
Police arrest 50-something anime fan on a Sunday afternoon.
If you’re in your 50s, you’re past the age where you parents can tell you to turn off the TV and stop watching anime, and if you’re unemployed, it’s not like you have a boss to cramp your viewing style either. So on September 1, a 57-year-old man in Hyogo Prefecture’s Toyooka City decided to spend the afternoon watching some Japanese animation in his home.
Whether because of his enthusiasm for the art form or the age-diminished capabilities of his ears, the anime fan decided to crank the volume on his speakers. However, even though we’ve flipped the calendars over to September, the weather remains summer-sultry, hot and humid in Japan, and so the man also had his window open.
Unfortunately for the rest of the neighborhood, that didn’t just let in fresh air, but also let out the booming sounds of his anime. It’s one thing to share your passion for Japanese animation with other fans at a convention or club screening, but in general broadcasting the audio of whatever episode you’re currently watching to everyone in the general vicinity is a poor way to go about enjoying the hobby. Eventually, a 50-year-old man who lives diagonally across the street from the anime fan came over to complain about the noise, which is when, according to the younger 50-something Toyooka resident, the anime fan became even more inconsiderate, grabbing a katana with a 46-centimeter (18.1-inch) blade and shouting “I’ll kill you!”
The sudden transition from annoying otaku to violent maniac meant it wasn’t long before the police were summoned. The katana was discovered to be a replica, not a legitimate samurai sword, and although the older man said “I did not wave a replica sword around and threaten [the other man],” police still felt there was enough evidence to place him under arrest, so hopefully for his sake whatever anime he was watching was a recording or online stream, so that he can finish it when he’s finally released from custody.
Source: Kobe Shinbun Next via Yahoo! Japan News via Hachima Kiko
Top image: Pakutaso
● Want to hear about SoraNews24’s latest articles as soon as they’re published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

What’s so special about Japanese swords? We interview master katana maker Norihiro Miyairi!
One Piece anime katanas recreated as exquisite letter openers by Japan’s swordsmith legacy heirs
We get a haircut by a stylist who cuts with katanas and fire at “Samurai Salon” in Spain
Final Fantasy artist Yoshitaka Amano anthropomorphizes katana made from a meteorite
Real-life Rurouni Kenshin reverse-blade katana, forged by master swordsmith, now on display【Pics】
Studio Ghibli store Donguri Republic announces opening of first-ever store in America
7-Eleven Japan to start selling Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches this summer
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino, tea and soda drinks for summer
Japanese sweets shop sells an ohagi so exquisite it sells out by noon
Forget Tokyo go-karts – there’s a new way to sightsee on four wheels in Japan
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Studio Ghibli adds new My Neighbour Totoro music box to its anime merchandise store in Japan
Suspected Japanese ice cream cartel under investigation for price-fixing
All-you-can-eat cheese restaurant in Tokyo is a hidden gem not many people know about
Studio Ghibli releases new anime character fans to keep fans looking and feeling cool this summer
New Japanese overnight train coming to connect Tokyo with Tohoku in sleep-travel style
Universal Studios Japan is giving Frieren anime fans the chance to make unforgettable memories.
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam is getting a new look before its end-of-summer removal
Japanese bento shop touches hearts by selling super cheap boxed lunches for around a dollar
7-Eleven Japan joins the craze for Korean Gamja Cheese Balls
Starbucks Japan releases new limited-edition summer drinks…and a pastry for dunking
Lawson upsizes convenience store food for a limited time with two must-try Japanese meals
Uniqlo reveals third round of massive 100-year-anniversary manga T-shirts for Jump’s Shueisha
Even at twice regular Daiso price, this handy item is still great for summer travel in Japan
New official Ghibli anime food cookbook will teach you how to make Ponyo’s ramen and more
Japanese convenience store Lawson launches new “mini supermarket” chain, L Minimart
Japan’s real-world Pokémon hot spring’s first photos are here![Photos]
Kyoto public junior high school becomes first in Japan with a hoodie school uniform
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Real-life Rurouni Kenshin katana forged based on sword of series’ most merciless villain【Photos】
Dojigiri, the millennium-old katana said to have slain a demon, is now on display in Tokyo【Pics】
Samurai road rage as man attacks motorist with replica samurai sword on Japanese expressway
Legendary crescent moon katana, one of Japan’s Five Swords Under Heaven, now on display in Tokyo
A Gintama fan’s emotional 19-year journey to buy a proper Lake Toya bokuto wooden katana【Pics】
Real-life Rurouni Kenshin reverse-blade katana now on display in Tokyo【Photos】
Samurai style for the rainy season! Wooden samurai bokuto sword umbrella goes on sale in Japan
Like a boss – Anime fans pick the top 30 characters they’d like to work for
Anime isn’t like reality: Japanese police arrest man holding three knives, one in his mouth
Man At Arms is back, forging the epic Excalibur from Fate/Stay Night【Video】
Is spending 248,380 yen (US$1,840) on an anime boy doll a wise choice? Our fangirl finds out!
Man in Kyoto leaves bag of red-stained knives in front of stranger’s house【Video】
Trial ends for Shizuoka man who stole school equipment to recreate Love Live! classroom at home
Anime cosplayer burglar arrested in Japan, can’t stop dressing up/stealing
Kyoto government worker assaults coworker for spoiling popular manga series at the office