Pure TokyoScope

In this episode, Matt Alt (Pure Invention: How Japan Made the Modern World) and Patrick Macias (TokyoScope: The Japanese Cult Film Companion) go over some of the controversies and moral panics surrounding manga over the years, including Devilman, Shameless School, Detective Conan, and the recent brouhaha over Barefoot Gen, a manga about the atomic bombing of Japan. NEWS Anime-inspired teenage gangs that originated in Moscow plaguing streets of Ukraine’s cities, Kyiv says Studio Ghibli Sparks Ire Over Response to Disturbing Theme Park Controversy Mos Burger and KFC to raise food item prices (JP) INFO Pure TokyoScope on YouTube Pure TokyoScope on Twitter  Matt Alt on Twitter Patrick Macias on Twitter Visit www.tokyoscope.com for merch Visit TokyoScope on Patreon for bonus episodes and content The podcast is produced by jaPRESS LLC©, and engineered and edited by Patrick Macias Theme song by Marxy

In this episode Matt Alt (Pure Invention: How Japan Made the Modern World) and Patrick Macias (TokyoScope: The Japanese Cult Film Companion) pay tribute to manga and anime legend Leiji Matsumoto (Yamato, 999, Harlock) who passed away this month at the age of 85. Join us as we set sail across the sea of stars in search of freedom and adventure! NEWS Spy balloon, UFO or Dragon Ball? Japan baffled by iron ball washed up on beach Akihabara arcades aren’t dead yet! New six-floor game center opens in Tokyo otaku quarter next month Takoyaki stand in Nagoya sold side orders of cocaine, police say INFO Pure TokyoScope on YouTube Pure TokyoScope on Twitter  Matt Alt on Twitter Patrick Macias on Twitter Visit www.tokyoscope.com for merch Visit TokyoScope on Patreon for bonus episodes and content The podcast is produced by jaPRESS LLC©, and engineered and edited by Patrick Macias Theme song by Marxy

In this episode Matt Alt (Pure Invention: How Japan Made the Modern World) and Patrick Macias (TokyoScope: The Japanese Cult Film Companion) report on their recent visit to the Winter edition of Wonderfest 2023: a mind-bending gauntlet of incredible kaiju garage kits, anime figures, and totally insane cosplay! NEWS Officials Confirm Suspicious Balloon Overflights of Japan, Won’t Say They Came From China Japan’s “Mermaid Mummy” Finally Identified via New Research Domino’s Japan changes medium pizzas to small, without changing size, in confusing clarification INFO Pure TokyoScope on YouTube Pure TokyoScope on Twitter  Matt Alt on Twitter Patrick Macias on Twitter Visit www.tokyoscope.com for merch Visit TokyoScope on Patreon for bonus episodes and content The podcast is produced by jaPRESS LLC©, and engineered and edited by Patrick Macias Theme song by Marxy

In this episode Matt Alt (Pure Invention: How Japan Made the Modern World) and Patrick Macias (TokyoScope: The Japanese Cult Film Companion) celebrate the life and work of Shonen Magazine editor Shoji Otomo (1936-1973) who revolutionized pro-otaku culture with his vision of kaiju anatomy art!  NEWS Bomb and death threats faxed to universities and high schools across Japan Akihabara’s immigrant-founded kebab landmark is closing down for good after more than a decade Japanese police file charges against illegal anime girl huggy pillow cover seller INFO Pure TokyoScope on YouTube Pure TokyoScope on Twitter  Matt Alt on Twitter Patrick Macias on Twitter Visit www.tokyoscope.com for merch Visit TokyoScope on Patreon for bonus episodes and content The podcast is produced by jaPRESS LLC©, and engineered and edited by Patrick Macias Theme song by Marxy

In the second part of our Year in Review, Matt Alt (Pure Invention: How Japan Made the Modern World) and Patrick Macias (TokyoScope: The Japanese Cult Film Companion) take one final look back at the highs and lows of life in Japan  from August to December 2022. Some rants about Makoto Shinkai and Studio Ghibli follow, as does the Shakey's Pizza theme song. NEWS Women selling their used masks Coming of Age Day Attack in Kitakyushu Family Restaurant Saizeriya will not raise prices INFO Pure TokyoScope on YouTube Pure TokyoScope on Twitter  Matt Alt on Twitter Patrick Macias on Twitter Visit www.tokyoscope.com for merch Visit TokyoScope on Patreon for bonus episodes and content The podcast is produced by jaPRESS LLC©, and engineered and edited by Patrick Macias Theme song by Marxy

It's a new year, but Matt Alt (Pure Invention: How Japan Made the Modern World) and Patrick Macias (TokyoScope: The Japanese Cult Film Companion) take one final look back at the highs and lows of life in Japan in 2022 from January to July. Some talk about Madballs and Shogun Warriors ensues. NEWS Series of burglaries target pricey Pokémon cards in Tokyo McDonald's Japan raises prices on 80% of menu items Vintage Japanese Toy Sells for $200k+  INFO Pure TokyoScope on YouTube Pure TokyoScope on Twitter  Matt Alt on Twitter Patrick Macias on Twitter Visit www.tokyoscope.com for merch Visit TokyoScope on Patreon for bonus episodes and content The podcast is produced by jaPRESS LLC©, and engineered and edited by Patrick Macias Theme song by Marxy

It’s the most wonderful time of the year? Matt Alt (Pure Invention: How Japan Made the Modern World) and Patrick Macias (TokyoScope: The Japanese Cult Film Companion) take a break from weigh in on the pros and cons of surviving the 1-2 knockout punch of Christmas and New Years in Japan. Forecast calls for Machine Robo and KFC with a high chance of Chuck E. Cheese. NEWS Japan foreign arrivals in Nov. up 1.9-fold from Oct. to 934,500 Here are Japan’s most-sung karaoke songs in 2022 from karaoke system Joysound The top 10 shotengai shopping streets in Tokyo Letters show how Mito daimyo Tokugawa Nariaki schemed to kill Commodore Perry and his mission.  INFO Pure TokyoScope on YouTube Pure TokyoScope on Twitter  Matt Alt on Twitter Patrick Macias on Twitter Visit www.tokyoscope.com for merch Visit TokyoScope on Patreon for bonus episodes and content The podcast is produced by jaPRESS LLC©, and engineered and edited by Patrick Macias Theme song by Marxy

Matt Alt (Pure Invention: How Japan Made the Modern World) is back to co-hosting duties after a whirlwind trip away and Patrick Macias (TokyoScope: The Japanese Cult Film Companion) grills him about his recent tour of a strange country called....AMERICA! Much talk about collecting vintage Japanese toys and questionable sushi ensues! NEWS 'War' chosen as the kanji of the year for 2022 “Hentai” and “Japanese” top PornHub’s Most Searche for Terms, 4th Year in a Row Donki Hotei to Kill Don Pen Mascot? Tokyo couple caught making stickers with police mascot flipping bird INFO Pure TokyoScope on YouTube Pure TokyoScope on Twitter  Matt Alt on Twitter Patrick Macias on Twitter Visit www.tokyoscope.com for merch Visit TokyoScope on Patreon for bonus episodes and content The podcast is produced by jaPRESS LLC©, and engineered and edited by Patrick Macias Theme song by Marxy

Matt Alt (Pure Invention: How Japan Made the Modern World) is off this week fighting the Rock Lords in America, so Patrick Macias (TokyoScope: The Japanese Cult Film Companion) presents a previously Patreon-only episode from 2020 featuring Dave Merrill on a Dante-esque like journey into the dark heart of late 20th century anime dork gatherings. Expect big detours into the weird old days of the Cartoon / Fantasy Organization, the late Fred “Furry” Patten, illegal videotape trading, and the making of the 2004 film Otaku Unite! Make sure your C/FO annual membership is all paid up! Dave Merrill joined organized anime fandom in 1984. In 1986 he helped found the Atlanta chapter of the Cartoon/Fantasy Organization, and the next year was appointed secretary of the national C/FO. In 1990, Dave Merrill and Lloyd Carter started the Anime-X club in Atlanta, an anime club that would last twelve years and act as the nucleus around which Anime Weekend Atlanta would form. Dave also published 12 issues of the anime fanzine Let's Anime from 1990 until 2000. In 1995, the first Anime Weekend Atlanta was held; Dave Merrill was chairman and president. This convention is the Southeast's premier Japanese animation event. Dave Merrill on Twitter Dave’s Let’s Anime Blog Mister Kitty Comics and Stories INFO Pure TokyoScope on YouTube Pure TokyoScope on Twitter  Matt Alt on Twitter Patrick Macias on Twitter Visit www.tokyoscope.com for merch Visit TokyoScope on Patreon for bonus episodes and content The podcast is produced by jaPRESS LLC©, and engineered and edited by Patrick Macias Theme song by Marxy

This episode, Matt Alt (Pure Invention: How Japan Made the Modern World) and Patrick Macias (TokyoScope: The Japanese Cult Film Companion) jump into a photonic energy-powered time machine and take a trip back fifty years ago to survey the amazing state of Japanese pop culture in 1972!  NEWS KFC releases an Otaku Burger…in Spain?!? Pepsi releases a new cola in Japan specifically for karaage fried chicken Ad giant Dentsu raided over alleged Tokyo Olympic bid rigging INFO Pure TokyoScope on YouTube Pure TokyoScope on Twitter  Matt Alt on Twitter Patrick Macias on Twitter Visit www.tokyoscope.com for merch Visit TokyoScope on Patreon for bonus episodes and content The podcast is produced by jaPRESS LLC©, and engineered and edited by Patrick Macias Theme song by Marxy

This episode, Matt Alt (Pure Invention: How Japan Made the Modern World) and Patrick Macias (TokyoScope: The Japanese Cult Film Companion) survey the fabulous wreckage of the Japan's government-backed Cool Japan Fund which is now teetering on its last legs after losing 30 billion yen.  NEWS 'Sonic the Hedgehog' creator Yuji Naka arrested over insider trading Machine Robo: Revenge of Cronos toys from Megahouse Artemis 1's tiny Japanese probe abandons moon landing try INFO Pure TokyoScope on YouTube Pure TokyoScope on Twitter  Matt Alt on Twitter Patrick Macias on Twitter Visit www.tokyoscope.com for merch Visit TokyoScope on Patreon for bonus episodes and content The podcast is produced by jaPRESS LLC©, and engineered and edited by Patrick Macias Theme song by Marxy

This episode, Matt Alt (Pure Invention: How Japan Made the Modern World) and Patrick Macias (TokyoScope: The Japanese Cult Film Companion) review the new smash hit anime series CHAINSAW MAN and talk about its place in the pantheon of Japanese entertainment from the unstoppable SHONEN JUMP manga machine. NEWS  Netflix is getting ready to revive Gamera with Gamera: Rebirth Project "Mandarake" Sales Suspension Order Obscene Magazine Sales Shibuya/Nakano Store Giant Macross SDF-1 Displayed at Bandai Tamashii Nations Event in Tokyo INFO Pure TokyoScope on YouTube Pure TokyoScope on Twitter  Matt Alt on Twitter Patrick Macias on Twitter Visit www.tokyoscope.com for merch Visit TokyoScope on Patreon for bonus episodes and content The podcast is produced by jaPRESS LLC©, and engineered and edited by Patrick Macias Theme song by Marxy

Face front, True Believers! This episode, Matt Alt (Pure Invention: How Japan Made the Modern World) and Patrick Macias (TokyoScope: The Japanese Cult Film Companion) rewind the clock back to the year 2008 to revisit a pair of audio interviews with none other than Stan “The Man” Lee! Topics include manga vs comics, Japanese Spider-Man, Godzilla, assorted Secret Origins, and lots more! Pow! You won’t want to miss it! Excelsior! LINK How Marvel Comics Changed Tokusatsu & Japan Forever ft Gene & Ted Pelc (Guest Host, Matt Alt) via Krewe of Japan INFO Pure TokyoScope on YouTube Pure TokyoScope on Twitter  Matt Alt on Twitter Patrick Macias on Twitter Visit www.tokyoscope.com for merch Visit TokyoScope on Patreon for bonus episodes and content The podcast is produced by jaPRESS LLC©, and engineered and edited by Patrick Macias Theme song by Marxy

FEATURE As the Big G turns 68 years old, Matt Alt (Pure Invention: How Japan Made the Modern World) and Patrick Macias (TokyoScope: The Japanese Cult Film Companion) pay tribute to the King of the Monsters, GODZILLA, with a chat about the best films, the craziest collectables, and what the future may have in store for the Lizard King with a new film now in production in Japan! NEWS Japan’s Word of the Year Candidates The newest Godzilla movie is coming in November 2023, but fans are concerned it won’t be any good INFO Pure TokyoScope on YouTube Pure TokyoScope on Twitter  Matt Alt on Twitter Patrick Macias on Twitter Visit www.tokyoscope.comfor merch Visit TokyoScope on Patreon for bonus episodes and content The podcast is produced by jaPRESS LLC©, and engineered and edited by Patrick Macias Theme song by Marxy

Unicorns are real and they’ve taken over the podcast! This time, Matt Alt (Pure Invention: How Japan Made the Modern World) and Patrick Macias (TokyoScope: The Japanese Cult Film Companion) welcome special guest Caro Buermann of Sweet Streets to talk about the 40th anniversary of the 1982 film THE LAST UNICORN produced and directed by Rankin/Bass and animated by Japanese studio Topcraft. Caro Buermann is producing and curating a series of screenings and events dedicated to The Last Unicorn, including an exhibition of original and new art at the Corey Helford Gallery on Saturday, December 17, 2022. For more info, visit www.thelastunicorn40th.com/events INFO Pure TokyoScope on YouTube Pure TokyoScope on Twitter  Matt Alt on Twitter Patrick Macias on Twitter Visit www.tokyoscope.comfor merch Visit TokyoScope on Patreon for bonus episodes and content The podcast is produced by jaPRESS LLC©, and engineered and edited by Patrick Macias Theme song by Marxy

FEATURE As the 69 year old Shibuya Toei cinema is set to close it’s doors, Matt Alt (Pure Invention: How Japan Made the Modern World) and Patrick Macias (TokyoScope: The Japanese Cult Film Companion) laugh and reminiscence about movie theaters and movie going in Japan from the lowdown grindhouse, to the super deluxe big screens. Hear our war-cry: NO MORE EIGA DOROBO! NEWS Shibuya once again prohibits street drinking for Halloween Organized crime-linked group of 100 brawl at Tokyo skyscraper restaurant Shibuya Toei Movie Theater to Close After 69 Years INFO Pure TokyoScope on YouTube Pure TokyoScope on Twitter  Matt Alt on Twitter Patrick Macias on Twitter Visit www.tokyoscope.comfor merch Visit TokyoScope on Patreon for bonus episodes and content The podcast is produced by jaPRESS LLC©, and engineered and edited by Patrick Macias Theme song by Marxy

FEATURE Matt Alt (Pure Invention: How Japan Made the Modern World) and Patrick Macias (TokyoScope: The Japanese Cult Film Companion) visit the first-ever event dedicated to the 1980-1981 Japanese puppet science fiction series X-BOMBER, which was televised in the UK as STAR FLEET! STAR FLEET episodes at Archive.org Music video for STAR FLEET PROJECT - Brian May & Friends NEWS Even mascot toy sales get caught up in Tokyo 2020 bribery scandal Japan Fans Use Beta Max and VCRs to Watch New Urusei Yatsura Authentically INFO Pure TokyoScope on YouTube Pure TokyoScope on Twitter  Matt Alt on Twitter Patrick Macias on Twitter Visit www.tokyoscope.comfor merch Visit TokyoScope on Patreon for bonus episodes and content The podcast is produced by jaPRESS LLC©, and engineered and edited by Patrick Macias Theme song by Marxy

FEATURE Matt Alt (Pure Invention: How Japan Made the Modern World) and Patrick Macias (TokyoScope: The Japanese Cult Film Companion) take time out from their busy schedules to celebrate four decades of the legendary anime series Super Dimension Fortress Macross (better known in the west as Robotech: The Macross Saga). To aid them in this task, special guest Macross maniac Renato Rusca Rivera joins the battle. WE WILL WIN! INFO Pure TokyoScope on YouTube Pure TokyoScope on Twitter  Matt Alt on Twitter Patrick Macias on Twitter Visit www.tokyoscope.comfor merch Visit TokyoScope on Patreon for bonus episodes and content The podcast is produced by jaPRESS LLC©, and engineered and edited by Patrick Macias Theme song by Marxy

FEATURE Matt Alt (Pure Invention: How Japan Made the Modern World) and Patrick Macias (TokyoScope: The Japanese Cult Film Companion) finally leave their otaku-strewn bedrooms and make for the All-Japan Model and Hobby Show to bring you a report from the field! NEWS For many, it was business as usual in Tokyo on Abe’s funeral day Antonio Inoki, pro wrestler who went into politics, is dead Kappa Sushi president arrested on suspicion of obtaining data from rival chain INFO Pure TokyoScope on YouTube Pure TokyoScope on Twitter  Matt Alt on Twitter Patrick Macias on Twitter Visit www.tokyoscope.comfor merch Visit TokyoScope on Patreon for bonus episodes and content The podcast is produced by jaPRESS LLC©, and engineered and edited by Patrick Macias Theme song by Marxy

FEATURE In the show's first ever open Q&A, Matt Alt (Pure Invention: How Japan Made the Modern World) and Patrick Macias (TokyoScope: The Japanese Cult Film Companion) answer YOUR burning questions about the best toy stores in Tokyo, the forgotten Japanese Animation Archives, and take the Voight-Kampff to try and determine who is a Rock Lord! NEWS Japan to reopen to independent travelers and lift daily arrival cap The "Mario-like" go carting experience is up and running again Copy of 'Mach 5' car from anime 'Speed Racer' joins police patrol in Japan Japan's funeral for divisive slain PM Shinzo Abe fuels backlash INFO Pure TokyoScope on YouTube Pure TokyoScope on Twitter  Matt Alt on Twitter Patrick Macias on Twitter Visit www.tokyoscope.comfor merch Visit TokyoScope on Patreon for bonus episodes and content The podcast is produced by jaPRESS LLC©, and engineered and edited by Patrick Macias Theme song by Marxy

FEATURE As Japan plans to reopen the borders to tourists again, Matt Alt (Pure Invention: How Japan Made the Modern World) and Patrick Macias (TokyoScope: The Japanese Cult Film Companion) look back the first times they ever set foot in the Land of the Rising Fun. Don’t shoot up in the ramen restaurant and don’t lose your passport! NEWS Nintendo's Splatoon 3 hits Japan sales record, beats Animal Crossing Major publishing company Kadokawa’s chairman arrested in Tokyo Games-related bribery case With the yen near the cheapest level in decades, Japan is set to reopen its borders INFO Pure TokyoScope on YouTube Pure TokyoScope on Twitter  Matt Alt on Twitter Patrick Macias on Twitter Visit www.tokyoscope.comfor merch Visit TokyoScope on Patreon for bonus episodes and content The podcast is produced by jaPRESS LLC©, and engineered and edited by Patrick Macias Theme song by Marxy

This week writers Matt Alt (Pure Invention: How Japan Made the Modern World) and Patrick Macias (TokyoScope: The Japanese Cult Film Companion) conclude their interview with Japanese filmmaker Ryuhei Kitamura and talk about his two new films THE PRICE WE PAY and THREE SISTERS OF TENMASOU and look back at his 2004 title Godzilla: Final Wars! NEWS Top Kadokawa execs arrested in widening Tokyo Olympics bribery scandal Japan metro websites hit, apparently by pro-Russia hacker group Suntory eyes U.S. canned cocktail push as young Japanese shun booze LINKS: Pure TokyoScope on YouTube Pure TokyoScope on Twitter  Matt Alt on Twitter Patrick Macias on Twitter Visit www.tokyoscope.comfor merch Visit TokyoScope on Patreon for bonus episodes and content The podcast is produced by jaPRESS LLC©, and engineered and edited by Patrick Macias Theme song by Marxy

This week writers Matt Alt (Pure Invention: How Japan Made the Modern World) and Patrick Macias (TokyoScope: The Japanese Cult Film Companion) talk to Japanese filmmaker Ryuhei Kitamura (Versus, Azumi, Godzilla: Final Wars) about his recent release of the soundtrack to the 1983 film VILLAGE OF DOOM, inspired by the true events of the 1938 Tsuyama shotgun massacre in Okayama Prefecture Village Of Doom (1983) Director: Noboru Tanaka Cast: Masato Furuoya, Misako Tanaka, Kumiko Ohba Music: Masanori Sasaji Soundtrack available from XROSSCOUNTER Wikipedia article on the Tsuyama Massacre  LINKS: Pure TokyoScope on YouTube Pure TokyoScope on Twitter  Matt Alt on Twitter Patrick Macias on Twitter Visit www.tokyoscope.comfor merch Visit TokyoScope on Patreon for bonus episodes and content The podcast is produced by jaPRESS LLC©, and engineered and edited by Patrick Macias Theme song by Marxy

Writers Matt Alt (Pure Invention: How Japan Made the Modern World) and Patrick Macias (TokyoScope: The Japanese Cult Film Companion) combine their powers Voltron-style to bring you news, views, and pop culture direct from the Land of the Rising FUN! NEWS: Rigid rules at Japan PM's office require officials to come in person for 'online' meetings Japan PM Kishida orders new nuclear power plant construction Godzilla Disaster Drill Posters Matsuya Ends Free Miso Soup Service, Citing Rising Costs FEATURE: Matt and Pat make it a traditional spooky summer by taking some time to talk about YOKAI, Japan's traditional supernatural creatures and creepy crawlies with a discussion of Yokai films, key texts, and come face to face with the burning question: is Cookie Monster a Yokai? Should he be?  Conversation inspired by the book Yokai Attack! The Japanese Monster Survival Guide by Hiroko Yoda and Matt Alt LINKS: Pure TokyoScope on YouTube Pure TokyoScope on Twitter  Matt Alt on Twitter Patrick Macias on Twitter Visit www.tokyoscope.comfor merch Visit TokyoScope on Patreon for bonus episodes and content The podcast is produced by jaPRESS LLC©, and engineered and edited by Patrick Macias Theme song by Marxy

Writers Matt Alt (Pure Invention: How Japan Made the Modern World) and Patrick Macias (TokyoScope: The Japanese Cult Film Companion) combine their powers Voltron-style to bring you news, views, and pop culture direct from the Land of the Rising FUN! NEWS: Japan launches nationwide competition to boost alcohol consumption Ex-Olympic organizing committee director, 3 others arrested FEATURE: MY LORD! The streets of Tokyo are empty, and the tourists have all run away! Matt Alt and Patrick Macias use this dramatic pause in the space-time continuum to ponder the past, present, and future of otaku culture (DO YOU KNOW?), from the very beginnings, to the mainstreaming of Akihabara, otaku crime, Train Main, the interwebs, and finally… your mom in a Star Wars shirt! LINKS: Pure TokyoScope on YouTube Pure TokyoScope on Twitter  Matt Alt on Twitter Patrick Macias on Twitter Visit www.tokyoscope.comfor merch Visit TokyoScope on Patreon for bonus episodes and content The podcast is produced by jaPRESS LLC©, and engineered and edited by Patrick Macias Theme song by Marxy

Writers Matt Alt (Pure Invention: How Japan Made the Modern World) and Patrick Macias (TokyoScope: The Japanese Cult Film Companion) combine their powers Voltron-style to bring you news, views, and pop culture direct from the Land of the Rising FUN! NEWS: Live-Action Pac-Man Movie in Works at Bandai Namco, Wayfarer Studios One Piece Screenings in France Almost Turn Into a Riot Japan population falls by record 726,342 to 125.93 mil. in 2021 amid COVID Japanese fashion designer Issey Miyake dies at 84 Japanese actor Kiyoshi Kobayashi, known for voicing Lupin's Daisuke Jigen, dead at 89 FEATURE: Andrew Szymanski is a Japanese game industry veteran whose experience includes producing titles for Tecmo, Capcom, DeNa, and more! In part 2 of our interview, Andrew takes us deep inside the secretive lair of Team Ninja to reveal what it was like working with the legendary game designer Tomonobu Itagaki (Dead or Alive, Ninja Gaiden). LINKS: Pure TokyoScope on YouTube Pure TokyoScope on Twitter  Matt Alt on Twitter Patrick Macias on Twitter Visit www.tokyoscope.comfor merch Visit TokyoScope on Patreon for bonus episodes and content The podcast is produced by jaPRESS LLC©, and engineered and edited by Patrick Macias Theme song by Marxy

Writers Matt Alt (Pure Invention: How Japan Made the Modern World) and Patrick Macias (TokyoScope: The Japanese Cult Film Companion) combine their powers Voltron-style to bring you news, views, and pop culture direct from the Land of the Rising FUN! NEWS: Crunchyroll Merges With Anime Store, Right Stuf Heavy rain hits northeastern, central Japan, 100,000 told to evacuate Japan says five Chinese ballistic missiles landed inside EEZ near Okinawa FEATURE: Andrew Szymanski is a Japanese game industry veteran whose experience includes producing titles for Tecmo's Team Ninja, Capcom, DeNa, and more! In part 1 of our interview, we learn how Andrew fell in love with Japan (hint: Nintendo), survived working in a ramen shop, and nabbed a dream job at Tecmo. LINKS: Pure TokyoScope on YouTube Pure TokyoScope on Twitter  Matt Alt on Twitter Patrick Macias on Twitter Visit www.tokyoscope.comfor merch Visit TokyoScope on Patreon for bonus episodes and content The podcast is produced by jaPRESS LLC©, and engineered and edited by Patrick Macias Theme song by Marxy

1 and 1 we're having some fun! It's time for Episode 11 of the Pure TokyoScope podcast! Writers Matt Alt (Pure Invention: How Japan Made the Modern World) and Patrick Macias (TokyoScope: The Japanese Cult Film Companion) combine their powers Voltron-style to bring you news, views, and pop culture direct from the Land of the Rising FUN! NEWS: Sakurajima volcano erupts, triggering highest alert Japan's first case of monkeypox confirmed Golden Globe Award-winning Japanese actress Yoko Shimada dies at 69 FEATURE: Man executed for 2008 Akihabara murders LINKS: Pure TokyoScope on YouTube Pure TokyoScope on Twitter  Matt Alt on Twitter Patrick Macias on Twitter Visit www.tokyoscope.comfor merch Visit TokyoScope on Patreon for bonus episodes and content The podcast is produced by jaPRESS LLC©, and engineered by Patrick Macias Theme song by Marxy

Double digits! It's time for Episode 10 of the Pure TokyoScope podcast! Writers Matt Alt (Pure Invention: How Japan Made the Modern World) and Patrick Macias (TokyoScope: The Japanese Cult Film Companion) combine their powers Voltron-style to bring you news, views, and pop culture direct from the Land of the Rising FUN! NEWS: Tokyo's COVID-19 cases top 30,000 Cases of people getting unwanted crabs skyrocketing in Japan; salmon too 252 inbound [tourist] visitors in June; future visitors to Japan also sluggish The H&M on Meiji Dori in Harajuku is closing FEATURE: 2022 is 1982! Matt and Pat look back at what was happening in Japanese pop culture 40 years ago! Forecast: anime, manga, movies, gaming and compact disc technology! LINKS: Pure TokyoScope on YouTube Pure TokyoScope on Twitter  Matt Alt on Twitter Patrick Macias on Twitter Visit www.tokyoscope.comfor merch Visit TokyoScope on Patreon for bonus episodes and content The podcast is produced by jaPRESS LLC©, and engineered by Patrick Macias Theme song by Marxy

News: More Shinzo Abe, Japan Election Results, Ken Akamatsu, and Golgo 13 Feature: The Argument Against Machine Translation Number Nine, Number Nine, Number Nine… it’s time for Episode 9 of the Pure TokyoScope podcast! Writers Matt Alt (Pure Invention: How Japan Made the Modern World) and Patrick Macias (TokyoScope: The Japanese Cult Film Companion) combine their powers Voltron-style to bring you news, views, and pop culture direct from the Land of the Rising FUN! NEWS: How Abe and Japan became vital to Moon’s Unification Church French Politician Falsely Blames Video Game Creator Hideo Kojima for Shinzo Abe’s Murder Success of celebrities in Japan poll shows arrival of 'internet election age' Love Hina Mangaka Ken Akamatsu Elected to Japan’s House of Councillors After Campaigning for Creators’ Freedom of Expression Golgo 13 Manga Hits Milestone of 300 Million Copies in Circulation FEATURE: Deb Aoki and Matt’s thread on J-E machine translation LINKS: Pure TokyoScope on YouTube Pure TokyoScope on Twitter  Matt Alt on Twitter Patrick Macias on Twitter Visit www.tokyoscope.comfor merch Visit TokyoScope on Patreon for bonus episodes and content The podcast is produced by jaPRESS LLC©, and engineered by Patrick Macias Theme song by Marxy

Writers Matt Alt (Pure Invention: How Japan Made the Modern World) and Patrick Macias (TokyoScope: The Japanese Cult Film Companion) combine their powers Voltron-style to bring you news, views, and pop culture direct from the Land of the Rising FUN! IN THIS SPECIAL ALL-NEWS EPISODE Shinzo Abe: Ex-Prime Minister of Japan assassinated while giving speech Godzilla Special Effects Director Teruyoshi Nakano Passes Away Yu-Gi-Oh! Creator Kazuki Takahashi Passes Away at 60 Akihabara landmark Toranoana is permanently closing, chain downsizes to just one branch in Japan Machine Robo and the Gobots are Back! LINKS: Pure TokyoScope on YouTube Pure TokyoScope on Twitter  Matt Alt on Twitter Patrick Macias on Twitter Visit www.tokyoscope.comfor merch Visit TokyoScope on Patreon for bonus episodes and content The podcast is produced by jaPRESS LLC©, and engineered by Patrick Macias Theme song by Marxy

BEHOLD! It's time for episode (ultra) seven of PURE TOKYOSCOPE! Writers Matt Alt (Pure Invention: How Japan Made the Modern World) and Patrick Macias (TokyoScope: The Japanese Cult Film Companion) combine their powers Voltron-style to bring you news, views, and pop culture direct from the Land of the Rising FUN! In this episode: NEWS: Japan swelters in its worst heatwave ever recorded FEATURE: Pat and Matt talk to Vince Shortino, the former general manager of Crunchyroll Japan and the founder of Octas LLC for a conversation about the early days of streaming video, international business, and why the world needs anime. LINKS: Pure TokyoScope on YouTube Pure TokyoScope on Twitter  Matt Alt on Twitter Patrick Macias on Twitter Visit www.tokyoscope.comfor merch Visit TokyoScope on Patreon for bonus episodes and content The podcast is produced by jaPRESS LLC© Theme song by Marxy

Hello from The Big Mikan! It's episode 6 of PURE TOKYOSCOPE! Writers Matt Alt (Pure Invention: How Japan Made the Modern World) and Patrick Macias (TokyoScope: The Japanese Cult Film Companion) combine their powers Voltron-style to bring you news, views, and pop culture direct from the Land of the Rising FUN! In this episode: NEWS: Cool Japan Fund may be merged, eliminated if it does not improve FEATURE: Don’t touch that dial! Pat and Matt share their experiences (both good and bad) appearing on Japanese prime time television. LINKS: Pure TokyoScope on YouTube Pure TokyoScope on Twitter  Matt Alt on Twitter Patrick Macias on Twitter Visit www.tokyoscope.comfor merch Visit TokyoScope on Patreon for bonus episodes and content The podcast is produced by jaPRESS LLC© Theme song by Marxy

SLAM into overdrive! It's a Bonus Episode of the PURE TOKYOSCOPE Podcast! Writers Matt Alt (Pure Invention: How Japan Made the Modern World) and Patrick Macias (TokyoScope: The Japanese Cult Film Companion) combine their powers Voltron-style to bring you news, views, and pop culture direct from the Land of the Rising FUN! In this bonus episode: We present a 2016 conversation between Matt and Pat all about the movie SHIN GODZILLA, directed by Hideaki Anno and Shinji Higuchi, starring the King of the Monsters! ALSO AVAILABLE!  YouTube version of this episode with Japanese comments from Nico Nico Douga LINKS: Pure TokyoScope on YouTube Pure TokyoScope on Twitter  Matt Alt on Twitter Patrick Macias on Twitter Visit www.tokyoscope.com for merch Visit TokyoScope on Patreon for bonus episodes and content The podcast is produced by jaPRESS LLC© Theme song by Marxy

SLAM into overdrive! It's episode 5 of PURE TOKYOSCOPE! Writers Matt Alt (Pure Invention: How Japan Made the Modern World) and Patrick Macias (TokyoScope: The Japanese Cult Film Companion) combine their powers Voltron-style to bring you news, views, and pop culture direct from the Land of the Rising FUN! In this episode: NEWS: Japanese government survey shows 1 in 4 singles in 30s not willing to marry Anna Miller’s, American diner known for tasty pies and iconic uniform, to close last branch in Japan FEATURE: Our review of the new anime film Mobile Suit Gundam: Cucuruz Doan's Island (WARNING: POSSIBLE SPOILERS) LINKS: Pure TokyoScope on YouTube Pure TokyoScope on Twitter  Matt Alt on Twitter Patrick Macias on Twitter Visit www.tokyoscope.com for merch Visit TokyoScope on Patreon for bonus episodes and content The podcast is produced by jaPRESS LLC© Theme song by Marxy

HARK! It’s time for Episode 4 of the PURE TOKYOSCOPE podcast!  Writers Matt Alt (Pure Invention: How Japan Made the Modern World) and Patrick Macias (TokyoScope: The Japanese Cult Film Companion) combine their powers Voltron-style to bring you news, views, and pop culture direct from the Land of the Rising FUN!  NEWS: The guys have an update about tourism in Japan (spoilers: it doesn’t sound like much fun) and then share thoughts on the recent Washington Post article titled Japan records its largest natural population decline as births fall.  FEATURE: Pat and Matt discuss some (but not all) of their favorite books about Japan! Manga! Manga!: The World of Japanese Comics Inside the Robot Kingdom Behind the Mask Pink Samurai Embracing Defeat A History of Tokyo from Edo to Showa LINKS!  Pure TokyoScope on Twitter  Matt Alt on Twitter  Patrick Macias on Twitter  Visit TokyoScope on Patreon for bonus episodes and content Theme song by Marxy

Prepare thyself for Episode 3 of PURE TOKYOSCOPE podcast! Writers Matt Alt (Pure Invention: How Japan Made the Modern World) and Patrick Macias (TokyoScope: The Japanese Cult Film Companion) combine their powers Voltron-style to bring you news, views, and pop culture direct from the Land of the Rising FUN! In this episode: NEWS: Matt Alt talks about his recent visit to the radiation and earthquake afflicted Forbidden Zone in Fukushima, Japan.  FEATURE: Patrick Macias discusses his 2001 book TokyoScope: The Japanese Cult Film Companion. LINKS Pure TokyoScope on YouTube Pure TokyoScope on Twitter  Matt Alt on Twitter Patrick Macias on Twitter Visit www.tokyoscope.com for merch Visit TokyoScope on Patreon for bonus episodes and content The podcast is produced by jaPRESS LLC© Theme song by Marxy

Electric Boogaloo! It’s Episode 2 of PURE TOKYOSCOPE podcast! Writers Matt Alt (Pure Invention: How Japan Made the Modern World) and Patrick Macias (TokyoScope: The Japanese Cult Film Companion) combine their powers Voltron-style to bring you news, views, and pop culture direct from the Land of the Rising FUN! In this episode: NEWS: Japan says the tourists are set to come back in June, but are you ready for a thrilling package tour experience? FEATURE: Matt Alt discusses his 2020 book Pure Invention: How Japan Made the Modern World. LINKS Pure TokyoScope on YouTube Pure TokyoScope on Twitter  Matt Alt on Twitter Patrick Macias on Twitter Visit www.tokyoscope.com for merch Visit TokyoScope on Patreon for bonus episodes and content The podcast is produced by jaPRESS LLC© Theme song by Marxy

WOW! It's the very first episode of the PURE TOKYOSCOPE podcast! Writers Matt Alt (Pure Invention: How Japan Made the Modern World) and Patrick Macias (TokyoScope: The Japanese Cult Film Companion) combine their powers Voltron-style to bring you news, views, and pop culture direct from the Land of the Rising FUN!  In this episode: NEWS: The guys react to the Hollywood Reporter article on How Japanese Anime Became the World’s Most Bankable Genre REVIEW: Shin Ultraman!!!  LINKS Pure TokyoScope on YouTube Pure TokyoScope on Twitter  Matt Alt on Twitter Patrick Macias on Twitter Visit www.tokyoscope.com for merch The podcast is produced by jaPRESS LLC©   Theme song by Marxy

A bit of preamble from Matt and Pat before the show begins...