You can’t celebrate 30 years of Pokémon without 30 years of starters, plus a few more Pocket Monster all-stars.
Casey Baseel
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Casey Baseel spent his formative years staring in frustration at un-subtitled Japanese TV programming shown on Southern California’s international channel. Taking matters into his own hands, he moved to Tokyo to study the language, then found work in Yokohama a decade ago teaching, translating, and marketing hotels he can’t afford to stay in. When not participating in the eternal cycle of exercising to burn the calories form his love of Japanese food, Casey scours used comic and game shops for forgotten classics, drags his wife around the country in a quest to visit all its castles, sings karaoke not nearly as well as he thinks he does, and counts the days until the summertime bars open on Enoshima Beach.
Posted by Casey Baseel (Page 11)
Maker of Garigari-kun explores whether one of Japan’s favorite frozen treats can work as a pre-cooling agent.
Is this a cheap way to beat away stress, or a case of cheaping out that’ll have us feeling even more frustrated?
![Live-action Princess Mononoke is coming to streaming as a live event, previews look amazing [Video]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/07/pm-1.jpg?w=640 "Live-action Princess Mononoke is coming to streaming as a live event, previews look amazing [Video]")
Kabuki adaptation of Studio Ghibli anime masterpiece will be shown online, but you’ll need to mark the date on your calendar.
![Tokyo’s newest viral dessert is like a Japanese parfait inside a bread bun [Taste test]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/07/3_6e73b0.jpg?w=640 "Tokyo’s newest viral dessert is like a Japanese parfait inside a bread bun [Taste test]")
A cool idea from Coolish, and further proof that sweet bean paste makes everything better.
Pedestrian crossing outside Shibuya Station to lean even harder into tourist selfie appeal.
7-Eleven will finally let you buy baked-in-store pizza without making you buy a whole pizza.
The sword of the vice-captain of the Shinsengumi is being called into action once again in a touching story of repaying kindness.
![Sanrio’s newest item looks like dog butt, exactly like it’s supposed to [Photos]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/07/pp-0.jpg?w=640 "Sanrio’s newest item looks like dog butt, exactly like it’s supposed to [Photos]")
If you’ve ever wanted to take a nap while burying your face in Pompompurin’s butthole, this is the cushion you’ve been waiting for.
Two brews, inspired by the world of Final Fantasy XIV, are joining the taps at an Akihabara craft beer bar.
![Life-size Legendary Pokémon Mega Rayquaza digitally greeting travelers at Tokyo train station [Vid]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/07/mr-2.jpg?w=640 "Life-size Legendary Pokémon Mega Rayquaza digitally greeting travelers at Tokyo train station [Vid]")
Suspension of unreserved seat tickets on some bullet train classes means planning ahead is especially important.
Ikebukuro Pokémon Center and Pikachu Sweets cafe immediately closed following tragic event.
Ice cream chain famous for its 31 flavors celebrates the 30th anniversary of the Pokémon franchise with temptingly tactile treats and a salute to every starter Pokémon.
MOST POPULAR
Today
Foreign travelers sitting on sidewalks of Tokyo’s Ginza are Japan’s latest tourism culture clash
American man runs out of money in Japan, gets arrested for overstaying tourist visa
Tokyo Monorail, other east Japan rail networks announce discontinuation of magnetic paper tickets
We waited three hours to get into the new carb heaven all-you-can-eat bread restaurant in Osaka
Studio Ghibli adds Totoro family goods to its anime merchandise store in Japan
Vietnamese-language driver’s license tests suspended in Japan following alleged cheating
Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
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Weekly
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New Studio Ghibli notebooks are a beautiful reason to write and draw by hand [Photos]- Foreign travelers sitting on sidewalks of Tokyo’s Ginza are Japan’s latest tourism culture clash
Tokyo train station will play Godzilla theme song as new departure melody- Studio Ghibli adds Totoro family goods to its anime merchandise store in Japan
- New Gundam plush goods mix cosplay and comfort for Char-custom-level coziness [Pics]
Giant wagashi cushions will turn your home sweet home into home sweet Japanese sweets home
Monthly
Japan announces new permanent residency guidelines, foreigners must earn more than average Japanese person
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Studio Ghibli’s Calcifer is ready to light up your home as a magical-looking candle lamp [Photos]
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New Gundam Base superstores coming soon in the U.S., with one opening this month
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Do Japan’s new single-minded convenience store bento show depressing poverty or satisfying focus?
Yearly
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
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Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
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Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
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Vietnamese-language driver’s license tests suspended in Japan following alleged cheating
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Man in Japan says monkey threw his cat into a pond before attacking him
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American senior citizen tourist arrested in Japan for bringing gun into country in his luggage
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American teenage tourist arrested on suspicion of arson in Tokyo during family trip
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Town in Kanagawa struggling with violent gang of monkeys
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