Sony Goes for Peanuts

Some thoughts on Japan's acquisition of an American icon

Dec 21, 2025 • Matt Alt

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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

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November 2025

Boys (and girls), be ambiguous!

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

Nov 22, 2025 • Matt Alt

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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

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

And why they’re right to be scared

Oct 10, 2025 • Matt Alt

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Dollars and Demons

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

Oct 2, 2025 • Matt Alt

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September 2025

Anime activism

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

Sep 22, 2025 • Matt Alt

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Politics, Chaos, and Cup Noodles

The eerie parallels between Japan's Sixties and America today

Sep 16, 2025 • Matt Alt

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No Labubus please, we're Japanese

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

Sep 1, 2025 • Matt Alt

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August 2025

Inside the manga hit machine

How Weekly Shonen Jump became a global cultural juggernaut

Aug 25, 2025 • Matt Alt

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Head in the Clouds

A repost from the archives about Nizo Yamamoto, who transformed anime from fantasy into an all-enveloping reality for fans.

Aug 16, 2025 • Matt Alt

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July 2025

Chemtrails over Kyoto

What stops conspiracies from hijacking the conversation in Japan?

Jul 30, 2025 • Matt Alt

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