There is a Japanese word you need to know: Oshi. It translates roughly to "the person/thing I support."
In the West, if you like a band, you buy a t-shirt. In Japan, Oshi-katsu (fan activities) is a lifestyle. Fans buy multiple copies of the same CD to get voting tickets for their favorite member. They track their idol’s train schedule (within respectful limits). They spend hundreds of dollars on digital photos. There is a Japanese word you need to know: Oshi
This passionate support system is the fuel of the industry. It keeps franchises alive for decades. But it also creates a barrier to entry for new fans, as the sheer volume of merchandise and "limited edition" goods can be intimidating. However, Korea’s Hallyu (K-Wave) has overtaken Japan in
Unlike Hollywood, where actors age into character roles, Japanese TV features tarento (talents) whose only skill is being famous. These personalities are managed ruthlessly; a single scandal (an affair, a minor drug charge) results in total "airport" (media exile) that can last a decade. Furthermore, the zangyo (overtime culture) in anime studios is legendary. Animators earn near-minimum wage, working 14-hour days. The 2019 arson attack on Kyoto Animation was a tragedy, but it also highlighted how a beloved studio operated on precarious freelance labor. and retro gaming.
Nintendo, Sony, Sega, Capcom, Square Enix—Japan’s video game industry is arguably the most successful entertainment export. But culturally, Japanese gaming differs from Western "realism." Japanese games prioritize rule of cool, emotional melodrama, and replayability. The Dragon Quest series is a national phenomenon; the government has expressed concern when a new game releases because work attendance drops. E-sports in Japan is historically weak due to laws against prize money, but arcades remain thriving social hubs for rhythm games (Dance Dance Revolution, Taiko no Tatsujin) and UFO Catchers (claw machines).
The 2020s have forced change. Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney+ have flooded the market, breaking the stranglehold of Japanese broadcasters (Nippon TV, TBS, Fuji TV). This has led to two outcomes:
However, Korea’s Hallyu (K-Wave) has overtaken Japan in live-action music and drama globally. In response, Japan is leaning into its unique strengths: unadaptable weirdness. While Korea makes sleek K-Pop, Japan doubles down on chika idols (underground idols), geinin (comedians), and retro gaming.
