I’m pretty sure that by this point Nintendo is used to being one of the giants on whose shoulders many other video game developers stand. After all, just about every platformer or action RPG owes a debt to the company’s Mario and Zelda franchises, and its Metroid series was so influential in the design of similar exploration-heavy titles that gamers just threw their hands up and decided to call the genre “Metroidvania” (somewhat unfairly giving half the credit to Konami’s Castlevania, which wasn’t nearly as groundbreaking in establishing the category).
Still, it’s one thing when some third-tier software publisher or homebrew video game outfit toes the line between being inspired by your creation and outright copying it, and another when it’s world-famous Disney.
Tokyo park’s sea of clouds, nighttime illumination, and cosplay days make now perfect time to visit
After cancelling Halloween, Tokyo’s Shibuya neighborhood cancels New Year’s Eve too
Japanese job-quitting service contacted by other job-quitting service because employee wants to quit
Beautiful Japanese garden green tea crepes waiting in Tokyo’s historical Asakusa neighborhood
American jackass tourist arrested after carving name into gate at Tokyo’s Meiji Shrine【Video】
Ghibli’s Princess Mononoke teams up with Foxfire for outdoor apparel collaboration【Photos】
Samurai ritual suicide contest cancelled by organizer in west Japan
79-year-old Japanese granny who fell in love with Initial D sports car finds perfect new owner【Vid】
Hardcore Pokémon fans in Japan are spending a TON of money on Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket
Toy or extreme sport? Shop in Hokkaido changes our image of kendama
Ghibli Park debuts first winter illumination display with Howl’s Moving Castle theme
Sanrio and magical girl anime PreCure join forces for new merch line【Photos】
Tokyo restaurant isn’t kidding about the name of its overflowing rare wagyu-ju【Photos】
New Ghibli papercraft kit gives you a little Princess Mononoke forest on your desk【Photos】
Pringles releases a limited-edition sweet flavour in Japan
Starbucks releases new Wicked tumblers in Japan
Off-the-beaten-tourist-track observatory tower in Tokyo has great views of the city…for free!
Japan’s Pokémon donuts are evolving as Diglett grows into Dugtrio churro!
Nintendo’s controller capsule toys are so cool, even the machine you buy them from is awesome【Pics】
Tokyo Disneyland loses top-attendance crown for Japanese theme parks for second year in a row
Adult Jam Bread causes a stir at store in Tokyo
What’s the deal with akebi, the perfectly purple, alien-like fruit that’s in season now in Japan?
Kyoto becomes City of Yokai, with Night Parade of One Hundred Demons festival this autumn
Totoro, Calcifer, other Ghibli stars returning as humidifiers ahead of Japan’s dry winter days【Pics】
McDonald’s new Happy Meals offer up cute and practical Sanrio lifestyle goods
Foreign tourists on Shinkansen bullet train break suitcase etiquette, angering local passengers
[Deleted] Article written for April Fool’s Day 2018
Japanese government to make first change to romanization spelling rules since the 1950s
Foreigner’s request for help in Tokyo makes us sad for the state of society
Ghibli founders Toshio Suzuki and Hayao Miyazaki contribute to Japanese whisky Totoro label design
Japanese convenience store Family Mart announces abolishment of eat-in spaces
Princesses, fruits, and blacksmiths: Study reveals the 30 most unusual family names in Japan
Doraemon found buried at sea as scene from 1993 anime becomes real life【Photos】
Life-size vibrating Legend of Zelda Master Sword for sale from Nintendo【Photos】
Ghibli’s Princess Mononoke teams up with Foxfire for outdoor apparel collaboration【Photos】
Samurai ritual suicide contest cancelled by organizer in west Japan
79-year-old Japanese granny who fell in love with Initial D sports car finds perfect new owner【Vid】
Hardcore Pokémon fans in Japan are spending a TON of money on Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket
Toy or extreme sport? Shop in Hokkaido changes our image of kendama
Tokyo Space-out tournament draws nearly 100 competitors, finds who’s the best at doing nothing【Video】
We eat 13 of the most highly recommended sushi items at Sushiro and pick the best of the best
Foreign man arrested for grabbing former AKB48 idol on Tokyo street, forcing her to ground
Anime tie-up with Japanese onsen town causes public outcry, officials double-down on collaboration
Our reporter shares her reflections on competitive karuta playing manga Chihayafuru ending soon
Doraemon found buried at sea as scene from 1993 anime becomes real life【Photos】
Japan’s Fake Black Stockings offer sheer looks and winter-cold protection
Japan has a smartphone blanket so good it’s called the “blanket that ruins people”