Otaku assemblyman’s latest project stars a 1,300-year-old girl from a popular video game franchise.
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 366)
Starbucks amps up both the Japanese and American elements, and makes us fall in love with green tea Frappuccinos all over again.
Majority say they can see some sort of logic behind university systematically reducing women’s entrance exam scores by up to 20 percent.
Single traveler spent two nights in Japan before disappearing while in mountainous sightseeing town.
13 years later and an ocean away from where he grew up, this illustrator proves the seed of greatness was always present in his artwork.
Don’t give up, little guy! Not because you can catch them, but because it’s so adorable to watch you try.
We all expected Snoopy-themed rooms to be cute, but we never imagined they’d be this stylish, and even romantic.
Producer gives tentative timetable while promising Studio Ghibli is doing “things we were never able to do in the past.”
You and your bushido buddies heading into the wild this fall? Then don’t forget your camping kimono.
Rather than run away to a virtual world, he figured out a way to take something fun about video games and use it to fight off daily drudgery.
Roadside largesse from complete stranger inspires others to share stories of unexpected generosity in Japan’s famously money-loving city.
The Studio Ghibli classic turns out to be a perfect motif for Japan’s centuries-old “flower cards.”
MOST POPULAR
Today
New official Ghibli anime food cookbook will teach you how to make Ponyo’s ramen and more
What’s up with the Ghibli Park photo and video ban?
Krispy Kreme releases a new Doughwich… at only one store in Japan
Japan’s cafe that won’t let you go home until you solve a puzzle is opening in Osaka’s canal district
Starbucks Japan has a problem with its sell-out breakfast that might annoy solo diners
Osaka is hosting a “hentai” event, but it’s probably not what you think
Pikachu cakes and other adorable Pokémon 30th anniversary food coming to Tokyo luxury hotel
Japanese convenience store Lawson launches new “mini supermarket” chain, L Minimart
Starbucks Japan releases a new limited-edition Frappuccino inspired by espresso affogato
Japan’s adorable pudding chick becomes a transit card mascot
Weekly
Japan’s real-world Pokémon hot spring’s first photos are here![Photos]- Japanese convenience store Lawson launches new “mini supermarket” chain, L Minimart
Gundam teams up with 300-year-old daruma maker for wood-carved anime mecha figures[Photos]- Japan’s adorable pudding chick becomes a transit card mascot
Krispy Kreme releases new limited-edition fox doughnuts at only four stores in Japan
The Japan Burger Championship 2026 in Yokohama next month is the ultimate battle of the beef
Mr. Sato takes a walk on Tokyo’s American-style street to get some American/Japanese ice cream
Two new Sailor Moon art manhole covers are coming to Usagi’s real-world Tokyo neighborhood
Sushi Pizza surprises diners in one of the best food destinations in Japan
Tokyo’s new extra-expensive ramen restaurant is dividing opinions, so we tried a bowl
Monthly
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam anime mecha statue will be removed this summer
The average age of Japan’s hikikomori shut-ins is getting older, survey shows
Ichiraku Ramen-inspired ramen sets from Naruto anime pay homage to Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura
Kanji ice cream becomes a sell-out hit in Japan
Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
Japan now has gyoza doughnuts, and they taste like no other doughnut we’ve tried before- Japan’s real-world Pokémon hot spring’s first photos are here![Photos]
- Japanese convenience store Lawson launches new “mini supermarket” chain, L Minimart
Japan has a new cute and clever sunblock for cat lovers- Tokyo’s new extra-expensive ramen restaurant is dividing opinions, so we tried a bowl
Yearly
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]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
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]
RECOMMENDED STORIES
Osaka is hosting a “hentai” event, but it’s probably not what you think
Pikachu cakes and other adorable Pokémon 30th anniversary food coming to Tokyo luxury hotel
Japanese convenience store Lawson launches new “mini supermarket” chain, L Minimart
Starbucks Japan releases a new limited-edition Frappuccino inspired by espresso affogato
Japan’s adorable pudding chick becomes a transit card mascot
Studio Ghibli releases Ponyo donburi bowl to bring anime ramen to life
Sushi Pizza surprises diners in one of the best food destinations in Japan
Studio Ghibli still doesn’t allow its anime to be streamed online in Japan, and here’s why
Here’s the Studio Ghibli cookbook recipe to make Lin’s Spirited Away sweets she gave to Chihiro
Beautiful Ghibli anime uchiwa fans are like little posters you can use to keep yourself cool
Official Spirited Away cookbook teaches how to make food from the Ghibli anime classic
Gigantic gacha machine appears in Tokyo department store for capsule toy celebration
Mr. Sato takes a walk on Tokyo’s American-style street to get some American/Japanese ice cream
133-year-old Japanese company’s cookies go beyond matcha with dashi and shichimi flavors
-
