artwork
Don’t sweat it if you find yourself tearing up at this simple but sweet gesture to get an obaachan the recognition she deserves.
How do you reply to a friend’s wedding invitation: with a simple check mark in a box, or a thoughtful work of art?
It’s hard to believe that One Piece, Japan’s best-selling manga series in history, will be celebrating its 18th anniversary this July. With 76 collected volumes of manga, a mega-popular anime television adaptation, an upcoming theme park, and hordes of international fans, the series is stronger than ever after almost two decades.
A recent post by a Japanese internet forum user showed the evolution of series’ creator Eiichiro Oda’s artwork by comparing older pictures of the Straw Hat Pirates with more recent ones side-by-side. While most of the changes are fairly subtle, the slight differences were still enough to spark an online debate about which of the two drawing styles is better. Which is your personal preference?
As we speak, scientists in Japan are hard at work on inventing a myriad of robots whose sole raison d’être is to improve quality of life for humans. Whether it’s shoveling snow, helping people to walk, or generally spreading cheer through unbelievable cuteness and dexterity (we’re talking about you, Asimo!) it’s clear to see that robots are going to feature big in our lives during the years to come. But when a drawing contest was held in Japan for elementary school students to submit their impressions of a robot-filled future, one particular entry started to gain a lot of attention on twitter for being extremely creepy in an oddly knowing way…
While we here at RocketNews24 often feature articles relating to Japan’s beloved Studio Ghibli, it’s no secret that we also have a soft spot for good old Disney animated films. Of course, the hallmark of Disney is its Disney Princess franchise, and we never shy away from sharing any interesting princess-related news that we find floating around the web.
This time around, we’ve stumbled across some absolutely gorgeous Disney character-inspired paintings by oil artist Heather Theurer. If you’ve got a love for Disney girls and are looking to spruce up your walls, then bibbidi-bobbidi-boo, these prints could be the perfect solution for you!
This summer, Japanese gaming site Dengeki Online invites you to vote for the No. 1 beautiful girl game app character in a swimsuit!
There are 85 entries in all, from a total of 35 games and 22 companies. We’ve got beach cuties, busty babes, and goddess types, all waiting for your viewing pleasure. Even if you don’t have a thing for anime-style girls, you can at least admire the gorgeous artwork! Which character do you think looks the cutest in a swimsuit?







Village Vanguard tries to tickle us pink with a Pink Lucky Bag
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
Pokémon Lego kits are finally on their way!【Photos】
Researchers in Japan give mouse glowing sperm
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
Studio Ghibli serves up new anime food at Ghibli Park
The meaning of the mandarin and 6 other Japanese New Year traditions explained
Are 100-yen shop Daiso’s gel nail polish strips a good dupe for salon quality nails? Let’s find out
Uniqlo announces first-ever collaboration with horror manga master Junji Ito【Photos】
Sanrio brings some smiles to Evangelion with new collaboration merch line【Photos】
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
Umamusume anime girl plushie recalled for having parts she absolutely should not have【Pics】
Princess Mononoke magnets return just in time to treat yourself to awesome anime decorations
Top Japanese cosplayer Enako returns to Comiket after 6 years, creates mayhem with admirers
Giant hotel rooms in Osaka reflect the new non-niche face of travel in Japan.
We ate sushi made from Japan’s most expensive tuna ever【Taste test】
Japanese beef bowl chain Sukiya’s 2026 Smile Box lucky bag basically pays for itself
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
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’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
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
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
Human washing machine pods coming to Japanese hotels【Photos】
Studio Ghibli serves up new anime food at Ghibli Park
The meaning of the mandarin and 6 other Japanese New Year traditions explained
Are 100-yen shop Daiso’s gel nail polish strips a good dupe for salon quality nails? Let’s find out
Uniqlo announces first-ever collaboration with horror manga master Junji Ito【Photos】
Sanrio brings some smiles to Evangelion with new collaboration merch line【Photos】
Game of Jenga filled with high-grade whiskey goes on sale in Japan for nearly 2 million yen
Man arrested for violating Japan’s anti-dueling law in downtown Tokyo
Giant hotel rooms in Osaka reflect the new non-niche face of travel in Japan.
Eight Ways You Really, Really Shouldn’t Use a Japanese Toilet
One of Japan’s rarest sweets is a sell-out hit that looks and tastes like frost
Bamboo trees vandalized near Kyoto’s Fushimi Inari shrine, foreign graffiti prevalent
Ruru Cafe Shibuya wows customers by serving coffee and sweets on unique water tables
Hotel in Japan is offering rooms for just 390 yen a night, less than the cost of a bowl of ramen
Studio Ghibli’s kodama ready to leave the Princess Mononoke forest as a squeezable keychain【Pics】