I’m impressed that you treat this like a serious issue and don’t just insult “weaboos” the majority of the video. The actual explanation as to why this occurs in people is also logical and reasonable. Keep up the good work.
If only people stopped treating it like disease, and using it on anyone who cares about anything related to Japan or anime... And if they stopped constantly making fun of people for it, and making fun of anything related to Japan and anime every chance they get...
I know right. I've never been a weeb or even counted myself as an "otaku." I just liked to watch anime. But now I ironically use UWU OWO and use japanese words for the memes but like is this even ironic anymore, I sometimes enjoy doing it :""D It's so dumb. Embrace the weebness.
@@megasocky tbf japanese username doesn't necessarily = weeb some people learning japanese will have a japanese username for whatever reasons (perhaps to indicate that and encourage japanese speakers to talk to them for practice). however i have also seen people who aren't learning japanese with random usernames that'd be translated into something like "cute underwear" in english, though that's mostly in anime forums and the like, so in the end it's sort of self explanatory. it's probably better to just check their usernames individually to see if it's something like john or if it's something like cute anime girl thigh high fetish. the latter being someone you should probably avoid
Nano it’s very different. it’s not intelligible what’s so ever to someone who only speaks english. dutch is the closest language to english and that’s hard to understand
are you a native speaker? I feel like it's pretty obvious. I guess though that because English is so widely spoken there are so many different 'native' accents you can get away with a bit of an accent. Swedish people have a really distinct accent I think though. Because I have moved a lot growing up it's easy for me to notice other peoples accents and pick up accents very quickly. I don't rally have a solid accent myself so that helps in picking up on other peoples accents.
When I heard his voice I was like, ok so either he's from Sweden or Norway, then he showed a book during 1.07 and the book says "Japans historia" which is in Swedish. Btw I'm not a native speaker (obviously from my grammar you would notice) and I'm also from Sweden.
I had a friend back in highschool and oh boy she was the biggest weeaboo I've ever met. Like the type that runs like naruto and genuinely thinks it makes them faster. Well she always talked about moving to Japan, and she said she wishes she was in an anime so she could be skinny and cute. And she's still like this
"It wasn't until I heard Japanese music that I thought, 'Wow this is really weird, I love it'" How did you so perfectly capture my middle school life in one sentence.
@@eustace8520 I still listen to Japanese music, but to that same end, I listen to music from a ton of languages. Not necessarily "anime stuff," just music artists from Japan. When my brain can't focus on lyrics because I don't understand them, it makes good background noise.
@@WakkaMadeInYevon I used to listen to a lot of Hatsune Miku and vocaloid back when I was in middle school. I would always read the meaning behind the lyrics in the comment sections which was pretty neat. City pop is another genre I used to listen to. And it's one of the better genres of Japanese music. My favorite singer of that genre is Miki Mastubara. I don't open up to every genre of music, but I've heard enough to have a vast outlook on music. I've listened to some salsa, reggae, soul, rock & roll, rag time, romantic (1800s), classical; I progressively listened to older music as the time went by. By far, my favorite genre is jazz from the 1920s and 1930s.
@@WakkaMadeInYevon it's the other way around for me, when I don't understand the lyrics the music truly shines, the way they sing does so too even you don't understand shit lol
Agreed. Seen this video in my recommendations for a while now and thought it was just going to be bashing on weebs, but it was a pleasant surprise. Glad to see some objectiveness nowadays, instead of being one-sided on everything.
It's not rock music from Mars, it's rock music from doing cocaine. Then sad music from avoiding cocaine. Then even sadder music from dying. Then no music from being dead.
I actually picked up manhwa because my artstyle is more reminiscent of Korean comics than Japanese ones, as I have some influence from American comics, mostly through Todd McFarlane. Chinese comics (Manhua) are also look a bit more realistic when they're not directly copying Japanese authors.
Jon Dunham a friend of mine found K-pop (bts) a few months ago and turned into the biggest koreaboo I've ever seen since then. it's annoying but whatever
Jon Dunham I don't think so bc she was a huge Weaboo before the Koreaboo phase, because of her brother, who is also a huge weaboo/nerd. It's complicated
Honestly. I've always considered anime like western cartoons. Animation is animation. I just really enjoy animated stuff. American, Japanese, French, whatever. I just love how hand drawn animations can hit you and how they generally look and feel. Where I see Disney leaving us for simpler 3D animation, I love seeing new Japanese shows from studios I love and even just CN shows like Samurai Jack finishing up and that series (pilot) that they put online that looks vaguely Gumball Esq, but definitely it's own. I just truly appreciate animation, so I watch all things animated.
Same here. It's really amazing what people can accomplish, and how they can create so much from virtually nothing with time, dedication, and a good team.
One of my friends is a weeaboo and I just wished she would stop putting a "-chan" on my name. It's so annoying. Also she sometimes makes very disturbing "yaoi-rape-jokes"...
lace x ribbon lol i remember when i did that 2 years ago when I was 13. Lucky my friends didn't gave up on me and give me a reality check. (slap me in the face a bunch of times) I'm no longer a Weeaboo but i still watch Anime sometimes.
I have been to japan myself and im sure most of the people in the comments havent... Japan is amazing just because people over there have less space and are focused on only their job doesnt me you should be aswell. The scenery is exactly like in anime if that is what youre in to. The temples, shrines and gardens are super relaxing. Tokyo is a chaotic city with bright lights and music playing everywhere you go its an adventure, if youre sick of all the noise you can go 10 min by train or even by foot to a relaxing and quiet place. The people are really nice and they mind their own buissness, the train rides are super nice because everyone is quiet (unless you ride on a train from 7-9 am thats a nightmare.. dont do that) There are plenty of anime related things and plenty of history sights you can see. Since they have bullet trains you can go take a few hour ride to a different city which might be completly different. What im trying to say is dont let the people in the comments get to you but still dont have your expectations set too high, most of these people do not know what they are talking about. The video however is really well put and i like that you clarify that the purpose isnt to destroy everyones wishes on japan but to share your expirience.
Everything you wrote sounds like someone that came for a few days and thinks they know everything. The comment about it being quiet made me laugh my ass off in particular.
Yeah, Japan is amazing. I went there for a 2 week tour and everyday was like a chaotic rollercoaster. I got to eat amazing food and meet some of the nicest people. Funny thing, a lot of the people I talked to told me how obsessed they were with western culture and how badly they wanted to visit the US etc... and that’s when I realized that a lot people just have a love for certain cultures that contrast with their own. I think the problem with most “weaboos” is that they think of people over there like they’re aliens or something, when in reality humans are all the same lol.. and this vid covers that perfectly
donpalmera there are loads of parks close to tokyo which are really quiet, even the backstreets where the people live are quiet. At least from my expirience
Red > You wrote a comment assuming that I haven't been to Japan and it looks like you deleted it. FYI my naturalisation process to become Japanese is actually in progress as I write this. Want to educate me any further?
>Japan is amazing. >I went there for a 2 week tour >nicest people. >obsessed they were with western culture You experienced two weeks in hotels abroad. People in the service industry are nice and tend to tell complete lies to tourists to make it look like they actually give a shit.
Nope, you suck regardless of where you live. Some places suck, some places suck way less to the point it's actually pretty decent. But you suck, so you're going to be miserable everywhere. Unless you're clinically depressed, which is a different story, but besides that exception you need to fix yourself
when i was 13 a was depressed and around that time i saw nichijou, it seemed so pure and inoccent and so diferrent to the place that i was living in were people are generally annoying and shallow. I was so jealous of the caracters for living such fun and interresting lifes that i got obsessed with the idea of going to japan, i did'nt even watch anime before seeing nichijou but sudently i was obsessed with japanese culture. It only changed when i went to a big city (the city that i live in is quite small) and took a introductory japanese course and got contact with actual japanese people, then i finally realised that japan is not this heaven that i wanted it to be and , as you said in the video, they are just normal people like us. It was hard to take the truth but i eventually accepted the reality. Thanks for the video, i think its a important thing to adress but people normaly just ignore the subject
Japan is not this heaven we all want it to be. - Akihabara is. ;D But nichjou is awesome. Kyoto Animation typically does the best slice of live anime. Because they don't use the genre as an excuse to make really awesome animation.
CycloneFox I've enjoyed other series that they made, such as K-On! and Miss Kibayashi's dragon maid. But Miyriad Colors Phantom World wasn't very entertaining.
Then when it showed Kyo of Dir En Grey it gave me a good laugh, you could say that they're the band that got me prepared for Extreme Metal lol (hint hint Japan actually has a lot of Death Metal bands, their Slam bands are top tier)
Juichi I got some "actual" Metal acts from Japan (not that I'm saying stuff like Baby Metal and stuff aren't Metal, just gonna give you some acts that do something a little heavier) Melt-Banana (not technically Metal but they are still Grindcore which is one of my fave Extreme music genres. They mix electronic music with Grindcore) Envy (Post-Metal mixed with post-hardcore/screamo, really solid band) Boris (One of the most prominent Drone/Doom Metal bands, they also have like 2 or 3 J-Rock albums but I prefer they're main albums) Church of Misery (Really dope Stoner/Doom Metal) Veiled in Scarlet (Japanese Melodic Death Metal, good stuff) Swarrrm (Really dope Japanese Deathgrind) Anthem + Loudness (Really great classic Japanese Heavy Metal bands) Sigh (One of Japan's most influential Black Metal bands) Desecravity (Dope Japanese Brutal TechDeath band) Crystal Lake (Really awesome Japanese Metalcore band)
Thank you all for the recommendations. I've listened to Dir En Grey, Melt Banana(I have not heard someone mention them in a while) and Band-Maid. I'm more of a Power Metal person, but my boyfriend listens to all types of metal and we're always looking for new bands. Whenever you try to look for Japanese metal bands you tend to either get VK (which is awesome in its own right) or Baby Metal(which is for a particular set of people but not for either of us). If I ever see a chance to get exposed to new bands I try to go for it. Thanks again.
I remember that one vid I saw on UA-cam where there was this weeb guy who visited Japan. He was basically fanboying at everything, but didn't understand much Japanese. He was walking around talking to people and being really weird. He did not realize that the Japanese teens he was interviewing were actually insulting him in their native tongue. They said something (couldn't understand what) and the guy said "thanks." Then they shook their heads and spoke again in Japanese and said "no, that was not a compliment." Yeah, it was fucking cringe.
It’s easy to undersell how mainstream it is in Japan though. It’s weird to be super obsessed with comic book heroes in America, but it doesn’t change that fact that those are all the biggest movies there.
Finally somebody looks at all the flaws in each nation and understands them, but able to accept and move on with them, but as a different person. I followed your channel for the art, but you also have a good head on your shoulders too, keep up the great work.
I don't think Japan is any better than any other country, but I still study Japanese (as a hobby) and keep my interest in Japan alive. I think of it a bit like it is with girlfriends; no, my girlfriend is not objectively better than all other girls, but it's the girl I'm in love with, so she is better for me. The same, Japan is not objectively better than any other country, but somehow my life has brought me to a deep interest in Japanese language and culture, so that's what is good for me.
I’m Brazilian and OH GOD the same obsession you guys have with the Japanese culture we have with the American culture ( at least teenagers) We think that in the American high school it’s all about kissing and romance and drama We also think that everything that is American is better One of my friends usually see like a door, and say “Oh my god this door look so American” or “Oh my god, you look like that American blonde girls” And it’s REALLY ANNOYING Please don’t get me wrong, Brazil is a nice place, we just have a sense of inferiority for some reason
I can relate to this, here in Puerto Rico they could make fun of you if you're a weeaboo but when it comes to being "Americano" that's no laughing matter.
"I couldn't teach English classes because I'm not a native English speaker..." Could've fooled me, honestly. (I know you probably weren't as proficient back then, but your English language skills are really impressive. If not for your accent there would be nothing in your speech that would tip me off to you being a non-native speaker.)
As far as i know Japan insists on having native English speakers in their classrooms. Even if you have legitimate documentation showing your accomplishments as a teacher. A person native to a country with English as their national language will always have a spot over someone from Germany for example. *Fun Fact:* Sweden has a higher English fluency than Canada at 87% while Canada has 86%.
I was also a weeaboo once.... ....I am so glad I'm not anymore. It wrecked my brain for two years, and I had to spend a summer recovering from the hell it put me through. I had an identity crisis about being a Hetalia character. I lost all of my friends because of it; I got extremely depressed and had to become distanced so I could learn to actually be a person again.
It was mostly due to my group of friends. We unintentionally became so obsessed over this one property that we were hardly ourselves anymore. I was only "Doitsu," and my friends were only "England" and "Italy." It was ridiculous, and the fact that it went as far as it did was harmful to my mental state to the point that I can't even watch most anime properties anymore.... Yeah, it sounds absurd, and it is, but I literally was pushed to a breaking point because I lost my own sense of self-worth.
That's actually really scary and sound. It sounds unreal at first but I'd have a hard time forgiving those friends that didn't help but rp'd into it. Hope you are doing better
YoSeriousLee Dude..the exact same thing happened to my group of friends and I. We obsessively shipped, drew fanart, and roleplayed. I was Russia and Japan. I almost lost my best friend because her mom saw all of our constant roleplays. Letting go was ultimately the best decision for us.
If you're encouraged to expand your horizons because of a meme, could that even be considered a bad thing? Like who cares if he's doing it for the wrong reasons?
holy shit.. you must be really good at languages and accents, because I thought you were an american until you showed the map of you moving from sweden..
Swedes learn English really easily because the two languages are very similar, also they are exposed to English language all the time. They lose their accents really fast. Like even Swedish hockey players and other athletes who generally aren't viewed as smart people have perfect English after a couple of seasons overseas. As a Finn, this is very annoying. Our language is one of the most different ones compared to English, even after years I still sound like a retard when speaking English. But it's much easier for us to pronounce Japanese so we have that.
odd, i actually picked up on him being from a non english speaking country. i'm from latam, could that be related? maybe as non native speakers we recognise other non native speakers too
K-On! was my first anime. Weirdly enough, instead of becoming a weeaboo, it made me want to play guitar and draw cartoons. Anyways, great video! Interesting hearing about others' experiences
Jodoublen I love moe anime as a relaxer. It's the polar opposite of my boring poor life as a male lol. It's nice to just have something with next to no substance to take my mind off of the world.
lumpy bumpkin K-On definitely fills my moe fix while also giving me awesome music. I truly believe their is substance whenever the series gets into the dynamics of a band, but yes, lots of cute fluff most of the time and can't help but love it. Tho Soul Eater is right up there with them for me so you know I gotta see if Soul Eater Not is my cup of tea
Jodoublen oh yeah, lol my bad, I was referring to moe as a whole. While light most of the time k-on has some nice emotional themes and yeeeeesssss the music is dooooope! And it's so nice to see the characters come together like that to make the music. It's super cool. That being said, if you haven't hanayamata you should
lumpy bumpkin You're good; that's why K-On was so appealing for me. I'm really into bands and love hearing about their adventures so a series about that felt real while being silly and feel connected with the members. And yes, I've bought all their music. My gateway into Japanese rock XD I'll check out hanayamata; I actually don't watch a lot of moe, but I'll give it a go
19 years old here, your story is nearly one for one how I was. I hated admitting anything about being a weeb in high school and i knew it was seen as a "weird" taste so I kept it to myself. The fantasy daydreaming stopped when I moved to Japan because of my fathers work, and seeing a place that makes an anime act completely different from their animated versions was eye-opening. They are not very expressive and extremely focused on their own lives despite living in such tight spaces near others, and their work ethic is clearly on a whole nother level. I didn't have any plans of what to study so my parents and I went with studying Pharmacy, and after moving away, I am really happy I didn't choose the weaboo life. Like how you said with taste, I used Japan as a means to feel belonged to a group when in reality I just loved their art. It became less about the anime and more about the illustrator. I started broadening my boundaries after this and realized it wasn't just japanese art but it was cool and sharp heavy lines like ones you would see in tengen toppa or Nichijou or even street fighter. Now I practice once in a while with art, not happy with how often I do but I'm glad I found your channel to realize I have taste, and I have things in my mind I wanna share because of this taste.
people glorify japan like it was a perfect country, it's far from it, almost* anyone that want's to live there has a wrong impression of what it actual is like . it also annoys me that weebs like things solely for being japanese and nothing else
Marcos Santos yeah the weebs that want to live there are a danger to themselves like how this man almost was. That said, if you don't have a disillusioned view of the country and know it's just like anywhere else on Earth, you'd probably do alright there.
Not really; some people make an informed decision to move to Japan, knowing full well what it's like and what problems they're going to face. These people are usually the ones that stay for a long time, as opposed to those coming to Japan thinking of it as the land of fun and rainbows, then running back to their home countries with the tail tucked between their legs after like 3 months. Moving to another country is a serious thing that should be carefully considered.
I was a weeabo in highschool, the hooneymoon period ended when I got into multicultural activities in college. I realized the hurtles and harsh life that the japanese people live, the struggle to conform, the struggle to seem hard working. The lack of affection in the cultural norms, that's freely exists in the western society. The affection of a best friend, the affection of brother or sister, the affection of a mother & father. The friendship dynamic of trying to fit in with a click so as not to be ostricized, rather than meet good natured people who share your same views. How the japanese follow rules to a T to have an immaculate functioning society, but also to their detriment where they can't think for them selves or in unorthodox ways. Smartness is measured in your ability to be repetitive and to recite what you have memorized, rather be an inovative thinker and think of new ways of doing things. So in that japanese lifestyle context, anime & manga and japanese TV is an escapism of the melancholy daily life.
Those are pretty commonly talked about surface criticisms of Japanese culture. Funnily enough I gleaned all this (personally) from reading manga. Yet I guess I'm still interested; seeing as good parenting is enough to surpass any problems you can see with Japanese culture. Don't really need something silly like constant reaffirmation from people; just a few friends here and there. You are super wrong about the smartness thing. You made such an awful and moronic blanket statement about education in Japan that I just had to laugh at your stupidity. I wonder what the SAT and AP tests are in America? I wonder why so many students in America are mediocre, failing students with no extracurriculars, no range, and a whole lot of complaints? I wonder why the smartest from the smartest college institutions end up being the most creative, as evidenced by literally every new CEO out there (most being produced by Ivies)? You really exaggerated the "rote" qualities of Japanese education; but don't pretend like you've been educated there either. I just don't know where you got the hard information that American schooling involves more creativity than Japanese education, or that Japanese people aren't innovative thinkers. In the latest Bloomberg innovation index, Japan is in the top 10 countries in the world - showing that innovation in the practical sense trumps whatever surface creativity you seem to think academic education involves. You also don't live there - you don't see all the new apps or trends that pop up. You aren't involved in their technological progress, or their work in robotics or biotech. You don't even read their books, so you have no clue of their cultural consciousness or of what vibrant discoveries might be being written there. Kind of sad that you tried to understand Japanese culture more but you also ended up making hideous blanket statements about it. You really seem to think Japan is some kind of uber-depressed country with a bunch of illogical, uncreative idiots. You are even worse than a weeb. You have entrenched extreme misconceptions about Japanese culture in your head once again, but now you are absolutely confident they are correct. At best, you've only reached the next level of a surface understanding of another country. Well, whatever; guess not everyone can be interested in understanding a country they don't live in.
@@zackwyvern2582 thats pretty naive, the fact that companies like Tesla or Boston Robotics exist here in America doesn't say much about the average american, nor do you your examples about biotech innovation and robotics and apps say anything about the average Japanese person. I think that person was talking more about everyday life, and I have heard countless stories about the stifling and extremely constricted corporate culture. Actually it's something Japan and America have in common, both countries are known for working extreme hours even in office jobs, although Japan is definitely even more on the extreme end. A conservative office in america is the normal office in Japan, is the impression I have gotten. There are downsides to living in every country, and some people find it easier to live within certain cultures compared others, what may seem stifling about Japan to a foreigner may seem to be common sense, and comfortable to another person. And the opposite can be true for foreigners in the US. There are some cultures, such as in South America, who find North Americans to be cold and distant, just like we might feel about some asian countries. I don't think that guy said anything that some native people living in Japan wouldn't agree with, there are always going to be upsides and downsides.
Well, i do that weeb shit when i was in middle school, but when i was in highschool, i don't really talk about weeb related things to my friends unless they talk about it first, but yeah im still watching anime to these days
Any obsession is bad and it comes from a deeper problem. Some people are alone and envious of what they see. It's easy to make a connection. "Anime = Happy = Japan Hey maybe I should move to japan. Right?" One must know that. I really like anime and japan (I mean look at my profile pic) and I took japanese classes. In my case Japanese classes made me like anime more since it became easier and easier to digest and understand. It became way more relatable. I certainly had a phase where I thought Japan was great and I wanted to go (I still want to go but for different reasons) You mentioned that, I wanted to go that because it was new and exciting stuff. I didn't noticed that until now. Anyway, I realized it was just the hype and started to fade away. I did something similar when I was a kid and learned english. I'm Mexican and my brothers have been going to the US as immigrants and they sent a lot of money and bought a lot of cool stuff and as a I kid I thought that the US was this magical place filled of opportunities where you can love all of your dreams and be happy. Now as an adult I slightly hate the US. I lost my chance to go to Japan three times,the first one I lose it fairly to a classmate, it was a 50/50 situation. In the next one I got neglected by the rector, and the last one my efforts got ultimately crushed and ignored. (I seriously got depressed there, like... losing a dream student exchange, all cost covered by the university. 2 weeks of happy, free Japanese life with a Japanese family) Because of that I got the idea to go there by myself and the more I investigated the less I wanted to do that. Sure, going there would be amazing and a dream come true but that only works if you go in "happy-go-lucky" mode. By this I mean that only works if you go as an exchange student, as a temporary worker from a big enterprise or as a tourist. (This last one would be fucking expensive) I feel like living in Japan by myself would be HELL. Sure I'd buy a lot of figures since some of them are as cheap as a pair of bottles of coke but I'd be really sad. I'll most probably become the so infamous Japanese business-man. I don't even like Japanese girls. I have nothing against them but I just don't like them. I found an equilibrium after all of that crisis. I still love anime and I will do my best to get more Japanese classes. I'm at a good level already, I must finish what I started. I buy figures, some of them are really expensive because they have to get imported but I only choose the characters that are more valuable to me. I get considered a weeabo by many people. most probably I am, To conclude, a fun little story. When I was learning English everyone was happy cuz I watched and listened to English music. I was depicted as some sort of genius by my family and my classmates were really impressed aaaaand I wanted to go to the US. People actally encouraged me to go and live in the US. (The legal way) Years later I started to learn French. Again, french stuff everywhere. Everyone happy. I wanted to live in France. Then German. I didn't got too deep into German but everybody around me was happy. Theeeen I started studying Japanese and people started to think I was a weirdo since I watched Japanese stuff and bought Japanese stuff... like... seriously? I can go around screaming "ommelette au fromage" while wearing a beret and people will praise me but the moment I say "Hajimemashite" or "Yoroshiku" everybody loses their minds... like... wtf. Anyway. Be smart. Don't get obsessed. All countries are shit on their own way.
The omlette part... I laughed xD it's very true though. Admitting to learning Japanese brings a fair amount of prejudices upon one (instantly being suspected of being a/an weeb/otaku). One has to be careful I guess, it's better not to be too obnoxious, then people's reactions are absolutely fine (at least from my experience), because being obnoxious quantifies the suspections, and then people actually think that you're weird. If some people still find you a weeb even if you're acting 0% cringy, then they are simply dumb
First. Thanks for reading. I know, if you are decent enough nobody cares but the thing is that there are a lot and I mean a looooooot of otakus here so... It's hard to get taken seriously. And being honest. I love all the weird weeb shit and memes. I don't show it to the world but man I'm invested on it.
I had some sort of a probably similar problem I am not a weeaboo at all and I am not obsessed with anime .. in fact by the time passing I am losing the interest to watch anime. I am like that anime is good let's watch it type of guy. But here comes my problem ... I am living in third world country and for people who do not know how the life here is like, lemme tell you that all the standards are reversed. So I started to hate the fact that I was born there. any way I liked the Japanese architecture and the way traditional Japanese houses looks like. In fact I liked it when I was a kid but I dunno how It popped up in my mind again at the age of 22. I am a realistic person as a dreamer at the same time which has put me in a tough situation and a deep depression. Ok I am learning Japanese on my own without school or a teacher and I am actually progressing but my realistic mind keep asking what you will gain by studying Japanese language? because sometimes I find it near impossible in my situation to go to Japan even If I went there I know that life is not full of rainbows and it will be tough as hell so please tell me what do you think? should I keep learning? or what? I am not desperate .. I am just wanna hear opinions because I feel so lost and my mind is thinking a lot without stopping.
I dunno your actual situation but first of all... man you have internet... Do you really think than learning Japanese will be a waste of time? You will be able to explore the Japanese internet, make Japanese friends and who knows... maybe... maybe one of those friends will help you get there. I'll use myself as an example. I'm 22 and I've never been on the US even tough I know English since I was 9. English opened me a whole new wold of entertainment and I've met a lot of people. I would never say that I wasted my time cuz I never went to the US, Heck, I wouldn't be writing this comment in the first place. I think that what you call "being realistic" is just being a pessimist. I'm somewhat like that too. Seriously. Just do it man. Who knows what could happen in the future.
your reply makes sense As a realistic person I really couldn't agree more to what you've just said I have English language on a semi-fluent level and this feature unlocked many thing for me on the internet I can access freelancers websites for examples and understand what is going on, I can watch any movie without subtitles anymore. I can really explore a lot of things with my English. I am studying Japanese because I think it is a cool language that's it. May be your are right. My realism sometimes turns into pessimistic thoughts because of maybe the other problems I experience in my life. I think I will continue learning that awesome language because I just like it without even being weaboo or obsessed with anime. And like you said who knows what could happen in the future thank you man for your reply It means a lot to me :)
To be honest I feel like you might have missed out by chickening out on your dream and letting yourself get discouraged by other peoples negative experiences. It's really easy to talk yourself out of going outside your comfort zone and taking risks by thinking you should stay 'safe', but that's a good way to end up with a lot of regrets and fail to really 'live' your life. Everyone's different so maybe you did do the right thing for you and hopefully you're happy now but, I wasn't even anywhere near as obsessed with Japan as you, and I did move to Japan and I have loved every minute of it. To be honest it's pretty much exactly what I expected. The food is amazing, I love the nature, the architecture, learning the language is extremely challenging but its interesting and communicating through a language barrier can be fun and rewarding. I get to have a lot of new experiences. I enjoy teaching, I have a good relationship with my students, I feel like I'm genuinely helping people and making a difference in peoples lives. So, to each their own. Honestly I think a lot of it just comes down to your attitude and the way you choose to see and react to things.
I do feel like I missed out in a sense by chickening out and getting discouraged, it's very easy to convince yourself of sour grapes. I'll say that I still like Japan, and a lot of Japanese entertainment, just under different circumstances from before, and because it's good and not because it's Japanese. But I've also never been financially stable enough to go to Japan, or to take a big loan that would affect my life. If doing that would be worth it despite that is harder for me to say.
My advice would be that if you ever want to just try living here for a year, apply for a job here and come to work instead of taking out some big loan to study here. Get paid to be here instead of paying to be here. I think I remember you saying that you're not a native English speaker so you ruled out the possibility of being an English teacher but based off this video and your comment your English level still seems way better than most native Japanese English teachers in the Japanese Schooling system so I think if you took some kind of English proficiency test and got a certificate to show your level of English you could still get a job teaching English here and if youtube is your career I assume you could continue do that in Japan so, if you ever do decide you want to try to live abroad in Japan for a while that would be my recommendation. You could also look into other kinds of jobs aside from teaching English. If you have a university degree definitely check out programs like the JET program.
I understand the point of missing an opportunity. I however think he did the right thing. Japan is a pretty shitty place to be. Don't get me wrong I love anime and manga. Japan is extremely racist and has extreme workloads. you would most likely spend your time working all day, while beeing excluded by your co-workers.
Except that virtually everyone I have met has been extremely kind and welcoming to me and that has also been the experience of most of the other foreigners I know living in Japan as well. Japanese people tend to be very polite and will often go out of their way to try to help you. I get asked to participate in a lot of things and people often actively want to talk to me because they enjoy trying to talk in English or they are interested in foreigners. So clearly that isn't the case for everyone. It's also a very safe country. People don't litter as much, things like vandalism and theft are rare. It's true that the work culture in Japan is intense but not every job is like that, it's less of an issue if you actually like your job and there are a lot of good sides to their culture. There are generally good and bad sides to everything. As I said earlier, a lot of your personal experience and happiness, in general, will come down to your attitude and how you choose to think about what happens to you. That said, I think moving to Japan only because you like anime and manga doesn't make much sense.
what makes it worse is that the title makes me think of a father saying: Son... when I was a weeaboo *tells whole story* and then the son's was never the same...
I did the same thing with Germany, I learned a lot about German culture, learned a lot of German, listened to German folk music, and etc. I find that western people often have identity crisis as young people since western culture is the default of the world. When you try and image the Culture of Japan it's very unique and foreign, with it's art, architecture, history, and many other things, just like most all countries of the world, the west included. However when you're raised in a country like the United States, it doesn't feel like their's too much culture. (Don't get me wrong, America has plenty of culture) but it doesn't feel too different or unique. Wearing an oxford suit is the typical business attire of the world, something that came from the west, not the kimono, or the lederhosen, so it can be hard to identify with this culture when it's just the world's default. As an American we're only expected to learn English, because in the world it's become a default language. We're not expected to learn French or Swedish in school, but in France and Sweden it is. Although I don't have much fact to back up these theories, it's what I've seen happen to myself and many other people who grew up in a culture like mine.
Jerry Koshigaya seit wann tragen deutsche lederhosen? lol ok auf den wiesen vielleicht Aber interessante theorie, wobei ich als deutsche auch kaum eigene kultur sehe. Na klar, essen und so was, aber sonst gibt es allgemein nicht viel eigenes, was die identität als deutsche festigen würde. Patriotismus sowieso nicht, nazi Wahrscheinlich ist die eigene Kultur allgemein default.
Bobo A lot of our german culture is based on our history and literature. Surprise surprise, the german history doesn't consist entirely of nazis. If you look at our german history, you'll find a focus on liberalism, socialism, and our need for a strong economical and political power. And a lot of our literature focuses on the ethics and laws of mankind, and freedom of thought. All these aspects lead to the lives we live in germany now. And because now we have a lot of freedom, you can do whatever you want in germany. This includes cultural exchanges to develop your own personality. We don't really know what our german culture is anymore because we got so used to it. And i think it's the same with every other culture. But everyone has something to identify with in his own culture. And it's only normal that we look for other cultural input.
Ludicrous Superficial Man yes absolutely With "nazi" i was reffering to the phenomon that a lot german don't dare beeing patriotic because of our recent history. And i now about the literature and aufklärung, also a huge fan of Nietzsche and Schopenhauer^^
I was a weeaboo about 2 years ago, I did nothing but watch anime and read manga and fantasise about Japan. At the same time I started collecting pokémon cards again, and that grew out to be a rather social and fun hobby for myself. It also exposed me to the idea of learning an exotic language, which got me more into linguistics which led me to start studying Japanese Language and Communication (a business/marketing oriented education about Japan). Last time I watched anime or read manga was ages ago, I wouldn't want to spend the rest of my life in Japan but I would enjoy working in Japan for a while, going there a couple times per year but still stay in touch with my own culture and reality.
I've always found it so weird that a lot of weeaboos are so adamant about calling themselves otaku as if otaku are somehow a respected part of japanese culture.
Olivier Baudert well like he said in the video weeb means different things to different ppl and for most of the ppl who like anime otaku is seen as a more positive word than weeb. :/
People always feel the need to label themselves, as to feel they're part of something bigger. I watch anime occasionally if I come across a good series. I appreciate japanese culture, but the reason I watch anime is not to immerse or indulge myself in japan. Mainstream anime culture can be really cringey, so I tend to avoid it. For me good show is a good show, regardless of what country it comes from.
hopefully artistic I think you missed the main point: Otaku are not seen as respectable in Japan. Weeaboos over in the west somehow seem to think they are, and are insistant on calling themselves that.
I was never a Weeaboo, but I remember when I was in High school I really wanted to be Goth. I wanted to be seen by others as Goth. I learned all about the history of the Subculture and listend even to some Bands I did not truly care about. Also I considerd any other Music as mainstream shit. It was partially more about the image then the substance. I eventually stoped being so tryhard about it and just listend to the music I like no matter the lable. I think young ppl have a stronger desire for group identity, after all they come off age and challenge the believes of their parents. So for some their is a need to lable themselfs because they can't stand the insecurity of not knowing yet who they are. It's normal.
I was always attracted to goth culture, but the goths in my school seemed to just basically be druggies (and actually weren't goth, just dressed in dark clothes and makeup). When I moved I met some real goth people. It was such a difference. I will always appreciate goth culture, but I realized that's just a part of me and dressing a certain way doesn't define who you are.
I wish everyone saw me as the "quiet kid who likes to draw an read" because that's what I am. I hate it when I'm reading a book or drawing and they're like "What book is that" and "what're you drawing"
I kinda just came to the decision a few years ago that I wouldn't let other people effect my view on things. I couldn't care less if people like or hate it. As long as I'm enjoying myself I think that's good enough
I am an artist and just really love the anime artwork. Some of my earliest shows I've ever watched were stuff like Pokemom, Digimon and Sailor Moon. My father even taught me and my sister Origami. He was also a big a lover of the artwork. As I am now, I wouldn't call myself a Weaboo because I've become so busy with work and have just moved away from it a little. That doesn't mean I don't watch anime anymore, I still do but it's not to a point to where it controls my life anymore. I am a little sad to see myself move away from my younger weaboo self as I grow older but at the same time I'm very glad to change a little. This was a great video c:
The way I see it: I like stuff. That stuff is pretty much isolated in Japan for whatever reason. Perhaps if other places were more like Japan, I'd like Japan less. But as it stands, a lot of different genres/media/etc. are *only* found in Japan. For example, where else can you find a place like akiba or shibuya? Where else can you find denpa music, or large indie market events? It's less "I like it because it's japanese" and more "I like it, and it happens to be Japanese". Japanese culture and media are just *that damn good.* Other stuff is good too, but for whatever reason Japan seems to have pretty consistent quality, and lots of common sense approaches. Perhaps it's because I grew up with Japanese media and Japanese friends. Or perhaps just my own unique wiring makes me more in line with this sort of culture. But as it branches out of Japan and into other cultures, I often find myself liking things from those cultures as well.
I was obsessed with Japan, but I never thought japanese people weren't people, so I can't relate. I just idolized them and thought they could do no wrong. But fortunately by watching a lot of videos on japanese culture, I learned and grew out of that thinking pretty quickly.
Like me... I've was admired Japanese people back then... Japanese are "perfectionist" and "superior"... Their brains are the world innovation... I've was jealous when there's a Japanese people at front of me... They are the "kings" of Asians... Immigration officers when saw Japanese passport, they were treated like a first class people...
@@trumanehrhorn-lung9667 I agree that that guys an idiot but I wouldn’t glamorise their work culture. A lot of Japanese people work themselves way harder than is healthy due to their culture, at least compared to western countries
Honestly I'm obsessed with anime and I guess I like learning about Japan every now and then, but this is only my hobby. My favourite perhaps but far from being my only one. I've never dreamed about setting in Japan or pretending I'm nipponese lol. Being a thirdie, there's a lot of pressure on me constantly for college and getting a job that'll earn me a good pay, I don't think I'll ever be as dejected from reality. Those are the things I gotta do and anime only serves as a stressbreaker in between, not the other way around. The whole weaboo thing is something I consider a first world problem for the most part.
When I was a weeaboo My father took me into the city To a see a marching clan He said "Son, when you grow up..." Dammit, I can't think of anything else to add!
This is exactly similar to my story of teenagehood. I used to be that kind of weeb who feel my "Japan" taste was better than the other's. Mocking friends who glorified or follow the western trend (I'm South East Asian). I was thinking that Japan culture was superior. That was why I don't have many friends in highschool. But all changed when I broke up with my girlfriend. I started to make more friends, tried to be more open and mainstream, follow the trends and such, but that wasn't without any consequences. I started to make same mistake, looked at my former weeb friends as inferior, loser and pathetic. But then I started to realise that it's normal and okay to have hobby, to like something. Toxic admiration is where things go wrong. Now I accept that I like Japanese culture and pop culture and that's totally ok. I accept that many people like many different things. I'm not that kinda weeb now but I admit, my playlist still consisted mostly Japanese music. But not because it's superior to other, but because simply they're my style and I like it. One thing that I learnt about Japanese culture is how they can take other's culture, mix it up with their culture and make something new and fresh. I then think, I can do the same with my own culture. That's the main thing I still like Japanese culture, and I believe other cultures just as unique as them. I still watch anime, listen to Japanese Pop music, sport some Japanese street wear and style. The only thing that changed is I'm not being an asshole.
Bramantyo Saptian Japanese culture is just a another temporary interest for me, now i’m just watching western stuff because like you i’m from southeast Asia as well and i started to learn new things and my mind plus my body grown pretty fast for a 13 years old, if it’s still like this soon enough in my 20’s i would have a mind of a 50’s man
Even though I still enjoy anime and Japanese games I know that Japan isn't the utopia others portray it as and I like western media as well now. I don't watch anime because it is Japanese and anime but because I like the genre, story, characters, style, etc. and if there is a western show that has those things I like then I'll watch it too. I judge each show or game on its own merits.
people act like anime is some holy grail of television no it has flaws like all other media. it's not perfect. far from it. anime was a mistake. and that's ok
I don't think anime is that amazing either, but I really doubt it is a mistake; making any story in any way, it boils down to having experience, and having senses of realism, fantasy, and charm. You could apply anime without most of the tropes, such as fan service boobies, comical effects, raucous or obnoxious voices, and theme of grade-school. You could also apply a lot of western TV shows without tropes such as handling relationships as puerile, groaning soft voices, identity values, and politics.
Noedig i think one of the bigest flaws in japanese animation is it's lipsynch, something that western animation tends to be much better at. I know it is because they animate first and start the voice acting later, but I don' t understand why, they'd be much better at lipsynching if they voiced the lines first and animated later, like here in the west
I can relate to some of that experience, "it's only a phase, mom!" Yeah, when I had 4 years left of high school I planned my future: 1) Go to a Japanese language course that offered a scholarship to go to Japan after completing 3 years of study. So it would synchronize with graduation and I'd be speaking Japanese in Japan as soon as I could. 2) Go to college in Japan, BUT most importantly: Find a half-time job at a Manga store, so that I could spend half a day reading manga and studying. 3) Rent a cheap place to live, I don't care as long as the rest is secured. Life goal: get a humble Japanese house with one of those spaces next to the door where you leave your shoes. 4) Live the dream. Nowadays I say that I "thankfully" didn't take that path, but I'm still kinda unsure. I'm definitely not into Anime and Japan as much as back then, but I still feel like I don't belong in my own country, and Japan is still in my list of best places to hopefully have a life in. Nevertheless, I think taking such a desicion before my 20's would've been really dumb. Now I think there's plenty of life left to make the desicion and the first thing everyone should do is educate themselves. As you said, wait until you understand and find a real reason to do it.
Getting the timing right is something you can only know in retrospect though. Sometimes you have to act rashly in order to find your right way. In any case, the most important thing is to make your own choices in life and then try to be happy with them.
I honestly could never become a weeb. I like anime, manga, and video games from Japan, but I like cartoons, comics, movies, etc from other parts of the world just as much. I see media from all around the world as equal. Berserk is great, but so is Jeff Smith's Bone. I love Perfect Blue, but I also love Pink Floyd The Wall. In all honesty, I think what many weebs lack is common sense. Anybody could easily put together the conclusion I made, but the weebs either can't do so or just don't want to for some odd reason. I dunno, those are just my thoughts.
Weebism to me is less about lacking common sense and more about feeling some disconnection or dissonance with one's own identity. That's why it's predominantly found in younger people who are still trying to figure out who they are. People who are increasingly discontented with themselves as people or their environment (culture, home life, school life etc.) have a tendency to turn to romanticism as a coping mechanism. And we all know that romanticism usually distorts reality in some way or the other.
This is a 2 years later commentary, but i will say it anyway, i love this video. I think it really encaptures the though train that most of us have gone when we have a distinct thing we like that ''becomes'' part of our personality. The way you speak is honest and i feel like this is the kind of talk you have with someone at 2am when you're both trying to sleep. The psychological aspects you talked about are also really nice, and the video i think speaks for most of us who realized the conflict between reality and dreams. Thanks for the video!
I went through this in high school I was about as obsessed with Naruto as a young artist who liked anime could be. over the years I had an identity crisis with my drawings where I didn't feel they looked original enough and I shut out ANYTHING that was mainstream in media and most anime as well. was very damaging to my progress as I learned later because reference is needed but it paved the way to my growth. Anime contains a very large amount of repetition and idea theft imo. stealing ideas isn't so bad but some amount of originality in the plot lines etc would've been nice. maybe they just stick far too close to genres and established rules like that whole ecchi? thing with fan service and what not
Congratulations on your recovery. I've read a lot of manga and watched a lot of anime but I never went full weeb. I helped run the anime club at my university. I was in charge of we watched because I was that one dude who's seen everything. There were a lot of dysfunctional people there, in various ways, myself included, and this video is a good assessment of a lot of what was going on.
This is really well thought out. I am attracted to Japan because of the way it is expressed in ghibli films and slice of life dramas. Stuff like summer wars and your name. I agree that I deeply desire to belong, it just seems like Japan would be a place to find that. I will probably travel to Japan and see for myself like you have. Thanks for making this.
I had a very similar experience with metal music. Back in secondary school (highschool to you 'Muricans) I listened to nothing but metal and its subgenres (including screamo). I dressed 'metal' (all black, band t-shirt, never wore makeup or anything), I acted 'metal' (angry/short-tempered, just a general dick) and I was almost scared to wear or listen to anything different. I felt like anything 'non-metal' was weak. But, eventually, something clicked. I realised I didn't like the person I had become, that cowering from anything 'non-metal' was stupid, that real people didn't act like that. Now I'll openly listen to fucking ABBA or whatever, but I still enjoy metal and stuff. (I eventually stopped listening to screamo, too, thank god).
They called me a weeaboo when I never watch anime but interest in Japan and learn some Japanese from my school Is there a way to prevent yourself from calling weeaboo? Edit:boi my comment section has turned into bullying and harassment section, yet again a smart people joins in.
Don't watch muh videos and don't scrubskribe firstly change your profile picture, secondly go along with it. Don't get frustrated just ask why you're a weeb, laugh and move on.
Don't watch muh videos and don't scrubskribe You need to put the line between your what you like to do and your core identity dude. First thing you should do is changing your profile picture.
Great video. I got the distinct realization that it would be easy to switch all these concepts in reverse - racism and cultural prejudice can come about by a sustained reinforcement of illusory concepts
This somehow exactly sounds like when i was heavily obsessed with Japanese Anime & culture during my teens it was as if i have completely forgotten that i was a human .. that’s how much i wanted to be a like Anime & just like you it were Japanese songs that sparked my interests & i seriously went through all the stage of emotional & decisive turmoil you went through .. WoW it brings strong nostalgia😅& shades of embarrassment😆
Personally as a person who has watched a fuck ton of anime the only appeal of going to japan is to see anime since in real life like to walk around a normal street for a bit or just see the country side. To explain the appeal of this is that most of anime is escapism and is meant to take you mind of thing and feel something different and when you see anything close to what you saw when you felt that strong way you instantly connect them and get that feeling again (like listening to a song that reminds you of something) I have experienced before and it turned a okay view from a mountain to the best view I have ever seen in my life (this is view from snowdon onto the see in Wales if any one knows)
@@infamousshinkicker6924you mad kid? did i offended your favorite cartoon? i feel so sorry about it, but well lets move on i guess? english is not my first language so whatever you found wrong in my first comment please let me know ill be sure to be aware of that mistake next time i write a similar sentence, thank you very much
@@sayanskywolf13 well, you didn't have many important grammar mistakes but I'm pretty sure nobody understood you because your comment didn't make sense. English isn't my first language either but that doesn't matter, I still check twice to see if what I wrote is understandable. No, you didn't insult my favorite cartoon. You insulted art with your ignorance about animation, pretty sure any normal person would get angry.
Interestingly, I'm sorta the opposite. I see a big Japan-craze lately in American culture, but I don't really see the appeal? Like, I've enjoyed some anime, the history is really cool, their architecture is amazing, some of their food is alright, but... I'm not interested in Japan any more than like, England, Italy, even pre-colonial North America. It feels like all my friends want to learn Japanese and visit Japan, and I'm here thinking "yeah but I prefer Italian food, I'd like to see my ancestral home in Poland, Iceland has more favorable weather," etc. I dunno. Maybe I actively avoid trends so I don't risk seeming like I'm faking my identity? Or maybe I'm actually just not worried about how I come across? It's hard to say really.
I used to draw in an anime-style & pretend I acted like I knew a tonne about anime & stuff when I'd only watched one show. Like the example of the figurine collector. Sad days.
You some good points in there. Especially on the end when you talk about purchasing things to present yourself. I used to do that as well (mostly with music) and I would by like every merchandise I could get but im the last two years when I slowly lost track of my friends (everyone moved away or we simply lived us apart) I started thinking well why do I do that what I do? And you have like whole collections at home from stuff you actually don't need. And I kinda stopped buying anything like that. Damn when I think about the time I was head over heels for manga (I'm 20 now) and I look at some of them I still have, thinking that it is pretty shitty drawn and it doesn't appeal to me anymore. So when I stopped with this I actually found myself being interested in other things and nothing better could have happened to me. Once you step out of your bubble the world seems much more open than before.
Very interesting video! You did a good job of explaining how you can still like anime and Japanese things and not be a weeaboo. I personally have been called a weeaboo jokingly by friends even though I am not one. I don't idolize Japan and think it's this perfect place. As you said, Japanese people are just normal people. I may have become a weeaboo if it weren't for the fact I have family who are Japanese (I'm only a quarter.) so I hear all about the realities of Japan and what it's really like there. The media definitely makes it easy to idealize Japan and make it sound like it's this perfect place.
I can relate 100% to this. I was a massive weeabo until around 19 but then yeah. Reality kicks in and and kick in hard. But I remember those days fondly. I dont regret a second of it.
Giroutte I’m becoming a weaboo about when i was 11 - 12, but after dropping out of schools everything of mine changed, i’m still a kid but know things, it feel like i should have a dog and running on a grass field with it to stay happy and young, but i’m grown too fast, soon enough i will be a 50’s man in my 20’s and have a very short life span
Great insight, thank you so much for it. I've been craving for such deep information for a long time, since basically this is what happened to me for a long long time, and i was kind of aware of it but couldn't break it until I found out the solution is to enjoy reality, live your life rather than a fantasy you use to escape your real-life problems (in my case devastatingly low self-esteem and insecurity), a cute little imaginary world inside of your head you could run to as if it were a shelter everytime you felt bad about yourself, but that was absolutely fake and offered no real solution at all. I found out I could be a good person in real life and enjoy myself as well, and now I'm doing really good because the focus is on finding the meaning of life, really. Thank you for your thoughts 😊
Watching Cartoon Network shows as a kid, I realized that cartoons are not the same as real life. And I guess that knowledge carried over when I started watching anime when I was 16 (I watched some anime before that, but I was 15 when I realized that those shows were actually English dubbed Japanese shows).
It's really good that you realized what you were really looking for before committing to your year abroad. I definitely didn't realize in time so now I have a degree i dont use. It's more of a quirk that helps new people remember me. 'Oh, right. This is the person who speaks Japanese.' Luckily, I have a job and education debt's not bad. If anyone is trying to reform their weeby ways, introspection and this video will help.
ua-cam.com/video/d2FGgYp6mdk/v-deo.html I have found this video which cures weebness for a period of time depending on the person. Don't mind the quality, Davido will cure your weebness through overexposure of cringe.
The best video that I saw in the last year. I do not watch anime and am not a weeaoo, but this video made me rethink some things. I always looked for happiness in extraneous things. But I never thought that neither a new girl nor a new country would make me happy. It's all about who I am. Thank you for making me rethink my life, you made it better
“What am going to do, teach English? I’m not a native English speak” I’m gonna hard disagree with that. You sound completely American and I didn’t realize you weren’t until you showed where you were on the map
He don't got no Yankee accent, stop calling yourself Americans There are three Americas North Central and South we all American not just you Yankees. Ok now I'm done
I'm German/American living in the US. I'm not a weeb or anything. But I think the traditional architecture in Japan is kinda neat, and i think the landscape looks pretty, but I also feel the same way about China. (Yeah, ik they hate each other lol) I do like some of their fashion, like the sailor-esque outfits or skirts with knee high socks. I just think they look cute. Watered down Lolita-ish stuff is cool too. But I've been called a weeb by my siblings for wearing some of these. :p I also like some of the traditional instruments they have, like the erhu, I think it was? And I do like some anime, but I'm picky with it and only watch dubbed. But that doesn't make me weebish, right? But I love Germany, and German culture the most, and no one's surprised when I say I love it, but I guess that makes sense. But if I liked, say, Swedish culture and fashion and music, no one would say anything about it, which is just weird. It's like there's some stigma on Japan or something.
Nope that doesn't make you weebish to me weeaboo basically means a person that wants to be japanese ((and it's okay to wear Lolitaish stuff and knee high socks, you do you :D))
Just came back from a 31-days holiday in Japan. (My 2nd holiday there) Some of my personal pros and cons: Like: - Amazing scenery, you literally get artistic inspiration in almost every corner of the country - Warm weather - Very friendly and considering people - Healthy and delicious (fast)food - Fast and punctual public transport - Liking Manga and Anime is not considered as weird as in the west sometimes - Free public toilets are everywhere. And they're mostly clean. - No signs of western political correctness Dislike - the crowds. I hated them the most. It's a whole different level of what i'm used from my life in Europe. - Few space. Toilets where your knees almost bump into the door in front of you, stores where other customers constantly block your way... - Rules, rules, rules for everything you do in public. First rule: Don't do anything that might bother someone else. I personally appreciate to have a bit more freedom myself while tolerating other people's freedom, even if it can be annoying sometimes (like having long calls during train rides). - I created a lot more trash than I do back in Europe. You even get plastic bags for your plastic bags and everything you buy is somehow wrapped in plastic. - Public trash bins are almost non-existant. - People rarely show emotions in public, sometimes they almost seem like human robots. (Especially the busy ones between 7-9 AM) Still i love the county, the people, the culture and the anime art style.
Why do people want to live there, wouldnt just going on vacation be easier. A lot of foreigners end up going back to their country after attempting to live in Japan.
God, just why haven't I found this video years ago?! You won't believe but on my weivo path I actually ended up going all the way to Japan, and studying there for 4 years..to find out that this is actually not what I really wanted. It's funny how it took me so much time to realize it. Anime and Japanese culture was what brought me there, but after this years, this has become the reason for me to leave.. Thanks for sharing this experience and your thoughts on this topic)
It's helpful to know about Japan's placement on the world happiness report. It's currently 51st, Sweden is 10th. Therefore, it's generally not worth it to move from Sweden to Japan. Happiness is a social construct, a lower score will affect you regardless of attitude. For example: you witness someone jump in front of a train, someone breaking down, etc. You will be less happy in Japan, period.
Tim Patton gotta tell you Japan is not perfect but it has a great education system ( similar to a Cuban one my parents went through younger ) the difference is that they are harsh to youngers, mostly adults who still believes like in the 90's which can affect how they see regular and weird young people as the same ( Hikimori if I remember, some are terrified of the great expectation their protectors expect from them, I would br crying myself in that situation, mostly because I am a person who doesnt agree with everybody but accepta others with respect )
Tim Patton gotta tell you Japan is not perfect but it has a great education system ( similar to a Cuban one my parents went through younger ) the difference is that they are harsh to youngers, mostly adults who still believes like in the 90's which can affect how they see regular and weird young people as the same ( Hikimori if I remember, some are terrified of the great expectation their protectors expect from them, I would br crying myself in that situation, mostly because I am a person who doesnt agree with everybody but accepta others with respect )
I think the whole thing with collections is something that is not a bad thing to flaunt as its something that you took the effort to gather but I totally agree with this video and really am happy that you made this I love the personal aspect of it.
I wonder how common "weeaboos" as you defined is. There are objective reasons for liking Japanese media (e.g. Japanese comics are more straightforward to get into, and usually have an ending unlike most superhero comics), but thinking Japan is something magical place that will solve your problems is just delusional. Being delusional is the problem, not the hobby itself. I got pretty into anime, manga and visual novels in highschool, but I always knew that's not what real life in Japan is like. It seems pretty obvious to me just like how the Simpsons is not a 100% accurate depciiton of Ameica.
if you want to live in japan, best thing to do is a STEM subject at uni, and just learn japanese in your own time. You don't need to learn japanese from a college (and especially not from a degree). After that you should fairly easily get into japan as your skills will be in high demand (and you may not even necessarily need to speak japanese for your job).
this is me right now. I started learning Japanese and I planned to live there as some kind of architect or maybe even a personal fitness trainer. I guess I need to let go
I was also a weeaboo but I have changed a lot and now appreciate Japans culture and all it has to offer, not just anime and kawaii stuff. I always find myself coming back to this video. It feels like I’m looking back to my formal self. Great video!
I've kind of had thoughts of being a teacher for a while, and I've wanted to learn Japanese. I thought maybe I could be an English teacher in Japan, but this gives me second thoughts. Am I just going for the media, culture, and aesthetic? Teaching English to foreigners sounds like a dream job, but being an artist is also one. Maybe I should see if my art or English is better, or if I pick up Japanese well by the time things come around, and not just keep going on one path.
I’m impressed that you treat this like a serious issue and don’t just insult “weaboos” the majority of the video. The actual explanation as to why this occurs in people is also logical and reasonable. Keep up the good work.
If only people stopped treating it like disease, and using it on anyone who cares about anything related to Japan or anime...
And if they stopped constantly making fun of people for it, and making fun of anything related to Japan and anime every chance they get...
@@Tasorius Yeah i 100% agree
"a serious issue" lmao
Having something you like deeply is not an issue, it's being alive and driven toward something.
@@TV-rh4ek it is when it stunts your emotional growth. Which was his point.
As a fellow Swede I had that sort of experience but when visiting New York. I kept expecting the buildings to explode, you know, like in the movies...
As someone who lives within 30 minuets of nyc and visits frequently I find this hilarious. I'm assuming you're mostly joking tho.
good one
If that's what you're looking for, Detroit has ya covered.
Now you don't need to move to the US for things to explode anymore with all the terrorists here in sweden
If wanted exploding buildings, you're 16 years late
I tell myself that I'm ironically a weeb but on the inside I know I'm just a regular weeb..
I know right. I've never been a weeb or even counted myself as an "otaku." I just liked to watch anime.
But now I ironically use UWU OWO and use japanese words for the memes
but
like
is this even ironic anymore, I sometimes enjoy doing it :""D It's so dumb. Embrace the weebness.
Hana c THIS IS A CASE 5 WEEB, GAMERS BRING THE ANTI-ANIGAY
Know that feel
>japanese username
Yeah i think youre "ironically a weeb"
@@megasocky tbf japanese username doesn't necessarily = weeb
some people learning japanese will have a japanese username for whatever reasons (perhaps to indicate that and encourage japanese speakers to talk to them for practice). however i have also seen people who aren't learning japanese with random usernames that'd be translated into something like "cute underwear" in english, though that's mostly in anime forums and the like, so in the end it's sort of self explanatory.
it's probably better to just check their usernames individually to see if it's something like john or if it's something like cute anime girl thigh high fetish. the latter being someone you should probably avoid
"not a native English speaker"--I literally had no idea that you weren't until you said so.
Swedish is so fking weird LOL
Nano it’s very different. it’s not intelligible what’s so ever to someone who only speaks english. dutch is the closest language to english and that’s hard to understand
are you a native speaker? I feel like it's pretty obvious. I guess though that because English is so widely spoken there are so many different 'native' accents you can get away with a bit of an accent. Swedish people have a really distinct accent I think though. Because I have moved a lot growing up it's easy for me to notice other peoples accents and pick up accents very quickly. I don't rally have a solid accent myself so that helps in picking up on other peoples accents.
When I heard his voice I was like, ok so either he's from Sweden or Norway, then he showed a book during 1.07 and the book says "Japans historia" which is in Swedish. Btw I'm not a native speaker (obviously from my grammar you would notice) and I'm also from Sweden.
swedes are so fucking good at not having an accent
I had a friend back in highschool and oh boy
she was the biggest weeaboo I've ever met. Like the type that runs like naruto and genuinely thinks it makes them faster.
Well she always talked about moving to Japan, and she said she wishes she was in an anime so she could be skinny and cute.
And she's still like this
sounds like she has self esteem issues, wanting to be better, cooler, skinnier, cuter.
I run like Naruto when I panick.Is that ok?
naruto running can makes you faster... if you have the guts
It's a disease...
Naruto running actually makes you slower and it messes with your balance.
"It wasn't until I heard Japanese music that I thought, 'Wow this is really weird, I love it'"
How did you so perfectly capture my middle school life in one sentence.
I hate to admit it, but I feel the same way. I've really changed over the years though. Left that anime stuff in the past.
@@eustace8520 I still listen to Japanese music, but to that same end, I listen to music from a ton of languages. Not necessarily "anime stuff," just music artists from Japan.
When my brain can't focus on lyrics because I don't understand them, it makes good background noise.
@@WakkaMadeInYevon I used to listen to a lot of Hatsune Miku and vocaloid back when I was in middle school. I would always read the meaning behind the lyrics in the comment sections which was pretty neat. City pop is another genre I used to listen to. And it's one of the better genres of Japanese music. My favorite singer of that genre is Miki Mastubara.
I don't open up to every genre of music, but I've heard enough to have a vast outlook on music. I've listened to some salsa, reggae, soul, rock & roll, rag time, romantic (1800s), classical; I progressively listened to older music as the time went by. By far, my favorite genre is jazz from the 1920s and 1930s.
@@WakkaMadeInYevon it's the other way around for me, when I don't understand the lyrics the music truly shines, the way they sing does so too even you don't understand shit lol
Came expecting ragebait weebsniping, found good mature perspective. What a time to be alive.
Agreed. Seen this video in my recommendations for a while now and thought it was just going to be bashing on weebs, but it was a pleasant surprise. Glad to see some objectiveness nowadays, instead of being one-sided on everything.
well now you got me interested tell me what is weebsniping?
Elvis Presley probably people that think weebs are bad which they kinda are I mean the word weeb is inherently bad.
"Haha he likes anime what a shitter"
I was extremely happy that this wasn’t just 20 minutes of raping anyone who likes cartoons that came from japan
"I might as well be listening to rock music from Mars"
...you mean David Bowie? It's not THAT weird.
this is bowie to bowie, do you hear me out there man?
or you could go a little more extreme and listen to Rings of Saturn ;]
my nigga that is what I was about to type.
The Mars Volta is the shit man
It's not rock music from Mars, it's rock music from doing cocaine. Then sad music from avoiding cocaine. Then even sadder music from dying. Then no music from being dead.
Japan is just alien enough from North America to feel exotic, while also being just American enough to feel familiar. Hence our fascination.
So true.
I mean, not only north americans are weebs
They are literally everywhere
@@mohamedmoon6513 if you can call mcdonalds a culture
@@cookielulu2356 It technically is though.
They have Denny's over there too.
and then he became a koreaboo.
I actually picked up manhwa because my artstyle is more reminiscent of Korean comics than Japanese ones, as I have some influence from American comics, mostly through Todd McFarlane. Chinese comics (Manhua) are also look a bit more realistic when they're not directly copying Japanese authors.
You can change your art style to be whatever you want it to be, Japanese, American, hell even French.
Jon Dunham a friend of mine found K-pop (bts) a few months ago and turned into the biggest koreaboo I've ever seen since then. it's annoying but whatever
They'll grow out of it.
Jon Dunham I don't think so bc she was a huge Weaboo before the Koreaboo phase, because of her brother, who is also a huge weaboo/nerd. It's complicated
Honestly. I've always considered anime like western cartoons. Animation is animation. I just really enjoy animated stuff. American, Japanese, French, whatever. I just love how hand drawn animations can hit you and how they generally look and feel. Where I see Disney leaving us for simpler 3D animation, I love seeing new Japanese shows from studios I love and even just CN shows like Samurai Jack finishing up and that series (pilot) that they put online that looks vaguely Gumball Esq, but definitely it's own. I just truly appreciate animation, so I watch all things animated.
Same here. It's really amazing what people can accomplish, and how they can create so much from virtually nothing with time, dedication, and a good team.
3D Animation is far from "simple"
Same
Yes! 3D animation is cool and all but I miss Disney’s older stuff
Love your point of view, I kinda think similarly as well.
I love how this video feels like a rehabilitation video.
One of my friends is a weeaboo and I just wished she would stop putting a "-chan" on my name. It's so annoying. Also she sometimes makes very disturbing "yaoi-rape-jokes"...
lace x ribbon lol i remember when i did that 2 years ago when I was 13. Lucky my friends didn't gave up on me and give me a reality check. (slap me in the face a bunch of times) I'm no longer a Weeaboo but i still watch Anime sometimes.
lace x ribbon I'm so sorry
lace x ribbon feel so sorry for you >_< lace chan x ribbon chan
I hope she finds help
You need to talk to her about what she's doing.
I have been to japan myself and im sure most of the people in the comments havent... Japan is amazing just because people over there have less space and are focused on only their job doesnt me you should be aswell. The scenery is exactly like in anime if that is what youre in to. The temples, shrines and gardens are super relaxing. Tokyo is a chaotic city with bright lights and music playing everywhere you go its an adventure, if youre sick of all the noise you can go 10 min by train or even by foot to a relaxing and quiet place. The people are really nice and they mind their own buissness, the train rides are super nice because everyone is quiet (unless you ride on a train from 7-9 am thats a nightmare.. dont do that) There are plenty of anime related things and plenty of history sights you can see. Since they have bullet trains you can go take a few hour ride to a different city which might be completly different.
What im trying to say is dont let the people in the comments get to you but still dont have your expectations set too high, most of these people do not know what they are talking about. The video however is really well put and i like that you clarify that the purpose isnt to destroy everyones wishes on japan but to share your expirience.
Everything you wrote sounds like someone that came for a few days and thinks they know everything.
The comment about it being quiet made me laugh my ass off in particular.
Yeah, Japan is amazing. I went there for a 2 week tour and everyday was like a chaotic rollercoaster. I got to eat amazing food and meet some of the nicest people. Funny thing, a lot of the people I talked to told me how obsessed they were with western culture and how badly they wanted to visit the US etc... and that’s when I realized that a lot people just have a love for certain cultures that contrast with their own. I think the problem with most “weaboos” is that they think of people over there like they’re aliens or something, when in reality humans are all the same lol.. and this vid covers that perfectly
donpalmera there are loads of parks close to tokyo which are really quiet, even the backstreets where the people live are quiet. At least from my expirience
Red >
You wrote a comment assuming that I haven't been to Japan and it looks like you deleted it.
FYI my naturalisation process to become Japanese is actually in progress as I write this. Want to educate me any further?
>Japan is amazing.
>I went there for a 2 week tour
>nicest people.
>obsessed they were with western culture
You experienced two weeks in hotels abroad. People in the service industry are nice and tend to tell complete lies to tourists to make it look like they actually give a shit.
Moral of the story: life sucks regardless of where you live.
Are you depressed, Henny?
@@eustace8520 That's a loaded question
Can't deny it
Nope, you suck regardless of where you live. Some places suck, some places suck way less to the point it's actually pretty decent. But you suck, so you're going to be miserable everywhere. Unless you're clinically depressed, which is a different story, but besides that exception you need to fix yourself
But sometimes, it sucks *something else*
*Runs away*
when i was 13 a was depressed and around that time i saw nichijou, it seemed so pure and inoccent and so diferrent to the place that i was living in were people are generally annoying and shallow. I was so jealous of the caracters for living such fun and interresting lifes that i got obsessed with the idea of going to japan, i did'nt even watch anime before seeing nichijou but sudently i was obsessed with japanese culture. It only changed when i went to a big city (the city that i live in is quite small) and took a introductory japanese course and got contact with actual japanese people, then i finally realised that japan is not this heaven that i wanted it to be and , as you said in the video, they are just normal people like us. It was hard to take the truth but i eventually accepted the reality. Thanks for the video, i think its a important thing to adress but people normaly just ignore the subject
Nichijou is great though, I can understand wanting to live in that world.
Nichijou's pretty good, I'm currently watching it and I'm enjoying every second of it.
Japan is not this heaven we all want it to be. - Akihabara is. ;D
But nichjou is awesome. Kyoto Animation typically does the best slice of live anime. Because they don't use the genre as an excuse to make really awesome animation.
* I mean an excuse to make boring animation, but instead make everything awesome.
CycloneFox I've enjoyed other series that they made, such as K-On! and Miss Kibayashi's dragon maid.
But Miyriad Colors Phantom World wasn't very entertaining.
"I got something you might like, it's Death Metal... but it's from Japan." My favorite part.
Then when it showed Kyo of Dir En Grey it gave me a good laugh, you could say that they're the band that got me prepared for Extreme Metal lol (hint hint Japan actually has a lot of Death Metal bands, their Slam bands are top tier)
Any recommendations for metal bands?
Juichi Band-Maid
Juichi I got some "actual" Metal acts from Japan (not that I'm saying stuff like Baby Metal and stuff aren't Metal, just gonna give you some acts that do something a little heavier)
Melt-Banana (not technically Metal but they are still Grindcore which is one of my fave Extreme music genres. They mix electronic music with Grindcore)
Envy (Post-Metal mixed with post-hardcore/screamo, really solid band)
Boris (One of the most prominent Drone/Doom Metal bands, they also have like 2 or 3 J-Rock albums but I prefer they're main albums)
Church of Misery (Really dope Stoner/Doom Metal)
Veiled in Scarlet (Japanese Melodic Death Metal, good stuff)
Swarrrm (Really dope Japanese Deathgrind)
Anthem + Loudness (Really great classic Japanese Heavy Metal bands)
Sigh (One of Japan's most influential Black Metal bands)
Desecravity (Dope Japanese Brutal TechDeath band)
Crystal Lake (Really awesome Japanese Metalcore band)
Thank you all for the recommendations. I've listened to Dir En Grey, Melt Banana(I have not heard someone mention them in a while) and Band-Maid. I'm more of a Power Metal person, but my boyfriend listens to all types of metal and we're always looking for new bands. Whenever you try to look for Japanese metal bands you tend to either get VK (which is awesome in its own right) or Baby Metal(which is for a particular set of people but not for either of us). If I ever see a chance to get exposed to new bands I try to go for it. Thanks again.
"It turns out people who love anime are seen as just as big weirdos over there"
I lol'd
I remember that one vid I saw on UA-cam where there was this weeb guy who visited Japan. He was basically fanboying at everything, but didn't understand much Japanese. He was walking around talking to people and being really weird. He did not realize that the Japanese teens he was interviewing were actually insulting him in their native tongue. They said something (couldn't understand what) and the guy said "thanks." Then they shook their heads and spoke again in Japanese and said "no, that was not a compliment." Yeah, it was fucking cringe.
Exactly. Tell the others
@@rymle oof size large
It’s easy to undersell how mainstream it is in Japan though. It’s weird to be super obsessed with comic book heroes in America, but it doesn’t change that fact that those are all the biggest movies there.
you're a good person
Thanks man
Thanks
Rational*
ty
Thanks man
Finally somebody looks at all the flaws in each nation and understands them, but able to accept and move on with them, but as a different person. I followed your channel for the art, but you also have a good head on your shoulders too, keep up the great work.
I don't think Japan is any better than any other country, but I still study Japanese (as a hobby) and keep my interest in Japan alive. I think of it a bit like it is with girlfriends; no, my girlfriend is not objectively better than all other girls, but it's the girl I'm in love with, so she is better for me. The same, Japan is not objectively better than any other country, but somehow my life has brought me to a deep interest in Japanese language and culture, so that's what is good for me.
I’m Brazilian and OH GOD the same obsession you guys have with the Japanese culture we have with the American culture ( at least teenagers)
We think that in the American high school it’s all about kissing and romance and drama
We also think that everything that is American is better
One of my friends usually see like a door, and say “Oh my god this door look so American” or “Oh my god, you look like that American blonde girls”
And it’s REALLY ANNOYING
Please don’t get me wrong, Brazil is a nice place, we just have a sense of inferiority for some reason
Rusty Shackleford 😂😂😂😂
Romance? Lot's of drama and public frenching is a better term.
I am not from brazil but my friend is and she is also very obsessed with the american culture. Your comment explains everything lmao
I can relate to this, here in Puerto Rico they could make fun of you if you're a weeaboo but when it comes to being "Americano" that's no laughing matter.
Yeah a shooting drama xd
"I couldn't teach English classes because I'm not a native English speaker..."
Could've fooled me, honestly.
(I know you probably weren't as proficient back then, but your English language skills are really impressive. If not for your accent there would be nothing in your speech that would tip me off to you being a non-native speaker.)
Yeah, he speaks better English than some of the people I grew up with in America (besides a few mispronunciations here and there).
He is swedish. Swedes are magical geniuses when it comes to learning english.
As far as i know Japan insists on having native English speakers in their classrooms. Even if you have legitimate documentation showing your accomplishments as a teacher. A person native to a country with English as their national language will always have a spot over someone from Germany for example.
*Fun Fact:* Sweden has a higher English fluency than Canada at 87% while Canada has 86%.
People from Sweeden have the most natural sounding English accent.
We don't, we simply take an accent most of the time. If you wanna see Swenglish just look up "Alexander Skarsgård Swedish Accent".
I was also a weeaboo once....
....I am so glad I'm not anymore. It wrecked my brain for two years, and I had to spend a summer recovering from the hell it put me through. I had an identity crisis about being a Hetalia character. I lost all of my friends because of it; I got extremely depressed and had to become distanced so I could learn to actually be a person again.
Holy shit. I think these sorts of "obsessions" are often not seen as what they really are or can be: mental illnesses.
It was mostly due to my group of friends. We unintentionally became so obsessed over this one property that we were hardly ourselves anymore. I was only "Doitsu," and my friends were only "England" and "Italy." It was ridiculous, and the fact that it went as far as it did was harmful to my mental state to the point that I can't even watch most anime properties anymore....
Yeah, it sounds absurd, and it is, but I literally was pushed to a breaking point because I lost my own sense of self-worth.
That's actually really scary and sound. It sounds unreal at first but I'd have a hard time forgiving those friends that didn't help but rp'd into it.
Hope you are doing better
B... but Homura did nothing wrong
YoSeriousLee Dude..the exact same thing happened to my group of friends and I. We obsessively shipped, drew fanart, and roleplayed. I was Russia and Japan. I almost lost my best friend because her mom saw all of our constant roleplays. Letting go was ultimately the best decision for us.
so basically u watched a filthy frank video and it changed Ur life
Forreal I wanted to learn japanese just because japanese 101
@@oz3230
Basing entire life choices on memes, that sounds like you have a good, well regulated life....
If you're encouraged to expand your horizons because of a meme, could that even be considered a bad thing? Like who cares if he's doing it for the wrong reasons?
Ketsu wa Taberu
NGYAH RASENGAN
holy shit.. you must be really good at languages and accents, because I thought you were an american until you showed the map of you moving from sweden..
Swedes learn English really easily because the two languages are very similar, also they are exposed to English language all the time.
They lose their accents really fast. Like even Swedish hockey players and other athletes who generally aren't viewed as smart people have perfect English after a couple of seasons overseas.
As a Finn, this is very annoying. Our language is one of the most different ones compared to English, even after years I still sound like a retard when speaking English.
But it's much easier for us to pronounce Japanese so we have that.
swedish people have the least strong accents and have great english
odd, i actually picked up on him being from a non english speaking country. i'm from latam, could that be related? maybe as non native speakers we recognise other non native speakers too
Ya same. For some reason I can't pick up on accents that well. Sometimes I can't tell the difference between a british accent and an australian one.
K-On! was my first anime. Weirdly enough, instead of becoming a weeaboo, it made me want to play guitar and draw cartoons. Anyways, great video! Interesting hearing about others' experiences
Jodoublen I love moe anime as a relaxer. It's the polar opposite of my boring poor life as a male lol. It's nice to just have something with next to no substance to take my mind off of the world.
lumpy bumpkin K-On definitely fills my moe fix while also giving me awesome music. I truly believe their is substance whenever the series gets into the dynamics of a band, but yes, lots of cute fluff most of the time and can't help but love it. Tho Soul Eater is right up there with them for me so you know I gotta see if Soul Eater Not is my cup of tea
Jodoublen oh yeah, lol my bad, I was referring to moe as a whole. While light most of the time k-on has some nice emotional themes and yeeeeesssss the music is dooooope! And it's so nice to see the characters come together like that to make the music. It's super cool. That being said, if you haven't hanayamata you should
lumpy bumpkin You're good; that's why K-On was so appealing for me. I'm really into bands and love hearing about their adventures so a series about that felt real while being silly and feel connected with the members. And yes, I've bought all their music. My gateway into Japanese rock XD I'll check out hanayamata; I actually don't watch a lot of moe, but I'll give it a go
Jodoublen Kuroko no basuke made me feel the same.I joined the basketball club but eventually quit in the next year
*I D I D N T H A V E A L O T O F F R I E N D S*
Not big soup rice.
@@dentoncustoms YOU ARE DED
19 years old here, your story is nearly one for one how I was. I hated admitting anything about being a weeb in high school and i knew it was seen as a "weird" taste so I kept it to myself.
The fantasy daydreaming stopped when I moved to Japan because of my fathers work, and seeing a place that makes an anime act completely different from their animated versions was eye-opening. They are not very expressive and extremely focused on their own lives despite living in such tight spaces near others, and their work ethic is clearly on a whole nother level.
I didn't have any plans of what to study so my parents and I went with studying Pharmacy, and after moving away, I am really happy I didn't choose the weaboo life. Like how you said with taste, I used Japan as a means to feel belonged to a group when in reality I just loved their art. It became less about the anime and more about the illustrator. I started broadening my boundaries after this and realized it wasn't just japanese art but it was cool and sharp heavy lines like ones you would see in tengen toppa or Nichijou or even street fighter.
Now I practice once in a while with art, not happy with how often I do but I'm glad I found your channel to realize I have taste, and I have things in my mind I wanna share because of this taste.
people glorify japan like it was a perfect country, it's far from it, almost* anyone that want's to live there has a wrong impression of what it actual is like . it also annoys me that weebs like things solely for being japanese and nothing else
TOJODIDNOTHINGWRONG
Marcos Santos It sounds like you have only seen this video and come to the conclusion that anyone that wants to live in Japan is a weeb.
Marcos Santos yeah the weebs that want to live there are a danger to themselves like how this man almost was. That said, if you don't have a disillusioned view of the country and know it's just like anywhere else on Earth, you'd probably do alright there.
Not really; some people make an informed decision to move to Japan, knowing full well what it's like and what problems they're going to face. These people are usually the ones that stay for a long time, as opposed to those coming to Japan thinking of it as the land of fun and rainbows, then running back to their home countries with the tail tucked between their legs after like 3 months. Moving to another country is a serious thing that should be carefully considered.
mashimellohere had to add the "almost anyone" cause some ppl actualy thought i was refering to literally 100% of the people in the world...
I was a weeabo in highschool, the hooneymoon period ended when I got into multicultural activities in college. I realized the hurtles and harsh life that the japanese people live, the struggle to conform, the struggle to seem hard working. The lack of affection in the cultural norms, that's freely exists in the western society. The affection of a best friend, the affection of brother or sister, the affection of a mother & father. The friendship dynamic of trying to fit in with a click so as not to be ostricized, rather than meet good natured people who share your same views. How the japanese follow rules to a T to have an immaculate functioning society, but also to their detriment where they can't think for them selves or in unorthodox ways.
Smartness is measured in your ability to be repetitive and to recite what you have memorized, rather be an inovative thinker and think of new ways of doing things.
So in that japanese lifestyle context, anime & manga and japanese TV is an escapism of the melancholy daily life.
Those are pretty commonly talked about surface criticisms of Japanese culture. Funnily enough I gleaned all this (personally) from reading manga. Yet I guess I'm still interested; seeing as good parenting is enough to surpass any problems you can see with Japanese culture. Don't really need something silly like constant reaffirmation from people; just a few friends here and there.
You are super wrong about the smartness thing. You made such an awful and moronic blanket statement about education in Japan that I just had to laugh at your stupidity. I wonder what the SAT and AP tests are in America? I wonder why so many students in America are mediocre, failing students with no extracurriculars, no range, and a whole lot of complaints? I wonder why the smartest from the smartest college institutions end up being the most creative, as evidenced by literally every new CEO out there (most being produced by Ivies)? You really exaggerated the "rote" qualities of Japanese education; but don't pretend like you've been educated there either.
I just don't know where you got the hard information that American schooling involves more creativity than Japanese education, or that Japanese people aren't innovative thinkers. In the latest Bloomberg innovation index, Japan is in the top 10 countries in the world - showing that innovation in the practical sense trumps whatever surface creativity you seem to think academic education involves. You also don't live there - you don't see all the new apps or trends that pop up. You aren't involved in their technological progress, or their work in robotics or biotech. You don't even read their books, so you have no clue of their cultural consciousness or of what vibrant discoveries might be being written there.
Kind of sad that you tried to understand Japanese culture more but you also ended up making hideous blanket statements about it. You really seem to think Japan is some kind of uber-depressed country with a bunch of illogical, uncreative idiots. You are even worse than a weeb. You have entrenched extreme misconceptions about Japanese culture in your head once again, but now you are absolutely confident they are correct. At best, you've only reached the next level of a surface understanding of another country. Well, whatever; guess not everyone can be interested in understanding a country they don't live in.
Zack Wyvern chill
@@wa7saka irk? Like, I agree with his points but he needs to calm waaay down.
Zack Wyvern TL;DR
@@zackwyvern2582 thats pretty naive, the fact that companies like Tesla or Boston Robotics exist here in America doesn't say much about the average american, nor do you your examples about biotech innovation and robotics and apps say anything about the average Japanese person.
I think that person was talking more about everyday life, and I have heard countless stories about the stifling and extremely constricted corporate culture. Actually it's something Japan and America have in common, both countries are known for working extreme hours even in office jobs, although Japan is definitely even more on the extreme end. A conservative office in america is the normal office in Japan, is the impression I have gotten.
There are downsides to living in every country, and some people find it easier to live within certain cultures compared others, what may seem stifling about Japan to a foreigner may seem to be common sense, and comfortable to another person. And the opposite can be true for foreigners in the US.
There are some cultures, such as in South America, who find North Americans to be cold and distant, just like we might feel about some asian countries.
I don't think that guy said anything that some native people living in Japan wouldn't agree with, there are always going to be upsides and downsides.
So glad i was able to watch anime, read manga, play japanese games and not do the weird weeb shit growing up.
For real, I never told my friends I watch anime. It's just weird.
Unless they come out, I come out.
Haha!
That is part of the process of being a weeb
@@rinachanboardoo5224 without the weird part.
Well, i do that weeb shit when i was in middle school, but when i was in highschool, i don't really talk about weeb related things to my friends unless they talk about it first, but yeah im still watching anime to these days
@@canadianbutt275 ⁉⁉
does hentai count
**worse
tigarasab784512 shut up normie
Swedish Chef its true
3d is trash
well said
Was never serious about Japan’s animation industry, but their food! GODDAMN!!!!
This was a good morning
C H E W
What a beautiful Duwang
Badong is this a jojo reference?
Gureto daze
Chew.
Any obsession is bad and it comes from a deeper problem.
Some people are alone and envious of what they see.
It's easy to make a connection.
"Anime = Happy = Japan
Hey maybe I should move to japan. Right?"
One must know that.
I really like anime and japan (I mean look at my profile pic) and I took japanese classes.
In my case Japanese classes made me like anime more since it became easier and easier to digest and understand. It became way more relatable.
I certainly had a phase where I thought Japan was great and I wanted to go (I still want to go but for different reasons)
You mentioned that, I wanted to go that because it was new and exciting stuff. I didn't noticed that until now.
Anyway, I realized it was just the hype and started to fade away. I did something similar when I was a kid and learned english.
I'm Mexican and my brothers have been going to the US as immigrants and they sent a lot of money and bought a lot of cool stuff and as a I kid I thought that the US was this magical place filled of opportunities where you can love all of your dreams and be happy.
Now as an adult I slightly hate the US.
I lost my chance to go to Japan three times,the first one I lose it fairly to a classmate, it was a 50/50 situation. In the next one I got neglected by the rector, and the last one my efforts got ultimately crushed and ignored.
(I seriously got depressed there, like... losing a dream student exchange, all cost covered by the university. 2 weeks of happy, free Japanese life with a Japanese family)
Because of that I got the idea to go there by myself and the more I investigated the less I wanted to do that.
Sure, going there would be amazing and a dream come true but that only works if you go in "happy-go-lucky" mode.
By this I mean that only works if you go as an exchange student, as a temporary worker from a big enterprise or as a tourist.
(This last one would be fucking expensive)
I feel like living in Japan by myself would be HELL.
Sure I'd buy a lot of figures since some of them are as cheap as a pair of bottles of coke but I'd be really sad. I'll most probably become the so infamous Japanese business-man. I don't even like Japanese girls. I have nothing against them but I just don't like them.
I found an equilibrium after all of that crisis.
I still love anime and I will do my best to get more Japanese classes. I'm at a good level already, I must finish what I started.
I buy figures, some of them are really expensive because they have to get imported but I only choose the characters that are more valuable to me.
I get considered a weeabo by many people. most probably I am,
To conclude, a fun little story.
When I was learning English everyone was happy cuz I watched and listened to English music. I was depicted as some sort of genius by my family and my classmates were really impressed aaaaand I wanted to go to the US. People actally encouraged me to go and live in the US. (The legal way)
Years later I started to learn French. Again, french stuff everywhere. Everyone happy. I wanted to live in France.
Then German. I didn't got too deep into German but everybody around me was happy.
Theeeen I started studying Japanese and people started to think I was a weirdo since I watched Japanese stuff and bought Japanese stuff... like... seriously?
I can go around screaming "ommelette au fromage" while wearing a beret and people will praise me but the moment I say "Hajimemashite" or "Yoroshiku" everybody loses their minds... like... wtf.
Anyway. Be smart. Don't get obsessed. All countries are shit on their own way.
The omlette part... I laughed xD
it's very true though. Admitting to learning Japanese brings a fair amount of prejudices upon one (instantly being
suspected of being a/an weeb/otaku). One has to be careful I guess, it's better not to be too obnoxious, then people's reactions are absolutely fine (at least from my experience), because being obnoxious quantifies the suspections, and then people actually think that you're weird.
If some people still find you a weeb even if you're acting 0% cringy, then they are simply dumb
First. Thanks for reading.
I know, if you are decent enough nobody cares but the thing is that there are a lot and I mean a looooooot of otakus here so...
It's hard to get taken seriously.
And being honest. I love all the weird weeb shit and memes.
I don't show it to the world but man I'm invested on it.
I had some sort of a probably similar problem
I am not a weeaboo at all and I am not obsessed with anime .. in fact by the time passing I am losing the interest to watch anime. I am like that anime is good let's watch it type of guy.
But here comes my problem ... I am living in third world country and for people who do not know how the life here is like, lemme tell you that all the standards are reversed. So I started to hate the fact that I was born there.
any way I liked the Japanese architecture and the way traditional Japanese houses looks like. In fact I liked it when I was a kid but I dunno how It popped up in my mind again at the age of 22.
I am a realistic person as a dreamer at the same time which has put me in a tough situation and a deep depression.
Ok I am learning Japanese on my own without school or a teacher and I am actually progressing but my realistic mind keep asking what you will gain by studying Japanese language?
because sometimes I find it near impossible in my situation to go to Japan even If I went there I know that life is not full of rainbows and it will be tough as hell
so please tell me what do you think?
should I keep learning? or what?
I am not desperate .. I am just wanna hear opinions because I feel so lost and my mind is thinking a lot without stopping.
I dunno your actual situation but first of all...
man you have internet...
Do you really think than learning Japanese will be a waste of time?
You will be able to explore the Japanese internet, make Japanese friends and who knows... maybe... maybe one of those friends will help you get there.
I'll use myself as an example. I'm 22 and I've never been on the US even tough I know English since I was 9.
English opened me a whole new wold of entertainment and I've met a lot of people.
I would never say that I wasted my time cuz I never went to the US, Heck, I wouldn't be writing this comment in the first place.
I think that what you call "being realistic" is just being a pessimist. I'm somewhat like that too.
Seriously. Just do it man.
Who knows what could happen in the future.
your reply makes sense
As a realistic person I really couldn't agree more to what you've just said
I have English language on a semi-fluent level and this feature unlocked many thing for me on the internet
I can access freelancers websites for examples and understand what is going on, I can watch any movie without subtitles anymore. I can really explore a lot of things with my English.
I am studying Japanese because I think it is a cool language that's it.
May be your are right.
My realism sometimes turns into pessimistic thoughts because of maybe the other problems I experience in my life.
I think I will continue learning that awesome language because I just like it without even being weaboo or obsessed with anime.
And like you said who knows what could happen in the future
thank you man for your reply It means a lot to me :)
To be honest I feel like you might have missed out by chickening out on your dream and letting yourself get discouraged by other peoples negative experiences. It's really easy to talk yourself out of going outside your comfort zone and taking risks by thinking you should stay 'safe', but that's a good way to end up with a lot of regrets and fail to really 'live' your life. Everyone's different so maybe you did do the right thing for you and hopefully you're happy now but, I wasn't even anywhere near as obsessed with Japan as you, and I did move to Japan and I have loved every minute of it. To be honest it's pretty much exactly what I expected. The food is amazing, I love the nature, the architecture, learning the language is extremely challenging but its interesting and communicating through a language barrier can be fun and rewarding. I get to have a lot of new experiences. I enjoy teaching, I have a good relationship with my students, I feel like I'm genuinely helping people and making a difference in peoples lives. So, to each their own. Honestly I think a lot of it just comes down to your attitude and the way you choose to see and react to things.
I do feel like I missed out in a sense by chickening out and getting discouraged, it's very easy to convince yourself of sour grapes.
I'll say that I still like Japan, and a lot of Japanese entertainment, just under different circumstances from before, and because it's good and not because it's Japanese.
But I've also never been financially stable enough to go to Japan, or to take a big loan that would affect my life. If doing that would be worth it despite that is harder for me to say.
My advice would be that if you ever want to just try living here for a year, apply for a job here and come to work instead of taking out some big loan to study here. Get paid to be here instead of paying to be here. I think I remember you saying that you're not a native English speaker so you ruled out the possibility of being an English teacher but based off this video and your comment your English level still seems way better than most native Japanese English teachers in the Japanese Schooling system so I think if you took some kind of English proficiency test and got a certificate to show your level of English you could still get a job teaching English here and if youtube is your career I assume you could continue do that in Japan so, if you ever do decide you want to try to live abroad in Japan for a while that would be my recommendation. You could also look into other kinds of jobs aside from teaching English. If you have a university degree definitely check out programs like the JET program.
he might have missed out, but it certainly wasn't his dream to go to japan, it was more like a deluded fantasy
I understand the point of missing an opportunity. I however think he did the right thing. Japan is a pretty shitty place to be. Don't get me wrong I love anime and manga. Japan is extremely racist and has extreme workloads. you would most likely spend your time working all day, while beeing excluded by your co-workers.
Except that virtually everyone I have met has been extremely kind and welcoming to me and that has also been the experience of most of the other foreigners I know living in Japan as well. Japanese people tend to be very polite and will often go out of their way to try to help you. I get asked to participate in a lot of things and people often actively want to talk to me because they enjoy trying to talk in English or they are interested in foreigners. So clearly that isn't the case for everyone. It's also a very safe country. People don't litter as much, things like vandalism and theft are rare. It's true that the work culture in Japan is intense but not every job is like that, it's less of an issue if you actually like your job and there are a lot of good sides to their culture. There are generally good and bad sides to everything. As I said earlier, a lot of your personal experience and happiness, in general, will come down to your attitude and how you choose to think about what happens to you. That said, I think moving to Japan only because you like anime and manga doesn't make much sense.
what makes it worse is that the title makes me think of a father saying:
Son... when I was a weeaboo *tells whole story*
and then the son's was never the same...
I did the same thing with Germany, I learned a lot about German culture, learned a lot of German, listened to German folk music, and etc. I find that western people often have identity crisis as young people since western culture is the default of the world. When you try and image the Culture of Japan it's very unique and foreign, with it's art, architecture, history, and many other things, just like most all countries of the world, the west included. However when you're raised in a country like the United States, it doesn't feel like their's too much culture. (Don't get me wrong, America has plenty of culture) but it doesn't feel too different or unique. Wearing an oxford suit is the typical business attire of the world, something that came from the west, not the kimono, or the lederhosen, so it can be hard to identify with this culture when it's just the world's default. As an American we're only expected to learn English, because in the world it's become a default language. We're not expected to learn French or Swedish in school, but in France and Sweden it is. Although I don't have much fact to back up these theories, it's what I've seen happen to myself and many other people who grew up in a culture like mine.
Jerry Koshigaya seit wann tragen deutsche lederhosen? lol ok auf den wiesen vielleicht
Aber interessante theorie, wobei ich als deutsche auch kaum eigene kultur sehe. Na klar, essen und so was, aber sonst gibt es allgemein nicht viel eigenes, was die identität als deutsche festigen würde. Patriotismus sowieso nicht, nazi
Wahrscheinlich ist die eigene Kultur allgemein default.
Bobo A lot of our german culture is based on our history and literature. Surprise surprise, the german history doesn't consist entirely of nazis. If you look at our german history, you'll find a focus on liberalism, socialism, and our need for a strong economical and political power. And a lot of our literature focuses on the ethics and laws of mankind, and freedom of thought. All these aspects lead to the lives we live in germany now. And because now we have a lot of freedom, you can do whatever you want in germany. This includes cultural exchanges to develop your own personality. We don't really know what our german culture is anymore because we got so used to it. And i think it's the same with every other culture. But everyone has something to identify with in his own culture. And it's only normal that we look for other cultural input.
Ludicrous Superficial Man yes absolutely
With "nazi" i was reffering to the phenomon that a lot german don't dare beeing patriotic because of our recent history. And i now about the literature and aufklärung, also a huge fan of Nietzsche and Schopenhauer^^
Bobo Don't take it personal, i kind of meant to reply to both of you XD I know, i'm confusing o_O
Ludicrous Superficial Man ohh you're not op lol i was in fact confused
Im fine, and you raised good points ^^
Anime. What's that? Is that like a JoJo reference or something?
@@dryinghanger6816 good
Everything is a jojo reference
What is jojo? I always see people mentioning it but on google I just get Jojo siwa when I search it up.
@@FirstnameLastname-es1ko Search "JoJo's Bizarre Adventure" instead
I believe it's Italian for 'Souls'
I was a weeaboo about 2 years ago, I did nothing but watch anime and read manga and fantasise about Japan. At the same time I started collecting pokémon cards again, and that grew out to be a rather social and fun hobby for myself. It also exposed me to the idea of learning an exotic language, which got me more into linguistics which led me to start studying Japanese Language and Communication (a business/marketing oriented education about Japan). Last time I watched anime or read manga was ages ago, I wouldn't want to spend the rest of my life in Japan but I would enjoy working in Japan for a while, going there a couple times per year but still stay in touch with my own culture and reality.
I've always found it so weird that a lot of weeaboos are so adamant about calling themselves otaku as if otaku are somehow a respected part of japanese culture.
Olivier Baudert I dont care what you just Said I just want to say that steven universe fucking sucks lol.
ok good for you i guess
Olivier Baudert well like he said in the video weeb means different things to different ppl and for most of the ppl who like anime otaku is seen as a more positive word than weeb. :/
People always feel the need to label themselves, as to feel they're part of something bigger. I watch anime occasionally if I come across a good series. I appreciate japanese culture, but the reason I watch anime is not to immerse or indulge myself in japan. Mainstream anime culture can be really cringey, so I tend to avoid it. For me good show is a good show, regardless of what country it comes from.
hopefully artistic I think you missed the main point: Otaku are not seen as respectable in Japan. Weeaboos over in the west somehow seem to think they are, and are insistant on calling themselves that.
"Wow this is really wierd..... I LOVE IT" - accurate description of my taste
I was never a Weeaboo, but I remember when I was in High school I really wanted to be Goth. I wanted to be seen by others as Goth. I learned all about the history of the Subculture and listend even to some Bands I did not truly care about. Also I considerd any other Music as mainstream shit. It was partially more about the image then the substance. I eventually stoped being so tryhard about it and just listend to the music I like no matter the lable. I think young ppl have a stronger desire for group identity, after all they come off age and challenge the believes of their parents. So for some their is a need to lable themselfs because they can't stand the insecurity of not knowing yet who they are. It's normal.
I was always attracted to goth culture, but the goths in my school seemed to just basically be druggies (and actually weren't goth, just dressed in dark clothes and makeup). When I moved I met some real goth people. It was such a difference. I will always appreciate goth culture, but I realized that's just a part of me and dressing a certain way doesn't define who you are.
AsinusSum Wow..
I think i'm in that phase right now.
AsinusSum
>Not keep been a Goth over 30 yrs old
Pleb
I wish everyone saw me as the "quiet kid who likes to draw an read" because that's what I am. I hate it when I'm reading a book or drawing and they're like "What book is that" and "what're you drawing"
I kinda just came to the decision a few years ago that I wouldn't let other people effect my view on things. I couldn't care less if people like or hate it. As long as I'm enjoying myself I think that's good enough
I am an artist and just really love the anime artwork. Some of my earliest shows I've ever watched were stuff like Pokemom, Digimon and Sailor Moon. My father even taught me and my sister Origami. He was also a big a lover of the artwork. As I am now, I wouldn't call myself a Weaboo because I've become so busy with work and have just moved away from it a little. That doesn't mean I don't watch anime anymore, I still do but it's not to a point to where it controls my life anymore. I am a little sad to see myself move away from my younger weaboo self as I grow older but at the same time I'm very glad to change a little.
This was a great video c:
The way I see it: I like stuff. That stuff is pretty much isolated in Japan for whatever reason. Perhaps if other places were more like Japan, I'd like Japan less. But as it stands, a lot of different genres/media/etc. are *only* found in Japan. For example, where else can you find a place like akiba or shibuya? Where else can you find denpa music, or large indie market events? It's less "I like it because it's japanese" and more "I like it, and it happens to be Japanese". Japanese culture and media are just *that damn good.* Other stuff is good too, but for whatever reason Japan seems to have pretty consistent quality, and lots of common sense approaches. Perhaps it's because I grew up with Japanese media and Japanese friends. Or perhaps just my own unique wiring makes me more in line with this sort of culture. But as it branches out of Japan and into other cultures, I often find myself liking things from those cultures as well.
I totally agree
pretty much. Like I coulden't care if the anime drawn games and animations were french or whatever, I just like it.
And here I am, watching you from Osaka on my year abroad ;)
I was obsessed with Japan, but I never thought japanese people weren't people, so I can't relate. I just idolized them and thought they could do no wrong. But fortunately by watching a lot of videos on japanese culture, I learned and grew out of that thinking pretty quickly.
You idolized Japanese people and thought they could do no wrong? Sounds awfully like Hitler......
Like me... I've was admired Japanese people back then... Japanese are "perfectionist" and "superior"... Their brains are the world innovation... I've was jealous when there's a Japanese people at front of me... They are the "kings" of Asians... Immigration officers when saw Japanese passport, they were treated like a first class people...
ever heard of yakuza?
@@neoir8514 wow.. did you just compare him to hitler for idolizing a hardworking and competent culture? fuck you man.
@@trumanehrhorn-lung9667 I agree that that guys an idiot but I wouldn’t glamorise their work culture. A lot of Japanese people work themselves way harder than is healthy due to their culture, at least compared to western countries
Honestly I'm obsessed with anime and I guess I like learning about Japan every now and then, but this is only my hobby. My favourite perhaps but far from being my only one. I've never dreamed about setting in Japan or pretending I'm nipponese lol. Being a thirdie, there's a lot of pressure on me constantly for college and getting a job that'll earn me a good pay, I don't think I'll ever be as dejected from reality. Those are the things I gotta do and anime only serves as a stressbreaker in between, not the other way around. The whole weaboo thing is something I consider a first world problem for the most part.
When I was a weeaboo
My father took me into the city
To a see a marching clan
He said "Son, when you grow up..."
Dammit, I can't think of anything else to add!
クロエChloe will you be the savior of the broken. The beaten and the damned
You still are. Cough cough profile picture cough
Great video! I've always thought that glorifying or idolizing something to an extreme extent isn't healthy and critical thinking.
maybe you are idolizing critical thinking to an extreme
This is exactly similar to my story of teenagehood. I used to be that kind of weeb who feel my "Japan" taste was better than the other's. Mocking friends who glorified or follow the western trend (I'm South East Asian). I was thinking that Japan culture was superior. That was why I don't have many friends in highschool.
But all changed when I broke up with my girlfriend. I started to make more friends, tried to be more open and mainstream, follow the trends and such, but that wasn't without any consequences. I started to make same mistake, looked at my former weeb friends as inferior, loser and pathetic.
But then I started to realise that it's normal and okay to have hobby, to like something. Toxic admiration is where things go wrong. Now I accept that I like Japanese culture and pop culture and that's totally ok. I accept that many people like many different things.
I'm not that kinda weeb now but I admit, my playlist still consisted mostly Japanese music. But not because it's superior to other, but because simply they're my style and I like it.
One thing that I learnt about Japanese culture is how they can take other's culture, mix it up with their culture and make something new and fresh. I then think, I can do the same with my own culture. That's the main thing I still like Japanese culture, and I believe other cultures just as unique as them.
I still watch anime, listen to Japanese Pop music, sport some Japanese street wear and style. The only thing that changed is I'm not being an asshole.
Bramantyo Saptian Japanese culture is just a another temporary interest for me, now i’m just watching western stuff because like you i’m from southeast Asia as well and i started to learn new things and my mind plus my body grown pretty fast for a 13 years old, if it’s still like this soon enough in my 20’s i would have a mind of a 50’s man
Even though I still enjoy anime and Japanese games I know that Japan isn't the utopia others portray it as and I like western media as well now. I don't watch anime because it is Japanese and anime but because I like the genre, story, characters, style, etc. and if there is a western show that has those things I like then I'll watch it too. I judge each show or game on its own merits.
people act like anime is some holy grail of television
no
it has flaws like all other media. it's not perfect. far from it.
anime was a mistake.
and that's ok
I don't think anime is that amazing either, but I really doubt it is a mistake; making any story in any way, it boils down to having experience, and having senses of realism, fantasy, and charm.
You could apply anime without most of the tropes, such as fan service boobies, comical effects, raucous or obnoxious voices, and theme of grade-school.
You could also apply a lot of western TV shows without tropes such as handling relationships as puerile, groaning soft voices, identity values, and politics.
Noedig i think one of the bigest flaws in japanese animation is it's lipsynch, something that western animation tends to be much better at.
I know it is because they animate first and start the voice acting later, but I don' t understand why, they'd be much better at lipsynching if they voiced the lines first and animated later, like here in the west
Lee anime is not cartoons anime is art and beautiful
*Says anime is a mistake*
*Has an anime style video game character as their avatar*
gg
Hei BK-201 Well, anime is basically Japanese cartoons.
Thank you for making this, I truly needed it
I can relate to some of that experience, "it's only a phase, mom!"
Yeah, when I had 4 years left of high school I planned my future:
1) Go to a Japanese language course that offered a scholarship to go to Japan after completing 3 years of study. So it would synchronize with graduation and I'd be speaking Japanese in Japan as soon as I could.
2) Go to college in Japan, BUT most importantly: Find a half-time job at a Manga store, so that I could spend half a day reading manga and studying.
3) Rent a cheap place to live, I don't care as long as the rest is secured. Life goal: get a humble Japanese house with one of those spaces next to the door where you leave your shoes.
4) Live the dream.
Nowadays I say that I "thankfully" didn't take that path, but I'm still kinda unsure. I'm definitely not into Anime and Japan as much as back then, but I still feel like I don't belong in my own country, and Japan is still in my list of best places to hopefully have a life in.
Nevertheless, I think taking such a desicion before my 20's would've been really dumb. Now I think there's plenty of life left to make the desicion and the first thing everyone should do is educate themselves.
As you said, wait until you understand and find a real reason to do it.
Getting the timing right is something you can only know in retrospect though. Sometimes you have to act rashly in order to find your right way.
In any case, the most important thing is to make your own choices in life and then try to be happy with them.
I honestly could never become a weeb. I like anime, manga, and video games from Japan, but I like cartoons, comics, movies, etc from other parts of the world just as much. I see media from all around the world as equal. Berserk is great, but so is Jeff Smith's Bone. I love Perfect Blue, but I also love Pink Floyd The Wall. In all honesty, I think what many weebs lack is common sense. Anybody could easily put together the conclusion I made, but the weebs either can't do so or just don't want to for some odd reason. I dunno, those are just my thoughts.
dubbaking you love perfect blue and pink floyd too omg twinsys
+dubbaking I agree completly
Weebism to me is less about lacking common sense and more about feeling some disconnection or dissonance with one's own identity. That's why it's predominantly found in younger people who are still trying to figure out who they are. People who are increasingly discontented with themselves as people or their environment (culture, home life, school life etc.) have a tendency to turn to romanticism as a coping mechanism. And we all know that romanticism usually distorts reality in some way or the other.
This is a 2 years later commentary, but i will say it anyway, i love this video. I think it really encaptures the though train that most of us have gone when we have a distinct thing we like that ''becomes'' part of our personality. The way you speak is honest and i feel like this is the kind of talk you have with someone at 2am when you're both trying to sleep. The psychological aspects you talked about are also really nice, and the video i think speaks for most of us who realized the conflict between reality and dreams. Thanks for the video!
I went through this in high school I was about as obsessed with Naruto as a young artist who liked anime could be. over the years I had an identity crisis with my drawings where I didn't feel they looked original enough and I shut out ANYTHING that was mainstream in media and most anime as well. was very damaging to my progress as I learned later because reference is needed but it paved the way to my growth.
Anime contains a very large amount of repetition and idea theft imo. stealing ideas isn't so bad but some amount of originality in the plot lines etc would've been nice. maybe they just stick far too close to genres and established rules like that whole ecchi? thing with fan service and what not
Congratulations on your recovery.
I've read a lot of manga and watched a lot of anime but I never went full weeb.
I helped run the anime club at my university. I was in charge of we watched because I was that one dude who's seen everything.
There were a lot of dysfunctional people there, in various ways, myself included, and this video is a good assessment of a lot of what was going on.
Weeb isn't the same as weeaboo
The later being obsession
The first it's just liking
This is how the fanbase is divided
Also once a weeb always a weeb
This... kind of made me rethink my life choices. Thanks for making this video man, it means a lot for me.
Fuck, you made me hungry with that sushi you were showing.
"When I used to have hair." Don't you mean when you used to be in a Swedish Death Metal band? (I really hope tho dude, that would be awesome)
This is really well thought out. I am attracted to Japan because of the way it is expressed in ghibli films and slice of life dramas. Stuff like summer wars and your name. I agree that I deeply desire to belong, it just seems like Japan would be a place to find that. I will probably travel to Japan and see for myself like you have. Thanks for making this.
I had a very similar experience with metal music. Back in secondary school (highschool to you 'Muricans) I listened to nothing but metal and its subgenres (including screamo). I dressed 'metal' (all black, band t-shirt, never wore makeup or anything), I acted 'metal' (angry/short-tempered, just a general dick) and I was almost scared to wear or listen to anything different. I felt like anything 'non-metal' was weak. But, eventually, something clicked. I realised I didn't like the person I had become, that cowering from anything 'non-metal' was stupid, that real people didn't act like that. Now I'll openly listen to fucking ABBA or whatever, but I still enjoy metal and stuff. (I eventually stopped listening to screamo, too, thank god).
Jack Graham what's highschlll
"Scremo" is not a sub genre of metal.
They called me a weeaboo when I never watch anime but interest in Japan and learn some Japanese from my school
Is there a way to prevent yourself from calling weeaboo?
Edit:boi my comment section has turned into bullying and harassment section, yet again a smart people joins in.
Don't watch muh videos and don't scrubskribe firstly change your profile picture, secondly go along with it. Don't get frustrated just ask why you're a weeb, laugh and move on.
But my art is not from anime.
Understandable.
Don't watch muh videos and don't scrubskribe
You need to put the line between your what you like to do and your core identity dude. First thing you should do is changing your profile picture.
weeb Xd
Great video. I got the distinct realization that it would be easy to switch all these concepts in reverse - racism and cultural prejudice can come about by a sustained reinforcement of illusory concepts
This somehow exactly sounds like when i was heavily obsessed with Japanese Anime & culture during my teens it was as if i have completely forgotten that i was a human .. that’s how much i wanted to be a like Anime & just like you it were Japanese songs that sparked my interests & i seriously went through all the stage of emotional & decisive turmoil you went through .. WoW it brings strong nostalgia😅& shades of embarrassment😆
I grew up on a farm. And I wish to move to Japan and become a rice farmer.
Personally as a person who has watched a fuck ton of anime the only appeal of going to japan is to see anime since in real life like to walk around a normal street for a bit or just see the country side.
To explain the appeal of this is that most of anime is escapism and is meant to take you mind of thing and feel something different and when you see anything close to what you saw when you felt that strong way you instantly connect them and get that feeling again (like listening to a song that reminds you of something)
I have experienced before and it turned a okay view from a mountain to the best view I have ever seen in my life (this is view from snowdon onto the see in Wales if any one knows)
”...high pitched..., ...same jokes..., ...actual act...,”
and this is why Cowboy Bebop is love, is life. Because it's more human than other anime.
Aldri Fajar Muhammad shinichiro watanabe shows are the best tbh
it doesnt change the fact is just a stupid cartoon and thats it?
@@sayanskywolf13 it also doesn't change the fact that you can't structure a proper sentence.
Your false statement is invalid.
@@infamousshinkicker6924you mad kid? did i offended your favorite cartoon? i feel so sorry about it, but well lets move on i guess?
english is not my first language so whatever you found wrong in my first comment please let me know ill be sure to be aware of that mistake next time i write a similar sentence, thank you very much
@@sayanskywolf13 well, you didn't have many important grammar mistakes but I'm pretty sure nobody understood you because your comment didn't make sense. English isn't my first language either but that doesn't matter, I still check twice to see if what I wrote is understandable.
No, you didn't insult my favorite cartoon. You insulted art with your ignorance about animation, pretty sure any normal person would get angry.
Wow never thought my country was causing serious issues to teenagers in the world (￣▽￣)ゞなんだか申し訳ないっすな
ur country didnt cause it
lmao
Nick Kei へんなウィーブたちが馬鹿な考えでめちゃくちゃな事をしてるからだよ
Nick Kei HA! Ah shit, stay away from us, we will scare you
Ah i see you want another nuclear bomb
Interestingly, I'm sorta the opposite. I see a big Japan-craze lately in American culture, but I don't really see the appeal? Like, I've enjoyed some anime, the history is really cool, their architecture is amazing, some of their food is alright, but... I'm not interested in Japan any more than like, England, Italy, even pre-colonial North America. It feels like all my friends want to learn Japanese and visit Japan, and I'm here thinking "yeah but I prefer Italian food, I'd like to see my ancestral home in Poland, Iceland has more favorable weather," etc.
I dunno. Maybe I actively avoid trends so I don't risk seeming like I'm faking my identity? Or maybe I'm actually just not worried about how I come across? It's hard to say really.
Okay?
After this video ended I got an ad for jobs in Japan. The irony is palpable.
I used to draw in an anime-style & pretend I acted like I knew a tonne about anime & stuff when I'd only watched one show. Like the example of the figurine collector.
Sad days.
You some good points in there. Especially on the end when you talk about purchasing things to present yourself. I used to do that as well (mostly with music) and I would by like every merchandise I could get but im the last two years when I slowly lost track of my friends (everyone moved away or we simply lived us apart) I started thinking well why do I do that what I do? And you have like whole collections at home from stuff you actually don't need. And I kinda stopped buying anything like that.
Damn when I think about the time I was head over heels for manga (I'm 20 now) and I look at some of them I still have, thinking that it is pretty shitty drawn and it doesn't appeal to me anymore. So when I stopped with this I actually found myself being interested in other things and nothing better could have happened to me. Once you step out of your bubble the world seems much more open than before.
Very interesting video! You did a good job of explaining how you can still like anime and Japanese things and not be a weeaboo. I personally have been called a weeaboo jokingly by friends even though I am not one. I don't idolize Japan and think it's this perfect place. As you said, Japanese people are just normal people. I may have become a weeaboo if it weren't for the fact I have family who are Japanese (I'm only a quarter.) so I hear all about the realities of Japan and what it's really like there. The media definitely makes it easy to idealize Japan and make it sound like it's this perfect place.
iheartanime14 every country idolize themselves in front of others , its to build a good impression, there's no escaping it
I joke around with my friend about us being weebs. I have him in my phone as "Weeb Brother" lol.
I can relate 100% to this. I was a massive weeabo until around 19 but then yeah. Reality kicks in and and kick in hard. But I remember those days fondly. I dont regret a second of it.
Giroutte I’m becoming a weaboo about when i was 11 - 12, but after dropping out of schools everything of mine changed, i’m still a kid but know things, it feel like i should have a dog and running on a grass field with it to stay happy and young, but i’m grown too fast, soon enough i will be a 50’s man in my 20’s and have a very short life span
Great insight, thank you so much for it. I've been craving for such deep information for a long time, since basically this is what happened to me for a long long time, and i was kind of aware of it but couldn't break it until I found out the solution is to enjoy reality, live your life rather than a fantasy you use to escape your real-life problems (in my case devastatingly low self-esteem and insecurity), a cute little imaginary world inside of your head you could run to as if it were a shelter everytime you felt bad about yourself, but that was absolutely fake and offered no real solution at all. I found out I could be a good person in real life and enjoy myself as well, and now I'm doing really good because the focus is on finding the meaning of life, really. Thank you for your thoughts 😊
Watching Cartoon Network shows as a kid, I realized that cartoons are not the same as real life. And I guess that knowledge carried over when I started watching anime when I was 16 (I watched some anime before that, but I was 15 when I realized that those shows were actually English dubbed Japanese shows).
The way you talk makes everything you say sound like an autobiography or documentary. About being a weeaboo
It's really good that you realized what you were really looking for before committing to your year abroad. I definitely didn't realize in time so now I have a degree i dont use. It's more of a quirk that helps new people remember me. 'Oh, right. This is the person who speaks Japanese.' Luckily, I have a job and education debt's not bad. If anyone is trying to reform their weeby ways, introspection and this video will help.
Went to Japan and am still a weeaboo help
ua-cam.com/video/d2FGgYp6mdk/v-deo.html
I have found this video which cures weebness for a period of time depending on the person. Don't mind the quality, Davido will cure your weebness through overexposure of cringe.
embrace it
Weebs ain't that bad lmao
Unless they start coming at you with dat yaoi shit
ReroMan Yeah, those were horrible, how can some people actually watch something like that and found it entertained wtf,
@@lord_khufu I guess there's a person for everything huh? 🤔
7:45 aww what a cute little guy
Michal another snail lover I'm blessed
Beanut Butter i also love them
I love them too
The best video that I saw in the last year. I do not watch anime and am not a weeaoo, but this video made me rethink some things. I always looked for happiness in extraneous things. But I never thought that neither a new girl nor a new country would make me happy. It's all about who I am. Thank you for making me rethink my life, you made it better
“What am going to do, teach English? I’m not a native English speak” I’m gonna hard disagree with that. You sound completely American and I didn’t realize you weren’t until you showed where you were on the map
I was about to point it out
He don't got no Yankee accent, stop calling yourself Americans
There are three Americas North Central and South we all American not just you Yankees. Ok now I'm done
I'm German/American living in the US. I'm not a weeb or anything. But I think the traditional architecture in Japan is kinda neat, and i think the landscape looks pretty, but I also feel the same way about China. (Yeah, ik they hate each other lol) I do like some of their fashion, like the sailor-esque outfits or skirts with knee high socks. I just think they look cute. Watered down Lolita-ish stuff is cool too. But I've been called a weeb by my siblings for wearing some of these. :p I also like some of the traditional instruments they have, like the erhu, I think it was? And I do like some anime, but I'm picky with it and only watch dubbed. But that doesn't make me weebish, right?
But I love Germany, and German culture the most, and no one's surprised when I say I love it, but I guess that makes sense.
But if I liked, say, Swedish culture and fashion and music, no one would say anything about it, which is just weird. It's like there's some stigma on Japan or something.
Nope that doesn't make you weebish to me weeaboo basically means a person that wants to be japanese ((and it's okay to wear Lolitaish stuff and knee high socks, you do you :D))
I didn't expect I would get an existential enlightment here lol thanks anyway for explaining in an in-depth manner! Keep up the good work.
Just came back from a 31-days holiday in Japan. (My 2nd holiday there)
Some of my personal pros and cons:
Like:
- Amazing scenery, you literally get artistic inspiration in almost every corner of the country
- Warm weather
- Very friendly and considering people
- Healthy and delicious (fast)food
- Fast and punctual public transport
- Liking Manga and Anime is not considered as weird as in the west sometimes
- Free public toilets are everywhere. And they're mostly clean.
- No signs of western political correctness
Dislike
- the crowds. I hated them the most. It's a whole different level of what i'm used from my life in Europe.
- Few space. Toilets where your knees almost bump into the door in front of you, stores where other customers constantly block your way...
- Rules, rules, rules for everything you do in public. First rule: Don't do anything that might bother someone else. I personally appreciate to have a bit more freedom myself while tolerating other people's freedom, even if it can be annoying sometimes (like having long calls during train rides).
- I created a lot more trash than I do back in Europe. You even get plastic bags for your plastic bags and everything you buy is somehow wrapped in plastic.
- Public trash bins are almost non-existant.
- People rarely show emotions in public, sometimes they almost seem like human robots. (Especially the busy ones between 7-9 AM)
Still i love the county, the people, the culture and the anime art style.
Why do people want to live there, wouldnt just going on vacation be easier. A lot of foreigners end up going back to their country after attempting to live in Japan.
Rinnex Don’t dream to live in another country, it’s bad in anyways
God, just why haven't I found this video years ago?! You won't believe but on my weivo path I actually ended up going all the way to Japan, and studying there for 4 years..to find out that this is actually not what I really wanted. It's funny how it took me so much time to realize it. Anime and Japanese culture was what brought me there, but after this years, this has become the reason for me to leave..
Thanks for sharing this experience and your thoughts on this topic)
I'm a North Koreaboo
Don't you mean Best Korea? American infiltrator!
Maybe you could help them finally launch the nukes
Could you recommend some quality anime from true Korea?
Quinn You clearly haven't seen Kim in the House or my favorite My Nuke Academia
Vapor Wave - sama Amazing
It's helpful to know about Japan's placement on the world happiness report. It's currently 51st, Sweden is 10th. Therefore, it's generally not worth it to move from Sweden to Japan. Happiness is a social construct, a lower score will affect you regardless of attitude. For example: you witness someone jump in front of a train, someone breaking down, etc. You will be less happy in Japan, period.
Tim Patton gotta tell you
Japan is not perfect but it has a great education system ( similar to a Cuban one my parents went through younger ) the difference is that they are harsh to youngers, mostly adults who still believes like in the 90's which can affect how they see regular and weird young people as the same ( Hikimori if I remember, some are terrified of the great expectation their protectors expect from them, I would br crying myself in that situation, mostly because I am a person who doesnt agree with everybody but accepta others with respect )
Tim Patton gotta tell you
Japan is not perfect but it has a great education system ( similar to a Cuban one my parents went through younger ) the difference is that they are harsh to youngers, mostly adults who still believes like in the 90's which can affect how they see regular and weird young people as the same ( Hikimori if I remember, some are terrified of the great expectation their protectors expect from them, I would br crying myself in that situation, mostly because I am a person who doesnt agree with everybody but accepta others with respect )
I think the whole thing with collections is something that is not a bad thing to flaunt as its something that you took the effort to gather but I totally agree with this video and really am happy that you made this I love the personal aspect of it.
I wonder how common "weeaboos" as you defined is. There are objective reasons for liking Japanese media (e.g. Japanese comics are more straightforward to get into, and usually have an ending unlike most superhero comics), but thinking Japan is something magical place that will solve your problems is just delusional. Being delusional is the problem, not the hobby itself. I got pretty into anime, manga and visual novels in highschool, but I always knew that's not what real life in Japan is like. It seems pretty obvious to me just like how the Simpsons is not a 100% accurate depciiton of Ameica.
How to stop being a weeaboo:
1. Get a girlfriend
That is not funny.
Girls can be weebs too.
Spud get a boyfriend
What if your girlfriend Is a "K-POP WEEABO".
Indeed and this is why I don't have it.
Mattias Pilhede that was surprising. I feel like i understand my own tastes more. Thanks bro
if you want to live in japan, best thing to do is a STEM subject at uni, and just learn japanese in your own time. You don't need to learn japanese from a college (and especially not from a degree). After that you should fairly easily get into japan as your skills will be in high demand (and you may not even necessarily need to speak japanese for your job).
this is me right now.
I started learning Japanese and I planned to live there as some kind of architect or maybe even a personal fitness trainer.
I guess I need to let go
I was also a weeaboo but I have changed a lot and now appreciate Japans culture and all it has to offer, not just anime and kawaii stuff. I always find myself coming back to this video. It feels like I’m looking back to my formal self. Great video!
I've kind of had thoughts of being a teacher for a while, and I've wanted to learn Japanese. I thought maybe I could be an English teacher in Japan, but this gives me second thoughts. Am I just going for the media, culture, and aesthetic? Teaching English to foreigners sounds like a dream job, but being an artist is also one. Maybe I should see if my art or English is better, or if I pick up Japanese well by the time things come around, and not just keep going on one path.