POP CULTURE - JapanUp! magazine

EVENT AND NEWS IN LA POP CULTURE POPULAR Uncategorized WHAT’S HOT

Interview with Ryoma Takeuchi and Kento Kaku from Amazon Prime Video’s “Like a Dragon: Yakuza”

miwako3 10/24/2024

New Live-Action Series Based on SEGA’s Hit Game Set for Release! 　Amazon’s original drama Like a Dragon: Yakuza, based on the hit video game franchise, launches Thursday, October 24 with an exclusive worldwide streaming release on Prime Video. Developed from an original script, the series is based on the hit SEGA game series “Like a Dragon.” The protagonist, Kazuma Kiryu, is played by actor Ryoma Takeuchi. Kazuma Kiryu’s sworn brother and childhood best friend, Akira Nishikiyama, is played by actor Kento Kaku. The two actors made a surprise appearance at a panel discussion at San Diego Comic-Con, one of North…

LEARNJAPAN POP CULTURE POPULAR WHAT’S HOT

Naomi Osaka Makes a Fashion Statement at the US Open!

online@ 08/30/2024

Japan’s redesigned banknotes have been in circulation since July 3rd!

LEARNJAPAN POP CULTURE POPULAR

Retro Game’s Prices are Rising More Than Ever

online@ 07/05/2024

Recently, the term “Retro Games” has gained much attention from many people. There are many retro games that have been rereleased with new features and refined graphics, making classic video game collecting a new hobby for many.

LEARNJAPAN POP CULTURE WHAT’S HOT

YOASOBI: Bringing Japanese Pop to the Heart of Los Angeles

online@ 04/30/2024

Japan’s Dinosaur Paradise Fukui Boom as a Travel Destination

LEARNJAPAN POP CULTURE

[EVENT REVIEW & INTERVIEW] Highly acclaimed Japanese music artist Vicke Blanka performs in LA for his first North American Tour

japanup_akane 02/26/2024

Vicke Blanka is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, and singer/songwriter from Japan who has just finished his first North American Tour.

LEARNJAPAN POP CULTURE

My Experience at Two Pokemon Exhibits in Southern California

japanup_akane 02/14/2024

I always feel blessed to be living in Southern California. We get to see a lot of cool exhibits and shows from franchises to music artists from Japan.

CUISINE EVENT AND NEWS IN LA FOOD POP CULTURE POPULAR WHAT’S HOT

Over 140,000 Attended Asian American Expo, the Largest Chinese New Year Celebration in the U.S., Held in Pomona

online@ 02/06/2024

Hokkaido Scallop Booth Makes Popular Debut at Asian American Expo.

LEARNJAPAN POP CULTURE

Support Little Tokyo!

japanup_akane 01/24/2024

Little Tokyo is a Japanese-American district in Downtown Los Angeles with the largest Japanese-American population in North America. Japanese immigrants settled in the district in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

EVENT AND NEWS IN LA POP CULTURE POPULAR WHAT’S HOT

Japanese Rock Star YOSHIKI Announced Auctions of Crystal Piano to Benefit Japan Earthquake Victims at the Handprints and Footprints Unveiling Ceremony

online@ 01/15/2024

On January 9, a ceremony was held at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood to unveil the completed handprint and footprint of X JAPAN leader and musician “YOSHIKI.” It is highly unusual for a living artist to unveil such engravings.

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Relive all the retro Anime vibes from Koi no City at Hello Stranger in Little Tokyo

japanup_akane 01/03/2024

Koi no City was held on December 15th at Hello Stranger, a venue in the heart of Little Tokyo. This was the first ever event that I’ve curated with my music friends.

LEARNJAPAN POP CULTURE

Music Event Koi no City in Little Tokyo at Hello Stranger!

japanup_akane 12/13/2023

Koi no City is my first ever event that I’ve curated with my music friends at Hello Stranger, a venue in the heart of Little Tokyo.

LEARNJAPAN POP CULTURE

Grand Opening of BOOKOFF AnimeLab Irvine

japanup_akane 11/30/2023

BOOKOFF is the largest chain of used bookstores from Japan. They don’t only sell used books though! They also sell manga, CDs, DVDs, video game consoles and games, Anime figures, and more. A new subset of BOOKOFF called AnimeLab is a specialty store that features all things Anime!