Sony has recently announced a PS5 Digital Japanese Only with a price of 55,000 yen, which represents a 40% discount compared to the price in Europe. This move comes in a complicated economic context in Japan, where the recession has diminished consumers’ purchasing power. The new console will be available starting November 21 and can only be used with accounts set up in Japanese and Japan, thus restricting the possibility of international resale. A console for exclusive use in Japan Sony’s decision to offer this exclusive version for Japan recalls […]
Sony has recently announced a PS5 Digital Japanese Only priced at 55,000 yen, which represents a 40% discount compared to the price in Europe. This move comes in a complicated economic context in Japan, where the recession has diminished consumers’ purchasing power. The new console will be available starting November 21 and can only be used with accounts set up in Japanese and Japan, thus restricting the possibility of international resale.
A console exclusively for Japan
Sony’s decision to offer this exclusive version for Japan recalls Nintendo’s strategy with its Switch 2, which also prioritized the local market. Although the specifications of the PS5 Digital Japanese Only are similar to those of its international version, the access restriction aligns with a broader nationalist approach in the current context. This action can be seen as a response to the increasing competition and pressure from its rivals in an unsuspecting market.
However, it is crucial to highlight that the price of the new PS5 Digital, while appearing competitive, is higher than the launch price of 44,000 yen of the original version. This reflects not only the devaluation of the Japanese currency in recent years but also the widespread increase in console prices in the market, with recent hikes in the United States and Europe. These increases have been justified by the company in terms of a challenging global economic environment, which adds a mix of contrasts for international PlayStation fans who now face higher prices in their regions.
This move could cause some friction with consumers outside of Japan. International fans have seen how their consoles have increased in price, which creates a clear discrepancy between markets and highlights the divergent economic circumstances faced by players in different parts of the world.
In 2023, the indie game The Exit 8, developed by Kotake Create, has gained notable popularity on Steam. This walking simulator, set in the liminal hallways of a Japanese subway, offers a unique experience where the player faces temporal anomalies, being able to choose between moving forward or backward in their exploration. An overwhelming box office success The game’s narrative lacks an explicit central plot, which makes its mechanics particularly interesting. This approach has been a source of inspiration for the recent live-action film adaptation of The Exit 8, which has performed remarkably […]
In 2023, the indie game The Exit 8, developed by Kotake Create, has gained notable popularity on Steam. This walking simulator, set in the liminal hallways of a Japanese subway, offers a unique experience where the player faces temporal anomalies, being able to choose between moving forward or backward in their exploration.
An overwhelming success at the box office
The game’s narrative lacks an explicit central plot, which makes its mechanics particularly interesting. This approach has inspired the recent live-action film adaptation of The Exit 8, which has performed remarkably at the box office, grossing 133 million dollars in its first two weeks. Despite the simplicity of the original material, the film has found a common thread based on the premise of its protagonist, nicknamed “the lost man,” played by Kazunari Ninomiya.
Producer Yuto Sakata has commented that the story of the film unfolds from the character’s experience, who explores their surroundings and challenges their understanding of reality through the anomalies encountered. These ironic situations are designed to reflect the information overload we face daily in the digital age. “From there, we wanted to accentuate the surprise and interest in the ordinary changes that we often overlook,” Sakata stated.
The Exit 8 is currently available on Steam for an affordable price of 3.99 euros and can be completed in about an hour, making it an attractive option for those looking for a brief yet meaningful gaming experience. With its blend of simple gameplay and thought-provoking content, the title has managed to capture the interest of both players and critics, a combination that bodes well for the future of this franchise.
Spring alters the blood, they say. And for the characters in Japanese animes, who spend the day with blood shooting from their noses, I can’t even begin to tell you. It doesn’t matter if it’s from a kick, a sword slash, or because they’ve seen the underwear of the girl they like, but sooner or later, they all end up with a nosebleed. That’s just how it is. They’ve been like this since the first anime series was made back in the 60s, and you won’t stop them now that they’re dominating the world, especially since streaming has […]
Spring makes the blood rush, they say. And for the characters in Japanese animes, who spend the day with blood shooting from their noses, I can’t even begin to tell you. It doesn’t matter if it’s from a kick, a sword slash, or because they’ve seen the underwear of the girl they like, but sooner or later, they all end up with a nosebleed. That’s just how it is. They’ve been like this since the first anime series was made back in the 60s, and you won’t stop them now that they are dominating the world, especially since streaming has stepped up to learn Japanese.
Surely you already know the basic series of the moment: Solo Levelling, One Piece, Spy X Family, DanDaDan… But do you know what has just premiered and you can’t miss under any circumstances if you want to understand the cosplays at the upcoming manga conventions? Pay attention, because here are the 6 must-watch animes of spring 2025. Let the petals fall.
Lazarus
Do you like Cowboy Bebop? Of course you do, who doesn’t? Well, Lazarus is the new project by Shinichiro Watanabe, its creator, and its rhythm and visuals, from what we’ve seen, have a lot of that legendary series. It has been animated by MAPPA (Chainsaw Man, Ranma, Jujutsu Kaisen) and it’s about a doctor who has created a vaccine that cures all the ills of the world. What he hasn’t mentioned is that three and a half years after taking it, everyone will die. Season 1 will have 13 episodes, and its premiere can be watched on Max!
My Hero Academia: Vigilantes
The My Hero Academia anime ended in October 2024, and they couldn’t let the brand die without releasing something more. That’s why Bones (Mob Psycho 100, Carole & Tuesday) has launched this prequel and spin-off of the original series that was published in manga over 15 volumes. In other words: they still have plenty to explore. The downside? The creator, Kohei Horikoshi, has had nothing to do with this adaptation. The good news? If you give it a chance, you’ll see that it’s just as fun as My Hero Academia. Now available on Crunchyroll!
Gundam: GQuuuuuuux
Starting to watch Gundam from its first series back in 1979 is practically impossible: there are dozens and dozens of series with hundreds of episodes that are set in different timelines. Fortunately, Gundam: GQuuuuuuux, as they say, can be enjoyed without knowing anything from the past. It is animated by Sunrise (the animation studio of Bandai, with almost 200 series to its name) and Studio Khara (who made the four new Evangelion movies). And you can watch it on Prime Video!
To Be Hero X
Okay, here’s a bit of a cheat, because it’s actually a Chinese anime (or donghua) that is completely original, with no manga backing it up. However, the first episodes that have been seen are impressive, with a truly unique style. The fact that it doesn’t come from Japan shouldn’t make you want to skip it, but if you’re curious, it will also have a Japanese dub so you can get the idea. Oh, and it’s already available on Crunchyroll!
Fire Force, season 3
Five years after the end of the second season of Fire Force, the third season arrives, starting with 12 episodes – there will be 12 more in 2026 – created by David Production (Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure, Cells At Work!!). In it, we follow a boy with pyrokinetic powers who fights against various monsters with the same power that, as expected, try to ravage Tokyo, the only city in the world that has not yet fallen. In its manga version, it has 34 volumes, and don’t worry: it is known that they will reach the end in this last season. Don’t get burned while watching it on Crunchyroll!
The Pharmacist’s Diaries, Season 2
It is one of the series that the otaku community has been talking about the most since its premiere in 2023, and now it finally returns with a season 2 that will continue the adventures of Maomao. It is almost impossible not to like its design and its story captivates you in one way or another: for now, the season has been ongoing since January on Crunchyroll. There is no valid excuse.
Have you made it to the end? Are you missing any of these series? Well, you know what to do: You have no excuse, and it’s not valid to say “I didn’t know it was premiering”!
