Fans of the Japanese pop culture are finding connection and love through a common interest. Bookstore owners say the trend has had staying power, and more people are taking Japanese language classes.

In fact, there's an entire genre of anime known as "iyashikei," meaning "healing," referring to anime meant to have a soothing effect on viewers. These series make up for what they lack in conflict ...

You can turn to many places in fiction to indulge this fantasy — particularly anime, where the limit on these sorts of gestures truly knows no bounds. They go big and bold (we’re talking saving the ...