This is your brain on used manga. There are two things I found particularly striking about bookstores when I first came to Japan: one, the sheer amount of places to buy manga used, and two, how many folks just stand there reading without buying anything. …Read more »
It’s April in Japan, and that means cherry blossoms, baseball, and a Detective Conan film, which have been appearing yearly since 1997. This year’s film in the long-running series, known as Case Closed in America, is being promoted by two pop-up cafes in Tokyo and …Read more »
We were in Kichijoji the other day, so we popped into the manga-themed Cafe Zenon, which is currently done up in the style of Strawberry Flavored Fist of the North Star, the parody manga starring Fist of the North Star’s Souther in a variety of …Read more »
July saw the changing of the guard at Namco’s Characro – a anime cafe and bar with rotating themes – from Tiger and Bunny to Macross Frontier . Named Nyan Nyan after the Chinese restaurant featured in the show, the Macross Frontier cafe and bar …Read more »
Apparently a complete takeover of the city of Yokohama was not enough for Pikachu, as the electric-type Pokemon has also moved into the oh-so-fashionable Roppongi Hills building in central Tokyo. In celebration/promotion of the new Pokemon XY movie, Tokyo residents can now visit Pokemon The …Read more »
Here’s a followup on a story we reported earlier this year about a new rule set up in Akihabara, Tokyo’s capital for maid cafes. The new rule, set up by the local government of Chiyoda Ward, where Akihabara is located, forbids promoting “JK sanpo,” that …Read more »
Spare us, if you will, a few moments for another anime-related explanation of the geography of Tokyo. On the city’s more historical, older east side, not far from the Emperor’s palace, we have Akihabara, the electronics town-turned-anime consumer paradise, full of maid cafes, memorabilia and …Read more »
Like it, hate it, or don’t really get it, you’re probably aware of the concept of the “pop-up” store. Whether in restaurant, cafe or retail form, it’s a limited-time establishment for selling seasonal goods, testing out the waters before opening a permanent shop, or basically …Read more »
For fans of 90s anime in particular, the name Starchild is instantly recognizable. The anime arm of giant record label King Records, Starchild was involved with the financing and music production of a string of hits in the 90s, including Evangelion , Nadesico , and …Read more »
A new regulation created to prevent teenage “compensated dating” may inadvertently end up hurting legitimate maid cafes in Akihabara. The new rule, set to take effect April 1st, bars all establishments in Chiyoda Ward, where Akihabara is located, from touting, where cafe employees talk to …Read more »
Akihabara, Tokyo’s district for electronics and mecca for anime fans around the globe, continues to astound with its variety of hyper-niche cafes, restaurants and emporia catering to all walks of geek life. Maid cafes? Old news. At Soine-ya, the latest establishment designed to substitute for …Read more »
This definitely ranks near the top of places I'd like to visit in the not so distant future. After all, who wouldn't want to sample something called "Gun-Pla-yaki," a tasty and nerdy sounding dish modeled after the first 1/144 Gundam model kit? That is but …Read more »
So! Everyone already knows that maid cafes have become really popular in Japan, right? Did you know that "shops with maids in them" don't have to just be cafes? Now in Japan, the Otaku Empire, there are all sorts of stores with maids working in …Read more »
Well, this column will continue to introduce you to cosplayers of Japan . Also, I will tell you what kinds of cosplay events are held and how people enjoy them in Japan ! Since last year, I started attending anime conventions in the United States …Read more »
Well, in this issue, I'm going to introduce you to Japan's subcultures—not just cosplay, but I'm also going to show you what my life is like! First off, let's talk about the Supersonic Warrior G-Five television drama, in which I appear as an actress. Everyone, …Read more »
Matt Schley
Joseph Luster
Yunmao Ayakawa
