For many newcomers to anime and manga, it can be hard to tell characters drawn by the same artist apart. In general, Japanese designs use fewer lines, especially in the faces, than those of Western comic books, and even some artists themselves, such as Touch creator Mitsuru Adachi, have been known to get their own cast members mixed up.
That’s not a problem with Atom, though. Also known as Astro Boy, Osamu Tezuka’s beloved mighty robot is instantly recognizable, whether in the pages of the manga where he debuted, onscreen in one of his many anime adaptations, or, in his most recent appearance, a pedestrian walk signal in Kanagawa Prefecture.
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Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
Toyota built a life-sized Miraidon Pokémon and are letting people test drive it this weekend
Making trains meow-r fun: Japanese station master cats (and bunny!) strut their fluff【Pics】
Japan’s otoshidama tradition of giving kids money at New Year’s gets a social welfare upgrade
Hyper-detailed anime girl masks are here to solve, possibly create your fashion problems【Photos】
Nearly one in ten young adults living in Japan isn’t ethnically Japanese, statistics show
The 5 best Japanese bento to buy at Kyoto Station
Japanese beef bowl chain Sukiya’s 2026 Smile Box lucky bag basically pays for itself
Hayao Miyazaki says Happy New Year to Studio Ghibli fans with new art for Year of the Horse
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
Top Japanese cosplayer Enako returns to Comiket after 6 years, creates mayhem with admirers
Cup Noodle tries an authentic Jiro-style ramen, but something’s not quite right
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We revisited Sweets Paradise after a decade to see if Japan’s dessert buffet still delivers
That time Seiji called JASRAC to ask why he didn’t get paid royalties for his song being on TV
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
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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】
Making trains meow-r fun: Japanese station master cats (and bunny!) strut their fluff【Pics】
Japan’s otoshidama tradition of giving kids money at New Year’s gets a social welfare upgrade
Hyper-detailed anime girl masks are here to solve, possibly create your fashion problems【Photos】
Nearly one in ten young adults living in Japan isn’t ethnically Japanese, statistics show
The 5 best Japanese bento to buy at Kyoto Station
This gachapon capsule machine dispenses real Akoya pearls, with certificates of authenticity
Say hello to Japan’s new stationmaster cat!【Video】
Japanese school has ridiculous reason for not letting cold schoolgirl wear tights under her skirt
KitKat Japan’s holiday chocolate is here and we (and everyone else) can’t get enough of it!
Home workout fun: Get in shape with Creamy Mami magical girl anime exercise videos
One of Japan’s rarest sweets is a sell-out hit that looks and tastes like frost
Harajuku’s new permanent Tamagotchi shop is filled with cuteness and a surprising lack of poop
We visited a “terrible” Japanese hot spring hotel near Narita Airport
Princess Mononoke magnets return just in time to treat yourself to awesome anime decorations