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September, 2015 (Page 3)

Ready for a dose of feels? Grab the tissues because this daughter’s love is beautiful【Video】

Oona McGee
Sep 28, 2015
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We here at RocketNews are a soft bunch at heart. We’ve been affected by tear-inducing, feel-good videos from countries like Japan, Hong Kong and Thailand, and now it’s Singapore that’s got us by the feels with a touching new clip.

Based on a true story, this commercial plays more like a short art film, with atmospheric shots and superb acting that seems too real to be rehearsed. Come with us as we take a peek into the life of a graduating high school girl who looks after two younger siblings and her widowed, wheelchair-bound father, as she sacrifices her education and future for her family. Oh, and bring that box of tissues with you – you’ll be needing it!

SE Asia
(ad • family • moving • touching • video)

This cat’s posture is terrible

Master Blaster
Sep 28, 2015

In Japanese, one word for slouching or stooping over is nekoze or “cat back,” which is a term I never really understood until now. For years (maybe even longer) we humans have been deceived by these creatures into thinking that they’re elegant as they smoothly jump to impressive heights and stealthily crawl along the ground into narrow spaces.

But when it comes time to stand on two legs like you or I often do? Bah! Cats have all the grace and poise of one of those damn teenagers who listen to Ray Parker Jr. on their boomboxes and play Burger Time all damn day on my lawn.

Japan
(animals • cats • cute • funny • pets)

This Japanese actress showed off some cleavage in a photoshoot, and Japanese media went nuts

Mike
Sep 28, 2015

Maybe Japanese-Philippine actress Elaiza Ikeda isn’t yet a household name in Japan or abroad, but if the Japanese media’s reaction to her debut as a “gravure” model is any indication, that may be changing very soon.

Japan
(actresses • beautiful women • Elaiza Ikeda • models)

Hey! Listen! Official Legend of Zelda sword, shield, and Link costume now available

Scott Wilson
Sep 28, 2015

October is just around the corner and you know what that means: evil spirits and trick-or-treating. And whether you’re going on a quest to save the princess or just to get all the free candy you can, now you can do it in style with an official Legend of Zelda Link costume.

Have you ever wanted to bomb some Dodongos or rough up some Cuccos? Well, now’s your chance with your very own Master Sword, Hylian Shield, and Link outfit. Where can your procure these legendary items? Read on and get ready for adventure, brave warrior!

USA
(cosplay • fun • Legend of Zelda • link • sword • video games)

Like Pokémon behinds? The Pokémon Center has got your butt covered

KK Miller
Sep 28, 2015

Nintendo basically hit the merchandising jackpot when they came up with Pokémon. As of this writing, there are 718 Pokémon in the Pokédex, but as soon as they decide to release a new game, that number will grow again, and there are so many ways to make merchandise based on 718 different characters.

This is why the Pokémon Center stores around the world have been extremely successful. The best thing for the avid Pokémon fan is to walk around the shops and discover things that you didn’t even know you wanted. That is exactly what is going to happen with a brand new line of toys and merchandise available at Pokémon Centers soon. Slide your bum over and make room for the HIP POP! Parade.

Japan
(anime • butts • nintendo • Pikachu • Pokemon • video games)

It’s time for you and your four best friends to show your allegiance in the name of the moon!

KK Miller
Sep 28, 2015

The recent super blood moon eclipse has put us all in a lunar mood, and the greatest moon protector, Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon, has been as big and popular as a (relatively) gigantic red moon. For those of us who want to show off our Sailor Moon pride, the choices have been a little bit flashy recently.

But why go gaudy when you can go extremely elegant with these cute and stylish rings inspired by the special moves of each sailor scout? Putting one of these on is going to have you spinning around and shouting, “Moon Prism Power!”

Japan
(accessories • jacket • rings • Sailor Moon • sailor scouts)

Photographer captures serene moments in Japan’s traditional and modern worlds 【Photos】

Krista Rogers
Sep 28, 2015

Anyone can pick up a camera, but it takes a certain level of artistic talent to produce the kinds of photos that you’ll see below.

The work of Japanese photographer Takashi Yasui has been exploding in popularity on major Western websites recently, and for good reason. Yasui has a knack for capturing tranquil moments of time in both the natural world and urban cityscapes in his native Japan. In particular, he’s a master at manipulating light during dawn and dusk, adding an almost otherworldly quality to his vistas. Now take a moment to sit back and relax in order to completely appreciate the scope of Yasui’s craft.

Japan
(art • freelance • Instagram • media • nature • photography • RECO • Takashi Yasui)

These cute character matches will really “catch on” and “start a fire” in your heart

Aleisha Riboldi
Sep 28, 2015

Most people reach for a lighter when they need to start a fire. It’s rare to see someone pull out a box of good old-fashioned matches, though collecting matchboxes and matchbooks was once a hobby for some! Nowadays, though, the opportunities to use a match and get that satisfaction of striking it against the side of a box are few and far between.

However, these incredibly cute match head character may just be enough to change trends! We definitely hope this is something that catches on.
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Japan
(cool • cute • cute animals • gift • matches • rakuten)

Adorable, whimsical pictures of animals painted by old-school Japanese masters

Krista Rogers
Sep 28, 2015

Japanese ukiyo-e painters from the Edo period (1603-1868) are now famous throughout the world for their exquisite woodblock prints depicting everyday Japanese life and the natural world. Such master painters are less well-known, however, for their humorous contributions to the art world, which often feature whimsical scenes of anthropomorphic animals. Fortunately for us, though, these types of pictures are experiencing a recent wave of popularity among Japanese Internet users, and these images are simply too cute for us to just pass up. We’ve got fish, cats, puppies, monkeys, and a few more surprises from the masters in store for you after the jump!

Japan
(animals • art • cute • paintings • sumi-e • traditional • ukiyo-e • whimsical • woodblock prints)

More versatile than a snuggie or slanket, “Dame Gi” is the last thing you’ll put on…ever

KK Miller
Sep 28, 2015

Summer has already given way to fall, and those cold winter nights will soon be upon us. As economical as Japan’s method of heating individual rooms can be—usually involving air conditioning units or kerosene stoves—it does have its issues, the biggest of which being that only a couple of rooms are heated at any one time, leaving everywhere else in the house freezing cold. During winter, trips to the bathroom in a Japanese house are no fun.

But this winter brings with it a new clothing item that is going to solve all your lounging and heating issues in one fell swoop. This light-weight but incredibly warm one-piece is so comfortable, it’s like you’re wearing nothing at all.

Japan
(bibi lab • comfortable • dame gi • room wear • strange • winter)

Step up your selfie game! 10 popular poses Japanese girls will whip out

TokyoGirlsUpdate
Sep 28, 2015

Selfies taken on smartphones are one of the must-dos for the young girls nowadays, and Japan is no exception. As popular Japanese pop icons or teen models post their selfies on social medias, Japanese young girls would fire up their camera apps and pose the similar way. They do this not just to be like the icons they admire, but also to figure out the best poses for looking good on Twitter or Instagram.

With this in mind, today we have listed 10 selfie poses that young Japanese girls are likely to do on Twitter and Instagram! Maybe you’ll learn a new move or two?

Japan
(cute • fashion • Japanese • Japanese girls • photos • selfie • trend)

Eggplant found with naturally grown-in accessory holder

Master Blaster
Sep 27, 2015

In Japan “straps” can be found everywhere. They’re like key chains, but with an elastic band. People primarily attach them to their mobile phones, but you can also spot them on anything else under the sun like gym bags or sleep apnea machines.

Now it seems that mother nature is getting in on the action by creating an eggplant with a loophole just right for attaching straps to. And attach straps is just what the lucky owner did.

Internet, Japan
(eggplant • food • strange • strap • twitter)

Thomas the Tank Engine’s video visit to Japan is more Japanese than life in Japan

Casey Baseel
Sep 27, 2015

Being that he’s a train on an island, you wouldn’t expect Thomas the Tank Engine to do much international traveling. However, thanks to a bit of clever storytelling (and Thomas’ absolute lack of compunction about stowing away on freight ships), the beloved locomotive has embarked on a globe-trotting tour in an ongoing video series.

In one of the most recent episodes, Thomas even arrives in Japan, where he takes in the local sites in a whirlwind visit that’s more Japanese than actually living in Japan.

Europe, Internet, Japan
(cool • funny • Thomas the Tank Engine • trains • video)

“Attention, all you pigs!” Japan’s anime-style motivational diet CD minces no words or pork

Casey Baseel
Sep 27, 2015

Being overweight can negatively impact your life in a number of ways, but many of them don’t become apparent until after years of a hyper-calorific lifestyle. As such, vague warnings about lowered energy levels and increased medical costs at some indeterminable point in the future, or even a potentially early death, don’t always have enough of a feeling of immediacy to be compelling arguments to eat healthy and exercise.

On the other hand, a better chance at winning the approval of women is almost always a compelling argument, which is why a new motivational CD is being released in Japan with a number of anime and video game voice actresses alternatively offering encouragement to dieters and spitting contempt at the “pigs.”

Japan
(anime • CD • diet • health • weight loss • weird)

Sweet bunny pals relaxing in cups make us genkier than coffee ever could!【Videos】

Evie Nyan
Sep 27, 2015

Sometimes waking up is hard, especially when the seasons change and bed starts to feel snugglier than ever before. But wake up we must, and many of us have invented little tricks to make the process easier, such as blaring out our favourite songs, sucking down industrial-sized cups of coffee, and cooing over cute animals on the internet.

For your consideration today, we’d like to present a menagerie of of baby bunny rabbits twitching their little pink noses at you over the rim of a couple of coffee and tea cups. Pick your choice of bun “to go” and go get ’em, tiger. After you’ve watched the cute videos, of course…

Global, Japan
(bunnies • cute • Kawaii • pet video • pets • rabbits • video)

Four moments when Japan’s single men are glad they’re not married

Oona McGee
Sep 27, 2015

We all know marriage and live-in-partnerships have a lot going for them. From constant companionship to support when you’re stressed with work or family problems, the idea of cohabiting with that special someone is powerful enough to sweep even the most jaded singleton off their feet.

In Japan, where pre-marriage cohabitation is still considered somewhat taboo, married life is a serious commitment with traditional roles that involve self-sacrifice and obligation, not only to one’s partner but to their extended family. So what do the single men of Japan think about marriage versus the bachelor life? A recent survey reveals the moments men are glad they’ve never put a ring on it and the interesting reasons why.

Japan
(family • Japanese culture • marriage • Nomikai • relationships • Surveys • tradition • weddings)

Man At Arms is back, forging the epic Excalibur from Fate/Stay Night【Video】

KK Miller
Sep 27, 2015

Two weeks ago, we were blown away by the Oathkeeper Keyblade created by the talented blacksmiths and craftsmen over on the YouTube show Man At Arms: Reforged. After binge-watching all their previous episodes, we drummed away at our keyboards, waiting for their next beautiful piece to show up, and when it finally did, we weren’t disappointed.

This week the team crafted the holy sword from the mega-popular series Fate/Stay Night. Spoiler alert, the finished Sword of Promised Victory looks absolutely stunning and incredibly deadly.

Internet
(anime • cool • Fate/stay night • Man at Arms Reforged • swords • video)

Hack your life with these 10 brilliant ideas that will cost you next to nothing

KK Miller
Sep 26, 2015

Whether you’re a struggling college student or just trying to save some money by reusing and recycling, here are some lifehacks from Japan that have proven to be very popular on Twitter. They may look silly, but you will thank these ingenious users for their clever ideas as you wonder why you never thought of these before. Here are 10 ways to upgrade your life according to Japanese Twitter users.

Global, Japan
(everday • life improvement • lifehack • Smart)

Japanese businessmen list the top 10 manga characters they wish were actually their bosses

Preston Phro
Sep 26, 2015

One of the great things about fiction, regardless of the genre or medium, is the way it lets us envision the way we want the world to be. Fiction can have a profound effect on us and even serve as an ideal to strive for. Which, now that we think about it, is kind of like what a good boss should be — a role model for their workers!

So, taking this thinking to its natural conclusion, we have to wonder: What fictional characters would make the best bosses? Jack Sparrow might be fun to watch, but we would hate to be in his crew! A recent online poll asked a group of Japanese businessmen in their thirties which manga character would be their favorite pick for their boss. A good question, indeed. Find out how they responded below!

Japan
(anime • Dragon Ball • manga • One Piece • Slam Dunk)

Japanese fan seemingly upset at Brazil soccer win trolls Tokyo Game Show toilet

Jamie Koide
Sep 26, 2015

Considering soccer is one sport Japanese athletes both male and female excel at compared to others, it’s easy to see why there’s so many fans of the Japan National and Women’s National Football Teams.

That’s why it may not be so surprising that after the men’s soccer team’s humiliating 0-4 defeat against Brazil last year, fans were feeling a little sour. But just how long do sports grudges last? Apparently quite awhile if you go by this picture of a certain popular Brazilian player that someone stuck in one of the urinals at the most-recent Tokyo Game Show.