The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, created by Nagaru Tanigawa in 2003, is a popular light novel series and anime that explores themes of existentialism, time travel, and alternate realities.

Karate, another martial art that originated in Japan, has also become a popular sport and is practiced by millions of people around the world.

The Showa period, which lasted from 1926 to 1989, was marked by Japan's militarism and involvement in World War II.