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.

Manben

The latest episode of the documentary series “Manben: Behind the Scenes of Manga with Urasawa Naoki” is dedicated to Sugimura Shinichi. “Manga artist Urasawa Naoki takes you behind the scenes of how manga is made with guest Sugimura Shinichi. Learn Sugimura’s digital drawing techniques as he works on the climax of Last Pleasure Boat.” This episode was broadcast on October 23, 2026 and will be available as VOD only  until October 31, 2026. Fascinating! You better watch it fast !

Detective Conan Special

I’ve recently watched a rerun of an interesting episode of the documentary series Anime Manga Explosion dedicated to the popular Gosho Aoyama manga and anime. “This episode spotlights Detective Conan, a mystery series loved for more than 30 years. We introduce the appeal of the original manga and go behind the scenes of the anime’s production, exploring how mysteries are adapted for animation and how the characters are designed with respect for the source manga. We also follow the scenario meetings where the anime’s original stories are created, and highlight the dedication of the staff behind this long-running series.” This episode was originally broadcast on July 25, 2026 and will be available as VOD until July 25, 2027. 

Iki: The Aesthetic of Edo

In this episode of the documentary series Spiritual Explorers, “Our explorer gains an insight into “iki,” a unique aesthetic cultivated by the people of Edo, now known as Tokyo. Defined by modesty and compassion, it endures to this day.” This episode was originally broadcast on August 19, 2026 and is available as VOD until August 19, 2027.

Venice 2026 & Focus on Tanaka Kinuyo

The latest episode of the documentary series J-Flicks is dedicated to this year’s Venice Film Festival and offers a focus on Tanaka Kinuyo. “We check out “Look Back” by KOREEDA Hirokazu and TSUKAMOTO Shinya‘s “Mr. Nelson, Did You Kill People?“, both screened at the Venice Film Festival, and the classic “Love Letter” by TANAKA Kinuyo.” This episode was broadcast on October 17, 2026 and is available as VOD until January 17, 2027.

And some news from Anime News Network:

• Interview: What We Know About Mobile Suit Gundam RG XARX-ZERO with Director Kenji Kamiyama
• Street Fighter Live-Action Film Review
• Shigeru Miyamoto Is 1st Game Creator to Receive Japan’s Order of Culture Award
• Science Saru’s The Ghost in the Shell Gets New Anime Project
• New Votoms Anime Films’ Teaser Reveals Theme Song
• Hideo Kojima Reprises Cyberpunk 2077 Character in Edgerunners 2
• Frequent Ghibli Collaborator Joe Hisaishi Named LA Philharmonic’s Composer-in-Residence
• Record of Lodoss War: The Crown of the Covenant Novel Series Resumes
• Golden Kamuy’s Live-Action Adaptation Continues With ‘Karafuto Pursuit Arc’ Series in January
• Crunchyroll Streams Dub for The Apothecary Diaries Season 3
• Tezuka: God of Manga Documentary Film Launches Kickstarter Campaign
• The Importance and Influence of Global Manga is Not Slowing Down!
• Erica Sakurazawa Launches New Manga on November 6