A blogger who goes by the name of The Cinnamon Pirate recently posted a hilarious and extremely in depth look at a chinese bootleg NES cartridge, that turned the story of the Titanic into an RPG of all things! And a crappy one at that, apparently. Still, seeing Leo and Kate rendered in old school 8-Bit glory (shown above) is enough to warm the hearts of even the most cold-hearted gamer, isn’t it?

So let’s see, how many post-modern points does this game rack up? It’s an unlicensed chinese bootleg made in the late 90’s for a Japanese game system long past its heyday, of an American movie based on a real-life disaster… Gee, I’ve lost count.

Prepare yourself, for tonight we board IN HELL! (via The Cinnamon Pirate)

By Jesse Mann

Gonzo Animation is one of the most accomplished anime production houses in Japan, with quality animation outside of the norm like Afro Samurai and Samurai 7. Now, likely in response to the increasing talk of a crisis with the anime business model (i.e. too many people downloading anime for free before titles even hit stores in the US), anime fans worldwide will get a gift straight from the source. The experiment involves web broadcasts of two new series hitting Japanese airwaves, and simultaneously on US-accessible sites Youtube, Crunchyroll, and BOST-TV, complete with english subtitles!

If this model is successful, we may start to see a ton more anime hitting the net, LEGALLY, and in either free ad-supported or cheap per-episode form. For better or worse, the dearth of mediocre Japanese animation out there may be accessible for all to see. These first two titles, Blassreiter and Tower of Druaga: The Aegis of URUK, celebrate the anime conventions of humanoid robots and swords & sorcery respectively. Let’s just hope that this trend doesn’t erode the possibility of the real standout series and films from getting wider recognition.

Gonzo shows go global via Net (via Variety Asia Online)

By Jesse Mann

Takashi Murakami is undoubtedly one of Japan’s most well known visual artists, having featured installations in Rockefeller Center, and having graced the album cover of Kanye West’s Graduation. Now, he comes to the Brooklyn Museum with the exhibition © MURAKAMI, which compiles work from his entire career for an explosion of superflatness. The exhibit will be open from April 5th through July 13th. For more information visit the Brooklyn Museum site, where you can also find information about the recently opened exhibit Utagawa: Masters of Japanese Print.

Image ©2008 Takashi Murakami/Kaikai Kiki Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

Exhibitions: © MURAKAMI (via Brooklyn Museum Website)

By Jesse Mann

If recent reports of our plundering of the world’s oceans are any indication, we may someday soon need to populate the seas with these robotic fish, just to feel better about ourselves… All morbid joking aside, this robotic fish is pretty incredible.

Amazing Robotic Fish (via Myspace)

By Jesse Mann

The reports of classic, arcade-style gaming’s death have been greatly exaggerated. One need look no further than the projects on display at Capcom’s recent Digital Day showcase to see why. It’s nearly an excitement overload already to see projects like Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix and Bionic Commando Rearmed (pictured above). But then Capcom has to go and show off stuff like 1942 Joint Strike and Commando 3: Wolf of the Battlefield and I find myself nearly shedding tears at the sight of such unbridled classic goodness.

Given how often games try and emulate films these days with stylish camera angles and long-winded cinemas filled with exposition, it’s nice to see a fresh influx of games (remakes though they may be) that just get straight to the point. Seeing as how Capcom (in my humble opinion) dominated the arcade scene at its pinnacle, there’s no one better to lead the charge of this classic gaming renaissance. Here’s hoping Strider gets some love next. Titles will be available throughout the Spring and Summer on Xbox Live Arcade and the Playstation 3 Network.

Capcom Digital Day Blowout (via Capcom Blog)

By Stewart Smith

With all of the political tension worldwide these days, Japan decided to call in a blue, earless, robotic feline from the future to help alleviate our woes. Having entertained much of Asia for almost 40 years now, Doraemon has been chosen as Japan’s first “Anime Ambassador,” whatever that means. He was officially appointed last Wednesday, and will be traveling across the world to promote Japanese culture. For those who grew up with the lovable cat’s multitudes of manga, anime series, and full length features, the prospect of seeing Doraemon in the “flesh” should be more than enough to kick start treaties left and right.

Japan’s New Ambassador: A Cartoon Cat (via AFP)

By Jesse Mann