This week, Otalku #1 and Otalku #2 discuss a disturbing but real topic. "Lolicon" is drawn pornography involving very young characters. How likely are you to stumble across it? How can it even exist? Is it legal? Find out in this video.By Brent P. Newhall and Evan

Pachinko machines are a sort of cross between pinball game and slot machine, and they're massively popular in Japan. Why? And how do you gamble on them? Find out!By Brent P. Newhall and Evan

Japanese foxes, or "kitsune," have a long tradition in Japanese folkore. They trick humans, but not in the same way as Western tricksters. And they pop up in anime a lot, from Shippo in Inu Yasha to Renamon in Digimon Tamers. Find out more here.Photo credits: Fushimi Inari taisha 04, Fushimi Inari taisha 44, Fushimi Inari taisha 50, and kitsune 2. …

Kimono and yukata are classic Japanese clothes. What are they exactly, and do people even wear them in Japan anymore? Find out!Photo credits: kimono at night, Girl in a Kimono, 3-5-7 Festiva in Asakusa, and Yukata trio.By Brent P. Newhall and Evan

Hundreds of fireworks shows fill the skies of Japan every summer. But why? And what are they for?Photo credits: Edogawa hanabi taikai (fireworks show), DSC01638, Japan Fireworks, Hanabi Taikai Osaka 花火大会, Koto Ward Hanabi Taikai Fireworks Festival #1, and Koto Ward Hanabi Taikai Fireworks Festival #1…

The last 10 minutes of a Q&A panel with voice actors Colleen Clinkenbeard and Brandon Potter at Anime USA 2015.By Brent P. Newhall and Evan

Japanese martial arts organizations are known for their dōjō, or training facilities. But it goes well beyond martial arts, and has an interesting history. Brent and Evan explain.Photo credits: University Dojo, New Dojo, and Zen dojo.By Brent P. Newhall and Evan

Part of a Q&A panel with voice actor Beau Billingslea (Jet in Cowboy Bebop) at Anime USA 2015.By Brent P. Newhall and Evan

Once a year, schools in Japan celebrate sports day, where the students engage in track and field competitions, human pyramids, and other, more unusual events. But why? And how did it start?All images in this episode are from the TV series Japanology Plus, made by NHK World.By Brent P. Newhall and Evan

A Q&A with voice actors Steve Blum and Mary Elizabeth McGlynn at Anime USA 2015, part 2 of 2.By Brent P. Newhall and Evan

You may have seen these "raccoon dogs" in anime from Inu Yasha to Pom Poko. Tanuki are real animals with a rich mythological tradition.Photos used in this video are licensed for commercial use.By Brent P. Newhall and Evan

A Q&A with voice actors Steve Blum and Mary Elizabeth McGlynn at Anime USA 2015, part 1 of 2.By Brent P. Newhall and Evan

Brent and Evan explore the history of the famous Shinsengumi, the Wolves of Mibu who were central actors in the drama of Japan's opening to the West in the 1860's. Discover their doomed fate!Photos used in this video are licensed for commercial use.By Brent P. Newhall and Evan

We talk with Jordan of Fallen Manga Studios, an American manga studio that's trying to make an anime series in America!Shop, support them on Patreon, or check out their manga on Tapastic.By Brent P. Newhall and Evan

There's so much more to ramen than Top Ramen! It's a full-scale gourmet dish; Brent and Evan explain the history and reality of ramen.Photos used in this video are licensed for commercial use.By Brent P. Newhall and Evan

Mikomi-chan has a long history in cosplay and anime fandom. We talk about her experiences and what it's like to cosplay.For more videos like these, go to http://geekarchaeologists.comBy Brent P. Newhall and Evan

Japanese futons are integral to Japanese culture. But they're not quite what you might be used to. Brent and Evan delve into the history and reality of futons.Photos used in this video are licensed for commercial use.By Brent P. Newhall and Evan

Melissa Fahn has a long career of voice acting in anime. voicing characters from Ed in Cowboy Bebop to Rika in Digimon Tamers, Fraw Bow in Mobile Suit Gundam: The Movie Trilogy, and Tia in Zatch Bell. She graciously sits down to talk with us about voice acting and her career in this interview at Anime USA 2015.…

Anime presents college entrance exams as super-intense. Is it really like that? And why?Photos used in this video are licensed for commercial use.By Brent P. Newhall and Evan

Brent chats with Kevin Randall, a member of the DC Anime Club.By Brent P. Newhall and Evan

Brent chats with Terrence Briggs, webmaster for the DC Anime Club.By Brent P. Newhall and Evan

Brent chats with Kevin Latchford, video and media coordinator for the DC Anime Club.By Brent P. Newhall and Evan

Brent chats with Chris Wanamaker, president of the DC Anime Club.By Brent P. Newhall and Evan

Brent chats with Lindy of How Many Dragons, who makes clay dragon figurines and jewelry.This interview was recorded at Otakon 2015.By Brent P. Newhall and Evan

Brent chats with Foam Brain Games, a company that sells tabletop games (board games, card games, role-playing games, etc.). He also gets some insight on some of the most popular new tabletop games out there.This interview was recorded at Otakon 2015.By Brent P. Newhall and Evan

Brent chats with the proprietor of Cel Depot, a dealer who sells the actual animation cels used in the production of anime series. Own a piece of production history!This interview was recorded at Otakon 2015.By Brent P. Newhall and Evan

Brent and Evan chat with Mike Pfeiffer, a Gunpla enthusiast, about building Gundam model kits.By Brent P. Newhall and Evan

Brent and Evan talk about the super-fast trains of Japan, the shinkansen.Photo credits: Shinkansen, Shinkansen 400series, Shinkansen, ShinkansenFor more videos like this, go to http://geekspectrum.orgBy Brent P. Newhall and Evan

Brent and Evan chat with Mike Pfeiffer, a Gunpla enthusiast, about building Gundam model kits.By Brent P. Newhall and Evan

Brent and Evan talk about that icon of Japan, Mount Fuji.Photo credits: https://www.flickr.com/photos/skyseeker/11061598174 https://www.flickr.com/photos/emrank/3170872652 https://www.flickr.com/photos/melanie-m/2219827045 https://www.flickr.com/photos/midorisyu/5315466701By Brent P. Newhall and Evan

Brent and Evan chat with Mike Pfeiffer, a Gunpla enthusiast, about building Gundam model kits.By Brent P. Newhall and Evan

You see them in anime frequently: the school has a cultural festival. But what is it? Where did it come from? Brent and Evan have the answers.All images in this episode are from the anime series The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya.By Brent P. Newhall and Evan

We talk with space enthusiast and Otakon AMV staff JP Burke about anime music videos, how spaceflight is represented in anime (correctly or incorrectly), and lots more.By Brent P. Newhall and Evan

Brent and Evan examine the Japanese phenomenon of cram schools. Are they really as common as they're portrayed in anime, manga, and film?All images in this episode are from Let's Talk about Japanese Cram SchoolBy Brent P. Newhall and Evan

We talk with space enthusiast and Otakon AMV staff JP Burke about anime music videos, how spaceflight is represented in anime (correctly or incorrectly), and lots more.By Brent P. Newhall and Evan

Where did samurai come from? How did they evolve over time? Why are there no more samurai? Brent and Evan explain.Photo credits: https://www.flickr.com/photos/68532869@N08/14583360482/ https://www.flickr.com/photos/txarli/5349519709/ https://www.flickr.com/photos/zaffi/2423828136/By Brent P. Newhall and Evan

We talk with space enthusiast and Otakon AMV staff JP Burke about anime music videos, how spaceflight is represented in anime (correctly or incorrectly), and lots more.By Brent P. Newhall and Evan

What are Japanese after-school clubs like, and how are they different than those found in other cultures?Photos are from the anime series K-ON!, Shirobako, Kokoro Connect, and Higurashi: When They Cry.By Brent P. Newhall and Evan

Production I.G. has licensed FLCL for an "anime remake," whatever that means; and the Love Live! film will have English subtitles on its Japanese Blu-Ray release.By Brent P. Newhall and Evan

We talk with Patrick Delahanty, creator of AnimeCons.com and founder of Anime Boston.By Brent P. Newhall and Evan

Japanese love hotels cater to those who want to rent a room by the hour. But they're not as sordid as they initially appear!Photo credits: https://www.flickr.com/photos/charlottemarillet/1446160772/ https://www.flickr.com/photos/kevinpoh/4563388587/ https://www.flickr.com/photos/antoniotajuelo/14577536045/ https://www.flickr.com/photos/antoniotajue…

We talk with Patrick Delahanty, creator of AnimeCons.com and founder of Anime Boston.By Brent P. Newhall and Evan

Brent & Evan talk about host clubs and hostess clubs, where employees are paid to talk to you. But what are the downsides?Photo credits: https://www.flickr.com/photos/69486985@N08/6429897879/ and Wikimedia Commons.By Brent P. Newhall and Evan

We analyze the 13th and final episode of the comedy The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya season 1 (broadcast order) and the 12th and final episode of the psychological horror series Boogiepop Phantom.By Brent P. Newhall and Evan

We talk with Patrick Delahanty, creator of AnimeCons.com and founder of Anime Boston.By Brent P. Newhall and Evan

Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection F makes $3.5 million in its first 2 days in American theaters, Boruto: Naruto the Movie makes $5.5 million in its first 3 days in Japanese theaters, possible English dub for Studio Ghibli film Only Yesterday, Kickstarter for an American reprint of the Barefoot Gen manga about the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, and a list o…

We analyze the 12th episode of the comedy The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya season 1 (broadcast order) and the 10th and 11th episodes of the psychological horror series Boogiepop Phantom.By Brent P. Newhall and Evan

A uniquely Asian feature, shopping arcades are streets lined with shops. We look at the history and current decline of shopping arcades, with some anime and manga recommendations.By Brent P. Newhall and Evan

Disney announces a complete Blu-Ray boxset of every movie Hayao Miyazaki ever directed, coming November 17, the Love Live! film has made over USD $17 million so far in Japanese theaters, Design Coco reveals how they make life-sized anime figures using 3D printing, the anime travel in Tokyo Kickstarter is stalled, we provide a post-mortem on the Red…

We analyze the 11th episode of the comedy The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya season 1 (broadcast order) and the 8th episode of the psychological horror series Boogiepop Phantom.By Brent P. Newhall and Evan