The Story Why everyone's going to Japan
Mar 28, 2025
Matt Alt, a Tokyo-based translator and writer, explores how Japan's 'kidult' culture emerged amid economic turmoil, allowing adults to connect with their childhood interests. He discusses how this trend has shifted perceptions of adulthood in the West, especially for millennials and Gen Z. The conversation highlights the rise of anime and gaming as mainstream escapes and cultural influences on Western society. Alt reflects on how nostalgia for Japanese pop culture offers comfort and identity, showing that the intersection of youthful passions and adulthood is more relevant than ever.
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
1 2 3 4 5 6
Intro
00:00 • 2min
Embracing Kidult Culture: From Japan to the West
02:05 • 12min
Japan's Lost Decades: From Tigers to Trends
14:03 • 8min
The Rise of 'Kidult' Culture in Anime and Gaming
21:36 • 6min
The Cultural Embrace of Japanese Influence
27:42 • 8min
The Cultural Influence of Japan on Western 'Kidults'
36:02 • 2min
