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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.

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Posted by Joan Coello (Page 7)

You can find the happiest pigs in the world on “Pig Island”, and swim with them too!【Photos】

Joan Coello
Apr 7, 2014
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We’ve previously seen Japan’s amazing cat islands and rabbit island, and today, we’re excited to show you yet another animal wonderland, though this time it’s not in Japan!

An uninhabited island, Big Major Cay, located in Exuma of the Bahamas, is home to what are arguably the world’s happiest pigs! More commonly known as Pig Island or Pig Beach by the locals, this tropical getaway is famous for none other than its adorable swimming pigs!

Global
(animals • beach • cute • pig • The Bahamas)

Sailor Moon’s Tuxedo Mask was caught fooling around… with multiple partners!【Photos】

Joan Coello
Apr 7, 2014

Fans of the Sailor Moon series would probably be more than familiar with the suave male protagonist in the series, Tuxedo Mask (or Tuxedo Kamen, in Japanese). We all know him as the heroic love interest of Sailor Moon, but since the launch of these mini figurines in Japan late last month, Japanese netizens have been cracking up over pictures of Tuxedo Mask frolicking with other characters (and himself!) in some of the most bizarre poses we’ve seen him in!

Japan
(figurine • funny • gacha • gachapon • Sailor Moon)

“Realistic” Kuroko’s Basketball characters look just as cool, if not cooler【Pictures】

Joan Coello
Apr 6, 2014

As an avid anime fan, I sometimes wish my favorite characters were real humans, but the logical fangirl in me warns that if anime characters existed in real life, they probably wouldn’t be as awesome as they were in the original works. Just take Kuroko’s Basketball as an example, it would be impossible for Kuroko’s unbelievable skill, “Misdirection Overflow”, to happen in real life.

In such situations, I’m glad there are talented artists who create realistic looking fan art of anime characters, such as these amazing portraits!

Japan, SE Asia
(anime & manga • art • cool • Kuroko's Basketball)

Kiki & Lala Cafe in Tokyo now serving up star shaped burgers and more!【Photos】

Joan Coello
Apr 2, 2014

Last year, Japan’s most successful creator of cute characters, Sanrio, melted our hearts with the whimsical My Melody pop-up cafe. This spring, they’re working their cute-making magic once again to bring us a limited-time Kiki & Lala (Little Twin Stars) Cafe in the newly opened Shibuya Parco Part 1 mall in Toyko! Twin power for double the cuteness!

Japan
(cafe • cute • food • Kiki & Lala • Little Twin Stars • Sanrio)

We’re going bananas over these amazing Attack on Titan…bananas!【Photos】

Joan Coello
Apr 2, 2014

Did your mom ever tell you not to play with your food? She was probably right, it’s not a nice thing to do when there are thousands of people who are struggling to afford proper meals each day. However, if you’re able to create an art piece out of your food, then we guess you’re in a league of your own. Like these banana tattoo artists, or this banana engraver from Japan who creates stunning replicas of famous characters using bananas!

Japan
(anime • art • Attack on Titan • banana • Spiderman)

Fresh out of a sci-fi film! Make your own “head in a jar”!【Instructions】

Joan Coello
Mar 29, 2014

April Fools’ Day is just a few days away! Are you prepared for it? Perhaps the pranks we picked out earlier this week were lacking some impact. Well, that’s because we kept the best for last!

If you’re looking for something that will shock the entire family or add a little excitement to your otherwise boring workplace, check out this homemade head in a jar! Be it for April Fools’ or for Halloween, this creepy artifact is bound to raise some hairs, and the best part is, no blood is involved in the making. Instructions after the jump!

Internet
(April fool • cool • creepy • halloween • prank • sci-fi • wtf)

Inspirations for April Fools’ pranks (you can thank us later)【Photos】

Joan Coello
Mar 26, 2014

Time flies, doesn’t it? It felt like we just stepped into 2014 last week, and all of a sudden March is coming to an end. If you haven’t started preparing for the most “dangerous” day of the year, it’s about time you put your thinking caps on. But don’t worry, we’re not talking about the zombie apocalypse, so keep your guns locked up. We’re talking about April Fools’ Day, of course!

If you can’t find your thinking cap, no worries about that too. We’ve got some prank inspirations here for you!

Internet
(April fool • funny • practical jokes • pranks)

These cat-laden sweets are too cute to eat…but we still want to!【Photos】

Joan Coello
Mar 23, 2014

We’ve found the perfect snack to go with those cat marshmallow lattes! The best match for a cup of hot coffee or cocoa with a cute cat floating in it has to be hotcakes loaded with little wandering kitties! The best (or worst) part is, those cats aren’t just decorations, they’re completely edible! More pictures after the jump!

Japan
(cats • cute • dorayaki • Doughnut • hotcake • sweets)

The hottest thing in Korea now is freezing cold ice cream made by “scientists”

Joan Coello
Mar 17, 2014

There’s probably a scientific explanation for almost everything in the world, and that includes ice cream. Of course we knew there was some science going on in those delicious scoops of frozen creamy goodness, but this laboratory-themed ice cream parlor in Busan, Korea, works the science right in front of your eyes!

If you’ve never had ice cream made straight out of a laboratory flask, topped with syringes and droppers, read on!

Korea
(cool • food • ice cream • liquid nitrogen • science)

Sesame Street Fighter, the most badass children’s TV show ever (if only there were a show for it)

Joan Coello
Mar 17, 2014

I grew up watching the characters on Sesame Street count numbers, spell words, and sing songs about goldfish and birds. Even after I had outgrown the long-running children’s series, I had to sit through it again while babysitting my little cousins. And my guess is that many of you out there went through a similar experience since the show has been on TV since 1969 and is broadcast in over 140 countries worldwide.

How many of you then subsequently got hooked on to the arcade game Street Fighter II in your school days? I definitely did, and this guy called gavacho13 on Deviantart probably did too, as he has been creating some awesome illustrations of the Sesame Street Fighters!

Internet
(crossover art • games • illustration • Sesame Street • Street Fighter)

‘Miss Korea’ ladies in the 1970s looked different, beautiful long before Photoshop existed

Joan Coello
Mar 17, 2014

Last April, a case of overdose on Photoshop caused a group of ‘Miss Korea’ contestants to look like cloned beauties produced by the same plastic surgeon. Though it is now clear that the ladies were not high technology clones created to take over the pageant, the incident made some of us feel that beauty pageants these days are geared towards finding a certain type of beauty standard, rather than celebrating the beauty in different women.

Is it really necessary to “enhance” the beauty of these already stunning women? Let’s take a look at the Miss Korea pageant ladies before the era of Photoshop and cosmetic surgery!

Korea
(beauty • beauty pageant • Miss Korea • photos)

You’re not seeing things, that’s a cat selling roasted sweet potatoes

Joan Coello
Mar 16, 2014

It’s a common sight to see hot dog stands in America. In Singapore, ice cream stands are a lifesaver in the sweltering hot weather. In Japan, however, you’re more likely to find a yaki-imo (roasted sweet potato) stand on the streets, especially during winter. If you’re lucky enough, you might even meet the legendary cat that sells stone roasted sweet potatoes in Kurayoshi City, Tottori Prefecture!

Japan
(cat • cute • food • mascot • sweet potato • yaki imo)

Real-life soap opera: Chinese couple get married, realize that they’re cousins later

Joan Coello
Mar 12, 2014

When we were kids, we were often told to “listen to your mother” or “do as dad says”, and many of us probably went through a time when we secretly swore that we’d never listen to our parents again once we grew up. But as age catches up, some of us begin to realize that our moms and dads do make more sense than we do sometimes.

A Chinese couple recently ignored their parents’ objections to their union and secretly tied the knot, only to later discover that they were actually cousins!

China
(family • long-distance relationship • Marriage trouble • romance)

Don’t wanna ruin your favorite pair of jeans? Put ’em in the freezer!

Joan Coello
Mar 9, 2014

How often do you wash your denim jeans? Some people, including famous fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger, say you should never wash them, while others are absolutely grossed out by the thought of wearing a pair of bacteria-loaded pants for months on end. Not to mention, some of these bacteria cause odors that will make people think you just climbed out of a dumpster.

What should you do if you wish to keep your favorite jeans broken in, while ensuring that they don’t carry some hideous stench? You should read on.

Global
(denim • fashion • freezer • jeans • lifehack • washing)

20 yummy animal burritos to satisfy your cute cravings!【Photos】

Joan Coello
Mar 5, 2014

All right, burrito lovers, step right up! Burritos are perhaps the most convenient well-balanced meals in the world (in my opinion). You get your carbohydrates, meat, vegetables, and a great burst of flavors, all in a handy-sized wrap that you can basically eat anywhere, even on the go. Perfect!

However, if there’s just one thing that’s better than a burrito, it’s gotta be an animal burrito! All you have to do is look at it and it’ll fill up your empty hearts and souls with an irresistible gush of cuteness that will leave you feeling like a better person (hypothetically)! Here are twenty of them, all rolled up and ready to go!

Internet
(animals • burritos • cute • funny)

Korea’s “MAJO&SADY” themed café is the cutest place we’ve seen in a long while!【Photos】

Joan Coello
Feb 26, 2014

We’ve seen plenty of cat cafés, maid cafés and even owl cafés here on RocketNews24, but putting living things aside, this themed café in Seoul which features the characters of a Korean online comic MAJO&SADY, could probably top our list of cute cafés!

The simple yet chic café provides a cozy and relaxing atmosphere that anyone can enjoy, even if you’re unfamiliar with the comic’s characters. Check it out!

Korea
(cafe • comic • cute • food • pancakes • Seoul)

When Ladybeard meets “Sailor Suit Old Man”, it’s an explosion of manly cuteness【Photos】

Joan Coello
Feb 25, 2014

Perhaps you remember Ladybeard from our previous post a couple of weeks ago introducing the cross-dressing bearded pro-wrestler, performer, heavy metal singer and party rocker. Well, it would seem that Ladybeard recently met up with another iconic cross-dresser in Japan, the “Sailor Suit Old Man”.

A hairy burly man and a balding old man in schoolgirl uniforms may sound like an absolute turn off, but they looked so happy, we couldn’t help but think they actually look somewhat cute. Here’s the most epic schoolgirl combi in history!

Japan
(crossdressing • Ladybeard • Sailor Suit Old Man • School uniform • schoolgirl)

This game-engrossed woman indirectly caused someone to poop in their pants

Joan Coello
Feb 19, 2014

These days, it’s not a rare sight to see people playing games on their mobile devices while riding the train or waiting for a bus, or even sneaking in a round or two at work when no one’s looking. It’s understandable that sometimes a worker might need a breather, and a few quick minutes crushing candies, battling monsters, or “farming” on the smartphone could be a great stress reliever. But guess what happens when the whole office is engrossed in games? Somebody shits in their pants.

Or at least that’s what happened at the Liquan County Public Office in Shaanxi Province, China. For real.

China
(couple • embarrassing • marriage • mobile games • poor service)

6 strange laws to take note of before embarking on your worldly travels

Joan Coello
Feb 18, 2014

Who doesn’t love a good vacation? Particularly for working adults, it’s the only time we can take a step back from our hectic work lives, unleash the wild-child within us, and perhaps do something silly without worrying about (too many) repercussions since we’ll be jetting off in a couple of days.

But wait, hold your horses! The last thing you would want to do on an overseas vacation is to unknowingly breach the law, right? Some of the things that we normally do in our homeland might be illegal in other parts of the world. Things as normal as ladies wearing pants. Strange, huh? There’s more coming up!

Global
(America • france • law • Singapore • travel • weird)

We knew elephants could paint, but we didn’t expect them to be so good at it!【Video】

Joan Coello
Feb 10, 2014

We’re all talented in ways that others aren’t; some of us are born artists, while some can barely draw anything more complex than a stick man. It seems that would be the case with elephants too. It is said that in every 200 elephants trained to paint, only about four manage to master the skill.

Of course, in the case of elephants, painting is skill they are trained to remember, not an inborn talent. Even with that said, some of the drawings they make are so impressive, we can’t help but wonder if some natural talent is involved!