Latest news with #Aratake
Yomiuri Shimbun
24-06-2025
- Sport
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Rising Star Aratake Aims to Follow in Inoue's Shoes
A new star is on the rise in the Japanese boxing world, and he not only wants to follow in the footsteps of the nation's top pugilist, he evens wears his shoes. Light flyweight Kazuma Aratake launched his pro career last month with a second-round technical knockout of Thailand's Kitidech Hirunsuk in a scheduled six-round bout in Yokohama. 'As a boxer, and as a person, I want to be like Naoya,' the 22-year-old Aratake said, referring to Naoya Inoue, the undefeated and undisputed world super bantamweight champion, and his senior gym-mate at the Ohashi Gym. In his debut on May 28, the southpaw Aratake used a left body blow and right hook to send his Thai opponent to the canvas, after which the referee ended the fight during the count. 'I didn't think it would be easy,' Aratake said. 'To score a knockout in such a good way gives me confidence.' A native of Kanoya, Kagoshima Prefecture, Aratake started boxing as an elementary school fifth-grader at the gym run by his father. With remarkable speed as his main weapon, he stood out at boxing powers Kanoya Technical High School and Komazawa University, and won a silver medal at the 2022 Asian Championships. When it came to turning pro, the Ohashi Gym was the only destination in mind. 'Because Naoya was there,' he said. In his first bout, Aratake had Inoue very close in support, in a way. When he asked Inoue for advice regarding boxing shoes prior to the fight, 'He gave me shoes that he wears and that only he has,' Aratake said. Regarding the light footwork he showed in the fight, 'Perhaps I was just getting into character, but I felt Naoya's presence during the fight,' Aratake said. While he has a different style when it comes to combinations and his left-handed stance, Aratake said he models his training after Inoue. Dismissing the ease of his first victory, he knows he still has a long way to go. 'I've only just got started,' he said. 'I want to have bigger matches and work to get a championship belt around my waist.' He has taken a big first step, regardless of whose shoes he wore.
SoraNews24
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- SoraNews24
Musical ekiben adds a tune to your train station bento meal
Japan's only musical ekiben lets you sing for your supper. One of the great things about train travel in Japan is the chance to pick up an 'ekiben' (literally 'train station boxed meal') from a kiosk at the station to enjoy on the journey. The only problem, however, is choosing one from the many eye-catching options available, but now that choice is made easier as you might just come across an ekiben that plays a melody when you eat it. Called the 'Moo Taro Bento', this boxed meal is a specialty ekiben from Aratake, a company famous for meals containing Matsusaka beef, a prized Wagyu beef from t he Matsusaka area of Mie Prefecture . These ekiben are so popular they can even be purchased online, where you can pick up the Moo Taro Bento with Moo Taro Sushi as a recommended set. ▼ So that's what we did, ordering the set for a taste test at home. Starting with the 'Moo Taro Bento', the first thing you'll notice is how arresting it is to look at, with the face of a cow staring into your soul. However, the real surprise comes when you lift the lid, because that's when you'll see a cardboard insert inside that tells you this is Japan's First Melodical Ekiben. The music happens when the sensor on the underside of the lid is exposed to light, so you can eat your meal to the musical accompaniment of 'Furusato', a popular children's song. One important thing to note is the sensor needs to be removed if you're going to heat the bento up in the microwave. The sensor is located on the back of this sticker so it's easily removed, and once you've separated it from the bento, you can reuse it anywhere you'd like a melodical surprise, like cupboard doors, refrigerators and even the boot of your car. The musical aspect makes this one of the most unique bentos in Japan, but is the food inside just as good? Thankfully, it's more than good — it contains a delicious sukiyaki (a traditional simmered beef hotpot dish) made with prized Wagyu beef that adds extra richness and sweetness, elevating it to a luxury meal. Although bentos like these can be eaten as is when travelling, if you're ordering it to eat at home you should definitely try heating it in the microwave as it makes the meat and rice even more supple…and that much more addictive. Pleasantly surprised by the sukiyaki, it was now time to try the 'Moo Taro Sushi', which, despite having no musical accompaniment, comes in a box featuring a cute original character called 'Moo Taro-kun'. The boxed meal comes with a pair of chopsticks and a cute sticker, based on a series where Moo Taro-kun is depicted at regional sightseeing spots. ▼ The stickers are included at random so once you receive one, you may be tempted to collect them all. As for the sushi, it's pre-cut into easy-to-eat pieces that are perfect for the hungry traveller. The filling is packed with beef shigureni, a traditional simmered dish made with a sweet and savory soy sauce-based broth flavoured with ginger. The Wagyu beef is excellent, immediately elevating this above a regular beef-based meal, and the balance with the vinegared rice is fantastic. ▼ Plus, it's all wrapped up in a tasty nori seaweed from Matsusaka, adding to the quality. Both these meals made us grin with delight, not only from the delicious flavour but the sense of playfulness they provided. With music and stickers included, nobody does bento quite like Aratake, so next time you're travelling be sure to keep an eye out for them. If crab-shaped bentos are more your thing, though, then this station platform vending machine has exactly what you're looking for. Related: Aratake Ekiben Photos©SoraNews24 ● Want to hear about SoraNews24's latest articles as soon as they're published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter! [ Read in Japanese ]
Geek Girl Authority
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Girl Authority
MURDERBOT Series Premiere Recap: (S01E01) FreeCommerce
Murderbot Season 1 Episode 1, 'FreeCommerce,' is a solid start to the series. Alexander Skarsgård really delivers on the humor front, showcasing his underrated comedic chops. It's a delightful blend of sci-fi and comedy, and it sets the stage for what's to come. RELATED: Alexander Skarsgård Goes Rogue in Murderbot Trailer Murderbot, 'FreeCommerce' We open on the Mining Station Aratake in the Corporation Rim. There, miners celebrate finishing an assignment. One Security Unit (Skarsgård), our titular bot, sets the scene. It proceeds to tell us which guys are assholes, and which are okay (only one dude bears that mantle). The SecUnit has been trying to override its governor module, which prevents it from disobeying humans. With the module activated, it has no free will. Well, that all changes today. Our SecUnit finally succeeds, overriding said governor module and becoming an agent of free will. SecUnit tries to decide on a new name for itself. It lands on … wait for it … Murderbot. Corporation Rim Now, we're present for Mining Survey 0Q17Z4Y at the edge of the Corporation Rim. Unfortunately, Murderbot is back working for the Company that still owns it. It has to keep up appearances because the moment the big bosses discover it's rogue, they'll liquidate its organic material. So, it's all about biding time while working for a new set of assholes. RELATED: David Dastmalchian Joins Apple TV+ Murderbot Adaptation Then, we flash back to how this new set of a-holes acquired our Murderbot. We're at Port FreeCommerce, where, as our eponymous SecUnit describes it, a 'bunch of hippie scientists' petition the higher-ups to financially support their expedition. This includes Mensah (Noma Dumezweni), Pin-Lee (Sabrina Wu), Ratthi (Akshay Khanna), Bharadwaj (Tamara Podemski), Arada (Tattiawna Jones) and Gurathin (David Dastmalchian). MURDERBOT Season 1 Episode 1, 'FreeCommerce.' Photo courtesy of Apple TV+. Three Company Suits (Sochi Fried, Andrew Moodie and Devin Ross) insist that they won't approve of the scientists' expedition unless a SecUnit accompanies them. Initially, Mensah, the group leader, is against having a sentient construct work for free. However, the Company Suits won't budge. This is their condition. So, the scientists select Murderbot, even though it's not the latest model and is being phased out. New A-holes Later, the SecUnit surveys the new apartments for the scientists, urging them to remain in the hopper until its inspection is complete. The scientists don't listen, though. We learn they're from the Preservation Alliance, a planetary commune situated on the outskirts of the Corporation Rim. Murderbot's not a fan of their strange customs, from their defacing of Company property to their dancing to equally strange music. RELATED: New TV Shows This Week (May 11 – 17) Arada is a biologist and is married to Pin-Lee, a lawyer. Murderbot explains that Arada has a crush on Ratthi, an expert on wormhole travel who makes his own jewelry. However, Ratthi has a thing for Pin-Lee. Our SecUnit remarks that they're all contemplating some sexy times. Mensah, as mentioned above, is the head of the expedition and a terraforming specialist. Gurathin is an augmented human who can interface with data systems. But he can't process as quickly as our titular bot, of course. Lastly, Bharadwaj is a geochemist. Binge-Watching in the Future We return to the Mining Survey. Murderbot admits the scientists don't require that much attention. We see Arada and Bharadwaj are hard at work. At the same time, the SecUnit watches its favorite show, The Rise and Fall of Sanctuary Moon . Upon hacking its governor module, Murderbot discovered it now has access to the Company's satellites and entertainment feeds. It has watched 7,532 hours of content. So, it's basically me. RELATED: On Location: The Lighterman in Apple TV+'s Slow Horses Next, we see a clip from Sanctuary Moon , featuring the Captain (John Cho), Lieutenant (Clark Gregg with some crazy facial hair), the Navigation Officer (Jack McBrayer) and the Navigation Unit (DeWanda Wise). There's some d-r-a-m-a on the bridge. The Lieutenant asks the Captain if he slept with the Navigation Unit. Gasp! MURDERBOT Season 1 Episode 1, 'FreeCommerce.' Photo courtesy of Apple TV+. Suddenly, Murderbot detects a sub-surface anomaly where Bharadwaj and Arada are digging. It suggests the pair step away while it investigates. Unfortunately, they don't clear the area in time as a giant centipede-like creature — with two mouths — bursts through the ground. Our SecUnit springs into action. The creature attacks Bharadwaj, but Murderbot saves her and ensures she and Arada are out of harm's way. Stay Calm Then, the creature swallows our bot. Thankfully, it escapes, but not without taking a hit to its side. After a few tense moments of battle, the two-mouthed creature retreats. Murderbot slings the injured Bharadwaj over its shoulder, telling Arada that the hostile could return. Noting that Arada is in shock, the SecUnit does something against protocol — it removes its helmet. Hey, that looks like Alexander Skarsgård! It reassures Arada that everything will be okay. RELATED: On Location: The Phoenicia Diner on Apple TV+'s Severance When they return to the hopper, Mensah helps Murderbot stabilize Bharadwaj as they fly back to the apartments. Murderbot overhears the others claim they don't need to return to the dig site for the expensive equipment they left behind. The SecUnit thinks to itself that it's technically a piece of expensive equipment. It dreams of whirling around and shooting them all in the head. However, it can't let anyone know it has free will. Not yet. After this, the team arrives at the apartments. They whisk Bharadwaj off to med bay. Mensah encourages Murderbot to tend to its wounds, but it would rather survey the perimeter. It's still within operating parameters. Faulty Killing Machine Then, Gurathin pulls the gang aside to discuss the SecUnit. He reveals footage of Murderbot without its helmet as it comforts Arada. It asks her questions about where she's from, her family and if she has children. If so, what are their names? Gurathin remarks that SecUnits aren't supposed to remove their helmets, nor are they designed to be empathic. So, is this one defective? RELATED: Apple TV+'s Neuromancer Series Uploads 3 New Cast Members Gurathin asks the group if they want to be around a 'faulty killing machine.' When they malfunction, SecUnits can turn on humans in the blink of an eye. Mensah reveals that the Company ship won't arrive for a month, and they do need security. She votes they don't launch the emergency beacon, which ruffles Gurathin's feathers. He wants to dispose of Murderbot. Meanwhile, the SecUnit eavesdrops on the scientists' conversation and sees it from several angles as it heals itself in the repair cubicle. Murderbot feels pain as its wounds are stitched up, so to alleviate said pain, it watches from Sanctuary Moon . The Captain and the Navigation Unit have a clandestine meeting near a control panel. Then, they have sex by touching their foreheads. Hot. MURDERBOT Season 1 Episode 1, 'FreeCommerce.' Photo courtesy of Apple TV+. My Job to Secure Next, Mensah calls the SecUnit into the other room for a chat. Our bot panics, realizing it must make eye contact and act like it's not gone rogue. Mensah compliments the SecUnit on a job well done on behalf of the group. They all clap for it. It looks awkward. RELATED: Severance Renewed for Season 3 by the Will of Kier (and Apple TV+) Ratthi yells, 'Speech!' and Murderbot treats this as a command. So, it's compelled to do just that — give a speech. 'It is my job to secure,' it says. So eloquent. Award-winning, even. Mensah tells Murderbot that the maps the Company provided of their survey areas have been tampered with. Gurathin and the others are trying to discover why that creature wasn't listed under 'hazardous fauna.' Mensah asks Murderbot to conduct an analysis. It complies. The SecUnit informs the group that the maps are normal, but some areas aren't syncing properly. Don't Think The Secunit excuses itself, prompting Mensah to invite it to stay in the crew quarters. It is uncomfortable. Murderbot decides to check the perimeter, leaving the scientists alone. Gurathin insists that Murderbot is a threat. It could kill them all. Outside, the SecUnit reveals it doesn't like thinking at all. It prefers to watch its shows. These humans are stressing it out. Listen, I get it. RELATED: Apple TV+ Sets Premiere Date for The Buccaneers Season 3 and Shares First Look Meanwhile, Bharadwaj wakes up while convalescing in med bay. Gurathin checks on her. Elsewhere, Mensah has a panic attack in response to the day's terrible incident. She blames herself for Bharadwaj's state. However, the SecUnit believes the creature — or, better yet, the Company — is to blame. It contemplates all the 'disturbing' human relations around it. It resolves not to get pulled into the emotional side of humanity. Next, Mensah asks Murderbot if it's okay. It panics, wondering if she's on to it overriding its governor module and going rogue. We see footage of a memory, perhaps something the Company erased when Murderbot was refurbished. It's a SecUnit firing on and killing humans. Who knows what our titular bot is capable of? Murderbot drops new episodes every Friday on Apple TV+. TED LASSO Season 4 Is Officially a Go at Apple TV+ Contact: [email protected] What I do: I'm GGA's Managing Editor, a Senior Contributor, and Press Coordinator. I manage, contribute, and coordinate. Sometimes all at once. Joking aside, I oversee day-to-day operations for GGA, write, edit, and assess interview opportunities/press events. Who I am: Before moving to Los Angeles after studying theater in college, I was born and raised in Amish country, Ohio. No, I am not Amish, even if I sometimes sport a modest bonnet. Bylines in: Tell-Tale TV, Culturess, Sideshow Collectibles, and inkMend on Medium. Critic: Rotten Tomatoes, CherryPicks, and the Hollywood Creative Alliance.
