Japan vs America

Japan vs America

Whenever you think of Japan, you instantly think of Anime and manga, right? Most of you do at least, but Japan's not only anime, actually, Japan's not even anime! Sure, it's a bit of the culture now, but it's modern. Modern culture. Think of it this way.

You're on a plane, going to Japan for the first time! It's going to be great, you're best friend's right next to you as you chat away, it's going to be the best time of your life. The plane lands, you both exit the airport and what do you find? You're knee-deep in japanese people! WOO! Great! This is what you DREAMED of! You start replacing a bit of your words with japanese ones, like inu, neko, ect. ect. You have your InuYasha bag on the side of you, your little fox tail trailing behind. Your friend in her Full Metal Alchemist shirt, great.

You both exit the airport and cars are passing you both, you're in Tokyo! You start walking aound, after you get your hotel. You're looking around for anime shops but strangely... there are none... A few shops for little children but.. where is the anime and manga people?!

Simple! Anime is NOT a big thing in Japan! From what I've heard, the japanese drop anime once they reach the age of 10 or so. What they really like, is Disney (again, from what I've heard). DISNEY! Most of us American's don't even LIKE Disney anymore! We've heard of those little nasty things that some creators hid in the images. If you haven't, I won't say so I don't ruin your childhood memories.

Honestly, do you even know about Tokyo? Think of it for a moment. Did you know Tokyo's divided into 23 wards? I didn't know this either, until my penpal from Japan told me. It's actually pretty obvious a city with 10,000,000 people living in it would be divided. Makes me think if New York City is divided or not. I don't wanna look.

If you ever wanted to look for Anime shop's, I suggest the internet first. The internet has EVERYTHING (not everything, but you know) and you can find shops in Tokyo easily.

If you go to Japan only for the anime and manga, I suggest you get your butt back on the plane and head back to where ever you came from, because Japan's more than just silly characters on pieces of paper. There's their religion, how they do things everyday, the shrines, the different ceremonies, did you know that a Tea Ceremony takes 4 hours? A short one is 30 minutes. Amazing.

Now, to the Japanese. The japanese copy us in return, did you know that? Let me think.... recently in fashion (I'm not into fashion AT ALL, so don't hurt me), I've seen those ridiculous snow boots (I just don't like them -at all-) along with the bags that match the boots. I would think, once the Japanese girls hear of this, their going to be copying those snow boots and bag's, and you may see them all around Japan.

I would suspect, since the Japanese like Disney, they would think we like Disney too. Half of us don't, but if a person directly from Japan would come up to us and ask "Is there a Disney store anywhere?" we'd say no (Unless you live somewhere where there IS one), just as they would say there is no anime store near-by.

Did you know something else too? You probably don't know this, but I'll put education into this too. Out of 40 countires that participated in a test, Japan came out 5th place. America? 25th. That's right, why? Because, oh lets see... a quarter of us sit around the computer and do nothing (*raises hand*), another quarter think their too good for school so they hang out with gangs, another is in jail, another is TRYING to be at the top, but there are teacher's to blame. Some don't like to teach, some pick favorites, some are too easy, some go too slow, some are too fast. Fun.

Japan? Oh they study alright. From what I've read, you pass your grade no matter what. Even if you've done squat, you pass, but there ARE students in Japan who study hard. Some take Cram school, some are tutored. In all, they study even harder if they wish to enter College. Yet, their so smart! They recycle or burn their trash! Why can't American's? Hrm... Makes me think. Why do perverts (little children who are exposed to things america calls 'ewww' IE: Boobs and penis's, turn into perverts)(some of them) turn into one of the best scientists in the world?

Oh, if you'd like to see the video about the 40 countries:
http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=1502887 - Video
http://abcnews.go.com/2020/Stossel/story?id=1500338 - Text

My mind is sleepy now. All of the idea's I had in my mind are all used up.


Essay © TimeErase, 2006