The latest meme from Japan continues as the Internet has fun sharing jokes and fanart about Ellen Baker-sensei, a fictional American teacher from an English textbook (actually a general study book aimed at adults which is structured like a school textbook to create nostalgia among readers), who was drawn a little too cute for fans to not take notice. Ever since the Osaka-born American Tina from Ai Yori Aoshi, there have been random “foreign” characters in anime who provide comic relief as well as boke (airheaded) jokes for other characters to tsukkomi (slap down). Lately the popularity of gaijin characters like Karen from Kin’moza or Kongou and Iowa from KanColle has been on the rise. Why are these characters so popular? Many reasons, including their “KY” natures — this is a Japanese abbreviation of kuuki yomenai meaning “can’t read the air,” e.g. someone who is oblivious to the social environment around them — plus their “infectious enthusiasm” makes them fun to obsess over. One important concept related to Japan is 常識 joshiki, meaning “common sense” or if you like, “the huge list of oppressive social rules you need to follow at all times.” Foreigners, including this crazy American who quit his safe English teaching job to create an anime shop, exist “outside” this oppressive system, which is why the Japanese are fascinated with them (us).
One of the eternal questions about the Japanese is how everyone can study six years of English in junior high and high school — plus another four if they take it during university — yet generally not be that good at using the language. There are many reasons why this is, for starters the fact that “English” (the grammar and vocabulary) is a subject taught for the purpose of taking tests, while “English conversation” is completely separate, treated as a hobby like flower arranging. The Japanese treat English as if it were an exact science, like mathematics: the answer for “How are you?” is “Fine, thanks, and you?” and no discussion about other ways to answer this question will be permitted. When my son was preparing for a difficult local English test here in Japan, my wife banned me from helping him study because my method of teaching was too “natural” and wasn’t helping him master the specific grammar and vocabulary strategies he needed for the test. (image source)
We’re excited about the upcoming release of the Sonicomi: Communication with Sonico game by Nitroplus, in which you are a photographer helping Sonico’s singing career, possibly winning her heart along the way. We’ve got great news too: in addition to the original Japanese voice with subtitles, the game will have an optional English dub with Jessica Nigri, from the Sonico anime. See details on the official page!
