In-depth News Features | NHK WORLD-JAPAN News NHK WORLD-JAPAN

Anime has captured the hearts of fans and critics worldwide. Every year, the Japanese industry racks up billions in profits and countless awards. But the gulf between the polished product on the screen and life at the coalface for the creators couldn't be greater. So tough are the conditions for most young animators that they can barely afford food.
One CG animator who got tired of seeing his fellow workers quit decided to do something about it. Ten years ago, he opened a subsidized dorm for young animators where they can sharpen their skills and bond with fellow strugglers.

It's fair to say the worlds of cosplay and credit unions don't appear to have a lot in common. But a trail-blazing businesswoman in western Japan has a way to link the two in a mission to reenergize her community with creative young talent.

The grandson of Robert Oppenheimer, the physicist who led the United States' development of nuclear bombs during World War Two, spoke in the country attacked with those weapons and called on the world to learn from history.

Matsumoto Castle has overtaken Kumamoto Castle in Instagram followers, topping the list of Japan's historic fortresses for the first time.

The vyshyvanka is a Ukrainian shirt made of white linen, with embroidery on the lapels and sleeves. The garment dates back more than 1,000 years, and Russia's invasion means it's right back on trend.

In an intersection of activism and art, an Israeli playwright's works about Palestinian prisoners were brought to life in Tokyo last year. Now, recordings of these poignant shows are touring community spaces across Japan, shedding light on the often invisible lives.