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The Voices of Japanese Pop Culture

Multitalented Voice Actors Gain Popularity
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

Tales of Young Musicians Set for Movie Debuts
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.

"Visual" Bands Rock the World

A genre of Japanese rock music known as V-kei ("visual" style), is enjoying growing popularity in the United States, Europe, and the rest of Asia. Visual-style artists are distinguished by their striking appearance, featuring ostentatious makeup, hair styles, clothing, and props.

Thread and Yarn

Exhibitions themed around sewing and knitting are becoming an "in" thing in the art scene these days in Japan. Each exhibition showcases works that exude the timeless splendor, warmth, and delight of handicrafts, despite being produced in the digital age.

Manga Meets Traditional Culture

In the past few years, a series of manga about school students enjoying traditional pastimes such as the tea ceremony and calligraphy as part of their extracurricular activities have become bestsellers, and more young people are becoming interested in traditional pursuits as a result.

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Location, Location, Location

An increasing number of mobile phone users are becoming avid players of ichige ("location games"), a type of online game that utilizes location data provided through their phones' GPS function.

Manga Milestones

Two trailblazers in the world of Japanese manga magazines celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of their inaugural issues in March 2009. Weekly Shonen Magazine, published by Kodansha Ltd., and Weekly Shonen Sunday, from Shogakukan Inc., have both produced a vast number of hit manga series.

The Kawaii Ambassadors (Ambassadors of Cuteness)

To deepen understanding of Japan among young people around the globe, three young Japanese leaders have been appointed as Kawaii Taishi ("Ambassadors of Cuteness"). The role of the three ambassadors, each a leading figure in a particular genre of fashion, is to represent Japan's vibrant popular culture overseas.

"Cool Japan" Takes Hollywood by Storm

Hollywood is the latest place to experience the worldwide boom in Japanese pop culture. Studio executives in America's movie-making capital cannot get enough of the manga, anime, and video games for which "Cool Japan" is famous.

Mascots Making Waves

Local governments and other organizations are increasingly turning to mascot characters to boost regional development. Certain of these beloved yuru kyara (literally "loose characters") are even transcending their home regions to become popular nationwide.

"Element Girls" Bring Chemistry to Life

The Element Girls, 118 female cartoon characters based on the building blocks of all matter, are gaining fans among a wide range of readers in Japan, including people who do not consider themselves scientifically minded. The Element Girls are the stars of a dictionary of the periodic table.

Tokyo Character Street

Tokyo Character Street opened in March 2008 and has since served as a center for people who want to buy goods featuring characters from anime and other forms of pop culture. A total of 15 shops operate there, including TV networks' shops, an Ultraman shop, and a Snoopy store.

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