Media & Entertainment

Osamu Tezuka in 1985 and the weekly magazine that ran the latest installment of "Black Jack." Tezuka's prediction that manga would become a global language seems to be coming true. (Source photos by Kyodo and Chihiro Ishikawa)
Arts

AI helps legacy live on for 'god of manga' Osamu Tezuka

New story in artist's 'Black Jack' series released three decades after his death

17 March 2024
Japanese anime like "The Boy and the Heron," Gkids' David Jesteadt says, "have a strong sense of story and perspective" that enables audiences to feel the creators' intentions through sophisticated characters. ⓒ2023 Studio Ghibli
Media & Entertainment

Oscar winner 'The Boy and the Heron' offers what Hollywood can't

President of U.S. distributor says film's 'dream logic' keeps audiences coming back

17 March 2024
The effects team behind “Godzilla Minus One” accepted the Academy Award for best visual effects on Sunday. 
Media & Entertainment

Godzilla Oscar win opens up overseas doors for Japan's Toho

Studio sees bright future after fighting to buy back merchandising rights

16 March 2024
Kiyoko Shibuya, left, and Takashi Yamazaki, winners of the Academy Award for best visual effects for "Godzilla Minus One."
Media & Entertainment

Japan's Oscar wins belie challenges faced by entertainment industries

Continued success hinges on support for country's manga, anime and film creators

12 March 2024
A statue of martial artist and actor Bruce Lee in Hong Kong harkens to the city's glory days as a filmmaking center.
Media & Entertainment

Alibaba to invest $640m in Hong Kong entertainment industry

Films and TV programs to receive support from China e-commerce giant

11 March 2024
Hayao Miyazaki says he can only make movies when he is sitting at his desk, which is only partially true as his films are filled with the kind of details that can only come from sharp observations of the world around us. (Source photo by Nozomu Ogawa and 2023 Studio Ghibli)
Arts

Hayao Miyazaki stubbornly hand draws his way to a third Oscar

Animator also relies on his sharp observations and outlandish imagination

11 March 2024
"The Super Mario Bros. Movie" was released in 2023. (Nintendo and Universal Studios)
Media & Entertainment

Nintendo to release new Super Mario movie in April 2026

Hit video game series creator Shigeru Miyamoto will be co-producer

11 March 2024
At the Sumo Hall Hirakuza Osaka, shokkiri comedy skits by pairs demonstrating illegal moves and unacceptable behavior in the ring in order to help visitors understand the rules of sumo. (Hanshin Contents Link)
Media & Entertainment

Sumo show hall to open in Osaka for overseas tourists in May

Osaka-based company to offer nighttime entertainment that whole families can enjoy

10 March 2024
"Dragon Ball" is one of the most popular works of shonen manga. (Photo by Yutaka Miyaguchi)
Obituaries

'Dragon Ball' creator Akira Toriyama opened new chapter for manga

Former graphic designer made lasting mark with unique style

9 March 2024
"Rhizomatiks Mutliplex_2023," a digital art show by Rhizomatiks in Shenzhen, China, invites visitors to examine the relationship between humans and technology. (Photo courtesy of Design Society)
Arts

Japanese digital art exhibition explores AI risks in Shenzhen

Rhizomatiks' first solo China show pushes boundaries between real and virtual

8 March 2024
Kanta, one of the characters in "My Neighour Totoro," is played by actor Ka Long Kelvin Chan. Kanta feeds his chickens, which are controlled by puppeteers who are integral to the production. (Courtesy of RSC and Nippon TV)
Arts

Ghibli's 'Totoro' steals hearts, minds and accolades on London stage

After 2 successful runs, producers say future 'very positive' for iconic show

5 March 2024
The Nintendo Switch gaming console will celebrate its eighth year in the market in March. (Photo by Konosuke Urata)
Media & Entertainment

Nintendo Switch: What investors are looking for in next-gen console

Price, compatibility and Nvidia will play key roles in gaming console's debut

1 March 2024
The ReelShort app lets users watch minidrama episodes, usually no longer than two minutes each and delivered in a vertical format for easy viewing on smartphones. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by screenshot from App Store and ReelShort's website) 
Business Spotlight

China's minidrama producers set their sights on challenging Netflix

Ultra-short episodes and wacky plots help series flourish on social media

1 March 2024
LY Corp., the operator of Yahoo Japan and Line, announced a series of data leaks in recent months, drawing the attention of Japan's communications ministry. (Photo by Konosuke Urata)
Media & Entertainment

Japan ministry to ask Line, Yahoo operator to improve security

Data leaks lead to scrutiny of company's ties to South Korea's Naver

29 February 2024
Disney characters pose for photographers after their arrival at the airport in Mumbai in January 2006, part of their six nation Asia-Pacific tour.
Business deals

Disney to merge India media operations with Reliance

Deal to create India's largest television company

29 February 2024
Sanrio, the company behind Hello Kitty, is letting fans vote on new characters.
Markets

Entertainment sector helps carry Japan stocks to new heights

Investors excited about earnings from movies, games and other properties

28 February 2024
Sony Group reportedly acquired the rights to half of Michael Jackson's catalog for more than $600 million. (Photo courtesy of Sony Group)
Media & Entertainment

Sony aims for high note on music business with Bruce Springsteen catalog

Entertainment group devises way to quickly pay streaming revenue to artists

27 February 2024
Since Nintendo released the Switch in March 2017, the unit has become one of the best-selling Nintendo consoles. (Photo by Wataru Ito)
Media & Entertainment

Nintendo to launch Switch console successor in March 2025 at earliest

Delay allows streamlining of sales, gives developers time to create titles for new unit

26 February 2024
Gashapon machines at the Mitsukoshi BGC shopping mall in Manila. The capsules that customers draw at random contain characters from popular Japanese anime and games. (Photo by Yuichi Shiga)
Consumer

Gashapon capsule toy shop in Manila has fans flocking

Store is Japanese toymaker Bandai's first in the Philippines

24 February 2024
Despite Beijing's attempts to stifle LGBTQ advocacy, calls for fair treatment continue unabated in online, offline, group and solo events, according to China Dissent Monitor data.
Asia Insight

China LGBTQ community hangs tough in dissent amid repression

Study shows new protest channels used to urge rights progress as authorities circle

20 February 2024
Kadokawa drives sales with special editions of works that include figurines and posters. 
Media & Entertainment

Japan's Kadokawa sticks with print in Indonesia manga expansion

Publisher also seeks to tap South Korean webtoons with printed versions

19 February 2024
South Korean internet giant Kakao's businesses range from a chat app to ride-hailing and other mobility services as well as computer games. 
Technology

Kakao Q4 operating profit doubles amid leadership change

New CEO given mission to reform South Korean internet giant

15 February 2024
Sony is sharing little information regarding its Indian strategy now that two years of negotiations to merge with Indian broadcaster Zee have ended in failure. (Photo by Tomoki Mera) 
14 February 2024
Dian Sastrowardoyo plays the lead character Dasiyah, the daughter of a Javanese cigarette magnate who harbors dreams of producing her own cigarettes in the 1960s. (All photos courtesy of Netflix)
Arts

Indonesia's 'Cigarette Girl' takes on a macho world

As government launches new smoking tax, hit TV series reignites debate on country's widespread habit

12 February 2024
Jeanette Aw launched her patisserie brand Once Upon A Time in Singapore in 2021 after studying culinary arts at Le Cordon Bleu in Tokyo and Bangkok. (Photo by Kazumi Saito)
Food & Beverage

Singaporean actor Jeanette Aw brings her patisserie brand to Japan

Popup shops in Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya target Valentine's Day shoppers

11 February 2024