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#japanese-culture

6 articles Reset

Japan

Culture10 min

Cosplay: From American Sci-Fi to Japanese Pop Culture Phenomenon

From 1930s American science fiction conventions to a multi-billion dollar global phenomenon, the complete history of cosplay, its Japanese transformation, major events, and worldwide cultural impact.

June 21, 2026Read

Japan

Culture9 min

Boys Over Flowers: How a Japanese Manga Became a Korean and Global Phenomenon

From Hana Yori Dango to Boys Over Flowers, a look back at the history of a franchise that crossed borders, languages, and screens, from shojo manga to the most widely exported K-drama of the 21st century.

June 19, 2026Read

Japan

Society11 min

Gachapon: Japan's Capsule Toy Culture

The history and culture of gachapon, Japan's capsule-toy machines. Onomatopoeic origins, Bandai, Kaiyōdō, Fuchiko, and an industry worth hundreds of billions of yen.

May 10, 2026Read

Japan

Society14 min

Japanese Toilets: Technology and the Culture of Hygiene

From TOTO's washlet to futuristic public restrooms, Japanese toilets embody a cultural obsession with comfort, cleanliness, and innovation.

April 22, 2026Read

Japan

Society9 min

Sanrio and Hello Kitty: The Global Empire of Japanese Kawaii

From silk to Hello Kitty through Kuromi, Cinnamoroll and My Melody, the history of Sanrio, the Japanese company that invented the economy of kawaii.

March 6, 2026Read

Japan

Arts9 min

Gunpla: The Culture of Gundam Model Kits in Japan

From Bandai's first 1980 boxes to today's Real Grades, a deep dive into Gunpla, the Japanese hobby where assembling a Gundam becomes a meditative art.

February 28, 2026Read