Greetings from Anime Expo! We’re here at the show, getting ready to meet thousands of fans. In addition to the launch of the Super Sonico English game, we’ll have lots of great new game announcements at our panel, plus Dagashi Kashi snack grab bags and much more. Will you be at the show? If not, make sure you take advantage of our AX 2016 sale on the site!
Ever since the coming of the Sony Walkman, the Japanese have been known for their gadgets, which is a good thing for all of us, as the world would be less interesting if it weren’t for all those fun devices. From massage chairs that take the stress out of your muscles to butt-shaping products, it’s always fun to see what new inventions Japan has for us. One of the most famous of all Japanese gadgets are those toilets which wash your butt when you’re done, which are known as “washlets” (wash + toilet, get it?). Based on the European bidet, Japanese washlets were first introduced by ubiquitous toilet maker Toto in 1980, and have grown in popularity ever since. Most of these washing toilets share the same basic features, including a selector for which part you want to wash, a warm air dryer, and a control to set the desired temperature of the toilet seat. Some of the more advanced models freshen the air with negatively charged ions, contain sensors that check your blood sugar as you pee, and (great families with boys) raise and lower the seat as needed hydraulically.
Japan is a country that’s definitely in touch with its seasons, and they celebrate each time of year with many different traditional events, from cherry blossom viewing in April to enjoying the turning of the leaves in the Fall. It’s summer now, the time of festivals and wearing yukata cotton kimonos while taking in fireworks, and there are many foods that help people survive the sweltering temperatures. Having a long tradition of eating noodles, many Japanese naturally enjoy cold soba or udon noodles during this season, as well as “angel hair” noodles called somen. One of the most famous of all summer foods is not one I’m not too fond of: unagi (oo-NAH-gi), or Japanese eel, which is broiled over an open flame and served on rice with teriyaki sauce. It’s considered “stamina food” here in Japan, and many restaurants offer the dish to their customers in the summer to help them beat the heat. Unagi-don (Eel Rice Bowl) actually looks delicious, but I just can’t get past the “eel-ness” of it all.
Anime Expo is here, and it’s going to be BIG. We’ll have a huge booth this year (#2624) as well as a panel on Saturday at 11:15 pm. The panel will have three original free gifts for all attendees, brought from Japan, plus lots of news about new game releases. Hope you’ll be there! If you can’t make the show, we’ve got a great consolation for you: a sitewide AX Sale now, with 5% any order of $75 or more using code AX2016. Get shopping!
