Cool Japan: Games

■Cool Japan: Games

　NHK Cool Japan is a long-running BS program now in its 18th year. Foreigners discuss what is cool or not cool in Japan, and the discussion is multifaceted and deep, so there's no end to the topics.

Let me briefly introduce some of my brief comments as I participate once a month .

Game volume.

Do you remember the closing ceremony of the Rio Olympics, when former Prime Minister Abe appeared dressed as Mario? In an instant, the whole world understood what it was all about.

When you think of Japan, you think of games. They are the heart of Cool Japan.

"Game Center"

Arcades are making an effort.

When I was a kid, arcades were hangouts for delinquents.

But it's now a safe place where even children can gather.

They also developed services for seniors, and it became a place where elderly people could gather.

Moreover, they have developed cutting-edge technology and have introduced amazing gaming machines that allow online battles in high definition.

It is evolving in a way that is different from overseas.

"Game Commentary"

professional gamers compete against each other , attracting tens of thousands of people, and these tournaments now attract more viewers than the American football Super Bowl.

However, what's popular in Japan is not so much the kind of amazing professional entertainment, but more of a laid-back, fun type of entertainment that your kid next door might do.

You can make a living just by playing games and talking, which is very Japanese, I guess, or at least very suitable for hikikomori or otaku.

I think various genres will be born from this and evolve in unique ways.

" RPG"

In Japan, grown-ups play games.

When the global gaming industry first took off in the 1980s, it started with genres like action, sports, racing and shooting.

A short time later, RPGs were born in Japan.

Just like manga and anime, it is enjoyed not only by children but also by adults, so there was a demand for something with a story, drama, and depth.

I think it is an achievement for Japan to bring such cultures as character growth and saving the world into games.