American Gaijin
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Japanese Food and Stores in Austin, Part 4
Today I decided to “pop” into Anime Pop, a small store dedicated to Anime on Airport Rd. just north of Koenig. When you walk in, there are two aisles full of anime stuff. Figures, magazines, books, pins, plushes, the works. If you are interested at all in anime, this is the place for you in…
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Wotagei
If you ever see an idol concert, don’t only pay attention to the performers – if you do, you’ll be missing out on what is perhaps the most unique aspect of Japanese concerts. That is wotagei. It seems that wota, or people who are devoted fans of a particular idol group, coordinate very advanced dances…
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Akimoto Yasushi – Good or Evil?
A few days ago, I stumbled upon this interview with Akimoto Yasushi, the mastermind of AKB48 and all of its different sister groups. I listened. I was thoughtful. And then I lost a little respect for him. I have posted previously about AKB48. My feelings about them have been conflicted ever since…
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AKB48
In my ever widening exploration of Japanese popular culture, I have run into a few groups in the style of Morning Musume. AKB48 and its sisters, etc. One thing I particularly liked about Morning Musume was, in its golden days, the way the girls all seemed like sisters. I realize that a lot of this…