Tokyo International News Agency

The official sequel to the popular series "Chō Kaguya-hime!", a web manga titled "Chō Kaguya Meshi!", has officially launched on the manga streaming platform "Bibibi Comic," taking social media by storm. Set 10 years after the main story, this slice-of-life spin-off follows the protagonist, Kaguya, who has regained her sense of taste after 8,000 years and now spends her days enjoying delicious food. Director Yamashita, who spearheaded the original anime adaptation, is involved in the production, ensuring the title delivers the genuine, highly anticipated continuation fans have been waiting for. Along with the launch, a special Chapter 0 was released. Beyond heartwarming gourmet storytelling, the chapter includes emotional moments that flesh out character bonds and complement the main storyline, deeply touching readers. Social media has erupted with praise and tearful reactions, with comments such as "I let my guard down thinking it was just slice-of-l...

Reports that the Broadcasting Ethics & Program Improvement Organization (BPO) discussed depictions of smoking and drug-like substances in a late-night anime depicting a world where humans and beastmen coexist have sparked intense debate across social media. The anime in question drew viewer complaints due to scenes evoking smoking and self-injection. In response, BPO committee members noted that because the show airs in a late-night time slot, the production team demonstrated sufficient consideration, concluding that the content falls "within the acceptable bounds of freedom of expression." The news prompted a flood of reactions online, particularly from anime fans who strongly defended creative freedom. Many users argued that late-night broadcasting already functions as an effective zoning mechanism and that parents should be responsible for managing what their children watch late at night. Others questioned why anime faces harsher scrutiny than live-action dramas with m...

The latest collaboration Splatfest in the popular Nintendo Switch game Splatoon 3 , titled "Which is strongest? Speed vs. Power vs. Tech" (held in collaboration with the manga Splatoon Raiders ), has concluded with Team Power claiming the ultimate victory. Team Power dominated the competition, securing a final score of 365 points, compared to 285 for Team Speed and 220 for Team Tech. Immediately after the event concluded, the term "Super Sea Snail" (known as "Super Sazae" in Japanese) rapidly shot to the number one trending spot on social media, sparking massive excitement among the community. What are the "Super Sea Snails" that have Splatoon players so hyped? "Super Sea Snails" are highly valuable in-game items awarded to players based on their Splatfest performance and overall rank. Players use them to increase the star power (rarity) of their favorite gear or to reroll their gear's sub-abilities. For many players, these snails a...

“I said I could smell rain and that it might pour soon, and they laughed at me.” This simple social media post has sparked a massive debate on X (formerly Twitter) regarding the "scent of rain." What began as one user’s insecurity—wondering if they were the only one who perceived this sensation—quickly turned into a trending topic as countless users chimed in with a resounding "I can smell it too." Many participants in the discussion described their ability to detect a distinct aroma just before or at the start of a rainfall. The descriptions were varied and evocative: “the scent of heavy, moisture-laden air,” “the smell of damp asphalt,” and “the odor of dust and soil being kicked up.” Some users even claimed a more heightened sensitivity, stating they could distinguish the "scent of spring," the "smell of the seasons," or even the "smell of the night." Scientifically, this "rain smell" is often attributed to chemical substan...