Sure, that stuffed animal may look cute, but if you’ve seen anime Puella Magi Madoka Magica, you know this is the start of a dangerous relationship.
magical girls (Page 2)
SoraNews24’s Seiji compiles a list of five things you’ll need to do if you want to be a heroine in the grand tradition of Sailor Moon and her ilk.
The City of Angels gets a new guardian of manners with the bilingual Japanese/English Super Kind series.
Watching anime as homework sounds like an otaku dream come true.
Surprisingly, Sailor Moon wasn’t even close to the top pick.
With the greater acceptance among adults that animation has in Japan, it’s not unusual to see anime characters pop up in advertisements and other endorsements. Usually, though, there’s at least some sort of connection linking the message and the characters, though, either in tone, back story, or demographic appeal.
For instance, convenience stores get a lot of young customers who’d rather be spending their time watching anime than cooking, so a tie-up with Attack on Titan makes sense. Likewise, hanging in my local train station is a public safety poster from the Kanagawa Prefectural Police asking citizens to be on the lookout and report crimes, which also feature the giant law enforcement robot from Patlabor.
So the fact that two anime-style magical girls have been created for a series of TV ads isn’t so surprising. What is weird, though, is the product they’re pushing: bank loans.





Hello Kitty Choco Egg figures are an adorable trip through three periods of Japanese pop culture【Pics】
7-Eleven Japan’s ramen-cooking robot whipped us up a bowl of noodles【Taste test】
Dragon Quest Burgers and Slime drinks are coming to McDonald’s Japan【Video】
Can a dirty butthole make you filthy rich in Japan? We’re starting a New Year’s lottery experiment
Japanese public toilet in Tokyo has windows that change colour when you use it
Research from Tohoku University claims video games impair brain development in children
Recreate the Ghibli Museum at home in cute miniature form
Japan’s snack of almonds and whole fish might not be for everyone【Taste test】
Projection mapping coming to Cinderella’s Castle at Tokyo Disneyland 【Video】
Japanese police attempting to clamp down on “zombie cigarettes”
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware
Starbucks Japan releases new zodiac chilled cup drink for 2026
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Starbucks on a Shinkansen bullet train platform: 6 tips for using the automated store in Japan
Large amount of supposed human organs left in Osaka marketplace
Japan’s otoshidama tradition of giving kids money at New Year’s gets a social welfare upgrade
A Japanese dating app matched our bachelorette with a Buddhist monk, and she learned some things
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Japanese train company is letting fans buy its actual ticket gates for their homes
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
Sanrio theme park in Japan announces plans to expand into a Sanrio resort
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
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
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】
The top 10 annoying foreign tourist behaviors on trains, as chosen by Japanese people【Survey】
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
Research from Tohoku University claims video games impair brain development in children
Recreate the Ghibli Museum at home in cute miniature form
Japan’s snack of almonds and whole fish might not be for everyone【Taste test】
Projection mapping coming to Cinderella’s Castle at Tokyo Disneyland 【Video】
Japanese police attempting to clamp down on “zombie cigarettes”
Is it rude to sing along at concerts in Japan? We ask a pro musician for his take
Rumors say Tokyo’s Sensoji Temple sticks you with bad fortunes, so we bought 100 to find out
Tokyo’s Ueno Station has an unmanned noodle restaurant on its platform, and its no-joke good
25 different Japanese convenience store sandwiches – What’s inside them?【Photos】
More Than a Capsule Stay: Why Solo Travelers Choose “global cabin Yokohama Chinatown”
Live-action Spy x Family stage reveals its four Anyas!【Photos】
7 MEN Samurai leading charge of Johnny’s new wave, need your help translating