2024 movie My Hero Academia (僕のヒーローアカデミア THE MOVIE ユア ネクスト) remains in Pittsburgh through October 23.

The 2024 Japanese animated movie My Hero Academia (僕のヒーローアカデミア THE MOVIE ユア ネクスト), which opened in Pittsburgh on October 10, will remain here through at least October 23.

Izuku Midoriya, a U.A. High School student who aspires to be the best hero he can be, confronts the villain who imitates the hero he once admired.

It plays locally at the AMC Loews Waterfront and the Cinemark theaters in McCandless and Robinson, and tickets are available online. Please note, some shows are dubbed in English while others are in Japanese with English subtitles.

Miniso coming soon to The Mall at Robinson.

Chinese chain Miniso, "a Japanese-inspired lifestyle product retailer offering high-quality household goods, cosmetics, and food at affordable prices," is coming soon to The Mall at Robinson. The mall's social media teased this in August, and the retailer is currently hiring staff. The international chain arrived to western Pennsylvania in June with is Greensburg location, and looks to be opening this suburban Pittsburgh location later this year or early next.

MINISO is based on three core principles. Affordable high quality: guides our decisions from design to materials. Joy: the response our customers experience while in our stores. Lighthearted: the relaxed and happy feeling when encountering the large variety of goods available.
MINISO has collaborated with world-famous brands including Coca Cola, Marvel, Hello Kitty, Sesame Street, Mickey and Minnie, Pink Panther, We Bare Bears and Beijing’s Palace Museum, releasing playful crossover products that have been hugely popular with our young shoppers.

Miniso has been described as a "Japanese Hot Topic" or a "Chinese Five Below" and seems to specialize in kawaii products, plushies, Japanese snacks, and various Disney and Sanrio branded products, as well as other Asian products. This is the third Miniso location coming soon to the area, after South Hills Village Mall and Greensburg Mall.

via miniso-us.com

Screening of Japan Documentary Film Award winner Fists and Prayers (拳と祈り ー袴田巖の生涯ー) with award presentation, October 23.

The Chiaki Kasai documentary Fists and Prayers (拳と祈り ー袴田巖の生涯ー) was named the Japan Documentary Film Award winner from the Japan Council of the University of Pittsburgh and SCREENSHOT: Asia. A screening of the film and a presentation of the award to director Kasai is scheduled for October 23 in Oakland.

The Japan Council of the University of Pittsburgh and SCREENSHOT: Asia are excited to announce the winner of our 4th biennial Japan Documentary Film Award. Congratulations to Chiaki Kasai and her film FISTS AND PRAYERS. FISTS AND PRAYERS explores the incarceration of ex-boxer Iwao Hakamada, who was unjustly sentenced to death for murder and suffered extreme mental anguish while on death row. FISTS AND PRAYERS is a fascinating examination of the physical toll of Japan's justice system and incarceration, as well as resilience of the human spirit.

The event is scheduled for 7:00 pm at the Carnegie Museum of Art. THe JDFA's official site provides an overview of the award:

The Japan Council of the University of Pittsburgh and SCREENSHOT: ASIA invites submissions every two years for its Japan Documentary Film Award. This biennial prize is awarded to one exemplary documentary film promoting the understanding of Japan and Japanese culture. The documentary should tell us something interesting about Japan and/or speak to Japanese culture, history, social phenomena, practices, or events.The award is available to feature-length films from all countries, and in all languages.

Comedian Atsuko Okatsuka in Pittsburgh, November 2.

Comedian Atsuko Okatsuka will perform in Pittsburgh on November 2.

Atsuko is growner than ever, having figured everything out from doing laundry to charcuterie platters to her relationship with her father. No notes or tweaks needed, she's a perfect human!!

ATSUKO OKATSUKA is a stand-up comedian, actor, and writer based in LA. Atsuko was born in Taiwan and spent her childhood in Japan. Her debut standup special, THE INTRUDER – directed by Tig Notaro premiered on HBO, December 2022 and was named the "Best Debut Special of 2022" by the New York Times and one of the "Best Specials of 2022" by Vulture and Variety. She won the 2023 Gracie Award for "Best Special" and Atsuko was nominated for "Best Comedian" by the Wowie Awards. She was named one of Variety’s 10 Comics to Watch for 2022, and when she made her late-night stand-up debut on THE LATE LATE SHOW WITH JAMES CORDEN, Vulture proclaimed she “won late-night.” She has performed to sold-out crowds all over North America on her 2023 theater tour, FULL GROWN, which she will be taking to Europe, Asia and Australia/NZ in 2024.

Atsuko is currently developing a half hour comedy series based on her life with FX. Her on-screen credits include HISTORY OF THE WORLD PT. II (Hulu), ROOM 104 (HBO), and THE SHOW NEXT DOOR WITH RANDALL PARK (ROKU+). Atsuko was recently featured on THIS AMERICAN LIFE with Ira Glass and told the story of how she got to the USA. She was raised by her grandmother, and they created the #DropChallenge together which has amassed more than 10 million views. Her unique upbringing brings an artfully-offbeat resilient persona which is perfectly embodied in her blunt bangs and bowl cut.

The performance is at the Byham Theater in downtown's Cultural District (map) and tickets for the 7:00 pm show are available online.

"Global Partnership: A New Frontier of Japan-US Relationship with Ambassador Mikio Mori," October 17 at University of Pittsburgh.

The Asian Studies Center at the University of Pittsburgh will present "Global Partnership: A New Frontier of Japan-US Relationship with Ambassador Mikio Mori" on October 17.

“The U.S.-Japan Alliance has reached unprecedented heights “. This was clearly stated in the Joint Leaders Statement released this past April. Cooperation between the two countries has never been so necessary, not only from bi-lateral perspective, but also from global point of view. Ukrainian crisis, the situation in Middle East, successive missile launches by North Korea, unilateral attempts to change the status quo - these are all urgent issues that must be addressed by Japan and the United States.

Interestingly enough, the strong Japan-U.S. relationship has taken a unique path in history. Guest speaker, Ambassador Mikio Mori, will provide reflections/perspective on how it has changed/grown/deepened since his first appointment as consul in New York in the 1980s, at the height of Japan-bashing and Japan-U.S. trade frictions, to his third and present assignment to New York as Consul General.

Now, Japan has a new prime minister. The United States is also preparing for a presidential election. From the perspective of professional diplomat who has been watching Japan-U.S. relations for more than 30 years, Ambassador Mori will talk about the his outlook for the future of Japan-U.S. relations, and invites future global leaders at Pittsburg to reflect upon these thoughts in their research and career planning, which we hope will contribute to the continued vitality and strength of Japan-U.S. relations.

The event starts at 3:30 pm in Ballroom A of the University Club (map).

Ramen King 2 now open in the North Hills.

Ramen King 2 is now open in the North Hills. It carries the "2" in its name, as the original Ramen King opened in Canonsburg in October 2022. Ramen King (2) is located in the McIntyre Square shopping center, next to Gabe's, off McKnight Road (map). Signage went up back in August.

Free beginner-level Chinese courses at Carnegie Library - East Liberty, Saturdays through November 16.

via Khun Hans Photography (Creative Commons)

The Carnegie Library in East Liberty will host "We Learn: Beginner-Level Chinese Language" courses Saturdays through November 16. (The classes actually started on September 28).

Welcome to the Chinese language learning circle! This is a beginner-level class, so you do not need to have any prior experience with the language. We will be learning basic spoken Mandarin and possibly some very basic written Chinese if there is enough interest.

My name is Kevin and I will be facilitating this language circle. I am not a native Chinese speaker but I have been studying the language for several years so I am familiar with the difficulties that learners face. Chinese is not an easy language, so you should not expect to become an expert after just a few weeks, but I hope this learning circle will provide a good foundation that you can continue to build on if you choose to continue studying.

Registration can be completed online. The classes start at 3:00 pm and the library is located at 130 S. Whitfield St. (map).

"World Music: HarmoniZing Ensemble ft. Yang Jin," November 13 at Alphabet City.

City of Asylum wil present "World Music: HarmoniZing Ensemble ft. Yang Jin" on November 17.

This fall, we welcome back the HarmoniZing Ensemble, directed by pipa performer Yang Jin, for a concert featuring musicians from different cultures. In constant pursuit of their mission to “nurture cross-cultural understanding through the arts,” the members of HarmoniZing see bright spaces in the interaction between different cultures. In our current world of divisions, they believe collaboration between musicians of different cultures is an effective tool to promote mutual trust, respect and healing. They posit that in music, there are absolutely no cultural, religious, and political boundaries.

About the Artist:

Yang Jin is a leading Pipa soloist of her generation. She graduated from the world-renowned Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing with distinguished honors for her master’s degree. In 2004, she won the Silver Award in the most prestigious Chinese Golden Bell Award for Music. As a collaborating musician of Yo-Yo Ma’s Silk Road Ensemble, she joined the Great music epic “Layla and Majnun” world tour in 2016. Jin is an instructor of the University of Delaware Master Players Concert & Festival and a judge of the Hummingbird International Music Festival & Competition at Eastman School of Music. She is also a pipa graduate instructor at the University of Central Oklahoma, Bard College, and the featured pipa performer of the 2020 Tucson Winter Chamber Music Festival. Her performance vivifies contrarieties of sentiments and inspires magnificent imaginations. Since 2024, Jin has been a founding member and the president of the Chinese Musicians Association of North America.

The event runs from 7:00 to 8:30 pm both in-person at Alphabet City on the Northside (map) and online via livestream; free tickets for each are available online.

Korean Cooking Class: Flower Kimbap, with Jeonghee Choi from Yega Kimchi, October 30.

The East End Food Co-op will host "Korean Cooking Class: Flower Kimbap, with Jeonghee Choi from Yega Kimchi" on October 30.

Learn to make flower kimbap, a fun variation of a classic Korean dish. Similar to a sushi roll, you’ll learn how the two dishes differ, as well as other interesting facts about Korean cuisine. Participants will make their own to eat and/or take home and share (vegetarian/vegan).

It runs from 6 to 8:00 pm, and is $20 for East End Food Co-op members and $25 for non-members. The East End Food Co-op is located at 7516 Meade St. in Point Breeze (map).

Japan Association of Greater Pittsburgh (ピッツバーグ日本協会) recruiting members for 2025 with special offers.

The Japan Association of Greater Pittsburgh (ピッツバーグ日本協会) is recruiting new and renewing members with special offers. Those who join or renew now will enjoy membership for the remainder of 2024 in addition to the 2025 calendar year, and will receive discounts on JAGP interest groups. Benefits of the JAGP include a discount on event fees, participation in online communities and a members' mailing list, subsidies for interest groups and clubs, and rental of Japanese items (including books, manga, and other goods. The text of the Japanese-language announcement:

ピッツバーグ日本協会から、新会員募集のお知らせです。 当協会は、ピッツバーグ近郊の方々の交流促進や地域への文化的貢献を目的に活動しています。新年会やピクニックなどの交流イベントのほか、備品の貸し出し、情報提供サービスなど、多彩な活動を展開しています。 会員になると、イベントの参加費割引や会員限定サービスを受けることができます。ピッツバーグでの生活をより豊かにするために、是非ご入会をご検討ください。 入会は年間を通じて受け付けておりますが、この10月に入会されると更にメリットがあります！ 10月以降に新規で入会された方は、通常1月～12月分の年会費が来年12月末まで延長されます。 ※新規入会者のみ対象、再入会の方は対象外。 2024年10月は「同好会メンバー勧誘キャンペーン期間」として、日本協会への入会と同時に同好会メンバーになると、年会費が5ドル割引されます。※詳細は別途メールいたします。 今ご入会いただくと、10/20(日)に開催予定の総会（オンライン）にもご参加いただけます。昨年度の活動報告や今後の活動計画の審議が行われる予定です。 是非、この機会にご入会をご検討ください。

And English-language text from the announcement:

The Japan Association of Greater Pittsburgh (JAGP) organizes events and online community that provide opportunities for people in the Pittsburgh area to get to know each other, and provides useful information. We hope you will join us for a more fulfilling life in Pittsburgh.