Many believe that anime and manga give a wrong and distorted view to foreigners and Westerners of what the real Japan is like. Is Japan really different from anime? We will discuss this in this article.
Of course, in Japan we don't find fights with powers, supernatural and absurd things like in many anime. Apart from that, anime usually represents the Japanese vision of Japan very well.
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Is Japan different from anime?
Anime looks a lot like real life because producers and creators go to schools or prominent places just to take pictures and make their animations based on real life environments and scenarios.
The Japanese also create their works based on their life stories, cities, establishments, shops, festivals, events, singers, idols and many other things that represent real life in Japan.
Of course, even so, animations are a way for the Japanese to get out of their reality. That's why many are fanciful or don't match real life. We can see it in the characters' hair, body and eyes.
I affirm! Most anime perfectly represent real life in Japan. Still, Brazilians who live in Japan and even Japanese, say that Japan will disappoint those who knew it through anime. Will it be?
Some people only believe in things by seeing. During my trip to Japan, I came across several situations that made me think I was inside an anime. Unfortunately, many do not even want to live experiences.
I personally believe that Brazilian newspapers generalize more than anime. As much as they only present a certain event, they manipulate people much more using emotion than the anime itself.
It is worth remembering that the fact that anime fails to show certain things does not mean that it is causing a wrong view of Japan, it is just keeping a focus on a certain subject or reality that may be different for some.
Are Japanese the same in anime?
In anime we have hospitable, fun Japanese people that make us fall more and more in love with the culture and customs of Japan. Unfortunately, some Westerners and Brazilians who live in Japan have a different view.
Many can't get along with the majority of Japanese people, who are largely grumpy elderly people or asshole teenagers. This does not mean that anime stop representing these bad characters.
It's obvious to imagine that every human being is different from one another, but those who are passionate about Japan and those who hate living in Japan can't reach any middle ground.
Anime perfectly represent the personality, culture and customs of the Japanese. If you disagree with this, you are probably associating with the wrong Japanese, or simply generalizing.
Even the shouts, language, clothes, accent, and other characteristics are represented perfectly. Yes, the Japanese really speak and act in that way. Japan is really bizarre as it seems in anime and dramas.
Even the strangest personality you find in an anime, you can be sure that it probably has some similar Japanese. The Japanese write their stories based on their own experience and culture.
Most Japanese people don't like anime or just watch one and the other. So don't even try to randomly chat with anyone about your passion for anime. For them it's just drawings!
What are the lies presented in anime?
You will rarely trip and fall on the breasts or panties of Japanese girls in schools. The school uniform is not short as shown in the anime, although Japanese girls actually roll up their skirts to make them short.
Some schools turn a blind eye, but most do not allow skirts to be shortened inside the school. Outside of school on the commute or on the trains you will find Japanese students with extremely short skirts.
Some details in schools are changed in the animations. Most schools don't let students have lunch on the roof. A lot of things that happen in anime end up being less intense in real life.
In anime, characters laugh out loud and make faces. In real life this can happen, but it's not common. They value respect for the environment and laugh quietly. The way they talk and react to things is still identical to anime.
The student council has no supreme power over the school like the anime shows. They just help the teachers to run the events and organize things.
The youth in anime use a different language that should not be used in real life. Although some young people do speak in such a way, anime kind of exaggerates a bit, causing some Westerners to learn Japanese in the wrong way.
Below I will once again list some lies presented in anime:
- They don't feel breasts or pull on panties;
- They don't always eat on rooftops;
- They are free and do what they want;
- It has no power over the school;
- They don't speak slang all the time;
- There is no informal language;
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What are the truths presented in anime?
Some people are suspicious of absent parents in anime and children in high school being independent or even living alone. In fact, I met a Japanese woman whose 15-year-old son was totally independent and even thought about living alone.
I also met a couple of friends, children of Brazilians who were simply abandoned in Japan since childhood. When you find characters in anime with a past like that, don't think it's impossible.
All those romantic clichés, shyness, perversion, practically everything is true. In schools, school clubs, festivals, events and the entire educational system is truly represented in anime.
Many disagree with anime for presenting characters with a life full of adventures, while they suffer at work. Many Japanese work as convicts, but I also noticed that there are a lot of Japanese for nothing.
Of course, there are many other Japanese truths that anime represents well.
I will list below once again the truths that anime represents:
- They are independent;
- Tragic past;
- They are shy;
- They talk strangely;
- School events;
- They travel a lot;
- They make faces;
- Shorten the skirts;
Will Japan really let down the otakus?
Japan only disappoints those who want to, unfortunately life is not easy for foreigners or even Japanese who depend on a tight workload full of overtime. Life really isn't that fun.
Anime most often choose characters who have an idle life or are young students. The reality of an adult foreigner is totally different, it is not easy to enter Japanese society.
Even young people find it difficult to socialize at school because of a certain social exclusion together. You must have seen in anime a student being excluded by the whole class because of an influential person.
It can be difficult to adapt to the customs and norms that the Japanese have. Still, once you do that, the doors will open and all your negative view of Japan will disappear.
Those who consider themselves Otaku and are passionate about anime will need to be cautious, as they are not well regarded by Japanese society. Still, I believe you will feel on cloud nine when you come across traces of anime everywhere.
If you are a tourist and you like anime, you will not be disappointed other than the prices of anime products (lol). All of Japan will enchant you don't have to be afraid or afraid because of some critics.
If you are going to live in Japan, prepare well for the tiring routine and to face awkward situations with some idiot Japanese. But remember, good and bad people exist everywhere.
Don't let the anime distort your vision
Although anime portrays real life well, remember that Japan is much more than anime shows. Even if an animation presents everyday life or culture, it only focuses on one small thing.
Usually those who are addicted to anime and say they love Japan, don't usually take the real steps to get to know the country. Sometimes you don't even have the real motivation to learn the language.
Don't think you know all of Japan just by watching anime. Most of the time, neither Brazilians nor the Japanese themselves know absolutely everything about the country in which they live.
I myself have asked many things about Japan to the Japanese and they didn't know the answer. Knowledge is something that grows, it will take you a lifetime, but you will not know everything. So don't try to look smarter than anyone else.
Some believe they get smarter by watching anime, but in reality it can keep you in your comfort zone and prevent you from fulfilling your dreams or taking the first steps towards reality. So, be careful and control to differentiate the anime world and the real world.
I think Japan is different from anime?
When I first arrived in Japan, I found it to be absolutely identical to anime. Practically everything I've seen and experienced is the same as most Japanese animations that show everyday life.
In fact, I even had a hard time writing this article, since I can't think of things that are lies in anime. I know there's a lot, but it's kind of obvious or just not the majority.
Anime teaches important details of Japanese culture, traditional customs, festivals, temples, shrines and castles. These are details that many Brazilians who live in Japan do not even know or respect.
Japan is the only foreign country where I am able to walk freely everywhere without being afraid and without getting lost. I learned everything I needed from watching anime and they made my trip much more satisfying.
I was not disappointed at all with Japan in which I met. I made friends with several Japanese and Brazilians, even with strangers I met on the street. I had a vision that many Japanese people love foreigners.
If you have a depressing view of Japan, don't get hung up on it. I know it must be annoying to come across situations of prejudice in schools or at work where Japanese uncles are already stressed and take it out on you.
Try to change that negative view of yours! Unfortunately this negativity just ruins your life, makes you unhappy and doesn't help you find happiness in the little things. Try to associate only with positive and happy people, which you find in abundance in Japan.
Anime that represents real life well
Below I will comment a little about my favorite anime that helped me get to know life in Japan. usually the anime young man that are aimed at adults, better represent the reality of Japan.
One of my favorite everyday anime is Uchuu Kyoudai, which portrays a 30-year-old Japanese man who is trying to become an astronaut, showing the whole process and difficulty to make such a dream come true.
Another very popular anime that most Japanese people have watched is called Detective Conan, he is apparently childish and has some illogical details, but he is one of the most teachable about Japan's culture and traditions. An anime for the whole family, very smart, reminds me of CSI and even my mom watches it.
You can also search for anime of the genre slice of life. This genre shows the Japanese slice of life, realism and everyday experiences that Japanese people live in schools or at work, usually involving art, romance, music or sport.
Well, I hope this little article has helped to explain that anime doesn't distort anyone's view of the real Japan. Only if the person is crazy to think that in Japan there are dragons, wizards, flying samurai, etc.
Do you think anime is a good representation of real life in Japan? Do you think they create a distorted view of reality? Hope to see your share and comment on the matter!
