Japan’s ‘cringeworthy’ cartoon cars make image U-turn

The story follows Taro Sakamoto, a former legendary hitman who once struck fear into the underworld but has since retired to lead a quiet life as a family man. Overweight and unassuming, Sakamoto now runs a small convenience store with his wife and daughter. (Netflix Anime)

As Momo, Okarun, and Turbo Granny investigate what happened to Jiji's family, they find themselves facing a series of bizarre encounters! (Netflix Japan)

Gomah and Degesu watches the intense battle against Majin Buu through a monitor in a mysterious world. (Netflix Anime)

The novel Sunset Sunrise by Shuhei Nire has been adapted into a live-action drama starring Masaki Suda, known for works such as Cloud. The story follows a young man who relocates from Tokyo to a small town in the Sanriku region of northeastern Japan after his workplace adopts remote work policies.

As the mononoke's attacks become increasingly dangerous, the Medicine Seller must find the Reason before it's too late. (Netflix Anime)

Nara Prefecture is under fire for allocating 270 million yen ($1.75 million) in taxpayer money to host a free K-Pop concert at Nara Park next October. The event, expected to attract 9,000 attendees, will feature South Korean artists, with their fees and travel expenses covered by the Korean side. However, Nara will shoulder the operational costs.

This week, we turn to the December program at the Minami-za in Kyoto. (Kabuki In-Depth)

In 2003, anime auteur Kon Satoshi released Tokyo Godfathers, an anime Christmas classic. Find out more about this socially and seasonally relevant film. (Unseen Japan)