Capcom announces Street Fighter 6 as a featured title at the inaugural Esports Nations Cup in Riyadh, November 2026. A look at the nation-vs-nation format, Sahara's $1M Capcom Cup 12 victory, and why fighting game esports is booming worldwide.
Fujii Kaze makes his Coachella debut in 2026 with an all-star band featuring Suchmos guitarist TAIKING, WONK keyboardist Fumitake Ezaki, and more. Full set time details for the Mojave stage, his global credentials with 7.9M Spotify listeners, and why his performance is a must-see.
Wu-Tang Clan's farewell tour hits Japan on May 24 at K-Arena Yokohama, their first solo show in 29 years. Special guests Awich, King Giddra, Hannya, and ¥ellow Bucks represent four generations of Japanese hip-hop in a historic crossover event.
Three of Spring 2026's most anticipated anime, Akane-banashi, Daemons of the Shadow Realm, and MAO, premiered on April 4 to overwhelming praise. Here's why Japanese fans are calling them 'perfect first episodes' and where to stream them worldwide.
Japan's resignation agency industry is booming — 94% of new graduates know about these services, and 25% would consider using one. Explore why Japanese workers pay someone else to quit for them, and what it reveals about workplace culture, generational shifts, and the collapse of lifetime employment.
Capcom's brand-new IP Pragmata launches April 17, 2026 after years of delays. Featuring RE Engine visuals, a unique combat system blending gunplay with real-time hacking puzzles, and a heartfelt sci-fi story on the Moon. We break down the demo reception, Japanese reactions, and what makes this Capcom's boldest new bet since Devil May Cry.
KADOKAWA has released 'The World of Hideki Kamiya,' a 176-page book covering the legendary game designer's 30-year career. Featuring hundreds of concept art pieces and 150,000 characters of commentary on Bayonetta, Okami, Devil May Cry, and more. We explore its contents and the prospects for an English edition.
Calbee unveils its 'Accelerate the Future' growth strategy to lift overseas and new-category sales to 50% by 2036. The Japanese snack maker is targeting North America's $4B BFY market with Harvest Snaps, backed by an M&A budget of more than 100 billion yen.
UVERworld and ONE OK ROCK performed a joint live show at MUFG Stadium (National Stadium) in Tokyo on April 4, 2026. The event fulfilled a promise made roughly 15 years ago between vocalists TAKUYA∞ and Taka to meet at the biggest stage possible. Here's why this concert matters for Japanese rock, and for the world.
Kizuna AI, the world's first VTuber, celebrates her 10th anniversary with the release of new single KAMACHO. After a 3-year hiatus, she returned as a music artist with over 10 million social media followers and 3 million YouTube subscribers. We explore her decade-long journey, the explosive growth of VTuber culture, and what her story means for virtual entertainment worldwide.
FUJI ROCK FESTIVAL 2026 has announced its second wave of artists, adding 13 acts including Sakanaction frontman Ichiro Yamaguchi, Denki Groove's Takkyu Ishino, Thurston Moore, and Geordie Greep. Full day-by-day lineup, ticket guide, and everything international fans need to know about attending Japan's biggest outdoor music festival at Naeba Ski Resort.
Toei announced THE KAMENRIDER ANIMATED, a new anime film label, at Kamen Rider's 55th anniversary event. The first project is a fully original CG anime co-produced by Aniplex and Shirogumi, aimed at worldwide audiences including people who have never watched the franchise. Here is what the numbers behind the move look like.
Ado has been announced as the final headliner for SUMMER SONIC 2026, joining The Strokes and L'Arc-en-Ciel. This marks the first time in the festival's 25-year history that two Japanese acts have been selected as headliners. The organizer revealed behind-the-scenes details about a rapper originally planned for the slot whose deal fell through. BE:FIRST, MAZZEL, and Aina The End are also confirmed for the three-day event in Tokyo and Osaka this August.
The Persona series turned 30 in 2026 with over 30 million copies sold. From niche cult RPG to global phenomenon, we trace Atlus's survival strategy, the Persona 3 turning point, Persona 5's worldwide breakout and Metaphor: ReFantazio's success, then look at the 30th anniversary campaign and the Persona 6 reveal at the Xbox Games Showcase.
Japanese guitarist Masayoshi Takanaka, 73, is having an extraordinary global breakthrough: over 90%% of his streaming audience is overseas, mostly listeners in their teens and twenties. From sold-out LA shows to a 2026 world tour with $697 resale tickets, here's how a city pop and J-fusion pioneer became one of America's hottest concert tickets.
Japanese esports powerhouse REJECT has signed an MOU with RTS Management, operator of the world's largest fighting game tournament EVO. The partnership targets event co-creation, player development, and content collaboration. Plus: CAG OSAKA's SFL withdrawal, EVO Japan 2026, and more.
Japan's Anime!Anime! reader poll crowns the best of Winter 2026: Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 and Frieren Season 2 share #1, with Tamon's B-Side at #3, Medalist Season 2 at #4, and Oshi no Ko Season 3 at #5. We compare Japanese and international rankings and break down where to stream each title.
From Kyary Pamyu Pamyu to Atarashii Gakko!, FRUITS ZIPPER, and CANDY TUNE — Asobisystem CEO Yusuke Nakagawa has spent 18 years turning Harajuku's Kawaii culture into a global pop ecosystem. Discover how his KAWAII LAB. project produced two NHK Kohaku acts and a Tokyo Dome headliner in 2025.
Japanese boy group JO1 became the first Japanese artist ever nominated for World Artist of the Year at the iHeartRadio Music Awards 2026. Alongside global stars Ayra Starr, Jackson Wang, and Tyla, three JO1 members made a surprise appearance at the ceremony in Hollywood's Dolby Theatre. From their Jingle Ball debut to upcoming Tokyo Dome shows, JO1's global rise continues.
Frieren: Beyond Journey's End Season 3 'Golden Land Arc' has been confirmed for October 2027, announced right after the Season 2 finale. This highly anticipated arc features Macht, the strongest of the Seven Sages of Destruction. We report on Season 2's critical acclaim in Japan and overseas, and the massive fan excitement for what comes next.