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Joan Coello
Native to the sweltering lands of Singapore, Joan spent a substantial amount of her teenage years gnawing through translated versions of Japanese manga and dubbed anime. Picking up the language sparked off something in her to abandon years of education and experience in design to pursue a career in translation instead. After spending a couple of years localizing Japanese product packaging and mobile games for the English-speaking population, Joan gave in to her longing for the magical land of Japan and leapt into the arms of Tokyo (missing by a bit and landing in Kanagawa prefecture). In her free time, she continues to nibble on Japanese manga and anime, now savoring them in full authentic flavor.
Posted by Joan Coello (Page 10)
Gotta eat ’em all! Japanese idol goes crazy over Pokémon XY, eats the box【Photos】
- Joan Coello
Oct 17, 2013 - Tweet
Being human, there are times when we lose control of ourselves in a state of extreme excitement. Some people scream, some dance, some cry, some may even wet their pants. On 12 October, Pokémon fans of the world rejoiced over the global release of two new titles, Pokémon X and Pokémon Y. Popular seiyuu voice actor and otaku idol Shoko Nakagawa (or more affectionately known as Shokotan) expressed her ecstasy by going on a Pokémon binge, literally.
- Japan
- (Nintendo 3DS • Pokemon • Pokemon XY • Shokotan • twitter • video game)
Trick or Treat! A concise guide to Halloween attractions in Japan
- Joan Coello
Oct 14, 2013
Halloween has become one of the three largest Western-influenced events celebrated in Japan following Christmas and Valentines’ Day. Though the spooky festival’s cultural origins are not the reason why the celebrations are observed, the Japanese do enjoy getting decked in themed costumes, thus making it a major commercial celebration for many.
The widespread popularity of the festival has resulted in confectionary makers rolling out Halloween-themed goodies, restaurants preparing Halloween-inspired menus, fashion outlets retailing Halloween-related costumes and accessories, and of course, entertainment facilities going all out with Halloween events.
We’ve put together a concise guide to some of the Halloween festivities taking place this year, so if you’re planning a trip to Japan during this season, here’s what you can expect!
Puzzle & Dragons + Attack on Titan = ??? China’s creative copycats strike again【Photos】
- Joan Coello
Oct 14, 2013
What’s better than a ripoff of a top-selling game? A ripoff of a top-selling game featuring characters ripped off a top-selling anime!
If you own a smartphone and occasionally (or heavily) dabble in mobile games, you should have come across Puzzle & Dragons, one of the top grossing puzzle games available on both iOS and Android platforms. The Japanese developed mobile game’s tremendous success worldwide has led to many envious game developers producing “inspired” games of a similar genre.
Now, it is almost common knowledge that the Chinese are geniuses at creating imitations of anything and everything, so everyone would have expected them to make a pirated version of the monster-battling puzzle game eventually, but they have yet again managed to exceed expectations, incorporating characters and themed events based on one of the year’s hottest anime, Shingeki no Kyojin: Attack on Titan.
- China
- (anime • Attack on Titan • mobile games • pirate • plagiarism • video games)
“Share a Coke” arrives in Spain! First Coca-Cola campaign in 60 years
- Joan Coello
Oct 12, 2013
The Coca-Cola Company recently launched a branding campaign in Spain, allowing consumers to personalize a Coca-Cola can or bottle with their name on it.
The global brand has achieved numerous marketing successes over the years, so it’s no surprise that the campaign received overwhelming response in just a couple of days. In fact, this award-winning “Share a Coke” campaign has been launched in several countries including Denmark, Australia, France and the UK, so some of you lucky people out there might already own one of those shiny red cans with your name on it. Nothing new, you might think, but there is a little twist behind the scenes this time.
- Europe
- (beverage • Coke • marketing • personalize)
Latest chitchat technology pairs your smartphone with your home phone for ultra-convenient use
- Joan Coello
Oct 6, 2013
Panasonic announces the release of a digital cordless phone, VE-GDW03DL, which allows the use of a smartphone as a sub-handset over a wireless internet connection. The domestic chat device is set to hit stores on 14 November, and has an open price tag.
- Japan
- (gadgets • smartphone • technology)
Smart Sushi: How the classic dish and technology come together to make dinner even more fun
- Joan Coello
Oct 5, 2013
Kaitenzushi, or conveyor belt sushi, is possibly Japan’s most famous dining invention, and continues to amaze foodies around the world. The concept of serving plates of sushi on a conveyor belt is said to have started as early as 1958, and the trend continues to grow internationally even today.
Granted that the automated serving system has become a somewhat familiar scene today in sushi restaurants worldwide, the brilliant fusion of food and technology continues to evolve in a truly Japanese fashion. A visit to Muten Kura Sushi presented an advanced system that was beyond my knowledge of kaitenzushi.
- Japan
- (culture • food • sushi • technology)
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Recent Posts
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Today
Two Tokyo neighborhoods to gather on bridge and shift their recognized border through tug-of-war
Starbucks Japan unveils new winter drinkware collection with limited-edition Stanley cups
Hello Kitty ready to keep you company in the bathroom with new dessert-aroma Sanrio toilet paper
Pachinko parlor operator arrested for not obscuring the act of gambling well enough
Japan’s new matcha vending machines serve freshly prepared matcha in five different strengths
Restaurant opens in Japan with all-dementia waitresses, serves up ramen, awareness, and kindness
Cinnabon gets into the Japanese spirit with new Wagokorobon treats
Get the taste of the U.K. in Tokyo with 99 Flakes, meat pies, and Jaffa Cakes
The poop ice cream to end all poop ice creams
First-ever cafe on Tokyo Imperial Palace Garden grounds is now open
Weekly
Japan ends tax-free shopping system for foreign tourists, new refund request system now in effect
Beautiful Ghibli diorama kits lets you build anime characters’ homes inside yours [Photos]
Japan’s TeamLab digital art group is opening a permanent museum in America
Pachinko parlor operator arrested for not obscuring the act of gambling well enough
Starbucks Japan unveils new winter drinkware collection with limited-edition Stanley cups
Liquid croissant coffee is coming to Japanese stores this month
Pokémon doughnuts pop up at Mister Donut, with a new gathering that’s bigger than ever
Starbucks Japan releases now Tokyo Reserve Roastery Christmas drinkware collection [Photos]
First-ever cafe on Tokyo Imperial Palace Garden grounds is now open
Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
Monthly
Pokémon Company announces first-ever permanent Pokémon store to open outside Asia
Japan ends tax-free shopping system for foreign tourists, new refund request system now in effect
Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
Japan’s TeamLab digital art group is opening a permanent museum in America
What’s it like to stay in a Japanese container hotel?
Beautiful Ghibli diorama kits lets you build anime characters’ homes inside yours [Photos]
Chainsaw robots helping keep trains running safely in east Japan [Video]
New Studio Ghibli anime gets extended run at the only cinema in Japan where it’s being shown
Osaka’s famous Glico Running Man will be removed and replaced with a new-look sign
Studio Ghibli creates illustrated Kyoto sightseeing map, available at any 7-Eleven Japan store
Yearly
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
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RECOMMENDED STORIES
Restaurant opens in Japan with all-dementia waitresses, serves up ramen, awareness, and kindness
Cinnabon gets into the Japanese spirit with new Wagokorobon treats
Get the taste of the U.K. in Tokyo with 99 Flakes, meat pies, and Jaffa Cakes
The poop ice cream to end all poop ice creams
First-ever cafe on Tokyo Imperial Palace Garden grounds is now open
Pokémon doughnuts pop up at Mister Donut, with a new gathering that’s bigger than ever
Osaka’s famous Glico Running Man will be removed and replaced with a new-look sign
Discount retailers known for massive bargains releases massive Japanese egg sandwich
Liquid croissant coffee is coming to Japanese stores this month
Japanese government hires leading comedy agency to explain national defense spending
Continuing cyberattacks hit Japanese arcade hard [Photos]
Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
Japan ends tax-free shopping system for foreign tourists, new refund request system now in effect
We retreat for a day of rejuvenation at Green Hill Yatsugatake recreation facility in Yamanashi
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