Author of Tokyo Stroll.
Retired librarian, occasional writer on things Japanese, otaku level obsessed on all Edo/Tokyo topics.
https://bookshop.org/shop/Gilles
One anime friend a guest on the podcast of another anime friend. Very interesting stuff.
"The Anime Nostalgia Podcast - ep 144: The Fangirl Diaries with Author Erica Victoria Espejo"
https://animenostalgia.blogspot.com/2025/06/the-anime-nostalgia-podcast-ep-144.html
Dweebs, Dorks, and Dictators: El-Hazard’s prescient political commentary
https://www.animefeminist.com/el-hazards-prescient-political-commentary/
Elon Musk's Trans Daughter Just Made Her Drag Debut At An Anti-ICE Fundraiser—And Fans Are Obsessed
Visas and Comic-Cons: Specific Strategies
https://cbldf.org/2025/06/visas-and-comic-cons-specific-strategies/
"Florida elementary school librarian Marie Masferrer, one of the subjects of the documentary The Librarians, screening Sat/21 as part of Frameline (tickets are at rush), thought the principal was on her side when it came to the subject of keeping books on the shelves for students to read despite pressure from the state.
That is, until the principal pulled several LGBT titles."
Bravery among the books: ‘The Librarians’ fight censorship
https://48hills.org/2025/06/bravery-among-the-books-the-librarians-fight-censorship/
I am re-reading Inspector Imanishi Investigates by Matsumoto Seichō, serialized in a newspaper from 1969 - 1961. This gives a view of a Japan that no longer exists. Part of what makes it interesting is that daily life was very different then. The main character is a homicide detective so he has a decent salary, he has a family, uses a public bath, has no phone at home, and takes public transit. Well public transit would still be the norm for a police detective today so that is not so different. I first read this about 30 years ago so the knowledge I now have concerning Japan, especially Tokyo locations, gives me a different perspective on the setting.
Speaking Up for the Right to Read: How to Craft School Board Speeches That Make an Impact in 30 Seconds to 3 Minutes
Japan to Lead Charge on International Rules for Space Debris Removal; U.K., N.Z., Developing Countries Eyed as Partners
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/science-nature/science/20250620-265126/
Knife, armor from Japan's largest ancient keyhole-shaped tomb found
https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20250619/p2g/00m/0na/041000c
There From the Beginning: An Interview with Anime Legend Masao Maruyama at Animazement 2025
Fight Censorship, Read Comics Fundraising Campaign Highlights 'The Most Banned Book in American Schools'
News from Japan:
"FTC punishes publishers for violating freelance law"
Visas and Comic-Cons: Free Speech and Paid Work
https://cbldf.org/2025/06/visas-and-comic-cons-free-speech-and-paid-work/
The Apothecary Diaries is one of my favorites among the currently running shows.
"The Apothecary Diaries Special"
If you are in the area patronize the businesses and show them your support
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/world/us-canada/20250616-264250/
Anime Pilgrimage and the Growing Worldwide Appeal of Personal Pilgrimage
by Asha Bardon, Jun 16th 2025
The Street Sliders / Baby I'm Really Down
An interview with me on KQSD that was done at FanimeCon 2025.
Meet Gilles Poitras, an Expert in the Realms of Anime and Manga
https://ksqd.org/meet-gilles-poitras-an-expert-in-the-realms-of-anime-and-manga/#gsc.tab=0
Guide: Where to read manga online LEGALLY?
https://www.comicsbeat.com/where-to-read-manga-online-legally/