昭和時代
Showa
1926 - 1989
Overview
The longest reign of any Japanese emperor, spanning militarism, World War II, devastating defeat, and miraculous economic recovery. Japan transformed from an empire to a pacifist democracy and global economic power.
Significance
The trauma of war and atomic bombing, followed by reconstruction and the 'Japanese economic miracle.' Pop culture industries (manga, anime, games) were born during this era.
Yokai Context
Post-war Japan saw a yokai revival through manga. Shigeru Mizuki, a war veteran who lost his arm, created GeGeGe no Kitaro (1960s), reintroducing yokai to modern audiences. Atomic fears created new 'urban legend' yokai.
Key Events
Godzilla Debuts
The first Godzilla film is released, inspired by nuclear anxieties.
Shigeru Mizuki's GeGeGe no Kitaro
Manga artist Shigeru Mizuki begins serializing his yokai manga, later adapted into anime multiple times.