With Pokemon Sword and Shield's Isle of Armor and Crown Tundra announced, I've been digging hard through the Direct despite being sick looking for any cultural inspirations I could find. And gang, between the new regions, Kubfu, Urshifu, and Calyrex, I think I hit the motherload! Saddle up gang, cause I think we're going to PokeChina!

Monster Hunter World Iceborne reintroduces everyone's favorite electric pupper to much delight and fanfare. But did you know the good boy Zinogre has roots in one of the most terrifying yokai in Japan?

Ever wonder why Kotoko Iwanaga of In/Specter lost her leg and eye? We got the answer to that as well as a MOUNTAIN of kappa and other yokai folklore in our analysis of the anime In/Specter episode 1!

From video games old and new, to anime, to even modern mainstream media, the tengu seems to be EVERYWHERE! But what exactly are these avian yokai and what makes them so popular? Today, we're looking at their history, their rise in popularity, AND WHY THEY AREN'T FREAKING GOBLINS!

In a post Critical Roll world, Dungeons and Dragons has EXPLODED as one of the most popular forms of streaming entertainment. And like all popular media, it got NINJAS! But how legit are they? Today, let me show you the historical origins that built one of the key cast from the hit D&D Stream/Podcast, Greckles from the Unexpectables!

With everything going on with viruses, shortages, and so on, people have been really down. So today, I want to talk to you about an adorable little virus fighting yokai that has taken Japanese social media by STORM, and why it's so important!

After FINALLY digging hard into Nioh 2, I've come to discover that the game's done a good number of these yokai dirty! Today, we're looking at 5 yokai monsters from this game to discover their benevolent, super chill cultural counterparts!

With the announcement of Nintendo's newest multiplayer ninja battle royal brawler Ninjala, a lot of you guys asked me my thoughts on it's portrayal of these so-called "ninjas". While there is a bunch I will eventually get to, there's just one thing that I can't stop thinking about. That goofy Ninja Gum... And why it actually could make so much sense...

With the Digimon Adventure anime getting a reboot in 2020 and the game Digimon Survive coming not much later, I thought it was about time we broke open the surprisingly deep cultural inspirations that gave Digimon it's form. Starting with the most famous (or infamous) of ALL Digimon, Renamon!

With the advent of Predator Hunting Grounds being released a few days back, a LOT of viewers have been wondering just how "ninja" is Predator? I mean, they have a lot of the same weapons and tactics as historical shinobi, but can that alone make them true sci-fi ninja?

Today, we're breaking into the deep lore that surrounds Tom Nook and Redd's ongoing rivalry in Animal Crossing. But this isn't the first time tanuki and kitsune fought. Turns out the origins of this brutal rivalry is over 1000 years old! So let's see how Nintendo interprets it!

Spirited Away ranks up as not only my favorite Ghibli movie, but favorite movie of all time. Not just because of its beauty and story, but because of the INSANE amounts of Japanese Shinto concepts that created the film. So today, I’m going all out to pick out EVERY SINGLE cultural inspiration Spirited Away pulls from Japan’s extensive folklore!

Last time we looked into building an authentic ninja in Dungeons and Dragons using different archtypes, abilities, spells, and items. But there really is only one samurai. From Xanthar's Guide to Everything. Today, I want to break down this fighter archtype and not only if D&D's samurai's design really reflects who and what samurai were, but how to actually BEHAVE like a samurai in game!

Monster Hunter has brought with it some pretty unique creatures, but in my opinion, none more unique than Shara Ishvalda from Monster Hunter World Iceborne. From monster design, to attacks and behaviors, to even every piece of armor and weapons you make from Shara Ishvalda's parts. ALL OF IT has tremendous roots in Buddhism! And we're breaking down EVERY LAST inspiration IN DETAIL!

With Ninjala on Nintendo Switch FINALLY out, it's time to make good on my promise to see just how "ninja" these bubble-blowing kids are! Are we dealing with actual shinobi or pre-teen pretenders?

Today we’re tearing back into Monster Hunter World Iceborn just in time for the Alatreon update! Last time, we looked into the Buddhist origins of Shara Ishvalda, but you’ll be amazed at just how much it’s arms and armor teaches about Buddhism from all over the world!

Prince Zuko is a lot of things in Avatar the Last Airbender. Skilled fire bender, master martial artist, possessing the best arc in the series... But what of his infiltration of the Northern Water Tribe? Lake Laogai? The Boiling Rock? The Southern Raiders? To celebrate the series 12th anniversary of completion, we're going to take TWO entire episodes to explain just how "by the book" Zuko is at being a Fire Nation Shinobi!

With the release of SMITE's newest member to the Japanese Pantheon Tsukuyomi, it's time we revisit the god brawling MOBA and better explain why the kami of the moon is one of the biggest ponces in Shinto. With Which Ninja episodes on Jin from Ghost of Tsushima and Zuko from Avatar coming soon!

Can the Ghost of Tsushima REALLY be called a ninja? Strap into my longest Which Ninja ever as I break down why Jin Sakai the samurai might be the best one in popular media!

At long last it's time to have one more look into Prince Zuko from Avatar, The Last Airbender to see just how textbook ninja he is in season 3! Is he a perfect shinobi? Or does he have his faults? These answers and many more might shock you!

It should come as no surprise that Ghost of Tsushima is my game of the year hands down. But it's more than just Ghost Jin being a true shinobi no mono. While I take a break for my birthday, let me show you all why Ghost of Tsushima is the perfect "Japanese" game!