Japan's wolf-masked rock band MAN WITH A MISSION — known worldwide for anime theme songs from Demon Slayer, Attack on Titan, and Seven Deadly Sins — has announced three consecutive monthly digital single releases starting August 2026. Frontman Jean-Ken Johnny made the surprise reveal on stage at VIVA LA ROCK 2026 on May 5, just weeks before their Americas/Europe world tour. We break down what this means, the band's history of 3-month release campaigns, and what international fans should expect next.
A new Crank-in! interview with Shigeru Miyamoto and Illumination CEO Chris Meledandri reveals the inside story of The Super Mario Galaxy Movie: how Miyamoto personally lobbied Nintendo's internal teams to break the company's long-standing rule against mixing IPs to put Fox McCloud in the film, Glen Powell's passionate cold call begging to voice Fox, similar approaches from Brie Larson and Donald Glover, and why the Japanese version's script was rewritten from scratch rather than localized.
Netflix's WIT Studio anime remake of the East Blue Saga, separate from the long-running 1999 Toei series, has locked in a February 2027 worldwide release. The seven-episode Season 1 will adapt 50 manga chapters as a single 300-minute binge — and freshly released concept art shows young Luffy laughing with Shanks at Foosha Village's Partys Bar.
In the afterword of Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo Volume 3, Gege Akutami revealed that the story of the Simurians' canal was deeply inspired by Tetsu Nakamura, a Japanese doctor who built a 25.5km irrigation canal in Afghanistan. Known in Afghanistan as 'Kaka Murad' (Uncle Murad), here is who he was, both from Japan's perspective and from how Afghans remember him.
Kenichi Sugino, who designed the Game Boy Color, Advance, DS and 3DS over 37 years at Nintendo, and Goro Abe, who directed all 12 WarioWare titles, have joined Osaka Electro-Communication University as professors. We explore Japan's distinctive game education model, how it compares to DigiPen and USC, and the wave of generational change at Nintendo.
North West, the 12-year-old daughter of Kanye West, sampled Kikuo's Vocaloid track 'Aishite Aishite Aishite' on her debut EP N0rth4evr, released May 1. Kikuo replied: 'of course it's approved, and welcome even unauthorized.' A close read of why this is structurally unprecedented for Vocaloid in American hip-hop.
LINE Manga celebrated its 13th anniversary with a 'Favorite Manga Election,' drawing 2.89 million votes. One Piece took 5 categories, while Demon Slayer and Korean webtoon Teenage Mercenary scored 2 each. The poll reveals how Japan's manga market now blends domestic shonen classics with Korean webtoons — and how international readers can access these titles abroad.
TYPE-MOON, French-Bread and Aniplex announced Melty Blood: TWI-LUMINA at EVO Japan 2026 for an early 2027 launch. The teaser confirms Black Len's long-awaited playable debut, refined battle mechanics, and a story by Kinoko Nasu. Here's what FGC players abroad are debating: rollback netcode, EVO 2027 chances, and Switch 2 day-one parity.
Tsubame Industries' Archax — a 4.5-meter, 3.5-ton piloted transforming robot — has released new transformation footage. We break down the $2.5M price tag, the Gundam-inspired engineering team behind it, and where Japan-bound travelers can actually see one.
Tatsumi Publishing's Tanuki Marugoto BOOK, released May 1, hit #1 in 12 Amazon categories during pre-orders alone. From Shigaraki pottery statues outside every Japanese restaurant to Studio Ghibli's Pom Poko, from Animal Crossing's Tom Nook to viral SNS memes with 96 million views — why is Japan so devoted to this uniquely Japanese canid? A guide for overseas readers (and please, it's not a raccoon).
On May 1, 2026, Epic Games Store and Fortnite finally returned to iPhone in Japan, ending nearly six years of exile. The launch follows Japan's Mobile Software Competition Act, but Epic accuses Apple of leaving 'barriers everywhere'—a 9-step install flow, a 5% Core Technology Commission, and transaction-monitoring rules that scared off third-party developers. Here's what it means for one of the world's largest mobile gaming markets, the global Epic vs Apple battle, and the future of iOS sideloading.
