Realtime 2-D character creation software is a game-changer for artists and non-artists alike.
Pixiv
With a library of over 350 items, you can craft an original model even if you aren’t an artist! So we did.
Pixiv-powered program turns otaku daydreams into on-your-desk-reality, and here’s how it works.
Design stunning characters and show them off to the world. Best of all, it’s absolutely free!
Animate and the Toshima ward of Tokyo held a joint press conference on Friday to announce that an “Ikebukuro PR Anime” is in the works.
Pixiv now gives users the option of turning their artwork into fully-illustrated doujinshi (fan-made comics) with just a few mouse clicks.
Some of our readers may be aware of Pixiv, the popular Japanese online community that provides a forum for artists to share and receive feedback on their illustrated works. Well, we certainly think such a community is a meaningful use for the Internet, and now, we’re even more excited to hear that Pixiv will be putting on a real-life festival! It’s the “Pixiv Festival – where drawing is fuuuuuuuuun!!!!!!!!!!!!” scheduled to be held in Roppongi next month, and while the event is sure to provide plenty of opportunity for artistic action, it seems there’ll also be some very interesting food options available as well — yes, you’ll be able to sample dishes that have actually been recreated from illustrations shared on the site, so let’s take a closer look at some of the unique culinary creations that have been brought to life especially for the festival!







Private booths are coming to Japan’s Shinkansen bullet trains even sooner than we’d thought【Video】
The Purple Lucky Bag from Village Vanguard is an extra-large waste of money
Japanese beef bowl chain Sukiya’s 2026 Smile Box lucky bag basically pays for itself
Dragon Quest Burgers and Slime drinks are coming to McDonald’s Japan【Video】
Harajuku’s new permanent Tamagotchi shop is filled with cuteness and a surprising lack of poop
Majority of Japanese mayors say foreign residents are essential but most see good and bad effects
Nephew receives SD card after his uncle passes away, finds treasure trove of gems from the past
New Japanese menstrual product seeks to help women spot unidentified iron deficiencies
Brand-new Pokémon park opens in Japan with larger-than-life-size Lapras【Photos】
Our top 3 cafes in Azabudai Hills, Tokyo’s newest and possibly swankiest shopping complex
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
Hayao Miyazaki says Happy New Year to Studio Ghibli fans with new art for Year of the Horse
We found possibly the quietest Japanese-style hotel in Tokyo’s bustling Shinjuku district
Cup Noodle tries an authentic Jiro-style ramen, but something’s not quite right
The best Starbucks Japan Frappuccinos we want to drink again in 2026
We revisited Sweets Paradise after a decade to see if Japan’s dessert buffet still delivers
That time Seiji called JASRAC to ask why he didn’t get paid royalties for his song being on TV
Japan’s oldest largetooth sawfish in captivity back on display in Mie Prefecture
Pizza Hut Japan’s hot lucky bags are perfect for a New Year’s pizza party
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
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】
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
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Sanrio theme park in Japan announces plans to expand into a Sanrio resort
Stamina-destroying “Paralysis Noodles” are Tokyo’s newest over-the-top ramen innovation
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
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】
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
Majority of Japanese mayors say foreign residents are essential but most see good and bad effects
Nephew receives SD card after his uncle passes away, finds treasure trove of gems from the past
New Japanese menstrual product seeks to help women spot unidentified iron deficiencies
Brand-new Pokémon park opens in Japan with larger-than-life-size Lapras【Photos】
Our top 3 cafes in Azabudai Hills, Tokyo’s newest and possibly swankiest shopping complex
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
What Hayao Miyazaki’s Mei would look like if Studio Ghibli released My Neighbor Totoro in 3-D
Four Shinto shrines to pray for love at in Japan to start the New Year
Record number of foreign children in Japan need help understanding Japanese in school
Village Vanguard possibly tops its own record for most useless junk in a lucky bag this year
Japan’s new “painful sadness” snacks are a deliciously mysterious linguistics lesson【Taste test】
Rakuten randomly offers 58 New Year’s osechi feasts in Japan, but did we get a star or a dud?
Tokyo fish market breaks New Year auction record as single fish sells for over 5 million yen【Vid】