Why is Japan a “Character Superpower”?
Most people are familiar with Japanese icons like Pokémon, Mario, and Hello Kitty. But if you actually visit Japan and take a stroll through its streets, you’ll encounter characters you’ve never seen before in the most unexpected places—from bank counters and construction site signs to police stations and local government offices. For instance, the […]
Inside “gene.hackerman”: Exploring Tokyo’s Real Culture Through The Weeknd’s Secret Sub-Account
The rumors are true: The Weeknd has been spending a solid two months in Japan, spanning from December 2025 through January 2026. While his main Instagram only follows one mysterious account, what started as a feed of cryptic Japanese landscapes was recently confirmed to be his personal sub-account when photos of Abel himself finally […]
Why is Matcha Everywhere in London Now?
The “Green Revolution” Rewriting London’s Tea Heritage While matcha’s global popularity is a frequent topic of conversation, its current dominance in London is truly staggering. Walking through the city’s streets, the word “Matcha” is virtually inescapable—arguably appearing more frequently here than in many parts of Japan. London is currently in the midst of an unprecedented […]
How has Japanese Cinema Been Reaching UK/Global Audiences? Looking from Late 20th Century ~
Japanese cinema is known for its incredible variety of styles, genres, and cultural influences, and over time it has gained increasing recognition around the world through distribution. In the UK in particular, the way Japanese films have been distributed has played a key role in shaping how they are viewed and appreciated, especially for their […]
UK Christmas Ad 2025
In the UK, Christmas is the season when consumers loosen their purse strings—buying presents, food, and everything in between. Every year, countless brands release their Christmas adverts, which inevitably become a major topic of conversation. As an amateur observer, I want to highlight this year’s most talked-about ads and the key points behind their […]
Is Ramen Really Japanese?
A question I often get asked abroad. When people think of famous Japanese food, sushi is usually the first thing that comes to mind. But right next to sushi, you’ll often find another global favourite: ramen. In London, the ramen boom has been going strong for years. New shops pop up all the time, […]
Why Is Harry Potter So Popular in Japan?
More than 20 years have passed since the global phenomenon of Harry Potter first began, yet the series continues to be loved across generations. And surprisingly, Japan is one of the biggest Harry Potter nations—second only to the United States. When the films were released, they dominated the box-office rankings. In 2014, Universal Studios Japan […]
First Trip Japan
Landing in Japan for the first time as someone from Barcelona is a bit like stepping into the TV during a Saturday-morning anime marathon. Everyone around you looks oddly familiar. Not because you recognise them, but because your entire childhood animated universe seems to have escaped the TV and spread across the country. However, I […]
Japanese love abbreviations
GRCON — GRA CON? GRCN? Why not just say “Ground Control”? When I was scrolling Instagram, I came across this funny and interesting video. Instagram Reel This account introduces many fun tips about Japanese. From a Japanese perspective, we’d say: “I totally get them, but I never really cared about these things.” Yes, we do […]
South Park Shocks the World—A Billion-Dollar Deal and a Deepfake Trump
Just one day after signing a $1.5 billion (¥220 billion) deal with Paramount+, South Park released a jaw-dropping new episode—featuring a deepfake version of President Donald Trump. The episode pulled no punches. Trump is shown confusing Iran and Iraq, sharing a bed with Satan, and repeatedly shouting “I’ll sue you!” at the slightest offense. It’s […]