Latest news with #Persona
Sinar Daily
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Sinar Daily
Japan's Sega eyes return to 1990s gaming glory
TOKYO - The big-screen success of 1990s video game speedster "Sonic the Hedgehog" has brought new fans to Japan's Sega, which says it is poised for a comeback after two tough decades. This year all eyes have been on Nintendo, whose Switch 2 recently became the fastest-selling console in history. Sega President and COO Shuji Utsumi speaks during an interview with AFP at the opening ceremony for the company's first official store in Tokyo's Shibuya district on July 16, 2025. (Photo by Kazuhiro NOGI / AFP) But unlike its former arch-rival, Sega has not sold gaming hardware since its Dreamcast console was discontinued in 2001, instead focusing on making games for other platforms. Now, as record tourism to Japan helps boost global appetite for the country's pop culture, the company sees a chance to reinvent itself -- including through nostalgic game remakes and movie adaptations like the hit "Sonic" series. Sega opens its first flagship merchandise store in Japan, having launched a similar shop in Shanghai in May. "Opportunities are expanding," chief operating officer Shuji Utsumi told AFP. "We've been struggling... for a while, but now we are coming back." The company aims "to expand our business globally rather than focusing on the Japanese market", he said. Sega was a top industry player in the 1980s and 1990s, its name synonymous with noisy arcades, home consoles and game franchises, such as beat-em-up "Streets of Rage" and ninja series "Shinobi". But it struggled to keep up with intense competition, falling on hard times financially as multiplayer online titles from US publishers, such as "World of Warcraft", took off in the 2000s. 'Persona' movie? After Sega quit the hardware business, its game offerings "got a little stale", said David Cole of the US-based games market research firm DFC Intelligence. But "the kids who grew up in the 1990s are now in their 30s, 40s, even older, and really like those franchises" -- and are introducing them to their own children -- he told AFP. "It's untapped value" that Sega -- just like its Japanese peers including Nintendo -- is trying to capitalise on through new movies, stores and theme park rides, Cole added. Last year, the film "Sonic the Hedgehog 3" starring Jim Carrey as the villain zipped to the top of the North American box office in one of the best December openings in years. It followed the first live-action "Sonic" movie in 2020, as Sega cashes in on a video-game movie craze that saw "The Super Mario Bros. Movie", based on the Nintendo characters, become the second-highest grossing film of 2023. "Shinobi" is also being turned into a film, while Sega's "Yakuza" game series has been adapted for television. When asked if cult franchise "Persona" could be next, Sega's Utsumi said fans should "stay tuned". "We are talking to a lot of interesting potential partners. So we are under some discussions, but I can't say too much about it," he said. Super Game Sega bought Finland's Rovio, creator of "Angry Birds", in 2023, seeking to expand into the mobile gaming market. "Gamers' behaviour has been changing" since Sega's original heyday, going beyond TV-connected consoles, Utsumi said. But Cole said that in the long run Sega should concentrate on "high-end" gaming: larger-scale, more involved titles that encourage brand loyalty. Sega is working on what it calls a "Super Game" with big-budget international ambition and a scope that is "not only just a game -- communication, social, maybe potentially AI", Utsumi said. "The competition in the game market is very fierce," he cautioned. "It's important to really have a fan base close to us. But at the same time, when we develop a great game, it takes time." Sega's parent company Sega Sammy also makes arcade and gambling machines, including those used in Japanese "pachinko" parlours, whose numbers are in decline. That makes Sega's entertainment business "really the growth opportunity for the company", Cole said. Sega Sammy said in May its "Sonic" intellectual property "has contributed to an increase in both game and character licensing revenue". Young tourists in Tokyo shopping near Sega's new store ahead of the opening seemed to confirm this. "I've always liked Sega. I kind of grew up around their games," said 19-year-old American Danny Villasenor. "They're pretty retro. But I think they've evolved with time pretty well." William Harrington, 24, who lives in Los Angeles, said his father "put me on to a lot of the older games back in the day", and so to him, Sega "feels like childhood". - AFP
New Straits Times
a day ago
- New Straits Times
Female driver remanded for two days over Pasir Gudang highway accident
JOHOR BARU: A 24-year-old female driver was remanded for two days after a viral video showed her allegedly driving recklessly, causing an accident at Km4 of the Pasir Gudang highway yesterday. Dashcam recording of the 12.21am accident went viral after it was uploaded on Facebook. The footage showed a Proton Wira overtaking in the right lane while a Proton Persona overtook from the left and re-entered the right lane, leading to a rear-side collision. The impact caused the Wira to lose control and crash into a road divider. The 21-year-old Wira driver lodged a police report yesterday. Johor Baru (North) police chief, Assistant Commissioner Balveer Singh, confirmed the Persona driver was remanded, and her statement was recorded. "She tested negative for alcohol and drugs following breathalyser and urine screening," Balveer said in a statement today. The case is being investigated under Section 42(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 for reckless and dangerous driving. Balveer urged anyone with further information or dashcam footage to contact investigation officer Inspector Ong Jin Siong at 011-16490168.
The Sun
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
How to get high impact eyes in your 50s in a minute – and why you need to throw away your black eyeliner
IF you're still clinging to black eyeliner in your 50s, one beauty expert says it's time to move on because it could be ageing you faster than your fine lines. A professional cosmetologist with over 30 years in the industry has gone viral on TikTok after revealing her go-to trick for making mature eyes pop in seconds and it's surprisingly simple. 2 2 Posting under the handle @mimiknowsmakeup, the seasoned pro explains how swapping out black liner for softer shades like chocolate and plum can instantly take years off your look. She told her followers: 'There's no denying that eyeliner makes a huge difference,' before demoing her method using two creamy pencils from Persona, a brand she swears by. Rather than drawing a thick black line across the lid, which can look harsh and sink into fine lines. Mimi uses a much gentler approach. She lays the brown liner flat against the lash line and gently taps it across the eye, using her finger to smudge it for a more blended, lifted effect. Then she repeats the process for extra definition, before moving onto the second shade. For the waterline, she opts for a deep plum colour. The rich purple tone brightens the whites of the eyes and makes eye colour stand out, especially for women with blue or green eyes. Mimi explains that both liners are waterproof, which is essential for summer heat or watery eyes, meaning the look will stay put all day without smudging or melting off. With just a swipe of mascara to finish, the result is a soft, lifted eye that looks youthful, fresh, and never overdone. I'm 52 but look DECADES younger - I avoid too much makeup, 'trashy' ripped jeans She finishes the video by urging: 'Take the black eyeliner, throw it away, and get yourself some of these.' Viewers were impressed by the tip, with one woman commenting that after years of using black liner, she recently switched to a dark grey and loved the subtle difference. Others agreed, saying that black often looks too harsh, especially on ageing skin or lighter eye colours. Another added that eye colour plays a key role, with deeper tones like brown or plum making brown eyes look richer, while lighter shades like plum can enhance blue or green eyes. The trick has struck a chord with women over 40 looking to update their makeup without learning a whole new routine. Mimi's technique is quick, fuss-free and uses just two pencils and a finger, which means no brushes or fancy palettes required. So if your trusty black liner is starting to feel a bit too 'heavy', this might be the perfect excuse to chuck it and try something softer. Because when it comes to makeup in your 50s, less really can be more. Tightlining if your best friend for a seamless, natural lash look according to Lielle. Tightlining is an eyeliner technique that involves applying eyeliner to the upper waterline, the area right under your upper lashes, to create the illusion of thicker, fuller lashes. It's a subtle way to define your eyes and enhance your lash line without a noticeable line of eyeliner. This is also such a must if you want a traceless false lash look as there won't be a 'gap' between your lash line and your tightline. When applying your false lashes always make sure your glue is tacky before application and also clamp the false lashes together with your natural lashes not only for a seamless blend but also for comfort. By doing this you won't be irritated whilst wearing your lashes.
Time Out
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Sega Store Tokyo
Located on the sixth floor of Shibuya Parco, this is the second Sega store in the world, following the opening of Sega Store Shanghai in May 2025. The star of the show is the Sonic merch, natch. You'll find a wide selection of products featuring Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, Dr Robotnik (Dr Eggman in Japan) and other fan favourites, ranging from keychains and acrylic stands to pillows and plushies. Fans of the Yakuza / Like a Dragon games are also in luck, as the popular franchise is featured prominently throughout the store, in the form of items like pillows, figurines and more. There's plenty of Persona products to please the people too, namely items from Persona 3 Reload and the masterpiece that is Persona 5, plus Hatsune Miku merch too.
Japan Today
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Japan Today
Sega eyes return to 1990s gaming glory
Sega opens its first flagship merchandise store in Japan on Friday By Katie Forster The big-screen success of 1990s video game speedster "Sonic the Hedgehog" has brought new fans to Japan's Sega, which says it is poised for a comeback after two tough decades. This year all eyes have been on Nintendo, whose Switch 2 recently became the fastest-selling console in history. But unlike its former arch-rival, Sega has not sold gaming hardware since its Dreamcast console was discontinued in 2001, instead focusing on making games for other platforms. Now, as record tourism to Japan helps boost global appetite for the country's pop culture, the company sees a chance to reinvent itself -- including through nostalgic game remakes and movie adaptations like the hit "Sonic" series. Sega opens its first flagship merchandise store in Japan on Friday, having launched a similar shop in Shanghai in May. "Opportunities are expanding," chief operating officer Shuji Utsumi told AFP. "We've been struggling... for a while, but now we are coming back." The company aims "to expand our business globally rather than focusing on the Japanese market", he said. Sega was a top industry player in the 1980s and 1990s, its name synonymous with noisy arcades, home consoles and game franchises, such as beat-em-up "Streets of Rage" and ninja series "Shinobi". But it struggled to keep up with intense competition, falling on hard times financially as multiplayer online titles from US publishers, such as "World of Warcraft", took off in the 2000s. 'Persona' movie? After Sega quit the hardware business, its game offerings "got a little stale", said David Cole of the US-based games market research firm DFC Intelligence. But "the kids who grew up in the 1990s are now in their 30s, 40s, even older, and really like those franchises" -- and are introducing them to their own children -- he told AFP. "It's untapped value" that Sega -- just like its Japanese peers including Nintendo -- is trying to capitalise on through new movies, stores and theme park rides, Cole added. Last year, the film "Sonic the Hedgehog 3" starring Jim Carrey as the villain zipped to the top of the North American box office in one of the best December openings in years. It followed the first live-action "Sonic" movie in 2020, as Sega cashes in on a video-game movie craze that saw "The Super Mario Bros. Movie", based on the Nintendo characters, become the second-highest grossing film of 2023. "Shinobi" is also being turned into a film, while Sega's "Yakuza" game series has been adapted for television. When asked if cult franchise "Persona" could be next, Sega's Utsumi said fans should "stay tuned". "We are talking to a lot of interesting potential partners. So we are under some discussions, but I can't say too much about it," he said. Super Game Sega bought Finland's Rovio, creator of "Angry Birds", in 2023, seeking to expand into the mobile gaming market. "Gamers' behavior has been changing" since Sega's original heyday, going beyond TV-connected consoles, Utsumi said. But Cole said that in the long run Sega should concentrate on "high-end" gaming: larger-scale, more involved titles that encourage brand loyalty. Sega is working on what it calls a "Super Game" with big-budget international ambition and a scope that is "not only just a game -- communication, social, maybe potentially AI", Utsumi said. "The competition in the game market is very fierce," he cautioned. "It's important to really have a fan base close to us. But at the same time, when we develop a great game, it takes time." Sega's parent company Sega Sammy also makes arcade and gambling machines, including those used in Japanese "pachinko" parlors, whose numbers are in decline. That makes Sega's entertainment business "really the growth opportunity for the company", Cole said. Sega Sammy said in May its "Sonic" intellectual property "has contributed to an increase in both game and character licensing revenue". Young tourists in Tokyo shopping near Sega's new store ahead of the opening seemed to confirm this. "I've always liked Sega. I kind of grew up around their games," said 19-year-old American Danny Villasenor. "They're pretty retro. But I think they've evolved with time pretty well." William Harrington, 24, who lives in Los Angeles, said his father "put me on to a lot of the older games back in the day,"and so to him, Sega "feels like childhood". © 2025 AFP
