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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 63)
Tuna-can-shaped Super Super Super Big Cushions, and more coming to crane games in Japan
- Master Blaster
Sep 1, 2021 - Tweet
Super Super Super Big Cushions can only be won in a contest but come with a month’s supply of Sea Chicken!
- Japan
- (canned corn • canned fruit • canned tuna • contest • cushion • Hagoromo Foods • meat sauce • pouch • towels • tuna)
Multi-orchestra video game music festival to be held at the online Tokyo Game Show 2021
- Master Blaster
Aug 31, 2021
TGS2021 is making the best of yet another online convention.
- Japan
- (concert • music • music festivals • orchestra • streaming • TGS2021 • Tokyo Game Show 2021 • video games)
Tokyo acid attack suspect caught in Okinawa, was victim’s senpai in university club
- Master Blaster
Aug 30, 2021
More details of the crime emerge, but the question of “why” remains.
- Japan
- (acid • assault • crime • senpai • Shirokane-takanawa Station • Tokyo • university)
Russian man who swam to Japan was reportedly kicked out of Japan in 2011 for visa violation
- Master Blaster
Aug 28, 2021
The authorities probably know who he is, but now the question becomes what to do with him.
- Japan, Russia
- (crazy • disputed islands • Hokkaido • immigration • politics • Shibetsu • swimming • weird)
We recreate the KFC-Kenya-exclusive Nyama Nyama Burger in Japan【SoraKitchen】
- Master Blaster
Aug 27, 2021
Double your pleasure, double your fun, with the great taste of a double-nyama bun.
- Africa, Japan
- (COK • cooking • crazy • Double Down • fast food • food • Go Hatori • hash brown • Kenya • KFC • recipe • SNJO • SoraKitchen)
Kim Jong-un summoned to appear in Tokyo District Court
- Master Blaster
Aug 27, 2021
It doesn’t hurt to ask.
- Japan, North Korea
- (crazy • history • Kim Jong-un • lawsuits • politics • Tokyo District Court • weird • Zainichi Chosenjin no Kikan Jigyo)
Sapporo man attempts to rob store with lighter, goes as you’d expect
- Master Blaster
Aug 27, 2021
A story on the lighter side of crime.
Osaka pachinko parlor volunteers to become public vaccination center
- Master Blaster
Aug 26, 2021
The machines will be turned off at the time, so no need for earplugs.
- Japan
- (clever • COK • coronavirus • COVID-19 • health • Osaka • pachinko • vaccinations • vaccine)
Gold-medal-biting Japanese mayor scribbles letter of apology to staff
- Master Blaster
Aug 24, 2021
It’s the lack of thought that counts.
- Japan
- (Aichi • apology • biting • COK • gold medal • handwriting • Nagoya • Olympics • politicians • scandal • sports • Takashi Kawamura)
How to make the largest taiyaki fish-shaped sweet bean pancake in the world
- Master Blaster
Aug 23, 2021
Not your ordinary tall fish tale.
Osaka man arrested for smearing poo on teen’s backpack
- Master Blaster
Aug 23, 2021
Suspect claims stress from work and divorce as the reason.
Man claiming to be Russian who swam to Japan seeking asylum appears in Hokkaido town
- Master Blaster
Aug 22, 2021
What would drive someone to swim between countries?
- Japan, Russia
- (asylum seekers in Japan • Hokkaido • Kunashir • Kuril Islands • refugee • Sea of Okhotsk • Shibetsu • swimming)
Team behind Paralympic opening ceremony kept secret for fear of past scandals coming to light
- Master Blaster
Aug 22, 2021
Once bitten, twice shy.
- Japan
- (2020 Olympic Games • 2020 Paralympics • entertainment • Japan Paralympic Committee • opening ceremony • scandal • sports)
Electronic grandchild “Ami-chan” developed by Takara Tomy
- Master Blaster
Aug 21, 2021
The future of grandparenting is now!
- Japan
- (aging society • Ami-chan • dolls • respect for the aged day • robots • Takara Tomy • technology • toys)
Cup Noodle celebrates 50th birthday with Cup Noodle pouches
- Master Blaster
Aug 20, 2021
Handbags available in your choice of regular, seafood, or chili tomato.
- Japan
- (50th anniversary • accessories • Cup Noodle • fashion • handbags • Instant Ramen • Nissin • pouches)
Yamazaki Bakery once again donates bread to evacuation centers at almost inhuman speeds
- Master Blaster
Aug 20, 2021
Thousands of pies and buns arrive at facilities within hours of asking.
- Japan
- (Akitakata • business • disaster relief • food • heavy rain • Hiroshima • Okayama • social responsibility • Soja • Yamazaki Baking Company • Yamazaki Bread Company)
The 10 best spicy foods for 2021 as chosen by our Tokyo writer
- Master Blaster
Aug 19, 2021
Start pouring the milk, because it’s heating up in Japan.
- Japan
- (7-Eleven • cup noodles • curry • food • instant noodles • ramen • ranking • restaurants • spicy food)
Cup Noodle flavored Umaibo snacks coming, but getting one is a little tricky
- Master Blaster
Aug 18, 2021
A little luck might be needed to get your favorite.
- Japan
- (Cup Noodle • Family mart • food • Instant Ramen • Nissin • snacks • umaibo)
Why a Nagasaki graveyard is one of the best places in Japan to find a seat
- Master Blaster
Aug 16, 2021
When your feet are killing you, rest in peace at the cemetery!
Enjoy the pleasure of endless bubble wrap with Infinity Bubble Wrap AIR
- Master Blaster
Aug 16, 2021
The future of stress relief is now.
- Japan
- (Bandai • bubble wrap • capsule toys • clever • COK • gachapon • SNJO • stress relief • toys)
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Recent Posts
- 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
- Ichiran releases an at-home counter kit that turns your desk into a ramen restaurant
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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
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
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
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
Yakuza boss sues expressway owners for discrimination against criminals
Japan’s upcoming Romancecar train seeks to end intimacy with its super-wide seats
Why people in Japan hardly ever say “sayonara,” and what they say instead
“Sweet sake” with yuzu is coming to Japan’s wonderful world of hot canned drinks this winter
Historical-themed illumination display returns to Osaka Castle this winter
Is hamburger patty ramen a case of too many good things in one bowl? Let’s find out! [Taste test]
Tokyo cracks down on Airbnb-style rentals with new laws limiting operator days and more
KFC Japan starts selling soft-serve ice cream at select locations, and they’ve even put it in a biscuit
Japan’s free stock image site of muscular men doing whimsical and mundane things reveals rankings
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