Japanese pop culture news edited by Patrick Macias
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Japan’s Once Exotic Culture is Now Humdrum
More than a century ago, the West had little contact with Japan. The fabled Asia, distant and strange to Westerners, was a land of mystical stories, of elixirs…
Why Is Osaka Expo a Bust With Japan’s Inbound Tourists?
The Osaka Expo takes place next year. But does anyone care? A lack of support has the event scrambling to raise awareness - and sell tickets.
Bocchi Culture: Japan’s Loner Lifestyle
Flying solo or bocchi culture is becoming increasingly common in Japan. But does this trend mask a deeper issue of social isolation?
Is “Oshikatsu” an Addiction? Survey Shows Dark Side of Japan’s Fan Culture
Oshikatsu is a booming business in Japan. But data shows many fans are concerned about the toll supporting their faves takes on their lives.
National Living Treasures: Japan’s Living Embodiments of Culture
How Japan's national living treasures preserve culture and the clever tactics - including Pokemon! - used to promote their work.
National Living Treasures: Japan’s Living Embodiments of Culture
How Japan's national living treasures preserve culture and the clever tactics - including Pokemon! - used to promote their work.
This Anime is BACK After 7 YEARS...
Blue Exorcist season 3 is coming after 7 years. An anime following Rin Okumura and amazing soundtracks from Hiroyuki Sawano known for his music in Attack on Titan,…
Blue Exorcist -Shimane Illuminati Saga-, Attack on Titan, Dark Gathering, Horimiya, JUJUTSU KAISEN
Reading One Piece for the First Time After 4 Years
Subscribe to join in on my one piece journey. It's my first mini vlog type video so let me know the changes you would to see in the…
Osaka Asian Film Festival 2022’s Opening and Closing Films
Details on Osaka Asian Film Festival 2022’s Opening and Closing Films – Yanagawa, Miss Osaka
What Is "Oshi" Culture in Japan?
"Oshi" Culture has always been something I found super interesting about Japan, even before the vtuber boom. With vtubers and now Oshi no Ko, many have gotten to…
10 years after, live
In 2 days it will be the 10-year anniversary of this blog. WOW! Longtime readers may have noticed an absence of new posts this year. Nope, I’m not…
Sexism and Culture: Japan’s Obsession With Kawaii
Where did the word "kawaii" come from, and is the sexism that can come with cuteness really all that innocent?
Five Years of Shallow Dives in Anime: Netflix’s One Piece
This was not the show I had planned to write about for this. I wasn’t even going to really talk about it on the blog, but apparently Netflix…
What is Culture?
We know culture when we see it. But have you considered what culture really is? At the most basic, it is how people approach life. It includes language,…
Finally Launched After Years in Development! Naoki’s TITANOMACHIA
If you’ve been following the Gundam franchise, or mecha in general, then you’ve probably come across the work of NAOKI (@n_a_o_k_i_) in one way or another. He’s a…
Episode 482, "20 Years of One Piece"
On this week’s episode of The One Piece Podcast we have our live Otakon panel, "20 Years of One Piece' with hosts Zach Logan, Ed, Steve Yurko and…
Episode 482, "20 Years of One Piece"
On this week’s episode of The One Piece Podcast we have our live Otakon panel, "20 Years of One Piece' with hosts Zach Logan, Ed, Steve Yurko and…
What is The Average Salary in Osaka?
How does the average salary in Osaka compare to Tokyo? Here is a quick look at salaries for cities in Japan's third largest city.
A new series of culture blogs is coming your way!
Hello weebs, nerds and readers alike! This is a little bit of housekeeping coming from me, Star, about my culture blogs. Our blog has gone through some incredible…
How Doujin Illustrators Influenced The Aesthetics of Japan’s Underground Music Culture
Many illustrators who’ve contributed to underground and doujin music scene history eventually find themselves working on monumental projects, like Vtuber designs or video game concept art - but…
Why Continue After Five Years?
Notes on our anniversary.
After Three Years, What's Left?
A note for an anniversary.
Persona 3 Portable is a piece of shit
Tears over what could have been... (Beware! Here there be spoilers!) It is with great sadness and regret that I must utter the followin...
Why One Hundred Years of Solitude Is (Finally) a Hit in Japan
It's been in print for almost 60 years now. So why did it take until 2024 for Gabriel García Márquez's magnum opus to become a hit in Japan?
A New Generation of Gangsters is Taking Over Japan’s Underworld
Police in Japan are cracking down on the country's organized crime orgs. But the criminals aren't quitting - they're going underground.
What is Cheating Culture in Japan Really Like?
What is the cheating culture in Japan really like? Let’s explore the truth and history of relationships, dating and sex in Japan.
【PR】Off the Beaten Path: Discover the Secrets of Japan’s Regional Culture
Journey beyond and discover the treasures of regional Japan, from comic book museums to the secrets of green tea. Adventure awaits.
【PR】Off the Beaten Path: Discover the Secrets of Japan’s Regional Culture
Journey beyond and discover the treasures of regional Japan, from comic book museums to the secrets of green tea. Adventure awaits.
Closing Presentation
Yesterday, we had another successful in-theater screening at the MUSIC BOX THEATER in Chicago, featuring our festival closing film Angry Son . Despite the heavy rain in…
Fairy Tail 100 Years Quest Chapters 76 and 77 Review
An anime and manga blog, devoted to all kinds of amazing things from Japan. Reviews, articles, lists and more!
Review: Piccolo Is Black: A Memoir of Race, Religion, and Pop Culture
Han Solo, He-Man, my dad, and Jesus Christ. These were my heroes as a kid. I would weave stories about them in my head, filling in the gaps…
Spiraken Mini Movie Review: After Life of the Party
In this mini-movie review, Xan and Gretta review a Netflix exclusive supernatural comedy about getting into heaven. Was it too formulaic? Well sit back and find out as…
Luffy in Love?! A Review of One Piece in Love
What happens when three teens with One Piece names become die-hard fans of the actual series? Chaos, romance, and nonstop laughs. Koisuru One Piece is a short parody…
Akita in Winter: A Blend of Snow Sports, Culture and Heritage
Visit Akita in winter—from thrilling ski resorts and relaxing hot springs to vibrant winter festivals, there’s something for everyone.
Anime is Not Japanese Culture
The other day I stumbled across various YouTube videos of people who felt like they were “becoming Japanese” because of their increasing love for sushi, anime, manga, and…
Is Sequel Culture Killing Anime?
Studio 3Hz’s Blackfox, which released on Crunchyroll at the start of October, is an entirely unfinished product. Initially developed as a normal, single cour TV anime, production difficulties…
Is Osaka the Best Place to Live in Japan?
Is Osaka the best place to live in Japan? Even more than Tokyo? Find out what makes the Kansai capital such a great place to live.
The History of Boss, Japan’s Favorite Coffee in a Can
Boss Coffee is turning 30 years old. Learn about the history of canned coffee, its recognizable logo, and those Tommy Lee Jones ads.
The Lives of Eccentrics Releases Digitally After Over 20 Years
The Lives of Eccentrics by Hirohiko Araki and Hirohisa Onikubo releases digitally on March 19, 2026, featuring Nikola Tesla, Sarah Winchester, and more. The post The Lives of Eccentrics…
Reconsidering Belladonna of Sadness: Still powerful after almost 50 years
1973's Belladonna of Sadness combines a 19th century work's vision of the liberated witch with second-wave feminist ideology to create a flawed but fascinating work that invites revisiting…
Cold Stone Creamery is Closing Its Tokyo Store. Is It Because of The Singing?
Japan will soon only have a single Cold Stone anywhere in the country. Some are blaming the staff's habit of breaking out into song.
Anime Grindhouse: The Slam Dunk Movies
Born on January 12, 1967 in Isa, Kagoshima , Takehiko Nariai loved to draw as a child & while growing up found inspiration in wanting to mak...
Chainsaw Man is Getting a Movie!
Chainsaw Man fans are going to eat well soon. They’re getting a movie soon. Chainsaw Man is one of the hottest Shonen series out right now, and for good reason.…
Japan’s REX: A Dinosaur, a Drug Scandal, and an Unexpected Cult Movie Afterlife
Japanese pop culture news edited by Patrick Macias
Spiraken Movie Review Ep 76: Rounders (or Smokey Poker Rooms)
In this installment of the Spiraken Movie Review, Zorro deals some cards to Xan as they review the quintessential cult poker movie from 1998 , Rounders directed by…
Five Years On; Anime Feminist Vs Japanese Pop Culture
Well, as you can see, not a great deal of writing is getting done for this blog. To be honest, I have put the blog on hold for…
Case Closed, After the Rain, Horimiya, Kill la Kill, Ristorante Paradiso
Nier:Reincarnation shutting down after 3 short years
Although it was painfully inevitable it looks like Nier Reincarnation will finally shut down after 3 years. I feel like this blog has become some kind of collection…