Date published: 29 May 2023
There are so many foreigners out there who absolutely love Japanese anime! So, we thought it’d be fun to ask foreigners living in Japan or those who have visited about the things they admired or the places they wanted to go after watching Japanese anime. We were curious to know what aspects of Japan, like its food culture or daily life, caught their attention through anime.
(Please note that the following responses are personal opinions from individuals who participated in the survey.)
Main image: PIXTA
Yearning for the “School Life” Portrayed in Anime: Confessions, School Commutes, and More
Photo: PIXTA
The most common longing expressed by participants was their admiration for the “school life” in Japan. We asked them to elaborate on what aspects they found appealing, and here are some of their responses!
“I’d love to attend a Japanese middle school or high school! Since schools appear frequently in anime, I wonder if the classrooms and gymnasiums are exactly like what they depict in the shows.” (Taiwan / Female / 30s)
“I wish I could walk home with my girlfriend after school and go on a date. In my country, Malaysia, it’s hot even in the evening, so we usually rely on buses or trains to get around. I yearn for those chats while strolling home.” (Malaysia / Male / 20s)
“Just once, I wanted to experience walking to and from school while overlooking the sea, just like in ‘SLAM DUNK!'” (China / Female / 30s)
“Handing out love letters at school after class. Confessing while being secretly supported by friends—I think it’s something that rarely happens in South America. Whenever I see confession scenes in anime, I can’t help but think, ‘That’s so cute!'” (Colombia / Male / 30s)
It seems that many people are more fascinated by the commutes and after-school activities rather than the schools themselves in Japan. Perhaps it’s because the classroom environment is not significantly different from their own countries. Confessions and romantic moments reminiscent of student life have also become objects of admiration.
A Huge Hit Even in Cosplay: Japan’s School Uniforms are Adorably Cute!
Photo: PIXTA
Regarding the school life theme, we observed a significant number of opinions expressing admiration for Japan’s “school uniforms.”
“Even in Europe, ‘Sailor Moon’ is incredibly popular. There isn’t a girl who hasn’t longed for a sailor uniform!” (Germany / Female / 30s)
“The protagonist of ‘Fruits Basket,’ Tohru Honda, wears a sailor uniform that has become iconic for me. Even at cosplay events in America, ‘Furuba’ is a hit!” (USA / Female / 20s)
“I really adore the elegant-looking uniforms in ‘Kaguya-sama: Love Is War.’ While we do have uniforms in the UK, they have a different design compared to Japan. Why is it that the uniforms depicted in Japanese anime are all so cute!?” (UK / Female / 20s)
It was found that popular works like ‘Sailor Moon,’ ‘Fruits Basket,’ and ‘Kaguya-sama: Love Is War’ have a strong international fan base, with a common point being the admiration for the cute uniforms worn by the characters. As mentioned in the comments, even in the United States and the UK, there are school uniforms, but they seem to differ slightly from those in Japan. It’s no wonder that they are popular even in the realm of cosplay.
Is Shibuya Joining the Ranks of Popular Pilgrimage Sites for Anime Fans?
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Since its premiere in 2021, “Tokyo Revengers” has swiftly gained popularity worldwide. During interviews, we received numerous voices from people who aspire to be a part of this series.
“I’d love to try wearing a tokkōfuku (special attack uniform). While there are clothes inspired by ‘Tokyo Revengers’ available, I believe tokkōfuku can only be found in Japan.” (USA / Male / 20s)
“The scenes where they shout, ‘Oraora!’ during fights give me chills. Japanese delinquents are so cool!” (France / Male / 20s)
“I want to go to Shibuya! It’s the base of Tokyo Manji Gang (a group depicted in the series).” (Brazil / Male / Teens)
“Among anime fans, Shibuya is already synonymous with ‘Tokyo Revengers.’ Once travel to Japan resumes, Shibuya is likely to be filled with overseas otaku enthusiasts (laughs).” (Venezuela / Female / 20s)
“Tokyo Revengers” portrays delinquent boys who each uphold their own sense of justice, and it seems that both the fighting scenes and the special attack uniforms they wear have become objects of admiration.
In the series, Shibuya serves as a base and features many real locations, including the iconic Shibuya Scramble Crossing. With its high level of recognition among foreigners, Shibuya has the potential to become an even more popular pilgrimage site for fans.
Craving It Before Arriving in Japan! The Tempting Japanese Cuisine Seen in Anime
Photo: PIXTA
It has been revealed that Japanese cuisine featured in anime has captivated the taste buds of foreigners.
“I’ve seen onigiri (rice balls) so often in Japanese anime, and I had been wanting to try the real thing even before coming to Japan. My impression after tasting it? Well, it was definitely incredibly delicious!” (Australia / Male / 20s)
“I want to try Ichiraku Ramen from ‘Naruto.’ While we have ramen shops in Europe, I’ve never seen ramen with narutomaki (fish cake with swirl pattern) on top.” (Germany / Male / 30s)
“I admire the school lunches in Japan. They have bread, a main dish, soup, and salad, making it seem like a well-balanced meal. In the United States, we have cafeterias starting from elementary school, so I envy the Japanese system.” (USA / Female / 30s)
“Old-fashioned cafes in Japan feel like special places because they are often featured in anime during significant moments. The coffee and juices also look delicious.” (Canada / Male / 30s)
From onigiri to ramen, the representative dishes of Japan have been portrayed attractively through anime. Additionally, foreign anime fans have shown interest in aspects of Japanese food culture such as school lunches and traditional coffee shops. It seems that they prefer more everyday menus and establishments rather than extravagant cuisine.
Longing for It There!? Unforgettable Scenes from Niche Anime
Photo: PIXTA
Lastly, let’s introduce some minority opinions.
“In Japan, you always hear the sound of cicadas in summer scenes, right? We don’t have cicadas in Chile, so when I started living in Japan and heard the sound of cicadas in the summer, I was deeply moved like, ‘Wow, it’s just like in anime!'” (Chile / Male / 30s)
“After watching ‘Hunter × Hunter,’ I’ve wanted to greet people with Gon’s ‘Osu!’ in Japan.” (Morocco / Male / Teens)
“Occasionally, there are scenes in anime where friends bathe together in hot springs. In Hong Kong, it’s unimaginable to bathe with friends, but I would love to try it at least once.” (Hong Kong / Female / 20s)
The culture and scenery unique to Japan, such as cicadas, martial arts greetings, and communal baths, are completely fresh to foreigners. Even if these scenes are not particularly highlighted in anime, they leave a lasting impression, especially when they depict landscapes and experiences that are absent in their own countries.
Photo: PIXTA
We have discovered that foreigners are drawn to various aspects and scenes showcased in Japanese anime, including school life, fashion, and food culture. Particularly, the charm of Japan is found in everyday sights and food items such as girls in school uniforms, onigiri, and ramen.
Japanese anime like “Tokyo Revengers” have gained a significant viewership among overseas audiences, thanks to the widespread availability of streaming platforms. With the relaxation of entry restrictions and the increasing number of foreign visitors to Japan, there may be a growing number of people who come seeking the landscapes they saw in anime!
*Please note that this article has been edited from its initial publication in October 2021.
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*This information is from the time of this article’s publication.
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