Return of the Yokai

In the early 1970s, Bruce Lee made nunchaku (nunchucks) cool — kids were building their own and buying them in record numbers. But the nunchucks craze coincided with something much bigger: the birth of a radical new Asian American identity. Roman Mars and historian Jeff Chang tra ... Show More

Neil MacGregor reflects on creating the landmark series that changed how people think about history. Then, revisit the Rosetta Stone, the artifact that unlocked ancient Egypt. Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of 99% Invisible ad-free and a whole week earl ... Show More

In 1982, a twelve-year-old paperboy, Johnny Gosch, vanished from a quiet Iowa street and sparked an unlikely campaign: the faces of missing children printed on milk cartons by the billions. Roman Mars and Annie Brown trace how a regional dairy campaign exploded into a national sy ... Show More

In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss Japan’s beloved yuru-chara, corporate and governmental mascots that are undeniably cute but with deeper connections to other aspects of Japanese culture. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 

Pete and Chris begin the show with a hijacking, go on to talk about Mascots, and then the Olympics. A mixed bag!Check out this bizarre collection of macots: https://twitter.com/mondomascotsWanna say hi? abroadinjapanpodcast@gmail.comMore Abroad In Japan shows available below, sub ... Show More

It seems the unavoidable fate of all terrifying monsters, doesn’t it? We reduce the most horrifying creatures of myth, legend and folklore to an adorable kids costume or a mega-cute illustration. Why can’t we help ourselves? In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and ... Show More

Three stories of monsters from Japan. We have a tanuki, the monsters that lurk in the civilized places, and monsters that might be under your home right now. The creature is a decapitated man who loves hugs. -- Scoundrel! https://myths.link/scoundrel -- Sponsors: Indeed: Start hi ... Show More

<p>It seems the unavoidable fate of all terrifying monsters, doesn’t it? We reduce the most horrifying creatures of myth, legend and folklore to an adorable kids costume or a mega-cute illustration. Why can’t we help ourselves? In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert a ... Show More

A mythical shape-shifter? An evil raccoon dog? The Tanuki is one of Japan’s most famous fairy tale creatures, known for being a trickster god lurking in the woods. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices 

<div>Two stories from Japan about samurai (and wannabe samurai) following their dreams. Too bad it takes fights with giant creatures and a little bit of murder to do so.<br> <br> The creature this time is ao nyōbō, and she doesn't want you to stop by her beautiful, horribly dilap ... Show More

<p>Two short stories from Japan. On the first, an old man is in a tree surrounded by demons and faced with a desperate choice. On the second, a man has a pet that his wife is not thrilled about, so she makes that known. With scissors.</p> <p>The creature is a sad cow! Or a vamp ... Show More

Episode Notes Join our Patreon for early access and bonus episodes and help support the show! Get exclusive Japanese horror merchandise and join the Discord! Japan is the land of 8 million kami, and not all of them are good. People are often warned not to mess around with the sac ... Show More

Spooky cats are an iconic part of Halloween iconography, so in this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe dive into the world of Kaibyō: the various strange and supernatural cats found in Japanese tradition. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.