One-time unchallenged holy land of otaku, Tokyo's Akihabara was a heaven for anime, manga, video game, maid café, and collector's items. But today. it is different. So what happened to Akihabara?
We chart the past from Akihabara's early days as an electronics district to its growth in the 1990s–2010s as a thriving subculture hub during the golden era of otaku culture. We'll then look at which anime, doujinshi, figure fever, and maid cafés transformed the district into a fans' pilgrimage site from all over the world.
Now, as Japan's economic downturn-chasing weak yen and pandemic tourism bonanza coinciding with it, Akihabara is evolving — welcoming more tourists than hardcores.
Is it otaku heaven anymore? Or has it become a theme park version of what once was? We split it all up — past, present, and future.

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Music | 5 p.m‼ - 桜餅ルナ

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Why is Japan so obsessed with all things small, fluffy, and irresistibly kawaii? From adorable mascots to tiny replicas of food and robot puppies, Japanese cuteness is everywhere — but how did it all begin?
We explore the deeper psychological and cultural roots of kawaii, how postwar society, youth culture rebellion, and femininity changed kawaii as a national sentiment — influencing everything from fashion and media to urban landscapes. This is your definitive in-depth exploration of kawaii land.

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Music | 5 p.m‼ - 桜餅ルナ

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Who exactly were the Japanese ninjas? Forget the legends in the films, we delve into the true history of the mythic spies and shadow warriors.
Discover where ninjas first emerged, what they actually did (hint: it doesn't involve throwing stars!), and how they shaped Japan's history through espionage, sabotage, and survival.
We'll also look at how the ninja legacy lives on to this day — from ninja schools and ninja tourism in Japan, to anime, cosplay, and Hollywood.

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https://linktr.ee/catwithbeard

Music | 5 p.m‼ - 桜餅ルナ

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.