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Japanese readers vote for the top five concluded manga series of the past 15 years

The surprising omission of a few popular series has some net users shaking their heads.

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Want to try this super popular ramen shop, but can’t get a reservation? We’ve got tips for you

This ramen shop is so popular it’s impossible to get into. Don’t worry though–there are other ways to try its delicious ramen!

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Competitive karuta manga series Chihayafuru lays all cards on the table with its final chapter

Beloved manga series that revolutionized a traditional Japanese card game will officially end on August 1 with some special commemorative features.

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Japanese travel agency reveals summer 2022’s most popular destinations domestically and abroad

Company also shares which departure dates are the most popular throughout the months of July and August so you can plan accordingly.

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Japan’s favorite Pokémon types by prefecture–which types are the most popular?

You might guess the most popular Pokémon type in the country, but each prefecture might surprise you!

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Three reasons why new girl idol group “Beyooooonds” may be the next big thing in Japan【Video】

We explain how they become so massively popular in such a short span of time.

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Yo-kai Watch sales fall drastically in 2016, future does not look bright for fabled spirits

Jibanyan is nyat so popular anymore.

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Sake on ice! Akita sake brewery has special brewing process that is spinning up tons of interest

Who knew Japanese sake and figure skating would score a perfect 10?

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“Ordinary” foreigner tries to become famous in Japan in new documentary

A “really ordinary person from Australia” attempts to become famous in Japan and is making a film about it.

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Canadian YouTuber explains why she quit working on Japanese TV

Prominent “J-YouTuber” tells of her bitter experiences working with Japanese TV.

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Taiwan noodle shop’s popularity skyrockets and it’s not because of the noodles

Apparently the old adage that sex sells even applies to beef noodle restaurants.

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Meet the Korean dog (or cotton candy?) with more Instagram followers than you

Let this perky pup with the perfectly groomed spherical head in South Korea lift your spirits mid-week.

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Japan’s top baby names for 2015: Will Naruto-influenced monikers still reign supreme?

Choosing a name for your newborn son or daughter can be tough. Not only are you responsible for bestowing a name upon another human being—a collection of vowels and consonants that that will stick with them for life and likely have a profound effect on how people initially perceive their owner—but if you live in a country like Japan, then you not only have to choose the baby’s name, but how it will be written in kanji characters as well. Talk about pressure.

But that’s the reason we have baby name lists! For the past two years we’ve been keeping track of the most popular names for baby boys and girls in Japan, and this year we’re keeping up the tradition. Take a peek at what trends are spreading through Japan by seeing which names are in this year and which are out.

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Some reflections on the popularity of Japanese manga in Spain

You may be surprised to hear this, but Japanese manga is thriving in Spain. Look no further than massive conventions such as Madrid’s Expomanga and Barcelona’s Salón del Manga, where fans can celebrate their favorite series and characters with other like-minded people. So what are some of the factors that contribute to manga’s success in España?  

The folks at Japanese website Niconico News recently caught up with David Hernando, the Editorial Editor of Planeta DeAgostini Comics, which is a Spanish-Italian publisher that distributes many beloved Japanese manga series throughout the Spanish-speaking world. Mr. Hernando graciously shed some light on the current market for manga in Spain in an exclusive interview with them, and the following piece will attempt to summarize some of his key points, along with some other related topics we have taken notice of.

We would love to hear the thoughts of our readers residing in Spain as well, so please leave your comments at the end of the post!

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The top 10 baby names in Japan 2013

The name you give to your child will stay with them for the rest of their life, so parents are always careful to choose one that will stand the test of time and carry them through to adulthood. In the United States, Sophia and Jacob took the top spots for baby names in 2013, while Ava and Noah took first place in the UK (depending on which site you consult). Let’s take a look at this year’s top 10 baby names in Japan as reported by Japanese pregnancy and parenting site, Tamahiyo.

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