll never miss the perfect shot because you were in the restroom!
Hmm. I’m not a photographer myself and I can’t think of a single thing I want passionately enough to wear an adult diaper for, but to each their own. I guess you could see it as a mark of dedication if a photographer is willing to pee their pants rather than miss their chance at the perfect image. Unfortunately, every time I see an amazingly timed photo, now I’m going to have another image in my head: a photographer wearing a diaper.
But at least the call of nature didn’t lure them away from adding that elusive Diamond Fuji pic to their photo stream.
Top image: Wikicommons/Roadpath
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RocketNews24’s Mr. Sato suddenly becomes symbol of support for Starbucks’ refugee hiring plan
As some of you may have noticed, RocketNews24 is not a hard-hitting political information outlet. Not that government isn’t an important matter, but our focus tends to be more on burger elections than parliamentary or presidential ones.
And yet, all of a sudden one of our Japanese-language reporters, Mr. Sato, has become a banner held up by one side of an American political debate. If you’ve been on Twitter over the past few days, you’ve probably heard some heated discussion about U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent restrictions on refugee acceptance and immigration, and also Starbucks’ announcement that the company plans to employ some 10,000 refugees in its facilities worldwide over the next five years.
The magnanimous move by Starbucks was loudly applauded by its supporters, but given the divisive nature of the topic, others quickly responded by calling for a boycott of the chain. This in turn prompted those who agree with Starbucks’ stance to reiterate that they’re happier than ever to drink their coffee there, and some expressed their feelings with tweets like these.
me: i don't really like starbucks starbucks: promises 10k jobs for refugees me: https://t.co/ZMABIbjY8Z
—
big rat (@ottabek) January 30, 2017
racists: #BoycottStarbucks me: https://t.co/y7n536zZH4
—
#HeWillNotDivideUs (@HWNDUS) January 30, 2017
Yep, that’s Mr. Sato, carrying his 20-pound (nine-kilogram) Starbucks coffee cup, which he actually drank from when he stopped into the branch in Tokyo’s Shibuya neighborhood last December.
With one of his zany adventures making waves around the world in an entirely unexpected way, we asked Mr. Sato for his take on becoming a political icon, and his response follows.
—
Sometimes, unbelievable things can happen in life. I never imagined that I’d somehow become part of a political debate. I’m just some middle-aged Japanese dude, so how did this happen?
Starbucks announced it would hire refugees, and some Trump supporters expressed outrage over it. They started tweeting #BoycottStarbucks, and apparently it was the #1 trending hashtag.
I just knew about this from watching the news, and my reaction was basically “Wow, this is a really big deal in America.” But then one of my overseas friends told me “Your picture is all over Twitter.” I was just an unconnected third party watching the debate from the sidelines, so how did I become part of the discussion? I couldn’t understand it at all.
So I looked at the tweet he’d sent me a link to…
…and no doubt about it, those are photos of me. But…why? I realize there are many aspects to the issue being debated, but do I really have anything to do with all that?
Some people in America may not be aware of this, but I’ve even gotten a Trump makeover in the past.
I think I actually ended up looking a lot like him, but I wonder what American people think.
The whole Twitter thing has actually been kind of a shock, but if it’s come to this, hopefully some people will tell me “You don’t look like Trump.”
—
As Mr. Sato’s day out with his giant Starbucks mug precedes the chain’s hiring pledge by more than a year, and his Trump makeover came some 10 months before the current president’s controversial executive orders, neither was a politically motivated endeavor (honestly, Mr. Sato just like attention). Still, he does enjoy a cup of Starbucks coffee, and we have to admit, some of those tweets are pretty clever. But should your online acquaintances be buzzing about “Japanese Starbucks Mug Man,” Mr. Sato would really appreciate it if you could steer them to his origin story.
Featured image: Twitter/@ottabek
Top, insert images ©RocketNews24
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Japanese Twitter artist recreates awesome fighting video game scenes in Nanoblock form
Street Fighter, The King of Fighters, and Dragon Ball Z all serve as inspiration for blocky coolness.
Fighting games are all about punching, kicking, or otherwise pummeling your opponent into submission. But though Japanese Twitter user @seibu_lina0505 has no doubt spent countless hours unleashing the destructive power of video game characters’ furious fists, he’s also channeled his love of the genre into something that’s creative.
Aside from being a gamer, @seibu_lina0505 is also a Nanoblock enthusiast, regularly sharing the finished results of his projects involving the tiny Lego-like blocks. Rather than limit himself to the directions that come with any pre-set kit, @seibu_lina0505 instead uses his talent to devise awesome recreations of the greatest martial artists of the video game world.
Any discussion of modern fighting games of course has to begin with Street Fighter II. All of the World Warriors are present and accounted for, including those who joined the cast in the game’s series of semi-sequels that culminated with Super Street Fighter II Turbo.
スト2シリーズはキャラが個性的でしっかり立っているから作るのも楽しい(^o^) #ナノブロック #nanoblock #まめナノ #格ゲー #スト2 #ストリートファイター2 #スパ2X https://t.co/HepkIhXr7k
—
やま (@seibu_lina0505) July 03, 2016
The iconic character designs are instantly recognizable, even in abstract Nanoblock form. But @seibu_lina0505 knows the real appeal of these gaming icons comes when they unleash their special attacks, and so he also builds more complex versions of the fighters, such as Ken and Ryu showing off their shoryuken and tatsumakisenpukyaku techniques.
リュウさん誕生日おめ #ナノブロック #nanoblock #格ゲー #スト2 https://t.co/EJUpnrSrJg
—
やま (@seibu_lina0505) July 21, 2016
@seibu_lina0505’s attention to detail shines brightest in the way he uses clear blocks to position the character’s bodies in mid-air, and also in how he makes sure to include effects such as brightly burning flames or crackling chi energy.
▼ The oft-overlooked Dhalsim takes on original Street Fighter end boss Sagat.
とりあえずドリルキック。ヨガ #ナノブロック #nanoblock #スト2 https://t.co/JVxVyTC6Gf
—
やま (@seibu_lina0505) October 13, 2016
ナノブロックでヨガ〜 https://t.co/yBxriSig9J
—
やま (@seibu_lina0505) October 18, 2016
▼ Ryu’s dark nemesis Akuma, in the opening motions of his infamous Shun Goku Satsu finishing move
PPAPじゃなくて弱P弱P→弱K強P https://t.co/4Pcilj3OuE
—
やま (@seibu_lina0505) December 19, 2016
テイッ！ナノブロックで豪鬼 https://t.co/IDsTZJzfkf
—
やま (@seibu_lina0505) November 26, 2016
While she didn’t make her debut until Street Fighter Alpha 3, female wrestler R. Mika has also been given the Nanoblock treatment by @seibu_lina0505.
▼ The character’s famously curvaceous physique is decidedly more angular in this version.
今年最初のナノブロック、ミカさんとグッドルッキングザンギエフ様。 今年もたいしたものは作れませんがよろしくお願いいたします٩( 'ω' )و https://t.co/I8BjjABdQm
—
やま (@seibu_lina0505) January 11, 2017
But while the Street Fighter franchise has always enjoyed greater commercial success, some will argue their preference for The King of Fighters series, produced by Capcom’s rival SNK. @seibu_lina0505 is perfectly happy to work both sides of the (fighting) street, as shown by the numerous Nanoblock versions of King of Fighters regular (and Fatal Fury star) Terry Bogard.
▼ All-around nice guy that he is, Terry is always concerned about your well-being.
Are you okay? https://t.co/1MOcddfeXP
—
やま (@seibu_lina0505) January 28, 2017
▼ King of Fighters’ K’, Kyo, and Iori, perhaps forming a team of three as per the game’s rules.
勢いで京さんも作ってみたケドもっと似せたい #nanoblock #ナノブロック #まめナノ #KOF https://t.co/JKVrdbHyCD
—
やま (@seibu_lina0505) June 18, 2016
▼ “Hey, Iori, check it out. I can make flames appear out of my hand.”
京さんはいつか作る #nanoblock #ナノブロック #まめナノ #KOF https://t.co/qW3IriHWEl
—
やま (@seibu_lina0505) June 11, 2016
▼ “Yeah, big whoop, dweebster.”
ナノブロックですぐ楽にしてやる …んん〜(´Д` ) #nanoblock #ナノブロック #まめナノ #KOF #八神庵 https://t.co/1vv42mSSpz
—
やま (@seibu_lina0505) June 04, 2016
And finally, even though they’re better known for their anime exploits than their video game adaptation appearances, here’s @seibu_lina0505’s take on the cast of Dragon Ball Z.
DBZまとめ。気まぐれで作っているのでキャラが揃ってない(･_･; #まめナノ #nanoblock #ナノブロック #ドラゴンボール #DBZ https://t.co/flinpEbTyd
—
やま (@seibu_lina0505) June 17, 2016
ひさびさに #まめナノ サイズのキャラ作って遊んでみました #nanoblock #ナノブロック #ドラゴンボール https://t.co/GK4d9JJ6o6
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やま (@seibu_lina0505) November 10, 2016
#みどりの日 でしたか(๑'◡͐'๑) #まめナノ #ナノブロック #nanoblock https://t.co/Xa95fHUei7
—
やま (@seibu_lina0505) May 04, 2016
▼ He’s really done a great job capturing Yamcha’s powerlessness.
ヤ無茶しやがって… #まめナノ #nanoblock #ナノブロック #ドラゴンボール https://t.co/xsOK7vy41W
—
やま (@seibu_lina0505) May 01, 2016
After seeing what @seibu_lina0505 can do, we can’t wait for his next round of Nanoblock projects.
Featured image: Twitter/@seibu_lina0505
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Overwatch’s D.Va becomes symbol of Women’s March and feminist group in South Korea
“Nerf this, patriarchy!”
Women’s Marches in protest of U.S. President Trump’s stance on women’s rights and other issues have been taking place all over the U.S. and the rest of the world. Europe, the Middle East, Australia, and even Antarctica and more have had protestors show up and voice their support for the cause.
One place where the protests have been getting special attention is in Seoul. What sets them apart from the rest isn’t their numbers or passion so much as the symbol some of the protesters have chosen as their representative: the character D.Va from video game Overwatch.
▼ D.Va posing with her MEKA unit.
Geekly Chic Undercover Cosplay: D.Va ... - http://ift.tt/2kLZGo7 @nika_howard @Blizzard_Ent #Cosplay… http://twitter.com/i/web/status/8…
—
(@GeeklyInc) January 19, 2017
The organization responsible for making D.Va the figurehead for the Korean movement is the appropriately-named group “For D.Va (The National D.Va Association).” Here’s what the group’s website says about its origin:
“For D.Va (National D.Va Association) first started off as a feminist gamer group, gathered to voice our opinions about (currently suspended) President Park Geun Hye. After the President’s suspension, we decided not to disperse, but to keep fighting for gender equality.”
Since then For D.Va has helped rally and organize people for the Women’s March is Seoul and has continued spreading awareness of women’s issues.
▼ The group produces D.Va stickers and pins based on the character’s
bunny logo and catchphrase, which translates as “Nerf this!”
손거울과 스티커도 수령 완료했습니다 이야 우리 굿즈좀 봐 증말 잘할거야 https://t.co/Wu0zaJAs14
—
전국디바협회(전디협) (@for_diva_) December 07, 2016
▼ D.Va’s bunny logo plastered angrily on her chest.
DVA, by @JamesGhio: http://ift.tt/2kLWx7L https://t.co/t13qIPpLyF
—
Ant (@antsstyle) January 20, 2017
▼ Signs and banners displaying the bunny logo
could be seen throughout the Women’s March.
Overwatch's D.Va symbol shows up at Women's March in Seoul: bit.ly/2j8orMl #WomensMarch #Overwatch https://t.co/TeAuZ4nwwY
—
(@OverwatchGG) January 21, 2017
광화문 스타벅스 옆에서 전디협 스티커/피켓 배부중입니다!!! https://t.co/8raa4TphsT
—
전국디바협회(전디협) (@for_diva_) November 26, 2016
▼ Stickers spelling out “D.Va” on a police bus
that was part of a “car wall.”
HAYA THIS로 만든 D.VA https://t.co/YAqtzI2tWs
—
전국디바협회(전디협) (@for_diva_) December 10, 2016
▼ A screenshot from the group’s website.
It might seem strange at first for a character from a multiplayer first-person shooter to be the mascot for a group promoting human rights, but here’s the explanation from For D.Va’s website about why they chose her:
“We all know that D.Va is a Korean Overwatch character, who is a woman yet thrives in the gaming world. The reason she became our mascot is because we thought that in a sexist country like ours, it would be impossible for a person like her to appear, especially after the case of Geguri. Geguri is a Korean woman pro gamer, who was accused of using hacks just because ‘it was impossible for women to play games that well,’ which was, of course, false. So we decided to act for feminism under her emblem, so that in 2060, someone like D.Va could actually appear.”
Thinking about it from that angle, the choice makes sense. D.Va is a beloved character, but it will take some change for there to be someone actually like her in the real world.
If you want to keep up with For D.Va’s activities then be sure to give them a follow on Twitter on Tumblr. The next time a Korean voice actress gets loses her job for wearing a feminist t-shirt, you can bet that they’ll be there, armed with angry bunny stickers and flags.
Source: National D.Va Association, Twitter/@for_diva_ via My Game News Flash
Featured image: Twitter/@GeeklyInc
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RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW
Photos and Post by Eunice
Shortly after college and entering the “real world” — aka sitting in front of a computer 5 days a week, 8 hours straight, each day — I’ve realized how important it is to take care of your body. Apart from the obvious (exercising), I’ve never really thought about treating my body to a massage until… now.
Through word of mouth from my friends, I was introduced to a boutique massage place in Los Angeles called The Now. There is an instant appeal to this place, and I feel like The Now covers a middle ground that I didn’t know existed — you don’t feel like you’re in a hole-in-the-wall or a ritzy place — but you are given a luxury-like service for a delightfully affordable price. The space is beautiful inside (verrry Instagrammable), and it is very convenient to make an appointment for you and your bestie (walk-in or reserve online). I’ve been several times now and I keep coming back for more (I get “The Now” massage for 25 mins). Each massage experience is truly unique, and one thing I love about each massage is the ambient sounds of ocean waves crashing (in my opinion, this is one of the best sounds ever). If you are in the Los Angeles area, I highly recommend checking this place out. They are located in West Hollywood, Santa Monica, and (just recently) Silverlake (I hear they’re opening another one in Studio City too…).
Now I know not everyone of you guys are in Los Angeles, so here are other ways to unwind and treat yourself!
- Dr. Teal’s Epsom Salt – Personally, lavender is always the way to go for me. Not only does it smell fantastic, but it truly relaxing. Dr. Teal’s is my favorite drugstore bath salt find.
- L’Occitane Exfoliating Butter – I’ve already gone through one jar and need to re-order. This smells amazing and makes your skin feel as smooth as a baby’s bottom!
- Kiehl’s Lavender Bubble Bath – Lavender, again…but this time it’s a bubble bath (!!!) with a hint of sea salts and aloe. Best. Bubble. Bath. Ever.
- Herbivore Botanicals Bath Salt – “CALM” is what this product is. I have other products from this brand (which I am a huge fan of) and have this on my wish list to try.
Throwing one more out here because it’s one of Kristin’s FAVES: FIG+YARROW PINK BATH SALTS — I haven’t tried this yet but Kristin has raved about these balt salts, so this is next up on my purchase list!
How do you guys unwind & take care of your body? What are your local favorite massage places in your area? Let me know below! xx Eunice
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Foreign shop clerk and Japanese customer fail to communicate because of Japanese language quirk
The Japanese language’s lack of a definite article was definitely the cause of this cross-cultural convenience store misunderstanding.
As we’ve mentioned before, Japanese isn’t quite as difficult as some people who gave up after half a semester of language class would have you believe. That said, it does have its tricky points, just like any language does, and one of the trickiest is that Japanese doesn’t have a definite or indefinite article.
In simpler terms, this means that Japanese doesn’t have equivalents for the English words “a,” “an,” or “the.” So, for example, the sentences “I drank a beer” and “I drank the beer” are both said exactly the same way in Japanese: Watashi ha biru wo nonda.
▼ Is this just any old beer, or the beer? If you’re speaking Japanese, sometimes it’s hard to tell.
But as crazy as it may seem, usually the lack of distinction between “a” and “the” isn’t such a big barrier to communication in Japanese. For example, if you’ve just started a conversation with a friend about what he did last weekend, and he says “Eiga wo mita,” you can be pretty sure he means “I saw a movie,” and not “the movie,” since there isn’t enough context yet for him to assume you’d know which movie he’s talking about. Likewise, when he follows up with “Eiga ha omoshirokatta,” it’s safe to assume he’s still talking about the same movie and means “The movie was interesting,” since it wouldn’t make any sense to suddenly start talking about some “a movie”/some other movie without giving any kind of verbal cue that he’s switching conversational gears.
However, the lack of “a” and “the” in Japanese can really cause problems in the uncommon yet not unthinkable case where either one is a logical interpretation. Japanese Twitter user @omisi034 recently ran into such a situation when he popped into a convenience store to buy a single-serving paper carton of café au lait (yep such things are regularly available in Japan’s awesome convenience stores).
なぁ、コンビニでな、カフェオレ買ったんや。パックの。ストロー付いてたんや。付属の。で、レジの人が外国人でめーっちゃ丁寧でワイに「ストローいりますか？」て聞いてきたんや。付いてるから「いりません」言うたらな、パックに付いてたストローむしられたんや。ジーザスって感じ。
—
おみし (@omisi034) January 30, 2017
When the clerk, who was a foreigner, was ringing him up and politely asked “Sutoro irimasuka?”, he took it to mean “Do you need a straw?” The question struck @omisi034 as odd, since there was already a collapsible plastic straw attached to the carton, but he figured the clerk wasn’t aware of it, which is a definite possibility considering how many different items convenience stores stock.
So in response, @omisi034 told the clerk “No, I don’t.” The clerk reacted by immediately plucking the straw from the carton and throwing it in the trash, since what he’d really been asking is “Do you need the straw?”, referring to the one attached to the container.
“I was like, ‘Jesus,’” tweeted @omisi034, literally invoking the name of Christ and ironically employing profanity in a way that’d be somewhat unnatural for a native speaker.
“I let the clerk know ‘You’re not supposed to remove that straw,’” @omisi034 continues, “and he made a face like ‘What!?’ I think he’s probably done this to a lot of people in the past..”
While linguistically you could call it an honest misunderstanding, culturally, at least as far as basic customer service and retail transactions in Japan go, we’ve got to side with @omisi034 here. While convenience store clerks will generally ask before they toss any extras into the bog with your purchases, such as disposable chopsticks, plastic forks, or drinking straws, whatever is already attached to the packaging is more or less universally understood to be the customer’s responsibility to take care of. So if there’s already a straw stuck to the carton, it’s up to the customer to toss it in the trash if he or she doesn’t need it , especially since the straws are attached at the manufacturing plant and thus aren’t going to be reused by the convenience store.
Still, @omisi034 seemed to at least have some appreciation for the difficulties of dealing with customers in a language other than your native tongue, and ended his tweeted recount of the story by indirectly telling the clerk “Well, hang in there,” and it’ a sentiment we second. Keep working on your Japanese, anonymous foreign convenience store clerk, and you’ll be using your linguistic smarts and savvy to foil armed robberies in no time.
Source: Jin
Top image: Pakutaso
Insert image ©RocketNews24
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Kit Kat Chocolatory to celebrate opening of Ginza store with sushi Kit Kats!
Good news for Kit Kat fans! Not only is a new Kit Kat specialty store set to open, it’ll be giving away sushi Kit Kats!
That’s right, we’re happy to report that Nestlé Japan will be opening its first stand-alone Kit Kat Chocolatory store in Tokyo’s Ginza district on Februray 2, and what’s more, they’ll be commemorating the event with gifts of special sushi Kit Kats!
Since the first Kit Kat Chocolatory opened in January of 2014 as a specialty store offering premium and exclusive Kit Kats, the franchise has expanded to eight stores across Japan, but so far they have all been in-store establishments located within major department stores. This ninth and newest addition in Tokyo’s Ginza neighborhood will be the Chocolatory’s first stand-alone store, and for the grand opening, they’ve created a unique set of three Kit Kats in the shape of sushi! It’s really quite ingenious how they combined Kit Kats and rice puffs coated with white couverture chocolate to achieve the sushi-like look.
▼ The maguro (tuna) version is topped with a raspberry flavored Kit Kat.
▼ The uni (sea urchin) Kit Kat sushi is made with a Hokkaido Melon with Mascarpone Cheese flavored Kit Kat
▼ And this is the tamago (egg) sushi Kit Kat, featuring a Pumpkin Pudding flavored Kit Kat.
▼ They’re easy to eat with your hands, too!
The idea of a sushi Kit Kat was actually shared on social media by Nestlé Japan as an April Fool’s joke last year, and the response to it at the time was so huge that they decided to make it a reality. A total of 500 sets of the three sushi Kit Kats will be given away to customers making purchases of 3,000 yen (US$26.50) or more at the new Ginza store between February 2 and February 14, but if you want to get your hands on them, you’ll need to be there early, since only a limited number will be offered each day during the period on a first-come-first-served basis.
And here are some images of what the Ginza store is expected to look like.
The company also plans to open a cafe on the second floor in the next several months where customers will be able to try unique items such as baked madeleines made with Kit Kats or even create their own Kit Kats using toppings of their choice.
▼ You’ll of course also be able to buy various Kit Kat Chocoaltory items from the standard “Sublime” chocolates to gift sets that come in packaging exclusive to the Ginza store.
The Kit Kat Chocolatory Ginza store is scheduled to open at 1:30 pm on February 2, so mark your calendar if you want to be there for the opening!
Shop information
Kit Kat Chocolatory Ginza store / キットカットショコラトリー銀座店
Address: Tokyo-to, Chuo-ku, Ginza 3-7-2
東京都中央区銀座 3-7-2
Tel: +81-3-6228-6285
Open 10 a.m.- 8 p.m.
Website
Source, images: PR Times
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