AKIRA
Characters from Akira, Cardcaptor Sakura, Ghost in the Shell, and more explain the basics of Japanese manners at Shinkansen stations.
The slide seen ‘round the world looks awesome in a whole new way with some clever practical effects.
Head of state also picks up an amazing One Piece souvenir that any fan would treasure.
Come for the Japanese anime references, stay for the plot-changing twist that’s blown viewers’ minds.
The modern animated films of Katsuhiro Otomo, some of the most expensive anime ever made, won’t cost a thing to watch.
Tiny background detail in ‘80s manga masterpiece getting new attention decades later.
One of the bleakest depictions of Tokyo in all of film is part of Olympics celebration projection mapping project.
We doubt anyone could ever forget just how influential Akira is, but here’s a GIF to remind you just in case you ever do!
Akira‘s theatrical poster is almost as iconic as the movie itself. But who knew that a character walking towards their ride could look as badass as Kaneda?
In case you’ve never read any of the Akira manga or seen the landmark 1988 anime movie based on it, here’s a basic rundown of the plot. A powerful organization comes up with what it thinks it a great idea, but before its plan come to fruition, the whole thing blows up in their faces. Years later, though, it tries again, unleashing the danger of potentially even more disastrous results.
In the anime, the “powerful organization” is the military, and the “great idea” is cultivating weaponized psionic children. Some would say this parallels the real-world situation of another powerful organization, Hollywood movie studio Warner Brothers, and its own ambitions to turn Akira into a live-action film, which have faced nothing but roadblocks and angry backlashes from fans of the source material for more than 10 years now.
But just like Akira’s military, Warner Brothers seems convinced that it can still get all the variables just right, and new rumors suggest that the studio might be planning to make not one, but three Akira films, and that it’s courting one of Hollywood’s hottest filmmakers to help.

















McDonald’s Japan has free smiles on its delivery menu, but does asking for one make a difference?
We mixed all 31 flavors of Baskin Robbins ice cream and created a Frankenstein dessert【Video】
That time Seiji called JASRAC to ask why he didn’t get paid royalties for his song being on TV
Japan’s first hotel with a human washing machine is now ready for you to come and bathe in it
Green tea chocolate-covered potato chips arrive in Japan! 【Taste test】
Four Shinto shrines to pray for love at in Japan to start the New Year
We tried all seven of Muji’s new “Bento of the Day” boxed lunch sets
Record number of foreign children in Japan need help understanding Japanese in school
Robot noodle chef starts working in Tokyo train station, serves up taste of the future【Video】
Is “The Most Annoying but Most Delicious” ramen from 7-Eleven truly the most delicious?
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
Hayao Miyazaki says Happy New Year to Studio Ghibli fans with new art for Year of the Horse
Japanese beef bowl chain Sukiya’s 2026 Smile Box lucky bag basically pays for itself
We found possibly the quietest Japanese-style hotel in Tokyo’s bustling Shinjuku district
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
Japan’s oldest largetooth sawfish in captivity back on display in Mie Prefecture
Pizza Hut Japan’s hot lucky bags are perfect for a New Year’s pizza party
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
Sanrio theme park in Japan announces plans to expand into a Sanrio resort
Stamina-destroying “Paralysis Noodles” are Tokyo’s newest over-the-top ramen innovation
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
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
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
Four Shinto shrines to pray for love at in Japan to start the New Year
We tried all seven of Muji’s new “Bento of the Day” boxed lunch sets
Record number of foreign children in Japan need help understanding Japanese in school
Robot noodle chef starts working in Tokyo train station, serves up taste of the future【Video】
Is “The Most Annoying but Most Delicious” ramen from 7-Eleven truly the most delicious?
KFC Japan introduces a new burger 8 years in the making
Exhibit featuring cutting-edge smell technology held at Tokyo Skytree
Anime fan shares ingenious lifehack to hang posters without putting holes in your walls
Japanese beef bowl chain Sukiya’s 2026 Smile Box lucky bag basically pays for itself
Japanese convenience store chain has beer and sake dispensers that few people know about
Tokyo fish market breaks New Year auction record as single fish sells for over 5 million yen【Vid】
Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
This Osaka laundromat wants to clean more than your clothes; it also wants to clean you