800 years after its creation, the Scrolls of Frolicking Animals are still inspiring new content, thanks to the anime studio Hayao Miyazaki built.
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Duelists and anime fans drawn to the sight of 7,000-plus gleaming, mint-condition collectible cards from the hit franchise.
Brief glimpse at multigenerational family has viewers reaching for their tissues and chopsticks.
We can’t quite decide whether Japanese fashion giant Uniqlo’s latest promotional campaign is cute, empowering, or just plain silly.
If you’re starting a new job, you might want to stretch out your back before showing up at the office for your first day.
Beautifully drawn anime ad shows the emotional friendships that can come from a part-time job.
This dance and and its accompanying catchy little jingle, nicknamed the “brainwashing song,” are currently stuck in people’s heads around Japan.
Dialogue, including “Master, would it be all right if I put you into my mouth?”, is just as sultry as the visuals.
Always be prepared, or so the boy scouts’ saying goes. And with this bizarre spring-loaded, condom-dispensing belt, you will be!
It’s not unusual for stars to perform in Japanese commercials, but what they’re asked to do can sometimes lead to head-scratching.
Some universities try to recruit students by telling them about all the fun they’ll have there, but not this Tokyo institute of higher learning.
Like a star athlete who just won a championship, video game heroine Lightning has followed up on saving the world of Final Fantasy XIII by landing an endorsement deal.
Foolishly allowed a sticky-fingered child to hold your phone? Have a crippling fear of germs and wish you could disinfect everything? Now there’s a smartphone you can wash with soap and water!
Last month, SoftBank‘s series of commercials depicting several classic anime characters all grown up premiered. The ads star Kyoko Koizumi (Tokyo Sonata, Hanging Garden) as Usagi Tsukino (Sailor Moon), the proprietess at Moon Ribar an atmospheric rooftop bar. She’s assisted by Maruko-chan (Chibi Maruko-chan, played by Suzu Hirose) and welcomes guests like Fist of the North Star‘s Kenshiro (famous Kabuki actor Ichikawa Ebizō XI), Obocchama-kun (played by Shinnosuke Mitsushima), Duke “Golgo 13” Tōgō (played by Fumiyo Kohinata), Joe Yabuki (Ashita no Joe, played by comedian Naoki Matayoshi) and Astro Boy himself, played by Masato Sakai (Honey and Clover).
You might think that Japanese advertisements are all Hollywood celebrity endorsements or surreal tales of busty schoolgirls with nose rings, but when it wants to, Japan can make commercials that yank on the heartstrings as strongly as anywhere else in Asia. Getting the waterworks flowing today is Toyota, asking the question, “Do you care about your parents as much as they love you?”, and while the video is short on cars, it makes up for that with plenty of tears.
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Japan’s instant ramen snack theme park features an athletic course even adults can enjoy
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Japanese temple burns to the ground, fire burning inside for 1,200 years unharmed
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Weekly
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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
Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home- Ichiraku Ramen-inspired ramen sets from Naruto anime pay homage to Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet- Kanji ice cream becomes a sell-out hit in Japan
Japan’s new Pokémon jackets give you the look and powers of the Kanto starter trio
Japan now has gyoza doughnuts, and they taste like no other doughnut we’ve tried before
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Studio Ghibli launches huge new anime movie T-shirt collection with special design details
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
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Bizarre Japanese vending machine sells “Peace and Equality” and “Angels and Demons”
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Man in Japan calls in bomb threat because he doesn’t want to go to his own work farewell party
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Memorial bell inside Hiroshima’s Peace Park has been silenced, but for a sweet reason
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7-Eleven Japan releases their second lineup of upsized foods from a muffin to bukkake soba
7-Eleven Japan adds macaroni cheese sandwiches to its convenience store food range
You’ll never win cash or prizes or cash at this Tokyo pachinko parlor, and that’s why it’s so cool
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