“Kabe-don” ranked among Japan’s top anime buzzwords of 2014. Facing a woman with her back on the wall, the man places his hand on the wall beside her with a “don!” (the Japanese sound routinely used to represent something hitting a hard surface), with his face close to hers. This situation common in girls’ comics is also frequently seen in TV dramas and movies, and many young women who watch this scene dream of finding themselves in a similar situation with the object of their affections.
But is the ago-kui set to be 2015’s kabe-don and among its most-used phrases?
7-Eleven Japan releases fukubukuro lucky bags filled with convenience store surprises
Beautiful Totoro bag returns, still requires jumping through an extra hoop to get, still worth it
Celebrating Good Couple’s Day in Japan…by getting our significant others to dress us
Studio Ghibli releases new range of cardigans for anime fans
Kyoto cookies let you create your own edible 3-D forest world
Ghibli’s Princess Mononoke teams up with Foxfire for outdoor apparel collaboration【Photos】
How merry is Starbucks Japan’s new Merry Cream holiday Frappuccino?
Real-life Rurouni Kenshin reverse-blade katana, forged by master swordsmith, now on display【Pics】
Doraemon found buried at sea as scene from 1993 anime becomes real life【Photos】
1,200 Japanese workers convert above-ground train to subway line in a matter of hours
One of Japan’s most beautiful hot spring towns announces new limits on number of day trippers
Berserk T-shirts coming to Uniqlo for launch of new Manga Curation line【Photos】
Kyoto Whopper divides customers at Burger King Japan
Mario Kart Happy Meal toys arrive at McDonald’s Japan, and SoraNews24 has the whole set!【Photos】
Japanese burger chain no longer serves onion rings, but offers intriguing replacement【Taste test】
Taking the Kyoto overnight bus for the first time
Yakuza vending machines coming to real-world Tokyo neighborhood that inspired Like a Dragon games
Starbucks Japan unveils second Holiday Frappuccino for 2024
Nintendo’s controller capsule toys are so cool, even the machine you buy them from is awesome【Pics】
Tokyo Disneyland loses top-attendance crown for Japanese theme parks for second year in a row
Ghibli Park debuts first winter illumination display with Howl’s Moving Castle theme
Pringles releases a limited-edition sweet flavour in Japan
Sanrio and magical girl anime PreCure join forces for new merch line【Photos】
Japanese job-quitting service contacted by other job-quitting service because employee wants to quit
After cancelling Halloween, Tokyo’s Shibuya neighborhood cancels New Year’s Eve too
McDonald’s new Happy Meals offer up cute and practical Sanrio lifestyle goods
Foreign tourists on Shinkansen bullet train break suitcase etiquette, angering local passengers
Japanese government to make first change to romanization spelling rules since the 1950s
Foreigner’s request for help in Tokyo makes us sad for the state of society
Ghibli founders Toshio Suzuki and Hayao Miyazaki contribute to Japanese whisky Totoro label design
Japanese convenience store Family Mart announces abolishment of eat-in spaces
Princesses, fruits, and blacksmiths: Study reveals the 30 most unusual family names in Japan
Life-size vibrating Legend of Zelda Master Sword for sale from Nintendo【Photos】
Studio Ghibli releases free-download board game — Here’s how to play it without reading Japanese
Ghibli’s Princess Mononoke teams up with Foxfire for outdoor apparel collaboration【Photos】
How merry is Starbucks Japan’s new Merry Cream holiday Frappuccino?
Real-life Rurouni Kenshin reverse-blade katana, forged by master swordsmith, now on display【Pics】
Doraemon found buried at sea as scene from 1993 anime becomes real life【Photos】
1,200 Japanese workers convert above-ground train to subway line in a matter of hours
Chiitan vs John Oliver: Talk show host responds to Japanese mascot’s challenge to battle 【Video】
What’s wrong with English education in Japan? Pull up a chair…
Starbucks adds gingerbread cookies to its holiday lineup in Japan
Senkoji: The Japanese temple that’s more like a theme park to heaven and hell
Cat pancakes: Easier to make than normal ones thanks to super-cute, super-cheap Japanese gadget
Mario Kart Happy Meal toys arrive at McDonald’s Japan, and SoraNews24 has the whole set!【Photos】
We try roasted salamander so you don’t have to
Starbucks Japan’s Lucky Bag #2: Is it as good as the first fukubukuro?
Takoyaki makers surprisingly good at grilling meat for yakiniku too