Traditional accommodation in Tokyo’s ritzy Minato Ward doesn’t get much cheaper than this…but there’s a catch.
reviews
HodoBuzz shines a spotlight on women in the media with a cast of characters that redefines what it means to be Japanese.
As you probably know, Attack on Titan, the mega-popular manga and anime series, was recently adapted into a live-action movie and infamously received absolutely horrible reviews—it might be a toss-up between this movie and Fantastic 4 as to which summer blockbuster was worse. For its part, the Attack on Titan movie was so horrible that one Japanese critic hoped for the titans to eat the characters and be done with the whole thing. No one is asking Dr. Doom to eat Mr. Fantastic…yet.
As they say though, you shouldn’t judge something till you see it for yourself, so we had to send one of our own.
Many would argue that Mamoru Hosoda is the most talented director of family anime in the industry today. That “family” classification is two-fold, by the way. Not only are Hosoda’s works appropriate for just about all ages, taking the high road by eschewing in-your-face sex appeal and gratuitous violence, the bond between family members is a recurring theme in his films. In 2009, Hosoda’s Summer Wars showed audiences an extended yet close-knit family headed by the female lead’s tough yet kind grandmother. Three years later, the focus was on a single mother raising two lycanthropes in rural Japan in Wolf Children Ame and Yuki.
Now, Hosoda is turning viewers’ gaze towards a relationship he hasn’t put the spotlight on before, with the just-released The Boy and the Beast, which asks what a boy needs to learn from his father, and also what that father can learn from his boy. So how does it answer those quesitons? Read on for the rest of our review of Hosoda’s latest hit to find out.








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Japan manners debate: Is it OK to put a Mister Donut donut back on the shelf after taking it?
Downloads of 39-year-old Guns N’ Roses song increase 12,166 percent thanks to Gundam
A spotlight on Japanese singles figure skating: Jumping into the 2026 Olympics【Pt. II】
Kyoto planning surprise late-night inspections of Airbnb-style rentals to fight overtourism
7-Eleven Japan sells freshly baked pizzas…but are they any good?
Pokémon dress shirts progress into Gen 2 with 100 brand-new Johto region designs【Photos】
Japanese school has ridiculous reason for not letting cold schoolgirl wear tights under her skirt
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting the lines at a popular Tokyo gyukatsu restaurant?
11 different ways to say “father” in Japanese
Three beautiful places to see Japan’s plum blossoms after starting your day in downtown Tokyo
Cherry blossom forecasts map shows Japan’s OTHER sakura season is starting right now
Yokai are descending upon Tokyo this spring in the latest immersive art experience
New Studio Ghibli stamps leave an impression on your stationery…and your heart
Japanese women sound off on their minimum height requirements for a husband【Survey】
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
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】
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning looks to be affecting tourist crowds on Miyajima
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
Studio Ghibli releases new “komorebi” plush toys from Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away
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
7-Eleven Japan sells freshly baked pizzas…but are they any good?
Pokémon dress shirts progress into Gen 2 with 100 brand-new Johto region designs【Photos】
Japanese school has ridiculous reason for not letting cold schoolgirl wear tights under her skirt
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting the lines at a popular Tokyo gyukatsu restaurant?
11 different ways to say “father” in Japanese
American reporter blown away by cheap food prices at Tokyo baseball stadium, locals less impressed
A talking butt solves crime: the anime
Manga’s touching take on pressuring non-black-haired kids to dye hair in some Japanese schools
Cherry blossom forecasts map shows Japan’s OTHER sakura season is starting right now
Japan’s most famous Mt. Fuji view park cancels cherry blossom festival because of overtourism
2nd line of Casio watch rings hits Japanese capsule machines and we got the secret one!
We try cooking yakisoba with real Japanese buckwheat soba【SoraKitchen】
Family Mart releases huge range of cute sweets for Cat Day in Japan
Majority of Japanese mayors say foreign residents are essential but most see good and bad effects