If you want to get into it:
Kawaii, or "cuteness," is a fundamental aspect of Japanese pop culture. It encompasses a range of aesthetics, from adorable characters to sugary sweet music and fashion. Kawaii culture has its roots in Japan's post-war period, when the country's economy was experiencing rapid growth and consumer culture was on the rise. The concept of kawaii has since evolved to become a key driver of the Japanese entertainment industry, with kawaii characters, such as Hello Kitty and Rilakkuma, becoming beloved by fans worldwide.
: The use of AI and immersive tech is becoming standard for storytelling and fan engagement.
Japan seamlessly blends analog and digital. Live concerts still use penlights ( king-blades ) while simultaneously implementing AR. The pandemic accelerated virtual concerts (e.g., Hololive VTuber shows selling 500k digital tickets).