My Neighbor Totoro: the film that captured our childish imaginations and sent us scrambling for our leaf umbrellas on rainy days, hoping to catch the Catbus. Despite his long career as a film director, Hayao Miyazaki has yet to create a character more loveable, recognized, and kawaii than his 1988 Totoro.
Robots: those mysterious technologies from the future with A.I. for brains. Whether they cause a worldwide cyber-dominion, or become our best friends and trusted allies, we’re all secretly excited about owning a robot of our own. Perhaps the days of Mobile Suit Gundam and Evangelion are still a few decades (or even centuries) away, but Japanese robots are actually head and shoulders above those of most nations. The country has made huge strides in bringing the mechanical beings of the future into the home and workplace of today—as humanoid helpers and even toys!
Admit it: you’re obsessed with your iPhone. And why shouldn’t you be? It’s an all-in-one gadget that keeps you current with your friends and family, the latest trends, and newest releases. It’s your camera, your calculator, your instant messenger, your planner, and a home to all the apps you need in life.
Your phone is important. It’s a part of you. And that’s why you don’t have to settle for a bland case like everyone else’s. Go beyond protecting your phone, and diversify it with your favorite anime and Japanese pop culture characters! Next to setting your ringtone to the likes of “World is Mine” or “Tank!”, snazzing up your tech with an anime phone case is the best way to show the world your otaku love and which anime characters define your unique personality.
How do you celebrate Christmas? If you’re an otaku, then your festivities probably include setting up your Sailor Moon Christmas…
When visiting Japan, your friends back home will always want you to bring back a weird gift for them. It’s a natural reasoning, as Japan is truly home to the weird. Whilst gashapon are often a good idea for pure wonkiness, there’s another trend in Japan that might be even weirder. Brace yourself: It’s all to do with poop.
What’s filled with nightly firework displays, festivals, warm-weather fashion, and—of course—green tea ice cream? Summer in Japan, of course!
But regardless of where you live, or what traditions you celebrate, summertime is a season to be excited… about new figurine releases, straight from Japan!
From classics like Dragon Ball, to current smash-hits like Tokyo Ghoul, we’re counting down—in no particular order—the top fourteen most anticipated figurine releases of the summer months.