Japanese Creative Icons: Game creator Shigeru Miyamoto is set to become the first video game designer to receive Japan’s Order of Culture, honoring his work on Super Mario and The Legend of Zelda. Anime director Rintaro has also been named a Person of Cultural Merit. Literature: Cult novelist and filmmaker Ryu Murakami, best known for Almost Transparent Blue, has died at 74. AI and Acting: Japan’s actors union is pushing for strict limits on AI recreations of deceased performers, spotlighting growing concerns over consent and likeness rights. Contemporary Art: A Tokyo museum retrospective traces Mariko Mori’s futuristic vision across three decades of work.
AGP Executive Report
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Literature & Music: Japanese novelist and filmmaker Ryū Murakami, known for Almost Transparent Blue and Audition, has died at 74. Games: Nintendo creator Shigeru Miyamoto has become the first video game creator to receive Japan’s Order of Culture, recognising his work on Super Mario and The Legend of Zelda. Anime: Director Rintaro was named a Person of Cultural Merit for classics including Galaxy Express 999; meanwhile, Kaiju No. 8 is set to conclude with a film in 2027. Artists’ Rights: Japan’s Actors Union is pushing for strict limits on AI reproductions of deceased performers. Visual Arts: A Tokyo museum is presenting a 30-year retrospective of Mariko Mori’s futuristic work. Film: Tokyo’s festival leadership says it is working to balance blockbusters with arthouse cinema as Japanese films draw international attention.
AI and Performers: Japan’s Actors Union is pushing for consent at every stage of AI voice use, with stricter protections for recreating deceased performers, including family approval and royalties. Games and Culture: Nintendo creator Shigeru Miyamoto became the first video game designer to receive Japan’s Order of Culture. He says AI could make human creativity more important. Anime: Director Rintaro, known for Galaxy Express 999 and Metropolis, was named a Person of Cultural Merit for 2026. Literature: Novelist Ryū Murakami, author of Almost Transparent Blue and Audition, died at 74 at his Tokyo home; his publisher announced his death this week. Manga’s Reach: Korean hit Solo Leveling ranked 25th among Japan’s best-selling comics of 2025, the only non-Japanese title in the top 30. Live Music: NCT 127 will bring its “THE REDLINE” tour to Japan for two concerts at Belluna Dome.
Literature: Japanese novelist and filmmaker Ryū Murakami, known for Almost Transparent Blue and Audition, has died at 74. Games: Nintendo creative force Shigeru Miyamoto will become the first video game creator to receive Japan’s Order of Culture, recognizing his influence through Super Mario and The Legend of Zelda. Animation: NHK’s Anime Manga Explosion profiles Shinomiya Yoshitoshi, a Nihonga-trained artist whose feature A New Dawn won a jury award at Annecy after a decade in the making. Industry: Japan plans a central support system to help anime and game creators reach overseas audiences, while the actors’ union has issued guidance on unauthorized AI voice replicas.
Games: Nintendo creator Shigeru Miyamoto will become the first figure from the video game industry to receive Japan’s Order of Culture, on Nov. 3. He said the honor also recognizes the teams behind games such as Mario and Zelda. Literature: Ryu Murakami, the prize-winning author of Almost Transparent Blue, has died at 74. His novels and films explored the darker sides of Japanese society. Game Design: RGG Studio’s Stranger Than Heaven draws on extensive research into Japan’s past, but director Mikinobu Abe says historical accuracy was never the goal; the cities blend fact with fiction. Anime: Science SARU is working on a new Ghost in the Shell animation, as Japan plans a centralized push to promote anime, manga and games overseas. Fashion: Ralph Lauren’s first Tokyo PoloFest brought collectors together for a four-day celebration of the brand’s Japanese following, with vintage pieces, exhibitions and talks.
Festival Spotlight: Hirokazu Kore-eda’s live-action adaptation of manga Look Back will close QCinema’s 2026 festival, which also features films from 59 countries. Anime & Games: Japan plans a centralized hub to support anime, manga and game exports, with a goal of reaching $126 billion in overseas sales by 2033. Film: Godzilla Minus Zero draws inspiration from Aliens and Terminator 2, while a new Samurai Spirits video-game movie is in development. Music: Frequent Studio Ghibli collaborator Joe Hisaishi has been named composer-in-residence at the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Idol Culture: Romance reports are renewing scrutiny of the “purity” expectations placed on Japanese idols, and the online attacks that can follow.
Anime Spotlight: A new trailer for The Apothecary Diaries film previews Kenshi Yonezu’s theme song, while a trailer for the Takopi’s Original Sin compilation film reveals its theme by Tele. Games & Manga: Hatsune Miku puzzle game Tamagotori Deluxe arrives on PlayStation and Steam on October 29; a new animated promo also spotlights manga Gyakusatsu Kigen. Japan’s Pop-Culture Reach: Japan plans a new command hub to fund anime, manga and games, tackle piracy and boost overseas sales to $126 billion by 2033. Physical Media: Sony has reportedly stopped shipping its last dedicated 4K Blu-ray player in Japan, another setback for disc fans. Culture & Craft: Hokusai’s complete Mount Fuji print series is on show in the UK for the first time, while Tokyo Station’s Character Street remains a popular stop for fans seeking manga and anime merchandise.
Film & Festivals: Tokyo Film Festival leaders are weighing blockbuster appeal against arthouse cinema, while TIFFCOM looks to strengthen global ties and promote Japanese screen projects. Director Hiroshi Ishikawa returns after a 13-year feature-film break with The Blue We Touch, and Godzilla Minus Zero has a chilling final trailer ahead of its Nov. 3 release. Games: Final Fantasy Resonance earns praise for its polished HD-2D look and nostalgic turn-based battles. Fashion & Design: A new feature traces Japanese Gothic Lolita fashion’s growing European following, while W+K Tokyo brings 300 rare Nike pieces to a Harajuku exhibition. Performers’ Rights: Japan’s Actors Union has issued guidelines addressing the use of generative AI to recreate performers’ voices.
Creative Industries: Japan is planning a new hub to fund anime, manga and games, curb piracy and help grow overseas sales to $126 billion by 2033. Film: Tokyo International Film Festival chiefs say they are working to balance blockbusters with arthouse films and bring more international titles to Japanese audiences. Games: RGG Studio’s Stranger Than Heaven is drawing attention for its decades-spanning story, Japanese setting and prominent role for music. Voice Acting: Japan’s Actors Union has issued guidelines calling for consent and compensation when generative AI replicates performers’ voices. Contemporary Art: Takashi Murakami, often dubbed “the Andy Warhol of Japan,” is heading to Australia for his biggest exhibition yet.
Stage & K-pop: Osaka’s Kyocera Dome will host the Mnet Asian Music Awards on Nov. 20–21, with a 360-degree stage and the event’s biggest artist lineup in a single host city. Takarazuka Revue brought its all-female musical theatre to Bangkok, where its Star Troupe headliners performed and introduced the company to Thai audiences. Anime: Studio Ghibli has extended screenings of its short film A Night in the Valley of Witches at Ghibli Park through June 2027. Japan’s actors’ union has also issued guidelines addressing unauthorized AI voice replicas. Music: CNBlue released its eighth Japanese album, Full Circle, ahead of a Japan tour starting in Tokyo on Nov. 2.
| Anime’s U.S. Push: Toei Animation and Sony will open the first U.S. ONE PIECE MUGIWARA STORE in Los Angeles on November 6, with reservations required for the first week. Living Craft: Japan House Los Angeles opens “JAPAN CRAFT | Art for Living – Hyakkō” the same day, showcasing about 2,000 works by 123 living makers. Protecting Performers: Japan’s Actors Union has issued 22 guidelines on generative AI voice replicas, calling for prior consent and compensation. Creative Industries: Japan plans a new command hub to support anime, manga and games, tackle piracy and lift overseas sales to $126 billion by 2033. On the Big Screen: Takashi Yamazaki’s Godzilla Minus Zero arrives in theaters November 6, with King Ghidorah facing a Japan still rebuilding after World War II. Comedy: Osaka Comedy Festival drew 73,658 attendees, while Cirque du Soleil held its first clown auditions in Japan. |
Anime & Games: Japan is planning a new command hub to fund anime, manga and games, tackle piracy and grow overseas sales. Meanwhile, publisher Furyu has released demos for two upcoming games, and Yona of the Dawn’s planned sequel will be animated by Pierrot Films. Creative Rights: Japan’s actors union has issued 22 AI voice guidelines calling for prior consent and compensation. Fan News: Cygames canceled the Uma Musume Pretty Derby U.S. concerts after failing to secure visas; ticket refunds are being offered. Art & Film: A new crossover illustration brings together Madoka Magica and Witch on the Holy Night, while filmmaker Sho Miyake is set for a 14-city North American retrospective.
Creative Industries: Japan plans a new command hub to fund anime, manga and games, tackle piracy and help grow overseas sales to $126 billion by 2033. Voice & AI: Japan’s Actors Union has issued 22 guidelines calling for performers’ consent and compensation when AI uses their voices. Film: Director Tim Burton and author Kazuo Ishiguro are developing a film set in postwar Japan, while Sho Miyake’s work is getting a 14-city North American retrospective. Craft: Tokyo’s Komaba folk crafts museum makes the case for everyday tools and vessels as art, with a collection of more than 17,000 works. Para Sport: The Aichi-Nagoya Asian Para Games have opened with nearly 3,000 athletes from 45 countries and regions competing through Oct. 24.
Asian Para Games: Nagoya has opened Japan’s first edition of the Games, welcoming about 4,000 athletes and officials from a record 45 countries and regions. Japan is fielding around 280 athletes, with events running through Oct. 24. Anime & Film: Japanese hit Chiikawa continues to draw Korean audiences, taking 42.7% of weekend box-office revenue in its third week and passing $14 million in ticket sales. Studio Trigger’s Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2 also brings Japanese animation to the spotlight with a new story set in Night City. Entertainment Industry: Japan’s actors union has issued 22 guidelines on AI voice use, calling for prior consent and addressing compensation. Live Music: Korean singer-songwriter eldon has launched his first world tour, with Tokyo among its opening stops. Culture: Hanbok Culture Week runs through Oct. 25, with exhibitions, concerts and fashion events across more than 410 venues, including locations in Japan.
AI & Voice Acting: Japan’s Actors Union introduced 22 guidelines for AI voice use, calling for prior consent and compensation. Anime’s Global Push: Japan is seeking $11.6 million to promote anime overseas, with plans that include anime concerts and manga-based language apps. Film: Capcom’s Street Fighter adaptation opened to $51.1 million worldwide, while Tim Burton and Kazuo Ishiguro announced a film set in postwar Japan. Anime: The Apothecary Diaries Season 3 has begun its weekly English-dub release on Crunchyroll. Art in Tokyo: teamLab Planets unveiled a new walk-in soft sculpture, adding another immersive work to the museum’s lineup. Living Culture: A Tokyo Yokai Bon Odori event is set to bring folklore, dancing and a monster parade to Tachikawa.
Film: “Ria,” a Philippines-Netherlands-Norway-Saudi Arabia-Japan co-production about a folk-punk musician, won the Heart of Eurasia Award at the Busan International Film Festival. Anime: Crunchyroll has begun weekly English-dub episodes of “Black Clover” season two, while Japan’s new “Attack on Titan” stage musical is set to tour internationally in 2027. Living craft: In Chiba, fourth-generation dyer Riki Suzuki is keeping maiwai festive coats alive, using traditional techniques and motifs rooted in local fishing culture. Cultural outreach: Japan is seeking funding to promote anime overseas, with plans that include more anime concerts and manga-based language apps.
Anime: The Apothecary Diaries has released new teasers for its first feature film, a Japan-set mystery arriving in theaters December 11, with an international release planned. Tokyo Art: teamLab Planets has unveiled Body of Waves, a new installation, while Osaka’s iconic Glico Running Man sign is set for a makeover in 2027. Film: Tim Burton and Kazuo Ishiguro are teaming up on a postwar Japan story about collective forgetting. Animation: Japanese director Kōhei Kadowaki’s We Are Aliens won the feature-film prize at Spain’s Sitges festival. Japan is also seeking $11.6 million to promote anime overseas, including through concerts and manga-based language apps. Manga: The Brooklyn Museum’s Art of Manga exhibition brings 658 works to New York.
Manga: Viz Media has announced a summer 2027 slate of Japanese releases, including a Kamisama Kiss box set and a Dandadan character guide. Peow2 will bring three more series to English readers, including Alien 9 and Jyoshikohei. Film: Producers of Hayakawa Chie’s Renoir will join a Tokyo TIFFCOM panel on Japan-Europe co-productions, alongside news of a new partnership linking Japanese and European film-development programs. Art: teamLab Planets TOKYO has unveiled a new walk-in soft sculpture. Anime & Culture: Studio Ghibli’s illustrated Kyoto sightseeing map is being distributed at 7-Eleven stores in Japan, while Tokyo ANIME NEXT has revealed a film lineup featuring Demon Slayer, Your Name, Jujutsu Kaisen and One Piece. Music: Kenshi Yonezu has announced international dates for his Ghost World Tour, spanning North America, Asia, Europe and the UK.
Immersive Art: teamLab Planets TOKYO has opened Body of Waves, a walk-in sculpture that shifts beneath visitors’ feet, with movement rippling through the artwork. Anime & Manga: Kadokawa says Record of Lodoss War: The Crown of the Covenant is returning, with part of the next manuscript due online October 22. Tokyo Anime Next has also revealed a film lineup featuring Demon Slayer, Your Name, Jujutsu Kaisen and One Piece. Games: Tokyo indie label C#4R4CT3R has released a demo of Rain98, a lo-fi visual novel and point-and-click adventure set in fin-de-siècle Shibuya. Film: Academy leaders will attend the Tokyo International Film Festival, including for an onstage discussion with Toho CEO Hiro Matsuoka. Music: Kenshi Yonezu has announced international dates for his Ghost World Tour, while newcomer KO1KEYZ debuted at No. 1 on the Japan Hot 100.
Japanese Cinema Abroad: The Japan Foundation brings free screenings to Cairo and Alexandria from Oct. 17–24, with films ranging from Penguin Highway to the textile drama BISHU: The World’s Kindest Clothes. Anime: The Apothecary Diaries season three gets an English dub on Crunchyroll, while a new Gundam series and model kit are set for April 2027, featuring Bandai’s first six-color Gunpla molding. Tokyo Art: teamLab Planets has unveiled Body of Waves, a new artwork for the immersive museum. Tokyo Icons: Osaka’s famous Glico Running Man sign is due for a major makeover in 2027.
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