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.

Ghost in the Shell, created by Masamune Shirow in 1989, is a popular anime and manga series that explores themes of cybernetics, artificial intelligence, and the nature of humanity.

Japan invaded Manchuria in 1931, which marked the beginning of its aggressive expansion in Asia prior to World War II.