Sanae vs. Anime

What does Prime Minister Takaichi’s landslide mean for Japan's pop culture?

Feb 13 • Matt Alt

25

4

3

January 2026

Altered States

America's in trouble. Where are the artists?

Jan 30 • Matt Alt

38

21

4

December 2025

Sony Goes for Peanuts

Some thoughts on Japan's acquisition of an American icon

Dec 21, 2025 • Matt Alt

53

13

9

A History of the World in Japanese Toys

Can you decipher the 20th century by looking at Japanese toys? I can try!

Dec 13, 2025 • Matt Alt

48

9

8

November 2025

Boys (and girls), be ambiguous!

When Japanese leaders wade into the culture wars, pop culture suffers.

Nov 22, 2025 • Matt Alt

34

7

5

October 2025

Super Galapagos

In a world driven mad by tech disruption, Japan’s having fallen behind is a superpower

Oct 23, 2025 • Matt Alt

58

18

9

Why Hollywood stars are saying “F*** anime”

And why they’re right to be scared

Oct 10, 2025 • Matt Alt

59

13

13

Dollars and Demons

Demon Slayer's success shouldn't surprise. We're all otaku now.

Oct 2, 2025 • Matt Alt

29

21

3

September 2025

Anime activism

Global protest movements are relying on imagery from Japan. Here's why.

Sep 22, 2025 • Matt Alt

34

13

7

Politics, Chaos, and Cup Noodles

The eerie parallels between Japan's Sixties and America today

Sep 16, 2025 • Matt Alt

32

13

5

No Labubus please, we're Japanese

Why a toy craze isn't finding traction in a toy-crazed country

Sep 1, 2025 • Matt Alt

50

2

7

August 2025

Inside the manga hit machine

How Weekly Shonen Jump became a global cultural juggernaut

Aug 25, 2025 • Matt Alt

34

2

7