After watching that insanely adorable Mininja short, we decided we had to find out more about it–like when we could watch a full-length film! Fortunately, we were able to track down the tiny “not actually a ninja” alien’s creator–Sean McPhillips, an American who also just happens to be a senior vice president at DLE. In the process of discussing Mininja’s origin, we got the chance to learn about how the Japanese anime industry is growing and just how an American ends up working at a Japanese anime company.
If you’re curious about the future of anime and the origin of our favorite pink ninja, be sure to check this out!
The top 10 annoying foreign tourist behaviors on trains, as chosen by Japanese people【Survey】
Creating an open-air hot spring bath (without a hot spring) at our cheap Japanese country house【Vids】
Man who stole two packs of ground beef tracked by police for about 1,000 kilometers across Japan
Announcing the Find Girlfriends for Takamichi and Takuya Project — Applications open!
Starbucks releases a Bouquet Frappuccino in Japan…but does it taste like a bunch of flowers?
Foreign resident of Japan sentenced to eight months in prison for vandalizing Tokyo shrine
Train continues to stop at rural station for lone schoolgirl until she graduates in March
Japan reaches its lowest-ever ranking on Education First’s 2024 English Proficiency Index
Studio Ghibli cooking/housework aprons are here to lend some cheer to chores【Photos】
How do Japan’s host club hosts get their professional names? We talk with five Kabukicho pros
Bear breaks into house in Japan, quickly begins spending winter exactly like Japanese people do
Starbucks Japan reveals new winter holiday goods to wrap up 2024
Ramen restaurant etiquette reminder follows altercation with angry couple: One person, one bowl
After being snatched up by scalpers, Sailor Moon chocolate returns in officially marked-up complete box
Starbucks Japan releases cute new zodiac goods for Year of the Snake
Tokyo’s Super Mario Christmas decoration displays are super cool【Photos】
What’s in a Family Mart lucky bag?
McDonald’s Japan announces Evangelion burger line, releases crazy anime video for them【Video】
Japanese train station vending machine has the best souvenirs for rail otaku
J-pop mega star Ado reveals she’s been living in the U.S., may not understand language acquisition
Starbucks Japan is calling it quits with paper straws
Japan’s most popular castle raising ticket prices by up to 200 percent for non-local tourists
Japanese company develops classy heavy metal band frames for glasses
Furikake rice seasoning sales are soaring, which is bad news for Japan as a whole
This downtown Tokyo cafe is like a time machine that takes you back 50 years into the past
Station of despair: What to do if you get stuck at the end of Tokyo’s Chuo Rapid Line
Studio Ghibli heroine cardigans give you warmth and strength to face everyday challenges
Uniqlo announces first-ever collaboration with horror manga master Junji Ito【Photos】
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
Possessing Harry Potter’s Sword of Godric Gryffindor is now illegal in Japan
[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
Japanese convenience store Family Mart announces abolishment of eat-in spaces
Life-size vibrating Legend of Zelda Master Sword for sale from Nintendo【Photos】
Princesses, fruits, and blacksmiths: Study reveals the 30 most unusual family names in Japan
Studio Ghibli releases free-download board game — Here’s how to play it without reading Japanese
Foreign resident of Japan sentenced to eight months in prison for vandalizing Tokyo shrine
Train continues to stop at rural station for lone schoolgirl until she graduates in March
Japan reaches its lowest-ever ranking on Education First’s 2024 English Proficiency Index
Studio Ghibli cooking/housework aprons are here to lend some cheer to chores【Photos】
How do Japan’s host club hosts get their professional names? We talk with five Kabukicho pros
Starbucks Japan releases cute new zodiac goods for Year of the Snake
Sanrio says, “Hello Kitty is not a cat.” Whaaa?
What does “Konnichiwa” really mean? Understanding Japanese greetings
Japan’s cooling body wipe sheets want to help you beat the heat, but which work and which don’t?
Often-forgotten Totoro character is the star of these awesome two-in-one Ghibli capsule toys【Vid】
Akihabara curry restaurant declaring bankruptcy after 50 years in Tokyo’s otaku neighborhood
Japan’s Revolutionary Alliance of Unpopular People holds anti-Christmas protest in Tokyo【Pics】 
We found the prettiest TKG ever at a restaurant specializing in raw eggs on rice in Tokyo
Bear breaks into house in Japan, quickly begins spending winter exactly like Japanese people do