This word is the rough English translation of kawaii.
What is cute?
100
This recent disaster has sparked a new wave of disaster themed pop culture.
What is the March 11th Tohoku Triple Disaster (earthquake, tsunami, nuclear meltdown)?
100
This is the country in which manga and anime originated.
What is Japan?
100
This style of Japanese uniform has been in use since the US visitations to Japan in the late 1800s, modeled after the uniforms worn by the US Navy.
What is the sailor uniform (seifuku)?
100
Cultural activities or commercial products that reflect or are aimed at the tastes of the general population fall under this category.
What is pop culture?
200
This children's franchise (TV show, games, etc) initially became popular in the mid-1990s and stemmed from the hobby of insect collecting, featuring monsters and trainers.
What is Pokemon?
200
Following the March 11th Triple Disaster, this viral YouTube video attempted to explain to children the circumstances and consequences of the Fukushima meltdown.
What is Nuclear Boy Has a Stomachache?
200
This studio owner and animator is responsible for some of the most popular Japanese children's films of the 1990s and 2000s, and is the creator of films such as Porko Rosso and From Up on Poppy Hill.
Who is Miyazaki Hayao?
200
This district of Tokyo is considered to be the center of Japanese street fashion and its main streets are visited by thousands of Japanese youth and visitors each day.
What is the Harajuku (or Shibuya) district?
200
Established patterns that separate groups from the dominant culture fall under this category.
What is sub culture?
300
This fun cat can get you out of any jam with his futuristic gadgets, though he wishes you'd do the work yourself.
Who is Doraemon?
300
Also known as the King of the Monsters, this prehistoric beast began destroying Tokyo in 1954 and quickly became the hero of his own story (despite being a female, and a monster!!).
Who is Godzilla?
300
This manga, which later became an animated series, is considered to be the first of its kind, and features a robotic boy hero.
What is Astro Boy?
300
This device was the precursor to the mobile phone's text messaging capabilities and was very popular with schoolgirls.
What is the Pocket Bell?
300
This internet phenomenon is a frequently re-posted image designed or edited to be funny.
What is a meme?
400
While most first world nations wield force and economic might, Japan exudes this kind of force, characterized by its exports of kawaii media and material.
What is soft power?
400
This term was first applied to survivors of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. Today there is a question if Fukushima survivors will also use the label.
What is hibakusha?
400
[TRICKY, SORRY]
This process allows anime and manga to be enjoyed internationally and is facilitated through translation and dubbing.
What is media globalization?
400
These popstars are the beloved teen girls of Japan whose immense fanbases avoid seeing their everyday lives and instead prefer the carefully edited versions of their (schoolgirl) lives.
What are idols?
400
This company owns the rights to Studio Ghibli film distribution in the US and was the source of inspiration for Tezuka Osamu's career.
What is Disney?
500
This company owns scores of widely popular kawaii characters, including Badtz-Maru, Cinamoroll and Kiki & Lala, as well as the international cute cat Hello Kitty.
What is Sanrio?
500
This public service announcement aired immediately following the Triple Disaster and encouraged people to remember their manners during the crisis.
What is "Mahou No Kotoba"?
500
Known to some as the Father of Manga, this mangaka made it nearly impossible during his time for new artists to emerge, thanks to his practice of underselling his own work.
Who is Tezuka Osamu?
500
This fashion event, held twice yearly in the National Gymnasium, is a mecca for teenage schoolgirls clamoring to see the newest and trendiest looks and purchase them for themselves.
What is Tokyo Girls Collection (TCG?)
500
This animal has become a beacon of kawaii and cute culture, as evidence by the multitude of characters designed in its likeness.