Shuho Sato, the writer of Burakku Jyakku ni Yoroshiku, which commonly translates to “Say Hello to Black Jack,” is planning to make the award winning, 10 million copy selling manga available for free “second use.”
This means that after 15 September anyone in the world will be free to novelize, televise, create merchandise, or in any way adapt the original work for either commercial or non-commercial purposes without having to pay royalties. This is the latest move in the writer’s quest to find alternatives to the “outdated” model of intellectual property rights.
Disney princesses get official manga makeovers for Manga Princess Cafe opening in Tokyo
Our reporter takes her 71-year-old mother to a visual kei concert for the first time
Is the new Shinkansen Train Desk ticket worth it?
Hamburg and Hamburg Shibuya: A Japanese restaurant you need to put on your Tokyo itinerary
Foreign English teachers in Japan pick their favorite Japanese-language phrases【Survey】
You COULD eat a terrifying octopus egg in Japan, but SHOULD you? Let’s find out!【Taste test】
Eight Japanese words we’d love to import into English
Hey, Japanese taxi driver! Take us to your favorite restaurant in Tsuruga City!
Traditional silverwork pairs with the power of the moon in this stunning Silver Crystal pendant
We try out “Chan Ramen”, an underground type of ramen popular in the ramen community
New Studio Ghibli bedding sets are cool in all senses of the word
Our Japanese reporter visits Costco in the U.S., finds super American and very Japanese things
New Pokémon cakes let you eat your way through Pikachu and all the Eevee evolutions
There’s a park inside Japan where you can also see Japan inside the park
Japanese convenience store packs a whole bento into an onigiri rice ball
Hanton rice — a delicious regional food even most Japanese people don’t know about, but more should
Final Fantasy, Kingdom Hearts, and Dragon Quest pet product line announced by Square Enix
Studio Ghibli releases Kiki’s Delivery Service chocolate cake pouches in Japan
Japan’s bone-breaking and record-breaking roller coaster is permanently shutting down
New definition of “Japanese whiskey” goes into effect to prevent fakes from fooling overseas buyers
Foreign passenger shoves conductor on one of the last full runs for Japan’s Thunderbird train
Kyoto bans tourists from geisha alleys in Gion, with fines for those who don’t follow rules
Studio Ghibli unveils Mother’s Day gift set that captures the love in My Neighbour Totoro
Domino’s Japan now sells…pizza ears?
Toyota built a life-sized Miraidon Pokémon and are letting people test drive it this weekend
New Japanese KitKat flavour stars Sanrio characters, including Hello Kitty
Sales of Japan’s most convenient train ticket/shopping payment cards suspended indefinitely
Sold-out Studio Ghibli desktop humidifiers are back so Totoro can help you through the dry season
Japanese government to make first change to romanization spelling rules since the 1950s
Ghibli founders Toshio Suzuki and Hayao Miyazaki contribute to Japanese whisky Totoro label design
Doraemon found buried at sea as scene from 1993 anime becomes real life【Photos】
Tokyo’s most famous Starbucks is closed
One Piece characters’ nationalities revealed, but fans have mixed opinions
We asked a Uniqlo employee what four things we should buy and their suggestions didn’t disappoint
Princesses, fruits, and blacksmiths: Study reveals the 30 most unusual family names in Japan
Studio Ghibli’s new desktop Howl’s Moving Castle will take your stationery on an adventure
You COULD eat a terrifying octopus egg in Japan, but SHOULD you? Let’s find out!【Taste test】
Eight Japanese words we’d love to import into English
Hey, Japanese taxi driver! Take us to your favorite restaurant in Tsuruga City!
Traditional silverwork pairs with the power of the moon in this stunning Silver Crystal pendant
New Pokémon cakes let you eat your way through Pikachu and all the Eevee evolutions
Randomly running into a great sushi lunch like this is one of the best things about eating in Tokyo
Beyond sakura: How to tell a cherry blossom from a plum or peach flower
Everything you need to know about dining at a sushi restaurant—in handy infographics!【Pics】
What happens to Cup Noodle Mystery Meat when you cook it in a rice cooker?
Ochanomizu Hotel Shoryukan has the perfect balance of class and convenience for your Tokyo stay
It’s like the samurai era never ended at this beautiful Japanese mountain town