The production hit a standstill during a pivotal scene involving a stylized battle. The director wanted the "big, expressive emotions" typical of anime, while the lead actor—a descendant of a famous Kabuki lineage—insisted on the subtle, mask-like restraint of his ancestors.

The Japanese entertainment industry succeeds because it offers an alternative to the Hollywood model. It provides a world where the supernatural is mundane, where technology is soulful, and where every piece of media—from a 15-second commercial to a 100-volume manga—is crafted with an obsessive attention to detail.

Perhaps the most visible facet of Japanese entertainment is the manga and anime industry. What began as local comic books has evolved into a multi-billion dollar global phenomenon.