Director Mamoru Hosoda's "Scarlet" receives 3 Annie Award nominations despite disappointing box office in Japan. We analyze why this Shakespeare-inspired anime failed domestically but earned international recognition at Venice, Toronto film festivals and Annie Awards.
During the January 2, 2026 broadcast of Spirited Away on Friday Road Show, the program's X account quoted Hayao Miyazaki on No-Face: a figure for "people who want to latch onto someone but have no self of their own." The line spread fast online.
Japan's High School Baseball Federation is weighing a shift from nine innings to seven, proposed for all official games from 2028. Here are the heat and pitcher-injury arguments behind it, the results of the 2025 trial at the National Sports Festival, the reaction from players and coaches, and why the summer Koshien tournament is staying at nine innings for now.
Sony Honda Mobility announced PS Remote Play for its AFEELA EV, the first car able to stream PS5 and PS4 games to its own displays. Here are the specs, the pricing, the network requirements, and how the project ended with the AFEELA 1's cancellation in March 2026.
A groundbreaking UK-Japan study reveals that playing Nintendo's Super Mario Bros. and Yoshi games can boost happiness and reduce burnout risk in young adults. Discover how the "childlike wonder" evoked by colorful visuals and cheerful music creates a mental reset that combats modern stress and exhaustion.
On December 22, 2025, mysterious street artist Banksy's latest mural appeared in Bayswater, west London. What message lies behind the artwork depicting children pointing at the sky? Explore reactions from around the world and Japanese perspectives.
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.
The Super Sentai Series, running since 1975, ended with "No. 1 Sentai Gozyuger" on February 8, 2026, after revenue from events and merchandise stopped covering production costs. The economics, the exhausted crews, the scandals, and what PROJECT R.E.D. has done with the slot since.
Former Yakult Swallows slugger Munetaka Murakami agrees to surprising 2-year, $34M contract with struggling White Sox. Despite lower-than-expected value, the 25-year-old Triple Crown winner aims to prove himself and secure a mega-deal in 2027 free agency. Analysis of this strategic move to a rebuilding team.