Essay

Studio Ponoc: The Ghibli Successor in Waiting

The supposed Ghibli successor just released a new animated short. But with the years passing and only one theatrical film to their name, just what is Studio Ponoc?

Pass the JLPT! How to Study JLPT Grammar

Of all the multitudinous aspects you need to prepare for when taking the infamous Japanese Language Proficiency Test, grammar is perhaps the hardest to pin down.

A Forgotten Samurai Energy Drink

Hundreds of years before Red Bull, the samurai of the house of Date were drinking a powdered concoction said to replenish a warrior's energy.

Last Stand: The Hostage Crisis That Ended Japan’s Red Army

August 19, 2021
History, History, Popular, Video

The disintegration of a far-left paramilitary group led to a standoff that was watched on live TV by 90% of the country - and that changed Japanese politics for decades.

What Miura Kentaro – and Berserk – Mean to Me

In May, 2021, manga legend Miura Kentaro passed away, leaving his opus Berserk unfinished. Our author discusses the true genius behind his art, and how he inspired millions.

A Forgotten Tohoku “Tree War” and an Enduring Rivalry

To this day, a rivalry exists between the northern Japanese prefectures of Aomori and Iwate. And its source? A bunch of trees.

A Japanese Teacher’s Reflections on “Living” Language

Japanese teacher Chihiro Morioka reflects on a career spent learning and teaching language in both Japanese and English - and the lessons she's learned.

Blood on the Snow: The Horrifying Implosion of Japan’s United Red Army

August 6, 2021
History, History, Patreon, Video

Pushed underground by vigilant police surveillance, Japan's militant far left went down a dark path that would tarnish its name in infamy for decades to come.

Sex Ed in Japan: TV Doing More for Teens than the Government

The Japanese government is finally revising its approach to sex ed in Japan. But media and online creators are still filling in major gaps.

Essay

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