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Master Blaster
Writer / Translator
Master Blaster is the two-man translating team of Canada’s Steven Le Blanc and Japan’s Masami M, a pair who in addition to writing work are in English education and created the StudyNow app for Japanese students of English.
Together they have written somewhere around 1,500 articles for RocketNews24 covering such diverse topics as Chinese men selling sanitary napkins to each other and a Japanese guy dragging an ear of corn around the Tokyo train system. A few of these were actually good, but don’t take our word for it! Here’s what our beloved readers had to say:
“One isn't always in the mood for bold tastes. But when I'm in the mood for bold flavor I turn to you.”
“Stupid article. Who cares what the Japanese think it's cool. You don't call a monkey, "gorilla".”
“You know, this is about the most cogent explanation of how a turbocharger works that I have ever seen in the non-motorsports world.”
“Thanks for the article peter!”
“It's people like you who make exploitation possible.”
“It looks yummy and the story was great. Thank you for the smile.”
Posted by Master Blaster (Page 118)
Test your wits and courage together in Tokyo haunted house where you must solve puzzles to escape
- Master Blaster
Jul 5, 2017 - Tweet
Escape from an Urban Legend looks to perfect the intriguing combination of scare houses and escape games.
- Japan
- (Asakusa • cool • escape games • haunted houses • scare houses • scary • Tokyo • urban legend)
Legendary “Ghost Sushi” is back for a very limited time
- Master Blaster
Jul 3, 2017
A former best-selling variation of sushi has returned, but it might be difficult to catch.
- Japan
- (food • Ghost Sushi • Kozosushi • restaurants • sushi)
Golden Bomber wows the crowd with an eight-second concert
- Master Blaster
Jul 2, 2017
Sometimes less is more….
25-year bond between man and fish in Chiba touches the world【Video】
- Master Blaster
Jun 30, 2017
Hiroyuki Arakawa’s sea-dwelling friend of 25 years is like something out of a fairy tale.
- Japan
- (Asian sheepshead wrasse • Chiba • fish • Great Big Story • Hiroyuki Arakawa • kobudai • scuba diving)
What if we told you this badly Photoshopped image isn’t Photoshopped at all?
- Master Blaster
Jun 30, 2017
Nothing fishy about this photo at all.
- Japan
- (Amami Airport • customer service • fish • illusion • Photoshop)
Over 19,000 Azuki Bars for free on 1 July at select locations across Japan
- Master Blaster
Jun 29, 2017
Azuki Bar Day is celebrated on 1 July and the makers of the tasty frozen snack sure know how to celebrate!
18 year-old Japanese man spotted in Germany with amazing top skills 【Video】
- Master Blaster
Jun 27, 2017
That’s “top” as in a “spinning top” not like “top class,” but then again, he probably is… Ah, just watch the darn video.
- Europe, Japan
- (cool • koma • skills • spinning top • street performer • videos • wow)
Woman robs own convenience store, becomes the greatest “bakkura” of all
- Master Blaster
Jun 26, 2017
Let’s take this rare sighting of an S-Class bakkura to learn a little about what being a bakkura is all about.
Japan would like to remind you that “emoji” has nothing to do with “emotion”
- Master Blaster
Jun 25, 2017
Common sense might lead you to believe that “emoji” is simply a variation of “emoticon,” but Japanese common sense tells a whole different story.
Three heroes honored for miracle intervention in a highway accident in Chiba
- Master Blaster
Jun 23, 2017
The combined talents and bravery of three individuals narrowly prevented a traffic disaster from getting out of hand.
- Japan
- (accident • awesome • Chiba • heart attack • hero • moving • scary • touching • traffic accident)
Three Tokyo youths arrested for cork hunting, everyone else learns what cork hunting is
- Master Blaster
Jun 22, 2017
There’s a whole world of stuff going on that most people aren’t aware of.
Japanese worker’s job threatened for drinking non-alcoholic beer during break
- Master Blaster
Jun 21, 2017
Office employee poses question to the Internet: Is it wrong to drink a non-alcoholic beer during a break?
“Brain Ramen” instant ramen in stores now, best not to follow their serving suggestions
- Master Blaster
Jun 20, 2017
Why wait to be zombified before you can enjoy some delicious brains?
- Japan
- (brains • food • funny • gross • Instant Ramen • Noodles • ramen • Village Vanguard • weird)
Nagoya serves up fried chicken with sweet beans, whipped cream, and a strawberry on top
- Master Blaster
Jun 18, 2017
If you were to express the phrase “Why the heck not?” in the form of food, this might be it.
Watch as Nagoya’s famous handmade candy studio makes Mr. Sato face candies 【Video】
- Master Blaster
Jun 18, 2017
Sadly, they refused to make them taste like Mr. Sato.
Can a simple plastic bottle cure you of armpit sweat?
- Master Blaster
Jun 16, 2017
An easy trick rooted in Japanese tradition claims to be able to curb embarrassing pit stains and the social ills they cause.
- Japan
- (armpit • hemihidrotic reflex • lifehack • maiko • plastic bottle • sweat)
Chill out this summer with a refreshing iced Cup Noodle
- Master Blaster
Jun 15, 2017
If you can’t stand the heat, then get out a delicious-looking Cup Noodle Somen.
Gyoza restaurant in Kyoto helping struggling students with free food for decades
- Master Blaster
Jun 13, 2017
Gyoza No Ohsho franchise’s bottomless generosity runs on the simple principle that young people need to eat.
- Japan
- (charity • free food • Gyoza No Ohsho • students • university)
Kirin beer to give away 1,000 Curry Fountains, Japanese people think they look like poops
- Master Blaster
Jun 11, 2017
Finally, curry the way its meant to be eaten: cascading.
Drive recorder catches the moment a car flies into the front of an oncoming bus
- Master Blaster
Jun 11, 2017
A freak car accident on an Aichi highway is captured in frightening detail.
- Japan
- (Aichi • car accident • highway • sightseeing bus)
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Recent Posts
- Cup Noodles go isekai in crossovers with three of Japan’s other favorite foods [Taste test]
- Ichiran Japan is giving away free 2027 desk calendars, and here’s how to get them
- Yesterday’s cooking oil powers 410,000 pink winter sakura lights along Tokyo’s Meguro River
- Life-size Gundam head going on display in Osaka, hopefully will find permanent home
- Tokyo police arrest the Ame-zing Spider-Man
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MOST POPULAR
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Today
Ichiran releases an at-home counter kit that turns your desk into a ramen restaurant
Starbucks Japan releases new Bearista glass tumbler that changes character with every drink
Yesterday’s cooking oil powers 410,000 pink winter sakura lights along Tokyo’s Meguro River
Tokyo police arrest the Ame-zing Spider-Man
Ichiran Japan is giving away free 2027 desk calendars, and here’s how to get them
Life-size Gundam head going on display in Osaka, hopefully will find permanent home
Cup Noodles go isekai in crossovers with three of Japan’s other favorite foods [Taste test]
Starbucks Japan reveals new Joyful Capsule gacha toy release date
KFC now sells takikomi gohan rice boxes in Japan, if you know where to look for them [Taste test]
Move aside, Asahi Super Dry – Asahi Spice Beer is in town, and it’s hotter than you think
Weekly
Tokyo cracks down on Airbnb-style rentals with new laws limiting operator days and more
Ichiran releases an at-home counter kit that turns your desk into a ramen restaurant
America’s first-ever permanent One Piece store is now open [Photos]
Tokyo neighborhood adds new “smart trash cans” to deal with increasing amounts of tourist litter
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
New Era celebrates three decades of Pokémon with new 30th anniversary cap line [Photos]
Pokémon card game’s expansion features art from Fist of the North Star creator
Starbucks Japan reveals new Joyful Capsule gacha toy release date
Japanese hoodie for cat-loving gamers will keep you and your feline friend warm and fuzzy [Pics]
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
Japan’s TeamLab digital art group is opening a permanent museum in America
Beautiful Ghibli diorama kits lets you build anime characters’ homes inside yours [Photos]
Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
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
Tokyo cracks down on Airbnb-style rentals with new laws limiting operator days and more
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
Life-size Gundam head going on display in Osaka, hopefully will find permanent home
Cup Noodles go isekai in crossovers with three of Japan’s other favorite foods [Taste test]
Starbucks Japan reveals new Joyful Capsule gacha toy release date
KFC now sells takikomi gohan rice boxes in Japan, if you know where to look for them [Taste test]
Move aside, Asahi Super Dry – Asahi Spice Beer is in town, and it’s hotter than you think
Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
Why people in Japan hardly ever say “sayonara,” and what they say instead
Japan’s upcoming Romancecar train seeks to end intimacy with its super-wide seats
Yakuza boss sues expressway owners for discrimination against criminals
Historical-themed illumination display returns to Osaka Castle this winter
“Sweet sake” with yuzu is coming to Japan’s wonderful world of hot canned drinks this winter
Is hamburger patty ramen a case of too many good things in one bowl? Let’s find out! [Taste test]
KFC Japan starts selling soft-serve ice cream at select locations, and they’ve even put it in a biscuit
Tokyo cracks down on Airbnb-style rentals with new laws limiting operator days and more
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