Category Archives: Anime & Manga

Kyara-ben (Character Bento) Become Controversial

  As you might know, kyara-ben (character bento) are elaborately arranged lunch boxes for small children, featuring manga/anime characters they love. Kyara-ben started becoming popular around 2007, and now in…

Perfect Anime Masks for Halloween?

Source: http://2-5dmask.tumblr.com/post/97032698906/cosmo-world-yokohama-aug-2014-face-type-grace   Are you an anime lover? If so, have you dreamt of having an anime-looking face with incredibly huge, kawaii eyes? Here is something perfect for those who…

Bento Grand Prix Goes Global!

  Japan’s “bento” has become wildly popular worldwide. Beautifully arranged bento boxes with a variety of foods seem to appeal to food lovers from every continent, and the word “bento”…

Meisei Virtual High School Goes Online Soon

  I found an article about a really unique method for earning a high school diploma in Japan. Meisei high school, located in Chiba prefecture, currently provides two main options; 1)…

A Very Special Totoro from a Very Loving Grandpa

  OMG! Is Totoro really “my neighbor”!? Actually this is what someone created just for personal enjoyment.  A 59 year old man, HIDEBOCHI-san, who runs an udon restaurant in Mie…

Suwa City Makes Moe Official

Good news for “moe” style manga/anime fans! Suwa city in Nagano prefecture issues some “moe” style official certificates. What kind of certificates? What do they look like? How “moe~!” are…

Hello Kitty in Silver

  In Western culture there is a tradition of giving the gift of silver upon the birth of a child, or for a baby’s christening. Miyamoto Shoko,  one of the purveyors to…

Kawaii Slip-on Sneakers Look familiar…

  Take a look at these cute blue slip-on sneakers 😀 Do you notice anything special? Maybe the red trim with yellow half moon charm remind you of something… Yes!…

Thomas the Tank Engine Comes to Shizuoka. Want a Ride?

  Thomas the Tank Engine from “Thomas and Friends” is one of the most beloved characters in the children’s’ television world. He is very popular with young Japanese viewers as well….

The Next Big Thing?: Yokai Watch

  Recently I noticed that some of my Japanese friends who have small children often talk about “Yokai Watch” on their Facebook posts. I had vaguely wondered what Yokai Watch…

Manga Cafe x Cat Cafe = Heaven!

  There are tons of manga cafes in Japan, and they keep struggling to differentiate themselves by offering unique services. One manga cafe located in Tokyo, “Comic Buster WILL BE…

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