For hardcore fans of a certain band or TV show, part of the fun is amassing a collection of tie-in products designed to meet your exact needs and interests. Nowhere does this ring true more than in Japan, where geeking out over a variety of goods relating to your most beloved anime or music group is basically all part and parcel of fandom.
But sometimes the companies who produce these products tends to go a little too far, attempting to dupe devoted fans out of their hard-earned cash in exchange for, well, a heap of junk. Read on to view seven of the worst offenders!
Major Japanese city is abolishing extracurricular activities at all of its middle schools
Japanese company develops classy heavy metal band frames for glasses
Japanese politician threatens to send bears to people, wants Loony Tunes-style anti-bear bombs
Five different ways to say “children” in Japanese
Studio Ghibli showcases traditional craftsmanship with new wallet range
“Get paid to chat online with Japanese girls” part-time job sounds like scam, is apparently legit
Possessing Harry Potter’s Sword of Godric Gryffindor is now illegal in Japan
Draw-your-own fox charms are one of the highlights of Kyoto’s famous Fushimi Inari Shrine
Wobbly Spirited Away No Face tea time figure is ready for a jittery Ghibli break, Jiji too【Pics】
Survey asks Japanese teens which school club they want to join, and “kitaku” club is top choice
Studio Ghibli tea blends contain ingredients inspired by My Neighbour Totoro
Japan’s Kanji of the Year announced, shows the bright and dark spots of 2024【Video】
Japan’s tap-to-pay Suica train card system aims to go tapless with walk-through gates, location data scans
Starbucks teams up with 165-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Snake decorations【Photos】
One of Japan’s rarest sweets is a sell-out hit that looks and tastes like frost
Over 800 Studio Ghibli anime world paintings compiled in beautiful new hardcover art book【Pics】
Mysterious light-up rainy night-sound Totoro figure doesn’t actually show a scene from the anime
Japanese city paints well-known prostitution street bright yellow, adds fish art【Video】
Uniqlo announces first-ever collaboration with horror manga master Junji Ito【Photos】
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
Studio Ghibli releases new range of cardigans for anime fans
Japan’s most popular castle raising ticket prices by up to 200 percent for non-local tourists
Furikake rice seasoning sales are soaring, which is bad news for Japan as a whole
Studio Ghibli heroine cardigans give you warmth and strength to face everyday challenges
Eight unforgettable hot springs, as recommended by Japan’s “Professor Bath”
Berserk T-shirts coming to Uniqlo for launch of new Manga Curation line【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
[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
“Get paid to chat online with Japanese girls” part-time job sounds like scam, is apparently legit
Possessing Harry Potter’s Sword of Godric Gryffindor is now illegal in Japan
Draw-your-own fox charms are one of the highlights of Kyoto’s famous Fushimi Inari Shrine
Wobbly Spirited Away No Face tea time figure is ready for a jittery Ghibli break, Jiji too【Pics】
Survey asks Japanese teens which school club they want to join, and “kitaku” club is top choice
We try eating nothing but emergency food rations for three progressively tougher days
We celebrate “Toilet Day” in Japan with a visit to a public toilet worth 100 million yen
Totoro, Calcifer, other Ghibli stars returning as humidifiers ahead of Japan’s dry winter days【Pics】
Tokyo’s famous Lost in Translation hotel is closed
Mysterious light-up rainy night-sound Totoro figure doesn’t actually show a scene from the anime
Chiitan vs John Oliver: Talk show host responds to Japanese mascot’s challenge to battle 【Video】
Smoking marijuana is now illegal in Japan, can get you 7 years in prison
Flower Gundam Takes Over Tokyo!
Senkoji: The Japanese temple that’s more like a theme park to heaven and hell