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GM Releases Corvette S-Limited For Japan Only

When it comes to exclusivity, Japan rocks the crown. There’s a reason your favorite rapper makes sure they touch down in the land of the rising sun at least once a year to stock up on goods they know homies in the States haven’t seen yet. Even American companies like Levi’s bless them with hotter product than we get. For their 100th anniversary General Motors is looking to bestow yet another exclusive on Japan in the form of the Chevrolet Corvette S-Limited.

Produced by GM Asia-Pacific and based on the Corvette Coupe, only 30 of the S-Limiteds will be made, with each costing around $75,000. And what exactly are they getting for the $20,000+ price premium? A cosmetic make-over featuring limited edition black or arctic white paint, a full leather wrapped interior package available in sienna or linen themes, a rear spoiler, mesh screens placed around the cars various vents and grills. There aren’t any performance upgrades planned for the S-Limited, but hey, the ‘Vette already packs a 6.2L V8 power plant that cranks out 430hp, that should be plenty for a country whose new supercar packs a 470 hp V6. Check out the S-Limited gallery after the jump.

Popularity: 6% [?]

Kaws’ 4 Foot Companion Finally Comes To America

The cartoon-style work of street artist Kaws has been seen all around the world. Yet for one whole year, Americans couldn’t get their hands on one of his most coveted designs, the Grey 4 ft Companion, which was originally released only through Japan’s OriginalFake retail store. Today, collectors finally got a chance to get their mitts on the life-sized figure (produced by Medicom) via Kaws’ website for a cool $3000. It’s already sold out (duh), but a few will no doubt pop up on eBay in the coming months. See more full-size shots of the companion below.

Popularity: 80% [?]

Hollywood’s Death Note Remake Is On Deck

Oh, Asia. What would we do if we didn’t have your brilliantly creepy source material to pilfer? The latest Japanese horror franchise to get the Hollywood treatment is Death Note. Originally a popular manga series, it was made into two live-action movies (Death Note and Death Note: The Last Name) that became instant Japanese blockbusters upon their releases in 2006.

The story follows a college student who finds a mysterious notebook that somehow kills whoever’s name you write on its pages. Rumors about a Hollywood remake have been swirling since the rights were picked up by Warner, but it seems like its really happening after a recent report surfaced claiming that Vlas and Charley Parlapanides (the writers behind 50 Cent’s upcoming car racing movie Live Bet) are currently working on the screenplay. Watch the trailer for the Japanese movie after the jump to get familiar.

Popularity: 84% [?]

Robotic Velociraptor Could Quietly Kill You

T-Rex has always had a rep for being the most unfuckwitable dinosaur. But ever since we saw the first Jurassic Park movie, we’ve been scared shitless of the velociraptor. They’re vicious predators like the T-Rex, except they’re faster, more compact and smart enough to open doors.

Next week at the 2008 International Fluid Power Expo in Tokyo, Kokoro (the animatronics branch of Hello Kitty creator Sanrio) will be displaying a moving, life-size replica of a velociraptor. Part sculpture, part robot (they call it a “kinetic moment”), the raptor’s movements are eerily quiet because it gets all its power from an air compressor. After the jump, watch a video of Kokoro’s raptor in action, along with the classic Jurassic Park scene.

Popularity: 85% [?]

Moyashimon Wins Major Japanese Comic Prize

This weekend, the winners of the 12th Annual Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize, were announced in Japan. The awards, which were named after the Astro Boy creator, recognize the best in manga and comics that follow Tezuka’s influential approach. The winner of 2 million yen (about $20,000) and this year’s Manga Grand Prize is artist Masayuki Ishikawa, whose Moyashimon: Tales of Agriculture had also been nominated for the top honor in the two previous years.

Part scientific education and part bizarre entertainment, Moyashimon follows a college student who discovers that he can see and communicate with the germs and micro-organisms all around him. The off-beat franchise was first published in manga form in 2004, before it was adapted into a short-lived anime series late last year. Watch a clip of the show (with English subtitles!) after the jump.

Popularity: 85% [?]

Retail Spotlight: Alife’s Tokyo Flagship Opens

Alife’s modest approach to cool streetwear and sneakers has brought them pretty far since operating out of NYC’s Lower East Side store front for over a decade. Try three more stores: Vancouver in 2005, Los Angeles in 2007, and now the brand new Tokyo flagship, all with their own unique design concepts. The latest Tokyo store follows the aesthetic with a quote that greets customers, “Lead, follow or get the hell out of the way.” Once inside, a giant tank with a collection of their signature RTFT and ARC shoes are on display. See more photos of the Japan’s newest import after the jump.

Popularity: 85% [?]

ASIMO Robot To Direct Symphony Orchestra

We love robots, but we’re bracing ourselves for that inevitable day one takes our job. The service industry is already starting to be taken over by the mechanical menace, but what about those of us in more artistic fields? Surely a robot could never write a hit song, or make a beautiful painting, or churn out consistently witty commentary for a website…right?

This is why the latest news about Honda’s freakishly humanoid ASIMO robot has us shook. Apparently, this guy will be conducting the Detroit Symphony Orchestra this May 13 in Motor City alongside world-famous cellist Yo-Yo Ma. If a robot can conduct a major symphony, how long until he’s directing movies, hosting 106 & Park and coaching the Knicks? We’re trying not to fear the future, but the possibilities are a bit frightening. Watch a video of ASIMO babysitting some unsuspecting kids after the jump.

Popularity: 85% [?]

Batman And Joker Get The Be@rbrick Treatment

Next month, Japanese designer toymakers Medicom will be releasing these brand spankin’ new Batman and Joker Be@rbricks. Although The Dark Knight is about to hit theaters on July 18th, these new figures are actually a throwback to the 1960s blue-suitted Bat from the light-hearted Adam West TV show. After the jump, see the backs of the new toys, and watch the trailer for the upcoming Lego Batman video game, which is also based off the old school ’60s TV show.

Popularity: 86% [?]

Japanese Arm Wrestling Championship Kicks Off

In Japan, they have an arm wrestling tournament called the Sapporo GO-1 GrandPrix going on that’s supposedly a big deal. Every year, FujiTV broadcasts a full week of GO-1 events, which kicked off this weekend. Last year’s event even featured a “Go-1 Queens” competition, where famous bikini models throw down (we assume they’ll be bringing that one back this year). The final round of the competition will be held on May 5th, so check out Fuji TV if you’ve got those Japanese channels popping on satellite. After the jump, check out a quick news report on day one of the GO-1.

Popularity: 85% [?]

V-Sports Is The Poor Man’s Wii

Even though Nintendo’s Wii is way cheaper than any of the other current generation of consoles, that $300 price tag might still be too steep for some. Well, penny pinchers are in luck, because a Japanese company has been selling a knock-off called V-Sports for only $89. Sure, the gameplay is probably a joke, but the price isn’t the only selling point for the V-Sports. The console is available in white, blue and pink, and it comes with 11 games (in one!) plus a bonus game that features 10 more. It might never go on sale in the U.S., but Wired recently spotted it at some shopping malls in the Akihabara section of Tokyo. After the jump, check out screenshots of all the games and the different colors that V-Sports comes in.

Popularity: 85% [?]