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Tobias Waters
Posts
Bara vs Yaoi: What’s the Difference, and Where Does BL Fit?
To the uninitiated, the differences between bara, yaoi, and Boys’ Love (BL) might seem indistinguishable. However, there are important nuances, not only in presentation but...
Hattenba in Japan: What These Gay Cruising Spaces Are — and What They Aren’t
A hattenba is, to put it briefly, Japanese slang for a gay cruising spot. It describes a place where gay, bisexual, pansexual, and all other...
Kagoshima Moves Toward Prefecture-Wide LGBTQ+ Partnership System
On 11 September, 2026, the Governor of Kagoshima Prefecture Koichi Shiota announced plans to consider introducing a prefecture-wide Partnership System for LGBTQ+ people. Speaking at...
Rainbow Festa Osaka 2026: Everything You Need to Know
Get ready for Tokyo Pride’s sister celebration in Osaka, Rainbow Festa! Tokyo and Osaka have enjoyed a friendly rivalry for hundreds of years. This extends...
Trans Man Akira Aramaki Makes History Running for Mayor of Fukuoka
On 3 September 2026, transgender man Akira Aramaki announced his candidacy for the mayoralty of Fukuoka, the largest city on the island of Kyushu. Running...
Green Yuri Manga Review: Why It Lives Up to the Hype
With distinctive visuals, charming characters, and a fantastic music motif, The Guy She Was Interested In Wasn’t a Guy At All is a blast to...
The History of Tokyo Pride: Protest, Party and Progress
The history of Pride is the history of a struggle. Following the example of the 1970 New York Pride Parade that marked the 1969 Stonewall...
What Is Kemono? Japan’s Furry Culture Explained
Kemono, literally the Japanese word for “beast” or “animal,” is now used by some as the Japanese equivalent of the furry subculture. It is more...
Tokyo’s Tsurumi Brats Make LGBTQ+ Rugby History at the Bingham Cup
The Tsurumi Brats, Tokyo’s inclusive rugby team, welcoming members of all genders and sexualities, is competing in the Bingham Cup. The Bingham Cup is similar...
Iga Mayor Receives Same-Sex Couple’s Marriage Filing, Pushes for Its Acceptance
On 4 August 2026 the Mayor of Iga City in Mie Prefecture personally received a marriage notification from a resident gay couple in the city....