After our interview in October 2024, Otaku USA caught up with KAF about the airing of the new KAMITSUBAKI CITY UNDER CONSTRUCTION anime on Crunchyroll. Read the full interview with KAF to learn more about her creative process and experience on her first anime credit. …Read more »
Anime has become a medium to drive conversation, connect cultures, and reformat media as we know it. Animation studios across the globe have found influence through Japanese animation styles and storytelling, and have hit the ground running by using that influence to create their own …Read more »
Anime in pop music has experienced a surge in top-chart hits over the past year. In the mainland US, Megan Thee Stallion is our resident anime-supporting rap artist. Creating earworm songs such as “Otaku Hot Girl”, referencing JUJUTSU KAISEN and Naruto; “Boa”, referencing One Piece; …Read more »
The American Music Awards has been around for 50 years and is celebrating more cross-cultural collaborations and international artists, but did you know Japan just had its very own music awards show? The inaugural Music Awards Japan (MAJ) 2025, held on May 21–22 at Kyoto’s ROHM …Read more »
When in Tokyo, it’s almost impossible to avoid spotting anime—whether it’s splashed across billboards in Akihabara, featured in themed cafes, or printed on everything from bottled drinks to kitchen towels. But some collaborations go beyond novelty and into full-blown, interactive fan experiences. During my most …Read more »
*Updated 5/18/2025 Mark your calendars, we are only three months away from Anime NYC! Whether you’re a seasoned convention-goer or thinking about making your first trip, here’s everything we know about the con this year! When and Where Anime NYC 2025 will take place from …Read more »
Hikaru Utada just reminded the world why they’re a J-pop legend. On the second weekend of the 2025 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival Utada made a surprise appearance during avant-garde producer Arca’s set at the Gobi Stage—and absolutely stole the show. But that’s to …Read more »
The word around the internet is that there’s a special Gundam takeover at Times Square in New York City on March 29! The official Gundam social media pages and news outlets have been pretty secretive, but here’s what we know and can possibly expect. What …Read more »
Have you heard? Brooklyn just got its very own Bandai Namco Cross Store! This is the first flagship store in the US. Bandai Namco, the renowned Japanese entertainment conglomerate behind iconic franchises like Pac-Man, Gundam and Tamagotchi, officially opened its doors on February 28, 2025. …Read more »
The Japanese brand UNIQLO is known for its everyday classic tees, bottoms and outerwear, but also for its anime collaborations. Recently, the brand launched DAN DA DAN, Mofusand, and Dragon Ball DAIMA. Its latest collaboration features Doraemon and the Louvre museum on four new graphic …Read more »
If you find yourself in Tokyo in a couple of weeks and love indie games, the TOKYO INDIE GAMES SUMMIT 2025 is the place to be to learn about up-and-coming video games from Japan and beyond. This year’s event brings together over 100 indie game …Read more »
Manga adaptations are a great way to be introduced to other forms of media you may have never considered paying attention to before or had no access to. More and more culturally significant stories by world-famous writers are being turned into tankobon, an independent or …Read more »
Haruki Murakami is a household name among literary enthusiasts, but whether you’ve read any of his collection of novels, essays, short stories, or not, you likely have heard of his work. Being translated into over 50 languages and selling millions of copies worldwide, Murakami is …Read more »
Ever wish your cat could walk and talk? You may reconsider after seeing this tabby get arrested, spend your allowance on pachinko, and invite a group of spirits over to drink. Or maybe, this is exactly the friend you need. Eleven-year-old Karin, after being dumped …Read more »
As a whole, VTubing has made great strides in the last year, especially outside of Japan. After announcing its overseas subsidiary COVER USA expansion, COVER has curated opportunities to engage North American audiences with its Hololive VTubers talent pool, including the popular Los Angeles Dodgers …Read more »
Brianna Fox-Priest
