Free Choice: Anime and Manga

Pokemon Center Tokyo, a store that specializes in Pokemon paraphernalia.

Perhaps one of the more popular Japanese exports, alongside sushi, j-pop, and small cell phones, is anime and manga. Numerous countries have translated this Japanese form of media into their native languages in order to share and distribute it. There are also plenty of fan groups who are up to date in scanlating (scanning and translating manga) and subbing (adding subtitles to anime) for online communities. Nowadays, anime and manga have become a global phenomenon.

Of course there are differences between anime and manga versions of various countries. Many countries whose language reads left to right will often mirror the manga pages so that it reads like that country’s normal comic layout. Similarly, what Japanese considers appropriate for a certain age group, in particular for younger children, may not be the same as other countries’ censorship. For example, some companies will not only dub an anime but will also edit it to fit the desired audience for that country.

The explosive popularity of anime is partly due to the fact that many series appeal to a wide range of audiences. Whereas many cartoons in America are considered specifically for either children or adults, many anime series attract a range of audience age groups.

One example of a type of anime that appeals to numerous audiences is the shounen genre. Shounen, which can be translated as “young boy,” is aimed at male youths. These shows are usually action and/or adventure stories which follow a male character with whom the audience can sympathize and connect. While this may sound like simply another children’s cartoon, there is also an adult fan base for shounen anime, usually older women.

A store in Den Den Town, the anime and electronics center in Osaka.

The reason for this popularity with older women would be because of doujinshi, or fan comics. Many doujinshi are BL, or Boys Love, which depicts heterosexually portrayed male characters in anime and manga as participating in homosexual relationships. Many doujinshi are independent of the original manga creator. They are simply a way that fans can express their love for the works and to artistically show their desires of what would never actually happen in the series.

Free Choice: Meal Time

The act of eating is considered a bonding time in Japan. While many other countries partake in family meals, the Japanese culture has more regulations and customs concerning food. Family members usually sit around a table, either a Western style table with chairs or a Japanese low table with cushions, and share stories about their day or current events. This aspect is very similar to Western customs.

However, before and after a Japanese meal, you are expected to show your respect and appreciation for the food. Before eating, you say “itadakimasu,” which colloquially means “I gratefully receive.” This word is the humble expression of the verb “to recieve” (“morau”), which is used when describing your own actions in relation to someone of a higher position. Then once you finish eating, you say “gochisosama (deshita)” to signify “thank you for the food.” Families in the West may say prayers before a meal or informally thank the cook, but meals in Japan are seemingly more formal.

An average dinner made by my host mother: green tea, lo mein, soup, and sliced apples.

Compared to the Western style of eating course by course, during a Japanese meal, all of the food is brought out at once. The meal usually consists of one main dish, a fish or protein of some sort, and is surrounded by side dishes. These side dishes can range from rice, vegetables, soup, and so on. It is common practice to eat a little bit from each dish in some sort of order. As I quickly learned during my first few meals with my host family, my host mother thought I didn’t like a certain food if I completely ate one dish first, then moved onto another. Eating leisurely and balancing between eating dishes is an important key in Japanese dining etiquette.

Another meal by my host mother: green tea, fish, rice, soup, and vegetables with egg.

Of course knowing how to properly use chopsticks helps too. It is considered bad manners to share chopsticks. In the West, many people do not think twice about eating off another person’s offered fork. But in Japan, it’s better to place the offered food directly onto the other person’s plate. And if the main dish is noodles, don’t think twice about slurping. The louder you slurp, the more delicious you think the food is. That way you can show the chef your appreciation without even saying a word.