After missing multiple issues, Nobuhiro Watsuki’s Rurouni Kenshin: The Hokkaido Arc is officially taking a break.
Rurouni Kenshin
Upcoming series’ title suggests it may be a remake of the original hit from the late ‘90s.
Many believe these films are the best live-action adaptations of a beloved manga/anime series to exist.
The sakabato’s journey brings it to Japan’s eastern capital, just like the anime swordsman’s did.
Creators of One Piece, Naruto, and My Hero Academia got together at friend’s place to get tipsy, created piece of manga history while they were at it.
Now that we’re two decades on from the ’90s, what shows would you like to see receive a modern day make-over?
This week, fans in Japan can once again read the adventures of the famous anime/manga swordsman, but things are different across the Pacific.
Tokyo court orders manga artist to pay startlingly small fine for possession of nude depictions of girls no older than 15.
It’s story may be one of redemption, but the film adaptations of the hit anime/manga aren’t being cut any slack.
Nobuhiro Watsuki tells police “I liked girls between the ages of upper elementary school students to about the second year of junior high.”
Creator Nobuhiro Watsuki takes readers back to Japan’s Meiji period for a tale of criminals and treasure.
There’s a lot to look forward to in the Year of the Monkey—Here are just a few of the top Japan-related events you won’t want to miss in 2016!
We recently took a look at the first photos of the upcoming Rurouni Kenshin stage musical cast in costume, and looking at the comments for that article, more than a few fans of the hit anime and manga franchise are wishing they see the show in person. But if a trip to the Takarazuka theater in Tokyo or Hyogo Prefecture doesn’t fit into your schedule, there’s still a way to get a taste of the all-female performing troupe’s live-action spectacle, as the theatre company has released a preview video of the cast showing off their fighting moves and crossing swords!
Adapting anime to live-action is an extremely difficult venture. It’s not impossible, though, and one of the few icons of Japanese animation to make the transition smoothly is Himura Kenshin, hero of samurai saga Rurouni Kenshin.
The swordsman with the scarred face and soul has three successful live-action films under his belt, and this winter Japan’s all-female Takarazuka stage troupe will be raising the curtain on its own Rurouni Kenshin musical. Opening night is still a ways off, but the first photos of the cast in costume have been revealed, and gender-flipped or not, it’s hard to imagine a closer likeness for Kenshin himself than Takarazuka’s.
In early 2016, the beloved Rurouni Kenshin series will be getting its first musical adaptation by the Takarazuka Revue, Japan’s all-female musical theater troupe! If you’re a fan of the manga and singing, check out when and where the musical will be performed and start planning accordingly.
Given how many passionate manga fans Japan has, it’s kind of surprising that a lot of them don’t collect every issue of their favorite series. Most titles are published once a week as part of several-hundred-page anthologies printed on cheap, quickly deteriorating newsprint. On the other hand, higher-quality collected volumes lag months behind the weekly editions.
This creates a strange catch-22 where fans who want to be up to the minute on their heroes’ adventures buy the anthologies but later toss them out. Eventually, many cherry-pick which collected volumes to purchase in order to fill in the gaps where they missed one of the weeklies, or to have a permanent copy of their favorite scenes.
Of course, a lot of incomplete sets are also the result of fans getting burned out before reaching the end of some of Japan’s notoriously long-running series. Add in the fact that storage space is at a premium in Japanese homes, and it’s a testament to a title’s staying power and ability to captivate readers when they buy it from start to finish, like so many have with these 15 manga.

















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
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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
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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
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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】
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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