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, we’re talking about the fascinating history and culture of soba noodles. About Dr. Lorie Brau Dr. Lorie Brau is an assistant professor at the University of New Mexico where she teaches courses on Japanese literature and culture. Dr. Brau has conducted research on a variety of …

 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 …

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 …

On This Episode of Japan Station On this episode of the Japan Station podcast I’m talking with popular webcomic creator Evangeline Neo about her career and her travels in Tokyo. About Evangeline Neo Evangeline Neo is an illustrator and comic creator from Singapore. She is best known for her webcomic which has developed a large following and often touches on …

 On This Episode of Japan Station On this episode of the Japan Station podcast we’re talking about manga and what it’s like trying to break into the Japanese manga industry with manga creator Minami Sakai. About Minami Sakai Originally from the U.S., Minami Sakai is a manga creator living in Tokyo. After studying abroad at Doshisha University in Kyoto …

 On This Episode of Japan Station On this episode of the Japan Station podcast I sit down for a chat with the award-winning creator of the Usagi Yojimbo comic book series, Stan Sakai. About Stan Sakai Though born in Japan, Stan Sakai grew up in Honolulu, Hawaii, before moving to California to pursue a career in comics. Once in …

 Episode eight of the Japan Station podcast is here and this time we’re exploring the fascinating history of shōjo manga. Dr. Deborah Shamoon is an associate professor in the Department of Japanese Studies at the National University of Singapore. She is the author of Passionate Friendship: The Aesthetics of Girls’ Culture in Japan, a book which examines the emergence …