Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe met Russian President Vladimir Putin at the U.N. headquarters in New York on September 28 to discuss advancing negotiations on long-standing territorial disputes between the two countries.

Rather than focusing on politics, however, netizens have been focusing much more on the fact that, having arrived late to the proceedings, Prime Minister Abe performed an adorable little shuffle-jog straight towards the Russian prez. So adorable, in fact, that some Chinese netizens have completely reversed their initial impressions of Prime Minister Abe, and now apparently think he’s the last word in kawaii!

GIF via Jin

If you haven’t seen the moment Abe met Putin, be sure to check out the video below so you can see the full scene that’s been making Chinese netizens feel so warm and fuzzy.

After seeing the clip being circulated online, Chinese netizens immediately dove for their keyboards to express their new-found appreciation for the Japanese prime minister:

“He’s showing a proper Japanese decorum after having kept his partner waiting.”

“Abe’s little smile is so kawaii! So moe!”

“I think I’ve become a fan of Abe now!”

“Chinese politicians could learn from his humble demeanour.”

“Putin’s little smile is kind of adorable, too!”

“Putin seems like the kind of guy who could wrestle a ferocious bear, so his little smile here is even more cute!”

“Smart of Abe to be cautious after keeping a grumpy Putin waiting.”

Well, it’s nice to see politicians getting along!

Source: Jin115 via Record China
Featured image: RocketNews24

Origin: Prime Minister Abe does super cute shuffle-jog into meeting room, China falls in love【GIF】
Copyright© RocketNews24 / SOCIO CORPORATION. All rights reserved.

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Our Japanese reporter Ahiruneko is an admitted gari (pickled ginger) maniac. Whenever he goes into a sushi restaurant he’s sure to polish off as much of the pink sweet and sour flakes as he does actual sushi. Yes, for Ahiruneko, sushi just wouldn’t be sushi without gari.

But one day he heard some troubling news. Word had it that Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurants in Russia were selling a chicken sandwich topped with gari. “What are the Russians thinking?!” thought our reporter as he set out in search of these mythical creations…

After a brief search online, Ahiruneko found a Russian commercial for the KFC gari chicken sandwiches.

▼ And with this ad, globalization has officially won.

Immediately after viewing, Ahiruneko went straight to the RocketNews24 management to request a round trip ticket to Moscow plus accommodation so that he might taste this amazing sandwich for himself. They flatly denied his request, but did allow him to go to the KFC around the corner and then to the supermarket so that he could, to quote his editor, “make the damn sandwich” himself.

So he did.

Not only did Ahiruneko buy a chicken sandwich like in the commercial, but he thought it might be fun to pick up one of those new KFC fried salmon things too and try it with some gari.

When he returned to the office and unwrapped his treasures he was shocked that the smell of the gari actually overpowered the potent aroma of seven herbs and spices that can easily be smelt several yards away from a KFC shop on a winter’s day.

Ahirunekno lifted the bun and slipped some slices of gari onto the chicken sandwich. He remained skeptical as, in his mind, gari was intended to be used with sushi and nothing more. However, when he went in for the first bite his mind was blown.

It was great! The sweet and sour taste of the gari blended perfectly with the fried chicken sandwich without even the slightest bit of unusual aftertaste. Even the undertone of ginger was an excellent complement to the rest of the sandwich.

KFC Japan’s special fried salmon sandwich also went superbly with the ginger. The gari melded with the tartar sauce in such a way that the sour taste of the pickled ginger was neutralized leaving a mellow sweetness throughout the condiment layer.

Also in both cases, the gari provided an extra texture with the crispy fried meat and lettuce and fit right in. If that weren’t enough, it even seemed to offset the general greasiness of the fast food sandwiches as well!

Ahiruneko felt like he had just opened the door to a new world. Sure, the Russians technically invented putting gari on a sandwich, but he could really have a hit on his hands if he unleashed this secret combination in Japan. “Who would ever think to put preserved vegetables on a sandwich?” he thought. “People will line up around the block when the find out, and all that money would be mine! Finally, I could get out of his hell hole…”

Drawn in by the scent of fast-food, Mr. Sato suddenly appeared at his desk. Looking at Ahiruneko’s creation he casually said, “Oh, so that’s kind of like pickles, eh?” and walked away.

Ahiruneko stared silently at the remaining bites of his sandwich and realized that indeed he had essentially just put some pickles on it. He finished his sandwich in silence and went back to work.

Source: YouTube/KFC Russia, KFC Russia (Russian), KFC Japan (Japanese)
Original article by Ahiruneko
Photos: RocketNews24

▼ The assembly of the Gari Chicken Burger

▼ The assembly of the Gari Fried Salmon Burger

Origin: We make a Russian Kentucky Fried Chicken sushi ginger sandwich
Copyright© RocketNews24 / SOCIO CORPORATION. All rights reserved.

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If anime girls suddenly started appearing in reality, you’d probably expect them to first show up in Japan, right? But as this collection of fan art photo edits proves, they look equally at home in Russia, Portugal, and other parts of Europe.

Earlier this year, we took a look at a series of photos from significant moments in late 19th and early 20th century history with anime characters posing for the camera. However, it now look as though this phenomenon has continued into the modern era.

Users of imageboard website 4chan recently started a thread asking contributors to “Post cute anime girls in places they are not usually seen.” Real-world Russia definitely qualifies, although we’re not quite sure why it’s become the go-to location for the fan art series.

Maybe it has something to do with the country’s abundance of austere architecture, which looks like the sort of simple designs that could be easily produced for animation and helps keep the hand-drawn characters from looking out-of-place.

This snowy scene also works well, since there aren’t any real people out braving the cold who would contrast jarringly with this Love Live! idol.

▼ Wait, you mean Maki Nishikino actually does go for walks in the real world? Maybe this kid was telling the truth after all!

Some of the artists put impressive amounts of effort into adding environmental details, like the character’s shadows and reflections.

The thread also contains no small number of anime girls lying or sitting on beds.

But like with the deserted cityscapes, it seems like most of these bedtop backdrops were chosen because they make for a compact, contained environment to work with, and not just to be suggestive.

▼ With some exceptions — this is an exercise in otaku fantasy, after all.

Source: 4chan via Jin
Images: 4chan

Origin: Real-world Russia is a surprisingly awesome backdrop for anime girl Photoshop fan art【Photos】
Copyright© RocketNews24 / SOCIO CORPORATION. All rights reserved.

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Birds of a feather flock together, but sometimes tigers and goats can become pretty good friends too!

This unlikely duo, living at the Far East Safari Park in the Primorsky region of Russia, has been warming hearts with their inspiring friendship. Amur the Siberian tiger was given a goat as one of his twice weekly live meals (he is given raw meat the rest of the week), but the goat apparently had other plans that didn’t include becoming dinner, and fought back against the tiger. Whether Amur backed down out of respect or because he felt a fighting for his meal wasn’t worth it is something only Amur knows, but in spite of their rocky beginning and natural predator-prey relationship, these two seem to be getting along rather well.

The goat was named Timur after the lead character in the popular Russian children’s book Timur and His Squad. Amur reportedly is now on an all pre-killed diet, and Timur is given food and water daily as well.

Surprisingly, it seems that Timur is the boss in this relationship, having run Amur out of his sleeping quarters and making him sleep on top of it instead! Aside from that, the fearless Timur can often be seen following Amur around the enclosure, giving him an occasional playful chase or headbutt.

Many are voicing concern that Amur’s natural prey drive will kick in again eventually, and that he and Timur should be separated before that happens. We do hope that the safety of both animals is being taken seriously, but judging from the videos, Timur seems pretty capable of holding his own!

Source: YouTube/Aleks Shtorm, YouTube/Euro news (in english); ABC News
Top image: YouTube/RT

Origin: When food becomes friend: An unlikely friendship forms between a tiger and a goat 【Video】
Copyright© RocketNews24 / SOCIO CORPORATION. All rights reserved.

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Wear a wave to your next party with designs inspired by one of Japan’s most famous ukiyo-e woodblock prints.

The beautiful garments are part of the sea-themed Spring/Summer 2016 collection from Russian designer Alena Akhmadulina. Initially inspired by the Russian folktale of Sadko, who received wealth and love from the Sea King, Akhmadulina also incorporated designs based on famous Japanese ukiyo-e prints from acclaimed artist Katsuhika Hokusai.

▼ Hokusai’s Under the Wave off Kanagawa, also known as The Great Wave, is still inspiring artists and designers long after it was first created back in the early 1830s.

The beautiful waves have been printed on silk and chiffon, with an intriguing design that makes the garment appear as if it’s floating on the upper half of the body.

Akhmadulina also provides a grey-hued version of the wave dress, which is reminiscent of another print by Hokusai, the Chōshi in Shimosha, from One Thousand Images of the Sea.

While the dresses look stunning on the runway, they also look pretty neat out in the real world too. However, with prices determined upon application, these dresses probably don’t come cheap, so we’ll just have to settle on admiring them from a distance!

Source: Japaaan
Images: Alena Akhmadulina

Origin: Wearable waves: Russian designer creates garments inspired by Hokusai woodblock prints
Copyright© RocketNews24 / SOCIO CORPORATION. All rights reserved.

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Swooning ladies and manly men, your prayers have been answered.

We’ve seen plenty of bizarre, burly, and butts-a-plenty calendars before (we even made one of our own), but never before have we seen anything like this.

The Russian newspaper Zvezdi I Soveti (Stars and Advice) put out a 2016 calendar where every month brings you Russian President Vladimir Putin posing in a new way. The newspaper printed over 200,000 copies, and they’re selling fast, so let’s take a look and see what makes this calendar so great.

▼ The cover of the calendar. Oh baby, we’re in for a treat!

▼ January shows off Putin’s warm side with him lighting a candle in a church. Exciting!

▼ February has Putin hanging out with a horse that
looks like it’d rather be anywhere else.

▼ March shows Putin’s sensitive side.
When was the last time you pondered the scent of a flower?

▼ April gives us a glimpse into Putin’s intense exercise regimen.

▼ May shows Putin as a family man, staring off into the contemplative distance.

▼ June makes it clear that Putin is not less popular than One Direction.

▼ July finally gives you what you’ve been wanting,
and that look on Putin’s face means he knows you’ve been waiting for it.

▼ August has Putin hanging out with a fish that looks like it’d rather be anywhere else.

▼ September shows us a great picture from Putin’s high school prom.

▼ October brings us back to the classic “I’ll kill you and
everyone you care about” Putin. Adorable.

▼ November has Putin hanging out with a dog that
looks like it’d rather be anywhere else.

▼ And finally in December we see Putin’s middle school yearbook photo.

▼ Ooh, a sneak peek of next year?! Sign me up!

If you want to get your hands on one of these babies… well then you’d better fly to Russia pretty soon, because there doesn’t seem to be any other way to acquire one.

The only possible method is through a site like eBay, and they seem to be charging a bit of a markup:

▼ Oh no, what if somebody outbids me?!
I’d better just go with the US$1,091,350 Buy It Now option right away.

eBay

Source: CNN via Kinisoku
Images: CNN

Origin: Putin 2016 calendar lets you see the Russian president in ways you never imagined (or wanted to)
Copyright© RocketNews24 / SOCIO CORPORATION. All rights reserved.

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For when you need a little more excitement in your morning train ride!

There’s a lot we take for granted in modern society: having internet access pretty much everywhere, seeing a Starbucks on every other street corner, and of course, train doors being closed while the train itself is in motion.

Apparently, though, there are places where those modern societal rules do not apply, such as on this subway in Russia. Watch the video here or scroll down for highlights:

▼ Everything seems normal so far, just some people on a subway train.

▼ Let’s just take a look out this open door here.

▼ Uh, did that thing on the wall just move by itself…
or are we moving with the doors still open?

▼ Aaaand we’re out of the station with the doors still open.

▼ Even the other passengers have to get up to make sure this is actually happening.

▼ Our lady friend from earlier gets a little adventurous and goes right up to the wide-open door.

▼ Not wanting to be outdone, we stick our heads out of the fast-moving open door… because we’re just so careful like that.

▼ Is this, like, a thing on this train? That girl looks like she’s done this before.
Is open-door-subway-surfing the hot new trend or something?

No one’s exactly sure yet what happened here, whether it was a mechanical failure or human forgetfulness that caused the doors to stay open. If this had happened in Japan—the country where trains operators pass out delay certificates to passengers when their trains are just a few minutes behind schedule—you can be pretty sure there’d be someone there wearing a helmet putting up barriers and standing guard…

Source: YouTube/lilmaniiac via grapee
Screenshots: YouTube/lilmaniiac

Origin: Every commuter’s nightmare: doors fail to close on moving Russian subway train
Copyright© RocketNews24 / SOCIO CORPORATION. All rights reserved.

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One of Moscow’s luxury department stores is selling a new fragrance inspired by the leader of Russia. Try it; they swear it’s not going to give you radiation poisoning.

To some people, Vladimir Putin is a magnanimous leader who can do no wrong. So for them, a brand new fragrance that is inspired by the Russian head of state is the perfect gift.

Called “Leaders Number One” this new perfume was created by Vladislav Rekunov and uses scents like lemon, black currant, and fir cones to evoke the strong image of the Russian president. The fragrance comes in a sleek black bottle emblazoned with a silhouette of Putin’s profile and is available at Moscow department stores for the equivalent of US$95. If you aren’t lucky enough to be in Moscow to pick up a bottle, you can also order it online.

Some people on the street were willing to give the new fragrance a shot, but not everyone wanted to smell like Russia’s head of state.

This perfume is just another item in a long line of products that use Vladimir Putin’s likeness to sell merchandise including t-shirts, mugs, bags, posters, postcards and books.

Since the fragrance just went on sale, there has been no word from Putin’s people whether or not he has tried the perfume, but most likely the Russian leader gets his daily fragrance by wrestling with bears, shirtless, in the mornings.

Source: Toychan
Screenshots: YouTube/ODN

Origin: Want to smell like Vladimir Putin? Splash his essence all over yourself【Video】
Copyright© RocketNews24 / SOCIO CORPORATION. All rights reserved.

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Haven’t had enough of Vladimir Putin this past couple of weeks? Watch the Russian leader take a break from his presidential duties to rumble with the country’s national judo team.

Following the release of his own personal fragrance line and 2016 calendar earlier this month, Putin went head to head with the Russian Amateur Ice Hockey League on January 7 in Sochi, before dropping by nearby Yug Sport to take on the national judo team and head coach Ezio Gamba as he supervised their practice.

Even though Putin holds a black belt in the sport, it’s obvious that the player went a little easy on him during each match, though the leader did show his gentlemanly side by letting a female judoka get one in.

▼ Possible entry for next year’s calendar?

Putin may have come out the victor during his bout with Gamba, but you could say Gamba was the real winner, as the president granted the Italian-born head coach Russian citizenship shortly after the practice had finished, possibly in light of the team’s success under Gamba’s direction at the 2012 Olympics in London.

The training visit was part of a series of promotional ads to showcase Putin’s personal fitness in order to appeal to Russian voters. And, to be fair, it went much better than the mayor of London’s sports-related PR tour…

Source: YouTube/RT Sport via My Game News Flash
Top/feature image: YouTube/RT Sport

Origin: Putin puts the moves on Russian judo team during practice in Sochi
Copyright© RocketNews24 / SOCIO CORPORATION. All rights reserved.

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With such uncannily lifelike flesh and features, it’s hard to believe these dolls aren’t real.

Talented Russian dollmaker Michael Zajkov has been getting a lot of attention lately for his amazing collection of multi-jointed dolls that are shocking in their lifelike appearance.

To create the dolls, Zajkov uses polymer clay for their skin, hand-painted glass eyes from Germany, and French mohair for their tresses.

The attention to detail is so great that even close-up shots do nothing to take away from the realistic-looking faces.

Each doll has a unique look, with different coloured eyes and eyebrows. Even the shape of the lips and eyes differ from face to face.

Zajkov first makes sketches for each doll before using fine brushes to bring their features to life with different colours and details.

Having worked at a Russian puppet theatre between 2010–2013, Zajkov knows how to bring inanimate objects to life, and he uses that experience to create the hands, limbs and body of each doll.

Zajkov became well-known for his craft after exhibiting his works at the 2013 “Art Dolls” expo in Moscow. He continues to create and exhibit around the country, receiving awards for his beautiful pieces.

To see more of his stunning collection, and the secrets behind creating the dolls, you can check out his Instagram account here, where he currently has 114,000 followers.

Source: My Game News Flash via Bored Panda
Top Image: Instagram/michael_zajkov (edited by RocketNews24)
Insert Images: Instagram/michael_zajkov

Origin: Russian artist creates mind-blowing collection of eerily lifelike dolls
Copyright© RocketNews24 / SOCIO CORPORATION. All rights reserved.

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No matter how terrible of a day you’re having, there’s a good chance that this fellow’s having a worse one.

The following video clip, supposedly from Russia, depicts a man crossing the road from the point of view of a car’s dashboard camera. We’re no experts on the subject, but his nice little stagger as he starts across the street suggests he may have been enjoying a few adult beverages before making his way across the icy patches…

The really hilarious part comes at the end, right when he appears to have made it safely across with no problems, only to take a spectacular dive face-first into a snowbank on the edge of the road.

He must be either really drunk or really jaded with life to want to keep lying there with no sign of getting up!

Maybe someone can introduce him to the infamous slipping man from last winter? The pair would make an effective comedy duo in the snow, to say the least!

Source: Zaeega
Featured image: YouTube/top news

Origin: Drunk Russian man face-plants in the snow, decides it’s easier to just stay there【Video】
Copyright© RocketNews24 / SOCIO CORPORATION. All rights reserved.

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From espresso cats to cappuccino kittens, coffees with matching felines are the purr-fect afternoon pick-me-up.

When Russian artist Elena Efremova sits down to enjoy a coffee, she sees more than just caffeine; she sees cats. All different types, in fact, according to the style of coffee drink and the variety of deep brown and caramel hues they contain. In her gorgeous series of illustrations entitled “Coffee Cats”, Efremova says each cat “has its own character, as well as every type of coffee has its own flavour.”

Let’s see which cat you’ve been drinking lately!

The Espresso Cat is dark and mysterious, with a rich coat and bright eyes. It’s alert and ready to pounce at any moment, much like the espresso drinker once they’ve had a strong jolt of caffeine.

The Latte Cat, on the other hand, is warm, fluffy and content.

The Macchiato Cat, created from an espresso with a small amount of foamed milk, is a slow creeper. Much like a feline waking up from a short nap, about to jump up and enjoy some playtime.

The Cappuccino Cat is content to take a break while spread out on the floor, probably bathed in sunshine. The eyes on this kitten suggest that break-time should be taken seriously.

The Americano Cat emphasises its long length with a good stretch. That’s one cat we could happily pat all day.

Glace Coffee Cats are particularly adorable, embodying the deliciously perfect marriage of dark coffee and light-coloured ice cream.

The Morning Coffee Cat was created in the southeastern French region of Provence, where provincial attitudes to mornings focus on relaxation. We wish all mornings could be like this!

With so many different types of caffeine-based drinks in the world, we can’t wait to see more additions to the coffee cat collection. And if the artist needs to find a home for them, a Japanese cat cafe might be the perfect place!

Source: Instagram/where_summer_is (h/t Bored Panda)
Images: Instagram/where_summer_is

Origin: How do you take your kitty? Cute art series brings coffee drinks to life as adorable felines
Copyright© RocketNews24 / SOCIO CORPORATION. All rights reserved.

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This story of a three-year-old girl surviving over a week and a half in the woods with her pet dog has taken the Japanese Internet by storm, and is sure to give you a case of the warm fuzzies.

Shortly before her fourth birthday, Karina, who resides with her mother in Sakha Republic, Russia, ventured out on her own into the Siberian forest with her puppy, Naida, in an attempt to follow her father to a neighboring town.

With each day that passed without any sight of her daughter, her mother began to believe the worst. Her fears that her daughter wouldn’t be coming backwere only deepened when Naida appeared almost ten days later without Karina in tow.

Then, in a miraculous turn of events, Karina was found two days after Naida helped lead rescuers to her location. Weak and cold, she was taken to the hospital where she managed to make a full recovery after doctors dressed the insect bites she had suffered as well as scratches on her feet from walking barefoot.

According to Karina, she survived by drinking river water and picking wild berries, and said Naida protected her from the wolves and bears that roam the woods by barking and scaring them off.

Many were moved by the story of Naida’s loyalty to Karina, nicknamed Mowgli girl after Disney’s The Jungle Book, and recently a statue was dedicated to the pair, who are both doing well two years later and are just as close as ever.

The piece, simply named Girl and Dog, was installed at the airport in the Sakha Republic’s capital, Yakutsk, and was sculpted by local artist Nikolay Chochchasov. No doubt it serves to remind visitors of the resilience of the human spirit, as well as Karina’s fortitude and Naida’s unwavering loyalty.

Karina’s story has since gone viral in Japan, with a total of almost 70,000 likes and shares to date. Japanese netizens have compared the story to the dog Hachiko and the famed statue that sits near the Shibuya scramble crossing.

Source: YouTube/whatevvervideos, Grapee
Top/feature image: YouTube/whatevvervideos

Origin: Puppy as loyal as Hachiko saves young owner’s life in Siberia, gets a statue
Copyright© RocketNews24 / SOCIO CORPORATION. All rights reserved.

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Cats are continuing on their quest to rule the world, and this time they aim to stop traffic with their cuteness.

This stunning collection of headgear, called Neko Helmets, or “Cat Helmets”, comes in 12 different designs, all featuring an adorable set of cat ears and a variety of colour combinations.

The helmets have been created by a Russian company called Nitrinos motostudio, who first unleashed their feline designs at a festival of Japanese culture in 2011. Since then, they’ve developed four custom-made styles which range from basic colour types through to more bold, printed varieties.

▼ Single-colour helmets, featuring either a gloss or matte finish, retail for US$495

▼ Dual colour styles add a second colour and lines on the helmet according to individual specifications for $550.

This yellow design is perfect for cosplaying as Celty Sturluson, who wears this exact helmet in the popular light novel series Durarara!!. Also known as “The Headless Rider”, Sturluson is a fairy from Ireland who came to Japan in search of her stolen head.

The tri-colour model ($590) incorporates any three colours of your choosing, which makes it a perfect way to match your helmet with your outfit.

While the designs look amazing, they also have comfort in mind by providing double ventilation and a removable 100% polyester lining. In case of an accident, the fibreglass ears detach without any structural damage to the body of the helmet, and the shape won’t generate any additional resistance at speeds of up to 100 kilometres (62 miles) per hour.

▼ Each helmet weighs 1.78 kilograms (3.9 pounds).

For the full traffic-stopping effect, the company offers a special “aerography” design, which creates complex patterns on the body of the helmet and the visor if requested.

These designs take a little longer to perfect, but with this service they’re able to create your own personal design from any picture or photograph you provide. Which means you’ll be able to protect your head while looking like your own cat or even an anime character like Hello Kitty!

All helmets are made to order within three weeks, with worldwide delivery provided via EMS delivery service. To check out their full range, visit their website here for more details.

Source: Cupo
Top Image: Nitrinos (edited by RocketNews24)
Insert Images: Nitrinos

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Origin: Neko motorcycle helmets featuring cute cat designs are purr-fect for cosplay and for the road
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These baroque-style wigs made entirely from paper are going to ba-low you away.

Based in St. Petersburg, Russian artist Asya Kozina is stunning the Internet masses with her intricately sculpted baroque wigs. This historical throwback to the 1600s is beauty and aesthetics for art’s sake; there is absolutely no practical functionality to these wigs, but it doesn’t matter because the results are marvelous.

It isn’t just the hairstyles that Kozina has focused on, but the meticulous details that grace the tops of the wigs. Our favorite part is the fact that Kozina created wigs for a whole family to wear, proving that ridiculous hairstyles weren’t only for the women of the time, they were fun for the whole family!

If you had a time machine, you probably wouldn’t see a fancy European with a three-masted sailing ship on their head, but the Baroque Era was one of exuberance and grandeur, so…really anything was possible.

Wigs aren’t the only thing Kozina has intricately crafted out of paper, so be sure to click through her gallery to find her other equally beautiful work. You won’t be disappointed.

Source: Artist Database
Images: Behance/Asya Kozina

Origin: Artist creates the most amazing headwear out of the most innocuous material【Art】
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Because what else would you do in a Sailor Moon bikini?

When people go skiing, snowboarding, or generally do anything in the snow, they tend to bundle up from head to toe, as one does when faced with temperatures around or below freezing.

But not this girl. Russian cosplayer Yuliya, better known on social media as Yukiko Ai, suited up in nothing but a bikini designed to resemble Sailor Moon’s school uniform from the well-known and loved anime series, and, with a GoPro and selfie-stick in hand, recorded a few smooth runs down a snow-covered slope on her snowboard.

I guess growing up in Saint Petersburg, where the average summer temperature is just 18 degrees Celsius (64 degrees Fahrenheit) and the average winter low is −8.5 degrees Celsius (16.7  degrees Fahrenheit), cold weather probably doesn’t bother you as much as it does the average person. Still, that must have been one pretty icy fall at the 45-second mark!

This isn’t the first time Yukiko has hit the slopes in costume; she has also recently made an appearance as Pikachu, which seems to us to be a more seasonally appropriate choice.

Of course, that isn’t to undermine her graceful run as Sailor Moon. I mean, how many of you would head out for a night snowboarding clad in nothing more than your underwear?

To see more of Yukiko’s cosplay photos, from both on and off snowy mountains, you can check out her Instagram or VK profile.

Source and top image: YouTube/Fun Factory via AOL News

Origin: Bikini-clad Sailor Moon cosplayer hits the slopes for sexy snowboarding fun times【Video】
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Move over Mao Asada, this 16-year-old figure skating superstar is stealing the hearts of Japanese fans.

When you watch figure skating, it might seem all about flashy costumes, extended arms and questionable judging. But real fans will tell you it’s about grace under pressure and practically superhuman physical abilities…and flashy costumes. Does that sound like a particular pretty guardian that we know?

Current female world champion Evgenia Medvedeva hails from Russia, but loves all things Sailor Moon. She’s become a bit of a sensation in Japan as she isn’t shy about showing her love for Japanese anime and manga. At her recent performance in Nagaoka in Niigata Prefecture, she performed her free skate in what is unmistakably a Sailor Moon costume.

Japanese fans who were excited to see her perform in their home country unabashedly sent her a whole bunch of gifts all centered around a Sailor Senshi theme.

However, Medvedeva’s biggest surprise was probably getting to meet Naoko Takeuchi, artist and author of Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon, after her performance.

Medvedeva already has a fair number of titles and gold medals under her belt, and with this season being her first chance to compete at the senior level, she is poised to become a staple atop the podium for years to come. But, we are willing to bet, that this one day in July is going to stick with her until the day she retires, because how often do you get to meet your idol while doing the thing that you love?

Source & top image: Instagram/jmedvedevaj

Here’s your chance to meet, and maybe even take language lessons from or tour Russia with, Russian cosplayer and maid cafe manager Nastyan!

There are a couple hundred maid cafes across Japan, but the soon-to-open ItaCafe, an all-Russian maid cafe, is perhaps the first of its kind. Led by cafe manager Nastyan (@nastyan_cos on Twitter), who is currently studying Japanese in Japan and has made a name for herself on Japanese cyberspace with her adorable cosplays, ItaCafe is set to open its doors this coming October.

▼ Check out some of Nastyan’s cosplays!

終わりました！ちょとつかれた〜。明日もコミケへ来ますから会いましょう！(^^) https://t.co/LUvVfE73Fo

—
ナスチャん (@nastyan_cos) August 12, 2016

にゃんぱす〜(^_^)/ワンフェスへ来たのん。 https://t.co/I6iR70rWu4

—
ナスチャん (@nastyan_cos) July 24, 2016

Ｋｅｉさん。ありがとうございます！ https://t.co/XxwBzKOsrN

—
ナスチャん (@nastyan_cos) November 29, 2015

ファンさん。ありがとうございます！お土産！本当にありがとう！うれしかった！おんせんにもってきます！はなさきいろは、かわいいね〜〜〜（＾ω＾） http://t.co/aTzLb0YO1a

—
ナスチャん (@nastyan_cos) September 23, 2015

奥村シュウジさん。ありがとうございます！ http://t.co/5ZRYvMwq0G

—
ナスチャん (@nastyan_cos) August 20, 2015

▼ Nastyan most recently attracted attention for her GIRLS und PANZER cosplay at Anime Japan 2016.

The cafe will not only house an all-Russian maid crew, they will also be serving authentic Russian fare. In preparation of its grand opening, Nastyan and team started a crowdfunding project on Campfire, seeking contributions to pay for the ingredients for all the cooking practice they’ll need to perfect their menu, as well as the ingredients that will be used in dishes to be served at food tasting sessions to be held prior to the opening.

A total of two food tasting sessions are scheduled, participation rights to both of which are available as rewards for pledging a sum of 11,000 yen (US$107). Apart from the opportunity to taste what’s cooking ahead of the others, the range of returns available also includes entry to the cafe’s opening party, one-on-one Russian language lessons, and even a group tour to Russia with the cafe’s very own maids.

Rewards available:

3000 yen (US$29) – Original New Year’s card (exclusive photo) + hand-written message.

6000 yen (US$58) – Original exclusive video message addressed to each individual patron.

9000 yen (US$87) – Camera (includes mobile phones with cameras) ticket which allows photography at food tasting sessions and/or opening party. Only valid for participants of food tasting session or opening party.

11,000 yen (US$107) – Entry to first food tasting session, 2 October 2016. (Limited to 30 patrons.)

11,000 yen (US$107) – Entry to second food tasting session, 9 October 2016. (Limited to 30 patrons.)

15,000 yen (US$146) – Entry to opening party, 16 October 2016. (Limited to 30 patrons.)

20,000 yen (US$194) – Individual Russian language lesson with one of the cafe’s maids. (30-minute lesson + 15-minute break + 30-minute lesson. Redeem by 30 November 2017.)

50,000 yen (US$486) – 3-hour private birthday party at the cafe with cake handmade by the cafe’s maids. (Redeem by 30 November 2017.)

1,000,000 yen (US$9,717) – All-expenses-paid 5-day group tour to Russia with the cafe’s maids. (Excludes personal expenditure. Travel by December 2017.)

With slightly less than a month left until the end of the crowdfunding period, ItaCafe has managed to collect a whopping 1,687,000 yen (US$16,393) from their supporters, way above their intended goal of 200,000 yen (US$1,943). The funds in excess will be spent on purchasing maid uniforms, tea sets, and other cutlery and equipment.

▼ Maid uniforms designed by cafe manager Nastyan herself!

It’s still not too late if you’re interested in supporting Nastyan and crew! The crowdfunding project is open till 27 September 2016.

If you’re already making plans to head down to ItaCafe, be sure to follow them on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram for the most up-to-date information!

Source/images: Campfire

21-year-old still charged with “enticing religious hatred,” trial still pending

A lawyers’ group stated on September 8 that a court in Yekaterinburg, Russia released Russian blogger Ruslan Sokolovsky from pre-trial detention for allegedly playing Pokémon Go inside a church. Sokolovsky was originally ordered to stay in jail until November pending a trial, but filed an appeal against the arrest.

Sokolovsky is currently under house arrest at his attorney’s apartment, and, according to the U.K. human rights group Amnesty International, he is not allowed to use his phone or the Internet.

The 21-year-old blogger reportedly posted a video on August 11, which showed him playing the game inside the Church of All Saints. He has been charged with “incitement to hatred and attacks on the liberty of faith.” If convicted, he faces up to five years in prison.

After the Russian punk rock group Pussy Riot performed in protest at a Moscow church and recorded a music video there, three members were convicted of the same offense of “incitement to hatred and attacks on the liberty of faith.” The three members were sentenced to two years in prison in 2012, although one member had her sentence suspended.

Pokémon Go is already banned in Iran due to security concerns, and developer Niantic Labs disabled the game in the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park in Japan and the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. in August.

The Pokémon Go app launched in select countries including the United States on July 6, and has since launched in more than 50 countries.

Source: Associated Press via ABC News

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A character from Russian children’s literature and Japanese doughnuts may sound like an unexpected combination, but the results sure look sweet!

Japan certainly loves collaborations between sweets and cute characters, and this time, doughnut maker Floresta has turned a popular Russian character into an adorable line of treats to give us…Cheburashka doughnuts!

Now, this isn’t the first character-themed line of doughnuts Floresta has come up with, and judging from the looks of these Cheburashka doughnuts, the company clearly knows how to create edible cuteness.

Here’s a look at the two Cheburashuka doughnuts that they will be releasing next month:

▼ The Roll-around Chebu Doughnut (Koro-koro Chebu Doughnut), which will be available from November 1-15, has big round ears made of couverture chocolate.

▼ The Chebu and Orange Doughnut (Chebu to Orange), which is decorated with a with a small “orange” made from a round doughnut ball coated with pumpkin-flavored chocolate, will be sold from November 16-30.

The Cheburashka doughnuts, all priced at 360 yen (US$3.50), will be available at 25 of Floresta’s locations (Ishimaki R45, Aizu Wakamatsu, Koenji, Soshigaya Ōkura-ekimae, Gakugeidaigaku, Keio Crown-gai Sasazuka, Ōkurayama,  Togoshi Ginza, Odakyu Marche Tama Center, Niigata Bandai City, Hamamatsu Sanjino, Takayokosuka, Nonami-ekimae, Horie, Shitennoji, Sakai, Kitasenri-ekimae, Yao Aoyama-dori, Izumigaoka-ekimae, Sanda Woody Town, Aeon Town Utazu, Kurashiki, Yonago R431, Ōita and Shintoshin).

Plus, if you make a purchase of 1,200 yen or more including the Cheburashuka doughnuts at one of the above Floresta stores, they’ll give you an original Cheburashka x Floresta Collaboration Thermal/Cooler Bag, while supplies last!

What we found particularly interesting here is how a Russian character has firmly found its way into Japan’s kawaii culture. Yes, Cheburashka is undeniably cute, but it’s somewhat unusual for a foreign character to be as widely recognized and loved as this furry little Russian creation has been for some time now in Japan.

▼ Cheburashka, the character created by Soviet writer Eduard Uspensky 50 years ago, has definitely earned a place in the Japanese public’s heart. We guess there’s just something captivating about the huge ears and big black eyes.

Well, wherever Cheburashka is from, we can’t deny the doughnuts look utterly adorable and tempting. If you’re going to be in Japan next month and you’re in the mood for something cute and tasty, a Floresta store might be a good place to look!

Source, images: PR Times