I’m pretty sure that by this point Nintendo is used to being one of the giants on whose shoulders many other video game developers stand. After all, just about every platformer or action RPG owes a debt to the company’s Mario and Zelda franchises, and its Metroid series was so influential in the design of similar exploration-heavy titles that gamers just threw their hands up and decided to call the genre “Metroidvania” (somewhat unfairly giving half the credit to Konami’s Castlevania, which wasn’t nearly as groundbreaking in establishing the category).
Still, it’s one thing when some third-tier software publisher or homebrew video game outfit toes the line between being inspired by your creation and outright copying it, and another when it’s world-famous Disney.
Japanese ramen restaurants under pressure from new yen banknotes
French Fries Bread in Tokyo’s Shibuya becomes a hit on social media
McDonald’s new Happy Meals offer up cute and practical Sanrio lifestyle goods
New private rooms on Tokaido Shinkansen change the way we travel from Tokyo to Kyoto
Secret Kitchen bento serves Japanese flowers, birds, wind and moon in a box, but is it worth it?
Non-ramen Ramen Restaurant Stars: The quest begins at Tokyo’s Oreryu Shio
We try out “Chan Ramen”, an underground type of ramen popular in the ramen community
Sakura tree falls on man at Sannenzaka near Kiyomizu temple in Kyoto 【Breaking News】
We tried Korea’s way-too-big King Tonkatsu Burger at Lotteria 【Taste Test】
Studio Ghibli releases new action figures featuring Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind characters
All-you-can-drink Starbucks and amazing views part of Tokyo’s new 170 meter-high sky lounge
More foreign tourists than ever before in history visited Japan last month
Starbucks reopens at Shibuya Scramble Crossing with new look and design concept
Studio Ghibli glasses cases let anime characters keep an eye on your spectacles
Is the new Shinkansen Train Desk ticket worth it?
Beautiful Ghibli sealing wax kits let you create accessories and elegant letter decorations【Pics】
Studio Ghibli releases Kiki’s Delivery Service chocolate cake pouches in Japan
New definition of “Japanese whiskey” goes into effect to prevent fakes from fooling overseas buyers
Our Japanese reporter visits Costco in the U.S., finds super American and very Japanese things
Studio Ghibli unveils Mother’s Day gift set that captures the love in My Neighbour Totoro
Domino’s Japan now sells…pizza ears?
New Japanese KitKat flavour stars Sanrio characters, including Hello Kitty
New Pokémon cakes let you eat your way through Pikachu and all the Eevee evolutions
Sales of Japan’s most convenient train ticket/shopping payment cards suspended indefinitely
Sold-out Studio Ghibli desktop humidifiers are back so Totoro can help you through the dry season
Japanese government to make first change to romanization spelling rules since the 1950s
Ghibli founders Toshio Suzuki and Hayao Miyazaki contribute to Japanese whisky Totoro label design
Doraemon found buried at sea as scene from 1993 anime becomes real life【Photos】
Tokyo’s most famous Starbucks is closed
One Piece characters’ nationalities revealed, but fans have mixed opinions
We asked a Uniqlo employee what four things we should buy and their suggestions didn’t disappoint
Princesses, fruits, and blacksmiths: Study reveals the 30 most unusual family names in Japan
Non-ramen Ramen Restaurant Stars: The quest begins at Tokyo’s Oreryu Shio
We try out “Chan Ramen”, an underground type of ramen popular in the ramen community
Sakura tree falls on man at Sannenzaka near Kiyomizu temple in Kyoto 【Breaking News】
We tried Korea’s way-too-big King Tonkatsu Burger at Lotteria 【Taste Test】
Studio Ghibli releases new action figures featuring Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind characters
Beautiful Ghibli sealing wax kits let you create accessories and elegant letter decorations【Pics】
Kyoto’s 100 Demons yokai monster parade returns!
Better than Apple EarPods? Our 100 yen shop earphone showdown finds a true champion
New Pokémon cakes let you eat your way through Pikachu and all the Eevee evolutions
Tweaking the Denny’s logo for your sexual service company will get you arrested in Japan
One of Tokyo’s most famous meeting-spot landmarks is closing for good
Evangelion theme song played on a pea pod is just as weird and awesome as it sounds【Video】
We taste makunouchi bento at four Japanese convenience store chains【Taste comparison】