Japanorama!

Years ago, like 6 years ago (in Sweden that is) a TV show aired that was called "Japanorama". It is a British show hosted by Jonathan Ross of BBC fame, Ross is a huge fan of all things Japanese and he uses the show to show just what is it that makes Japan so special.

Japanorama is a 3 season show that ran in 2002, 2006 and 2007 on BBC Three and BBC Choice and have had much praise for the care the BBC and Ross took in the making of it.

Each episode takes up a theme with everything from Samurai to Otaku and Kawaii. Ross meets with important persons in each of the subject he address and you get to hear the views, visions and ideas by people like Hayao Miyazaki (Studio Ghibli) and Mamoru Oshii (Ghost in the Shell).

The episode known as Otaku takes up the way that people in Japan view Otakus and also what it truly stands for. It is an interesting view of the fan-culture of Japan.

In the episode Gaijin they take up the subject of foreigners and outcasts in the Japanese society and how they are treated. This part shows the sometimes extremely narrow minded and racist society they can be, but also the way the Japanese youths strive to get away from those things.

It also have a segment that follow a UK band as they do their first tour in Japan and also the Etiquette School, which teaches you things like the correct way to open doors and the proper way to hold your chopsticks.

I can really recommend checking out this show even if it's a bit dated by now. It has interesting information about the people, the society and the popular culture of Japan.