predictions
Tiny background detail in ‘80s manga masterpiece getting new attention decades later.
Find out this year’s trendiest slang for Japanese female teenagers and you’ll be grouped in the cool crowd while strutting the streets of Shibuya.
The first question to a visitor from the future who could tell us about medical and technological breakthroughs? That’s right, it was about boobs.
You may remember that octopus named Paul whose accurate series of “predictions” during the 2010 World Cup about Germany’s matches and Spain’s victory shot him to worldwide fame.
Well move over, Paul, because you’ve got two new furry rivals! Stepping up to the challenge in 2014 are Munchkin kitties Kikunosuke and Rikimaru. Their owner had them “predict” which two teams from each of the initial groups A through H would proceed to the rest of the tournament. Japanese fans would be well-advised to listen to the cats, since Japan was picked to advance from group C.
Keep reading to find out which sixteen teams will advance, at least according to the cats!





Man arrested in Japan after leaving car in coin parking lot for six years, racking up three-million-yen bill
Anime Your Name to be remade as Hollywood live-action movie produced by J.J. Abrams
New Family Mart cinema opens inside Japanese airport
Swapping seats on Japan’s bullet trains is not allowed, Shinkansen operator says
All Tokyo public high schools abolish rules forcing students to dye non-black hair, underwear color regs
Blowfish-shaped fugu bento appears to celebrate Japan’s Blowfish Day [Taste test]
Cup Noodle maker Nissin teams up with thick-broth ramen chain for instant ramen rice[Taste test]
Did Nintendo’s Shigeru Miyamoto just call casual gamers “pathetic”? Well, yes and no
Japanese man gets drunk and falls asleep on Tokyo streets, then gets robbed by foreign national
Pray for sound health for your beloved pets this Setsubun with special good luck sushi rolls just for them
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting the lines at a popular Tokyo gyukatsu restaurant?
Three beautiful places to see Japan’s plum blossoms after starting your day in downtown Tokyo
Downloads of 39-year-old Guns N’ Roses song increase 12,166 percent thanks to Gundam
Cherry blossom forecasts map shows Japan’s OTHER sakura season is starting right now
Take a trip to Japan’s Dododo Land, the most irritating place on Earth
Huge Evangelion Unit-01 head appearing in lights in Japan to celebrate anime’s 30th anniversary
Family Mart releases huge range of cute sweets for Cat Day in Japan
Japan’s first all-matcha ramen restaurant is now open in Kyoto【Photos】
7-Eleven Japan sells freshly baked pizzas…but are they any good?
New Studio Ghibli stamps leave an impression on your stationery…and your heart
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Japan releases first official sakura cherry blossom forecast for 2026
Archfiend Hello Kitty appears as Sanrio launches new team-up with Yu-Gi-Oh【Pics】
China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning looks to be affecting tourist crowds on Miyajima
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
Studio Ghibli releases new “komorebi” plush toys from Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away
Yokai are descending upon Tokyo this spring in the latest immersive art experience
Japan’s Naruto theme park now offering real-world version of Minato’s kunai ninja weapon
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
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
Blowfish-shaped fugu bento appears to celebrate Japan’s Blowfish Day [Taste test]
Cup Noodle maker Nissin teams up with thick-broth ramen chain for instant ramen rice[Taste test]
Did Nintendo’s Shigeru Miyamoto just call casual gamers “pathetic”? Well, yes and no
Japanese man gets drunk and falls asleep on Tokyo streets, then gets robbed by foreign national
Pray for sound health for your beloved pets this Setsubun with special good luck sushi rolls just for them
Here comes a new katsudon: ice cream katsudon?!?
Japan has a new bar just for people thinking about quitting their jobs, and the drinks are free
Pikachu-ear engagement rings and Pokémon wedding rings for him and her can now be yours【Photos】
Hunter x Hunter teams up with Shimamura clothing chain for clothing and more treasures galore
Enjoy a Pokémon tea ceremony with new matcha goods featuring Poltchageist and Sinistcha
You can now visit a recreation of Evangelion’s Tokyo-3 and live there in miniature form in【Pics】
New upcycle project from Kyoto turns kimonos from the 1950s and ’60s into high-fashion dresses