TokyoScope News: Godzilla Gets an Art Show, Korean Food Boom, and STUDIO4℃’s Trippy New Anime
A round up of recent Japanese pop culture headlines and ephemera
Godzilla Turns 70: Landmark Art Exhibition Roars into Tokyo This Spring
The “Godzilla 70th Anniversary: Godzilla THE Art Exhibition” opens April 26, 2025, at the Mori Arts Center Gallery in Tokyo. It features new Godzilla-inspired works by major artists like Tadanori Yokoo, Miranda Fukuda, and Akira Takayama, plus contributions from 19 creators from the 2023 “GODZILLA THE ART by PARCO” series. Exclusive dioramas and films produced for the event will also be on display.
Running through June 29, 2025, with no closures, the exhibition offers an immersive experience filled with art, visuals, and Godzilla’s iconic presence. Extended hours are available during weekends and Golden Week. Tickets are on sale now, with different prices for weekdays and holidays.
Korean Food Chains Are Making a Comeback in Japan — Will They Stick This Time?
Korean food chains are making a strong push into Japan, with several high-profile brands opening new locations. One standout is “Mom’s Touch,” a popular Korean chicken burger chain, which opened its first permanent store in Shibuya in April 2024. This came after a successful 21-day pop-up in 2023 that drew over 30,000 visitors. They’re already planning a second location in Harajuku. Other Korean chains like “Mammoth Coffee” and “Obongjip” are also entering the Japanese market between 2024 and 2025, riding the same wave of popularity.
Success in Japan isn’t guaranteed, though. Even big players can struggle—like “Kyochon,” a major fried chicken chain with 1,000 locations globally, which opened in Tokyo in 2015 but pulled out within a year. Japan’s food scene is competitive and culturally distinct, making it tough for foreign brands to stick. In fact, even famous Japanese brands like Ippudo and Marugame Udon have faced challenges expanding into Korea.
So why try again now? Interest in Korean culture is booming in Japan, thanks to the influence of K-pop, dramas, and Korean cuisine. That cultural wave is creating real demand. On top of that, Korean companies are adapting better this time, tweaking their products and strategies to fit local tastes. With those lessons learned, this new round of expansion looks smarter and more targeted—and the chances of long-term success are looking better than before.
STUDIO4℃ Unveils New Anime Film ChaO, Premiering This August
STUDIO4℃ has announced its latest animated film, ChaO, set to premiere on August 15. The movie will feature Oji Suzuka and Anna Yamada in dual lead roles.
Based on the trailer, ChaO looks like it’s going to be a trippy, emotional ride. Not much is known yet, but the teaser gives off major dreamworld-meets-coming-of-age vibes. With lead roles played by Oji Suzuka and Anna Yamada, plus mysterious characters named Stefan and Chao, it seems like a story about identity, connection, or maybe something even weirder—in a good way. Classic STUDIO4℃ style: beautiful, a little strange, and totally intriguing.
Retro Penguins Return in Capsule Toy Collection
The Papipupenguins are making a nostalgic comeback with a brand-new capsule toy series! The "Papipupenguins Figure Collection Capsule" features a lineup of retro-pop penguin figurines, each paired with a themed accessory. There are four unique characters to collect: “Smiling Pack” with a gift box, “Calm Picky” holding a red wine glass, “Tearful Pack” with white wine, and “Singing Picky” rocking a stand mic. Each capsule is ¥500, or you can get a full set of four for ¥2,000. Just a heads-up: the contents are random, so you might get duplicates—and the limited-edition stickers aren’t included. You can find them now at the KenEle Store.
These lovable penguins first appeared in 1983 as part of Suntory’s “CAN Beer” commercials. The duo, Pack and Picky, quickly became fan favorites—especially with Seiko Matsuda’s “SWEET MEMORIES” playing in the background, making the ads extra emotional. In fact, Im holding back tears just queing up this YouTube Video…
Xabungle Returns in New Experimental Anime Video
A new experimental video project titled "BLUE GALE XABUNGLE SIDE L" based on the classic 1982-1983 mecha anime "Combat Mecha Xabungle" is set to be released in May 2025. Ahead of the release, a teaser PV has been revealed. The project appears to be a creative reimagining or tribute to the original series, which was known for its unique mix of mecha action and wild west aesthetics.
Sign up for the Pure TokyoScope Patreon! You’ll get access to full podcast episodes, bonus video content, our Discord server, and an archive of past episodes.
Head over to the TokyoScope Podcast Patreon to subscribe today!
