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The Otakusphere: Controversy, more controversy and FIVE ALIVE!
Good morning, afternoon or evening to everyone out there on the internet. It’s Sunday in my corner of the hinterlands, which means it’s time for another trip around…
Legend of the Crystals: Final Fantasy, Flowers of Evil, Mirai
The politics of 80s anime: the 198X controversy
A common narrative of Japanese social history and anime history holds that, starting from the 1980’s, the Japanese population has gotten increasingly distant from politics. The rise of…
Am I an Anime Tourist?
Recently, I decided to go on a trip to visit the country of Animanga. That's right. I was an anime tourist. And these... are my stories. SOCIAL MEDIA: https://beacons.ai/colleensmangarecs SUPPORT ME…
The Rurouni Kenshin Controversy
Rurouni Kenshin is without a doubt one of the most beloved manga and anime out there. However, behind the scenes lies a dark reality which has permanently marked…
The AI Anime Generated Art Controversy – My Take
Earlier this year, AI advancements were made as DALLE was revealed to the public, making compelling images. It allows users to generate images from a text prompt. However,…
Talking about the Rampage’s Controversy
It’s been a long time since I’ve really seriously written about Jpop. It feels both wrong, and right that my foray back into writing about Jpop is about…
Talking Controversy – #Controversed Issue
Whether it’s Goblin Slayer , Uzaki-chan, MHA, or Shield Hero, we are always subjected to controversies in the anime community. Well even outside the anime community we have controversies;…
Yomu in Japan: Tourist Edition
So in addition to cherry blossom viewing, which was pretty much the bulk of my tourist activities in Tokyo a few weeks ago, I’ve some other pictures that…
Netflix’s Dark Tourist First Impressions
Dark Tourist is Netflix documentary hosts by the New Zealand journalist David Farrier. The series explores the phenomenon of dark tourism – tourism that involves traveling to places…
10 Tourist Mistakes In Japan
Are you annoying everyone around you? Blocking the train with a big suitcase? Quit It! Here are 10 common mistakes tourists make in Japan.
Common Tourist Scams in Japan
Discover common tourist scams in Japan, how to recognize them and tips to avoid falling victim. Enjoy your trip to Japan with peace of mind.
Nagano’s Ski Slopes Can’t Accommodate The Tourist Demand
Heading to Japan for skiing this winter? Good luck - ski lodges in Nagano Prefecture are dwindling rapidly.
“Smell Harassment”: Japan’s Newest Workplace Controversy
It may not get you fired, but many on Japanese social media say "smell harassment" lowers productivity and team collaboration.
High Guardian Spice – Social Justice Controversy
Since its announcement 3 years ago, High Guardian Spice has been haunted by a community determined to dislike it.
Fetishizing Modesty: Thoughts on the Love Live! Poster Controversy
Last year, The Japan Red Cross society sparked outrage by using Uzaki-chan in their promotional material; her big chest was deemed ‘inappropriate’ for the public eye. This month,…
Digital Media Preservation: Why the Interspecies Reviewers Controversy Matters
Anime has come so far from the days of having to watch subbed episodes of Evangelion on bootleg video tapes and trying to find any anime streaming site…
The Size Controversy of Soul of Chogokin King Exkizer
Earlier this month, the Soul of Chogokin King Exkizer (from the anime Brave Fighter Exkizer, aka Brave Exkaiser) went up for pre-order, over a decade after the line’s…
Get Ready, Japan Tourists – Here Comes the “Tourist Tax”
As tourists pour back into Japan, more and more municipalities are taxing their stay. Here's what it means for your trip.
Report: Tokyo is the World’s Hottest Trending Tourist Spot
A travel site says Tokyo is the top trending destination for travelers. Here are the popular - and less popular - spots they're visiting.
Courting Controversy – A Look at “Interspecies Reviewers”
Oddly un-sexy at times and burdened by several other issues, but a fascinating example of ecchi anime with decent production values, a great sense of humor, and an…
Kamen Rider Kuuga’s Translation Rides into Controversy
Krystallina looks into the Kamen Rider Kuuga translation controversy from Titan Manga in this week's Please Save My Money column.
Sinder VTuber Face Reveal, CPR Controversy, & More!
Want to catch a glimpse of your cherished VTuber, Sinder? We've compiled a list of all the times when she has revealed her thicc body.
Yakunara Mug Cup Mo 2 – Episode 3 – The Surprise Tourist
Episode impressions of Yakunara Mug Cup Mo 2 Episode 3 as Himeno, Naoko, and Mika decides to look around town, they run into a certain tourist.
The definitive guide to Japan’s tourist reopening in September 2022
Confused about Japan's travel rules? Here's everything you need to know about the border opening to tourists, from the Japan experts.
Japanese Police Shut Down Tourist Sword “Tryouts”
Wanna slice something open with a samurai sword while in Japan? Well, you can't, because the Japanese police are party poopers.
American Tourist “Mistakenly” Brings Gun Into Japan
You may experience longer wait times at Japan's arrival ports thanks to one American who forgot he was carrying a firearm.
Is ‘Attack on Titan’ Getting Too Political: Addressing the Latest Controversy
Following WIT Studio’s long-running anime adaptation of Attack on Titan, MAPPA has once again found itself between a rock and a hard place. Naturally, the run of the…
Japanese Schools Court Controversy with Draconian Hair Regulations
School regulations regarding students' hair harm those whose natural appearance doesn't fit the mold, including foreign and biracial kids.
Hanko Seals Become Hot New Japan Tourist Souvenir
Hanko seals may one day go obsolete due to digitization. But thanks to tourists buying them as souvenirs, they're more popular than ever.
Japan’s Morioka Hailed as New Top Tourist Attraction
Want to do something a little something different on your trip to Japan? Get out of Tokyo and Kyoto and head north to Morioka instead.
New Survey Reveals Top Tourist Troubles in Japan
What do tourists struggle with the most in Japan? A new survey by the Japanese government contains some intriguing answers.
Tyler the Great Warrior Auction Closes at $311K, But Not Without Controversy
Tyler the Great Warrior, the one-of-a-kind Yu-Gi-Oh! card designed by and created for childhood cancer survivor Tyler Gressle, has been sold for an astounding $311,211. The card, which…
Shiina Ringo Ignites Big Controversy with “Help Mark” Design
Shiina Ringo's new album giveaway has landed her and her company in hot water over its resemblance to Tokyo's help mark.
Controversy at Ghibli Park after Guests Post Inappropriate Pictures
Controversy has erupted in online Japanese spaces over photographs of visitors to Ghibli Park simulating assault on underage film characters.
Aku no Hana – 01 (A Tale about a Controversy)
Did any one of you read the forums lately? Then you surely didn’t miss the controversy regarding the first episode of the new series Aku no Hana. It’s…
Shiina Ringo Ignites Big Controversy with “Help Mark” Design
Shiina Ringo's new album giveaway has landed her and her company in hot water over its resemblance to Tokyo's help mark.
Japan Reopens and Tourist Interest Skyrockets – But Risk Remains
Interest in tourism to Japan has skyrocketed ahead of its October 11th re-opening. But that doesn't mean the pandemic's over.
Be a Japanese High Schooler in New Tourist Experience
Wanna attend a Japanese high school like in your favorite anime? A company in Japan now lets you do just that.
Japan’s Worst Tourist Traps and Where to Go Instead
Some of the most famous destinations in Japan aren’t as great as advertised, but a better option might be just around the corner.
Higher Tourist Taxes? Japan’s Travel Hot Spots Mull Increases
As some locales in Japan consider implementing a tourist tax, places such as Osaka are considering increasing - even doubling - them.
Tourist Areas in Japan Struggle with Ill-Mannered Visitors
Various spots in Japan - including a rail crossing made famous by the manga Slam Dunk - are dealing with obnoxious tourists. Again.
Japan Tourist Attraction Issues “White Taxi” Warnings to Tourists
Here's why police around Himeji Castle are telling tourists that if the plate is white, you should say, "thanks, I'm alright."
Inbound Tourist Discounts Ending in Japan As Locals Protest
It used to be you could get into some key cultural attractions in Japan as a tourist at a discount. Here's why those days may be over.
How to Japanese Podcast – S02E04 – Tourist Mindset and ノーダメージ
You don’t have to go very far to be a tourist, and looking at the world with that mindset can also be helpful for language study. In this…
French Tourist Arrested for Punching a Woman in Roppongi
A 23-year-old French man had too wild of a night in Roppongi that ended with him slugging a woman and, eventually, being placed under arrest.
Pure TokyoScope Podcast 110: Fifty Years of Yamato! The Dragon Quest 3 Controversy!
Patrick Macias and Matt Alt bring you pop culture from Japan!
Joujin Kamen Controversy – from the perspective of someone who actually read part of the manga
Before we get in deep: Ichiro Hajime, and Soichi Yamamoto are two pseudonyms for the actual criminal Kazuaki Kurita. I will be, for ease of understanding be referring…
Is Tokyo’s Expensive Tokyo Projection Mapping Tourist Draw Worth It?
Godzilla and others take center stage in a projection mapping exhibit in Tokyo that some say isn't worth its hefty price tag.
Poll: Increasing Support in Japan for Two-Tier Tourist Pricing
More spots in Japan are establishing two-tier pricing for inbound tourists - and more Japanese residents approve than ever before.
ONE PIECE Nets Earthquake-Struck Region Japan’s Largest Tourist Increase
After Kumamoto's devastating earthquake in 2016, ONE PIECE mangaka Oda Eichiro set sail on a quest to revitalize his hometown.