On This Episode of Japan Station On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, we’re talking about creepy apartments and Japanese ghosts with Japanese folklore expert, writer, and translator Zack Davisson. About Zack Davisson Zack Davisson is an award-winning translator, writer, and lecturer whose work focuses primarily on Japanese folklore. Davisson has written extensively about yōkai and Japanese ghosts (yūrei), …

Today’s Question On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: Does “hai” mean “bye” in Japanese? Topics Discussed How most people that don’t speak Japanese would say “goodbye” in Japanese How sayonara/sayōnara is used fairly infrequently in Japanese Reasons why people in Japan tend not to use sayonara/sayōnara frequently The etymology of sayonara/sayōnara When the first written record of the …

On This Episode of Japan Station On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, we learn what it’s like going to school in Japan to become a seiyū (voice actor). About Reina (麗) Reina is a professional voice actor living in Tokyo. While originally from the U.K., Reina went to Japan with the intent of becoming a seiyū (voice actor). …

On This Episode of Japan Station On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, localizer and author Matt Alt stops by to discuss the influence Japanese pop culture has had on the world. About Matt Alt Matt Alt is a localizer of Japanese games and manga. Together with Hiroko Yoda he founded the localization company AltJapan and has authored multiple …

On This Episode of Japan Station On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, Sarah Moon teaches us a bit about what it’s like being a translator of anime and games. About Sarah Moon Sarah Moon is a professional translator (Japanese to English) who has experience localizing both video games and anime. On YouTube Sarah manages two channels: Sarah Moon …

Who knew so many anime characters were so good at playing the piano? In the more than two decades since Neon Genesis Evangelion hit the airwaves, its iconic opening theme “A Cruel Angel’s Thesis” (Zankoku na Tenshi no Tēze), has been covered countless times. In fact, there’s so many of these covers that at least a couple of them have …

Today’s Question On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: Can sexy things give you anime style nosebleeds? Topics Discussed Whether getting sexually aroused causes nosebleeds What it would be like if people in the real world had explosive nosebleeds like in anime The idea that eating large amounts of chocolate causes nosebleeds The idea that eating large amounts of …

On This Episode of Japan Station On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, award-winning author Peter Tieryas talks about his alternate history book series, United States of Japan, as well as answers many of the lingering questions at the end of his most recent book, Cyber Shogun Revolution. About Peter Tieryas Peter Tieryas is the award-winning author of the United …

 Today’s Question On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: What’s the deal with “fish girl on a cliff?” And by “fish girl on a cliff” we mean the 2008 Studio Ghibli film Ponyo. Topics Discussed The general reception of Ponyo Whether Ponyo was better received in the West or in Japan The “catchiness” of the theme from Ponyo …

 Today’s Question On this episode of chimon Japan we ask: What’s the deal with catgirls? Topics Discussed The history and origins of the trope of the catgirl What nekomimi (猫耳) means The existence of “catboys” (male nekomimi characters) Yōkai reminiscent of catgirls such as bakeneko nd nekomata The depiction of bakeneko women in Edo era ukiyo-e woodblock prints The …

The epic conclusion to the Gundam VS Hello Kitty saga! 2019 marked the 40th anniversary of the 1979 anime series Mobile Suit Gundam, as well as the 45th anniversary of Sanrio’s most famous character, Hello Kitty. As such late in March of last year it was announced that the two companies behind these massive properties, Bandai and Sanrio, would be …

On This Episode of Japan Station On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, we’re talking about “otaku,” the history of the anime “holy land” of Akihabara, and a whole lot more. About Dr. Patrick W. Galbraith Dr. Patrick W. Galbraith is a lecturer at Senshu University in Tokyo. He is one of the world’s leading expert on the topic …