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The New Wave Of Traditional Theater

(March 4, 2008)
Kabuki has a long history of skillfully incorporating contemporary trends as it developed and matured as a performing art, maintaining at all times a spirit of "anything goes." That spirit is alive and well in the twenty-first century, most recently taking the form of works staged in collaboration with writers and directors of contemporary theater.

Anime Goes Academic

(February 6, 2008)
There is a growing movement among Japanese universities and graduate schools to take an academic approach to anime and manga. Once seen as children's entertainment, these forms are coming to be viewed in an entirely new light.

Welcome To Otaku Town

(January 8, 2008)
Tokyo's Akihabara district is known around the world as the center of Japan's otaku culture, which includes such phenomena as anime, manga, and "maid cafes." Here we take a look at some of the latest developments in this district that continues to send out otaku culture to the world.

Genius Party

(December 6, 2007)
STUDIO4°C, an animation studio that has gained international fame for the stunning quality and fresh visuals of hits like The Animatrix and Tekkonkinkreet, has come out with its latest project, Genius Party. The new work will be premiered in February 2008 at a festival of Japanese culture to be held in Washington, DC.

Previewing The Future of Technology

(November 13, 2007)
The Japan International Contents Festival (CoFesta) kicked off with its opening ceremony on September 19. The most popular of the festival's events were the Tokyo Game Show 2007, the largest video game exposition in the world, and the Combined Exhibition of Advanced Technologies (CEATEC) Japan 2007, focusing on a broad array of digital electronics.

Friendly Ghouls And Goblins

(November 5, 2007)
Japanese folklore is full of tales of supernatural creatures called yokai. Yokai have some lovable characteristic that makes it difficult to hate them, and in fact, endears them to people. These kinds of characters are now enjoying a surge in popularity among young people, especially manga and anime fans.

Comic Cornucopia

(October 4, 2007)
The largest comic convention in the world, the Comic Market is a landmark event that showcases world-renowned Japanese anime, manga, and “cosplay” (costume play). Once again reeling in a multitude of participants and visitors, this summer’s event was especially notable for the number and variety of cosplayers in attendance.

Showcasing Japanese Pop Culture

(August 31, 2007)
The Japan International Contents Festival (CoFesta) was conceived to introduce Japanese content to the world. It features a wide range of genres all in one festival, including video games, anime, and manga.

Honoring The World's Manga Artists

(August 9, 2007)
Manga is now a global phenomenon that stands alongside anime as a contemporary art form born in Japan and then exported around the globe. The International MANGA Award was established to further promote manga worldwide.

Spiritual Holidays

(March 29, 2007)
Sometimes you just want to enjoy a quiet trip that lets you step back and reflect on the world and your place in it. More and more Japanese take this view, and the country is witnessing a boom, primarily among young women, in overnight stays at Buddhist temples.

Calligraphy As Art

(March 23, 2007)
Shodo, or calligraphy with a brush and black ink, is a traditional Japanese art. Recent years have seen the emergence of a new generation of calligraphers who push the boundaries of tradition, and they are spearheading a boom in shodo.