Why does Japan produce so many bizarre and strange things? I don’t think this question is appropriate; the real question is why do Westerners consider Japan weird, bizarre, and crazy? In this article, we will try to answer both questions.
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Why does Japan produce so many strange things?
Before we reflect on this generalized and incorrect idea, let’s really analyze some points that make Japan and its culture reach extreme sides that attract the world’s attention. Starting with the individuality of each person.
Each individual is different with different values and perspectives, but in Japan, people are pressured to act in a certain way, such as wearing uniforms at work and school, behaving, and smiling even when they don’t want to.
Outside of people’s view, the Japanese have their moment of freedom, which ends up awakening extreme peculiar tastes that reflect freedom of expression. This involves everything from tastes, cuisine, products, customs, and consumed media.
As one of the largest economies in the world, Japan is quite capitalist, thus generating an industry of products that always try to innovate and invent, giving rise to bizarre things that we hear about in the West.
Even though Japan is closed in some aspects, it has a very open cultural environment, thus expanding the limits of creativity to satisfy its needs. Things like sections of adult products in common stores scare foreigners.
I believe that everywhere in the world you find the same people with the same bizarre tastes. What differentiates Japan from the rest of the world is that the Japanese have an open mind to talk about their peculiar tastes and market them.
Are things in Japan really strange?
The American meme “Only in Japan” has been perpetuated by people who clearly did not look beyond an image or an article and probably did not care about the truth, as it made them feel better.
This is a classic case of misunderstanding due to lack of context and the obvious filtering through the media, meaning it is strange because the article conveys such an idea to the unaware. I’m not saying there aren’t bizarre things in Japan; otherwise, this site wouldn’t exist.
If you live outside of Japan, the first thing you need to know is that most of the things you see have already been filtered by the media. They choose what they think can sell and, in general, do not care about sharing facts, but rather lies and things out of context.
It is no secret that Western media (particularly) likes to mock “weird Japan.” Just look at comments from journalists and television articles about Japanese products, clothing, and customs.
Things like Bagel head, B-Style, yaeba, bizarre products, peculiar tastes, foods with strange flavors, crazy gadgets are all niche things present in a small part of Japan, not a trend that deserves to carry the concept of Japan.
The fact is that strange and disturbing things generate news. The vast majority of Japanese people work, make friends, have an active social life, and enjoy some healthy leisure activities. However, this is not news; it does not spark curiosity in foreigners.
Are animes strange and bizarre?
I have seen people complain about Japanese animations, but have you ever stopped to think about Western animations? Perhaps some reflection on Western productions could change your opinion about finding Japanese works strange.
Have you heard of the show where a lonely scientist creates three superpowered homunculi that fight against enemies like a cross-dressing devil, a monkey with its skull open exposing its brain, and a gang of green-skinned mutant men?
Or the one where a pair of talking and walking legs gives birth to a talking cow and a chicken that often interact with a demon obsessed with its own butt? Or the one where a talking purple dog tries to protect its owners from strange things?
Or the one where a retarded child and her abusive and cynical friend manage to turn the grim reaper into their personal slave? There is also an evil brain that is a talking brain implanted in a purple bear.
For people, things like loli in animes can be extremely strange, but for fans of Japanese culture and animes, they have simply gotten used to such presence and even developed a taste for it. I myself am not bothered by the presence of loli characters.
What you call ‘strange’ may be the result of how Japanese anime artists explore the creative possibilities of things. In addition to their creative and meticulous nature, Japanese creators are protected by Article 21 of the Japanese Constitution, which guarantees freedom of expression.
Strange Foods from Japan
Some question Japanese cuisine, which differs from Western cuisine in various aspects. Besides the traditional use of fish and seafood, Japanese cuisine tends to be artistic; we can see this in dishes like obento lunch boxes or in sushi itself.
Another curious aspect is capitalism generating thousands of different flavors of industrialized products like snacks, sodas, and sweets. Japan is very passionate about unique and seasonal flavors, giving rise to strange flavors.
Other than that, Japan does not usually eat as many strange foods in the eyes of Westerners as other places in the world. There are some local delicacies in the mountainous region of Nagano, such as wasps, horse sushi, and strangely eye-catching dishes.
Japan is not the Only Strange Place
If you actively search for strange things in any country, you will find tons of conventional and also isolated examples that seem absolutely bizarre from the perspective of someone outside the culture.
If you look closely, even on Brazilian or American TV, you can find bizarre commercials, sweets with strange flavors, foods being sold in buckets, and other peculiar things. Just watch Western cartoons to see more bizarre things than in animes.
Japan has its share of peculiarities, but probably none more than any other culture would have from the perspective of a stranger. There is an entire industry and momentum behind highlighting Japan for its “strangeness.”
In fact, I think having the distinction of being the “strangest” country in the world has many positive aspects that can come with it. Being strange attracts people’s attention, and having someone’s attention can be a powerful thing, which helps commerce.
Just remember not to believe everything you read, and that for every strange thing you think about an aspect of Japanese culture, there is probably something it finds strange in yours. Thank you for reading the article; we appreciate the shares!
Some Bizarre and Strange Things from Japan
In order to conclude the article, let’s share below a list of articles published on our site that present some strange and bizarre aspects of Japan:
- The Hilarious and Bizarre Japanese TV Commercials
- The Most Bizarre Japanese Products from Japan Trend Shop
- The Most Ridiculous, Idiotic, and Bizarre Animes That Exist
- The Most Bizarre Japanese Game Shows
- Erotic and Bizarre Products from Japan
- Erotic and Bizarre Products from Japan
- The Strangest Festivals in Japan
- The Most Bizarre Games Created in Japan
- Bizarre Videos of Japanese Schoolgirls
- Kabuki – The Bizarre Japanese Theater
- Guide to Japanese Styles – Visual Kei, Decora, Harajuku
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