In Tokyo, the recent past is often obscured beneath endless concrete. Take a journey through the city's history to discover why.
Aug 2, 2022 • Subscribe
More like this
Meiji Mura: A Journey to Japan’s Modern Past
In Japan, the past is often obscured beneath endless concrete. Meiji Mura is one of the few places to discover the atmosphere of turn-of-the-century Japan.
Why it’s hard to watch anime when you live in Japan (sometimes)
I know. What a first world problem. What a tragedy I’m burdened with. I live in Japan, the birthplace of anime, and I’m complaining about it. I’ll save…
Is the Letter “E” in Shojo Manga THAT Hard to Find?!
The ABCs of Shojo Manga video series has returned! After a long hiatus, I’m excited to share the manga titles I found for the letter “E,” which was…
Trying to Find One Anime to Represent You is Too Hard!
Inspired by Zainou’s post and the subsequent anecdotes.
Cry When It’s Hard
Over the past couple of months, I experienced some personal grief over the loss of relationships. It was somewhat long overdue. I thought I was ready to handle…
Why It’s So Hard for Shounen Battle Manga to End on a High Note
The author of One Piece, Oda Eiichiro, once stated that he always wanted to make a manga series where the ending is the most exciting part. Right now,…
It’s Hard Not to Feel Like Spinel Sometimes
"Enter Spinel, the character at the center of struggle in Steven Universe: The Movie."
It’s Hard to Talk About Everything Regarding Suicide
I want to start off by saying that I’m glad Aka Akasaka and Mengo Yokoyari’s Oshi no Ko has blown up in popularity. However, as I noted a year…
The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya
This is the best anime movie from a TV series that I’ve seen. KyoAni’s love for their craft is strongly felt here in a beautiful and emotional piece.…
East Meets West #24: The Disappearance Of Haruhi Suzumiya .vs. It’s A Wonderful Life
It’s not uncommon to have an episode of an anime set around the Christmas period, such as in Toradora, Digimon Adventure, and basically every single slice-of-life show (K-On,…
In Japan, It’s Hard for Foreign Residents to Get Help
Right-wingers constantly claim that foreigners are sucking Japan dry. But the reality is that few can get help even when they need it.
Where to Find Gay and Bisexual Male Characters in Recent Children’s Cartoons: An Incomplete Overview
It feels like every time two female characters become a couple in a cartoon for children, some people steer the conversation toward (the lack of) gay male characters…
Writing Prompt: Do you find anime hard to enjoy when it feels predictable?
Here’s another prompt from MAL I wanted to take a look at. I guess these are kind of more like discussion prompts than writing prompts, as I’m not…
Looking to the Past
For a long time I meticulously maintained a MAL page where I’d keep track of the obnoxious number of anime series I was watching at a time. Every…
Why OG Naruto Went So HARD
Naruto was iconic, and as a kid i was enamored by the anime. Now that it's reached its 20th anniversary, I wanted to look back fondly on the…
Why I Find Most Anime Reviews Boring
While rereading Strunk and White’s Elements of Style recently, I came across this interesting passage. In notebooks, in newspapers, in handbooks of literature, summaries of one kind or…
The Weird Disappearance Of Vesper And Magni
Unraveling the Enigma: The Disappearance of Vesper and Magni from Holostars EN. From rampant theories to the truth behind the silence.
Three Japanese Train Station Names That Even Native Speakers Find Hard
Having a hard time pronouncing these train station names in Japanese? Don't worry - most native speakers didn't get them right, either!
Anime Review #72: The Disappearance Of Haruhi Suzumiya
Bear with me all, but I’m going to be reviewing a movie today – but not in consecutive posts like what I did last year. Fifty-one Anime Reviews…
Year of the Dragon: Where To Find Dragons in Japan
From spectacular carvings to ancient legends, explore nine of Japan’s top dragon-themed sites this new year.
The History of Lupin III - From Past to Present
Lupin III is the name of a manga and anime series that's been going on from 1965 and all the way up until today. Starting off as a…
Why is it So Hard To Choose a Favourite Jujutsu Kaisen Character?
In some series, it’s so easy to choose a favourite character. Team Edward? Or Team Jacob? But so many people seem to struggle to pick favourite Jutjutsu Kaisen…
Cardcaptor Sakura – 65 – The (Near) Disappearance of Tsukishiro Yukito
Sakura is blading home from the grocery store when she spots Touya grabbing Yukito and moves to intervene. That’s when she learns she’s rolled into the middle of…
It’s a Game Called 'Find What’s Wrong With This Shot'
Plus: animation news and Moomin.
The Meiji Government’s Failed Attempt to Ban Cremation
With the end of the age of the samurai, the new Meiji government set off to curb any sign of "barbarity" within Japan - which, briefly, included cremation.
Japan Struggles to Find Solutions to Overtourism
Residents of tourist hotspots in Japan are expressing their frustration as overtourism causes congestion and creates safety hazards.
How to Find Great Manga to Read
We’re in an awesome time for manga reading in the West. Physical manga volumes are flying off the shelves in a time when digital reading is becoming more…
![Featured image for Horimiya – 03 [That’s Why It’s Okay]](https://cdn.aniblogtracker.com/live/20210125/1611535256.2400.24522.jpg)
Horimiya – 03 [That’s Why It’s Okay]
Any time a romcom dips into one of its characters’ sad pasts, a tightrope materializes beneath its metaphorical feet. Throw them a pity party and fall to the…
About the Recent Tragedy #PrayForKyoani
Even though I’m still taking my time away from this blog for the time being, I figured I may as well come by and say something.
Pick of the Week: It’s Up to You
KATE: I suspect everyone on the Manga Bookshelf crew will give a shout-out to New York, New York–I mean, Manga Bookshelf’s most beloved feature was our Banana Fish…
“Kyon’s Choice” — A Fan Dub of The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya
As many of you know, December 18 is a somber day for me. I have said this story every year since joining AniTAY, but my first experience…
![Featured image for Horimiya – 8-9 [The Truth Deception Reveals/It’s Hard, but Not Impossible]](https://cdn.aniblogtracker.com/live/20210307/1615078058.5803.28980.jpg)
Horimiya – 8-9 [The Truth Deception Reveals/It’s Hard, but Not Impossible]
It makes sense that Horimiya would follow a heavy episode (like the one we got two weeks ago) with a lighter affair, so I was prepared for “The…
Harley Quinn #43 — Why It’s OK To Hate Women Who Sneeze
It's a phlegm thing. Impressions: I did forget about this yesterday until after dinner, at which point I was in no mood for another mediocre to poor…
Book Announcement: The Visual Culture of Meiji Japan: Negotiating the Transition to Modernity
The Visual Culture of Meiji Japan: Negotiating the Transition to Modernity Edited By Ayelet Zohar, Alison J. Miller This volume examines the visual …Book Announcement: The Visual Culture…
Book Announcement: The Visual Culture of Meiji Japan: Negotiating the Transition to Modernity
The Visual Culture of Meiji Japan: Negotiating the Transition to Modernity Edited By Ayelet Zohar, Alison J. Miller This volume examines the visual …Book Announcement: The Visual Culture…
Where To Find Indie VTuber Groups
Indie VTubers groups are hard to find if you don't know where to look. This indie group list is where you'll find your next favorite VTuber.
How To Find Free VTuber Assets
Getting into VTubing was never as inexpensive as today. Now you can find free assets to use in your streaming, let's find out how.
The Toei Animation Discrimination Case and Why It’s Important
Toei Animation was recently involved in a case of discrimination against a union representative.
Hearthstone, Meta Diversity, and Why It’s Important
A quick discussion on Hearthstone’s new opened meta and why its good.
12 Days of Christmas Anime, Day 11: The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya
“Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,” which means “God is with us.” Haruhi Suzumiya, this bossy, unpredictable…
Meiji Guillotine
I generally don't use the dictionary very much when I'm reading. In a normal modern text I can generally understand almost all of the words ...
Where’s the Proper Place to Find Yourself?
For anyone who has read Akane-banashi recently, this is arguably one of the best developments of the story in a series full of great ones. Our heroine, Akane Ousaki/Arakawa,…
Here’s To Us……(An Introduction To Civilization IV And Why It’s Become My Favourite Game Of All Time)
About a month ago I found myself coming into some extra money so I decided to treat myself to something and on a whim I bought the Civilization…
Recent Readings of Queered Holmes And Watson
In 1926, John Watson, friend and confidant of Sherlock Holmes, was shot by “Killer” Evans in the the story the Three Garridebs. What Holmes says in the moment…
The Best Cast In Recent Shonen.
Hell's Paradise might have the best cast in recent shonen. Let's talk about it with my guest @BrokenRonin Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/maskedasura Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/masked_asura Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_masked_asura/?igshid=OGQ2MjdiOTE%3D Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@themaskedmanyt?_t=8ZLL7iPa77m&_r=1 ► "Copyright Disclaimer, Under Section 107…
The Best Character In Recent Shonen.
Gabimaru from Jigokuraku or Hell's Paradise is in my opinion the best character I've read from recent shonen. Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/maskedasura Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/masked_asura Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_masked_asura/?igshid=OGQ2MjdiOTE%3D Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@themaskedmanyt?_t=8ZLL7iPa77m&_r=1 ► "Copyright Disclaimer, Under Section 107 of…
It’s a Little Hard to be a Villainess of an Otome Game in Modern Society Licensed by Seven Seas
Seven Seas Entertainment is excited to announce the license acquisition of the light novel series It’s a Little Hard to be a Villainess of an Otome Game in…
The Day I Became a God – 10 – The Disappearance of Satou Hina
Hina is gone from Youta’s life, as well as those of Kyouko, Ashura, Sora, and the rest of the gang. After a period of restless but fruitless searching,…