Talking About Japanese Anime and Culture With Students (Ulog Day 97)

Talking about anime during my classes is a very normal occurrence. I think there wasn't a work day in which I haven't talked about a certain anime or something related to it. Is it because I have mostly Japanese students? But honestly, I do talk about anime even to my Taiwanese and Korean students as well. And because of it, work becomes less stressful.


A while ago, I watched an update of the anime "Kaze ga Tsuyoku Fuiteru" during my break time. The student I was about to have a class with sent me an article from SoraNews24 which depicts "anime scenes" which puzzles Japanese fans.

At one point it said, "So much ramen, so little sushi." And so she asked me whether I was puzzled about it or not.

IMAGE SOURCE


And so I told her...

To be honest, I have watched anime first before I got acquainted with any other Japanese related stuff like food and culture. When I was a child, I have witnessed Goku eating ramen instead of sushi, so it appeared pretty normal for me. So, when Naruto and other characters who love ramen came, it was natural.

She was smiling and told me that I'm really crazy about and keen on Japanese anime. Then our conversation shifted to another Japanese food called Oden. And I actually became familiar with it because of a soccer anime and an American football anime. I think it was in "Whistle!" and "Eyeshield 21"

IMAGE SOURCE

The one in Eyeshield 21 was pretty much similar to this, while the one in "Whistle!" was a moving one. And after some more exchanges about Japanese food, she asked me what anime I am currently watching, so I told her about "Kaze ga Tsuyoku Fuiteiru" and that it's about Hakone Ekiden.

IMAGE SOURCE


We were both surprised for different reasons. I was surprised because when I told her what happened in anime she said was "あるある”. (Aruaru, according to her, is a Japanese slang word which means, "I recognize that... or it's familiar or the same") She said Japanese people really look forward to watching Hakone Ekiden because it's so touching how the runners do their best to run as a team.

In her case, she was surprised because she has never thought she's able to talk about Hakone Ekiden with a teacher. I mean, she can... but it's not a common topic because most foreigners don't recognize it.

I truly enjoy talking with my student today and I look forward to talking about anime and Japanese-related stuff with them. <3 Somehow, I can proudly say... "I am happy that I'm an otaku!" So, let's keep watching anime. Baibai~!!!!


@tegoshei