Paula Gerhold – SoraNews24 —Japan News— https://soranews24.com Bringing you yesterday's news from Japan and Asia, today. Sat, 28 Sep 2013 17:29:29 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.1.4 https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/05/en_rocket_1024.png?w=32 Paula Gerhold – SoraNews24 —Japan News— https://soranews24.com 32 32 176746664 Bootleg food, cars, and movie characters: The diverse world of Korean knock-offs of Japanese products https://soranews24.com/2013/09/29/bootleg-food-cars-and-movie-characters-the-diverse-world-of-korean-knock-offs-of-japanese-products/ https://soranews24.com/2013/09/29/bootleg-food-cars-and-movie-characters-the-diverse-world-of-korean-knock-offs-of-japanese-products/#comments Sun, 29 Sep 2013 09:00:19 +0000 http://en.rocketnews24.com/?p=89858 
It has been suggested that there are no more original ideas in the world anymore, that every thought or invention has already been considered by someone before. Whether you believe this particularly pessimistic theory or not, the line between coming up with the same idea and “borrowing” one from someone else may not be quite as blurry as you may think.
Japan, like many other countries, is no stranger to cheap knock-offs of its products circulating in the global market. China is most commonly under fire for making bootleg Japanese merchandise to sell in their own country. However, today’s featured product pakuri (slang for “rip off” or “steal”) comes from Japan’s next door neighbor, Korea. The following are a bunch of slightly “modified” products sold in Korea that are liberally inspired by their original Japanese counterparts.
There isn’t a country in the world that doesn’t love snacks, but some of these food brands might look a bit familiar to people who have visited the land of the rising sun. After all, chocolate mushrooms and candy coated sticks aren’t exactly what you’d call common snack foods. Take a look at the old lady on the cracker packaging to the bottom left. She seems to have given up her quiet life of tea-drinking to make soup in Korea.
▼ Maybe at least change the packaging a little next time, okay guys?
▼ Reach for the sky! You’ve been caught red handed!
Sometimes it’s hard to fault car designs for looking similar, since they are all made up of the same basic components. But even a layman like me is seeing double in some of these shots.
▼ Is mine that silver one, or the silver one right next to it?
Cars aren’t the only mode of transportation that may have seen a bit of Korean remodeling. Just look at the paint jobs on the Honda and Yamuda motorcycles.
▼ When Yamaha and Honda collide!
Japan is famous for its electronics, but that doesn’t seem to stop Korea from wanting to catch up. Someone seems to have cloned ASIMO.
▼ Nice to meet you, but haven’t I seen you somewhere before?
Even musical artists aren’t completely immune from a bit of identity theft. GLAY made playing with an incandescent light bulb look so fun that this Korean artist decided to try it, too.
▼ Perhaps one could make an argument for who rocks it harder?
You’d think that stealing the network symbol for Nippon TV might be crossing a line somewhere, but apparently not. Just flip the little piggy on its side and you’ve got a whole new character, Bobos!
▼ Cute, but this might be what they meant by the art style “super deformed.”
Fukuoka’s signature omiyage souvenir pastry, Hiyoko, now has a slightly more smashed version for Korean tourists to buy without the hassle of crossing an ocean.
▼ Somehow, it still manages to look like it was shoved into a suitcase.
TV and manga characters tend to make appearances on some unofficial merchandise, as well. Did Astro Boy ever travel to Korea?
▼ Maybe this runner is just a die-hard fan?
And last, but not least, what could be more iconic than the original Japanese monster movie, Godzilla!… So who is this miniature version hanging out on Korean TV? Perhaps the Sea of Japan, which is next to Korea, wasn’t exposed to as much radiation as Godzilla’s stomping ground in the Pacific?
▼ Korean Godzilla needs to eat more trains if he wants to grow up big and strong.
They say that imitation is the highest form of flattery, but something tells me that Japan may have preferred that Korea came up with its own ideas instead of relying on Japanese “inspiration.”
Source: ThaiLog
]]> https://soranews24.com/2013/09/29/bootleg-food-cars-and-movie-characters-the-diverse-world-of-korean-knock-offs-of-japanese-products/feed/ 0 89858 kankoku_06 kankoku_01 kankoku_02 kankoku_04 kankoku_05 kankoku_03 kankoku_10 kankoku_08 kankoku_09 kankoku_07 All-you-can-eat cookies!!! Aunt Stella’s cookie buffet opens in Ikebukuro Station https://soranews24.com/2013/09/27/all-you-can-eat-cookies-aunt-stellas-cookie-buffet-opens-in-ikebukuro-station/ https://soranews24.com/2013/09/27/all-you-can-eat-cookies-aunt-stellas-cookie-buffet-opens-in-ikebukuro-station/#comments Fri, 27 Sep 2013 04:00:19 +0000 http://en.rocketnews24.com/?p=89399 
Japan is wild about dessert cafes and pastry shops. From donuts to pretzels to cakes, the nation’s sweet-tooth knows no bounds, and you’ll find baked sugary treats almost anywhere in the city. “So what makes this new store special?” you ask. Well, it’s not your typical sweet shop, but in fact an all-you-can-eat cookie buffet!
This Wednesday, a new location for the popular dessert chain Aunt Stella’s Cookies opened up in Tokyo’s Ikebukuro. And Aunt Stella has cooked up a bunch of tasty specials to celebrate the move!
Located near the Yurakucho train line on the south side of Ikebukuro Station is the Esola shopping complex. As of September 25, it’s Aunt Stella’s new home and she’s brought quite a few housewarming gifts for the occasion!
The new shop’s full cookie menu includes 100 different varieties, 15 of which are available at any given time for sale in the store. To round out your cafe experience, the menu also has 14 types of beverages, including juice, coffee, and tea. For 473 yen (about US$5), you can order a standard set, which comes with your choice of drink plus two cookies of any kind. And now that September is coming to an end, a selection of fall treats including pumpkin, apple and chestnut flavored cookies have been added to their usual repertoire!
But let’s say you have a major craving for a taste of home and an afternoon to spare. Stella’s got you covered – for just 880 yen (a little less than US$9), you can spend 60 minutes eating as many sugary delights as you want from the buffet! The set comes with one drink of your choice and as many freshly baked cookies as you can pack into your stomach!
For those who don’t have time to stay and partake of the treats at the cafe, Aunt Stella’s also has plenty of take-out options, so you can get a box of cookies for your office, or surprise the kids when you get home from work. The Ikebukuro locale is also offering a special grab bag, the Otanoshimi Bukuro, while supplies last.
The store is open from 12:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., perfect hours for spoiling your lunch and dinner!
Source: Hachima Kikou
Additional source: Aunt Stella’s Cookies
Inset images: RocketNews24
]]> https://soranews24.com/2013/09/27/all-you-can-eat-cookies-aunt-stellas-cookie-buffet-opens-in-ikebukuro-station/feed/ 0 89399 stella_01 stella_00 stella_02 Time to celebrate Halloween, Japan-style with jack-o’-lantern sushi! https://soranews24.com/2013/09/26/time-to-celebrate-halloween-japan-style-with-jack-o-lantern-sushi/ https://soranews24.com/2013/09/26/time-to-celebrate-halloween-japan-style-with-jack-o-lantern-sushi/#comments Wed, 25 Sep 2013 21:30:34 +0000 http://en.rocketnews24.com/?p=88631 
Unlike America and other Western countries, Japan is only starting to get into the swing of Halloween. Over the past few years the country has come a long way toward embracing this eerie Western holiday. Now when fall comes around, it’s a lot easier to find stores bedecked with black cat posters and ordinary restaurants festooned with orange pumpkin garlands. Most department stores have a token costume section on display, and sometimes bigger cities will have events for kids to wander around in costume with their parents. One district in Kanagawa Prefecture has really gone the extra mile to give people a frightfully good time this October!
It’s Kawasaki City’s 17th annual autumn event, Kawasaki Halloween! The town puts just about as much effort into their fall celebrations as most cities in North America. Every year they show their Halloween spirit with costumes and a parade. This year, 14 different restaurants around the west exit of Kawasaki Station will be adding to the festivities by introducing special Halloween sushi meals to accompany their Halloween parade and candy distribution. It’s called Osushi de Halloween Daisakusen, or the Sushi-ful Halloween Grand Plan!
If you find yourself in Kawasaki this fall, check out these participating stores for their original Japanese Halloween menu!
- Half Moon‘s sushi roll
- Umamon‘s Kumamon and Kyushu’s Japanese Tapas sushi Halloween plate
- *Kemuri’*s salmon temarizushi and roasted yam skewers
- Kakurebo‘s special limited-time Halloween sushi
- Yonpachi Gyojou‘s ryoshi makanai rice
- Shibaura Shokuniku‘s roasted egg bowl
- Gyomon‘s Smiley Jack Halloween sushi
- MawaruMawaru Sushi‘s kid’s sushi & Halloween sushi
- Isshin‘s Halloween makizushi
- Soba no Mi‘s Halloween kid’s bowl, yellow and orange versions
▼ kawara CAFE＆DINING‘s jack-o’-lantern salad sushi
▼ Chigasaki Kabune‘s Mushi pumpkin and curry soboro mille-feuille sushi
▼ Katanashi Musou‘s aburi Halloween umameshi
▼ Kaitenzushi Tekkamaru‘s Halloween special Oshizushi and Halloween special temaruzushi
Happy Halloween!
Source: Walkerplus
]]> https://soranews24.com/2013/09/26/time-to-celebrate-halloween-japan-style-with-jack-o-lantern-sushi/feed/ 0 88631 halloween top sushi_01 sushi_01 sushi_04 sushi_03 sushi_02 His coolness is over 9,000!!! Vegeta’s voice actor starts a new rock band! https://soranews24.com/2013/09/20/his-coolness-is-over-9000-vegetas-voice-actor-starts-a-new-rock-band/ https://soranews24.com/2013/09/20/his-coolness-is-over-9000-vegetas-voice-actor-starts-a-new-rock-band/#comments Thu, 19 Sep 2013 21:00:27 +0000 http://en.rocketnews24.com/?p=87334 
Most Japanophiles in the world have heard of the smash hit anime, Dragonball Z. Recently the series gained yet another surge of popularity due to its 2009 remastered broadcast, hooking a whole new generation of fans. But how many viewers have kept up with the voice actors who worked on DBZ since the show’s final episodes aired? For instance, did you know that Ryo Horikawa, the voice of Saiyan prince, Vegeta, just recently started up a rock band?
Are his badass readings breaking your scouter yet? Just wait until you hear who else has joined his team…
Ryo Horikawa, the happily married 55-year-old, has lent his voice to many famous roles including Andromeda Shun from Saint Seiya, Heiji Hattori from Detective Conan, and Captain Falcon from the Super Smash Bros. video games. However, few international fans have heard anything about his impressive singing talent.
It may surprise you to know that the man has done several singing gigs of his own over the years! This week Mr. Horikawa announced an upcoming rock band project that he and his friends are putting together at the end of September. And Vegeta’s friends are nothing if not impressive! Mr. Horikawa has managed to amass a team of musical talent that could take the world by storm! Possibly even the underworld and the Namek home planet, too…
Besides the actor himself, this new band will include big names such as Die of DIR EN GREY, Masahiko Okamoto (former member of ANGIE), Kei Kashiyama of MOON CHILD, Tomohisa Kawazoe (former member of LINDBERG), Maki Ootsuki, Miwako Okuda and more as plans unfold for the September 28 event opening at Live House Birth Shinjuku!
The concert has been described as merely the first of a series of anime-themed “special lives.” Reports say that Mr. Horikawa intends to make these events a monthly occurrence! Check out his personal blog for ticket sale information starting September 21!
Source: Jin115
Additional sources: Natalie, Ameblo, Wikipedia
]]> https://soranews24.com/2013/09/20/his-coolness-is-over-9000-vegetas-voice-actor-starts-a-new-rock-band/feed/ 0 87334 horikawa_03 horikawa_01 horikawa_03 horikawa_02 Indonesia’s Google Street View car guilty of three hit-and-runs https://soranews24.com/2013/09/19/indonesias-google-street-view-car-guilty-of-three-hit-and-runs/ https://soranews24.com/2013/09/19/indonesias-google-street-view-car-guilty-of-three-hit-and-runs/#comments Wed, 18 Sep 2013 18:30:31 +0000 http://en.rocketnews24.com/?p=87073 
Last week on September 14, Jakarta’s police managed to catch up with an AWOL fender-bender felon. This particular culprit was a bit too high profile to fly under the radar for long, especially considering the panoramic mapping equipment attached to his car!
Always eager to bring users up-to-date and detailed information, Google’s fleet of Street View cars have become a familiar sight on city avenues across the globe. Unfortunately, one such surveyor had a major bout of bad luck and poor judgement on the Indonesian turnpike.
Reports say that while collecting roadside data in Bogor City, a suburb of Jakarta, the Google vehicle accidentally rear-ended a minivan. Not yet resigned to his life on the lamb, the worker tried to atone for his mistake by accompanying the damaged van and its owner to an auto repair shop. Unexpectedly, the driver then made a break for it, leaving the smashed-up jalopy behind. The perpetrator later gave a statement explaining that he tried to run away out of fear of the high repair costs incurred by the collision.
He must have been remiss in his driver’s training however, as during the man’s mad-dash for freedom, he ran into yet another minivan! Undaunted, he again decided to drive off without answering for his crime. The accident-prone motorist finally resigned himself to his fate after hitting a third and final truck. He let himself be taken in for police questioning and an investigation shortly thereafter.
This may be a good lesson for those of us too dependent on Google’s GPS feature. Use extreme caution when checking your map app because you never know when a rogue Street View car may come barreling down the road and total your ride.
Source: Jin115
Additional source: AFP BBNews
]]> https://soranews24.com/2013/09/19/indonesias-google-street-view-car-guilty-of-three-hit-and-runs/feed/ 0 87073 googlecar_02 Fashion for the young at heart! A different take on what it means to get older in Japan https://soranews24.com/2013/09/18/fashion-for-the-young-at-heart-a-different-take-on-what-it-means-to-get-older-in-japan/ https://soranews24.com/2013/09/18/fashion-for-the-young-at-heart-a-different-take-on-what-it-means-to-get-older-in-japan/#comments Wed, 18 Sep 2013 07:30:03 +0000 http://en.rocketnews24.com/?p=86689 
We’ve no doubt all seen some horrendous fashion crimes out on the streets before now, perpetrated by people of all ages, but older people in particular seem to get a bad rap when it comes to dressing themselves for the times, with endless jokes made about things like mom jeans, grannie panties and middle-aged men in sandals and socks.
The creators of the Japanese fashion blog L’idéal, however, decided that it was time to take a stand and right the wrongs unintentionally done to the country’s elderly. Showcasing some of the coolest and most beautifully dressed older Japanese women we’ve ever seen, L’idéal challenges stereotypes and hopes to change our outlook on this estranged generation.
L’idéal was started up in March this year as a tribute by photographer and site contributor MASA to his recently departed grandmother. He and fellow photographer MARI wanted to help rectify the perpetuated stereotypes of senior citizens using the medium they know best: fashion photography.
“To younger generations, seniors sometimes seem like they’re a different species altogether,” says MASA, creator of L’idéal. “This ‘granny image’ is a negative perspective on what it means to grow old, which I think younger people try to distance themselves from. But we’re all made of the same stuff. We’re all people. And these women have such a beautifully unique style that I honestly think it could change the negative connotation of that image into something to aspire to.”
The models used in L’idéal’s images were ordinary women that the two photographers happened to find walking down the streets of Ginza, an area of Tokyo known for its trendy flare. MASA and MARI looked for ladies whose outfits portrayed both a modern style and the individuality of the wearers themselves.
Just take a look at some of these knock-out older women and their seriously chic ensembles!
The people at L’idéal hope to show a younger generation that old age is not some unavoidable dead-end. It doesn’t stop you from getting out on the town, keeping up your hobbies, and looking fantastic in the process. It’s something to aspire to and embrace, rather than downplay and avoid. Just ask any of these high-class grandmas!
Inset images: L’idéal
]]> https://soranews24.com/2013/09/18/fashion-for-the-young-at-heart-a-different-take-on-what-it-means-to-get-older-in-japan/feed/ 0 86689 stylish_01 stylish_00 stylish_01 stylish_02 stylish_09 stylish_18 stylish_03 stylish_08 stylish_10 stylish_04 stylish_07 stylish_05 stylish_06 stylish_11 stylish_16 stylish_12 stylish_13 stylish_14 stylish_15 stylish_17 Gotta ride ’em all! JR West and Pokémon team up for the release of a new ICOCA train pass https://soranews24.com/2013/09/17/gotta-ride-em-all-jr-west-and-pokemon-team-up-for-the-release-of-a-new-icoca-train-pass/ https://soranews24.com/2013/09/17/gotta-ride-em-all-jr-west-and-pokemon-team-up-for-the-release-of-a-new-icoca-train-pass/#comments Mon, 16 Sep 2013 17:30:57 +0000 http://en.rocketnews24.com/?p=86248 
The West Japan Railway Company, also known as JR West, is celebrating 10 years since the launch of its ICOCA smartcard passes. And they’re doing it in style!
Introducing the JR West and Pokémon Center Osaka limited-edition collaboration railway card! Now you can ride all over Western Japan with your Pikachu train pass, which comes complete with a pop-up stand of the cute critter’s head, for just 2,000 yen (US$20)!
That’s right! JR West will be printing 30,000 limited-edition IC passes sporting the iconic electric-type pokémon on the front. These train passes not only eliminate the need for paper tickets anywhere that uses JR West train lines, but hold great collector value with pokémaniacs throughout Japan!
Because of the predicted popularity of the cards, 10,000 of them are being sold to special online lottery winners, with preorder applications having openined up on September 13 on the official website. If you’re a resident of Japan and wish to apply, just fill in your name and home address (or J-WEST online member’s code, if you happen to have one) along with the number of IC passes you wish to purchase. Winners will be notified in late October via postcard of their eligibility to buy their Pikachu pass. Unfortunately, this preorder lottery doesn’t get you the cards for free; you still have to pay the 2,000 yen start-up fee, but this includes a 500-yen (US$5) deposit if you return your card and 1,500 yen (US$15) to use to on your Pokémon adventure!
Those who don’t manage to win in the lottery will have to try their luck in person at Pokémon Center Osaka store on November 1, the day the cards go on sale. Good luck!
Source: Hachima Kikou
Inset images: JR Odekake
]]> https://soranews24.com/2013/09/17/gotta-ride-em-all-jr-west-and-pokemon-team-up-for-the-release-of-a-new-icoca-train-pass/feed/ 0 86248 pokepass Pikapass_00 Pikapass_01 Pikapass_02 The scent of battle: New line of perfume based on Attack on Titan anime https://soranews24.com/2013/09/13/otaku-in-a-bottle-new-line-of-perfume-based-on-attack-on-titan-anime/ https://soranews24.com/2013/09/13/otaku-in-a-bottle-new-line-of-perfume-based-on-attack-on-titan-anime/#comments Fri, 13 Sep 2013 06:30:06 +0000 http://en.rocketnews24.com/?p=85593 
Japanese fans can’t get enough of Shingeki no Kyojin: Attack on Titan. It wasn’t enough just to watch the anime and read the manga. Next they wanted to dress like a Titan and drink like a Titan. Now they’re taking it one step further so that they can even smell like a Titan! Preorders are now available for a new line of Attack on Titan aroma frangrances!
That’s right, the online store Koubutsu-ya will be stocking their shelves with eau de Kyojin in late October. Patrons have their choice of Eren, Mikasa, and **Levi-**scented fragrances, each painstakingly tailored to fit the characters’ personality.
▼ Eren Yeager, the scent of danger
With a top note of citrus with a hint of ginger and nutmeg, Eren’s unique smell is invigoratingly exotic. The fragrance finishes off with a last note of woody musk, a nod to his more savage Titan persona.
▼ Mikasa Ackerman, a delicately fierce aroma
Mikasa’s scent starts out tart and tasty, with hints of currant and raspberry. The floral middle note is intended to show some of the beautiful femininity at the core of this tenaciously strong character. In the last note are hints of musk overlaid with a sweetness that depicts the dichotomy of a quiet warrior.
▼ Squad Leader Levi, stringently clean and refreshing
And finally, the ever popular Levi also gets his own fragrance that addresses the fastidious originality of his character. To show his fondness for cleanliness, Levi’s scent begins with a whiff of fresh soap. The middle note consists of the flowers rose, lotus, and iris, also commonly used scents for air freshening products. The scent finishes with the calming aroma of cedar and musk, simultaneously masculine and sedate in nature.
Each type of perfume is sold in a 30ml vial embossed with the character name and Scouting Legion emblem for 5,775 yen a bottle (US$58). Interested parties can order via the Koubutsu-ya online shop or the Japan’s Yahoo! Shopping site.
Source: NetLab
Top image: We Heart It, Inset, featured images: Koubutsu-ya
]]> https://soranews24.com/2013/09/13/otaku-in-a-bottle-new-line-of-perfume-based-on-attack-on-titan-anime/feed/ 0 85593 titan perfume TOP titansmell_01 titansmell_02 titansmell_03 titansmell_04 Set fire to the presses! Japan impressed by Canadian cosplay shop’s smoking dragon hoodie! https://soranews24.com/2013/09/11/set-fire-to-the-presses-japan-impressed-by-canadian-cosplay-shops-smoking-new-dragon-hoodie/ https://soranews24.com/2013/09/11/set-fire-to-the-presses-japan-impressed-by-canadian-cosplay-shops-smoking-new-dragon-hoodie/#comments Tue, 10 Sep 2013 23:30:35 +0000 http://en.rocketnews24.com/?p=85087 
Ever felt like you just really needed to be a dragon for a day or two? Maybe wish you could look the part when on a rampage at the office or in your school quad? Calgary Cosplay is here to help with their newly-released dragon suit specially designed to make your dreams a reality!
Sold on their online webshop, these incredibly detailed outfits come complete with scales, wings, and hood. The claws at the ends of the sleeves are detachable, as is the Velcro tail. They’re only available in a medium size, but you get your choice of the black, more mature color scheme or the fun and freewheeling rainbow version. As these hoodies are handcrafted, the price is a bit steep at CA$399.99 (that’s about US$387.00), though depending on how badly you need to be a dragon, it may well be worth it.
Sadly, though Japan is the place to go for some of the weirdest styles to grace public streets, this hoodie may still be a bit too outlandish to become the next biggest trend on the crosswalks of Shibuya. However, one train stop away in Harajuku might be right up your fire-breathing alley.
Dragonhide is not the only cool vestment this creative company pedals! Check out a few of their other fashionable accessories:
▼The Nyan Cat Scarf is a great addition for when you’re feeling lolzy.
▼Or for your fabulous days, you could wear your Unicorn Hoodie instead!
▼And their new Panda Hoodie is just about the cutest thing out there, especially the paw mittens.
Source: NetLab
Inset images: CanadaCosplay
]]> https://soranews24.com/2013/09/11/set-fire-to-the-presses-japan-impressed-by-canadian-cosplay-shops-smoking-new-dragon-hoodie/feed/ 0 85087 dragonhoodie_01 dragonhoodie_01 dragonhoodie_02 dragonhoodie_03 nyancat unicornhoodie_01 pandahoodie_01 Newly released Kuroko no Basuke collaboration apparel sells out despite mediocre fan reactions https://soranews24.com/2013/09/10/newly-released-kuroko-no-basuke-collaboration-apparel-sells-out-despite-mediocre-fan-reactions/ https://soranews24.com/2013/09/10/newly-released-kuroko-no-basuke-collaboration-apparel-sells-out-despite-mediocre-fan-reactions/#comments Mon, 09 Sep 2013 21:30:22 +0000 http://en.rocketnews24.com/?p=84780 
People from every corner of the globe are pumped for the new season of the anime Kuroko no Basuke (or the laughable English title, “The Basketball which Kuroko Plays”). In honor of the start of the fall anime season, Japanese clothing brand, earth music & ecology came out with a new line of clothes inspired by the characters in the show. Though the brand itself is quite trendy, comments on the basketball-inspired cardigans and dresses were lukewarm at best.
earth music & ecology has seen success in the past with their collaboration fashion line based around Vocaloid and its star, Hatsune Miku. This time, whether it’s because of the difference in fanbase, or the girlish design being at odds with the testosterone-heavy men’s basketball players embroidered on the outfits, fans are having a laugh at the new designs.
▼ “Not very cute, are they?”
▼ “What the heck are these? That’s too funny!”
▼ “Looks like girly-girls and boys-love fans got together for some collaboration! LOL”
And yet, despite the LOLs and teasing tweets, the online shop’s entire Kuroko no Basuke stock was sold out in a matter of days! Preorders opened on September 6 and have since been snatched up completely, including not only all pieces of apparel, but the colored hand towels, necklaces, and Tetsuya #2 keychain as well! It goes to show that when it comes to merchandise, fans will leave no stone unturned and nothing with blocky imprints of pretty boys unbought.
Source: Pouch
Images: earth music & ecology
]]> https://soranews24.com/2013/09/10/newly-released-kuroko-no-basuke-collaboration-apparel-sells-out-despite-mediocre-fan-reactions/feed/ 0 84780 kuroko kuroko_02 kuroko_01 kuroko_03 kuroko_04 kuroko_05 New design for beloved character Hello Kitty! Now she’s the cutest… tooth on the block? https://soranews24.com/2013/09/09/new-design-for-beloved-character-hello-kitty-now-shes-the-cutest-tooth-on-the-block/ https://soranews24.com/2013/09/09/new-design-for-beloved-character-hello-kitty-now-shes-the-cutest-tooth-on-the-block/#comments Sun, 08 Sep 2013 19:00:09 +0000 http://en.rocketnews24.com/?p=84232 
The Sanrio brand’s most recognized and beloved character, Hello Kitty, has been through thousands of incarnations in the past. But, one of the more recent ones has Kitty collectors and enthusiasts scratching their heads.
RocketNews24 recently reported on Hello Kitty’s (or Kitty-chan for short) break into the digital age with a new SD memory card created in her image. But in reality, Kitty-chan has now penetrated just about every world market.
▼ She’s been through her sporty phase.
▼ She’s helped everyone around the house.
▼ Hello Kitty even had her rebellious teenage years as an Eva pilot.
Now it looks like she’s finally settling down into a profession. And what’s more lucrative than dentistry in Japan?
… Wait.
Some fans are skeptical, though the oddly shaped chunk of cat is still strangely adorable. At the very least, it makes the whole aversion to going to the dentist thing a bit silly. If Kitty-chan is there, it can’t be all bad, right? In fact, the new tooth design is scheduled to be showcased at the Tokyo Dental Show opening next week, September 14 and 15.
Source: ToGech
Inset images: Golf.com, Hello Kitty VS Star Wars, You Know Whaaa!
Additional resources: Tokyo Dental Show Homepage, Hakai Ryoukou
]]> https://soranews24.com/2013/09/09/new-design-for-beloved-character-hello-kitty-now-shes-the-cutest-tooth-on-the-block/feed/ 0 84232 kitty tooth hktooth_00 hktooth_01 hktooth_02 hktooth_03 hktooth_04 Attack on Titan’s author causes a stir with his less-than-stellar sketches https://soranews24.com/2013/09/06/the-skills-of-a-pro-attack-on-titans-author-causes-a-stir-with-his-less-than-stellar-sketches/ https://soranews24.com/2013/09/06/the-skills-of-a-pro-attack-on-titans-author-causes-a-stir-with-his-less-than-stellar-sketches/#comments Fri, 06 Sep 2013 04:00:58 +0000 http://en.rocketnews24.com/?p=83819 
On September 1, fans flocked to the Utsunomiya branch of Animate to attend an autograph event for Shingeki no Kyojin: Attack on Titan‘s author, Hajime Isayama. During his Shinkansen train ride to Tochigi Prefecture, the artist doodled up some ideas for pictures to draw along with his signature when meeting with his fans. He took a snapshot that quickly spread through the Twittersphere of what everyone assumed would be a superb work of art…
The caption that went along with this Tweet: “On the bullet train, Isayama-san thinks about what illustrations to draw for his autograph event. It didn’t go well, so he scrapped the scribbles. He says he’s bad at drawing deformed characters. LOL”
In fact, Isayama has specifically stated on his blog that he’s never been good at that quick, cutesy style of sketching (sometimes referred to as “super-deformed” overseas). The only deformed pictures he can draw are the strangely-shaped Titans in his manga. Even so, some fans are stunned at the unapologetic lack of art skill shown in the doodles. Some commenters pointed out that the guy could have been drawing crappily on purpose. After all, someone who can draw this-
-can’t be that bad with a pen and paper.
Nevertheless, the much-lauded illustrator has definitely made many a fan raise their eyebrows at his blob-renditions of Mikasa and Armin, lazy-eyed Lance Corporal Levi, and square-faced Eren Yeager, rough draft or not.
Source: NemuSoku
Image source: Isayama Hajime’s Blog
]]> https://soranews24.com/2013/09/06/the-skills-of-a-pro-attack-on-titans-author-causes-a-stir-with-his-less-than-stellar-sketches/feed/ 1 83819 titanart_03 titanart_01 titanart_02 titanart_04 titanart_03 More Shingeki no Kyojin merchandise! Introducing the Titan costume suit! https://soranews24.com/2013/09/05/more-shingeki-no-kyojin-merchandise-introducing-the-titan-costume-suit/ https://soranews24.com/2013/09/05/more-shingeki-no-kyojin-merchandise-introducing-the-titan-costume-suit/#comments Thu, 05 Sep 2013 04:30:24 +0000 http://en.rocketnews24.com/?p=83627 
How cool would it be to be able to change into a towering giant at will? How many Shingeki no Kyojin: Attack on Titan fans have been wishing they could turn into a massive Titan, just like the series’ main character, Eren Yeager? Well Cospa, the online anime apparel and merchandise site, is here to help you transform into the wall-crushing, man-eating beast of your dreams with the newest addition to their Titan cosplay lineup!
*Super-strength and speed sold separately.
Hitting the market in early December, Cospa is releasing a full-body Titan costume set; including a mask, top, and pants decorated to look like the Colossal Titan from the hit series!
This new ensemble comes in men’s medium and large sizes and costs 10,500 yen (about US$106) after sales tax. It’s a nice alternative to cosplay body paint and also doubles as a great set of pajamas to snuggle up in during winter. I’m sure your bedfellows will totally dig the skinless mask!
▲ Careful of the nape of the neck! The zipper is its weak point!
Reserve your preorder now before this fashionable outerwear vanishes from the digital shelves right before your very eyes, just like the wall-destroyer himself!
Source: MyNavi News
Image: Cospa
]]> https://soranews24.com/2013/09/05/more-shingeki-no-kyojin-merchandise-introducing-the-titan-costume-suit/feed/ 0 83627 titan jammies titanpjs_01 titan jammies Fans of AKB’s Haruka Shimazaki despair over freaky Sailor Moon makeover https://soranews24.com/2013/09/04/fans-of-akbs-haruka-shimazaki-despair-over-freaky-sailor-moon-makeover/ https://soranews24.com/2013/09/04/fans-of-akbs-haruka-shimazaki-despair-over-freaky-sailor-moon-makeover/#comments Tue, 03 Sep 2013 21:00:40 +0000 http://en.rocketnews24.com/?p=83313 
It really warms your heart to see more Japanese celebrities show their support for cosplay. It’s one of the flashier hobbies that anime fans can boast and is getting more popular by the day. Cosplay websites abound with fashion tips and suggestions for various costumes styles, poses, and makeup options for just about every conceivable costume on the market.
But AKB48 star, Haruka Shimazaki, might want to do a bit of rethinking before offering up her own anime makeup (AniMake for short) suggestions, as her most recent attempts caused a despairing cry to ring out from among her adoring fans…
This week Haruka’s followers waited with bated breath to get a look at her newest message from the AKB Video Center official YouTube channel, excited to see some cute pictures of their favorite idol in popular anime get-ups. In the past, she’s tried a few different costumes with varying degrees of success.
Her first attempt last May was Hatsune Miku, where she felt the need to add blobs of colored eyeliner to the bottoms of her eyelids in what we must assume was an attempt to make them appear both greener and more gigantic. The overall look wasn’t any cause for concern. Passable, and from a distance the strange extra green and white didn’t stand out too badly.
Then she tried Asuka Langley Soryu from the popular Neon Genesis Evangelion franchise. However, she decided to add crazily large eyelashes to her bottom lids, making her look like she got into a fight with a plastic surgeon. Not only did the effect do nothing to make her look more like an anime character, let alone the character she was cosplaying, but it also made her eyes look misshapen and creepy.
This time, though, fans had high hopes for her Sailor Moon cosplay. After all, how could someone mess up such an iconic character?
This is how:
The video starts by showing the makeup artist applying copious amounts of black eyeliner to just about everywhere around Haruka’s face except her eyelids. From there, we’re shown the final product: a strange reproduction of Usagi’s anime eyes drawn out on Haruka’s cheeks, brow, and eyelids.
Anguished cries that she’d gone “too far” and “robbed everyone of the happiness of simple costume play” were abound on the message boards when her new video of cosplay tips hit the net on September 1. Some found it funny. Others were crushed that the starlet would think that this much makeup was remotely attractive. Most just LOLed at the scary attempt to replicate a 2-D anime style on a flesh-and-blood human.
After such an outcry, will the intrepid cosplay-enthusiast try her hand at another character? Will she take her AniMake even further next time, or decide to tone it down now that her fans are making their rather grossed-out opinions known?
Only time will tell. In the meantime, let’s hope she doesn’t get any backlash from the real princess of the moon kingdom.
Reference: YouTube
]]> https://soranews24.com/2013/09/04/fans-of-akbs-haruka-shimazaki-despair-over-freaky-sailor-moon-makeover/feed/ 0 83313 haruka_00 haruka_01 The Nintendo family is expecting! Too bad Twitter knew about the 2DS since 2011 https://soranews24.com/2013/09/03/the-nintendo-family-is-expecting-too-bad-twitter-knew-about-the-2ds-since-2011/ https://soranews24.com/2013/09/03/the-nintendo-family-is-expecting-too-bad-twitter-knew-about-the-2ds-since-2011/#comments Mon, 02 Sep 2013 23:00:29 +0000 http://en.rocketnews24.com/?p=83090 
Following its announcement last week, Nintendo’s newest hardware, the 2DS, has been causing quite a stir among gaming fans worldwide. Opinions have been flying left and right, some positive and some negative, for this kid-friendly device. Is it a waste of time and energy making a product that’s a downgrade from that which already exists? Or is this a good solution for parents who want to buy their young children an affordable, portable gadget?
But before all this domestic kerfuffle, one gifted Twitter user can now say that he predicted this very predicament a full two years before the new hardware was even a twinkle in the eye of its developer.
Back in 2011, this guy had Nintendo’s game system value plan pegged from the get-go!
He remarked that after the price of the 3DS fell (which it did on August 11, 2011), Nintendo would be left searching for an option even more alluring to get people to continue to buy their products. And what better way than an even cheaper handheld? Given the trend in marketing research back in 2011 and the fact that consumers were not exactly bowled over by the 3DS’s 3D function during its first couple of years, the tweet assumed that the DS team would come to the conclusion that they needed…Ta-dah: A 2DS!
Whether you like the idea of the 2DS as a simpler, cheaper platform for younger players, or wish that Nintendo had thought a bit harder before bringing this less functional product into the world, there’s probably no one out there more smug than this Japanese Twitter user.
Maybe we should all start looking to the Twittersphere for predictions on future game consoles? Any other clairvoyant with predictions about the PS4 and XBox One?
Source: ToGech
Top image: Nintendo
]]> https://soranews24.com/2013/09/03/the-nintendo-family-is-expecting-too-bad-twitter-knew-about-the-2ds-since-2011/feed/ 0 83090 Screen Shot 2013-09-03 at 3.48.07 AM 2ds_02 Now that’s what I call super-size! Lotteria’s special September & October mondo burger promotion! https://soranews24.com/2013/09/01/now-thats-what-i-call-super-size-lotterias-special-september-october-mondo-burger-promotion/ https://soranews24.com/2013/09/01/now-thats-what-i-call-super-size-lotterias-special-september-october-mondo-burger-promotion/#comments Sat, 31 Aug 2013 17:00:02 +0000 http://en.rocketnews24.com/?p=82665 
Fed up with Japanese-sized fast food portions? Tired of ordering a large and getting something that might fit in a happy meal in a North American store? Lotteria’s got a fall special that is sure to make any American burger enthusiast’s day! Back by popular demand are the Lotteria’s Super Cheeseday and Super Fryday sandwich deals!
Starting September 23 and lasting until October 9, you can find towering patty-stacked burgers on the Lotteria menu! The Zeppin Cheeseburger (English: Superb Cheeseburger) is stuffed with five separate patties with slices of cheese. Modestly priced at 1,360 yen (about US$14), this is a protein feast that most Japanese people wouldn’t be able to eat in a month! The Ebi (Shrimp) Tree Burger is a nice seafood option for hungry patrons that want a little more surf than turf. It’s slightly cheaper at 770 yen (about US$8) for five fried cakes of shrimp.
What’s that you say? Too expensive for a fast food hamburger? Well, fret not! As an extra helping of meaty money-saving, Tuesdays and Fridays have 500 yen specials!
On Tuesdays, or Cheeseday (a play on the Japanese pronunciation of Tuesday, Chyuuzudee) you can get these massive heaps of cholesterol greatness for only 500 yen!
On Fridays, or Frydays (a play on the fried shrimp in the sandwich) you can get the Ebi Tree Burger for the same, 500 yen!
Expats! Now’s your chance to finally satisfy that Western hunger of yours! Just drop by participating Lotteria restaurants on September 24 or October 1 for the Superb Cheeseburger, or September 27 or October 4 for the Shrimp Tree Burger at just 500yen!
Source: HimaSoku
Inset image: Gigazine
]]> https://soranews24.com/2013/09/01/now-thats-what-i-call-super-size-lotterias-special-september-october-mondo-burger-promotion/feed/ 0 82665 lotteria_01 lotteria_01 lotteria_02 Swank is key! Most young Japanese part-timers wish they worked at Starbucks https://soranews24.com/2013/08/30/swank-is-key-most-young-japanese-part-timers-wish-they-worked-at-starbucks/ https://soranews24.com/2013/08/30/swank-is-key-most-young-japanese-part-timers-wish-they-worked-at-starbucks/#comments Fri, 30 Aug 2013 14:00:57 +0000 http://en.rocketnews24.com/?p=82398 
Japan has a few really helpful resources for those in search of jobs. Besides their useful Hello Work program, they have a very popular website and magazine called an, publicized by pop idol Kyary Pamyu Pamyu herself. The site lets you search want ads and find places that are hiring in your area and field of expertise. In particular, a lot of college students and people new to the workforce turn to an for help finding employment.
an recently conducted a survey of first-time part-timers to try to find out what places are happenin’ in the modern world of fresh-faced young workers. The results were interesting, to say the least. Who knew how many people longed to become a Starbucks barista??
According to this study, the Seattle sensation is the be-all and end-all of part time jobs in Japan!
The legendary coffee company topped the charts with 305 of the 1,000 twenty-something men and women saying that it was the number-one place they’d like to work part time. That’s almost a third of all hipster college-aged part-timers wishing they worked for Starbucks.
▼ That’s almost enough people to staff the thousands of shops per city block!
Reasons they cited for liking the king of coffee houses:
・It’s trendy: Those people in need of a job seemed to favor the idea of having a popular job that they could brag to their old high school buddies about.
・It’s cool: Though the drinks come in both hot and ice varieties (even when ordering in Japanese it’s “hotto” or “aisu“), nothing says you’re a cool Tokyoite like a pricey, under-sized half-caff vanilla, easy ice, with caramel and chocolate sauce on top.
・The atmosphere: The shops themselves may sometimes tend toward a cookie-cutter style that bridges even the Pacific Ocean, but that isn’t to say that Starbucks locations can’t be nice places to relax. Japan (and other Asian countries) even try to break the mold sometimes with strange buildings renovated into Starbucks shops.
・Friendly and polite staff: It may be hard to find a Starbucks that doesn’t have a line in Japan, but it’s also hard to fault the staff for it, since they’re right there snagging seats for you and your friends. Looking for seating at a Starbucks in the big city during rush hour sometimes feels like being seated at a swanky restaurant as a member of staff will pester other patrons to squeeze up, move their bags or spare a chair whenever they can. Perhaps the counter workers smile so big because they know how cool they are for snagging a Starbucks job?
▼ Hey, where’s my venti??
The an survey also asked things like expected starting wage, and Starbucks was in line with the most common prospected first-time wage of 1,000 yen (US$10 an hour). Japanese baristas make from 900 to 1,100 yen (US$9.00-11.00) an hour on average, depending on age, experience and time spent working for the company. Not bad for part-time work!
Japan is nothing if not a country that loves good service. That plus the tranquility and style of the cafes makes Starbucks the holy grail of people searching for an arubaito (part-time job). Whether it’s actually any fun or not we have no idea!
Source: NariNari.com
Top image: Oyako de Nonbirimattari , Inset images: Yahoo Blogs, Japan it Up.com
Additional info: Arubaito Taiken Hiroba
]]> https://soranews24.com/2013/08/30/swank-is-key-most-young-japanese-part-timers-wish-they-worked-at-starbucks/feed/ 0 82398 sutaba_01 KONICA MINOLTA DIGITAL CAMERA sutaba_02 Fans become melancholic themselves over the announcement of the end of the Haruhi Suzumiya manga! https://soranews24.com/2013/08/29/fans-become-melancholic-themselves-over-the-announcement-of-the-end-of-the-haruhi-suzumiya-manga/ https://soranews24.com/2013/08/29/fans-become-melancholic-themselves-over-the-announcement-of-the-end-of-the-haruhi-suzumiya-manga/#comments Thu, 29 Aug 2013 11:30:57 +0000 http://en.rocketnews24.com/?p=81996 
The manga for the fan favorite series, “The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya” (Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuuutsu), drawn by Gaku Tsugano, will release its final chapter in the next edition of the monthly manga magazine, Shonen Ace (on sale 9/26), and fans are already feeling a little bit down in the dumps.
The original ranobe (from “light novel”, a common name for short, easy-read novels) story of Haruhi was written by Nagaru Tanigawa in 2005 and illustrated by Noizi Itou. From there, the idea spawned its first manga adaptation by artist Makoto Mizuno, which ended after just one volume. Tsugano then took up his pen and kept the story of Haruhi and her impossible adventures going for 19 full volumes to date.
Since its explosion of popularity, Haruhi has seen many incarnations, including anime series, hand-held games, and spin-off manga like “The Disappearance of Nagato Yuki-chan” (Nagato Yuki-chan no Shoushitsu) and “The Intrigue of Itsuki Koizumi” (Koizumi Itsuki no Inbou). This isn’t even counting the plethora of fan made goods and short gag comics about Haruhi and her S.O.S. Dan.
It’s no wonder fans felt a pang of sadness when they read the manga artist’s comment in this month’s issue of Haruhi: “Next issue is the final installment! I’ll do my best to the very end!” (次回最終回です！最後までがんばります!)
Though we’ll miss the crazy series, its characters shall live on through its fans. We salute you, Haruhi Suzumiya!
Source: NariNari.com
Inset image: AnimeVice
Additional resource: Wikipedia
]]> https://soranews24.com/2013/08/29/fans-become-melancholic-themselves-over-the-announcement-of-the-end-of-the-haruhi-suzumiya-manga/feed/ 0 81996 haruhi_01 haruhi_00 haruhi_01 Cosplayers invade the Kyoto subway system to promote upcoming event! https://soranews24.com/2013/08/28/cosplayers-invade-the-kyoto-subway-system-to-promote-upcoming-event/ https://soranews24.com/2013/08/28/cosplayers-invade-the-kyoto-subway-system-to-promote-upcoming-event/#comments Tue, 27 Aug 2013 17:30:35 +0000 http://en.rocketnews24.com/?p=81564 
The Kyoto subway was swarmed by mobs of cosplayers last weekend, alarming some commuters and intriguing others. Though Japan may be thought of as the “land of cosplay,” it’s actually extremely rare to see this many layers (shortening of “cosplayers”) out and about in public. Cosplay is all well and good at certain events, but a major no-no in areas where it can cause trouble for the uninitiated.
So what were all these guys (yes, mainly guys) doing on the subway? Why, promoting the upcoming Kyoto Manga Anime Festival and it’s connected cosplay event, GO-TAN! of course!
GO-TAN! is an active cosplay group that organizes events in and around Kyoto. This time, they’ve got quite an area staked out for the use of fans that wish to don the garb of their favorite characters and take some snazzy outdoor pictures! The cosplay space will span from Uzumasa Tenjigawa to Rokujizou, but be careful that you don’t stray out of the specified area while still in costume (It’s against the event rules and might get the organizers in trouble with the locals).
Online sign-ups for this cosplay photo shoot started on August 25. The main event is September 7 and 8 at Heian Jingu-mae Okazaki Park. It’s only 1,000 yen (about US$10) to participate as either a cosplayer or a cameraman, so those of you in the Kansai area looking to bust out your ninja headbands and keyblades should check it out!
Source: ToGech.jp
]]> https://soranews24.com/2013/08/28/cosplayers-invade-the-kyoto-subway-system-to-promote-upcoming-event/feed/ 0 81564 kyotocos_01 kyotocos_01 kyotocos_02 kyotocos_03 The top 10 words to describe Japanese people (according to foreigners) https://soranews24.com/2013/08/27/the-top-10-words-to-describe-japanese-people-according-to-foreigners/ https://soranews24.com/2013/08/27/the-top-10-words-to-describe-japanese-people-according-to-foreigners/#comments Mon, 26 Aug 2013 17:30:50 +0000 http://en.rocketnews24.com/?p=81197 
There isn’t a country in the world immune from stereotypes. All people form opinions about places and their inhabitants based on whatever they can glean from the food, tourism, and art of the culture. But not all sweeping generalizations have to be mean and unfounded. The results on a thread asking for the “perfect words to describe Japanese people” were surprisingly positive!
Here are the most common adjectives that Westerners chose when characterizing the people of Japan.
#1. Polite
Weighing in at number one was polite, or in Japanese “reigi tadashii.” Everyone has heard of the traditional Japanese bow used as a greeting during any given exchange. Though handshakes are perfectly common in Japan now, they more often than not come with a bow as well (or two or three). To the Western mindset, this style of address already seems much more polite than a simple handshake, high-five, or shoulder clap. Of course, the term “polite” in and of itself doesn’t only have a positive connotation. It’s possible to remain too polite and distant from a person, even if you’ve known them for quite a while.
#2. Punctual
Japan takes its time management very seriously. The Japan Railway (JR) and other connecting subways and train systems are well-known for their incredibly punctual schedules. As such, when there is a delay of even a minute, the whole system gets thrown off. Trains often issue late slips for passengers to take to their employers if their trains get delayed. After all, it leaves a very bad impression if you’re late to work.
#3. Kind
Unlike polite, which can have its downsides, kind is a genuinely positive word. In Japanese, words with similar connotations to the English phrase are “yasashii” or “omoyari no aru,” meaning “thoughtful of others.” One sterling example of this is the custom of bringing a gift (usually food) when you visit another person’s house in Japan. Most Americans only bring things if it’s a birthday or B.Y.O.B. party. This praise-worthy adjective was the third-most repeated term in the thread. That’s a winning score on anyone’s report card!
#4. Hard-working
A hard-worker or “hataraki-mono” is definitely a common word that classifies a Japanese mindset. In a culture where your job is supposed to take precedence over even your family at times, it’s unsurprising that foreign nationals would latch on to this particular description. There is even a word for “death by overwork” in Japanese (“karoushi”). It’s not uncommon for people to work several more hours after their contractual quitting time and, if you’re not a contract worker, that means that you aren’t paid for that overtime. Even if you have a “haken” (contracted job), it’s still considered rude to leave right on schedule. This is not something that’s easy for a American-bred adult to get used to, but definitely deserving of the title hard-working.
#5. Respectful
Another tie-in with polite, respectful or “tanin ni taishite keii wo hyou suru” to loosely describe it in Japanese, is a mainly positive word. However, it can sometimes be associated with distance. With the epidemic of idolization in Japan, whether it’s for pop stars or upperclassmen, it’s also possible to take respect just a bit too far. Many Westerners find the concept of being so respectful to their elders a bit outside the norm. But in Japan, the older you get, the wiser you are considered and the more respectfully you’re treated. You’ll get in big trouble if you use informal language with a person older than you unless they’re family. Even then, some relatives still expect proper formal language befitting of their senior status.
#6. Shy
An overall impression of the citizens of Japan is that they’re very shy people, or “hazukashigariya”. This might be linked into their focus on politeness and respect. It is true that you don’t always hear a lot of outspoken Japanese people, especially tourists in foreign countries, but this might be for a different reason all together. Many Japanese people worry about their language skill and fear saying something incorrectly in English when they talk to native speakers. Conversation practice has only recently become a staple of English classes in Japan. If you’d only learned how to read and write the language, I bet you’d be kinda quiet at a party, too.
#7. Intelligent
There’s a definite stereotype of people from Asian countries being the brainy cream of the crop. Whether this is factually correct or not wasn’t technically relevant to the survey thread, but it certainly was a nice compliment. The Japanese word for intelligent is “kashikoi.” Incidentally, if you tried to say the katakana pronunciation of smart, “sumaato,” that actually means to be thin and attractive in Japanese. Not that they’re mutually exclusive adjectives, but be careful of confusing your Japanese friends by trying to call someone intelligent and accidentally calling them slim and sexy.
#8. Grouping
You know how girls are always said to travel in packs? Same goes for Japanese people, according to the interwebs. A word of advice to any aspiring English teachers in Japan is to make lots of group activities. Unlike America, where group work is often disliked because sharing the workload with other students inevitably means that it gets divided unequally, Japanese students thrive off of it. They prefer not to have to voice their opinions alone, but would rather share ideas with their peers and make a group decision. In a class of thirty Japanese kids, not many people want to stand up by themselves and read out of an English textbook. But put everyone in groups of three and make them read it in turns and you’ve got yourself an engaged classroom.
#9. Formal
Tying in with polite, Japan has a reputation for being very formal. This manifests itself in both manner and language. Japanese has many different formality levels depending on who you’re addressing. This can be tiresome for people attempting to learn the language, and it can also lead to crossed wires between friends, especially in the case of foreigners and Japanese people. An American might wonder why their friend still calls them “David-san” when they’ve known each other for a few years. Far from wanting to keep distance between them, the Japanese friend might just be waiting for David to mention that they don’t really need to keep titles between them. After all, without checking first, it can be considered rude to suddenly stop using formal language (an act called “yobisute” or “dropping the name honorific”).
#10. Clean
Many Internet users have seen Japanese tourists pick up trash from around campsites and rest stops even when they didn’t make the mess themselves. This habit and others added the description of clean to the list. Did you know that Japanese students clean their schools by themselves? No janitors, just students hauling trash bags, sweeping the steps, and wiping down the halls with washcloths for a good 30 minutes each day. Most storefront owners sweep up the sidewalks and streets outside their stores, too. Making it your business to keep communal space clean is a distinctly different mindset from some Western countries. Just think of all the gum-strewn, littered streets of big cities in America. Would LA smell any better if its citizens took a leaf out of Tokyo’s book on housekeeping?
Overall, the impression of Japan from a Westerner’s eyes is pretty darn good, though perhaps a bit lacking in the relaxed and fun-loving department. My personal word pick for Japan would be focused. Whether it’s staying after school for 3 hours practicing with the baseball club, going to cram schools to get into good colleges, or clocking in extra hours of unpaid work at their jobs, Japanese people seem to find a goal and stick with it. Even in more fun pursuits, Japanese people throw themselves into their hobbies and work with a zeal that is truly commendable, in my humble opinion.
If you had to describe Japanese people in a single word, which one would you pick?
Source: Madame Riri
Top image: RocketNews24
Inset images: Japan Global Marketing Database, Impetuous Windmills, Flickr- Gwaar
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