Popular Culture
Japan has a very long history and culture. However, some aspects of its culture are relatively new, some having a much shorter history than others. Much of this “newer culture” emerged after WWII. This part of Japanese culture is known as popular culture.
What exactly is Japanese popular culture? This is difficult to describe in a single word or phrase. However, it includes comic books, cartoons, video games, fashion, and more. As mentioned, much of this culture emerged after WWII, but some forms, such as comic books and cartoons, existed before the war. These forms of popular culture continued to grow and develop after the war. As with traditional Japanese culture, popular culture has influenced and shaped Japan in many ways. As such, many people associate Japan with modern culture rather than traditional culture.
One form of Japanese popular culture that has had a major impact worldwide is video games. Nintendo Co., Ltd. played a major role in popularizing video games globally. In 1981, the company released Donkey Kong in arcades, and it quickly became a hit. On July 15, 1983, Nintendo launched the Family Computer (also known as the Famicom) in Japan. The company produced many hit games for the system, helping to make it very popular. In 1985, Nintendo released the Family Computer in North America and Europe under the name NES (Nintendo Entertainment System). The system became a hit, and its games gained widespread popularity. This is one of the main reasons Japanese video games are now popular worldwide.
One Japanese video game franchise that has become popular worldwide is Pocket Monsters (also known as “Pokémon”). This game is a collaboration between Nintendo Co., Ltd., Creatures Inc., and GAME FREAK inc.. After the first game was released in February 1996, trading cards and even a cartoon followed. There are now many other goods too. There’s a wide range of Pocket Monsters merchandise. The franchise has since become the highest-grossing media franchise (in the world) and remains just as popular as ever. In particular, the trading cards are popular both in Japan and abroad. Some cards sell for high prices, while others are difficult to find.
When it comes to animation studios, Studio Ghibli is (without a doubt) one of the most well-known. Founded by directors Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata, the studio has produced many beloved animated films. With masterpieces such as My Neighbor Totoro and Spirited Away, Studio Ghibli has earned worldwide recognition. Its films are popular not only in Japan but also abroad. The studio has helped introduce Japanese animation to a global audience, showing people around the world just how wonderful it can be. Many people (around the world) became interested in Japanese culture through these cartoons. Along with its global impact, Studio Ghibli is an animation studio that Japanese people can be proud of.
As mentioned, Japanese popular culture encompasses a wide range of forms. As with traditional Japanese culture, understanding this modern culture can also help one understand what kind of country Japan is. The articles below explore this culture in detail and introduce places where one can experience it firsthand. We hope one will learn a great deal from these articles and use this information when studying Japan or planning a trip across the country.
