When I lived in Ushiku it was a little isolated - which was good, because it forced me to have to jump into the language and culture (if I had lived in a large metropolis, I may not have had the motivation to study as hard). One way to immerse myself in the popular culture was to watch T.V. Of course I watched NHK to get all the proper, formal Japanese, but in order to learn more about the popular zeitgeist I watched the defining animation shows (which seem to be from either the post-war '50s era, or the '70s, but have continued on to the present day). On Sunday nights Fuji Television would show Sazae-san ( サザエさん ) and Chibi Maruko-chan ( ちびまる子ちゃん ), both immensely popular anime which came from even more popular comics. What I liked the best about Chibi was the changing theme song after each episode (Japanese television anime regularly add new ending songs). What better way to learn Japanese then to sing along with Chibi? After these, though, my absolute favourite animation came on: Kochira Katsushika-ku Kameari Kōen Mae Hashutsujo ( こちら葛飾区亀有公園前派出所 ) or: "This Is the Police Station in Front of Kameari Park in Katsushika Ward". Whew!
I just called it Ryō-san after the main character, Ryōtsu Kankichi ( 両津勘吉 ); a salt-of-the-earth policeman who is the definitive stereotypical otaku, sarariman and big-fish-in-a-small-pond kind of guy (shitamachi). Gruff, bluff, lazy, but big-hearted and crazy about pachinko, video games, models, toys, etc. Check out the website: http://www.jkochikame.com/ Ryō-san spent much of his time in pursuit of money-making schemes (which either failed spectacularly, or he used his new-found wealth on pachinko, ramen, toys, etc.). It is no longer on T.V. but the manga is still published. I found that by watching these shows, not only did I pick up some intersting words and slang, but saw how the Japanese saw themselves. It is like the Simpsons - the culture references and nuances are what make it so funny and familiar to those who understand them. So, Sazae-san, Chibi, and Ryō-san all did their part to help educate & entertain me.
6 comments:
Hi Kit Ten,
Yes, so far there seems to be more opportunities here than back home (sad to say). I've already applied for a number of jobs - maybe we'll hear from them next week. Also, next week I'm supposed to have some meetings with some folks my friends introduced me with (crossing fingers).
Way back in the day I used to watch Ranma, and way before that, when I was in kindergarten, I watched Speed Racer (Maka-Go-Go). When I first got to Japan, and my co-workers and I would have to take one of our tiny company cars out on business, we used to sing the theme song of that show; they sang the Japanese version, and I the English. Good times indeed...
Yeah, I was originally a little reluctant to come out here, but I have been pleasantly surprised by the progress I have made so far. Of course, if I still don't find employment, then I'll be back in the same ol' boat (which is leaking and filling up with water - metaphorically speaking...).
I don't know if two sets of crossed fingers becomes a negative - keep crossing and we'll see what happens (if things start going horribly wrong I'll immediately post it here and we'll put the breaks on it!). But, so far, so good.
I liked Ranma - and here it gets a little dodgy, because the Japanese have a fluid idea of sexual identity - it didn't take long for me to accept the strange transmorgification (that's a Calvin & Hobbes word, isn't it) that Ranma underwent, and although it was unusual in my Western experience, I found the situations the characters not into hilarious.
I never watched Sailor Moon, but I've heard all about it. Ghost in the Shell - very good!!
Hello~
Oh, you like Japanese animations!
I also like "Chibi-maruko". You called "Chibi" but we generally call her "Maru-chan". Chibi makes a little bit fool of her.
She is very cute, isn't she? a little bit foolish,though...
I think "Doraemon" is also popular in Japan. Do you know this anime?
If you don't hesitate to answer my question, where are you from? I only wondered that.
Hello Erika, and welcome to my blog!
Yes, I know Doraemon very well: He's a robot cat, his ears were bitten off by mice (so he is afraid of them), he loves to eat どら焼き (dorayaki), and he helps Nobita (oh, and Doraemon travels through time, too!).
Maru-chan is also the name of my car, so I call Chibi Maruko-chan "Chibi" (it is my private joke...).
I am originally from Boston.
You know a lot of things about Doraemon:-D How do you feel about Doraemon? Is it iteresting for you?
Ha ha, the name of your car is soo cute☆
Oh, you're also from Boston so you're friend with Alex!?
Yes, Doraemon is interesting to me, and Alex is a very good friend of mine (I met him in Tokyo).
Thank you for complimenting my car - Maru-chan is almost 15 years old, but still very dependable.
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