by Robert Whiting (reprinted with permission) TOKYO — Over a recent early weekend, there were a series of threatening calls made in English and Japanese to the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Japan. The caller threatened to blow up the FCCJ and to harm two journalist members, including Jake Adelstein (author of Tokyo Vice and host...
Japan Subculture Research Center
Dec 18, 2022 • Subscribe
More like this
Japan and the Foreign Language Film Oscar
Japan’s choice of Wim Wenders’ PERFECT DAYS (2023) as its submission for Best International Feature at this year’s Academy Awards and its subsequent nomination got me to thinking…
The History of Anime & Japan
Anime or Japanese Animation (アニメ) is perhaps one of the most influential forms of media in the modern world. It has a history spaning over a century and…
The History and Benefits of Baby Wearing in Japan
Whether you’re on the go with your little one or staying closer to home, consider wearing your baby—a comfortable, convenient and longstanding choice for parents in Japanese cities.
History of Ghost Taxis of Japan
Translated and Sourced from Shigeru Mizuki’s Mujara, Japanese Ghost Stories: Spirits, Hauntings, and Paranormal Phenomena, and Other Sources To learn more about Japanese Ghosts, check out my …
Watch/Read/Buy: a recent media-merchandise roundup (US-focused)
Since I’ve been negligent for the past couple of months, I thought it might be good to do a quick rundown of some of developments regarding the recent…
Bandai’s Brain Bank Media: B-Club
At the tail end of the gunpla boom, Bandai’s enthusiast publishing and garage kit division, B-Club, unleashed a monthly magazine and dozens of garage kits on a modeling…
The Snow Monkeys of Japan: A Fascinating History
They were a part of Japanese folklore for centuries before they enjoyed international fame. Learn more about Japan's snow monkeys.
Anime & the Economic Miracle | The History of Animation & Japan
With the release of Astro Boy in 1963 Anime in Japan experienced an unparalleled boom period. This coincided with the Japanese Economic Miracle, a time in which Japan…
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…
My secret way to study media history
Consult the ancient texts
Character of the Month: The Film History (definitely not Anime) Club
Greetings, fabulous people of the Internet! Hanime on Anime here, and welcome to the monthly tradition on this blog that is Character of the Month! I had a…
Taiko Drum History and Culture in Japan
What are those big powerful drums you see at festivals in Japan?
Anime and the Media
I don’t think it’s going to be a lie when it is said that anime and journalism do not have a good relationship with each other for one…
Japan failed at social media
And won the bigger game.
Post-War Anime: The History of Japanese Animation & Japan
Anime from 1945 to 1963 saw the release of some incredibly influential works. While most begin their anime studies with Astroboy released on January 1st 1963, the history…
$650 Watermelon?! The History of Luxury Fruit in Japan
Would you pay $20 for a bunch of grapes? Many people in Japan do. Here's more on the history and purpose behind luxury fruit.
Are Foreign Tourists to Japan The Only Ones Behaving Badly?
Media reports blaming foreign tourists for bad behavior in Japan abound. But some say they're just imitating what the locals do.
Anime working conditions and the foreign animators
The degradation of the anime industry and the rampant participation of foreign animators
Black Lives Matter and Protests Against Police Brutality in Japan
As Black Lives Matter protests continue across the United States, countries around the world have also shown solidarity. This includes Japan, where BLM protests were organized in Osaka…
Maid Cafes in Japan: Their History and Evolution
You've probably seen a maid cafe - but where did they come from? A look at the history of maid cafes and how they've evolved.
Recent Thoughts on Love Live's Nijigasaki High School Idol Club
In the past, the third Love Live! multimedia project, “Nijigasaki High School Idol Club” (previously known as “Perfect DREAM Project”), had somewhat eluded me in terms of its…
Abortion In Japan: A History
A look at how abortion in Japan evolved throughout the ages, from a financial necessity to a call for the acknowledgment of women's rights.
Small History and Big History
History has two different and related types: small and big. Big history is what you learn in school. It’s the major events of the past: the American Revolution,…
Pure TokyoScope PODCAST #58: The Secret History of BARBIE in JAPAN!
Matt Alt and Patrick Macias bring you pop culture news from Japan!
The Miracle of Nezuko Against the Daybreak!
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba S3, Ep 11 Review Full disclosure: I already knew going into this season that this would eventually happen. I read about it years ago…
Against the Rules
detective fiction, 推理小説、games, mystery, murder, locked room, Japanese, translations,
This Blog’s Focus on Media From Japan
Anyone ready for some obvious things? Possibly some extra things too? I guess you can call this a blog update. I think I confused a lot of people…
Beastars and the Fight Against Behavioral Absolutism
Exploring the tension of anthropomorphic animal society from the perspective of high school students, Itagaki Paru’s Beastars can at times feel like it’s encouraging a very dangerous view…
Anime of Foreign Fears: Samurai Champloo
This probably won’t come as a shock to you, but I’m totally a xenophile. It’s not just Japanese culture that I adore, though it is my favorite, but…
The WORLD of Claymore: Regions and History EXPLAINED
Uncover the mysteries of the Claymore series's world, displayed in both the manga and the anime. Explore harsh landscapes, tragic history, and vibrant towns. Join us on an…
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.
Teaching English in Japan: 5 Essential Stories from Foreign Instructors
Want to teach English in Japan? Here are five essential articles for a deep dive into the life of a school teacher.
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.
The History of the Seifuku
Seifuku are a staple design of anime. The instantly recognizable sailor school uniform is synonymous with anime girls in otaku's minds, but do you know the history?
Art and Social Media
For as long as I can remember I’ve loved to draw. I know it’s something which has been a hobby and a passion since I was little. I…
Portrayals of Duality: Hafu in the Media and Popular Culture
We are increasingly seeing more strong Hafu women being celebrated for their amazing achievements as well as being able to harness the power of understanding and experiencing two…
The Fascinating World of Lost Media
Lost Media is exactly what it sounds like, something that aired on TV but now you can’t watch, a song you used to hear on the radio but…
The Green Tea History You Didn't Know: About the History of Green Tea in Japan & the U.S. (Dr. Robert Hellyer)
On this episode of the Japan Station podcast we're learning about the green tea history you probably didn't know about. There's a fascinating shared history of green tea…
About My Recent Content And Progress 3
Support me: https://www.patreon.com/spirit_chaser Donate: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/Contreras2992 My Anime List: https://myanimelist.net/profile/Spirit_Chaser Anilist: https://anilist.co/user/SpiritChaser #anime #animeamv #animeedit #vlog #amv #animerecommendations #videoessay
About My Recent Content And Progress 2
Support me: https://www.patreon.com/spirit_chaser Donate: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/Contreras2992 My Anime List: https://myanimelist.net/profile/Spirit_Chaser Anilist: https://anilist.co/user/SpiritChaser/ The editor started acting strange with some of the Madoka Magica footage. I have no idea what that's about, but it's…
The Otakusphere: Education, media and pretty pictures
It’s Sunday again, so I’m back for another tour around the Otakusphere, and I feel like every time I start looking around, I come up with a bevy…
Japan Society Film Announces Flash Forward: Debut Works and Recent Films by Notable Japanese Directors
Series of debut and recent works from well-known Japanese directors plus six singles from up and comers streaming in US Dec. 3 – 23
Comics and the Origins of Manga: A Revisionist History
Sometimes I com across a book that, while outside of my normal area of study, is so mind-blowing, I really just want people to know about it. Comics…
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…
The History of Getter Robo and What It Influenced
Getter Robo is one of the few progenitors of mecha anime as we know it today, so why do Western audiences know so little about it? Scott Freisthler…
Xabungle: Mecha Cowboys and Fighting Against the System
Welcome to a small bit of something called Tomino week. I’ve spent a lot of time watching some Tomino shows this year. Each one of them is fun…
The History of Hentai Manga
Kimi Rito digs deep into the tropes of anime's salacious sister medium, from tracking down the hentai's early manga creators to going back even further to the shunga…
The History of Solo Leveling
With the Solo Leveling Ragnarok webcomic debuting in English this week, it's time to take a look the story of this groundbreaking series
The Untold History of Ramen
Solt, George The Untold History of Ramen: How Political Crisis in Japan Spawned a Global Food Craze Berkeley: University of California Pre...