From "alphas" and "simps" to "incels," Western internet culture loves a label. But how does Japan categorize its male population? This week on Spill the Matcha, Misato and Cherine take a deep, unfiltered dive into the fascinating, hilarious, and sometimes dark world of words used to describe men in Japan.

The girls look at how Japan transitioned from mainstream sociological terms like the famous "Herbivore Men" to modern, brutal internet slang cooked up in the depths of anonymous message boards. Cherine tries to wrap her head around why a simple fast-food order became the ultimate Japanese equivalent to an "incel" meme, while Misato explains the shifting societal pressures that cause these labels to trend in the first place.

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If a TV show wins ten Emmys but no one in Tokyo is talking about it, does it even exist? This week on Spill the Matcha, Misato and Cherine explore the fascinating divide between what’s popular in the West versus what actually makes it big in Japan.

To test the waters, Cherine hosts a hilarious pop quiz for Misato to see if she recognizes some of the biggest Western TV shows, games, and internet phenomena of the last decade. From fantasy epics to viral gaming crazes, the results highlight just how differently media travels across borders. Plus, the girls break down the secret formula of how foreign media actually gets popular in Japan—hint: it usually involves a massive celebrity endorsement or a total marketing makeover.

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There are Disney fans, and then there are Japanese Disney Fans. This week on Spill the Matcha, Misato and Cherine take a trip into the vibrant, obsessive, and surprisingly disciplined world of Tokyo Disney Resort mania.

While "Disney Adults" sometimes face a bit of internet side-eye in the West, in Japan, loving Disney as a full-grown adult isn't just normal—it’s practically a national hobby. The girls discuss the hardcore subculture of D-Ota (Disney Otaku) and how a day at Tokyo Disneyland looks wildly different from Anaheim or Paris. From matching squad outfits to literal character "shrines," get ready to see the House of Mouse through a completely different lens.

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Saying "I quit" shouldn't require a mediator, right? This week on Spill the Matcha, Misato and Cherine break down the incredibly awkward, high-stress, and culturally complex world of quitting a job in Japan. While changing careers is normal in many parts of the world, Japan’s traditional corporate culture still treats leaving a company like a major breakup. The girls dive into the extreme guilt of meiwaku (causing trouble for others) and discuss the wild, booming business of Taishoku Daiko—agencies you literally pay to quit your job for you so you never have to face your boss again.

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Don’t let the title fool you—this might be our most high-stakes, adrenaline-pumping episode yet. This week on Spill the Matcha, Misato and Cherine are diving into the obsessive, wallet-stretching, and strangely addictive world of Japanese Point Cards.

In the UK and Belgium, a loyalty card is just something taking up space in your wallet. But in Japan? It’s a way of life. From the iconic "Ponta" and "Rakuten" points to the specialized stamp cards at your local ramen shop, the girls discuss why Japan is so obsessed with the "Point-katsu" (Point Hunting) grind.

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Put down the roses and pick up the planner! This week on Spill the Matcha, Misato and Cherine are debating which country truly wears the crown for romance. We all know the stereotypes—Italy and Spain are the lands of fiery passion and spontaneous grand gestures—but where does Japan fit in?

The girls get real about why romance in Japan feels less like a movie and more like a carefully managed project. They discuss the "spontaneity gap" and why, without the social "permission" of Valentine’s Day and White Day, romance in Japan might just grind to a halt.

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No place is perfect, even if it looks like it on Instagram! This week on Spill the Matcha, Misato and Cherine are getting brutally honest about the things they would change about their home countries—Japan and Belgium.

From social etiquette to public infrastructure, the girls dive into the daily frustrations that make them roll their eyes. Things take a hilarious (and slightly gross) turn when Cherine explains the Belgian struggle of "Madame Pee Pee" and the lack of public restrooms, leaving Misato absolutely floored by the concept of paying for a toilet.

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Why does everyone in Japan suddenly have the exact same keychain? And why do we all look like aliens in our latest Purikura photos? This week on Spill the Matcha, Misato and Cherine are taking a deep dive into the fast-paced, glittery, and sometimes bizarre world of Japanese fads and trends.

From the "Seal Book" (sticker book) obsession of the 2000s to the high-tech photo booths of today, the girls explore why Japan is so good at creating "booms" that capture the nation's heart. Misato gets nostalgic about her childhood sticker trades, while Cherine reacts to the sheer intensity of Japan’s seasonal trends.

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