Heads up! Three fans were injured by a camera that fell during a performance by Nogizaka46 at Tokyo Dome Tuesday, according to Tokyo Reporter. Nogizaka46 is, of course, a spinoff of idol group AKB48 featuring—you guessed it—46 active members. Three Nogizaka46 fans suffered injuries when …Read more »
Here’s an interesting one from ranking site Goo: they’ve asked their readers which Japanese celebrities’ lives would make for a good dramatic TV series—and one of the country’s most famous animators has made the list! Let’s check out the top 10: 10. Hidetoshi Nakata Soccer …Read more »
Princess Jellyfish, the manga from Akiko Higashimura about a group of otaku women in Tokyo, will be getting a live-action television series adaptation. The series, which goes on-air January 2018, will star Kyoko Yoshine in the main role of Tsukimi Kurashita. It will be directed …Read more »
The private-public fund known as the Cool Japan Fund, launched to promote Japanese culture around the world, is struggling to deliver results, reports the Nikkei Asian Review. Reception to many Cool Japan-funded products in Japan and around the world has been, shall we say, cool. …Read more »
The live-action version of Fullmetal Alchemist hasn’t hit theaters in Japan yet, but a select group of fans got the first look at the film October 25 when it premiered at the Tokyo International Film Festival. The festival also held a seminar with director Fumihiko …Read more »
Police have filed charges against a man in Fukuoka for leaving over 500 AKB48 CDs on a mountain, the Japan Times reports. Those who have followed stories about the popular music group over the years know where this story is headed: the man was after …Read more »
Here’s an absolutely adorable waste of your time for this Monday. As you are no doubt aware, Japan is rife with mascot characters, many of whom are big and cuddly. This is generally a good thing, but can prove a problem when these characters attempt …Read more »
You may have heard tales of Japan as a country where adults and children alike openly read manga without fear of criticism, and while adult comic readership is certainly higher than that in the west, grownups do sometimes get chided for sticking with their childhood …Read more »
Leaks, hacks, identity theft, fraud: online crime is on the rise around the world, and Japan is no exception. But not to worry: AKB48 is on the case. Three members of the Akihabara-based idol group appeared at an event with law enforcement in Akihabara to …Read more »
Namie Amuro, one of Japan’s most popular singers, will retire from show business next September, she announced today. “I, Namie Amuro, would like to take this opportunity to inform all of my fans of my decision to retire as of Sept. 16, 2018,” news service …Read more »
Featured Spotlight: Hot on the heels of incredible concerts at Anime Expo, Anisong World Matsuri is back with two nights of top-tier music at this year's Otakon! for two concerts, starting with JAM Project and T.M.Revolution on Friday, August 11 before opening the doors for …Read more »
Featured Spotlight: Anime Expo The vaunted Anisong World Matsuri is getting ready to make its triumphant return to Anime Expo 2017, and this year's lineup is the most exciting to date. Concerts will be held on June 30 and July 1, 2017, with acts that …Read more »
Hetalia: In the New World , a new musical based on Hetalia: Axis Powers , is opening this July in Japan, and now a series of photographs of the cast in costume has been revealed. Hetalia: In the New World plays from July 15 to …Read more »
Ayumi Hamasaki is losing hearing in her right ear, which will eventually leave her completely deaf, according to a May 20 blog post from the singer. "I was told after various hearing tests that my right ear (which has been working overtime to compensate for …Read more »
It’s the day for plays, apparently. Shortly after we reported Attack on Titan would be getting the stage treatment came news the popular manga and anime from the mind of Rumiko Takahashi, Inuyasha , would also be making its way to the stage. Playing the …Read more »
Matt Schley
Otaku USA Staff
