contrary to expectations; or so we thought, but ...
root (of a plant); stump (of a tree); root (of a problem, etc.); base
brat; kid; urchin; preta; hungry ghost
(not) ever; (not) by any means; (not) in the least; (not) in any way; (not) at all
which reminds me ...; come to think of it ...; now that you mention it ...; on that subject ...; so, if you say ...
at any rate; anyhow; anyway; in any case; because; as you know
suddenly; at once; considerably; very much; firmly; with an effort
top recommendation; (something) highly recommended
friend; ally; supporter; taking sides with; supporting; standing by
to lose; to be defeated; to succumb; to give in; to be inferior to; to break out in a rash due to (e.g. lacquer, shaving, etc.)
(emotional) tension; anxiety; (highness of) spirits; (good) mood; tension; tensile strength
new book; new publication
corner; bend; segment (within a radio or TV program); session; area; department
stacking flat and face up (magazines, books, etc.)
to attract; to be used to
cell phone novel; literary work originally written on a cellular phone
to leak out; to escape; to find expression; to give vent; to leak out; to be divulged
news coverage; collecting data (e.g. for an article); covering (something for media); interview
Shibuya, a special ward in Tokyo
cruel; heartless; violent; intense; very bad; terrible
world; society; people; the public
arguments for and against; pros and cons; mixed reception; mixed reviews
to sell (well); to be well known; to be popular; to be famous
publicity; advertisement; advertising; propaganda
to take in one's hand; to pick up; to obtain
obi; kimono sash; paper wrapper on books, CDs, etc.; band; belt; cingulum
active duty; active service; student taking (university) entrance exams while still enrolled in school; student who passed their university entrance exams on the first try
truth; reality; truly; really; absolute truth
counter for parts, stages, installments, etc. (of a story, series, project, campaign, etc.); counter for bullets
television; TV; TV program; TV programme; TV broadcast
creator (of a work); author; writer; artist; composer; playwright
choice; selection; pickup (phonograph); stylus bar; pickup truck; pickup
calculating; sly; cunning; flirty; flirtatious
putting in an appearance; visiting; coming to the surface; appearing; showing one's face (in TV, social media, etc.)
photograph; photo; picture; moving picture; movie
publication (e.g. of an article in a newspaper); carrying (e.g. a story); running (e.g. a serial); insertion (e.g. of an advertisement); printing; posting (e.g. on the web)
interview (i.e. television, newspaper, etc.)
sale; offering for sale; release (for sale); launch (product)
text (of a book, document, etc.); body (of a letter); this passage; this sentence
opening to the public; making available to the public; putting on display; exhibiting; showing (play, movie, etc.); holding (interview, etc.)
word of mouth; comments written online (about a product, service, etc.); online reviews
what's the matter?; what's wrong?
in a daze; absent-mindedly; dimly; hazily; with a roar (of flames); with a whoosh
sentiment; sentimentality