Unabashed lifelong otaku’s final online words express admiration for another recently departed anime/manga legend.
Kazuo Koike
The legendary creator of Lone Wolf and Cub has no patience for such affronts to fine dining.
Although he’s one of the most respected figures of all time in the manga industry, Kazuo Koike isn’t typically associated with the otaku subculture. When his most popular creation, Lone Wolf and Cub, was translated into English it attracted as many international fans from among Western comic readers as from those who favored Japanese manga, and in general his works have a gritty, somber tone to them, unlike the brightly colored daydreams and self-insert power fantasies that are often associated with otaku-pandering fare.
There’s also the fact that Koike was born in 1936, and being old enough and of the corresponding gender to fill two-thirds of a “grumpy old man” bingo card, you might expect him to have harsh words for Japan’s legions of hobby-obsessed individuals, like those that often sputter forth from Studio Ghibli founder Hayao Miyazaki.
But it turns out that not only is Koike accepting of the otaku life, but he thinks that being an otaku from the cradle to the grave makes for a beautiful life.
MOST POPULAR
Now
Majority of Japanese women in survey regret marrying their husband, but that’s only half the story
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Massive manga collaboration bringing 100 years of Shueisha manga to Uniqlo T-shirts【Photos】
Mister Donut and Godiva continue their sweet sweets relationship with new treats on sale now in Japan
Draco Malfoy himself comes to Tokyo to visit Harajuku’s brand-new Harry Potter store【Photos】
The Yellow Lucky Bag from Village Vanguard is so bad it may damage Japan-US relations
Which Japanese beef bowl chain’s near-identical demon grater onioroshi ponzu gyudon is the best?
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Japanese osechi New Year’s meal lucky bag gives us way more than we bargained for
Enjoy a Pokémon tea ceremony with new matcha goods featuring Poltchageist and Sinistcha
Weekly
- Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
Giant hotel rooms in Osaka reflect the new non-niche face of travel in Japan.
Japanese women showing rebounding interest in giving Valentine’s Day chocolate【Survey】
Totoro cream puffs and Catbus cookies are finally available in downtown Tokyo
Princess Mononoke magnets return just in time to treat yourself to awesome anime decorations
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
What’s inside Starbucks Japan’s fukubukuro lucky bag for 2026?
Monthly
- Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
- 10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】- Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches- Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
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】
- Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Yearly
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- Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
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
RECOMMENDED STORIES
The Yellow Lucky Bag from Village Vanguard is so bad it may damage Japan-US relations
Which Japanese beef bowl chain’s near-identical demon grater onioroshi ponzu gyudon is the best?
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Japanese osechi New Year’s meal lucky bag gives us way more than we bargained for
Enjoy a Pokémon tea ceremony with new matcha goods featuring Poltchageist and Sinistcha
Starbucks Japan releases new range of pink drinkware and gift cards for Mother’s Day
Japan’s kid-friendly ski program is now selling Pikachu snowboards for a limited time only
Sanrio Pompompurin purin custard pudding sweets sound doubly delicious, look like pooch bottoms
McDonald’s Japan releases a Mushroom Mountain and Bamboo Shoot Village McFlurry
23 flavors, five top recommendations for the wide world of Kikkoman soy milk【Taste test】
Our Japanese-born reporter eats burrito for first time in his life, changes opinion on McDonald’s
-
