Pop Culture6 min
One Piece: why this manga became a phenomenon
Twenty-eight years of serialisation, more than 500 million copies, a single author: what really explains the longevity and the grip of One Piece on pop culture.
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JournalJapan Japan
Japan
Japan
The Kotoba Interactive journal.
Editorial features on the cultures, history and languages of Asia. Filter by culture, by topic, or search for what inspires you.
6 articles
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.
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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.
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Arts14 min
Shojo: How Girls' Manga Conquered the World
From Meiji-era magazines to Sailor Moon and Fruits Basket, discover how shojo manga revolutionized comics, invented a unique visual language, and amplified women's voices in the manga industry.
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