Calling all Assassin’s Creed players, Hidden Ones, and manga fans! We've got all the release details on our Free Comic Book Day 2021 titles, Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Blood Brothers and Assassin's Creed Dynasty right here!
How do the Japanese prep for a Hanami? Firstly, they check websites that give predictions about when the cherry blossom bloom. A good one is maintained by JR, the Japan Railway. Then you contact your friends and colleagues and see who's up for a picnic. Then you go to your local 100 yen store -- think Daiso -- and get your stuff. The Japanese concept of mottenai applies here...why waste money when you're going to have to throw stuff away/recycle stuff anyway?
It looks like the new animation superstar, following on the on again/off again/on again/and once again maybe off again retirement of Hayao Miyazaki is Makoto Shinkai. Shinkai's phenomenal success with Kimi no na wa 君の名は, known better in English as Your Name, has been made complete.
Lunar New Year is still considered a special time in Japan. Too much tradition is shared between Japan and China to just ignore this time of the year. So Japan has its Haru Matsuri, the Spring Festival, which begins every year around the beginning of February. Haru Matsuri starts with the observance of Setsubun.
One of J-Rock's most surprising superstars is an American guitarist whose driving, wild style made Megadeth one of the most compelling Metal bands of the '90s. His passion for J-Rock eventually led him to live and shred there, eventually ending up marrying a Japanese musician himself. His name: Marty Friedman. But you can also call him Hebimeta-san. (ヘビメタさん, Heavy-Metal-san.)
Yes, I know today is a special day in the US. Veterans' Day, formerly Armistice Day, which started as the commemoration of the end of World War I. However, first in South Korea, then in Japan, it's Pocky Day! It is a commemoration of one of Asia's favorite sweet treats, the slim cookie sticks enrobed with chocolate or other sweet toppings.
Sign up for our newsletter for free manga, contests, events, all the latest news and more!
