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Chiba University develops air hockey playing robot, pisses opponents off with amazing efficiency

Master Blaster
Jun 18, 2013
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Do you have that one friend who always beats you at air hockey? Do you have a friend who simply smirks as you complain that they went over the line or that your paddle slipped?

Chiba University has come up with something that ought to wipe that smirk off even the best human air hockey player.

Japan
(air hockey • robot • video)

Small, fast, and ‘crazy rickety’ – Cambodia’s breakneck bamboo train 【Video】

Philip Kendall
Jun 17, 2013

Shot by a couple during a visit to Cambodia and uploaded to YouTube just last week, the following video treats us to a ride on one of Cambodia’s “bamboo trains” — worryingly shaky, home-made bamboo pallets balanced on a pair of train wheels and fitted with a disconcertingly large engine.

After all, what trip abroad is complete without experiencing some potentially perilous activity that you’d never dream of doing in your own country?

SE Asia
(bamboo • cool • train • video • wtf)

Dance contest underway to co-star in AKB48 member’s video, Mr. Sato throws hat into ring

Master Blaster
Jun 17, 2013

It is believed that AKB48’s Tomomi Itano will be leaving the massive pop unit to pursue her solo career sometime around August this year. Itano has also released her fourth single as a solo artist, entitled “1%”, on 12 June.

To help promote the song, the Tomomi Itano 1% Dance Trial 2013 is underway in which anyone can upload a video of themselves dancing to 1% on YouTube for a chance to perform alongside the idol in her next video.

The event has already drawn the likes of professional dancers, internet personalities, and of course Mr. Sato.

Japan
(AKB48 • dance • Mr. Sato • video)

Nintendo’s two new Smash Bros games have one of the coolest trailers ever

Philip Kendall
Jun 14, 2013

For many fitness enthusiasts, exercising in front of a TV while perched a Nintendo Wii balance board might seem like a bit of a joke, and we’re sure that yoga is the last thing on many gamers’ minds when they power up their machine. So when we first caught sight of the following video from Nintendo we weren’t quite sure what to make of it. As it turns out, though, as well as introducing not one but two new Super Smash Bros games for Wii U and 3DS, with new characters to boot, the video itself is actually quite awesome.

Global
(cool • nintendo • Smash Bros • video • video games • yoga)

Moulting spider crab is horrifying and mouth watering at the same time

Mike
Jun 13, 2013

The spider crab is the largest living crab on the planet and, as its name suggests, looks like the terrifying offspring of the unholy mating of a coconut crab and a Goliath tarantula. So it’s no wonder that watching one of these monstrosities shed its entire exoskeleton is nightmare-inducing, as this video shows.

Japan
(animals • video • weird • wtf)

Acclaimed action figure animator turns his hand to Zelda 【Video】

Philip Kendall
Jun 13, 2013

The man brought us the jaw-dropping stop motion videos of battles between iconic Dragon Ball and Street Fighter characters has done it again! This time, he’s brought The Legend of Zelda‘s sword-wielding hero Link to play, and he’s got a sexy gun-toting pal with him…

Taiwan
(cool • video • video games • Zelda)

Sony promises no restrictions on used games for PlayStation 4 – releases cheeky video to rub it in

Philip Kendall
Jun 11, 2013

Jack Tretton, president and CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment America, thrilled gamers today when he declared that the company will not impose any restrictions whatsoever on used games. Suffice it to say, the crowd at E3 went wild.

Seconds after the announcement had been made, a video appeared on Sony’s YouTube channel that simultaneously shows how easy it is to trade games with friends while poking fun at competitor Microsoft. Check it out after the break.

Global
(E3 • Sony • tech • video • video games)

Cats are so last year — Introducing Konatsu the Bunny! 【Videos】

Cara Clegg
Jun 6, 2013

If you’re getting a bit sick of seemingly endless cat videos and GIFs (although we can’t imagine why!), then maybe it’s time for something different. Perhaps this could be the Year of the… Rabbit?! (Yes, we know that was technically two years back, but it’s catchy).

Internet, Japan
(cute • Konatsu • pets • rabbits • video)

What’s funnier than a cat running around with a tissue box on its head?

Cara Clegg
Jun 3, 2013

The answer to that question: not a lot.

If you’re coming to the end of your relaxing weekend and aren’t looking forward to the week ahead, we have just the video to lift your spirits! (Yes, of course it involves cats).

Internet
(cats • funny • video)

Finally, proof that real-life Pikachu is feline 【Video】

Jessica
May 30, 2013

If you grew up with Pokémon, you probably spent years wishing deep down that they were real and you could have one. Let’s be honest, you still want one, no matter if PETA thinks you’re a monster for doing so. Well, a couple of guys from California went on the hunt to find a real Pikachu, not in the Viridian Forest, but around their neighborhood, and you might be surprised at what they found.
Read More

Global
(funny • Pokemon • video)

Japan Still Skeptical of PSY’s Popular Appeal

Rachel Tackett
May 25, 2013

For one reason or another, PSY’s big bandwagon never really made it to Japan. In fact, the country is so fed up with the Korean pop star that they’ve convinced themselves his overseas popularity is a well maintained lie and his YouTube views come from hired hands hitting refresh. So, it’s unsurprising that they were equally unsurprised, and perhaps a bit vindicated, to hear that PSY’s appearance on American Idol corresponded with record low ratings for the show.
Read More

Japan
(American Idol • Psy • video)

We answer the age old question: How many McDonald’s fries can one person stuff into their mouth in one sitting?

Mike
May 23, 2013

There’s something quite wonderful about the humble french fry. That combination of starch and grease, the crunchy outside and fluffy inside; it stimulates something deep in our reptile brains to create a tuber-induced euphoria. We could easily plow into and finish a new Mega Potato in one sitting; that’s child’s play. But there must be some upper limit to the amount of golden, crisp french fries one single human being can eat at one time, right? Right?!

Global, Japan
(fast food • food • McDonald's • video • weird)

The Definitive Video Guide to Using Chopsticks, Guaranteed Everyone Will Learn Something From It

Master Blaster
May 22, 2013

Throughout my time in Japan I’m often reminded of how “awesome” I am at using chopsticks at every possible moment by the locals (a phenomenon compounded by my being left-handed).

Yet despite this excessive praise for eating like a human, I still feel I have a lot to learn about manipulating said utensils with more poise and grace. That’s why I’m excited to have found this instructional video that has answered all my questions and more.

Please, join us in learning how to use chopsticks like an expert through this video. And for all our Asian friends who think they have chopsticks mastered, I’m sure there is something for you to learn too!

Internet, Japan
(chopsticks • culture • funny • video)

This Blue Beer Looks Like it Came from Alcoholic Willy Wonka’s Factory

Mike
May 17, 2013

The Abashiri Brewery in Hokkaido which, judging by its website, really is some kind of beer-themed Willy Wonka side project, boasts what may be the world’s first naturally blue beer.

Always ready to get drunk for the sake of our readers, RocketNews24 took it upon ourselves to investigate this mystifying beer anomaly, appropriately named the Ryuhyou Draft (“Ice Floe Draft”), at a beachside pub. Read More

Japan
(beer • cool • drink • video)

Group of Foreigners See Gunma Cycle Sports Center in a Whole New Light

Master Blaster
May 11, 2013

Some of you may remember our report on Shigenobu Matsuzawa’s visit to Gunma Cycle Sports Center a few months back. It’s the amusement park where everything has pedals including the roller coaster. While Shigenobu ultimately gave the place four out of five stars in his reviews, the photos he took looked kind of depressing. However, now a video released on YouTube seems to have captured a totally new angle of Gunma Cycle Sports Center which gives it a much needed image boost.

Internet, Japan
(bicycle • Gunma • video)

Green Day Vocalist Compares Psy to Herpes Infection, Psy Unsure if That’s a Good or Bad Thing

Mike
May 10, 2013

Looks like Green Day’s frontman, Billie Joe Armstrong, needs to add anger issues to his growing list of ailments requiring rehab. Armstrong was apparently infuriated by the success of Korean pop star, Psy, and his record breaking sensation, Gangnam Style, which made its rounds while Armstrong was serving a stint in a clinic for alcohol and prescription pill abuse. The rocker experienced a “flareup” of sorts at the news that Psy’s epic follow-up, Gentleman, was racking up similar praise.

Internet, Korea, USA
(entertainment • funny • Psy • video)

Three Years After his Tragic Death, World Continues to Mourn Michael

Master Blaster
May 9, 2013

As most people flock to the high production values of American television programs, the subtle nuances of British dramas, or the addictiveness of Korean programs, Taiwanese television shows are often sorely overlooked. Still, after nearly three years from its first airing we continue to be haunted by a television moment so poignant that it has captured not only the nation’s audience but the world’s.

I’m talking, of course, about the truck accident that claimed the life of Michael from the series Night Market Life. Achieving well over one million views on YouTube, people keep coming back to relieve that fateful day.

Let us watch and remember. Michael would have wanted it that way.

Internet, Taiwan
(death • Night Market Life • video)

So, Carbonated Black Coffee in a Bottle is Apparently a Thing Now

Mike
May 2, 2013

Remember Espressoda? Neither did we until a recent news release from Suntory reminded us.

Suntory’s innovative carbonated coffee drink hit the market under a year ago, and a quick search around town by yours truly revealed that, at time of writing, convenience stores are no longer carrying the item, ostensibly suggesting it was a commercial flop.

Japan
(food • video)

Two Boys in the Philippines Wow the World with Cover of R&B Classic

Master Blaster
May 1, 2013

The two boys seen above are Aldrich Lloyd Taloding and James Walter Bucong from the Philippines. Their video having been uploaded to YouTube about a week ago is already nearing one million views and comments such as “Freaking beautiful!” and “I got goosebumps.”

Internet, SE Asia
(Dancing with my Father • music • Philippines • video)

Hyundai Ad Uses Suicide to Promote New Car, Causes Outrage and Sadness in the UK

Philip Kendall
Apr 30, 2013

As much as we might bemoan their very existence when they interrupt our favourite TV shows or appear ad nauseam prior to YouTube clips, when done well ads can be genuinely entertaining. With each shot written, debated, edited and otherwise laboured over sometimes for hundreds of hours, successful ads become pop culture in their own right and are often of higher quality than the shows whose commercial crevices they are stuffed into.

An ad recently aired in the UK, however, become a talking point for all the wrong reasons when it depicted a man trying to kill himself by breathing in the exhaust fumes produced by what transpires to be a particularly environmentally friendly type of vehicle: Hyundai’s iX35.