Pure TokyoScope

In this episode, authors Matt Alt  ( ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pure Invention: How Japan Made the Modern World⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ) and  Patrick Macias  ( ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TokyoScope: The Japanese Cult Film Companion⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ) continue their epic multi-part series on the THE ANIME THAT MADE THEM. Finally, Patrick takes the captain's chair and reveals his top 5 anime picks from Japan's Showa era! FOLLOW THE TOKYOSCOPE B...

In this episode, authors Matt Alt  ( ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pure Invention: How Japan Made the Modern World⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ) and  Patrick Macias  ( ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TokyoScope: The Japanese Cult Film Companion⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ) continue their epic multi-part series on the THE ANIME THAT MADE THEM moving along with Matt's picks from the flannel waving, grunge soaked, TOTALLY EXTREME 1990S! ⁠⁠⁠⁠ FULL SHOW NOTES AND EARLY EPISODE...

In this episode, authors Matt Alt  ( ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pure Invention: How Japan Made the Modern World⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ) and  Patrick Macias  ( ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TokyoScope: The Japanese Cult Film Companion⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ) begin an epic multi-part series on the THE ANIME THAT MADE THEM starting with Matt's picks from the groovy 1960s, all the way to the "totally awesome" 1980s (as seen on Stranger Things)! ⁠⁠⁠ FULL S...

In this episode, authors Matt Alt  ( ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pure Invention: How Japan Made the Modern World⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ) and  Patrick Macias  ( ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TokyoScope: The Japanese Cult Film Companion⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ) scour the headlines from Japan and bring you the latest on the new Macross anime, the Shinjuku Robot Restaurant, and the Shakey's America Pizza Tour! ⁠⁠ FULL SHOW NOTES AND EARLY EPISODE DROPS AT OUR PATREON! ⁠⁠...

In this episode, authors Matt Alt  ( ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pure Invention: How Japan Made the Modern World⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ) and  Patrick Macias  ( ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TokyoScope: The Japanese Cult Film Companion⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ) scour the headlines from Japan and bring you the latest on the Godzilla Escape Room Game, the Alien vs. Predator anime, the Heisei retro craze, and the good news about the price of beer in Japan. ⁠ FULL SHOW NOTES AND E...

In this episode,  Matt Alt  ( ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pure Invention: How Japan Made the Modern World⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ) and  Patrick Macias  ( ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TokyoScope: The Japanese Cult Film Companion⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ) celebrate the one year anniversary of the podcast by reacting to the mind-melting Shin Universe Robo reveal, a combination mecha toy made up of Shin Godzilla, Shin Kamen Rider, Shin Ultraman, and Shin Evangelion! Plus, Patrick rev...

In this episode,  Matt Alt  ( ⁠⁠⁠⁠Pure Invention: How Japan Made the Modern World⁠⁠⁠⁠ ) and  Patrick Macias  ( ⁠⁠⁠⁠TokyoScope: The Japanese Cult Film Companion⁠⁠⁠⁠ ) go back to delivering weekly episodes of the podcast with an all-new fiesta of crazy stuff from Japan, including... NEWS Brazen, amateurish Tokyo heist highlights rising trend as Japan's gangs lure desperate youth into crime Guill...

In this episode,  Matt Alt  ( ⁠⁠⁠Pure Invention: How Japan Made the Modern World⁠⁠⁠ ) and  Patrick Macias  ( ⁠⁠⁠TokyoScope: The Japanese Cult Film Companion⁠⁠⁠ ) celebrate the return of Takeshi’s Castle and the upcoming film KUBI with a look at Takeshi Kitano’s (aka Beat Takeshi’s) favorite films of all time! They include: 1. Children of Paradise (Marcel Carne, 1945) 2. 2001: A Space Odyssey (Stan...

In this episode,  Matt Alt  ( ⁠⁠Pure Invention: How Japan Made the Modern World⁠⁠ ) and  Patrick Macias  ( ⁠⁠TokyoScope: The Japanese Cult Film Companion⁠⁠ ) put on their matching red and green plumber uniforms and discuss all things SUPER MARIO BROTHERS: the music, the movies, and the surprising connection to Japanese City Pop! NEWS ⁠ NEWS Explosive device thrown at Kishida could have been lethal...

In this episode,  Matt Alt  ( ⁠Pure Invention: How Japan Made the Modern World⁠ ) and  Patrick Macias  ( ⁠TokyoScope: The Japanese Cult Film Companion⁠ ) celebrate the life and music of Japanese composer RYUICHI SAKAMOTO of Y.M.O. and Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence fame, who passed away on March 28, far too soon , at the age of 71. NEWS Tokyu Kabukicho Tower Opens 4/14 Live-Action Getter Robo Movie...

In this episode,  Matt Alt  ( Pure Invention: How Japan Made the Modern World ) and  Patrick Macias  ( TokyoScope: The Japanese Cult Film Companion ) go sneakin' in the movies to see SHIN KAMEN RIDER, the newest flick from Hideaki Anno of Evangelion and Shin Godzilla fame. Expect a *spoiler free* film review along with a history lesson on the impact of the original 1971 Kamen Rider series! NEW...

In this episode, Matt Alt ( Pure Invention: How Japan Made the Modern World ) and Patrick Macias ( TokyoScope: The Japanese Cult Film Companion ) go over some of the controversies and moral panics surrounding manga over the years, including Devilman , Shameless School , Detective Conan , and the recent brouhaha over Barefoot Gen , a manga about the atomic bombing of Japan. NEWS Anime-inspired teen...

In this episode Matt Alt ( Pure Invention: How Japan Made the Modern World ) and Patrick Macias ( TokyoScope: The Japanese Cult Film Companion ) pay tribute to manga and anime legend Leiji Matsumoto (Yamato, 999, Harlock) who passed away this month at the age of 85. Join us as we set sail across the sea of stars in search of freedom and adventure! NEWS Spy balloon, UFO or Dragon Ball? Japan baffle...

In this episode Matt Alt ( Pure Invention: How Japan Made the Modern World ) and Patrick Macias ( TokyoScope: The Japanese Cult Film Companion ) report on their recent visit to the Winter edition of Wonderfest 2023: a mind-bending gauntlet of incredible kaiju garage kits, anime figures, and totally insane cosplay! NEWS Officials Confirm Suspicious Balloon Overflights of Japan, Won’t Say They Came...

In this episode Matt Alt ( Pure Invention: How Japan Made the Modern World ) and Patrick Macias ( TokyoScope: The Japanese Cult Film Companion ) celebrate the life and work of Shonen Magazine editor Shoji Otomo (1936-1973) who revolutionized pro-otaku culture with his vision of kaiju anatomy art!  NEWS Bomb and death threats faxed to universities and high schools across Japan Akihabara’s immi...

In the second part of our Year in Review, Matt Alt ( Pure Invention: How Japan Made the Modern World ) and Patrick Macias ( TokyoScope: The Japanese Cult Film Companion ) take one final look back at the highs and lows of life in Japan  from August to December 2022. Some rants about Makoto Shinkai and Studio Ghibli follow, as does the Shakey's Pizza theme song. NEWS Women selling their used ma...

It's a new year, but Matt Alt ( Pure Invention: How Japan Made the Modern World ) and Patrick Macias ( TokyoScope: The Japanese Cult Film Companion ) take one final look back at the highs and lows of life in Japan in 2022 from January to July. Some talk about Madballs and Shogun Warriors ensues. NEWS Series of burglaries target pricey Pokémon cards in Tokyo McDonald's Japan raises prices on 80% of...

It’s the most wonderful time of the year? Matt Alt ( Pure Invention: How Japan Made the Modern World ) and Patrick Macias ( TokyoScope: The Japanese Cult Film Companion ) take a break from weigh in on the pros and cons of surviving the 1-2 knockout punch of Christmas and New Years in Japan. Forecast calls for Machine Robo and KFC with a high chance of Chuck E. Cheese. NEWS Japan foreign arrivals i...

Matt Alt ( Pure Invention: How Japan Made the Modern World ) is back to co-hosting duties after a whirlwind trip away and Patrick Macias ( TokyoScope: The Japanese Cult Film Companion ) grills him about his recent tour of a strange country called....AMERICA! Much talk about collecting vintage Japanese toys and questionable sushi ensues! NEWS 'War' chosen as the kanji of the year for 2022 “Hentai”...

Matt Alt ( Pure Invention: How Japan Made the Modern World ) is off this week fighting the Rock Lords in America, so Patrick Macias ( TokyoScope: The Japanese Cult Film Companion ) presents a previously Patreon-only episode from 2020 featuring Dave Merrill on a Dante-esque like journey into the dark heart of late 20th century anime dork gatherings. Expect big detours into the weird old days of the...

This episode, Matt Alt ( Pure Invention: How Japan Made the Modern World ) and Patrick Macias ( TokyoScope: The Japanese Cult Film Companion ) jump into a photonic energy-powered time machine and take a trip back fifty years ago to survey the amazing state of Japanese pop culture in 1972!  NEWS KFC releases an Otaku Burger…in Spain?!? Pepsi releases a new cola in Japan specifically for karaag...

This episode, Matt Alt ( Pure Invention: How Japan Made the Modern World ) and Patrick Macias ( TokyoScope: The Japanese Cult Film Companion ) survey the fabulous wreckage of the Japan's government-backed Cool Japan Fund which is now teetering on its last legs after losing 30 billion yen .  NEWS 'Sonic the Hedgehog' creator Yuji Naka arrested over insider trading Machine Robo: Revenge of Cron...

This episode, Matt Alt ( Pure Invention: How Japan Made the Modern World ) and Patrick Macias ( TokyoScope: The Japanese Cult Film Companion ) review the new smash hit anime series CHAINSAW MAN and talk about its place in the pantheon of Japanese entertainment from the unstoppable SHONEN JUMP manga machine. NEWS  Netflix is getting ready to revive Gamera with Gamera: Rebirth Project "Mandarak...

Face front, True Believers! This episode, Matt Alt ( Pure Invention: How Japan Made the Modern World ) and Patrick Macias ( TokyoScope: The Japanese Cult Film Companion ) rewind the clock back to the year 2008 to revisit a pair of audio interviews with none other than Stan “The Man” Lee ! Topics include manga vs comics, Japanese Spider-Man, Godzilla, assorted Secret Origins, and lots more! Pow! Yo...

FEATURE As the Big G turns 68 years old, Matt Alt ( Pure Invention: How Japan Made the Modern World ) and Patrick Macias ( TokyoScope: The Japanese Cult Film Companion ) pay tribute to the King of the Monsters, GODZILLA, with a chat about the best films, the craziest collectables, and what the future may have in store for the Lizard King with a new film now in production in Japan! NEWS Japan’s Wor...