Japanese JHS Student Pop Culture

Aaaaaaand, we're back. Sorry about the lack of updates lately. Tessa and I are done with the summer vacation and back in the rigors of the school year, and we've been too tired/lazy to update. We really, really appreciate you reading though!

So anyway, Japanese Junior High School students, like American JHS students, have their own niche in the realm of pop culture. They are taken in by the various fads of fashion, music, memorabilia, and entertainment that are rife in any capitalist society. I would like to share with you some of the current ones I have witnessed.

First, memorabilia. Almost everything the students bring with them to class has some type of slogan or character imprinted on it. The most popular character (by far) is the character of Stitch from the Disney movie Lilo and Stitch. Disney has a HUGE draw in Japan. I'd say they control almost all of the non-anime cartoon/comics in Japan. Which is not too surprising, given what we know about the Disney company. Tokyo Disney Land is a very popular destination for Japanese vacation goers. The surprising thing is how Japanese culture has latched onto the character of "Stitch", especially given the fact that it was released 6 years ago (in Japan). Though Lilo and Stitch was made by Disney, it was certainly not one of their high budget/high grossing movies. I always thought it was an underrated Disney movie that never got the play it deserved, but in Japan it is EVERYWHERE. Stitch's likeness is by far the most popular cartoon likeness I see on an everyday basis, and I see him on everything from folders to pen cases to random sketches the students draw. I think the allure might have something to do with the Japanese's fascination with Hawai'i, another popular vacation destination. Of course the Pixar movies are well represented, as well as the Japanese anime/manga industry.

Second, music. Ah, to be 13 again. remember the crap music you used to listen to? Well, Japan has the same stuff, just (mostly) sung in Japanese. The J-Pop the kids listen to is mostly terrible, and I sometimes have to listen to it during lunch at the schools. The current faves are: Glay, Greeeen, Hey! Say! JUMP (the "JUMP" stands for Johnny's Ultra Music Power), and many others. They sing pop music in Japanese and sometimes English (hilarity ensues!) but usually the English is confined to a few lines like "Because I love you", etc.

My students also love Japanese comedians. I don't know much about them, but they always want me to say "Toose!" like the Japanese comedian in this youtube video (see it at about 20 seconds in). Whenever I do it, they crack up, but I don't really know why.

That's it for now ja, ne!

P.S. "ja ne" is sorta like Japanese for "see you!"