Our visiting Japanese reporter shares her thoughts on the Spanish capital’s tribute to Japanese culture in its various forms.
Madrid
Our reporter travels all the way to Spain to meet an artistic hair stylist whose technique is a little sharper than usual.
The Japan Chibi Weekend, held in February in Madrid, is a relatively small player in the anime convention world. Entry costs just 7 euros (US$10), and its name even means “mini” in Japanese. That doesn’t stop anime and manga fans having a blast though, with a great mix of Japanese and western characters on show in the cosplay competition and around the convention.
Although the two-day event focuses on manga, anime and Japanese culture, the competitors’ handmade costumes included an impressive line-up of Disney and Dreamworks characters, too! Let’s take a look at what was on offer in the Spanish capital at this year’s event.
MOST POPULAR
Now
After cancelling Halloween, Tokyo’s Shibuya neighborhood cancels New Year’s Eve too
Tokyo park’s sea of clouds, nighttime illumination, and cosplay days make now perfect time to visit
Japanese job-quitting service contacted by other job-quitting service because employee wants to quit
Sanrio and magical girl anime PreCure join forces for new merch line【Photos】
American jackass tourist arrested after carving name into gate at Tokyo’s Meiji Shrine【Video】
Beautiful Japanese garden green tea crepes waiting in Tokyo’s historical Asakusa neighborhood
New heater-less pet kotatsu is a safe way to keep your furry friends warm this winter
Samurai ritual suicide contest cancelled by organizer in west Japan
Take the Aunt Stella’s all-you-can-stuff cookie bag challenge in Japan!【Photos】
Line of foreign tourists leads us to Akihabara’s meatiest fatty ramen【Taste test】
Weekly
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- Japanese job-quitting service contacted by other job-quitting service because employee wants to quit
Off-the-beaten-tourist-track observatory tower in Tokyo has great views of the city…for free!- After cancelling Halloween, Tokyo’s Shibuya neighborhood cancels New Year’s Eve too
Japan’s Pokémon donuts are evolving as Diglett grows into Dugtrio churro!
Monthly
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- Ghibli Park debuts first winter illumination display with Howl’s Moving Castle theme
What’s the deal with akebi, the perfectly purple, alien-like fruit that’s in season now in Japan?- Pringles releases a limited-edition sweet flavour in Japan
- Sanrio and magical girl anime PreCure join forces for new merch line【Photos】
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】- Tokyo restaurant isn’t kidding about the name of its overflowing rare wagyu-ju【Photos】
Yearly
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】
RECOMMENDED STORIES
Beautiful Japanese garden green tea crepes waiting in Tokyo’s historical Asakusa neighborhood
New heater-less pet kotatsu is a safe way to keep your furry friends warm this winter
Samurai ritual suicide contest cancelled by organizer in west Japan
Take the Aunt Stella’s all-you-can-stuff cookie bag challenge in Japan!【Photos】
Line of foreign tourists leads us to Akihabara’s meatiest fatty ramen【Taste test】
Hello Kitty isn’t a cat!? We called Sanrio to find out!
New Ghibli papercraft kit gives you a little Princess Mononoke forest on your desk【Photos】
Tokyo’s Shibuya district passes year-round public drinking ban
Low price, free booze and curry, late check-out, and great location — Akihabara capsule hotel has it all
Pikachu/Game Boy manhole cover installed at Nintendo Museum, not viewable by general public
Japanese convenience store Christmas cakes are cuter than ever!
Relax in a bath that smells like … miso soup and ramen with these bath powders from Japan!
Five uninhabited Japanese islands you can buy right now
This super-compact raincoat from one of Japan’s 100-yen stores can literally fit in your pocket
-
