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3 articles Reset

Japan

Culture10 min

Vocaloid and Hatsune Miku: Japan's Synthetic Pop Revolution

The history of Vocaloid software, Hatsune Miku's rise as a virtual pop star, the creative community behind the phenomenon, and the cultural revolution of Japanese synthetic music.

June 21, 2026Read

Japan

Arts11 min

Touhou Project: The Cult Indie Bullet-Hell Saga

The story of Touhou Project, the cult danmaku series built single-handedly by ZUN. PC-98 origins, Gensōkyō, music, dōjin policy and the world's largest fan ecosystem.

June 5, 2026Read

Japan

Society14 min

Maid Café: Origins and Codes of the Japanese Meido Kafe

History and rituals of the Japanese maid café (メイドカフェ): birth in Akihabara, moe culture, the okaerinasaimase welcome, cheki photos, etiquette and variants.

May 16, 2026Read