October 2025 Bento News
Itadakimasu
Konnichiwa, AnimeFanatiks! Our October 2025 Bento News is packed with a delicious mix of updates from the world of Anime, Manga, and Japan!
Looking for the best anime and manga news from September? We’ve done the digging for you!
This October Bento News is loaded with the latest anime releases, manga highlights, must-know game updates, and standout stories from Japan and beyond. Stay in the loop with everything trending in the world of anime and Japanese pop culture, served up fresh and fun, just for you. Itadakimasu!
Anime News
Fall Season Picks
Anime News Network shared their picks of the best upcoming anime for next season. Here are their editorial team’s list:
AnimeFanatika also compiled a list of anime we think are the best upcoming anime season. A group of our WhatsApp members joined our editorial team on discord and made our own list, which is quite different. Please click on the button below to have a look at our list. One thing is for sure, next season looks to be epic, and we all look forward to Fall releases.
Chainsaw Man 2025: Compilation Movie and Reze Arc Explained
A new compilation movie, streaming exclusively on Abema on September 5, 2025, was released in September. This re-edited version of the TV anime, originally produced by MAPPA, includes Chainsaw Biyori (Chainsaw Days), adapting bonus manga chapters. The original 12-episode anime aired in Fall 2022, based on Tatsuki Fujimoto’s hit manga. Chainsaw Man the Movie: Reze Arc also premiered in Japanese theatres on September 19, 2025.
Chainsaw Man follows Denji, a debt-ridden teenager who fuses with his chainsaw devil-dog Pochita after a tragic betrayal. Revived as Chainsaw Man, Denji joins Public Safety Devil Hunters, battling terrifying devils while chasing simple dreams of love, survival, and freedom. It is based on the super sugoi manga by Tatsuki Fujimoto.
My Dress-Up Darling Season 3: Is the Anime Truly klaar, finished, kaput?
We hate bearing bad news, bro… My Dress-Up Darling has been one of the most beloved rom-com anime in recent years, but Season 2’s finale may mark the end. Unlike the manga, which concluded in March 2025, the anime ended with an original scene that gooied the storyline off track, leaving little material for future adaptation.
While no third season has been announced, fans speculate about possible OVAs or movies to cover remaining chapters. With other Summer 2025 anime like Dandadan already confirming continuations, it seems My Dress-Up Darling might be finish and klaar for good.
Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid Movie Hosts Concert in Taiwan
The official Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid: A Lonely Dragon Wants to be Loved anime film announced a special concert in Taipei, Taiwan, on November 9, 2025, at the Taiwan Traditional Theatre Centre. The event will showcase music from the anime’s two seasons and the new film, featuring composers Masumi Itō, kotringo, Kenji Kondou, and performances by fhána, the pop trio behind the franchise’s theme songs.
The movie opened in Japan on June 27, 2025, and will premiere in Taiwan on September 12, continuing Kyoto Animation’s beloved dragon-fuelled story.
Tatsuki Fujimoto’s 17-26 Anime Anthology Streams on Prime Video Worldwide
Amazon Prime Video has bagged Tatsuki Fujimoto 17-26, an anime anthology adapting eight of the Chainsaw Man creator’s early one-shot stories, streaming worldwide from November 7, 2025. Known for Chainsaw Man and Look Back, Fujimoto admitted he was a bit geskrik about seeing his student-era work on screen, but excited that top-notch directors made it shine.
The anthology covers favourites like Nayuta of the Prophecy and Sisters. With this release, Prime Video is clearly stepping up as a major player in anime, giving big guns like Crunchyroll and Netflix some stiff competition.
In Memoriam
Legendary Anime Voice Actor Takaya Hashi Passes Away at 72
Takaya Hashi, iconic voice actor behind Kakuzu in Naruto, Dogstorm in One Piece, and Donovan Desmond in Spy x Family, has died at 72 from a heart attack. Hashi’s epic voice and his legacy in anime, from Fist of the North Star to the Japanese dub of Harry Potter, will be with us forever, never forgotten.
Studio Ghibli Star Shigeru Tsuyuguchi Passes Away
Japanese actor Shigeru Tsuyuguchi, beloved as the voice of Baron in Studio Ghibli’s Whisper of the Heart, has died. Co-star Yoko Honna honoured him with a heartfelt tribute, praising his reserved yet powerful performance that continues to inspire. Tsuyuguchi’s legacy lives on in Ghibli’s timeless coming-of-age classic. His voice as Baron will evermore remain one of Ghibli’s most cherished performances.
Hollywood Legend Robert Redford Dies at 89
Actor, director, and Sundance founder Robert Redford has passed away at age 89 at his Utah home. Known for classics like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and The Sting, Redford’s legacy spans decades as both a Hollywood icon and a champion of independent cinema worldwide.
Upcoming Anime 2025 Releases
A host of new anime series is in the works, most of which are set to premiere next year. Here’s a look at what’s coming:
New Series Premiering
29th 'Meitantei Conan' Movie
The 29th Meitantei Conan (Detective Conan) movie will open in theatres during the Golden Week in 2026.
Kill Ao
The anime is scheduled to premiere in 2026. The manga also ended with the 115th chapter in Weekly Shounen Jump magazine on the same day.
Susumu Maeya's Maid-san wa Taberu dake (The Food Diary of Miss Maid)
Voice actress Kana Ichinose (Maou no Ore ga Dorei Elf wo Yome ni Shitanda ga, Dou Medereba Ii?) is starring as Suzume Tachibana.
Tatsuki Fujimoto's 17-21 and 22-26 anthology manga
The eight-episode anthology anime is scheduled to premiere worldwide on the Amazon Prime Video streaming service on November 8.
Returning Anime
'Tate no Yuusha no Nariagari' Gets Fifth Season
The 12th and final episode of Tate no Yuusha no Nariagari Season 4 (The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 4) ended with an announcement that a fifth season is in production.
Interesting Anime News
Gundam 'Awakens' Its Strongest Mecha From New Anime in High Grade Gunpla Model Kit Release
The upcoming HG 1/144 Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX (Endymion Unit Awakened) model kit is packed with detail, articulation, and accessories, making it a must-have for Gunpla collectors.
Revealed during the Gundam 45th Anniversary celebrations, this awakened unit continues the franchise’s tradition of iconic mecha designs.
New Official Evangelion Project Recreates Rei, Asuka & Mari as Edo-Period Kimono Beauties
Neon Genesis Evangelion is celebrating its 30th anniversary with a stunning new project that blends anime with traditional Japanese culture.
The upcoming Eva Japonisme ukiyo-e print series reimagines Rei, Asuka, and Mari in classic woodblock art style, giving fans a rare and limited chance to own Evangelion as fine Japanese artwork.
New High School DxD Reveal Removed Following 'Offensive' Content Complaint
The UK’s Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has banned a series of High School DxD game ads for being suggestive, featuring harmful gender stereotypes, and implying underage characters.
This ruling, alongside Japan’s recent Sense of Gender Awards spotlighting works like Land of the Lustrous, highlights how anime and manga continue to spark global debates on gender, representation, and regulation.
'People Hated It': Official Voice of Naruto Stopped Saying 'Believe It!' After Fan Backlash
At Nostalgia Con 2025 in Houston, Naruto voice legends Junko Takeuchi (Japanese) and Maile Flanagan (English) reunited to reflect on their decades as the voice of Naruto Uzumaki.
During the panel, they finally revealed why the anime’s once-iconic English catchphrase, “Believe it!”, mysteriously vanished after just 18 episodes.
Manga News
Naruto Meets How to Train Your Dragon in Epic Crossover
Anime and animation fans are buzzing as Masashi Kishimoto, creator of Naruto, teams up with DreamWorks’ How to Train Your Dragon for a once-in-a-lifetime crossover. Kishimoto drew an original artwork featuring Naruto and Gamakichi fist-bumping Hiccup and Toothless, merging shinobi spirit with Viking skies.
The timing is lekker because How to Train Your Dragon’s live-action film just flew high at the box office, showing the story’s timeless appeal. Kishimoto even praised the film as a “masterpiece,” proving this collab isn’t just fan service, but a global celebration of courage, friendship, and resilience across cultures.
Batman x Kagurabachi: DC Comics Meets Shonen Jump in Epic Crossover
Batman is teaming up with Shonen Jump’s breakout hit Kagurabachi in a crossover that’s a bakgat idea. As Matt Fraction takes over the new Batman run, one variant cover by artist Dan Mora pays direct homage to Kagurabachi’s first manga volume. The artwork mirrors Chihiro’s world perfectly, showing how far this manga has come in just two years.
Known for its inventive storytelling and slick action, Kagurabachi is quickly becoming one of Shonen Jump’s hottest titles. This stylish crossover proves the manga’s global influence, and fans are stoked to see where it goes next.
Manga Piracy Site Comick.io Shuts Down, Fans Speculate on Legal Pressure
One of the world’s biggest manga piracy sites, Comick.io, shut down on September 16, 2025, leaving millions of fans stunned. The admin announced the closure via Discord, assuring users their reading lists remain safe. With over 125 million visits in August, Comick was a giant, now joining Gogoanime in the piracy graveyard.
While no official reason was given, many fans reckon legal pressure and DMCA takedowns played a big role. In South Africa and beyond, readers are already hunting for alternatives, but publishers are tightening the net. Eish, this shutdown shows that manga piracy is under serious fire worldwide.
Jujutsu Kaisen Author Gege Akutami Launches New Manga Modulo with Yuuji Iwasaki
Big news, anime fanatiks! Jujutsu Kaisen creator Gege Akutami is teaming up with Cipher Academy illustrator Yuuji Iwasaki for a brand-new manga titled Modulo. The series kicked off in Weekly Shounen Jump’s 41st issue on September 8, with a massive 54-page colour spread and a cover feature.
Akutami, who wrapped Jujutsu Kaisen in 2024, is writing the short-term story while Iwasaki handles the art. Fans can expect sparks to fly with this collab, a proper mashup of powerhouse talent. Yoh, my nakama, get ready: Modulo is shaping up to be the next big thing in manga!
Zoids x Patlabor Crossover Manga Brings Mecha Action to Tokyo
Naoto Tsushima has dropped a lekker surprise for mecha fans, a new crossover manga, Zoids x Patlabor -Code Name B.U.D.D.Y.-, on IMAGICA Infos’ Hero Comics site. The story follows Zoid Hunter Wolf, transported into the Patlabor world, teaming up with the Ingram Mark III to defend Tokyo.
This mashup comes as Zoids gears up for its 25th anniversary and Patlabor preps its big 2026 anime return. Both franchises have deep roots, from classic anime to games and model kits.
More Manga News
Land of the Lustrous Manga Wins Sense of Gender Award
Haruko Ichikawa’s Land of the Lustrous manga has won the top prize at Japan’s Sense of Gender Awards, honouring sci-fi and fantasy that explore gender in bold new ways.
With its futuristic, genderless beings and deep themes of human continuity, this award-winning series continues to sparkle worldwide, a real gem for anime and manga fans.
Tomodachi Game's Mikoto Yamaguchi, Dopeman's Yūhei Ogino Launch New Manga
Tomodachi Game writer Mikoto Yamaguchi and Dopeman artist Yūhei Ogino have teamed up to launch a brand-new isekai manga titled Reincarnated Fighting Gamer on Shueisha’s Tonari no Young Jump.
The series follows middle-aged gamer Kairu Mitsushima, who, after a traffic accident, is reborn in another world where epic battles are decided by fighting game skills.
Manga is More than Just Reading, It’s a Cultural Experience – Expo 2025 with The Seven Deadly Sins
Manga isn’t just for reading, it’s an experience that connects fans worldwide to Japan’s rich culture, and Expo 2025 Osaka is proving exactly that.
At the event, a special collection of The Seven Deadly Sins merchandise, including folding screen artwork, T-shirts, posters, fans, and postcards, reimagines Nakaba Suzuki’s hit manga as wearable and collectible art.
North America's 1st large-scale manga exhibit opens in San Francisco
A new exhibit opening at San Francisco’s De Young Museum features more than 600 manga images and is designed to decode the Japanese style of storytelling that literally jumps off the gallery walls.
Nippon News
Kyoto Boy Spends R580k on TikTok Tips, Parents Take Apple and ByteDance to Court
In Kyoto, a 10-year-old boy gave his parents a huge skrik after racking up nearly ¥4.6 million (about R580,000) on his brothers’ smartphones between June and August. Most of the money went to tipping TikTok creators, leaving the parents scrambling like South Africans after load-shedding hits mid a rugby game on the telly.
They’ve taken Apple Japan and ByteDance to court, demanding refunds, arguing that weak age checks allowed the splurge. Japanese law allows minors’ contracts to be cancelled, and the case could set a precedent. Yoh, talk about expensive screen time… that’s an eina lesson no parent wants their wallet to learn!
Australian Tourist Disrespects Japanese Cemetery, Sparks Outrage
An Australian tourist has landed himself in hot water after posting shocking videos from a cemetery in Fujikawaguchiko, Yamanashi Prefecture. Instead of showing respect, he cracked open a chu-hi alcohol offering left for the deceased, downed it, and even tossed the can aside, behaviour that’s utterly taboo in Japan.
He went further, brandishing a toy gun and swinging a Buddhist grave marker like a toy. Japanese netizens called him a “grave robber” and demanded he never return. Local police are investigating, and frankly, this kind of disrespect is enough to make anyone very gatvol! Nee, sies, man.
Disclaimer: The following video contains footage of a tourist’s disrespectful behaviour at a Japanese cemetery. Some viewers may find it upsetting. Viewer discretion is advised.
Tokyo Cracks Down on Cyclists with New Fines
From April 2025, Japan will fine cyclists for traffic violations, and Tokyo police are already spreading the word. Using a smartphone while riding will cost 12,000 yen (about R1,500), while jumping a red light will cost 6,000 yen (about R800). Offenders who pay avoid criminal charges.
Police in Shinjuku reminded cyclists that roads are the norm, but kids under 13 and seniors over 70 may use pavements. In 2024, 25 cyclists died in Tokyo, mostly from ignoring signals. Authorities hope the new system will boost safety, something South African riders can relate to as well.
Japan’s Tax-Free Tourist Shopping Slump Continues
Japan’s department stores, once buzzing with foreign shoppers queuing for tax-free bargains, are seeing lighter foot traffic. In July 2025, tax-exempt purchases fell 36.3% year-on-year to ¥40.34 billion (about R5.1 billion). It marks the fifth consecutive monthly drop, with overall tourist spending also down 40.6%.
Even the number of shoppers slipped by 16.7%, showing it’s not just wallets tightening. Average spend per person also dropped by 23.6%. This signals a shift, Japanese retailers can’t only bank on luxury tourists anymore. The shopping spree days may be slowing, finish en klaar.
Osaka Smartphone Scam Targets Elderly with Costly Tricks
A bizarre new fraud scheme is hitting Osaka, where scammers send unsuspecting elderly victims smartphones before conning them via social media, crypto apps, and video calls. In one case, a woman in her 70s lost ¥5 million in cash and 1.5kg of gold after a caller pretended to be a police officer.
Another woman in her 60s was duped into crypto losses of about ¥60 million. Police stress that real officers never instruct people to buy smartphones or use social apps. Think of it like phishing, but with a pricey upgrade. Stay sharp, mense, or lose big!
More News From Nippon
Japan government to support domestic digital content overseas
Japan is boosting its anime and digital content industry with a new government package aimed at promoting overseas expansion and improving animator working conditions.
With targets set to reach ¥20 trillion in global sales by 2033, the plan includes subsidies for production, AI and cybersecurity support, and the creation of a third-party body to strengthen the industry.
Japanese police to use AI to search social media posts for potential terrorists
Japan’s National Police Agency is launching a pilot project that uses AI to scan social media for potential terrorist threats, aiming to prevent violent incidents like the assassination of Shinzo Abe and the attempted attack on Fumio Kishida.
By analysing posts and detecting dangerous patterns, the system hopes to ease the burden on police while raising new debates around privacy, censorship, and freedom of expression.
Japanese city passes ordinance to limit smartphone use, applies to people outside the city too
In a surprising move, the Toyoake city council in Aichi Prefecture has passed an ordinance recommending residents limit smartphone and device use to just two hours a day.
While aimed at promoting healthier lifestyles, the rule applies not only to kids but also adults and commuting students, sparking debate across Japan about technology, freedom, and government overreach.
Three ways the unauthorized U.S. Department of Homeland Security Pokémon video makes no sense
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has stirred controversy by releasing a video that mixes Pokémon anime clips with the iconic English theme song while showing footage of agents making arrests.
While intended as a playful nod to the franchise’s “Gotta Catch ’Em All” slogan, the move has sparked debate among anime fans and critics, who see it as a tone-deaf misuse of Pokémon’s cultural meaning.
Updates on previous stories
Japan’s Farmland Faces Labour Crisis as Aging Farmers Retire
Japan’s agriculture ministry has issued a stark warning: within 10 years, nearly one-third of the country’s farmland may lie idle due to a shrinking rural workforce. Surveys show over 1.3 million hectares, that’s about 31% of Japan’s farmland, could lack farmers as ageing communities decline.
To combat the crisis, officials plan to merge smaller plots into larger, more efficient farms and recruit workers from other regions. Much like many countries’ own struggles with rural depopulation, Japan’s challenge highlights the urgent need for innovation to safeguard food security and farming traditions.
GiGO Akihabara Arcade Closes After 33 Years of Gaming History
A legendary chapter in Japan’s gaming culture has ended with the closure of GiGO Akihabara Building 1 on Chuo-dori. Open since 1992 under names like High-tech Land Sega and Club Sega, the iconic arcade became a landmark for gamers worldwide. Fans gathered on August 31 to bid farewell, as staff led a countdown to the final shutter drop.
Though the closure stems from lease expiry, not bankruptcy, the loss symbolises Japan’s shifting arcade scene. With home consoles and online gaming eclipsing old traditions, GiGO continues elsewhere, but Akihabara has lost one of its brightest pixel-lit beacons, another victim of home gaming defeating the age-old tradition of arcade adventuring.
Tokyo Company Arrested for Stripchat Lewd Live Streams
Tokyo police have arrested four people, including 28-year-old TOPPA president Yuki Kitagawa, for allegedly live-streaming indecent acts on Stripchat, one of the world’s largest adult platforms. The suspects reportedly earned over ¥100 million by broadcasting explicit content from Tokyo studios between March and August.
Viewers, mostly international, paid fees and tips, while women were recruited through social media adverts promising high pay. Stripchat, a Cyprus-based site accessed millions of times monthly, has also faced EU scrutiny under the Digital Services Act. This once again highlights the darker side of global adult streaming.
VTuber News
Akira The Jeweller Returns to Twitch & YouTube with a Dazzling Upgrade
Our own Akira Holgate, now rebranded as Akira The Jeweller, has returned from hiatus with an exciting new 3D model reveal!
If you’ve ever visited his Twitch or YouTube channel and tuned into his live streams, you’ll know he’s not only a gifted jewellery designer but also an avid gamer. On YouTube, he describes himself as a “Multi-national Jewelry Designer Vtuber. Sometimes I play games. Sometimes I yap about life and what it means to be human.”
His new 3D model is even more super sugoi than the last! If you’re looking for an artsy VTuber with a proudly South African flavour, check him out, and don’t forget to drop a comment letting him know you read about him here on AnimeFanatika Bento News!
More VTubing News
Gaming News
R-Type Tactics I • II Cosmos Trailer Drops, Release News Coming Soon
Granzella has unveiled a new trailer for R-Type Tactics I • II Cosmos. Originally expected back in 2023, the sci-fi tactical shooter has been delayed twice, now aiming for a 2025 launch.
The game will hit PS5, PS4, Switch, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam and Epic Games Store. NIS America will publish the English version. Packed with Unreal Engine 5 visuals, multiple campaigns, and online battles, it’s a proper retro revival. Gamers, keep your eyes peeled, this one’s been a long wait.
Jump+ Jumble Rush Mobile Game Launched This September
Shueisha and Bandai Namco announced that Jump+ Jumble Rush, a brand-new mobile game celebrating Shonen Jump+’s 10th anniversary, ad it was launched on 24 September for iOS and Android. This unique manga-frame tower defence game lets players build dream teams from hit series like SPY×FAMILY, Chainsaw Man, Kaiju No. 8, Dandadan, and Hell’s Paradise.
Expect a mix of action, comedy, and romance as you defend against hectic waves of enemies. With an all-star manga line up, this release is shaping up to be huge. Shonen Jump+ has come a long way since its 2014 digital debut.
Laid-Back Camp Cooking Game Heads to Switch and PC This Winter
Game developer enish has announced Yurucamp△ Minna de Wachawacha! Camping Cook! (Laid-Back Camp: Let’s All Chi-Chat! Cooking Camp!), launching this winter on Nintendo Switch and PC via Steam. Inspired by the cosy Laid-Back Camp anime, the game lets players pitch tents, cook lekker chow, and keep Nadeshiko and friends happy around the fire.
A multiplayer mode adds a proper “camp with your mates” vibe, perfect for teamwork. Fans of the previous smartphone game will unlock bonus costumes and items. With a fourth season of Laid-Back Camp also on the horizon, this release promises more warmth than a South African potjie.
More Gaming News
Only in Japan
Japan’s Customer Service Faces New Challenge: Earphones and Rudeness
Japan is famous for top-notch customer service, but even the land of omotenashi is feeling the strain. A SoftBank survey of 1,000 retail workers found that 74.6% feel stressed when serving customers wearing earphones. Clerks struggle to know if they’re being heard, often leading to frustration over bags or loyalty cards.
While not as extreme as “customer harassment,” ignoring staff can feel like treating them as vending machines. Here, we’d call this just plain rude. Maybe it’s time we all ditch the earphones, make eye contact, and remember, respect at the till goes both ways, bru.
Japan Introduces New Law as Bear Sightings Rise Near Cities
Japan has amended its Wildlife Protection Act to allow “emergency shootings” of bears and other dangerous animals in populated areas. Previously, hunters could only act with police approval, but now city mayors can authorise swift action if public safety is threatened.
Bear sightings, once limited to Hokkaido and Tohoku, have spiked in Tokyo, with 154 reports in 2025 alone. A recent attack in Okutama left a fisherman injured, sparking fresh concern. Authorities urge residents: don’t approach, call police. Yoh, better safe than sorry, bru, nature doesn’t play games.
Japanese Women Redefine Sex and Relationships in Modern Society
Attitudes toward sex in Japan are shifting, with more women choosing independence over traditional relationships. Surveys reveal rising virginity rates, sexless marriages, and a growing preference for self-fulfilment. Many women cite stress, childcare, and workplace pressures as reasons for disinterest, while others turn to female-focused adult products or nightlife alternatives.
Just as people globally, are rethinking love, marriage, and independence in today’s fast-paced society, Japanese women are prioritising personal growth over outdated expectations. These changing sexual dynamics highlight a global trend: intimacy is no longer defined solely by marriage or men, but by choice, freedom, and self-determination.
When a “Romantic Night View” Turns Into a Nightmare in Japan
In Japan, yakei (romantic “night view” dates) are considered sweet, if a little cheesy. But for one 35-year-old painter in Fukuoka, his starlit outing turned into a gangster ambush. Invited by a 21-year-old hostess he admired, he thought it was love.
Instead, it was a yakuza trap, complete with beatings, a stabbing, and stolen cash. Six suspects, including the hostess, were later arrested. The poor man needed two months to recover, probably rethinking his dating strategy along the way. Moral of the story? Whether in Tokyo or Tshwane, if a date feels too good to be true, it usually is.
Pumpkin Harvest in Japan Brings Halloween Spirit Alive
Nagano Prefecture in central Japan is buzzing with Halloween energy as students at Yatsugatake Center Farm College harvest over 13,000 pumpkins. From quirky triangular gourds to Atlantic Giants tipping the scales at 80kg, this year’s crop thrived thanks to hot weather and little rain. Students proudly load truckloads of pumpkins destined for hotels, theme parks, and campus displays.
For locals, it’s a chance to marvel at giant, odd-shaped gourds perfect for spooky season. Much like South Africa’s growing love for Halloween, Japan shows that pumpkins aren’t just food, they’re vessels of creativity, culture, and community spirit.
Interesting articles from Japan
Pizza Hut Japan unveils new matcha pizza, crafted with a Kyoto tea shop founded in Uji in 1860
Pizza Hut Japan has teamed up with Kyoto’s historic tea house Gion Tsujiri to create the Handy Melts Matcha Shiratama Kuromitsu, a unique sweet pizza blending matcha, shiratama rice dumplings, and kuromitsu syrup for a perfect East-meets-West flavour.
Available for a limited time, this matcha-infused treat celebrates Japan’s tsukimi moon-viewing season and offers a delicious twist on traditional Japanese dessert culture.
McDonald’s Japan sets anti-scalper rules for Sanrio Happy Meals, may not have happy ending
McDonald’s Japan is cracking down on scalpers after recent chaos surrounding limited-edition Happy Meal toys like Pokémon cards, which led to customer frustration and even public disturbances.
To prevent further issues, the chain is limiting Happy Meal sales to in-person orders and capping purchases at three per group as new My Melody, Kuromi, and Plarail toy sets launched in September.
Mister Donut Goes Spooky Sweet with Black Thunder Donut Halloween Treats
Mister Donut Japan is teaming up with beloved chocolate brand Black Thunder for a special Misdo Halloween x Black Thunder collaboration, kicking off Japan’s Halloween snack season early.
The limited-edition line up includes three indulgent chocolate donuts packed with Black Thunder goodness, available nationwide until 31 October.
Cup Noodle releases extremely modified versions of their original flavors
Nissin is spicing things up with a new makaizo (devilish modification) series of Cup Noodles, transforming their classic flavours into bold, limited-edition versions since 8 September.
Featuring unique twists like Motsunabe and Seafood Monja flavours, these instant ramen cups bring Japan’s love for creative food experiments to the next level.
Kyoto karaoke joint is like a dystopian city
Kyoto may be famed for its ancient temples and shrines, but locals know a hidden gem called Jankara, a unique karaoke chain offering themed rooms that turn singing sessions into unforgettable adventures.
From bathhouse-style setups to courtesan-inspired décor, Jankara’s Kyoto University branch, dubbed “Neo-Kyoto’s most flourishing karaoke facility in 2221”, takes the karaoke experience to the next level, making it a must-visit spot for music lovers and travellers alike.
In Other News
New U.S. Tariffs Disrupt Good Smile Company Deliveries to Collectors
Anime fans worldwide know Japan’s Good Smile Company for its beloved Nendoroid figurines. But as of August 2025, U.S. collectors face delays after Japan Post paused shipments due to new tariffs introduced by Donald Trump’s executive order ending “De Minimis Treatment.”
This policy change means goods over $100, like anime merch, now face extra fees. While American fans worry, Good Smile assures orders will eventually be delivered and is exploring alternative shipping. It’s a reminder of how global trade policies can impact even our geeky passions.
Moo-ve over zebras, Japan’s cows are rocking stripes and winning prizes
Japanese researchers have bagged the 2025 Ig Nobel Prize for biology after proving that painting cows with zebra-like stripes keeps pesky blood-sucking insects at bay. Tomoki Kojima and his team found that cows with white stripes attracted about half the number of flies compared to plain black cows.
While the quirky experiment sounds like a prank, it could save the cattle industry billions. South African farmers battling with stubborn flies might also find this research fascinating. Who knew a touch of zebra fashion could double as insect repellent? Even science can have a funny side!
Cosplay News
Sailor Moon Reigns Supreme in Japan’s Latest Cosplay Poll
A fresh survey by NEXER INC has revealed the anime characters Japanese women most want to cosplay, and it’s no surprise that it is Sailor Moon who takes the crown. Out of 300 participants, Usagi Tsukino ranked #1, praised for her sailor uniform and iconic poses, easy to strike and great for photos.
Following closely were Kiki from Kiki’s Delivery Service, Fujiko Mine from Lupin the Third, and Maetel from Galaxy Express 999. With picks ranging from Demon Slayer to The Apothecary Diaries, the list shows anime cosplay is as diverse as a South African braaibroodjie, everyone has their own favourite flavour.
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