XG's first full album 'THE CORE - 核' has topped the Billboard Japan Hot Albums chart. With Apple Music chart entries in 68 countries, a Coachella appearance, and a 400,000-attendance world tour, this seven-member all-Japanese group is redefining global pop music. Here's the story behind their rise and what makes this album a landmark moment for "X-POP."
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.
The 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics medal design is sparking debate worldwide. Its minimalist two-halves concept divided by a single diagonal line draws both praise for Italian elegance and criticism for being too plain. Here's how Japan and the world are reacting to this bold design choice.
Japan's vinyl record production has surged from just 100,000 units in 2009 to 3.15 million in 2024, a 30x V-shaped recovery. In an age of streaming dominance, why are analog records thriving? Discover the "tactile experience" boom explained by Toyo Kasei, Japan's veteran record manufacturer, and how Gen Z is driving a global analog revival.
The live-action Blue Lock movie revealed Masataka Kubota as Ego Jinpachi at its production event. Led by Fumiya Takahashi, produced by CREDEUS, and releasing August 7, 2026 during the World Cup year. Full cast details and fan reactions from Japan and abroad.
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?
