Chaberi.com

Just saw this website after googling 「チャット」. It’s a pun off of 「喋り」(shaberi) and CHATTO.

These Japanese third year middle schoolers (equivalent to high school freshman in America) are kind of interesting XD

Anime and Manga Stereotypes: For Those Who Don’t Know About Anime and Manga Beyond Gundam, Naruto, Dragonball Z, and Pokemon.

Too many times I have heard these stereotypes and a general looked-down-upon reaction to anime and manga. Chances are, those people who think that way probably never paid any attention to anime/manga (I will now refer to anime/manga as just anime).

I’m not trying to say that the shows listed in the title of this post are bad. However, there is a general stereotype in the United States that anime is all about the fighting, the gore, the robots in space, and general sci-fi. However, the majority (I can easily say that it’s more than 90%) aren’t. Maybe this shows USA’s demand. Hmm.

My reason for why this is is that people may only know about one or two anime series. Then they try to describe the entire world of anime with just the impressions of Dragonball or Pokemon. This is clearly wrong. The ones who do have the right to judge anime would have to have watched more than just Naruto.

The following list is ordered from “closest” to “farthest” from USA (in my opinion).

1. Pokemon, Yu-Gi-Oh, Dragonball Z, Naruto
2. One Piece, Bleach, Gundam, Inuyasha, Full Metal Alchemist
3. Death Note, Love Hina, .hack, Ouran High School Host Club, Initial D
   
4. Shaman King, D. Gray-man, D.N.Angel, Cowboy Bebop
5. The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, Lucky Star
6. Hayate no Gotoku!, Azumanga Daiou, NANA, AIR, Kanon, Clannad
7. Nagasarete Airantou, Elemental Gelade, Karin, Rosen Maiden, Tsuyokiss, Zero no Tsukaima

You should recognize less and less names as you go down the list. Most people who have these stereotypes know little or nothing about anime. Heck, they probably only recognize a few from the first row.

Anime isn’t just about the blood and gore, nor is it just about overused romance plot themes. Watching anime does not make you immature or a kid (maybe it would if you watched anime aimed for around 8-10 year-olds such as Naruto; but even that doesn’t matter).

Rather, I would ask you to pick a title such as Death Note, The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, Clannad, Bleach, Lucky Star, and/or Ouran High School Host Club.

So set aside the stereotypes and get to know the heart of anime–character development, the meaning, the happiness, feelings, and love. The characters have real personalities. They aren’t blood-hungry mech-piloting fighters.

Japanese Influence on America

I just thought of this and decided to write about it.

Japanese culture has greatly influenced its neighboring countries such as China, Taiwan, and Korea. But it reaches farther than that.

Ahh yes, the USA. Thousands of miles away. (Though it probably doesn’t matter a lot, since the Japan is literally a click away from America by way of the internet.)

Influences include:

1. Anime
2. Cosplay
3. Drifting races
4. Language
5. Manga
6. Toys
7. Video games
8. Action figures
9. J-pop
10. Food (especially sushi)
11. Etc.

Ahah. I love anime/manga. I’ve never cosplayed before, but I would like to :]

Sushi. I need real sushi! Not those weird California rolls or whatever [insert country] rolls. The futomaki rolls at Las Vegas aren’t really futomaki rolls, lol. But there are real Japanese restaurants.

And why do so many people hate wasabi? And sashimi? Well, of course, it’s a matter of opinion. Mmm, ikura-don.

And the language. Japanese influence on anime/manga lovers (otaku!) never fails to amaze me. A conversation might sound like this:

“Kimberly-chaaaaaaan!”

“Oh, if it isn’t Joyce-chan!”

Annoying “chan” people..lol. Also, people start saying “kawaii” instead of “cute” (like I do, lol).

Nintendo. Da Wii!

Oh, and pop singers. My favorite song (at least right now) is “It’s Happy Line” by Yui! yay