JETRO hosted its first-ever pop culture-focused event "Super Japan in Cairo" in Egypt's capital, bringing 16 Japanese companies including Bandai Namco and Yamaha to showcase anime, matcha, and stationery to 3,000 young Egyptian fans. With a population exceeding 108 million and a median age of 24, Egypt is emerging as a major untapped market for Japanese content in Africa.
The 14th GBWC (Gunpla Builders World Cup) has been confirmed for 2027, with potential new regulations and course restructuring. Since its 2011 debut, this official Gundam plastic model competition has expanded to 16 countries and regions. Explore how Gunpla culture grew into a global phenomenon with over $1 billion in annual Gundam IP revenue.
Kitani Tatsuya, known for Jujutsu Kaisen's "Ao no Sumika," teams up with BABYMETAL—the first Japanese act signed to Capitol Records—for a groundbreaking collaboration. "Kasuka na Hana," the opening theme for Hell's Paradise Season 2, gets a CD release on March 11, 2026. Discover how this unexpected fusion of J-Pop, metal, and anime is resonating with fans worldwide.
Detective Conan cosplay and merchandise have been banned at anime events across China. The trigger: a collaboration with My Hero Academia, a manga boycotted in China over a character name linked to Japan's wartime Unit 731. With state media joining the backlash and even traditional Japanese clothing banned at events, we explore how anime culture collides with historical tensions between China and Japan.
Ahead of "Detective Conan: Fallen Angel of the Highway," the production committee made an unprecedented move by publicly revealing its promotional concept "fan! × FAN! = FUN!" for the first time ever. The fan-participation "Wind Project," inspired by the "Wind Goddess" Chihaya Hagiwara, includes a LINE account launch, outdoor fan meetings in Yokohama, and city collaborations — marking Conan's biggest promotional campaign as the franchise celebrates its 30th anniversary.
The five voice actors of the SOS Brigade reunited for the first time in 16 years to celebrate the 20th anniversary of The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya. At the revival screening of The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya, lead actress Aya Hirano said she "can't believe it." Fans worldwide react to this milestone for the anime that changed otaku culture.
Adobe reversed its decision to kill Adobe Animate just two days after the announcement. Behind the reversal: fierce creator backlash, a 5%+ stock drop, and outcry from animation studios worldwide including Japan's Science SARU. What does "maintenance mode" really mean for the future of 2D animation?
After 55 years as Japan's beloved Sunday evening tradition, "Sazae-san" finally makes its overseas debut in Taiwan in January 2026. Discover the strategy behind the Guinness World Record-holding anime's first international broadcast, which characters experts predict will go viral overseas, and what this means for Japanese anime's global expansion.
On January 16, 2025, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni met manga legend Tetsuo Hara, creator of Fist of the North Star, during her visit to Japan. Learn about Hara's historic honor at the Uffizi Gallery, how Fist of the North Star influenced Dragon Ball, Naruto, and One Piece, and why the series remains beloved in Italy after 40 years. Discover how manga has become a powerful tool for cultural diplomacy.
Sony Group raised its stake in Peanuts Holdings to 80%, buying WildBrain's 41% share for $457 million. Explore the future of Snoopy and Charlie Brown across movies, music, and gaming, plus global reactions to this major deal.
