Culture Mar 4, 2021
For manga's striving artists, success lurks online
by Sam Nussey
Cartoonist Kamentotsu says the industry has changed from "farming" artists to "hunting" for them.
Business Mar 4, 2021
South Korean tech firms shake up Japan's storied manga industry
by Sam Nussey
Backed by tech giants Kakao Corp. and Naver Corp., Piccoma and Line Manga have become Japan's highest-grossing mobile apps outside of games.
National Feb 25, 2021
Japan's comic market expands to record high on 'Demon Slayer' popularity
The all-time high since comparable data became available in 1978 was set also as more people spent time at home due to the coronavirus pandemic.
National Jan 31, 2021
While wearing a costume of a character does not infringe copyright in itself, a violation could occur if an individual is paid to do so, such as to make an appearance at an event.
Business Jan 25, 2021
'Demon Slayer' helps Japan print sales see smallest drop since 2006
Sales of e-books and print books and magazines totaled ¥1.62 trillion last year, up 4.8% from the previous year.
National / Media | BIG IN JAPAN Jan 16, 2021
Stories that cater to the soul, the intellect and the stomach
by Mark Schreiber
Examining the challenges facing Soka Gakkai, a new teen comic book hero and coffee franchises nationwide amid the pandemic.
Film / Reviews Jan 13, 2021
‘The Night Beyond the Tricornered Window’: Stylish scares with a side of romance
by Mark Schilling
Director Yukihiro Morigaki’s horror-mystery film based on a ‘boys’ love’ manga focuses more on confronting inner demons rather than battling ghouls.
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.
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 Dec 4, 2020
Naomi Osaka inspires own manga character
by Jack Tarrant
Japan's three-time Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaka has inspired a new manga character to appear in an issue of Nakayoshi magazine next month, the publishers announced on Nov. 29. Osaka, who is the world's highest paid female athlete, is a fan of both manga and ...