World | 2020 in Review Dec 31, 2020
A brief look back at the powerful images from 2020 that inspired hope
Film | 2020 in review Dec 31, 2020
Virtual and victorious: Anime came out on top in 2020
by Roland Kelts
In a year marred by industry-wide delays and cancellations due to the COVID-19 pandemic, anime still managed to become more popular than ever thanks in part to streaming platforms.
Entertainment News Dec 28, 2020
The film, which has amassed ¥32.47 billion since its Oct. 16 opening, surpassed the earnings of Hayao Miyazaki's "Spirited Away."
Film Dec 28, 2020
How ‘Demon Slayer’ came to be Japan’s biggest box-office hit of all time
by Mark Schilling
The anime film beat out former record holder “Spirited Away,” due in part to fortuitous timing and word-of-mouth popularity.
Culture Dec 24, 2020
Collapse, isolate, adjust and rebuild: How Japanese pop culture fared in the pandemic of 2020
by Patrick St. Michel
Japan began 2020 with Olympic glory in its sights, with artists and musicians ready to take the spotlight. Then, the pandemic hit and pushed things in a much-needed direction.
Business Dec 20, 2020
Japan Post hopes demand for New Year's greetings cards rises amid pandemic
by Su Xincheng
Online orders have increased about 20% from the previous year as people are refraining from going outside due to COVID-19, Japan Post said.
National / Media | BIG IN JAPAN Dec 19, 2020
Dissecting Japan's hit products of 2020
by Mark Schreiber
While many popular items in 2020 were related to the COVID-19 pandemic, a few surprises attracted attention.
Film | 2020 in review Dec 16, 2020
One anime to slay them all: How Japanese film fared in 2020
by Mark Schilling
The film industry was hit hard by the pandemic, with the closure of theaters and festivals moving online. However, that's what made the triumph of “Demon Slayer” all the more surprising.
Entertainment News Dec 14, 2020
'Demon Slayer' close to surpassing 'Spirited Away' as Japan's top-grossing film
by Elaine Lies
The tale of a boy fighting human-eating demons which murdered his family, "Demon Slayer" is poised to become Japan's top-grossing film ever, thanks to a boost in fan numbers due to the coronavirus pandemic and its message of resilience.
Business Dec 5, 2020
The popular manga series "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba" has generated an economic impact of at least ¥270 billion in Japan, Dai-ichi Life Research Institute Inc. said in an estimate Friday. The total includes ¥85 billion book sales, over ¥50 billion in sales related to ...
National Dec 4, 2020
Japan bookstore market likely to expand for first time in four years
The size of Japan's physical bookstore market in 2019 shrank for the third straight year to stand at ¥1.219 trillion.
Entertainment News Nov 30, 2020
'Demon Slayer' now Japan's second-highest grossing film ever
The series also dominated the first through 22nd spots in comic sales rankings in Japan this year, according to industry data.