Apple’s iTunes service released a trailer for the English dub of Studio Ghibli and Isao Takahata‘s The Tale of the Princess Kaguya on Monday.

The film is slated for release in North America on October 17. Chloë Grace Moretz (Kick-Ass, The 5th Wave) will star as the title character. The cast will also include James Caan, Mary Steenburgen, Darren Criss, Lucy Liu, Beau Bridges, James Marsden, Oliver Platt and Dean Cain.

The Tale of the Princess Kaguya is based on the famous Japanese folktale Taketori Monogatari (The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter), which centers on a princess named Kaguya who was discovered as a baby inside the stalk of a glowing bamboo plant. The film won the Animation Film Award at the 68th Mainichi Film Awards. The film was screened at Cannes Film Festival’s Directors’ Fortnight but did not receive any awards.

The film’s North American premiere was be held at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) on September 8, and the film is also screening Texas’ Fantastic Fest in Austin, Texas from September 18 to 25.

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Origin: Ghibli’s new Princess Kaguya trailer previews English dub
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Pop idols exist in this strange space between reality and fantasy. While they are living, breathing individuals, they are set on a pedestal and rarely get to interact with people one on one. While groups like AKB48 may be tied to a certain location to serve as a symbol of pride for one area’s people, outside of meet and greet events, fans cannot really get to know them. Of course, the biggest taboo of all is for a pop idol and a fan to begin dating. But one brave group has decided to step forth from the binds of their image. Meet the members of the idol group Happening Girls. These four lovely ladies depicted here are unique in the idol community because they are allowed to foster relationships, date, and even marry their fans.

The four eligible idol bachelorettes from left to right are Manaka (20), Saaya (22), Kaori (26), and Eri (25). While it is true that any gentleman smooth enough to capture the heart of one of these four ladies may date and marry her, there are still conditions. While fans are free to meet with idols during their private hours, the group’s producers at Kandou TV encourage fans to first take part in meeting the idols through the marriage interviews which will occur after live events. Kandou TV also reserves the right to produce, record, and televise any part of the relationship from the first meeting, all the way up to the wedding itself, which will of course be organized by Kandou’s subsidary bridal company.

If that was not enough to win fans over to the revolutionary new style of Happening Girls, here is another incentive. You may have noticed the interesting choice in attire that the four current members of Happening Girls. While it may first appear to be a quirky wardrobe based publicity stunt, you may be interested in the fact that Happening Girls is the only year-round swimsuit idol group in all of Japan. As their official page states, this group was born of the fact that “men love swimsuits” and that “there is no other swimsuit idol group in existence” anywhere.”

Happening Girls is currently taking applications from any young women who might be interested in becoming one of the world’s only swimsuit idol group members. The conditions are as follow: the applicants in question must be at least a first year in high school but be no more than 30 years in age, live in the Tokyo area, be able to attend all live appearance events, and above all, they must be comfortable singing and dancing in a swimsuit. However, unlike the four ladies noted earlier, it is unclear at this point as to whether or not the rest of the group will be available for courtship and potential fan marriage.

The current members of Happening Girls will be having their debut live event at AkibaDrug & Cafe on September 23 at 8:30PM. After the concert, the idols will be free to mingle with their fans. If all goes well, it may be the start of several beautiful relationships.

[Via Hachima Kikou]

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Origin: Swimsuit idols that you can date and marry
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Nintendo has recruited fashion model and singer Kyary Pamyu Pamyu to promote the New Nintendo 3DS game system before it launches in Japan on October 11. On a new website, Kyary Pamyu Pamyu introduces the system’s interchangeable “Kisekae Plates” (literally, dress-up plates). With these plates, players can customize the exterior design of the New Nintendo 3DS in countless ways.

In a new television commercial, Kyary Pamyu Pamyu plays dress-up by putting extravagant outfits on Mario, Link, and other familiar characters:

The website’s “Try! Kisekae” feature lets you explore different Kisekae Plate combinations before you buy the system. The Kisekae Plate launch lineup will boast 38 designs ranging in price from 1,000 to 3,000 yen (about US$10-US$30). Two more “Kawaii Kisekae Plates” will go on sale later.

In addition to these plates, the New Nintendo 3DS will offer a new analog c-stick, new “ZL” and “ZR” shoulder buttons, a faster processor, near-field communication (NFC) support, and a larger screen with improved 3D support. Pokémon Centers throughout Japan will offer Pokémon Groudon or Kyogre on stamped suede-style plates on November 21. Nintendo will offer the game system itself in Australia and New Zealand on November 21.

Source: Inside for All Gamers via 0takomu

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Origin: Kyary Pamyu Pamyu plays dress-up in new Nintendo 3DS ad
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An editorial published by the Chengdu Daily News is claiming that Doraemon, the popular franchise based on the manga by duo Fujiko F. Fujio, and the recent exhibitions in China that showcase it, are merely attempts by Japan to subvert Chinese culture.

In the editorial, the writer says that the exhibitions have a “sinister hidden meaning,” and that the show’s themes of respect and friendship are hypocritical, in regards to Japan’s actions. The writer even claims that the cartoon is a smokescreen to distract from the actions of the Abe administration.

However, reactions amongst Chinese readers have been mixed, at best, with some calling the writer out for maligning a popular childhood icon.

Relations between China and Japan are increasingly strained as of late, with escalating tensions arising from long-time territorial disputes over the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands and increased military presence in the East China Sea, and condemnations of actions by the Abe administration that have been seen as insensitive by the Chinese.

[Via Kotaku]

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Origin: Chinese writer thinks Doraemon is a sinister affront to China
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Japanese city Matsudo, located in Chiba prefecture, is encouraging cosplayers to visit on the weekends, billing its Yabashira district as a cosplay-friendly environment.

The city decided to launch a promotional campaign, noticing that cosplayers have been congregating at nearby 21 Seiki no Mori to Hiroba Park for photoshoots for several years. Together with the Yabashira Ekimae Chuo-Shotenkai shop owners association, which spearheaded the promotional efforts, the city has been posting posters of two girls, one in fantasy garb, with the phrase, “On weekends, I transform myself.” Incidentally, the girl on the left is wearing an outfit modeled after the actual Matsudo High School uniform.

The support for cosplayers is not new; last November, the association turned a vacant storefront into a photo studio that caters specially to cosplayers.

Just over the weekend, the association also held a special event, shuttingdown streets to motor traffic and allowing cosplayers and other visitors to meander amongst the businesses around the Yabashira Station shoppingdistrict. A special cosplay booth also stocked costumes for young children, allowing them to get into the cosplay spirit.

[Source: Asahi Shimbum]

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Origin: Japanese town promotes itself as a cosplay-friendly destination
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Namco‘s indoor theme park, Namjatown, is collaborating with Attack on Titan and getting them into the Halloween spirit with adorable cat ears.

The special campaign will include a variety of game prizes and limited-edition merchandise, but for the time being, only the above teaser image is available.

The theme park has also redrawn their cat mascots as Attack on Titan soldiers, and visitors can be sure that there will be plenty of merchandise opportunities there as well.

While Namco and Attack on Titan already have a partnership, the theme park collaboration will take place between November 8 and January 18, and will also include themed food and drink items. It is timed to coincide with the release of the first compilation Attack on Titan film, Shingeki no Kyojin Zenpen ~Guren no Yumiya~ (Attack on Titan Part I: Crimson Bow and Arrow), which will open this winter.

[Via Nijimen]

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Origin: Attack on Titan characters don cat ears for Namjatown collaboration
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With Halloween just around the corner, enthusiasts are already pouring their hearts and souls into putting together their costume for the year. In case you still need some ideashowever, or are already looking for something to pull in plenty of candy next year, here’s a costume that is sure to get you plenty of treats. In collaboration with Dragon Ball Kai the costume designers at Trantrip have created this official Majin Buu costume.

The set as a whole was designed to be a spot on representation of one of the most well known characters from the Dragon Ball franchise. From the tip of his antenna, which is both flexible and firm on the costume’s removable hood, to his stretchable stomach, so that you can decide which version of Majin Buu you would like to be, this costume replicates every last inch of the sweet-loving being. Even his cape and other accessories match the original.

Initial sales for the costume will take place during the first part of December through Cospa‘s official online shop as part of the early sales event. Wide sales of the item are scheduled to begin sometime in the middle of this upcoming February. The current price tag for the costume comes out to 13,000 yen before tax (about US $119.84).

While originally planned to conclude at the end of the Cell Saga, Dragon Ball Kai returned this April to continue the story into the Majin Buu Saga. Last month’s issue of Shueisha‘s V Jump magazine also announced that a new Dragon Ball Z movie is currently in the works for 2015.

[Via Kai-You.]

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Origin: Start planning for next year’s Halloween with this official Majin Buu costume
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Square Enix began streaming a video on Thursday of Kingdom Hearts series director Tetsuya Nomura drawing Sora to promote the release of the Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 ReMIX game. The game shipped for the PlayStation 3 in Japan on Thursday.

Square Enix held the “KH Irasuto Kansei Made no Michi” (Road to the Completion of the Kingdom Hearts Illustration) Twitter campaign while Nomura completed the character illustration over a period of about two weeks. Fans tweeted their support to help Nomura finish the drawing.

The game is slated to ship in North America on December 2 and in PAL territories on December 5.

The game contains Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix (an updated version of Kingdom Hearts II that Square Enix originally released only in Japan for the PlayStation 2), Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep Final Mix (an updated version of Kingdom Hearts Birth By Sleep that Square Enix originally released only in Japan for the PlayStation Portable), and HD remastered cutscenes of the Kingdom Hearts Re:coded Nintendo DS game.

Square Enix released the first PlayStation 3 HD remaster of its Kingdom Hearts role-playing game series in March 2013 in Japan. That game contained Kingdom Hearts Final Mix and Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories, as well as HD remastered cutscenes of Kingdom Hearts: 358/2 Days. Square Enix shipped the game in North America, Australia, and Europe last September.

[Via Siliconera]

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Origin: Tetsuya Nomura draws Sora for Kingdom Hearts -HD 2.5 ReMIX- release
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Earlier in the year, Honda revealed plans for its NM4 Vultus at the 30th Osaka Motorcycle Show. With a sleek exterior and harsh angles, it looks like it could’ve been pulled from a sci-fi movie. And in fact, Honda says that the design is influenced by “futuristic machines seen in the anime and manga television and film styles.”

From the front, it even bears resemblance to armor.

But Honda’s not the only company turning heads with its sci-fi designs. Recently, Japanese fans have been tickled by Kawasaki’s Ninja H2R, which they say is a dead-ringer for a Gundam. Take a look for yourself:

Of course, fans have been throwing out plenty of other look-alike suggestions too, from Darth Vader, TMNT‘s Shredder, and even Guyver.

Just for context, here’s the very epic ad for the Ninja H2R:

What do you think the two motorcycles look like? Let us know in the forums!

[Via World Car Fans, Hachima Kikou, Gizmodo Japan; image from Gundam Fanon]

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Origin: Motorcycles look more and more like Gundams every day
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There’s something about October 10 and the appeal of seeing 10/10 that makes it a particularly popular character birthday. Like CLAMP‘s reuse of April 1, plenty ofcharacters were “born” on October 10 and the day has only gotten more popular since the spread of moe and the day’s unofficial recognition as “Moe Day” (10 October (十日十月), stacked, resembles the character for moe: 萌).

One character’s birthday this year is especially bittersweet. Naruto Uzamaki, everyone’s famous ninja, is celebrating his last birthday this year since his manga run is ending in just a few weeks.

Naruto isn’t the only one celebrating their birthday today. It’s also the birthdays of Lynn Minmay (Macross), Gintoki (Gintama), Tōichirō Izumida (Yowamushi Pedal), Judo Ashita (Gundam ZZ), Sora (Digimon), Shingo Takasugi (Captain Tsubasa), Jun Tao (Shaman King), Hibiki Tokai (Vandread), Hibiki Ganaha (The IDOLM@STER), Yui Goido (The World God Only Knows), Minami Shimada (Baka and Test – Summon the Beasts), Irina Jelavic (Assassination Classroom), and likely even more. Here’s how fans showed their appreciation for their favorite characters!

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Origin: Naruto’s birthday is October 10, along with dozens of other characters
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Researchers from Lomonosov Moscow State University and the Vietnam-Russia Tropical Centresurprised the scientific community last year when they published their findings regarding a rare velvet worm found only in Vietnam’s Cát Tiên National Park. They named him Eoperipatus totoro.

While the little critter’s front end does bear some resemblance to the Ghibli film’s title character, the scientists said that the worm reminded them of Catbus.

The worm grows to roughly 6 cm (~2.5″). It’s perhaps a little less cute with all of its legs in the picture, but its easy to see where the Catbus description comes from. Perhaps some day it could make friends with the caterpillar that looks like Hello Kitty.

[Source: Pets Lady via Econet]

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Origin: Rare Catbus-esque worm takes its name after Ghibli’s Totoro
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If you’ve been to any recreational running events in your lifetime, you know that they’re a great place to show off your personal style, whether it’s tutus, turkey hats, crazy tights, or Santa outfits. For those who love KanColle, it can also be a good place to channel your inner Shimakaze.

This year’s Maizuru Kanko Half Marathon faced some bad weather, but it certainly didn’t deter one man from trying to set a personal best as his favorite destroyer. Known as Micchan, he frequently participates in running events and triathlons in cosplay.

Here are some photos and videos of Micchan as Shimakaze:

And some of his previous outfits:

And yes, he makes all of his own costumes. For more, be sure to check out his Twitter and blog.

[Via Otakomu]

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Origin: KanColle crossplayer is the best-dressed at this half-marathon
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The Baseball Federation of Japan recently recruited five manga characters to the “Samurai Japan” national team roster—Takao Taniguchi from Captain, Tatsuya Uesugi from Touch, Gorō Shigeno from Major, Ren Mihashi from Big Windup!, and Eijun Sawamura from Ace of Diamond.

These honorary team members will be part of a PR campaign that includes posters, bookmarks, and baseball cards. Fans can snag the special items by purchasing qualifyingitems at participating Mirai-ya Bookstores, attending the November 10 2014 Suzuki All-Star Series Samurai Japan vs Fukuoka SoftBank and Hokkaido Nippon-Ham game, purchasing a Samurai Japan jersey at the game, and visiting participating batting cages. For complete details, visit the official campaign website.

The campaign will run from October 17 to November 30.

[Via Yahoo! Japan]

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Origin: Five manga characters join Japan’s national baseball team for PR campaign
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The Simpsons had some fun last night in their “Treehouse of Horror XXV” Halloween episode, imagining a world where multiple incarnations of the Simpsons family has been created by an evil marketing entity.

Amongst them was a tribute to some popular anime titles, including Attack on Titan, Naruto, Pokémon, Bleach, One Piece, and Spirited Away.

The episode went on to pay homage to Adventure Time, Archer, Despicable Me, and more.

If you want to see the full episode in its entirety, you can catch it on Hulu next week, or watch it now with Hulu+.

Earlier in the year, The Simpsons also made a nod towards the works of director Hayao Miyazaki.

[Twitter, Reddit]

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Origin: The Simpsons Halloween episode pays tribute to popular anime
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Nintendo fans may not be familiar with the name Xander Mobus, but they probably know his voice when they hear it. He’s the announcer for Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and WiiU, as well as a few other voice roles, but his talents apparently don’t just end there. A fan asked him to please sing the Pokémon theme song, and he obliged.

Update: The original video appears to have been made private, so we’ve added in a new source.

While the song is prefaced with a cheery, “This is gonna suck!” it’s actually the opposite of suck, and is pretty fun. Enjoy.

Nintendo Life via Reddit

[Feature image via Comic Vine]

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Origin: Super Smash Bros. announcer tries his very best at the Pokemon theme song
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The Teesside Crown Court of Middlesbrough, England convicted 39-year-old Robul Hoque of 10 counts of possessing prohibited images of children. However, the children depicted in the images were all drawings. Hoque is believed to be the first man in the country brought to court solely over manga and anime images. The court sentenced him to nine months in prison, but the sentence will be suspended if Hoque maintains good behavior and follows the court’s requirements for two years.

Hoque’s defense attorney Richard Bennett said, “This case should serve as a warning to every manga and anime fan to be careful. It seems there are many thousands of people in this country, if they are less then careful, who may find themselves in that positiontoo.”

Police seized Hoque’s computer containing 288 still and 99 “prohibited” moving images, none of which were real people, in June 2012. The images are classified as prohibited because they depict young girls, some in school uniforms, and some exposing themselves or engaging in sexual activity.

Hoque initially denied the 20 charges of possessing prohibited images of children but later plead guilty to 10 specimen charges.

This marks Hoque’s second conviction regarding possession of drawn child pornography. He was prosecuted in 2008 for possessing “Tomb Raider-style” computer-generated pictures of fictional children. A jury convicted him on six counts of making “indecent pseudo-photographs” of children, another first in the U.K. Hoque denied these charges but was required to complete a sex offender treatment program.

Judge Tony Briggs told Hoque in court after his most recent conviction, “You are an intelligent man. You certainly should have been aware of the risk of indulging in accessing this material, and you acknowledge your foolishness and guilt. This is material that clearly society and the public can well do without. Its danger is that it obviously portrays sexual activity with children, and the more it’s portrayed, the more the ill-disposed may think it’s acceptable.”

Thanks to Ian Wolf for the news tip

Source: The Gazette
Featured image: Wikipedia (Oni Lukos)

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Origin: U.K. man sentenced for prohibited images of ‘manga’ children
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“The days of quietly drawing whatever you like are already over”

Robul Hoque, a 39-year-old resident of Middlesbrough, England, was recently given a suspended sentence of nine months in prison for possession of child pornography when investigators found “manga” drawings of schoolgirls on his computer. The sentence is suspended so long as Hoque follows the court’s guidelines for two years, but manga artist Ken Akamatsu (Love Hina, Negima! Magister Negi Magi) disapproved of the conviction and reacted to the news on Twitter.

Akamatsu pointed out that Japan’s recently passed child pornography law also forbade possession of sexually explicit images of children, but emphasized that manga and anime are creations without real children anywhere. “They aren’t even close to the law’s purpose of ‘protecting children from sexual exploitation and abuse'; instead, they blur the purpose and hinder it.” He went on to suggest that the Japanese law would eventually be applied to manga and anime as well. “If they were just asked if sex acts in school uniforms were ‘O.K.’ or ‘no good,’ almost all Japanese would say ‘no good.’ In other words, without appropriate explanation, created material is destined for regulation eventually. The key isappropriate explanations. I think the days of quietly drawing whatever you like are already over.”

Akamatsu earlier spoke to a reporter on CNN about the child pornography law, saying that “[pornographic] manga doesn’t involve actual children, so there are no actual victims” and pointing out that “there’s no scientific evidence” for manga inducing actual child abuse. He has also resisted efforts to strengthen Japan’s copyright laws, claiming that they would harm the doujinshi field, and actively lobbies the government through the Japan Cartoonist Association. The new law so far exempts anime and manga images.

[Via Yahoo! News Japan and Ars Technica; Image from Wikipedia (Oni Lukos)]

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Origin: Ken Akamatsu bemoans Britain’s child pornography sentencing
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It feels too early to be writing about Christmas, and downright blasphemous to be writing about Valentine’s Day. Nevertheless, Sailor Moon Valentine’s Day chocolates have been announced, and despite their early arrival, they might be worth pre-ordering, because they look delightful.

Part of the ARTism CHOCO series, this “~Story of Moonlight~” chocolate set features vibrant (and of course, edible) illustrations on each chocolate, and a beautiful box with both exterior and interior artwork.

Each set contains ten pieces—two with raspberry filling, and eight with an almond praline filling. Pre-orders can be placed on Premium Bandai for 2,700 yen (about US$25.07). The chocolates will ship next February.

[Via Comics Natalie]

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Origin: Plan way, way ahead with Sailor Moon Valentine’s Day chocolates
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An autopsy performed on Darrien Hunt, the 22-year-old man shot and killed by police in Saratoga Springs, reveals that Hunt was shot five times from behind and had no drugs in his system.

The autopsy report shows that Hunt was shot once in the back, two times in the left hip, and three times in the upper arm. Five of the shots entered from behind, and one of the shots in his hip entered from the side toward the back. A total of seven shots were fired by police, six of which struck Hunt. The fatal shot to his back traveled in an upward direction.

“The direction of fire, as reported in the M.E.’s [medical examiner] report, raises significant concerns about Darrien’s position at the time he was shot on the multiple occasions,” said Karra Porter, who is representing Curtis Hunt, Darrien Hunt’s father. Porter explained that the downward directory raises a question about whether Hunt was shot while on the ground.

Toxicology results from the autopsy were negative. In the report, the officers claim that Darrien Hunt “apparently liked hallucinogens and had taken acid approximately three weeks” prior to the shooting. Porter said she does not know where that information originated.

The state autopsy confirmed the results of a previously conducted, independent autopsy requested by the Hunt family. Hunt’s mother insists that the officers involved should face criminal charges. The Hunt family believes that Darrien was cosplaying a character from Samurai Champloo at the time, and that the sword he was carrying was a souvenir katana.

“We believe there was excessive force by these officers and the improper use of deadly force,” said Robert Sykes, the family’s attorney.

“The accounts on September 10 that were given to the M.E., just do not seem to match up with the facts,” said Porter. “Unfortunately, every time we get a new report, the questions just keep rising.”

According to the case narrative, citizens called 911 when they saw Hunt walking down the street with the sheathed katana strapped to his back. Police said Hunt began attacking them with his sword and they fired three shots at him. Hunt then began to flee toward a nearby Panda Express restaurant, and collapsed on the ground after police pursued him and fired three more shots. The Panda Express did not have security cameras pointed toward the area where the incident occurred.

“You can’t use deadly force on a fleeing suspect,” Sykes said. “He’s running from police. They can’t have been in any legitimate fear that he was going to harm them.”

The Hunt family also suspects that race played a factor in the shootings.

Deputy county attorney Tim Taylor said that Hunt lunged at police with his sword after a conversation about giving him a ride and asking him to place the sword on the hood of the car. He also said that using deadly force on a subject who is running away is justified in Utah under case law.

“If police believe he is still a threat to the public the shooting can be justified,” said Taylor. “I’m not saying that is what we’ve decided but there have been incidents that allow police to shoot when the subject is running away.”

Saratoga Springs Police Chief Andy Burton has denied charges of racial profiling, and said that he welcomes any external investigation. The department identified the two officers in shooting as Corporal Matt Schauerhamer and officer Nicholas Judson. Both are now on paid administrative leave while the Utah County Officer-Involved Shooting Protocol Team investigates the shooting.

Source: Good4Utah.com, Deseret News

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Origin: Cosplaying Utah man was shot 5 times from behind by police
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Innovation is the thing that keeps humanity moving towards a new future. That’s the sort of idea that is behind the Tokyo Design Week, which this year was renamed to the Tokyo Genius Expo. Gathering visionaries from all over the world every year to showcase their brilliant work in their respective fields, the Tokyo Genius Expo has taken place since 2005, and attracts over 100,000 visitors intrigued with what the human race can achieve. However, this year one star stole the show at the exposition, and while she is definitely an example of innovation, “human” might not be the right word for her. Meet Asuna.

Asuna is a hyperreal android built to look just like your average 15 year old girl. Every single detail from her skin to her eyes to her hair are meant to look like something that you would see on a real person. Designed by the robotics masterminds at A-Lab Co. Ltd. she is even capable of talking to people. While some believe her to be a bit eerie in her resemblance to an actual human, others find her cute, even labeling her the “companion of the future.” According to blog and news posts in Japan, Asuna may be the key to overcoming the “Uncanny Valley.”

The “Uncanny Valley” is a theory of aesthetics which explains humanity’s general aversion to non-human objects in human form. While generally humans are not uncomfortable with things that represent other people is some sense, such as anime characters or action figures, there is a certain point where the resemblance to a human can become too real, such as in puppets, dolls, and robots that look too close to the real thing. It is at this point of visual similarity that most people feel a strong feeling of repulsion against the object in question. When graphed out on a chart (as seen above), it leaves a massive dip in the comfortably level to human likeness ratio.

Still, if all goes as the folks at A-Lab hope, androids like Asuna will be able to attract people, rather than steer them away. The question at this time is whether or not they intend to look into developing actual artificial intelligence for her. If so, we might be looking at the development of persocoms.

For more on the Tokyo Genius Expo, take a look at the event’s website where you can learn about all of the great attractions they had going this year. If you’d like to learn more about the work andmechanics behind Asuna, you can find it by visiting A-Lab’s website, where you can find Asuna’s in-depth profile.

[Via Blogos]

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Origin: Real life android looks almost too real
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