Three of the greatest anime series ever produced featured in video that’s not quite as simple as it might look.
80s
Travel back in time with these retro-looking hair and make-up styles!
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“Creamy exercises” with a Japanese CG pop idol makes “butt training” and “punch time” fun.
Fire up your city pop playlist for a visit to Asakusa’s legendary Marubell, where the ’80s never totally went away.
It’s weird being in your thirties (or thereabouts) in 2015. Kids today have no idea what a struggle it was for us growing up in the days before smartphone selfies, dumb internet trends, and myriad modern technological conveniences. Wait, what are we saying, it was absolutely awesome! For ours was a more innocent childhood, full of VHS tapes, talking on phones connected to the wall by a wire, and clunky dial-up internet that still felt like the greatest thing ever invented.
Japan’s 30s club is no different; they too are nostalgic for the relics of a simpler past. And in this article, we round up 22 nostalgic items that Japanese Twitter users say sum up their idyllic childhoods. But how many of them (if any) are the same as those we in the west enjoyed?
Genre streams that is! There isn’t an ’80s movie that is more perfectly matched for an anime makeover than Ghostbusters. The story is flawless, the ghosts would feel right at home, plus all the crazy special effects could be easily accomplished through animation. The fact that they were able to do all of that in a live-action movie is part of what makes it such a classic.
This parody simply nails the movie, but you don’t have to take our word for it, you can see for yourself after the jump.
There’s no denying that smartphones are awesome. They can send messages, let you browse the web, take photos and play thousands of songs, all while fitting into your pocket, ready to be used anytime, anywhere. But for some of us, none of that convenience can compare to the fun of fitting a cassette tape into a cassette player and pressing play.
Now there’s a gadget that lets us have the best of both worlds: the joy of thousands of songs combined with the lost art of old-school push button technology. Now that fluoro’s back in fashion, there’s never been a better time to pull on those leg warmers, download some Madonna circa 1985 and experience music the way it used to be.













10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
We ate sushi made from Japan’s most expensive tuna ever【Taste test】
Say hello to Japan’s new stationmaster cat!【Video】
Princess Mononoke magnets return just in time to treat yourself to awesome anime decorations
Umamusume anime girl plushie recalled for having parts she absolutely should not have【Pics】
Toyota built a life-sized Miraidon Pokémon and are letting people test drive it this weekend
Japanese avoiding domestic travel as foreign tourists increase, possibly creating vicious cycle
The Purple Lucky Bag from Village Vanguard is an extra-large waste of money
We stress-test Uniqlo’s “Impressive Jacket and Pants” to see if they live up to their names
Japanese beef bowl chain Sukiya’s 2026 Smile Box lucky bag basically pays for itself
Hayao Miyazaki says Happy New Year to Studio Ghibli fans with new art for Year of the Horse
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
Top Japanese cosplayer Enako returns to Comiket after 6 years, creates mayhem with admirers
Cup Noodle tries an authentic Jiro-style ramen, but something’s not quite right
The best Starbucks Japan Frappuccinos we want to drink again in 2026
We revisited Sweets Paradise after a decade to see if Japan’s dessert buffet still delivers
That time Seiji called JASRAC to ask why he didn’t get paid royalties for his song being on TV
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware
Starbucks Japan releases new zodiac chilled cup drink for 2026
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
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
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
Human washing machine pods coming to Japanese hotels【Photos】
Umamusume anime girl plushie recalled for having parts she absolutely should not have【Pics】
Toyota built a life-sized Miraidon Pokémon and are letting people test drive it this weekend
Japanese avoiding domestic travel as foreign tourists increase, possibly creating vicious cycle
The Purple Lucky Bag from Village Vanguard is an extra-large waste of money
We stress-test Uniqlo’s “Impressive Jacket and Pants” to see if they live up to their names
Play with fire at an old-fashioned “irori” hearth restaurant
Rakuten randomly offers 58 New Year’s osechi feasts in Japan, but did we get a star or a dud?
You can now visit a recreation of Evangelion’s Tokyo-3 and live there in miniature form in【Pics】
Life-size Nier: Automata sword going on sale, includes 2B’s voice if you swing it the right way
Stunning 22-year-old HD footage brings Tokyo of the ‘90s back to life
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
We have some welcome and not-so-welcome visitors at our cheap house in the countryside【SoraHouse】
Studio Ghibli now sells plush toys seen on Howl’s bed from Howl’s Moving Castle