Questions about anime and manga in the broader context of Japanese culture. Includes both questions about cultural origins for anime/manga references and questions about the cultural impact of a particular series.
Questions tagged [culture]
190 questions
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Why do Nino and Miku need to fight for the TV?
At about 3:20 in the 2nd episode of 5-toubun no Hanayome ∬, Nino and Miku are fighting over the TV.
Do parents in Japan forbid their children from having computers or tablets?
If not, Nino and Miku could just watch their favorite shows in their…
Michael
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Is this supposed to be a hint that Uesugi is socially inept?
At about 19:48 of the 1st episode of 5-toubun no Hanayome ∬, after Uesugi found out the culprit, he put the test paper on Ichika's head.
Is it socially acceptable to put something over/on other's head in Japan?
I think this might show a sense of…
Michael
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Can wearing wooden sandals in childhood form a lifelong separation between the hallux and the Index toe?
In the anime The Quintessential Quintuplets, the quintuplets have halluces separated from Index toes.
Yotsuba's feet, from Season 1:
Itsuki's feet, from Season 2:
It's said that in the past, Japanese wear wooden sandals and therefore get this kind…
Michael
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Why does Yor call Anya as Anya-san instead of Anya-chan?
In this pretend family, Yor is Anya's step-mom even though in a way Loid is like Anya's step-father in adopting Anya. I guess this is why Yor calls Anya as Anya-san? Idk.
BCLC
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What is this cutting instrument Tomoko has, and is she supposed to have it at school?
In Fail 20: I'm Not Popular, so I'll Make Preparations, Tomoko has some kind of cutting instrument that I'm not familiar with. It's like a shaft-type thing with a retractable, squarish blade on the end. It's got me curious about what it is, but…
Shaymin Gratitude
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Where does the recurring tale of a spiritual / paranormal sake banquet in the woods coming from?
I watched both xxxHolic and Mushishi, and in both anime there is a recurring tale, where a banquet is held in the woods, where either people or spirits (or mushis in Mushishi) are obtaining some delicious golden sake.
I was trying to find out if…
Sarumanatee
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What is with kimono that makes Japanese guys to fall for the girls in many anime?
I've been watching lots of anime series and in lots of them the guy realizes that he loves the girl when he sees her in a kimono specially for the festivals. Just this last week it was both in ReLIFE and Twin Star Exorcists. Just what is with that?
Ashkan S
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Do otaku tend to be bullied?
Otaku in Japan are somehow equivalent to being geek, meaning they are tend to be bullied or looked down upon. That's why some don't admit that they are otaku because of shame. And there are certain cases of otaku becoming a hikikomori, (an example…
xjshiya
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Is there an out-of-universe reason for the Gundam series mech head designs?
As I watch the shows I am constantly noticing the patterns in the head designs of the mobile suits.
Any true Gundam, or otherwise important mech, will always have two eyes and usually the V horns.
Any generic suit, or one belonging to a more shallow…
Andrey
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Windows 10 OS-tan theme?
Will there be a way to acquire it like Windows 7? Is it even installed on any personal computer in Japan?
I noticed that the Windows 8 OS-tan theme also seems unavailable, so I guess this is futile. But what is the point of announcing them if nobody…
J.L.
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What does it mean to be a poster child of type B blood?
In the first episode of Ping Pong the Animation, around 9 minutes in, Peco called Smile a poster child for B type blood. What does this mean, exactly? What significance does this have? How does this relate to his personality?
Hydromast
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In SAO 2 did Asuna break up with Kirito?
I noticed that when introducing Shino to Asuna and Lisbeth, Kirito mentioned them as his nakama. Why is that? Why is it that Kirito didn't introduce Asuna as his girlfriend? Is this what is normally done by a Japanese couple? Or did they broke up?
絢瀬絵里
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What is the meaning of the Yellow balls in the second episode of Denki-Gai?
One of the events of the episode is rolling a huge yellow ball. Hiotan is chosen to represent Umanohone, and there is some gag I did not get by that part.
What is the yellow ball supposed to represent?
Why is Hiotan embarassed and obviously aroused…
Mindwin Remember Monica
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Why are daughters usually in charge of household chores after their moms have passed away or left the families in anime?
In many anime, after the moms have passed away or left the families, it's often the daughters who are in charge of the household chores, like cooking and cleaning. Their dads just look like good-for-nothings, who just eat, drink, watch TV and seem…
Michael
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Is academic performance in high school related to IQ in Japanese's eyes?
I thought it was common sense that a student's academic performance is just a reflection of how much time and effort he/she has put into study. Yet Uesugi seems to think that the difficulty the quintuplets have in understanding/solving the question…
Michael
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