Well, you certainly don't want them to think the o...

2006-03-28T20:53:00.000-05:00

Well, you certainly don't want them to think the only reason you're interested in their culture is because of anime and manga ;> That's similar to people saying they love America because of our TV shows. While we can halfway understand that sentiment, we also tend to be amused that people feel that way. If you're trying to be considered an equal, you definitely don't want to give off an impression of "ignorance".

I even get a little snobby about it. When people ask me if I got interested in Japan because of anime, I always give them a definitive no.

(I'm actually not sure why I got interested in Japan. I had watched some anime, dubbed, on Cartoon Network and Sci-Fi. But I'm not sure that had much to do with my decision one day to take a Japanese culture course. I was looking for a direction in school, and chose things that sounded interesting. I never suspected at the start that I'd end up minoring in Japan Studies.)

I found my conclusions about Manga in Japan and in...

2006-03-28T20:06:00.000-05:00

I found my conclusions about Manga in Japan and in the West to be about the same. As a westerner, I've been told, its a taboo to even mention Manga and you in the same sentence. Mainly due to that the Japanese would look at you funny and label you (subconsciously or consciously) as "one of them". One of them being Akiba nerds at the tamest, outright ecchi otaku at the worst.

When I was in Japan, when the subject came up I was very "Japanese" about it. When my friend Chiho's cousin Hanako asked me about "manga" and "had I heard of it", I answered in a very Japanese, "Well, ya know, probably not though, it does sound a bit familiar." Which we all know is a blatant lie, but this tactic worked well and I seemed to gain favor in their eyes. Since I'm not "one of them" I was an "okay" foreigner I suppose. Or if they asked me "do you know this manga" or "do you know~" I usually answered no, or "it does sound familiar". I focused on my physical activities, my "going out" and such. This seemed very agreeable with them.

I feel kinda like I was lying about who i was, but in the end if it left a good impression with them, I guess I'm glad I was being witholding with them. I was probably the first foreigner they've come across face to face, living in their home for a couple of weeks. Probably the first mexican they came across. I already broke a few of the "gaijin do's and don'ts" with liking "umeboshi" and being "left-handed". I tried to leave the best impression I could, I don't know if I did well though.

Comments on p i x e l s c r i b b l e s: Well, this is interesting.

Well, you certainly don't want them to think the o...

I found my conclusions about Manga in Japan and in...