Matt Alt's Pure Invention

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Japan's Moonshot
Japan has long reached out to the world through its toys. Now it’s sending them to the stars.
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Matt Alt
2
Tokyo Heat
More thoughts on how climate change is reshaping Japanese culture
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5
Head in the Clouds
Anime lost a legend this week: art director Nizo Yamamoto. His work transformed the medium from fantasy into an all-enveloping reality for fans.
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4
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In America, “Barbenheimer” is a success. In Japan, it’s a scandal.
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12
Japan failed at social media
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An American Icon, Made in Japan
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10
Did Mario teach Zuckerberg everything he knows?
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How Do You Live, Mr. Miyazaki?
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2
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An American Icon, Made in Japan
Barbie has a secret: she may have been dreamed up in the US, but she came to life in a Tokyo hotel room.
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Matt Alt
10
In America, “Barbenheimer” is a success. In Japan, it’s a scandal.
The linking of nuclear holocaust to summer entertainment is backfiring spectacularly here
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Matt Alt
12
Manga is the Rock 'n' Roll of Gen Z
And the biggest hits come from Shonen Jump, which turns 55 this month
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When Japan cool meets American violence
The bizarre confluence of a Japanese toymaker and an online agent of chaos.
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Matt Alt
1
Osamu Tezuka's "Com"
A revolution in storytelling that played out against an actual revolution.
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Matt Alt
Making Out in Japanese: An Oral History of a Seminal Text
A repost of an interview with the creators of a hugely influential guidebook series.
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Matt Alt
2
A Package of Pure Invention-related Podcasts
Tune in to a trio of appearances
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Matt Alt
Matt Alt's Pure Invention
Matt Alt's Pure Invention
Dispatches from the front lines of Japanese pop culture.
Recommendations
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Robert Whiting's Japan
Robert Whiting
TokyoScope by Patrick Macias
TokyoScope by Patrick Macias
TokyoScope
Mountains of Wisdom
Mountains of Wisdom
Tim Bunting - Kiwi Yamabushi
The Magnet
The Magnet
Mark Frauenfelder
Make Believe Mailer
Make Believe Mailer
Patrick St. Michel

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