Why did you decide to move to Japan?

[kamome]

If you could imagine the oppposite...

RoadWarrior movies, etc....

<OR>

I listen to ABBA...

Exactly. I think that was the most pathetic introduction I've read. Namakemono, you're coming to Japan for all the wrong reasons.

[AssKissinger]

If you could imagine the oppposite...

RoadWarrior movies, etc....

<OR>

I listen to ABBA...

Exactly. I think that was the most pathetic introduction I've read. Namakemono, you're coming to Japan for all the wrong reasons.

Good God that is absolutely over-the-top and uncalled for kamome. So he (or she) has a special interest in Japanese things. What's wrong with that? Also, I don't think the Sweden or Oz comparisions are really fair. We all know that there's something about J-culture that attracts certain people and half of us are as guilty as this guy or worse so why is he getting flamed for it? WTF? I say welcome Namakemono and good luck in Japan.

[Taro Toporific]

If you could imagine the oppposite...

RoadWarrior movies, etc....

<OR>

I listen to ABBA...

.... you're coming to Japan for all the wrong reasons.

Ahhh, that's harsh--- that description fits plenty FG here in their younger dayz.

The real-deal is that namakemono needs to remember that when he's looking for job in Japan, that he should NEVER EVER mention anime, manga or J-girls unless he's planing to work as cartoonist or "host."

[kamome]

Good God that is absolutely over-the-top and uncalled for kamome.

that's harsh

Sorry guys, I disagree with both of you. Someone who comes to Japan, whose knowledge is limited to anime, manga, computers, and J-birds is coming here for the wrong reasons. That doesn't just go for Namakemono. It goes for anyone who comes here for those reasons. They just don't know a thing about Japan.

I think Japanese people who go to live in the States based on stereotyped visions of America (it's "free", "hiroi", Brad Pitt, Harley Davidson)--and there are a lot of them--are equally guilty. Hell, I know one girl who quit her job to go to England to "study English"; when I asked her why she chose England, she said that she loved Beckham and wanted to meet him. Is that a load of crap or what?

As Taro once put it, there are many "anime-addled" FG's walking around clueless in Japan. So I called him out. Big deal. I guess this sort of thing sticks in my craw the same way that people who invoke the rights of children stick in Caustic's craw.

[mercutio]

half of us are as guilty as this guy or worse so why is he getting flamed for it? WTF? I say welcome Namakemono and good luck in Japan.

who are you and what have you done with AK, damnit?!?!?!

but no really... i wish him luck too... but he has to expect to get a hard time from an intro like that... I mean hell I figgured you'd be right on top of it too. Who put so damn much sunshine in your cherrios lately?

[kamome]

who are you and what have you done with AK, damnit?!?!?!

but no really... i wish him luck too... but he has to expect to get a hard time from an intro like that... I mean hell I figgured you'd be right on top of it too. Who put so damn much sunshine in your cherrios lately?

Totally. I would have expected AK to produce one of those world-class zingers of his to call out the guy.

[cstaylor]

who are you and what have you done with AK, damnit?!?!?!

but no really... i wish him luck too... but he has to expect to get a hard time from an intro like that... I mean hell I figgured you'd be right on top of it too. Who put so damn much sunshine in your cherrios lately?

Totally. I would have expected AK to produce one of those world-class zingers of his to call out the guy.

I think AK's account has been hijacked by Mrs. AK... trying to ruin his good rep of "If Asianphile means in love with Japanese pussy then guilty as charged!" and replacing it with his pro-Jimento posts... either that or the state-sponsored Lithium shipment came in.

[kamome]

I can't imagine any FGs would claim to have come to Japan for the "right reasons" (whatever those might be) and even if they do, I'm sure they had equally flawed preconceptions of Japan before living in the country. It doesn't matter what caused that initial spark of interest in Japan, what matters is how they develop from their experiences once they get over there.

You can think of anime, manga or whatever as one of many gateway drugs which open the door to Japan and start people down the path to becoming an enlightened FG (you know...the Holier Than Thou types who claim to "know Japan").

Again, I disagree. I think there are right and wrong reasons for traveling to a country. In Japan's case there are too many people who come here under the impression that Japan is nothing more than a playground for getting laid or a manga mecca. I believe that if that is what motivates someone to come here, then it reflects a fundamental disrespect for the people of Japan.

I for one did not come here under such misconceptions. I was already a student of Japanese language and culture as an academic pursuit before even thinking of coming here. I had no interest in manga or anime and only limited exposure to J-chicks. Certainly none of those things motivated me to come here. If it makes me "holier than thou" to claim a higher moral standing on this basis, fine.

[AssKissinger]

Japan is nothing more than a playground for getting laid

I totally agree.

[Taro Toporific]

Japan is nothing more than a playground for getting laid

I totally agree.

Ahhh, welcome back AK. :P

[Caustic Saint]

Of course, FG is generally a place for people who are past that phase of narrow interest and have a wider appreciation of Japan. If the newbs want to come and bask in the cumulative wisdom of veteran FGs, don't be too hard on them.

And there also long-time FGs (in terms of J-residence or board residence) who have their dork/geek/otaku quirks too. Myself, for one. I'm a big-time game geek, and quite happy that I'll be living in Japan when Nintendo releases the DS later this year. Who knows, I may go get in one of those legendary Akihabara lines to get one on launch day.

(Just for the experience, mind you. If I want to be smart about it, I'll just go to Bic Camera.)

[Skankster]

I just noticed

The newest registered user is westsan

The only westsan I have heard from before is from gaijin post.

I am in awe at this mans tallent.
eg:
http://www.gaijinpot.com/forums/read.php?f=23&i=3972&t=3972
http://www.gaijinpot.com/forums/read.php?f=23&i=3257&t=3257

Good reading

He's nothing but a PROMETHEUS wanna-be.

I think westsan is banned here.

But maybe your right...He is sort of Prometheus-like <snicker>

http://messagenet.com/myths/bios/promethe.html

[kamome]

We'll have to agree to disagree on that. If someone has a focused area of interest that leads them to learn more about Japan, visit the country and eventually get to know the people, I don't think they should be discouraged.

If I were Japanese and some FG I met was here solely because he was an anime geek, I'd have no use for him. Ask any Japanese what they think about FG whose reason for coming to Japan is their interest in anime. They're usually insulted or think "what a dork!".

It's no different from a "what's-your-hobby?" Japanese person whose only interest in FGs are their ability to speak English. It's superficial and annoying.

[nullpointer]

If I were Japanese and some FG I met was here solely because he was an anime geek, I'd have no use for him. Ask any Japanese what they think about FG whose reason for coming to Japan is their interest in anime. They're usually insulted or think "what a dork!".

It does not matter what you think or what I think. The only thing that really matters is what *they* think.

Let's not judge too harshly, better still, let's not judge at all.

[sillygirl]

And there also long-time FGs (in terms of J-residence or board residence) who have their dork/geek/otaku quirks too. Myself, for one. I'm a big-time game geek, and quite happy that I'll be living in Japan when Nintendo releases the DS later this year.






Ahem. I just came for the weather and young Japanese boys.......

[Steve Bildermann]

Gosh, I love arguing with kamome

Actually aren't we all just dark grey bubbles in Japan

I think I am at least...Good God maybe I'm not even on the chart ahhhh

[kamome]

Well, you're not Japanese, despite the fact that you apparently think you are an expert on what every Japanese thinks. That presumption in and of itself seems quite disrespectful.
...
Frankly, not the case. There are a wide variety of reactions, varying from "what a dork!" to indifference, mildly amused acknowledgment and even affinity for someone who shares the same interests.
...
Your opinion not withstanding, there are plenty of Japanese who do enjoy anime and manga, ranging from casual viewers and readers to hardcore otaku. Of course, there are also many Japanese writers, artists and others who work in the industry. Manga has a different place in Japanese society than its equivalent in most Western countries and is regarded in a different manner. If you haven't noticed that by now, you're only demonstrating your lack of knowledge of Japan. I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and assume you're just conveniently ignoring these facts since they don't support your assertions.
...
Gosh, I love arguing with kamome. :P

I'm sorry, I can't just let this go. You just love to bait me, don't you ultra?

I don't profess to know what every Japanese thinks. But I have met enough and had enough discussions with them to know their average opinion on anime otaku gaijins who come to Japan to live because of their fascination with anime (there's a difference). And they definitely think "what a dork", "what a bizarre reason to live in Japan", etc. I frankly don't care if you think it's disrespectful that I know this or repeat it to others. It's the truth. And if you don't know that, then it's you who doesn't know that much about Japan.

Sure there are Japanese otaku, and yes, manga is viewed differently in Japanese society. So what? You're guilty of bringing up two red herrings in the same paragraph. I purposely did not mention them because their presence has no bearing on my assertion that being an FG otaku is the wrong reason for a foreigner to move to and live in Japan. We're talking about FG's who make a conscious decision to live in Japan because they view Japan through the lens of anime, computers, and manga. It's simply the wrong reason to come here to live (unless of course you want to become part of that industry as an illustrator/animator, etc.) because it ignores the reality of what it's like to live here AND it reflects a one-dimensional view of Japanese society.

You know, I think I've hit a nerve because the reason for deciding to live in Japan really is a fundamental question. And that's great because it's always good for people to reexamine why they came to, or want to come to, Japan. I just believe the decision to live here (not visit, live) should not be made lightly or be based merely on fascination with Japanese pop culture.

[GomiGirl]

Are FG otaku's more or less interesting than the expat drips who come to Japan, live in their expat bubble (work and apartment) and spend every weekend in gaijin bars in Roppongi spending silly money by ringing the bell at Mugumbos enough times to get their name on a brass plate by the door??

[mercutio]

spend every weekend in gaijin bars in Roppongi spending silly money by ringing the bell at Mugumbos enough times to get their name on a brass plate by the door??

Hey!!! Ill have you know that I have 2 of those plates on the wall at Geronimo's

and you dont get them by banging the drum....if you bang the drum you have to buy everyone in the bar a shot.

In order to earn a brass plate you have to drink 15 different shots in a single night. (I earned my 2nd plate by lining up 15 different shots and slamming them all continuously in a row....hey is was my birthday) Of course I didnt stay in the expat bubble afterwards...

but since ive obviously spent time with the very expat drips you're talking about... the otaku are alot nicer and more interesting, just weirder

[AssKissinger]

Are FG otaku's more or less interesting than the expat drips who come to Japan, live in their expat bubble (work and apartment) and spend every weekend in gaijin bars in Roppongi spending silly money by ringing the bell at Mugumbos enough times to get their name on a brass plate by the door??

Less interesting.

[kamome]

Hey!!! Ill have you know that I have 2 of those plates on the wall at Geronimo's

Damn, now that's impressive. Three shots in that span of time and I'm out like a light. Of course, mercutio is about three times as big as I am, so the ratio seems about right.

[AssKissinger]

kamome, what are the right reasons to come to Japan?

[AssKissinger]

kamome, what are the right reasons to come to Japan?

I see kamome stationed at Narita as Japan's last line of defense, hand-picking the worthy from the unwashed, unfit gaijin masses.

No offence kamome but that was funny.

[Caustic Saint]

kamome, what are the right reasons to come to Japan?

I see kamome stationed at Narita as Japan's last line of defense, hand-picking the worthy from the unwashed, unfit gaijin masses.

Lucky for me! I always fly in through Haneda.

[kamome]

kamome, what are the right reasons to come to Japan?

I see kamome stationed at Narita as Japan's last line of defense, hand-picking the worthy from the unwashed, unfit gaijin masses.

Lucky for me! I always fly in through Haneda.

Well, Caustic, I would let you in through Narita anytime.

By the way, I admit that I have read one manga series and watched one anime series in my life. That sure doesn't make me an otaku, and therefore it really doesn't undermine my argument either. Yet another red herring.

As I've said several times already, I just think that a mere fascination with Japanese pop culture is an impractical, insufficient, and just plain ignorant justification to set up your life here. And no arguments can overcome the plain logic of that statement.

Like I said, this thread is not really about what interests people about Japan. It's about what would be a well-considered decision to leave one's own country and live here. And that's the crux of the debate that you still haven't addressed.

Might I add that it's funny how you should accuse me of wrongly speaking for all Japanese when you now claim to be speaking for all otaku. And the more you defend the otaku guys who come here, the more you indicate to us that...gasp!...it just might be the same reason you once came here yourself. Are you an anime/manga otaku? Is that why you came here? Actually, I do recall seeing an extensive library of anime in your video collection and a large collection of ultraman toys on your shelf.

[AssKissinger]

It's about what would be a well-considered decision to leave one's own country and live here. And that's the crux of the debate that you still haven't addressed

I don't think you've answered it either and the burden is on you since you're the one passing judgement. Nobody else seems too worried why people decide to live over here.

[kamome]

It's about what would be a well-considered decision to leave one's own country and live here. And that's the crux of the debate that you still haven't addressed

I don't think you've answered it either and the burden is on you since you're the one passing judgement. Nobody else seems too worried why people decide to live over here.

I think you've defined the wrong burden. I've only made the simple assertion that deciding to live in Japan merely out of a fascination with it's pop culture would be an impractical, ill-considered decision. The real burden is on someone who disagrees with that statement to prove it wrong.

By the way, what I meant in the statement you quoted is that ultra is talking about the other issue: what is a good reason to be interested in Japan. Like I said before, I'm not passing judgment on that issue.

[sillygirl]

Bet namakemono's really pleased he introduced himself now, eh?

Oh well, whatever your reasons for coming to Japan ~ welcome and good luck........here's to a future fucked gaijin!!

[kamome]

Update: I have put on my mod hat and split this thread out of the new member introduction section. I figure if people are going to rail on me, they might as well do it in a way that doesn't prevent other people from introducing themselves.

[AssKissinger]

OK fuck the 'burden' comments.

Let's put it this way. I think anything that inspires someone to come to Japan is fine (except for like terrorism or something really psycho).

What do you think are the right reasons? If you're going to make such a stink about what the wrong reasons are I think it's a reasonable question.