Japanese culture update
NHK World Japan documentary series continue to be a great source of information about Japanese culture, history and life — including popular culture like anime and manga. Here are some interesting Video On Demand (VOD) that I have recently noticed.
White Flag: Mizuki Shigeru and the War
This episode of the “Documentary 360” series is about Mizuki Shigeru. “Manga artist Mizuki Shigeru’s masterpiece “White Flag” comes to life as an anime. His story was based on a WWII soldier who defied his superiors to protect his men. What truly happened on “Iwo Jima”?” This episode was broadcast on September 11, 2026 and is available as VOD until September 11, 2027. A GREAT documentary !
Bread
This episode of the short documentary series “Japan Delish” is about Japanese bread. “Ever heard of an-pan?! From fruit sandwiches to curry-filled delights, Japanese bread is full of delicious surprises!” This episode was broadcast on December 6, 2025 and is available as VOD until December 5, 2026.
Sake Truth
This episode of the documentary series “Time and Tide” is about sake. “Sake is gaining attention worldwide for its rich and complex flavors. We explore various aspects of Japan’s national drink, from the koji that determines the flavor to medieval innovations that laid the foundation for sake-making today. We also shine a light on heated sake, or kanzake, and examine the science behind how heat affects its flavor profile.” This episode was broadcast on December 19, 2025 and is available as VOD until December 19, 2026.
Some more news from Anime News Network:
- Manchuria Opium Squad Manga Gets Anime
- Amazon Prime Video Streams The Seven Knights of the Marronnier Kingdom Anime
- Viz Media Licenses The Seven Knights of the Marronnier Kingdom Manga
- 7th Be Forever Yamato: Rebel 3199 Film Reveals Ending Theme Song With Music Video
- Netflix to Stream Dragon Ball Super: Beerus Anime
- 6th Live-Action Midnight Diner Series Reveals Returning Cast, Staff, October 20 Debut
- Cyberpunk Edgerunners 2 Anime’s New Video Teases Escape from Arasaka
- French Publisher Kana’s Founder Yves Schlirf Dies
- New Magic Knight Rayearth Anime’s 2nd Main Trailer Reveals More Cast, Theme Songs
- The Cat and the Dragon Anime Gets 2nd Season in 2027
- New Ranma 1/2 Anime’s Season 3 Reveals 3rd Promo Video
- Gundam RG XARX-ZERO Anime ‘Launches’ in N. America, Japan in April 2027
And one more thing …
I forgot. I wanted also to mention this book just recently released in English. It is described as: “In this captivating collection of dialogues, renowned manga artist, writer and painter Mari Yamazaki and art historian Nicole Coolidge Rousmaniere — lead curator of the Art of Mangaexhibit at the de Young Museum and The Brooklyn Museum — explore the patterns of human history to find a roadmap for optimism in the modern world.” (Contributors includes one of my favourite mangaka and one of my favourite translators !) [2026/10/05]
- YAMAZAKI Mari & COOLIDGE-ROUSMANIERE Nicole (Translated by Frederik L. Schodt & Beth Cary). Happiness Theories; A Manga Artist & An Art Historian Find Wisdom in 3,000 Years and in LIFE. Shueisha, sept. 2026. 228 pg. $24.99. 979-8-950818-07-3 [Amazon • Goodreads • Les libraires]