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Everything Changes in Folktales and Frieren
Frieren's story may seem fantastical, but her feelings are grounded in the very real experience of returning to a home you no longer recognize.


The Kappa Kappa Butthole Musical Changed My Life!
It’s been a while! This post is not an article, but an announcement that I was part of a Sarazanmai zine arranged by Tomatobird: “Well, we didn’t get…


How to Read Japanese Folktales
Japanese folktales have layers that require some thought to fully understand. Of course, Grimm’s fairy tales and even the Bible require reflection too. Context matters for understanding any…
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[Anime News Network] “Everything Changes in Folktales and Frieren”
Management: Hi, it’s been another while since I’ve written something. After 5 years, I’m back from Japan and back in America. I felt melancholic about leaving, feel melancholic…
Workshop - Gendering War & Peace in Modern Japan
In this workshop, Dr. Barbara Molony (Santa Clara), Dr. Sabine Frühstück (UCSB), Dr. Sharalyn Orbaugh (UBC), and Dr. Hillary Maxson (Oregon) present their recent research and discuss the…


Episode 577, "Oppa Kappa Style"
On this week's episode of The One Piece Podcast we have hosts Zach , Ed & Alex on with special guests Stephen Paul (translator for One Piece…
Episode 577, "Oppa Kappa Style"
On this week's episode of The One Piece Podcast we have hosts Zach, Ed & Alex on with special guests Stephen Paul (translator for One Piece and Samurai 8 in Shonen Jump and Manga Plus), Shannon Strucci (Strucci…
Episode 577, "Oppa Kappa Style"
On this week's episode of The One Piece Podcast we have hosts Zach, Ed & Alex on with special guests Stephen Paul (translator for One Piece and Samurai 8 in Shonen Jump and Manga Plus), Shannon Strucci (Strucci…
New Book: Kappa The Deadly Finger Puller and Bonesetter
I’ve been behind with my book projects; I didn’t release anything last year. But publishing can take more time than you’d expect. I have several books awaiting release…


Folktales, gender and transformation in Where the Wild Ladies Are
This feminist retelling of traditional Japanese ghost stories uses transformation as a key element both for character growth and commentary on ancient and modern gender expectations.


Ink & Passion: Modern Women Writers Who Changed Japan
The faces behind Japan’s post-war turbulence, restlessness and extreme passion. Learn about 10 influential modern women writers.


That Combini Life: Convienence Stores in Modern Japan
Convenience stores ("combini") in Japan are everywhere. But what do people use them for? A look at combini and everyday life in Japan.
Kumotawa Confluence, A Unique Urban Fantasy Set in Modern Japan
More than Tokyo travel tips. Anime and figures, noodle reviews, and speculative fiction. 2024 edition of Tokyo guidebook available and new novel coming.


Samurai Cultivator: the Birth of Modern Apple Cultivation in Japan
Apples, such as the delectable fuji, are ubiquitous in Japan. Yet cultivation of the fruit began relatively recently - during the waning days of the samurai.


Rōnin: Why Being a “Masterless Samurai” in Modern Japan Sucks
Saying "rōnin" in English conjures up images of cool, lone-wolf samurai. But in modern Japan, being a rōnin kinda sucks.


Tamura Toshiko: The ‘New Woman’ Feminist in Early Modern Japan
In Taisho era Japan, Tamura Toshiko emerged as one of the preeminent writers of the "New Woman" movement. Her legacy extends beyond Japan's borders.


DAN DA DAN – 10 – Got Kappa Blood?
As their art style is still recovering after last week’s shock, Momo, Okarun and Aira stand not before the principal, but the dominatrix school nurse, “Queen-sensei.” She assures…


Modern Japanese Monsters and Their Folklore Equivalents
As anime writers get more creative, they often depart from the original versions of the traditional creatures and create their own spin.


Pick of the Week: Classic and Modern
MICHELLE: Part of me really wants to pick Marmalade Boy here, as it's one of the first manga I ever read and I have tremendous nostalgic feelings about…
Kumotawa Confluence, My Urban Fantasy Set In Modern Japan Is Finished!
Wow! It has been a long haul to finish this novel, but it is done. This is my second completed novel and third completed book (I have a…


Tracing the Journey of Queer Expression, Culture and Legislation from Pre-Modern to Present-Day Japan
By Callistine Jude Lewis (2nd Year BA Programme, St Stephen’s) Japan represents an interesting conundrum of a country when it comes to grappling with LGBTQIA+ issues, stemming from…


Peak Modern Visuals
Starting this post, I want to make this clear. I really like the aesthetic from older anime and modern anime. I do love the look of peak cel…


The Eminence in Shadow and Encroaching Modern Underwear
Weird Ideas That Won’t Stop Have you ever had a strange idea that you can’t let go no matter what and it turns into a blog title? Yeah,…


Gekikou Kamen | Modern Recontextualization of Tokasatsu and Otaku Culture
Gekikou Kamen is a very strong Tokasatsu seinen. Since debuting in late 2021, it’s been a manga that I often use as a benchmark for other “deconstruction” ongoings.…


Street Fighter 6 and the History of “Modern Controls”
Street Fighter 6 has succeeded in its goal of bringing in new players through a simplified control scheme labeled “Modern.” The signature special inputs that Street Fighter pioneered…


Japan and Yokai
From ancient to modern times, Japan’s monsters continue to be part of the cultural psyche. By Komatsu Kazuhiko Translated from this article The 1994 Yokai Boom When Kodansha…


Slavery and Japan
Japan, like nearly all nations. has a history of slavery. Many Western historians in the past believed the concept of freedom was imported to Japan from the West.…


Day 3 of Hotsui Matsuri: Nihongo Legends- The Mighty Kappa
Hey ya’ll. It’s Luna here, and today for Hotsui Matsuri I wanna talk about some Nihongo Legends. And today? Today on Nihongo Legends, we’re going to be talking…


Haikara-San: Here Comes Miss Modern Part 1 and 2
Fans of old-school shōjo and soapy melodrama won't want to miss this.
Dumbbells, Katsudon, and Fat Gum: Fat-shaming and body positivity in modern anime
Anime (like media in general) has a rough record when it comes to body positivity. Fat-shaming is frequent and even stories that attempt positivity often fall into fetishization.…


Disney's Most Underrated Modern Gem
Plus: global animation news and retro ads.
Books: History of Modern Manga
By Jonathan Clements. “The history of manga,” notes the back-cover blurb for Matthieu Pinon and Laurent Lefebvre’s new book, “is inextricably tied to Japan’s social, economic, political, and…


Piranesi: A Modern Fantasy Classic?
Hi friends! I hope you’re all doing very well. Today I wanted to talk about a book I recently read in a two-and-a-half-hour sitting AKA binge read called…


The Recipe for Modern Anime
Anime has changed a lot in the last 60 years, with each decade being defined by the introduction of new technology. Today, anime isn't just defined by the…
Mobile Suit Gundam, The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, Fate/Zero, Fist of the North Star, Gargantia on the Verdurous Planet


Digimon in the Modern Era
In its over two decades of existence, Digimon has seen a wide array of iterations, so today we'll be taking a look at the most recent anime…
Manga Pulse 450: Ancient Modern
Welcome to the AP border town. Please have your papers in order. You there, step quickly. Hmm. It seems you have “Ruby” listed as a favorite anime. Problem?…
VG Pulse 353: Modern Disaster
This week on VG Pulse, we still exist, we promise! We start out with side notes about the goings on of the past month and the state of…
Japan: Courts and Culture
By Helen McCarthy. Japan: Courts and Culture was originally scheduled to open in 2020. Like so many of that year’s best-laid plans, it had to be shelved. But…


The Takarazuka Revue, Girl Princes, and Their Influences on Modern Yuri
While the predominantly male owners and showrunners of the Takarazuka Revue as well as the men running the manga publishing industry may seek to downplay, bury, or even…


This Week in Anime - The Modern Romance of Sasaki and Miyano
Nick and Nicky discuss the emotional ups and downs of potential couple Sasaki and Miyano and the latter's attempt to navigate his feelings and sexual identity. His Miyano…


(#ShonenJumpMovieMonth) Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero – When Modern and Classic Combine
This is the secret last post to Shonen Jump Movie Month. I was hoping that One Piece Red would have also appeared in august so I could write…
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Rage, Mentors, and Rebellions in Classic vs. Modern Sukeban Anime Girls
Content Warning: Discussions of sexism and trauma. Spoilers: For Asamiya Saki’s full character arc (Sukeban Deka) and Uotani Arisa’s backstory (Fruits Basket). In a country where women are…


Those Snow White Notes – 08 – Modern Maimai and Her Fantastic Friends
The Matsugorou Cup’s team division marches on, Team Umezono’s time on stage grows near, and Shuri is scared. Yui encourages her to focus on getting the first notes…


Higurashi, subversion of moe, and the birth of the modern yandere
Rena and Shion originally appeared in direct counterpoint to the then-oversaturated moe tropes of the time; however, what began as subversion would become an archetype all of its…


The Lantern and the Night Moths: Five Modern and Contemporary Chinese Poets in Translation
The Lantern and the Night Moths: Five Modern and Contemporary Chinese Poets in Translation is an outstanding read. For reasons that are discussed in the book itself, translator…


Every RETCON in Modern Dragon Ball
Before we get to Every Retcon in Modern Dragon Ball, I wanted to correct the record on my last list and retcon it so to speak. This was…
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Modern Transience in ‘The Morning Schedule’
An examination of the theme of transience and value in Susumu Hani’s ‘The Morning Schedule’.


Eastern Wisdom in a Modern Context
The wisdom of Japan and China remains valuable for us today. Like the wisdom of Stoicism, we can look toward the past for lessons on how to live…