Virtual and victorious: Anime came out on top in 2020
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.
Collapse, isolate, adjust and rebuild: How Japanese pop culture fared in the pandemic of 2020
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.
Man may face charges for cyberbullying of late ‘Terrace House’ star Hana Kimura
The man in his 20s from Osaka Prefecture is suspected by Tokyo Metropolitan Police of having defamed Kimura on Twitter several times, posting abusive comments asking why she was still alive.
‘Alice in Borderland’: Deadly journey through the looking glass leaves little impression
Netflix’s sci-fi suspense series about a young man forced to go through a series of twisted challenges takes place in a cityscape that looks all too familiar in 2020.
Netflix plans to double spending on original content in Asia
By stepping up its investment, the California-based company is gearing to tackle its main rivals Disney+ and Prime Video, as well as local competitors.
‘Aggretsuko’ brings her rage to the world of idol pop
The third season of Netflix’s “Aggretsuko” shifts its focus from everyday drudgery to the music industry and offers a nuanced take on idol fandoms.
Actress Son Ye-jin is overwhelmed by Japanese interest in 'Crash Landing on You'
Actress Son Ye-jin has scored a hit with her portrayal of a South Korean heiress who accidentally winds up in North Korea in "Crash Landing on You."
SoftBank bets $3.9 billion on U.S. giants, from Amazon to Tesla
SoftBank is expanding investment activities from private startups to publicly traded equities at a time the biggest technology stocks are near record highs.
Get chills and thrills with binge-worthy miniseries on streaming
Summer heat and self-isolation got you down? Cool down with these six miniseries that you can stream in Japan.
Netflix completes Hollywood transformation as Ted Sarandos becomes co-CEO
His ascension symbolizes the transformation of Netflix from a technology company into the world’s most valuable movie and TV company.
Competition between streaming services heating up in Japan amid pandemic
Online subscription-based streaming of films and television programs has seen an uptick in Japan in recent years, and with the coronavirus pandemic keeping more people at home, that trend appears to be intensifying. The growth in the market is led by foreign companies globalizing operations ...
Korean drama successfully crash-lands on a Japanese audience
A drama about a romance that bridges the gap between two countries that are still at war comes with its own interpretive pitfalls.
