Back in 2014, Brazil held the 2014 FIFA World Cup men's football tournament. In case some of you are not sport fans, FIFA is like the olympics except it is multiple nations just playing one sport against each other. For fans of anime, manga, and Japanese video games, 2014's FIFA proved to be one they can never forget, and we have the Pokémon mascot Pikachu to thank as the iconic fictional mouse got to serve as the Japanese team's mascot during the sport event with approval from Nintendo's The Pokémon Company of course (and let's thank Nintendo too for making this possible). However, Pikachu is not the first Japanese pop culture icon to officually serve as a sport team mascot as another icon, Leo from the Osamu Tezuka-created manga serial Jungle Emperor got this opportunity back in 1978, licensed for mascot use from Osamu Tezuka's Tezuka Productions by the Japan-based baseball team Seibu lions (currently called "Saitama Seibu Lions"). Read more...

Hey pals and gals, it’s that time again. That time when you forget about your troubles and come here to read about everyone else’s . Hey, one man’s troubles are another man’s treasures, right? Either way let’s get this hot stuff started. Just like the cold and flu season has awakened so has Star Wars. This week the powers that be released the title to the upcoming Star Wars film. Brace yourself for now The Force Awakens. That’s right, that sleepy dreamy force is coming out of its long slumber. Let’s be honest here, it fell asleep after the first scene with Jar Jar Binks and saw no need to wake up until now. The title is certainly no Phantom Menace but, in this case, it’s what’s on the inside that counts so we’ll have to wait and see if the movie outshines the lame title. Speaking of lame, Nickelback has a new album coming out. They even have a smashing deal, pre-order now and get three songs now. Doesn’t that sound like an infomercial? Next we’ll hear, get two for the price of one just pay separate processing and handling. This brings up a great question; who’s worse Jar Jar or Nickelback?   Read more...

As the world watches actor Peter Capaldi take over the titular role of the long-running BBC live-action science-fiction television multi-series Doctor Who (which consists of the 1963 television series, the 1996 television film, and the currently running 2005 television series) to portray on the television screen, it is evident that the legendary British sci-fi property still remains running with new stories to tell and with a huge worldwide fanbase (including those living in Britain) watching and enjoying it along the way. Read more...

As Michael Bay’s fourth installment in the Transformers franchise – Transformers: Age of Extinction – hits cinemas and powers to the top of the movie charts. Bay’s latest creation has gathered quite the critical backlash but has still managed to pull in audiences across America and China, racking up the highest grossing opening of a movie this year. Does this mean that the critics are wrong? Does it mean that this isn’t a bad movie? Probably not but I think it does signify that there is a lot to be said for the Transformers and their appeal as well as their ability to endure. It’s wish fulfillment, pure and simple. Who wouldn’t want to see their automobile transform into a twenty-foot, gun-toting robot? Or watch the greatest of all Autobots – Optimus Prime – ride a gigantic, robotic dinosaur into battle? The writing or acting may not be on the button but visually the imagery is right there to capture the imagination. Read more...

You know the saying, April showers brings Mayflowers? No, that’s not right is it? Oh well, let’s celebrate anyway and say congratulations to Nintendo’s Gameboy for turning 25 this week. This news should make every child of the 80s feel old, even Shia LaBeouf. He was only three years old when the Gameboy debut and wasn’t famous then either. Moving on with what was hot and what was not this week. One family found this week to be far too hot for them when their vehicle caught on fire during a family outing. One would hope when their vehicle decides to spontaneously combust that it would do so in a really convenient spot, like next to the fire department. Unfortunately for this family they were driving through a safari park when their van decided to start smoking and catch on fire. Again, one would hope this would happen in a convenient area, maybe somewhere around the penguins habitat or while visiting the sloths. This family was right in the middle of the lions’ den. Luckily for the family a park ranger was near by and got the people out of their burning vehicle into his and everyone, even the lions were not harmed. The family had a pretty good sense of humor about the whole ordeal and a good sense of humor will always land you a spot on the hot list. Read more...

"Every man's heart one day beats its final beat. His lungs breathe their final breath. And if what that man did in his life makes the blood pulse through the body of others and makes them believe deeper in something that's larger than life, then his essence, his spirit, will be immortalized by the storytellers -- by the loyalty, by the memory of those who honor him, and make the running the man did live forever. "I am the Ultimate Warrior, you are the Ultimate Warrior fans and the spirit of the Ultimate Warrior will run forever." Truly amazing words from a man who will be greatly missed. We lost several performers this week but one of the most shocking had to be losing the Ultimate Warrior just days after his induction in to the hall of fame. Read more...

Bioware has announced that they will release a new space-based  expansion for their popular MMO, Star Wars: The Old Republic entitled  Galactic Starfighter. While details of this new expansion are limited,  Bioware has released a new video trailer that shows some of the features  and gameplay experiences that players can expect to take part in. Since launch, Star Wars: The Old Republic has contained some space  content which is a far cry from what fans expected to experience. Each  character class has access to their own starship, which in a way acts as  player housing. Unlike many MMOs, this starship cannot be altered or  customised to suit the player's needs, but rather acts as a single  player base of operations to move from one planet to the next or to  interact with companions. The game also allows players to take part in PVE space battles, yet  this content is designed in a similar style to Nintendo's Starfox.  Players are unable to roam freely in space and are forced to continue along a predefined path. Rewards are limited and whilst enjoyable, never live up to expectations. Read more...

Batman: Arkham Origins is just about 3 weeks away for the TV gaming console crowd, but if you are one of the gamers that prefers hand-held games, you will also be able to kick some "superstitious and cowardly lot" tail! With Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate, you will helm Batman in a story taking place 3 months after the events of Arkham Origins, and enter Gotham's supermax prison to stop an inmate takeover. You will encounter many of the same villains as the Origins game, including Black Mask, Penguin and Joker...and some that haven't even been announced for the console game like Solomon Grundy and Catwoman! Read more...