From Astro Boy to Gundam to real-world robots like ASIMO and Pepper, Japan’s fascination with robots runs deep. This week, the Krewe is joined by author, cultural commentator, & robot enthusiast Matt Alt to explore how robots became heroes instead of threats in Japanese pop culture and how those sci-fi dreams quietly shaped Japan’s modern relationship with technology, AI, and everyday automation. From giant mecha and cyborg icons to robot cafés and beyond, we dig into why Japan seems so comfortable living alongside machines in an episode that’s equal parts nostalgia, culture, and future tech.
------ About the Krewe ------
The Krewe of Japan Podcast is a weekly episodic podcast sponsored by the Japan Society of New Orleans. Check them out every Friday afternoon around noon CST on Apple, Google, Spotify, Amazon, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts. Want to share your experiences with the Krewe? Or perhaps you have ideas for episodes, feedback, comments, or questions? Let the Krewe know by e-mail at kreweofjapanpodcast@gmail.com or on social media (Twitter: @kreweofjapan, Instagram: @kreweofjapanpodcast, Facebook: Krewe of Japan Podcast Page, TikTok: @kreweofjapanpodcast, LinkedIn: Krewe of Japan LinkedIn Page, Blue Sky Social: @kreweofjapan.bsky.social, Threads: @kreweofjapanpodcast & the Krewe of Japan Youtube Channel). Until next time, enjoy!
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------ Matt Alt Links ------
Matt's Website
Pure Invention - Publisher's Page
Matt's Newsletter
Pure Tokyoscope Podcast
Matt on IG
------ Past Matt Alt Episodes ------
Akira Toriyama: Legacy of a Legend ft. Matt Alt (S5E3)
The History of Nintendo ft. Matt Alt (S4E18)
How Marvel Comics Changed Tokusatsu & Japan Forever ft Gene & Ted Pelc (Guest Host, Matt Alt) (S3E13)
Yokai: The Hauntings of Japan ft. Hiroko Yoda & Matt Alt (S2E5)
Why Japan ft. Matt Alt (S1E1)
------ Past KOJ Pop Culture Episodes ------
Enjoying Shojo Anime & Manga ft. Taryn of Manga Lela (S5E18)
The History & Evolution of Godzilla ft. Dr. William (Bill) Tsutsui (S5E1)
Thoughts on Godzilla Minus One ft. Dr. William (Bill) Tsutsui (S4Bonus)
Japanese Mascot Mania ft. Chris Carlier of Mondo Mascots (S4E8)
Tokusatsu Talk with a Super Sentai ft. Sotaro Yasuda aka GekiChopper (S4E6)
The Evolution of PokéMania ft Daniel Dockery [Part 2] (S4E3)
The Evolution of PokéMania ft Daniel Dockery [Part 1] (S4E2)
Japanese Independent Film Industry ft. Award Winning Director Eiji Uchida (S3E18)
Talking Shonen Anime Series ft. Kyle Hebert (S3E10)
Japanese Arcades (S2E16)
How to Watch Anime: Subbed vs. Dubbed ft. Dan Woren (S2E9)
Manga: Literature & An Art Form ft. Danica Davidson (S2E3)
The Fantastical World of Studio Ghibli ft. Steve Alpert (S2E1)
The Greatest Anime of All Time Pt. 3: Modern Day Anime (2010's-Present) (S1E18)
The Greatest Anime of All Time Pt. 2: The Golden Age (1990's-2010's) (S1E16)
The Greatest Anime of All Time Pt. 1: Nostalgia (60's-80's) (S1E5)
We Love Pokemon: Celebrating 25 Years (S1E3)
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