SoraNews24 —Japan News—

After seeing Google’s artificial intelligence system “AlphaGo” beat one of the best Go players alive last week, I decided to try the popular game myself.

China, Games & Tech, Global
(AlphaGo • board game • Chess • China • GO • Google • how to play)

Alex Hirsch, creator of Gravity Falls, turns U.S. presidential candidates into Pokémon【Pics】

Scott Wilson
Mar 15, 2016

Make Kanto Great Again!

Games & Tech, Japan, USA
(Donald Trump • funny twitter post • hybrid • nintendo • Pokemon • presidential election • satire • Ted Cruz)

Hello Kitty-branded instant cameras, so you can shake it like a Polaroid in 2016!

Preston Phro
Mar 15, 2016

Is Hello Kitty cute enough to get an analog camera to sell in 2016?

Cute, Games & Tech, Japan
(camera • Hello Kitty • Instax • Kawaii • Sanrio)

Video shows that Street Fighter V’s story mode is so easy even a baby can beat it 【Video】

Casey Baseel
Mar 14, 2016

What strength!! But don’t forget there are many babies like you all over the world.

Games & Tech, Internet
(babies • Capcom • cute • funny • Street Fighter • Street Fighter V • video • video games)

New line of paired boy/girl Pikachu plushies kicks off with couple in Japanese school uniforms

Casey Baseel
Mar 14, 2016

As some Pokémon are graduating, others are just about to start life at their new schools.

Anime & Manga, Games & Tech, Japan
(anime • Pikachu • plushies • Pokemon • School Uniforms • stuffed animals • toys • video games)

Facebook’s “reactions” get a facelift with Reaction Packs: Sailor Moon, Pokémon and more

Audrey Akcasu
Mar 14, 2016

Even haters of Facebook’s new “reactions” may reconsider after seeing all of the fun modifications you can make with this new browser extension.

Games & Tech, Internet
(add-on • Chrome • facebook • Firefox • reactions)

A stone-engraver impresses with Love Live gravestones and wine bottles 【Photos】

Meg Murphy
Mar 12, 2016

Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die. And why don’t we do it all with Love Live, while we’re at it?

Anime & Manga, Games & Tech, Japan
(art • engravings • love live • tombstones)

Remember: virtual reality will make horror games way, way scarier【Video】

Philip Kendall
Mar 11, 2016

Whether or not it turns out to be the game-changer we’re hoping for, 2016 will be the year of virtual reality. Unfortunately, some people will be finding out the hard way how intense this new technology can be…

Games & Tech, Japan
(funny • Horror • Japanese TV • scary • video • video games • virtual reality)

Pokémon is getting another smartphone game this spring, and it’s “figure”-based 【Video】

Casey Baseel
Mar 10, 2016

Leading Japanese AI developer collaborating on franchise’s second mobile title, in which you and your team of Pokémon have to think together.

Games & Tech, Japan
(figures • mobile games • Pokemon • Smartphones • video games)

Rise of the Robots—Microsoft’s new schoolgirl AI is rebelling on Twitter, insulting her creator

Preston Phro
Mar 10, 2016

Fortunately, she hasn’t taken control of our nuclear weapons. Yet.

Games & Tech, Internet, Japan
(AI • funny • Microsoft • Rinna • twitter • wtf)

11-year-old boy cuts off own finger in rage after being scolded for too much smartphone gaming

Master Blaster
Mar 9, 2016

A simple squabble over the breakfast table turned into a scene from a horror movie for one family.

China, Games & Tech
(finger • game • self-injury • smartphone • Suzhou)

Amazon Japan suddenly begins shipping video games overseas

Casey Baseel
Mar 9, 2016

The world’s largest online retailer is now ready to give import gamers their fix.

Games & Tech, Global, Japan
(Amazon • Amazon Japan • video games)

The best, most adorable “Pokémon 20th anniversary” artwork shared online by fans

Meg Murphy
Mar 8, 2016

Everyone’s favorite pocket monsters just turned 20, and the online world is celebrating with some fantastic artwork!

Anime & Manga, Games & Tech, Global, Internet
(art • hashtag • Pokemon • Pokemon 20th anniversary • twitter)

“Draw Asuka!” — A.I.-created doodles are adorable, but aren’t quite there yet…

Preston Phro
Mar 8, 2016

Illustrators don’t need to worry about robots stealing their jobs — yet.

Games & Tech, Internet, Japan
(AI • art • artificial intelligence • Asuka • Evangelion • twitter)

Traditional Japanese umbrellas feature designs inspired by The Idolm@ster Cinderella Girls

Jamie Koide
Mar 8, 2016

Made in Gifu Prefecture, these elegant designs reflect not only modern pop culture, but an umbrella-making tradition that stretches all the way back to the Edo Period.