Japanese pop culture news edited by Patrick Macias
Dec 9, 2025 • Subscribe
More like this
Locals Cheer as Tokyo “Mario Kart” Company Faces Charges
Street go-karts are Japan's most hated tourist attraction. Now, they're also drawing attention from the cops.
Inbound Tourist Discounts Ending in Japan As Locals Protest
It used to be you could get into some key cultural attractions in Japan as a tourist at a discount. Here's why those days may be over.
How To Dominate As A VTuber: Tips From The Elites
Unlock the Secrets of VTuber Success: A Comprehensive Guide for Aspiring Creators. Check out some of the best tips to grow as a VTuber.
Yami Shibai 4: A Major Step Back
I’ve talked about Yami Shibai many times. It’s a franchise built around short form horror from ILCA. Thus far, it’s been pretty solid. Let’s look at the fourth…
Yamishibai: Japanese Ghost Stories, Yamishibai: Japanese Ghost Stories 4
When a Cat Faces West and Reincarnated as a Sword
The White Sox went into last week needing a sweep of the Cleveland Guardians to win the...
When a Cat Faces West and Reincarnated as a Sword
The White Sox went into last week needing a sweep of the Cleveland Guardians to win the...
One Giant Step: Looking Back at the Anime “Jack and the Beanstalk”
This anime feature celebrates the 50th anniversary of its release in Japan - on July 20th, 1974.
Two steps forward, one step back, another year survived!
**Note: Work is totally taking so much of my time since we’re understaffed in the office. I write all day at work and I just feel too drained…
Decline of Crunchyroll and Failure of Originals
For a while now, Crunchyroll is facing a big decline. In recent seasons, Funimation has been getting a lot of high profile shows in the past. To make…
Unscrupulous Shops in Japan Target Tourists As Yen Weakens
The weak yen has made it more attractive than ever to travel to Japan - but some restaurants and stores are taking advantage of that.
Step Back In Time With Tokyo’s Top 5 Traditional Cafes
No need to rush your order or burn your tongue rushing to drink your coffee. Time in Tokyo has stopped at these traditional cafes.
Murder in F Sharp
detective fiction, 推理小説、games, mystery, murder, locked room, Japanese, translations,
Shibuya Goldfish
A manga about how people in Shibuya ward in Tokyo are suddenly attacked by giant flying killer goldfish. Continue reading →
Will Tourists Flock Back to Noto Peninsula Amid Quake Recovery?
Tourism in Hokuriku took a heavy hit post-quake. Are tourists ready to return to the heavily hit Noto Peninsula?
Step On
Author: Ukari (translated with author’s permission, please visit their website to see the original Japanese works!) To say here is far, The post Step On first appeared on Kowabana.
Japan Tourist’s Suitcases are Frustrating Locals
The latest "Tourists Behaving Badly" story in Japan is a bulky problem, with residents complaining that luggage is clogging public transit.
Otherside Picnic #03 — Murdering the Locals
You twits realize you're invading their home and immediately opening fire, right? Impressions: Last Dungeon began with sooooo much screaming and went from there into another one…
A Step By Step ALT Escape Plan
Read on as we list an actionable ALT escape plan and how to prepare for a future in Japan outside of teaching English.
428 ~Fuusa Sareta Shibuya de~ (428: Shibuya Scramble)
428: Shibuya Scramble is an incredibly unique VN. For one, it features a number of simultaneous protagonists each with their own stories. While these stories do take place…
Regular Rabbits and Thousands of Faces
Plus: animation news.
Ojamajo Doremi Sharp – Episode 14
Hello folks, and welcome back to Wrong Every Time. Today I thought we’d take a stroll down to Maho-dou and check in on the ojamajos, who are surely…
Ojamajo Doremi Sharp – Episode 10
Hello folks, and welcome back to Wrong Every Time. Today I’m eager to dive right back into Ojamajo Doremi Sharp, and see what else is new with our…
Ojamajo Doremi Sharp – Episode 11
Hello folks, and welcome back to Wrong Every Time. Today I’m delighted to be returning to Ojamajo Doremi Sharp, as we check in on the continuing fortunes of…
Ojamajo Doremi Sharp – Episode 8
Hello everyone, and welcome back to Wrong Every Time. Today I am delighted to return to the world of Ojamajo Doremi, a fantastic franchise that we last visited…
Ojamajo Doremi Sharp – Episode 9
Hello folks, and welcome back to Wrong Every Time. Today I’m delighted to be returning to Ojamajo Doremi Sharp, after far too long away from this outstanding magical…
Ojamajo Doremi Sharp – Episode 12
Hello folks, and welcome back to Wrong Every Time. Today I’d like to check back in on the trials of Doremi and the gang, as our crew continues…
Ojamajo Doremi Sharp – Episode 13
Hello folks, and welcome back to Wrong Every Time. Today I am impatient to return to the ever-charming, frequently preposterous adventures of our dubious witch Doremi, as she…
Factors Behind Population Decline and the Ancient World’s Solutions
Birthrates in the developed world, especially in South Korea and Japan, have fallen below the replacement rate. Japan’s total fertility rate dropped below replacement back in 1974 with…
Japanese Staff Struggle as Rude Tourists Insist on Their Mother Tongue
Some Japanese service staff say they're struggling to cope with visitors who don't make any effort to find linguistic common ground.
Halloween Spooks Shibuya
A neighborhood’s love-hate for the holiday boils over
The Backloggers 6th Year Anniversary – Step By Step
Wow! It’s not 2020 anymore, and we’re still here! We hope that you’re still here too! Let’s be honest, it’s been a rough year for all of us…
The Rise and Decline of Magical Girl Anime and the Shoujo Genre
Written by Mahak The magical girl genre is a subgenre of anime and manga that features young girls who gain magical powers and use them to fight evil.…
Faces to a name: Milos and Redline.
After seeing the making-of featurette for FMA: Milos, I got the idea of posting pics of the staff involved. I also took some pics of the Redline staff…
Fullmetal Alchemist, Fullmetal Alchemist: The Sacred Star of Milos, Redline
Shinjuku and Shibuya Introduce New Street Drinking Bans
Shibuya will ban street drinking all year around, while Shinjuku will bar it during Halloween. Not everyone thinks it's a good idea.
Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2, Episode 23: As The Shibuya Incident Ends, Chaos erupts
Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2, "The Shibuya Incident - Gate Closed," ends the epic arc with the return of fan favorite Yuta
Anime is in decline. Embrace Vubers.
Anime as of late seriously sucks. In my book, the Japanese anime industry has been going downhill since around 2015. The first to go was art style where…
Anime music releases, revenues in decline
Plus: Japanese TV stations broaden role in selling anime overseas; 'The Boy and the Heron' soars in China; Director questions anime's isekai boom; and more
Digital manga grows amid publishing decline
Plus: Manga readers spend big on Piccoma app; Ghibli Park sets next opening dates; Reviving Japan's national manga and anime museum plans; and more
Digital manga grows amid publishing decline
Plus: Manga readers spend big on Piccoma app; Ghibli Park sets next opening dates; Reviving Japan's national manga and anime museum plans; and more
Digital manga grows amid publishing decline
Plus: Manga readers spend big on Piccoma app; Ghibli Park sets next opening dates; Reviving Japan's national manga and anime museum plans; and more
Day 3 - Back to Shibuya for New Parco, Nintendo Store, Pokemon Center, Miyashita Park
This morning was off to a fine start with a great buffet breakfast at the hotel again. I usually don't bundle breakfast with my room, but ...
10 Things in Japan Only Locals Know About
Japan offers a wealth of insider secrets that visitors often overlook. Here are 10 things in Japan only locals know about.
DJ EARL and Tommy-Glow shed Light on Shibuya.
DJ EARL throws down a beat that captures the Shibuya hustle and bustle while Tommy-Glow fills it out with a slick flow worthy of the Japanese capital of…
Pick of the Week: Pretty and Haunting Faces
SEAN: Obviously my pick this week would be Short Game: Mitsuru Adachi’s Baseball Short Story Collection, except we know that Amazon date is wrong. So instead I will…
Kokoro Connect: Step Time
By Sadanatsu Anda and Shiromizakana. Released in Japan by Famitsu Bunko. Released in North America by J-Novel Club. Translated by Molly Lee. I get the feeling the author…
Sharp slowdown in Japan digital manga sales
Plus: Japan Foundation promotes anime films in Africa; Manga publishers recruit foreign artists; Wine manga's screen adaptation runs into legal barriers in France; and more
Furikomi: A Step by Step Guide to Bank Transfers in Japan
Here is a step by step guide to making bank transfers in Japan—including all the Japanese and kanji you'll need to know.
Brief Thoughts On: Komori-san Can’t Decline
The super-short runtime of each episode forces the humor to be quick and punchy, which Komori-san Can't Decline handles well.
Fears and Feelings: A Step into Mike Flanagan’s Horror
The effect Midnight Mass has had on me feels so profound and intimate. The show is just……hauntingly beautiful. I know it sounds strange but there is no other…
Anime reinvents Shibuya Tsutaya's image
Plus: Ex-MAPPA producer wants studios to finance anime; Disney+ uses anime to draw Gen Z viewers; How South Africa consumes anime; and more