On this episode of Japan Station, we talk about the manga creator Akira Toriyama and his impact on the world and my life. Topics Discussed About the passing of manga creator Akira Toriyama About the impact and influence of Akira Toriyama on the US and the world About the impact of Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z About the popularity of the Dragon Ball franchise around …

Two men in Tokyo were arrested on March 22nd for allegedly having stolen a Yu-Gi-Oh card (Blue Eyes White Dragon) value at 4.98 million yen from an Akihabara card shop. Original news report from ANN News.

The world’s first dragon ball theme park is set to open in the outskirts of Riad in Saudi Arabia. Here is the original promotional video for the Dragon Ball theme park.

On this episode of Ichimon Japan we talk about Suzume no Tojimari, the latest film by the popular Japanese anime filmmaker Makoto Shinai. Topics Discussed How Suzume no Tojimari did int he box office in Japan How it ranks up to the revenue of other films What Suzume no Tojimari is about An overview of the story of Suzume no Tojimari  The hidden meaning found …

On this episode of Japan Station, I talk about what it was like getting a massage by a maid in Akihabara. Topics Discussed About Akihabara Maid Reflexology Felicie About what it was like getting massaged by a maid in Akihabara About how much it costs to get a massage by a maid in Akihabara About getting a foot massage by a …

On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: What is that snot bubble anime characters get when they sleep called? (Nose Expressions in Japanese) Topics Discussed About the snot bubbles seen in anime and video game characters from Japan when they are sleeping (鼻提灯, hanachō`chin) About nose related phrases & idioms in Japanese hana ga takai hana ga hikui Hana …

On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, Kushwagra Kushwaha, an animator working in Japan’s anime industry tells us how he got to Japan, how he got his break in the Japanese anime industry, what it’s like working as an anime animator in Japan and more. About Kushagra Kushwaha Kushwagra Kushwaha is a professional animator working in the anime industry …

 On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: Why is Japanese TV so bad? Topics Discussed Why Japanese TV is so “terrible” About Japanese variety TV shows How most TV around the world aren’t remarkable How Japanese TV shows can be useful for watching TV How Japanese TV game shows are not crazy How the idea of Japanese game …

 On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: Is Weathering With You bad? (About Tenki No Ko) Topics Discussed The commercial success of Weathering With You/Tenki no Ko The cultural impact of Weathering With You/Tenki no Ko About the plot of Weathering With You/Tenki no Ko Overall impression of Weathering With You/Tenki no Ko The animation of Weathering With You/Tenki no Ko Product …

On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, Winston Chu, CEO & co-founder of Wayfarer, talks about his interest in Japan and how About Winston Chu Winston Chu is the CEO & co-founder of Wayfarer. Wayfarer currently operates three hotels in Kyoto with plans to expand other cities, including Osaka and Tokyo. Topics Discussed How Winston got interested in Japan …

On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: Are Japanese…? (Stereotypes About Japan) Topics Discussed Japanese stereotypes Whether Japanese people are shy/quiet Whether Japanese people eat sushi everyday Whether all Japanese people love anime Anime as part of one’s identity Whether Japanese people are good at math Whether Japanese people work long hours Whether Japanese people can handle alcohol About …