Hatsune Miku returns for round two of Gunpla collaborations, this time with a limited-edition RX-78-2 RG kit set to be made available exclusively on Premium Bandai via lottery. Check out further details on the upcoming collaboration scrmbl.com/post/hatsune...

Setagaya Art Museum’s retrospective of the influential fashion brand, Minä Perhonen, is a showcase of the craftwork, imagination, and sentimentality behind designer Akira Minagawa’s Scandinavian fantasy. Check out our full report of the exhibition, which is running through February 1st!

Frank Wildhorn’s career in Japan reflects how the musical scene has moved beyond licensing overseas hits, focusing instead on creating original work shaped by local audiences and ambitions for wider reach. We spoke with him about his journey and how Japanese musicals are finding global audiences.

Studio 4C's All You Need is Kill is a equal parts frustrating and fascinating watch. Its bold CG animation feels like a genuine leap forward for anime, even when the emotional side of the story struggles to keep up with its visual ambition.

Good Smile Company today shared the latest entry in their new BRICKROID figure series, this time teaming up with Go Nagai's legendary Mazinger Z. Check out the full lineup below scrmbl.com/post/goodsmi...

An all-new Armored Trooper VOTOMS film directed by Mamoru Oshii is on its way in 2026 in celebration of SUNRISE's 50th anniversary. Check out the teaser trailer and additional information below

UNIQLO UT has announced its latest collaboration alongside Shueisha to celebrate the publisher's 100th anniversary. The collection features items from popular franchises like Jujutsu Kaisen, HUNTER x HUNTER, GANTZ, and more.

From a browser game to one of Japan’s most enduring stage successes, Touken Ranbu has spent over a decade thriving in 2.5D theater. With musicals and plays running side by side, its legacy now reaches far beyond its original form.

SHIPS has announced a new collection of clothing and goods in collaboration with SQUARE ENIX's upcoming Dragon Quest VII Reimagined, to drop just in time for the game's release in February.

Pasocom Music Club & Hakushi Hasegawa team up for a new single just ahead of the duo's 10th anniversary, which will also be celebrated with a special one-man live & “Grand Party”.

“There’s music that can only exist through technology, and I think that’s totally valid in its own way. It’s just that the kind of music I want to make can’t be created like that. What gets lost through technology, I think, is the performer’s soul, identity and individuality.”

Konami announces a new room for the Sparkle Fruit Lab unlock event in beatmania IIDX 33 Sparkle Shower, adding new songs to the game.

Set in a remote POW camp far from the front lines, Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence uses quiet tension and human connection to question honor, power, and survival during war. Nagisa Oshima turns confinement into a deeply human reflection on conflict and compassion.

Treat your ears to some fresh tunes to kick off the week! Our freshly hand-picked playlist update includes new tracks from gl1tch.bby, HATSUBOSHI GAKUEN & Misuzu Hataya, Itaby, Kana Hanazawa, SHINTOKYO, and yama!

Bandcamp Friday may not be starting until February, but that isn't going to stop us from highlighting some great new releases from Japanese artists! This month's bandcamp spotlight includes new releases from andrew & Stupid Kozo, kamome sano, and more!

The Obsessed wears its heart on its sleeve, using music and expressive animation to turn a simple love story into something unexpectedly affecting. @aliciahaddick.com gives their review of the latest from Shin-EI Animation

Step into Yanesen, a pocket of Tokyo that escaped wartime destruction and still carries its Showa-era charm, now layered with a subtle modern energy beneath the surface.

In a society obsessed with flawless beauty, Kazumi Kurigami shattered the norm, pushing his bold ideas into unexpected places. Establishing him as the go-to photographer for top designers and publications, shaping Japanese fashion photography from the 1980s onward.

Dear Stranger, from director Mariko Tetsuo, aims for a cross cultural drama in New York as Hidetoshi Nishijima and Gwei Lun Mei step outside their native languages, but uneven acting and a shaky tone keep the film from reaching its potential. Read on for our full review.

“I’m trying to make music that can stand up to the songs created in studios used by the artists I admired growing up.” We had the chance to sit down with brinq and Misatsun of HARETOKIDOKI to ask everything from how they met, to their inspirations in relation to their latest album ENDLESS DESTINY.

Questions remain how Gnosia's ending will fare in animation, yet it’s hard not to find this one of the more compelling shows of the season. A unique story coupled with characters who look like this, with the care taken to truly bring its story to life.

We're back with our first edition of scrmbl selections for the new year! Kick off 2026 with excellent new tracks from bala & Shinichi Osawa, illequal, lapix & Eye, RAY, and Sayonara Ponytail!

Baku Kinoshita's “The Last Blossom” sees the director teaming up with ODDTAXI scriptwriter Kazuya Konomoto once again to tell the story of a man reflecting on his life in conversation with a talking flower. @aliciahaddick.com spoke with Kinoshita at TIFF on our behalf about how the film came to be.

What happens when a celebrated director revisits a story that has already resonated worldwide? Kore-eda Hirokazu’s live-action Look Back and the launch of K2 Pictures raises bigger questions about originality, global reach, and the future of the industry.

Japan had some seriously huge viral hit songs in 2025, but there's always the chance some slipped under your radar. Catch up or recap just ahead of the New Year with our crash course on viral hits of the year!

Episode 11 of Apocalypse Hotel is by far the show's best and most thoughtful episode because it not only represents the great things about the anime series as a whole, but also what it builds towards for its lead character.

As we head into the New Year, we're back with another new album spotlight courtesy of Make Believe Melodies! Catch new releases from Fuki Kitamura, D.A.N., sidenerds, lazydoll, and Swashi2

From Shibuya-kei innovation and scandal to a recent viral TikTok trend, we trace Cornelius’ evolving sound and complex legacy in this introduction to the influencial muscian.

Japan's winter illuminations celebrate the season with extravagant displays like light up the cold nights and make for a perfect excursion for couples and travelers alike. We give a rundown on the delightful events and highlight a few of Tokyo's best.

The best kids entertainment is the definitely the kind that parents can enjoy as well. Breakout toddler-oriented music channel Synapusyu treats with truly enjoyable music regardless of age from some major Japanese talent attached.

Chihayafuru: Full Circle brings the franchise back as a TV drama, following new characters drawn into the world of karuta. @aliciahaddick.com gives their review of the legacy sequel to the hit Chihayafuru series.

On December 21, the 21st installment of the M-1 Grand Prix manzai comedy competition took place in Tokyo with duo Takurou winning a long-awaited first prize after years of participation and refining routines.

Kick off your holidays with our final playlist update of 2025! We're capping things off with amazing new tracks from DURDN, Eisei To Karatea, Ichi Takashi, KIRINJI, TEMPLIME & Eiichi Kyo, and VOLTA & ariiol feat. yeil

Maltine Records recent 20th anniversary event at Shibuya's O-East was a wild celebration that brought internet music IRL for a 20 hour party full of energy and a strong sense of community. Patrick St. Michel gives his report!

As a rare major film made by and about trans people in Japan, Blue Boy Trial is a landmark work that reframes a pivotal 1960s legal case. @aliciahaddick.com speaks with director Kasho Iizuka about how it came to life.

New week, new music! Our selection of hand-picked new tracks that deserve your attention from the past week includes 2beef, 7co, abaraya, Regallily, Saori Hayami, and yama!

Akiba Maid War is what happens when you take an anime’s nostalgic take on the early Akihabara culture and throw in a good amount of drama from The Godfather. @thewritersitb.bsky.social gives a rundown on the genre blending series.

Making a visit to Tokyo's popular Mt. Takao? Check out these local spots that can turn your hike into a full day trip with some pre or post-climb relaxation!

From Hikakin to Naniwa Danshi and even Crayon Shin-chan, YouTube FanFest 2025 revealed how the platform has become Japan’s central cultural stage. Patrick St. Michel gives his report on the jam packed event and posits the platform's importance.

The Chatterboxes explores miscommunication between deaf residents and Kurdish immigrants in a changing Japan, blending social insight with sharp comedy. We look at the latest from director Ken Kawai in our monthly film spotlight!

Uncover Racing Lagoon, Square’s forgotten Japan exclusive 1999 street-racing RPG with a unique story and world, killer soundtrack, and era-defining style.

We're back once again with our hand-picked new music selection for your listening pleasure! Check out new tracks from Caeca, HACHI, Inu, sidenerds, Trooper Salute, and uilou!

Swallowtail Butterfly follows young people pushed to the margins as they search for identity, community and a future in a Japan shaped by economic decline. We take a look at one of Shunji Iwai's best films in our latest classic film spotlight.

Shoji Kawamori's Labyrinth is a film that deals with the impact of technology and modern communication on our lives. @aliciahaddick.com speaks with the acclaimed director about his first original feature-length anime film ahead of its January 2026 release.

Kick off your week with some hand-picked new music courtesy of our weekly selections. This week's highlights include tracks from AssToro, Laura day romance, Manolia Cacophony, PAS TASTA, SOM4LI, and Yutai Communications!

Blue Boy Trial revisits a 1964 landmark case, focusing on the trans women whose testimonies shaped Japan’s approach to gender and identity for decades. We dive into one of the year's best, and most important films.

The November edition of our recurring selection of stand-out Japanese albums curated by Make Believe Melodies from his weekly newsletter is here, this time featuring new releases from yukiguni, ikea, Daoko, cambelle, and rirugiliyangugili!

m-flo has announced their 10th studio album, alongside their first solo live event in 6 years, to be released in February 2026 with a creative “liminal period” to follow.

Meets the World is a moving look at identity, self-acceptance, and emotional connection that follows three lost souls searching for belonging on the streets of Kabukicho. We look at the film by Daigo Matsui in this month's film spotlight.

As part of their 20th anniversary celebration the iconic and influential Japanese netlabel Maltine Records has released a compilation that embodies their spirit and legacy titled CITY. scrmbl contributor Patrick St. Michel offers his review of the jam-packed album.