Move over Ghibli Museum, a whole new Ghibli Park is on the horizon!

The new Ghibli Park is slated to open in 2020 in Aichi Precture, Japan.

Fans of Studio Ghibli and all of their films, from Princess Mononoke to Ponyo, have been flocking to the Ghibli Museum in Tokyo since it opened in 2001. Fans now have something else to look forward to, as it was just announced that Aichi Prefecture’s EXPO Park will be transformed into Ghibli Park by 2020. On May 31, Ghibli producer Toshio Suzuki and Aichi prefectural governor Hideaki Oomura held a conference where they agreed on a summary of plans.

The park – located in Nagakute City, just east of the prefecture’s capital Nagoya –  was the site of the 2005 World EXPO. It sprawls over 200 hectares of land, and is rich with natural greenery and gardens. The park was initially opened in 1970 as the Aichi Youth Park (Aichi Seishounen Kōen), and was reopened for the World EXPO as the Ai-Chikyūhaku Kinen Kōen, a play on words using “love” (ai) and “earth” (chikyū) to include “Aichi” in the name of the park. While a lot of the facilities added for the World EXPO have been removed, there still remains a water park and swimming pool, ice skating rink, and a giant Ferris wheel.

モリコロパークのサツキとメイの家、細部まで細かく世界観が再現されていてテンション上がったなあ… ここが更にパワーアップしてジブリパークになるとか楽しみすぎる https://t.co/gMzZ8rivbG

—
かしれい🍆Emufrep (@pfm_r701) June 01, 2017

Probably most notably, the site is also home to the famous life-sized recreation of Satsuki and Mei’s house from the well-loved film My Neighbor Totoro, making it an appropriate location for the new park. While some renovations and maintenance will be done, the trees and natural plant-life will not be lumbered or destroyed to make way for the new park.

2020 is looking like a great year to come visit Japan!

Source: Chunichi Shimbun
Featured image: Twitter/@pfm_r701

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ANA’s gluten-free meal? A single banana, allegedly

Have a banana? No joke.

While the banana has long been a comedy staple, with music hall audiences guffawing along to the impromptu ad-lib of “have a banana”, one ANA (All Nippon Airways) customer was not laughing. While airline passengers usually have plenty to gripe about (not enough leg room, limited entertainment choices, non-functioning headphones, the baby who won’t stop crying, being beaten up and dragged off the plane, etc.), the amount of food is a less-often heard complaint.

Martin Pavelka, who has coeliac disease, was on a nine-hour flight from Tokyo to Sydney, Australia and had ordered gluten-free meals. While receiving a gluten-free dinner shortly after takeoff, come breakfast time he was presented with a solitary banana. Fortunately, he was also given a little plastic knife with which to cut his feast into more manageable chunks, and some salt. According to the 32-year-old Pavelka, the amused passengers around him were treated to a full-English breakfast.

The gluten-free meal on this airline turned out to be a banana ind.pn/2pEzuie

—
The Independent (@Independent) May 03, 2017

According to the Evening Standard, Pavelka asked the cabin attendant whether it was a joke. She is said to have replied “I’m really sorry, that’s the gluten-free meal”. Annoyed, given that the flight cost a full £1,200 (US$1,547), and presumably still rather peckish, Pavelka went on to complain to ANA.

A spokesperson for ANA said ‘ANA takes great pride in providing an exemplary customer experience for all passengers, and for this one passenger we did not meet his expectations.

‘We have apologized to him personally and as a result of his experience we are reviewing our policy on gluten free options and how they are served.

During an international flight on the Tokyo-Sydney route, there are two food services. The first service is a full meal an hour after departure and the second is a snack service two hours before arrival.

On this specific instance, the passenger ordered a gluten free meal and then a gluten free snack. The banana he ordered was the gluten free snack option.

To imply that ANA only serves a banana for a flight of this length is incorrect.’

Given some of the misleading headlines bouncing around the Internet, there seems to be a bit of a disconnect between the original tweet and the internet story that spiralled out of it. One thing we can be sure of, though, is the fact that the executives at ANA won’t be laughing at the comedy staple for a while yet.

Source: Mail Online
Images: ©SoraNews24

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Can you answer this question for 14-year-olds from the Singapore and Asian Schools Math Olympiad?

You’re gonna need a heavy dose of logic and probably a couple headache pills to tackle this one.

Being stumped by questions intended for children is something we’re used to here at SoraNews24, but oftentimes those kinds of questions are either things you see right away or you just feel stupid for not noticing earlier when someone tells you.

How about a question instead that’s nothing but cold, hard logic?

Recently, Japanese Twitter user @fmathsecond posted the English and Japanese versions of a question from the Singapore and Asian Schools Math Olympiad, which got a lot of attention due to its seemingly impossible premise. Here’s the original tweet: (Click the left image or scroll down to see the puzzle)

▼ “This was in the Singapore and Asian Schools Math Olympiad
for 14 to 15-year-olds and is well-known for being a hard logic puzzle.”

【シェリルの誕生日】 シンガポール＆アジア数学オリンピックで14,15才向けに出題された問題 論理的思考力が問われる難問として有名 https://t.co/2eiGu3oZq6

—
ラジオ2 (@fmathsecond) May 27, 2017

For those who can’t see the image, here’s the puzzle in MS-Paint form:

Yikes! Aside from Albert and Bernard needing to probably take a hint and get as far away from this psychopathic Cheryl person as fast as possible, the first thing that hits you is just how impossible the question seems right off the bat. We didn’t get any hints for dates or anything, so how can we possibly figure it out?

We won’t spoil the answer yet, but go ahead and take a few more read-throughs to see if you can figure it out. If not, scroll down for some hints, or all the way down for the answer. (And no, the awkward grammar in some places isn’t a clue or anything.)

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 ▼ Hint #1: Just in case it wasn’t clear, Albert knows the month,
and Bernard knows the day. (Three hints remaining.)

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▼ Hint #2: What number days could Bernard have been told by Cheryl that
would’ve let him know her birthday right off the bat? (Two hints remaining.)

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▼ Hint #3: Albert isn’t just saying this underlined part for no reason. What
months could he know that would let him say this? (One BIG hint remaining.)

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▼ Hint #4: Take a deep breath before this one.

In answer to Hint #2, the only unique number days on the list are (June) 18 and (May) 19, so the number Bernard was told could not have been 18 or 19. Otherwise he would’ve been able to spot the birthday right away.

In answer to Hint #3, because May and June have those unique number dates (18 and 19), for Albert to know that “Bernard does not know,” he must have been told that the date was in July or August. Otherwise there would be the possibility that Bernard could know the birthday from the number day alone, and with the double appearance of numbers 14, 15, 16, and 17, Albert can definitively say that “Bernard does not know too.”

This lets us cross out all the dates in May and June, leaving only the dates in July and August. Can you solve it from here?

(Scroll down for the answer.)

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▼ Answer: Since Bernard says he now knows the birthday,
we can eliminate the two dates that share the same number day…

▼ …and since Albert says he now knows the birthday, we can eliminate the
two dates that share the same month, leaving us with the answer: July 16!

Phew! Did you figure it out? It took me a while. That first logical leap of crossing out May and June takes quite a lot of mental sweat, but after that it’s not too bad.

Here’s how Japanese netizens responded to Cheryl and her insane birthday torture:

“I have no idea what any of this means.”
“Please… someone… help me….”
“Hey! I got it! But… wow. That took a while.”
“I’ve known a woman or two like Cheryl in my lifetime.”
“Wow, I feel like my brain just lifted some weights. More please!”

Fear not, netizen, we have your back! Try this math question that Japanese Twitter claims only those with an IQ of 150 or higher can solve.

Source: Twitter/@fmathsecond via My Game News Flash
Top image: PAKUTASO
Insert images: ©SoraNews24

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New Pokémon mobile game, Pokéland, announced, immediately enters alpha testing with 134 species

Focuses on battles with adorable “toy Pokémon.”

The number of Pokémon mobile games may still lag far beyond the number of Pocket Monster species, but smartphone gamers’ options to enjoy the franchise are slowly increasing. After the phenomenal launch of Pokémon GO in 2016, last month saw the release of Magikarp Jump, which focuses exclusively on the lovably weak water-type, but now there’s another Pokémon mobile game on the horizon that promises a lot more variety in terms of Pokémon selection.

Titled Pokéland, the just-announced game foregoes the open/real world wandering of Pokémon GO to instead provide a more concentrated gameplay experience. Players search for Pokémon on in-game islands, broken up into stages, where 134 different species are waiting to be caught, trained, and sent into battle.

Technically, you’re not catching live Pokémon, but “toy Pokémon,” which explains the simplified, extra-glossy character graphics. The game’s developer is listed as Ambrella, and its official website promises “simple and direct controls” for streamlined gameplay that “anyone can enjoy.”

But even with accessibility as a priority, the developers are still promising that the various Pokémon you catch will have different stats and abilities, and that you’ll be able to use in-game items to make them stronger. No information has been given regarding the possibility of player-versus-player battling or trading Pokémon with other players.

Like many mobile games, it sounds like Pokéland will be using a free-to-play model. The website mentions a “search device” players use to scour the islands for Pokémon which recharges at the rate of one use per 30 minutes or when clearing stages, but can be fully recharged using “diamonds,” which are likely to be purchasable through microtransactions.

The finished game will be available in both Android and iOS formats, but it’s the former operating system that’s been chosen for the currently in-progress “alpha test,” which grants access to six islands further broken up into 52 stages. Interested players can sign up here, though the number of available slots is limited. Thankfully, the developers plan to increase the alpha test’s player capacity gradually until it ends on June 9, after which a final release date for the game will hopefully be announced, so keep those Poké Ball mobile smatrphone batteries charged up.

Source: Pokéland official website, 4Gamer via Otakomu
Images: Pokéland official website

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Spider-Man cafe opens in Roppongi Hills to commemorate new film, offers spidery eats and drinks

The limited-time cafe has our Spider-Senses, and taste buds, tingling!

To commemorate the Japanese release of the latest Spider-Man film – Spider-Man: Homecoming – on August 11 this year, a limited-time themed cafe has opened in the Roppongi Hills neighborhood of Tokyo, offering some tempting treats inspired by the web-slinging hero.

そんでこっちがスパイダーマンカフェと、壁のやつ！楽しかった…まみさんと一緒でよかったこれ一人だとつらいw https://t.co/eUMniLjtEy

—
アメイジングAIBO (@aibo1pan) May 30, 2017

The first menu item is the “Spider Curry“, for 1,500 yen (US$13.55). Focusing on Spider-Man’s red image color, this tomato-based chicken curry offers tons of flavor with just a mild kick of heat. It is accompanied by ketchup-flavored rice, dressed up to look like Spider-Man in his mask!

For drinks, the first is the “Spider Sense Latte” for 700 yen. This creamy latte is sprinkled on top to resemble a spider’s web, and the caffeine kick is sure to get your senses tingling.

The next drink is a strawberry “Spider Squash” for 650 yen. The mixture of sweet strawberry and tart lemon is meant to reflect the bittersweetness of Peter Parker’s high school life. I’m sure we can all relate, right?

The cafe interior of course also pays homage to the high-schooler hero, and while supplies last cafe patrons will receive a free, limited edition Spider-Man sticker with their purchase.

Spidey fans will have to hurry though! The cafe is only open from now until Thursday, July 15. Don’t forget wear this clever Spider-Man cosplay when you go!

Restaurant Information
Spider-Man Cafe / スパイダーマンカフェ
Address: Tokyo-to Minato-ku Roppongi 6-10-1
東京都港区六本木6-10-1
Open: 11 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Website

Source: Roppongi Hills
Featured image: Twitter/@aibo1pan

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Former employee shows us why a Starbucks “Tall Latte” is a sucker bet

A simple design issue dictates that all lattes are not created equal.

It is no surprise that our Japanese writers are quite fond of coffee mega chain Starbucks, to the point that one of them was made into a meme for it.

But one day a former employee tipped us off to an unusual quirk in certain drinks such as the classic latte. According to the anonymous former part-time worker, each size of latte has a different taste and the biggest difference can be felt between the Short and Tall sizes.

Not only that, but anyone who orders the tall is especially “losing out.” Our informant who wishes to be called Mr. A insists that even after leaving the organization he still considers Starbucks to be “the most delicious coffee.” So he isn’t out to slander them.

P.K. Sanjun sat down for a cup of Starbucks with Mr. A to learn more:

P.K.: “So, why is there a difference in the taste of lattes depending on their sizes?”

Mr. A: “Well, let me explain how a latte is made. In a nutshell, milk is poured into espresso. If it’s hot, then steamed milk is used, but for an iced latte we just add regular refrigerated milk. Basically, they’re done the same.”

P.K.: “Uh-huh.”

Mr. A: “So, why is there a difference in the taste? The amount of espresso varies according to the size: a Short gets one shot, a Tall also gets one shot, a Grande gets two shots, and a Venti gets three shots.”

P.K.: “Oh.”

Mr. A: “After that, you just pour in the milk to fill the rest of the cup and it’s complete… Get what I’m saying?”

P.K.: “…”

Mr. A: “…”

P.K.: “…”

Mr. A: “Um, so the biggest difference is between the Short and the Tall because each one only uses one shot of esp…”

P.K.: “Ohhhhh, I get it!”

Mr. A: “There you go.”

Since each latte uses standard 30-milliliter (1-ounce) shots of espresso, the ratio of coffee to milk varies with each drink. Since the Short and Tall both use one shot, the Tall would have the lowest amount of coffee relative to milk of the set.

P.K.: “So, does that mean anyone who orders a Tall is getting ripped off?”

Mr. A: “I don’t know about the cost of ingredients so I’m not sure about that, but isn’t milk more expensive than espresso ounce for ounce? If espresso were more expensive you’d probably be out a little money, but I don’t know either way.”

P.K.: “I see.”

Mr. A: “Still, there’s a lot of people out there who think a Short is not enough but a Grande is too big. Those people could always order an extra shot of espresso for an extra 50 yen (US$0.45), so they could just order a Tall and get an extra shot. By they way, this is all also true for drinks like caffe mocha and cappuccino that are made in a similar way.”

After their meeting, P.K. decided to put Mr. A’s story to the test and ordered each size of latte from Starbucks. Indeed, he did notice subtle differences between them and just like Mr. A said, the Short and Tall had the biggest difference.

If P.K. were to describe the Tall positively he would say that it was a mild coffee experience. On the other hand, he felt it was too bland and lacked any of the sharp edge you would expect from coffee.

It’s all really a matter of taste though; for people who like extremely milky coffee, the Tall may be a wise choice. Or for those who like their lattes a little stronger, a Tall with the extra shot would be the best route. However, if you just want to keep things simple and predictable, it may be best to steer clear of the Tall altogether.

As for P.K.. he’ll get to sleep one of these days.

Photos: SoraNews24

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