Pop Culture | Trends in Japan

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Comic Book Classics

The Traditional Theater Gets a Manga Makeover
In the past, young people have tended to think of Kabuki and Noh as impenetrable and inaccessible, but a number of popular manga set in the world of the classical theater have sparked new interest in the traditional performing arts.

The Art of Japanese Emoticons

Emoji Express a World of Emotions
Emoji (literally "picture characters") is the Japanese word for the faces and other symbols people use to convey their feelings in e-mails and text messages. Here we present a look at how emoji are used and how they differ from Western "emoticons" and "smileys."

The Voices of Japanese Pop Culture

CDs by seiyu, the actors who provide the voices for characters in anime and video games, routinely appear on Japan's music charts. As seiyu achieve new levels of popularity, more and more people are aspiring to careers in voice acting and trying their hand at dubbing using karaoke-like facilities.

Musical Manga

Manga that depict the lives of young musicians have recently been capturing the imagination of comic fans, and some are being made into anime and live-action movies. Their success has spurred increasing numbers of young people to take up music and join bands with their friends.

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