scrmbl
@scrmbl.com
The intersection of Japanese pop-culture.
www.scrmbl.com
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“There’s music that can only exist through technology, and I think that’s totally valid in its own way. It’s just that the kind of music I want to make can’t be created like that. What gets lost through technology, I think, is the performer’s soul, identity and individuality.”
Golden Boy: Interview with Duran on latest album, Vornak, and the miracle of live music | scrmbl
Duran is used to playing live. Since the mid Aughts, he’s been play...
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January 13, 2026 at 8:00 PM
“There’s music that can only exist through technology, and I think that’s totally valid in its own way. It’s just that the kind of music I want to make can’t be created like that. What gets lost through technology, I think, is the performer’s soul, identity and individuality.”
Check out more info here!
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January 13, 2026 at 1:06 PM
Check out more info here!
scrmbl.com/post/beatman...
scrmbl.com/post/beatman...
Konami announces a new room for the Sparkle Fruit Lab unlock event in beatmania IIDX 33 Sparkle Shower, adding new songs to the game.
January 13, 2026 at 1:05 PM
Konami announces a new room for the Sparkle Fruit Lab unlock event in beatmania IIDX 33 Sparkle Shower, adding new songs to the game.
We look back on this iconic international production starring Ryuichi Sakamoto, Takeshi Kitano, and David Bowie in this month's classic film spotlight.
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Humanizing a war prisoner in Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence | scrmbl
David Bowie and Takeshi Kitano. Neither were known for their acting...
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January 12, 2026 at 8:00 PM
We look back on this iconic international production starring Ryuichi Sakamoto, Takeshi Kitano, and David Bowie in this month's classic film spotlight.
scrmbl.com/post/merry-c...
scrmbl.com/post/merry-c...
Set in a remote POW camp far from the front lines, Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence uses quiet tension and human connection to question honor, power, and survival during war. Nagisa Oshima turns confinement into a deeply human reflection on conflict and compassion.
January 12, 2026 at 8:00 PM
Set in a remote POW camp far from the front lines, Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence uses quiet tension and human connection to question honor, power, and survival during war. Nagisa Oshima turns confinement into a deeply human reflection on conflict and compassion.
Treat your ears to some fresh tunes to kick off the week! Our freshly hand-picked playlist update includes new tracks from gl1tch.bby, HATSUBOSHI GAKUEN & Misuzu Hataya, Itaby, Kana Hanazawa, SHINTOKYO, and yama!
scrmbl selection 12 January, 2026 - gl1tch.bby, Kana Hanazawa, yama, and more | scrmbl
Despite the ease of access that streaming has brought to the distri...
scrmbl.com
January 12, 2026 at 3:33 PM
Treat your ears to some fresh tunes to kick off the week! Our freshly hand-picked playlist update includes new tracks from gl1tch.bby, HATSUBOSHI GAKUEN & Misuzu Hataya, Itaby, Kana Hanazawa, SHINTOKYO, and yama!
Bandcamp Friday may not be starting until February, but that isn't going to stop us from highlighting some great new releases from Japanese artists! This month's bandcamp spotlight includes new releases from andrew & Stupid Kozo, kamome sano, and more!
Bandcamp Spotlight January 2026 - Magnolia Cacophony, andrew & Stupid Kozo, kamome sano, and more | scrmbl
Every month, scrmbl highlights some of the most noteworthy releases...
scrmbl.com
January 9, 2026 at 8:00 PM
Bandcamp Friday may not be starting until February, but that isn't going to stop us from highlighting some great new releases from Japanese artists! This month's bandcamp spotlight includes new releases from andrew & Stupid Kozo, kamome sano, and more!
The Obsessed wears its heart on its sleeve, using music and expressive animation to turn a simple love story into something unexpectedly affecting.
@aliciahaddick.com gives their review of the latest from Shin-EI Animation
@aliciahaddick.com gives their review of the latest from Shin-EI Animation
I’m obsessed with “The Obsessed” | scrmbl
Giuseppe is a little obsessed. And maybe I am too. The Obsessed is...
scrmbl.com
January 8, 2026 at 8:00 PM
The Obsessed wears its heart on its sleeve, using music and expressive animation to turn a simple love story into something unexpectedly affecting.
@aliciahaddick.com gives their review of the latest from Shin-EI Animation
@aliciahaddick.com gives their review of the latest from Shin-EI Animation
Step into Yanesen, a pocket of Tokyo that escaped wartime destruction and still carries its Showa-era charm, now layered with a subtle modern energy beneath the surface.
Exploring Yanesen, where Showa-era style meets today’s Tokyo | scrmbl
Yanesen history The areas of Yanaka, Ginza, Nezu, and Sendagi, col...
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January 8, 2026 at 2:17 PM
Step into Yanesen, a pocket of Tokyo that escaped wartime destruction and still carries its Showa-era charm, now layered with a subtle modern energy beneath the surface.
In a society obsessed with flawless beauty, Kazumi Kurigami shattered the norm, pushing his bold ideas into unexpected places. Establishing him as the go-to photographer for top designers and publications, shaping Japanese fashion photography from the 1980s onward.
Kazumi Kurigami: The postwar photographer who revolutionized Japan’s fashion advertising for over 70 years | scrmbl
In a society obsessed with flawless beauty, where every detail is c...
scrmbl.com
January 8, 2026 at 2:17 AM
In a society obsessed with flawless beauty, Kazumi Kurigami shattered the norm, pushing his bold ideas into unexpected places. Establishing him as the go-to photographer for top designers and publications, shaping Japanese fashion photography from the 1980s onward.
Dear Stranger, from director Mariko Tetsuo, aims for a cross cultural drama in New York as Hidetoshi Nishijima and Gwei Lun Mei step outside their native languages, but uneven acting and a shaky tone keep the film from reaching its potential. Read on for our full review.
Dear Stranger wastes a talented cast in unfamiliar waters | scrmbl
Hidetoshi Nishijima has had an interesting career following his exp...
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January 6, 2026 at 8:01 PM
Dear Stranger, from director Mariko Tetsuo, aims for a cross cultural drama in New York as Hidetoshi Nishijima and Gwei Lun Mei step outside their native languages, but uneven acting and a shaky tone keep the film from reaching its potential. Read on for our full review.
“I’m trying to make music that can stand up to the songs created in studios used by the artists I admired growing up.”
We had the chance to sit down with brinq and Misatsun of HARETOKIDOKI to ask everything from how they met, to their inspirations in relation to their latest album ENDLESS DESTINY.
We had the chance to sit down with brinq and Misatsun of HARETOKIDOKI to ask everything from how they met, to their inspirations in relation to their latest album ENDLESS DESTINY.
Nostalgic future: Interview with Haretokidoki on inspiration, collaboration, and their new album Endless Destiny | scrmbl
The past plays a central role in dance-pop unit Haretokidoki’s musi...
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January 6, 2026 at 3:38 PM
“I’m trying to make music that can stand up to the songs created in studios used by the artists I admired growing up.”
We had the chance to sit down with brinq and Misatsun of HARETOKIDOKI to ask everything from how they met, to their inspirations in relation to their latest album ENDLESS DESTINY.
We had the chance to sit down with brinq and Misatsun of HARETOKIDOKI to ask everything from how they met, to their inspirations in relation to their latest album ENDLESS DESTINY.
Questions remain how Gnosia's ending will fare in animation, yet it’s hard not to find this one of the more compelling shows of the season. A unique story coupled with characters who look like this, with the care taken to truly bring its story to life.
Gnosia turns social deduction into compelling anime television | scrmbl
What allowed Gnosia to become such a notable Japanese indie game hi...
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January 6, 2026 at 2:27 PM
Questions remain how Gnosia's ending will fare in animation, yet it’s hard not to find this one of the more compelling shows of the season. A unique story coupled with characters who look like this, with the care taken to truly bring its story to life.
We're back with our first edition of scrmbl selections for the new year! Kick off 2026 with excellent new tracks from bala & Shinichi Osawa, illequal, lapix & Eye, RAY, and Sayonara Ponytail!
scrmbl selection 5 January, 2026 - bala, lapix, RAY, and more | scrmbl
Despite the ease of access that streaming has brought to the distri...
scrmbl.com
January 5, 2026 at 3:44 PM
We're back with our first edition of scrmbl selections for the new year! Kick off 2026 with excellent new tracks from bala & Shinichi Osawa, illequal, lapix & Eye, RAY, and Sayonara Ponytail!
Baku Kinoshita's “The Last Blossom” sees the director teaming up with ODDTAXI scriptwriter Kazuya Konomoto once again to tell the story of a man reflecting on his life in conversation with a talking flower.
@aliciahaddick.com spoke with Kinoshita at TIFF on our behalf about how the film came to be.
@aliciahaddick.com spoke with Kinoshita at TIFF on our behalf about how the film came to be.
A story about death with a talking flower: Baku Kinoshita on The Last Blossom | scrmbl
The Last Blossom, upon its release in Japanese theaters last month,...
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January 2, 2026 at 4:04 PM
Baku Kinoshita's “The Last Blossom” sees the director teaming up with ODDTAXI scriptwriter Kazuya Konomoto once again to tell the story of a man reflecting on his life in conversation with a talking flower.
@aliciahaddick.com spoke with Kinoshita at TIFF on our behalf about how the film came to be.
@aliciahaddick.com spoke with Kinoshita at TIFF on our behalf about how the film came to be.
What happens when a celebrated director revisits a story that has already resonated worldwide? Kore-eda Hirokazu’s live-action Look Back and the launch of K2 Pictures raises bigger questions about originality, global reach, and the future of the industry.
Kore-Eda Hirokazu's “Look Back” live-action: The potential and pitfalls of yet-another adaptation | scrmbl
If you’re going to make yet-another film adaptation of a beloved wo...
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December 30, 2025 at 5:35 PM
What happens when a celebrated director revisits a story that has already resonated worldwide? Kore-eda Hirokazu’s live-action Look Back and the launch of K2 Pictures raises bigger questions about originality, global reach, and the future of the industry.
Japan had some seriously huge viral hit songs in 2025, but there's always the chance some slipped under your radar. Catch up or recap just ahead of the New Year with our crash course on viral hits of the year!
An Iijyan year indeed: A crash course in the viral Japanese hits of 2025 | scrmbl
The difference between a “viral hit” and a good ol’ fashioned music...
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December 29, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Japan had some seriously huge viral hit songs in 2025, but there's always the chance some slipped under your radar. Catch up or recap just ahead of the New Year with our crash course on viral hits of the year!
Episode 11 of Apocalypse Hotel is by far the show's best and most thoughtful episode because it not only represents the great things about the anime series as a whole, but also what it builds towards for its lead character.
Apocalypse Hotel's 11th episode is a meditative experience on mortality | scrmbl
Episode 11 is by far the show's best and most thoughtful episode be...
scrmbl.com
December 29, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Episode 11 of Apocalypse Hotel is by far the show's best and most thoughtful episode because it not only represents the great things about the anime series as a whole, but also what it builds towards for its lead character.
As we head into the New Year, we're back with another new album spotlight courtesy of Make Believe Melodies! Catch new releases from Fuki Kitamura, D.A.N., sidenerds, lazydoll, and Swashi2
Japanese album highlights for December 2025 – Presented by Make Believe Melodies | scrmbl
scrmbl contributor Patrick St. Michel runs an email newsletter call...
scrmbl.com
December 26, 2025 at 4:35 PM
As we head into the New Year, we're back with another new album spotlight courtesy of Make Believe Melodies! Catch new releases from Fuki Kitamura, D.A.N., sidenerds, lazydoll, and Swashi2
From Shibuya-kei innovation and scandal to a recent viral TikTok trend, we trace Cornelius’ evolving sound and complex legacy in this introduction to the influencial muscian.
Free Fall - An introduction to influential and innovative artist Cornelius | scrmbl
An old song suddenly blowing up on TikTok and finding a new audienc...
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December 23, 2025 at 7:21 PM
From Shibuya-kei innovation and scandal to a recent viral TikTok trend, we trace Cornelius’ evolving sound and complex legacy in this introduction to the influencial muscian.
Japan's winter illuminations celebrate the season with extravagant displays like light up the cold nights and make for a perfect excursion for couples and travelers alike. We give a rundown on the delightful events and highlight a few of Tokyo's best.
The illuminations lighting Up Japan's winter darkness | scrmbl
It’s more accurate to say that, above celebrating Christmas, Japan ...
scrmbl.com
December 23, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Japan's winter illuminations celebrate the season with extravagant displays like light up the cold nights and make for a perfect excursion for couples and travelers alike. We give a rundown on the delightful events and highlight a few of Tokyo's best.
The best kids entertainment is the definitely the kind that parents can enjoy as well. Breakout toddler-oriented music channel Synapusyu treats with truly enjoyable music regardless of age from some major Japanese talent attached.
Stepping into the eclectic world of Japanese kids’ music with Synapusyu | scrmbl
While there's no shortage of child-focused content on the internet,...
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December 22, 2025 at 11:18 PM
The best kids entertainment is the definitely the kind that parents can enjoy as well. Breakout toddler-oriented music channel Synapusyu treats with truly enjoyable music regardless of age from some major Japanese talent attached.
Chihayafuru: Full Circle brings the franchise back as a TV drama, following new characters drawn into the world of karuta.
@aliciahaddick.com gives their review of the legacy sequel to the hit Chihayafuru series.
@aliciahaddick.com gives their review of the legacy sequel to the hit Chihayafuru series.
Chihayafuru: Full Circle is a rare legacy sequel that works | scrmbl
An all-original sequel to a beloved story just to allow its adaptat...
scrmbl.com
December 22, 2025 at 9:21 PM
Chihayafuru: Full Circle brings the franchise back as a TV drama, following new characters drawn into the world of karuta.
@aliciahaddick.com gives their review of the legacy sequel to the hit Chihayafuru series.
@aliciahaddick.com gives their review of the legacy sequel to the hit Chihayafuru series.
On December 21, the 21st installment of the M-1 Grand Prix manzai comedy competition took place in Tokyo with duo Takurou winning a long-awaited first prize after years of participation and refining routines.
Manzai duo Takurou claws M-1 victory nine years in the making | scrmbl
On December 21, 2025, the 21st installment of the annual M-1 Grand ...
scrmbl.com
December 22, 2025 at 7:10 PM
On December 21, the 21st installment of the M-1 Grand Prix manzai comedy competition took place in Tokyo with duo Takurou winning a long-awaited first prize after years of participation and refining routines.
Kick off your holidays with our final playlist update of 2025! We're capping things off with amazing new tracks from DURDN, Eisei To Karatea, Ichi Takashi, KIRINJI, TEMPLIME & Eiichi Kyo, and VOLTA & ariiol feat. yeil
scrmbl selection 22 December, 2025 - DURDN, KIRINJI, TEMPLIME & Eiichi Kyo, and more | scrmbl
Despite the ease of access that streaming has brought to the distri...
scrmbl.com
December 22, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Kick off your holidays with our final playlist update of 2025! We're capping things off with amazing new tracks from DURDN, Eisei To Karatea, Ichi Takashi, KIRINJI, TEMPLIME & Eiichi Kyo, and VOLTA & ariiol feat. yeil