Bringing you yesterday's news from Japan and Asia, today.
anime & manga (Page 5)
Although he has rarely been seen in Western countries, Doraemon is an animated cat whose popularity rivals that of Mickey Mouse in Japan. From his beginnings in manga in the 70s, Doraemon has made the leap to TV and film animations and was appointed Japan’s first animated cultural ambassador. Now the Doraemon story lives on in a series of TV commercials for Toyota.
Basketball’s popularity in Japan today can largely be credited to the mega-hit manga and anime series Slam Dunk. Since its beginnings in the 90s, its popularity had spread beyond the borders of Japan and even to this day it continues to hold a world-wide fan base.
Now, thanks to the National Taiwan University of Arts’ Department of Broadcasting’s Class of 2010, Slam Dunk has been lovingly recreated as a live action video. A hit on YouTube, the video is a rather meticulous reenactment of the opening sequence of the animated version.
Sometimes we all need a little lovin’. Now you can get a kiss anywhere, at any time, with the saucy new iPhone app Choi Kiss, loosely translated as Kisses on the Go. This little piece of heaven won’t even cost you a penny.
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Comiket 81, the world’s largest self-published comic book fair, was held 29 December, 2011 at Big Sight in Tokyo. Like Comikets before it, the cosplayers came out this year in full force. Yet, among the standard cosplay fair was one who stood out in the crowd like no other.
On Yahoo Shopping, a site famous for its oodles of unique merchandise, an ornamental sword is attracting a lot of attention. It’s called the “Whale Sword” and it’s a model of a style of ornamental sword used in the pre-war days, with a blade close to a meter long. Who wouldn’t want that in their stocking?
Toyota made waves by casting Japanese heartthrob Satoshi Tsumabuki as Nobita-kun in its live-action Doraemon commercials two weeks ago, but fans of the adapation of the popular cartoon were in for an even bigger shock the following week.
Toyota rolled its second wave of live-action Doraemon commercials off the line on November 18 with film star Jean Reno playing the role of Doraemon.
Ensky Co., Ltd. has fashioned a set of playing cards based on the famous lines of Takeshi “Gian” Goda, a bully character from the hit anime and manga “Doraemon.” In the series, Gian spends most of his time making outrageous demands of other children and bullying main character Nobita, but there are times when he shows his courage and displays true friendship.
I slung my camera over my shoulder, ready to invade the world of cosplay for the first time at this year’s summer Comic Market 80 at Tokyo Big Sight.
Tokyo train station will play Godzilla theme song as new departure melody
Experimenting with making hot sandwiches in the microwave with a device from Japan’s 3COINS
Matcha ice cream discontinued by one of Japan’s favorite ice cream brands
Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
New Sonic the Hedgehog figure costs 1 million yen, is made of Arita ware Japanese porcelain [Vid]
If anyone needs us, we’ll be in the cardboard Japanese snack house we just built [Photos]
Japan has convenience store fried chicken-flavor instant ramen, but does it taste like it says it does?
Starbucks Japan unveils new Halloween goods with secret glow-in-the-dark details
Starbucks Japan serves up new Coffee Espresso Cream Frappuccino for Nighttime Dolce Coffee range
Video released of Pikachu’s real-world trip to space! [Video]
Japan announces new permanent residency guidelines, foreigners must earn more than average Japanese person
Studio Ghibli’s Calcifer is ready to light up your home as a magical-looking candle lamp [Photos]Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in JapanTokyo train station will play Godzilla theme song as new departure melody
Make-your-own-Totoro plushie workshop event coming to Ghibli Park park this fall
Osaka man arrested for running little pet shop of horrors with dangerous crocodile
Starbucks Japan says sayonara to the Filone for new sandwiches and a Pumpkin Soupuccino
Casio collaborates with a Kyoto foil master for a luxurious one million yen G-SHOCK
Foreign tourist numbers drop in Osaka, despite record-setting highs from U.S. and Korea
Japan’s first-ever conveyor-belt Sushi Bus announces Tokyo tour start date, reservations now openJapan announces new permanent residency guidelines, foreigners must earn more than average Japanese personFamily Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
Starbucks Japan unveils new Pokémon collaboration with Pikachu Latte and exclusive goodsStudio Ghibli’s Calcifer is ready to light up your home as a magical-looking candle lamp [Photos]
Lady Gaga and Family Mart team up for a Japanese convenience store work video [Video]
New Gundam Base superstores coming soon in the U.S., with one opening this month
Studio Ghibli releases new plush mascot character collection with a focus on friendship
Studio Ghibli releases new onigiri rice ball-shaped lunch bag for Kiki’s Delivery Service fans
Do Japan’s new single-minded convenience store bento show depressing poverty or satisfying focus?
How to watch Studio Ghibli’s new anime in Japan, with a special after-dark outdoor screening for Halloween
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
If anyone needs us, we’ll be in the cardboard Japanese snack house we just built [Photos]
Japan has convenience store fried chicken-flavor instant ramen, but does it taste like it says it does?
Starbucks Japan unveils new Halloween goods with secret glow-in-the-dark details
Starbucks Japan serves up new Coffee Espresso Cream Frappuccino for Nighttime Dolce Coffee range
Video released of Pikachu’s real-world trip to space! [Video]
Shibuya goes hard on Halloween, announces countermeasures to prevent chaos on the streets
Burger King serves up Pickleball Burgers in Japan, with a tasty nod to the number 11
Starbucks Japan releases new Halloween Frappuccino for 2026, inspired by a cat in a mystery forest
My Neighbor Totoro calendar for next year can be yours right now at Donguri Kyowakoku
Wendy’s Japan goes big with new limited-edition Mega Wendy’s, but is it worth the calories?
Tokyo government announces removal of all public phones from city’s Toei subway stations
Starbucks Japan releases new seasonal chilled cup tea latte with surprising accents in flavour
Japan announces new permanent residency guidelines, foreigners must earn more than average Japanese person
Yogurt and Japanese koji fungus is Japan’s latest food trend, but how does it taste? [Taste test]