I’m never really sure what I should call the zombie action series that began as a hit PlayStation game in 1996. Resident Evil, its internationally used name, is a lot more colorful than Biohazard, its Japanese one, but only the first of the many games takes place primarily in a home. What’s more, the source of the trouble is science run amok, not dark magic, so the “evil” part seems a touch melodramatic.
On the other hand, there are now five films in the franchise, with a sixth on the way, all of which are produced in English and usually come to Japan only after already premiering overseas, so score one point for Resident Evil.
But in the case of its upcoming stage adaptation, set to open in two months, I really think Biohazard is the most appropriate name, because it looks like every single member of the cast is Japanese.

China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning seems to be affecting Osaka’s Namba and Dotonbori neighborhoods
Foreign driver’s license conversion test passes plummet from over 90% to 33% in Japan
Japanese company selling bear-proof automatic doors
This Osaka laundromat wants to clean more than your clothes; it also wants to clean you
Starbucks Japan now offers close-to-closing discounted items through its mobile order app
Japan’s buzzword of the year nominees: A great way to learn and be baffled by Japanese vocabulary
YouTube goes crazy for “Bubbly” high school girls’ amazing retro ’80s dance routine 【Video】
Japanese Twitter can’t stop laughing at this JLPT listening question straight out of Evangelion
Nintendo releases Metroid-shaped ice cube/cooking tray and Samus arm cannon pillow【Pics】
Japanese “Fan of the Ground” finds sushi in an unusual location
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
Yoshinoya adds first-ever chain-wide ramen with new beef and pork-broth noodle hot pot meals
Japan considering raising international traveler departure tax even more than previously reported
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Shibuya’s Don Quijote?
Studio Ghibli stamps lift your spirits with motivational phrases from Totoro
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowd sizes in Nara?
Japanese train company is letting fans buy its actual ticket gates for their homes
Japanese town suing resident for being a jerk
New fish discovered and named “Vanderhorstia supersaiyan” for obvious reasons
Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas goods and a rhinestone tumbler that costs 19,500 yen
Real-world Nausicaa Ghibli anime glider completes its final flight in Japan【Video】
Brand-new Pokémon park opens in Japan with larger-than-life-size Lapras【Photos】
Unique inclined elevator in Japan leads to a town that inspired Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Tokyo’s Asakusa neighborhood?
The 10 best day trips from downtown Tokyo【Survey】
Naturally brown-haired Osaka student sues government for forcing her to dye her hair black
Japanese government considering tripling departure taxes to combat overtourism
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
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】
The top 10 annoying foreign tourist behaviors on trains, as chosen by Japanese people【Survey】
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
Japan’s buzzword of the year nominees: A great way to learn and be baffled by Japanese vocabulary
YouTube goes crazy for “Bubbly” high school girls’ amazing retro ’80s dance routine 【Video】
Japanese Twitter can’t stop laughing at this JLPT listening question straight out of Evangelion
Nintendo releases Metroid-shaped ice cube/cooking tray and Samus arm cannon pillow【Pics】
Japanese “Fan of the Ground” finds sushi in an unusual location
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Tokyo’s Asakusa neighborhood?
This Shinjuku capsule hotel offers a capsule, a fancy bath, and a sauna for about 3,000 yen per night
Popular Japanese ramen restaurant Ichiran’s lucky bags are great value for money
【Obituary】 Giant isopod “No.1” found dead after more than five years of not eating
Tokyo store that only sells black shirts sheds light on why it’s opening mid-pandemic
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
Studio Ghibli producer shows us how to draw Totoro【Video】
Japanese teacher who asked permission to jerk off at convenience store has been fired