9.29.2012

Tokyo Station overflows with Namekos

I wrote about popular game application "Nameko Saibai Kit" for smartphones in Japan several times.
See also:
The game application which is the most popular in Japan is a "nameko mushroom"
Japanese popular game apps "Nameko" goes music!
Nameko everywhere

Tokyo Station is filled with them now. I watched them last week while I reported Tokyo game show 2012.


Now, "Nameko Fair" is held now at Tokyo Station. Every official goods of Nameko are sold here.






Nameko transcends a category of the smartphone application, and it is loved by people.



Many people shooted a souvenir photos in the circumference of the Nameko statue.




The commemorative stamp was popular, too. Even if we did not do shopping, we are able to enjoy these.




We can encounter Nameko if lucky.

9.17.2012

Japanese university students developed "Shiri" robot

Students of Japan's University of Electro-Communications developed "Shiri" robot. Is it Shiri of iPhone? No! "Shiri" means "Ass" in Japanese.



Why did they develop the Ass robot by using advanced knowledge and technology?  Why is it ass of the men not a woman? There are a lot of questions. However, you must not laugh at this. In addition, they are earnest. A very high sensor technology is used for this, and the theme of this is communication. This continues evolving and may become the humanoid before long.

iOS application "Manga Camera"


Now, the iOS application which has become the topic most in Japan is "Manga Camera".



This application converts a photos like Japanese manga. "Frame", constructed by sound effects and a background is important.


We put frame together to a photos more than 20 kinds and can make the image of the manga taste.

I tried this by the pumpkin.


In this way, it becomes very natural manga illustration. Surely it will be interesting when we make manga with a photos using this.


9.16.2012

Finnish movie "Iron Sky" tie-up with Japanese Video sharing site Nico Nico Douga

Many Japanese movie fans look forward to Finnish movie "Iron Sky". And it is shown in TOHO cinemas Roppongi Hills from September 28.

Japanese official site of Iron Sky

Official Trailer

However, a trailer is not only this. The movie company cooperated with Nico Nico Douga to tell more Japanese about this cool movie. This is an example of the tie-up.


Many texts are inserted in a screen. You may think that they are gloomy. However, this is one of the main functions of Nico Nico douga. Users of Nico Nico douga can post texts in the screen of the videos. Those almost are silly chat and impressions, but they bring about the funniness. Furthermore, Nico Nico Douga broadcasts special program in commemoration of the screening of the Iron Sky on September 15 and 20 (Nico Nico Douga performs the broadcast of the original program).

Furthermore, there is an interesting trailer one more.


This is a trailer using song of Japanese model / singer kyarypamyupamyu "Tsukema Tsukeru".

Original


Her songs are downloaded in large numbers in iTunes of Finland. Probably this will reflect it.

9.15.2012

Let's experience the Battle of Sekigahara by iOS application

Do you know the Battle of Sekigahara? It is a civil war of the biggest in Japan that happened in 1600. However, it becomes the popular contents now. Many novels, comics, TV dramas, movies, games about the Battle of Sekigahara were made until now. The games in particular attracted many fans. And it supports a tourist industry of current Sekigahara. Students of Tokyo Metropolitan University developed the iOS application ”SEKIGAHARA AR" that helped with sightseeing and the learning about Sekigahara.


This is application using Geolocation and Augmented Reality. We can puts the data of the armed forces which participated in the Battle of Sekigahara on a map of current Sekigahara and watch it.

Furthermore, we can check the name of samurai warrior and superstar warload when we enlarge a map. And when we click the name …


 we can read their "Tweet" by interface like a Twitter. If Twitter existed in 1600, What kind of Tweet would samurais do? It is a very fun to imagine it.

In addition, we can put AR shadow of samurais on scenery of current Sekigahara. Of course they are based on geolocation.

There is a method to realize a battle even if you cannot go to Sekigahara. You can put the lines of the Battle of Sekigahara on the hometown. Then you may realize the area of the battlefield more.

By the way, the Battles of Sekigahara happened on September 15 of the old calendar(It is October with the current calendar). The tourist industry of Sekigahara becomes busy from now on. I think that Sekigahara town office should use this application for sightseeing promotion.