Kazuko Otsuka

Freelance model and writer by day and gamer by night- Kazuko is passionate about whatever she does. If she's not on her computer playing video games, you'll find her in bed catching up on sleep. Born to a Japanese father and a Filipino mother, Kazuko's experience growing up with different cultures helped shape her love for everything Japanese. While living in the Philippines, Kazuko enjoyed delicious Japanese food cooked by her dad, a sushi chef. Now, Kazuko is traveling the world, learning all about other people and their unique cultures!

An illustration of four anime style girls, each in a different color of shirt and hair (blonde, light brown/pinkish, brown, light blue).

The 15 Best Harem Manga To Fantasize Over

April 13, 2022 by Kazuko Otsuka

A popular genre in Japanese media is having one male protagonist surrounded by a sea of beautiful women; a harem, yes, you’ve guessed correctly. Generally, a harem refers to one guy and multiple girls, while a reverse harem is one girl and numerous men. Japanese authors continue to dish out new harem series because of … Read more

An illustration of a Japanese samurai in a brown outfit with a large round hat, standing in the middle of a green field with samurai swords sticking out of the ground around him. Brown particles that appear to be leaves are seen falling from the sky.

The 15 Best Samurai Manga That Cuts Deep

April 11, 2022March 24, 2022 by Kazuko Otsuka

One of the best ways to learn about feudal Japan and periods such as Edo and Meiji is through the eyes of a samurai. What comes to mind when you hear the word samurai? For most, it’s probably a swordsman wearing a kimono with their hair combed neatly into a tight ponytail. Until today, many … Read more

An illustration of a girl wearing a red skirt/top with grey stockings. She has dirty blonde hair and is in a forest area with trees and plants, and also concrete looking structures.

The 10 Best Josei Manga You’ll Never Forget

April 11, 2022March 10, 2022 by Kazuko Otsuka

If you’re burnt out from the unrealistic romances of shoujo manga where a meek high school girl falls for the resident bad boy, maybe it’s time to give josei manga a try. The term josei translates to “young woman,” hence these comics cater to older women’s interests. Josei manga touches on more mature topics that shoujo mangas can’t. A manga in this demographic portrays realistic … Read more

An illustration of a boy sitting on the ground in front of a closet in what appears to be a abandoned building. The doors on the closet are slightly open, with many hands reaching out of it, with the inside of the closet glowing red orange.

The 15 Best Vampire Manga To Take A Bite Out Of

January 26, 2022 by Kazuko Otsuka

Once in a blue moon, we find ourselves in the mood for this particular genre- immortal vampires draining the life of their helpless victims. It’s hard to resist the mysterious yet captivating presence of the vampires. That’s why you’re here, right? If you’ve stumbled across or purposefully searched for this list, you’ve come to the … Read more

An illustration of Japanese food on plates on a table. There is sashimi, sushi, okonomiyaki, curry and rice, tonkatsu, rice balls, ramen, and soup in bowls with sauces on a table.

The 10 Best Cooking Manga That Will Make You Hungry

January 13, 2022 by Kazuko Otsuka

You can understand a lot about a nation’s roots and history through their cuisine. In Japan, cooking is considered an art form; it is handled and served with utmost finesse. Because food plays such a vital role in Japanese culture, you’ll see traces of it in their popular media like manga and anime. Whether you’re … Read more

A silhouette of a young Asian man and woman in each other's arms looking at each other. In the background is a body of water and lights on a bridge.

The 15 Best Japanese Romance Movies You Need To Watch

January 2, 2022 by Kazuko Otsuka

Japanese romance movies are an excellent watch for days you want to relive your high school romantic escapades underneath cherry blossoms. Or maybe you just want to have a good cry watching a heart-warming (or heart-wrenching) drama. We’ve compiled the best Japanese romance movies of all time for you to enjoy. This list has something … Read more

An illustration of many books flying through space like asteroids, with a young boy standing on an open book and flying through the books.

The 15 Best Beginner Manga to Start Your Addiction

December 15, 2021December 8, 2021 by Kazuko Otsuka

Diving into the vast world of manga, or Japanese comic books, is an exciting adventure. If you are new to manga and are wondering which title to choose, you’ve come to the right place. This list features the 15 best manga for beginners, with many different genres for everyone to enjoy. If you’re looking for … Read more

A young Asian man and woman sitting down next to each other at a bar counter holding wine/champagne glasses, talking in the background. Another young Asian female is seen in the foreground standing and holding a wine/champagne glass, looking at a male (whose back is facing the camera) who is also holding a wine/champagne glass.

The Best Japanese Pick-Up Lines You Need to Remember

November 6, 2021 by Kazuko Otsuka

Are you finally ready to leave your 2-D waifu or husbando and enter into the 3-D dating scene in Japan? Dating in Japan is quite different compared to western standards, and if you venture into the scene unarmed, you’ll probably fail your mission. The Japanese are conservative and generally keep to themselves. That’s why it … Read more

A close-up of a man and woman embracing while sitting on a beach with the ocean and sunset in the background. The phone is taken from behind the couple.

The 20 Best Japanese Dramas of All Time

November 25, 2021October 24, 2021 by Kazuko Otsuka

Have you watched a show that just captivated you? Whether it was an iconic anime, manga, or drama that got you hooked on the very first episode, you’re always left wanting more; it’s an addiction. Over the years, Japan has produced superb dramas that have captivated audiences worldwide. We’ll share with you the best 20 … Read more