While Tokyo offers excellent food across all its neighborhoods, Kichijoji remains a top destination for flavorful dining. Its famous Harmonica Yokocho alleyways host outstanding bars and restaurants that outshine major transport hubs.

Near-perfect casting paired with original narrative changes allowed the live-action Death Note films to excel. The duology successfully condensed the core battle of wits between Light and L while emphasizing deeper themes of justice.

Summer beer options are expanding. The Asahi Ega Beer by Egashira 2:50 offers a slightly heartier, bitter sip that lacks a true standout quality, whereas the light Sapporo Beer Garden Summer Pils is ideal for the season.

Tokyo Pride drew record crowds to Shibuya under the banner Same Life, Same Rights. The event highlighted the national push for marriage equality ahead of an upcoming Supreme Court decision, balancing corporate presence with grassroots activism.

The LisAni! Live 2026 concert showcased the best of anison subculture at Toyota Arena Tokyo. High-profile acts from franchises like Love Live led the lineup, concluded by a brilliant closing performance from Masayoshi Ooishi.

The new Matsuya Premium shop in Ginza gives the fast food chain an elegant makeover with gold logos and wagyu bento boxes. However, the premium price tag does not necessarily guarantee a better taste experience.

From its breathtaking animation to Susumu Hirasawa's iconic soundtrack, Paprika is a masterpiece. 20 years later, Satoshi Kon's final animated thriller remains unmatched in its deep psychological storytelling.

Pre-debut Japanese girl group @kiOra_offcl is headed to the US. The four-member group joins a star-studded lineup alongside XG and KATSEYE for the Head in the Clouds festival in Los Angeles this August ahead of their official summer debut.

The Cool Japan government fund is facing the axe or a possible merger following huge reported losses totaling 54 billion yen. According to the Asahi Shimbun, one government source stated that abolition is now "inevitable" scrmbl.com/post/cool-ja...

The 2026 Music Awards Japan showed real progress with an expanded selection of live concerts and a more balanced selection of nominees, including expanded industry staff categories. However there are still issues which may leave some skeptical with the results.

Akira Inui’s first manga Alien Headbutt faced an unusually fast cancellation in Weekly Shonen Jump. Despite solid art, the series quickly fell into a formulaic trap by repeating the same chapter structure until it was too late.

AKB48 has terminated 19th generation member Mei Hanada's contract in a first for the long-running idol group, following allegations of misconduct.

The Asagaya Drift club and event space has announced a series of new policies following a harassment case that has rippled through the Tokyo scene, along with a new date for reopening.

What on earth does Sonic the Hedgehog have to do with Metapon, the mascot character for the Tokyo Metro? Your guess is as good as ours.

1992's Soul Blazer is an SNES action RPG that goes beyond saving humanity. Quintet’s classic challenges players to revive animals, plants, and objects, emphasizing that every individual life has its own unique dignity and purpose in the world.

Hikaru Utada has released a new collaborative version of “PAPPAPARADISE” featuring legendary punk frontman Hiroto Kohmoto. The digital EP and 7" vinyl are out now alongside a fresh new music video.

After a week off we're back with a selection of must-hear new songs from some incredible talent out of Japan. This week includes tracks from Batten Shojotai, Chinza Dopeness, CUBΣLIC, GSH & tiger bae, foodman, and Urakami Souki!

Studio MAPPA held a livestream on June 19 for its 15th anniversary, revealing a stacked slate of upcoming anime... including some surprises. scrmbl.com/post/studio-...

Surprise indie viral hit MECCHA CHAMELEON has cleared the 7 million sales milestone in under two weeks from its initial release. Alongside the milestone, developer LEMORION has released version 1.6.0 today and promises a Japan-themed map on the way very soon.

Directed by a scene veteran, Street Kingdom captures the raw energy of Japan's late 1970s punk movement. The film prioritizes real-life friendships and original photography over standard biopic clichés to deliver a deeply human story.

Family Mart's collaboration with Afternoon Tea brings Earl Grey flavors to a variety of snacks, but the true highlight is the orange and tea ice bar. The splash of orange in the middle pairs perfectly with the creamy ice cream flavor.

Rin Homura AKA "The Chief" has come face to face with Maomao in a new set of illustrations for Ryuhei Tamura's COSMOS and the manga adaptation of The Apothecary Diaries, drawn by their respective artists. scrmbl.com/post/maomao-...

Osamu Akimoto's KochiKame has unveiled a massive searchable database containing 100 volumes of the series, with more to be added. scrmbl.com/post/kochika...

Yoshihiro Togashi's Hunter x Hunter is returning to the pages of Weekly Shonen Jump next week, just as Kagurabachi by Takeru Hokazono enters an unprecedented hiatus. Is there a bit of irony here? scrmbl.com/post/hunter-...

Though eclipsed by YouTube, Nico Nico Douga stays relevant today by embracing the otaku driven communities that established it. The brand now hosts massive offline events, creating physical spaces for fans to gather and celebrate their subcultures.

Buses featuring popular hololive virtual YouTuber Shirogane Noel have been deployed in Oita City to help boost local tourism. scrmbl.com/post/shiroga...

When the World Cup returns every four years, along with it comes a new anthemic track to support Japan's National Football Team. Major acts like Tetsuya Komuro, Ado, and more have crossed paths with the global sporting event to create massive hits.

The Pia Research Institute released its annual findings on domestic live entertainment today, revealing that 2025 was another huge year for music and stage events in Japan. scrmbl.com/post/live-en...

Ever wondered what goes into the DNA of Sonic the Hedgehog? Well, SEGA now has an answer.

Cells at Work! author Akane Shimizu opened up about her experiences with illness and abuse during serialization, drawing sympathy from fans and fellow creators alike.

Danganronpa has joined the line-up for the Game Music Jam - Level 1 event, alongside such juggernauts as Final Fantasy and Undertale.

By embracing the specific technology, social issues, and changing urban landscapes of Tokyo at the time of development in each release, Persona games become cultural time capsules. This faithful capture of mundane urban reality helps to enhance the experience surrounding their supernatural plots.

City Pop pioneer Toshiki Kadomatsu is celebrating his 45th anniversary with a massive sold-out show at Yokohama Arena. To mark the milestone, ten of his classic albums will finally become available worldwide on streaming platforms.

HUMAN MADE has announced their intention to acquire legendary Japanese fashion brand UNDERCOVER as a wholly owned subsidiary in a deal once again bringing together two titans of ura-Harajkuku culture, set to close in early 2027.

Tsukumizu is penning a prequel to Girls' Last Tour for Kurage Bunch, focusing on the series' futuristic metropolis.

Mrs. Green Apple won Artist of the Year at the Music Awards Japan 2026, marking the second time since the inaugural ceremony last year.

Naoki Urasawa is launching a new series about AI in Shogakukan's Big Comic Original this August, titled The Last Manga Classroom.

The hustle and bustle of Tokyo can get to be too much for both travelers and residents alike. If you find yourself in need of a break, an underrated day trip with gorgeous sights and retro vibes is just a train ride away in the Chichibu area of Saitama.

Ahead of a world tour later this year, the Kagurabachi anime has unveiled its first look at protagonist Chihiro Rokuhira's full character design. scrmbl.com/post/kagurab...

A huge statue of Ado in a football kit opened to the public in Shibuya's Miyashita Park today, bringing the singer's collaboration with the Japanese national team to a whole new level. scrmbl.com/post/big-ado...

Lawson’s latest hybrid creation delivers incredible value at just 192 yen, but it is definitely not for the faint of heart. The massive, 700-calorie curry-pan & minced cutlet sandwich is a surprisingly flavorful lunch that will leave you feeling completely defeated.

Legendary manga artist Naoki Urasawa has illustrated the music video and jacket for Mexican acoustic guitar duo Rodrigo y Gabriela's new single, titled 'Monster' and inspired by the manga of the same name.

To celebrate 55 years since Lupin the Third first appeared on the small screen, Nippon TV is asking fans to choose three of their favorite episodes to rebroadcast in October.

Despite an intriguing premise about a digital afterlife, Sheep in the Box is a rare misstep for director Kore-eda Hirokazu. The movie fails to meaningfully engage with technology, resulting in an emotionally stunted narrative.

In a new Japanese interview, creator Masanori Morita reflects on how Rokudenashi Blues became a classic. From a bold four-year plan to relying entirely on high school memories, he crafted a legendary delinquent hit without ever being a rebel himself.

There are always small differences between the Japanese and English versions of a Nintendo Direct, but one huge blind spot from the latest show appears to be the remake of Touhou 6: The Embodiment of Scarlet Devil.

Another live action adaptation of Nobuyuki Fukumoto's Kaiji is on the way, seven years after a supposed finale. What's more, the official synopsis hints that it will finally touch on previously unadapted material.

The anime adaptation of Sgt. Frog, created by Mine Yoshiaki, has teamed up with Mobile Suit Gundam for the very first time. What's more, a new trailer has revealed that several mobile suits will actually appear in the upcoming Sgt. Frog movie.

Love Live remains a classic brand, but its latest anime movie entry shows the cost of hyper-focusing on a niche. While competing multimedia projects thrive, this franchise risks shutting out new audiences by prioritizing short-term monetization.

BitSummit 2026 has come and gone, and as always it stood as a showcase of some amazing new games cropping up from the indie game scene. We highlight some of our favorite titles playable this year, covering a gamut of genres from visual novels, to rhythm games, and more! scrmbl.com/post/the-bes...