Itsuki wants something from Yumeko if she defeats her in a gamble. (Netflix Anime)

In this magical academy for witches and wizards, there is a commotion as Saybil (Say-Beel) the worst-ranking student is summoned to the headmaster’s office. (Anime Explained)

Sony Group will spin off its financial unit to focus resources on entertainment and image sensor operations as the investment burden needed to compete with foreign rivals continues to rise. (Nikkei)

In the gruesome climactic scene of the film "HIDARI," the samurai hero Hidari Jingoro, spinning in midair, slices through the torsos of 12 of his adversaries simultaneously with a chain saw. For a split second, time seems to stand still, until the victims' bodies, chopped in half as if they were fruit, fall limply to the ground. (Nikkei)

A high school implements a new experiment where random male and female students will be paired together for a mock marriage. (Anime Explained)

Another former member of Japan's top male talent agency Johnny & Associates Inc said Tuesday he was sexually abused as a teenager by the firm's late founder Johnny Kitagawa, with the scandal leading to an apology by the current president. (Japan Today)

A railway company has renovated a station in Tokyo ahead of the opening of a Harry Potter theme park nearby. (NHK)

The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man are about to come to an end. Well, in Japan, at least. (themeparkinsider.com)

On the heels of sold-out U.S. and Japan tours with his recently formed rock supergroup THE LAST ROCKSTARS, X JAPAN bandleader Yoshiki held a press conference at Grammy Museum's Clive Davis theater in downtown Los Angeles Monday evening to officially announce Requiem, his upcoming 10th anniversary classical world tour with a full orchestra in the fall. (revolvermag.com)

About 94% of respondents in the performing arts industry said they were “concerned” about the negative impacts of artificial intelligence, such as on copyright infringement, the Arts Workers Japan Association said on Monday. (The Japan News)

It's once again time to look at some of Japan's most infamous, bizarre, and disturbing internet lore. (Sakura Stardust)

The pre-registration for the release of Harry Potter: Magic Awakened in Japan has opened! Check out the trailer narrated by Japanese voice actor and singer Kensho Ono. (Harry Potter: Magic Awakened Community)

The president of Japanese talent agency Johnny & Associates has offered an apology over allegations of sexual misconduct by its late founder and former president. (NHK)

Tokyo is darker at night now than in 2019 before COVID-19 ravaged the city's entertainment districts. Nighttime satellite images show the city last year had luminosity only 90% that of 2019, while Paris and London had fully regained their glow. (Nikkei)

For Western graphic novel and comic fans, especially in the United States, there are now two major factions competing on the market: Western comics, such as Marvel and DC, and the vast world of Japanese manga. (CBR)

A major exhibition of plastic models is currently underway in the central Japanese city of Shizuoka, with visitors from overseas for the first time in four years. (NHK)

An entertainment industry group in Japan is calling on the government to protect the rights and activities of artists in response to the growing amount of content generated by artificial intelligence. (NHK)

Ito-sensei shares his thoughts on the anime version of "Soichi's Beloved Pet". Meow! (Netflix Anime)

In this video, we take a look at the eleven scenes most often performed from the epic jidaimono play Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura ("Yoshitsune and the Thousand Cherry Trees"). (Kabuki In-Depth)

Ito-sensei shares his thoughts on the anime version of "Whispering Woman". (Netflix Anime)

Police officer Agawa Daigo (Yuya Yagira) uncovers a horrifying truth about a rumor of a beautiful village where it is said that people are eaten. (Hulu)

Mahalo Terajima made his debut kabuki performance in Tokyo on May 1, 2023, becoming Japan’s first officially recognised dual national kabuki actor. (Dawn)

Our monthly preview of the upcoming kabuki performances, which this May includes the major Dankiku festival at the Kabuki-za, a Nakamuraya show at Himeji Castle, the continuation of the anniversary celebration at the Meiji-za, the annual show by the Zenshin-za at the National Theatre, and a smaller show at the Kyoto Minami-za. (Kabuki In-Depth)

Yosuke Takahata doesn’t care what people think of his “itasha” car, which has his favourite anime character — a sexy, red-eyed horse-woman — emblazoned across both sides. (malaymail.com)

After conquering multiplexes across the world, “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” made its homecoming to Japan on Friday, in a film the video game’s creator says has given the iconic character a more human personality. (Japan Times)