I got a google alert for “otaku” that led me to this article at MediaPost about a couple of guys who are working to make mobile phones in the US more like the ones in Japan (i.e. awesome and useful). They specifically talk about the QR codes– you’ve probably seen them on websites; they look kinda like barcodes? Japanese phones can scan them to get you more information or content about the product/site/etc.

They say that they’re banking on “otaku,” as in obsessives, not as in anime and manga fans. They also say that “Hello Kitty became the original importation of Japanese pop culture,” which is an absolute lie; Speed Racer came to the US in 1967; Hello Kitty was created in ‘74. The fools!

You know how they have a Hello Kitty everything, right? Rice cookers, vibrators, TVs, you name it. So you shouldn’t be surprised when I announce to you that there is now even a Hello Kitty Wedding, right?

Yes, some very wealthy couple got married in a Hello Kitty-themed ceremony. They were carted around in a human-powered rickshaw and greeted by Hello Kitty and Mr. Hello Kitty themselves on the way, who attended them down the aisle. They were then married by some dude in a suit (I guess ’cause the Hello Kitty costumers can’t talk in those things, which is a shame). They gave their vows, signed their forms, and hopefully none of the bridesmaids got so drunk and depressed that she woke up next morning to a giant Hello Kitty head in her bed.

Sorry I was a little quiet yesterday, but I’m working on a seekrit projekt. ♥ Here’s what’s up as of this morning: