We’ve come to accept most of the oddities we see in manga and anime, but have you ever wondered just how much of it is, well, unrealistic?
anime and manga
When you think Pokémon, you tend to think cutesy creatures fist-fighting and zapping each other with lightning until one of the creatures is “knocked out.” Also, you may think of widespread, real-world epileptic seizures and perhaps the moral complications of a world in which the local fauna are pitted against each other in fighting leagues, used as slave labor and also happily eaten, despite their astonishing intelligence, but maybe that’s a story for another day.
What you probably don’t associate with the series is a devastating intercultural war that has wiped out nearly the entire adult population, yet there appears to be some rather compelling evidence that that’s exactly what happened in the Pokémon world directly before the adventures of the first game…
MOST POPULAR
Now
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Japan has new rules for bicycle riders, and these 14 things could get you a fine or a court date
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
New world’s biggest Muji just opened in Japan, and we paid it a visit【Photos】
Final version of Sanrio: Beginning of Kawaii exhibition opens in Tokyo[Photos]
Japanese trains in Sapporo might be better than those in Tokyo, thanks to one special feature
Daihatsu dealership takes down controversial tweet boasting that they like trees
The Big Bomb Onigiri Japanese rice ball helps us conquer mountain race but conquers us in the end
Super Crazy Kun wins seat in Toda City Council election
Japanese Godzilla looks set to attack New York in teaser for Godzilla Minus Zero[Video]
Weekly
- Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
- Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Mt. Fuji decorated with a 500,000-flower pink carpet is Japan’s ultimate spring view
Lawson convenience store at popular tourist site is one of the most unusual in Japan- Japanese trains in Sapporo might be better than those in Tokyo, thanks to one special feature
30 Pikachus want to share a Tokyo hotel room with you that has separate Grass, Water, Fire spaces
Japanese government wants overseas anime market to roughly triple in 10 years, but are they crazy?
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japanese bento shop sells croquettes for 13 cents, but are they any good?
Starbucks Japan releases FIVE new Frappuccinos in a day, and we try them all in 90 minutes
Monthly
- Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]- Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
- Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Uniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Krispy Kreme releases Super Mario doughnuts in Japan for a limited time
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Yearly
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
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
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
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
RECOMMENDED STORIES
Japanese trains in Sapporo might be better than those in Tokyo, thanks to one special feature
Daihatsu dealership takes down controversial tweet boasting that they like trees
The Big Bomb Onigiri Japanese rice ball helps us conquer mountain race but conquers us in the end
Super Crazy Kun wins seat in Toda City Council election
Japanese Godzilla looks set to attack New York in teaser for Godzilla Minus Zero[Video]
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
Downtown Tokyo’s meaty monster Kaibutsu ramen will challenge your stomach, thrill your taste buds
Eight Ways You Really, Really Shouldn’t Use a Japanese Toilet
Famous koi ponds overwhelmed with tourists throwing thousands of coins in them
McDonald’s and Gundam team up for customized anime mecha and fried chicken sandwiches[Video]
Mt. Fuji decorated with a 500,000-flower pink carpet is Japan’s ultimate spring view
Japan’s first all-matcha ramen restaurant is now open in Kyoto【Photos】
6 things you should try at Sushiro right now, according to staff who work there
Japan’s awesome, eco-friendly, old-school water heaters (and how to use them)
-
