Questions tagged [culture]
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.
194
questions
5
votes
1
answer
92
views
Are "avowed sisters" pseudohistory or a real/semi-real Persian custom in the past?
In volume 7 is the story of Anis and Sherine and them becoming "avowed sisters", which the author describes in the omake as a (Persian) custom around the 17-19 century, where two wives would ...
- 9,823
0
votes
1
answer
129
views
Does this piece of clothing have a specific name?
Does this piece of clothing have a specific name? I mean the scarf (?) that is linked to her cuffs.
- 21
3
votes
1
answer
136
views
What is this silly horn sound that's always made by someone on the street in Maison Ikkoku?
Example clip:
https://i.imgur.com/7OgVPIc.mp4
In Maison Ikkoku (which takes place in Tokyo, and was released in the 90s), this person on a cycle occasionally cycles past and makes this silly horn ...
- 239
1
vote
1
answer
94
views
What is this button-up shirts attire that is usually seen in fighting anime and martial arts movies?
What do they call those button-up shirts you often see in fighting anime and martial arts movies, like Dragon Ball series?
- 266
1
vote
1
answer
71
views
Why does Mizuto say Yuni-san but Yume says Mineaki-oji-san?
You can answer either for the series in particular or for in general about Japanese culture/language.
Mizuto both addresses and refer to Yuni as Yuni-san while Yume both addresses and refers to ...
- 1,957
1
vote
2
answers
218
views
Attire for a Japanese summer festival: Why don't the boys dress up for the summer festival while their dates do?
Maybe related: Attire for a Japanese fireworks festival: Why does Miyuki (Shirogane) REALLY attend in school uniform?
In the s2 finale, Takao, Nakai and Nishikata don't wear yukata's while their ...
- 1,957
0
votes
3
answers
305
views
Why are there more harem anime than reverse harem anime?
Harem anime's target audiences are mainly males while reverse harem anime's target audiences are mainly females. So, it makes sense for the producers to make as many reverse harem anime as harem anime,...
- 1,674
1
vote
2
answers
127
views
What is this metal object that Nino is rubbing against her face in Gotoubun no Hanayome?
See the picture for what I'm referring to. At the end of S02E03 of Gotoubun no Hanayome (aka Quintessential Quintuplets), Nino is lounging around in her residence, rubbing these metal-looking balls ...
- 239
7
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Why is a black ribbon hung over a person's portrait when they die?
Across quite a few Japanese works, I have noticed black ribbons/bows hung over a deceased person's portrait (shown in the photo below). But why are they there? What do they symbolise? Are they ...
user69850
-4
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Why do anime girls tend to wear long socks?
In real life, a pair of short socks as the following seems to be more common.
However, anime girls tend to wear long socks, at least knee-high.
Why do anime girls tend to wear long socks? Is it ...
- 1,674
-2
votes
1
answer
108
views
What did Uesugi mean by his hand gesture?
In the second episode of The Quintessential Quintuplets, while talking to Miku, Uesugi showed this hand gesture:
What did he mean by that? Is this a common gesture in Japan or just a weird gesture of ...
- 1,674
0
votes
2
answers
260
views
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-...
- 1,674
-4
votes
1
answer
560
views
What's bad about gaining weight?
At around 4:40 in the 1st episode of The Quintessential Quintuplets, Uesugi said that eating too much would make Itsuki gain weight, and then Itsuki get pissed.
Isn't gaining weight as a teenage very ...
- 1,674
1
vote
1
answer
99
views
Why did the nurses think Uesugi was the bastard son?
At about 3:05 in the 1st episode of 5-toubun no Hanayome ∬, Uesugi said that the nurses thought he was the hospital director's bastard son.
Then Nino confirmed that her father paid for the expenses.
...
- 1,674
1
vote
2
answers
99
views
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 ...
- 1,674
1
vote
1
answer
62
views
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 ...
- 1,674
3
votes
1
answer
54
views
Is this intended to be a sign that Uesugi is socially awkward?
At around 11:30 in Episode 6 of 5-toubun no Hanayome ∬, Ichika offers to buy books for Uesugi. Uesugi just waits outside the store while Ichika is paying the check, then, when Ichika is done paying ...
- 1,674
2
votes
1
answer
63
views
What's with Nino's reaction that make Miku jealous?
At around 13:40 in Episode 6 of 5-toubun no Hanayome ∬, Uesugi said that he needed to go to toilet, then Nino said, 'sure, catch up with us later'. Then Miku gave Nino an unfriendly look.
What makes ...
- 1,674
-2
votes
1
answer
186
views
Why does Chika call Miyuki as 'kun' (not 'san') but Kaguya 'san' (not 'chan')? (Re anime s2 and live action 1st movie)
Chika Fujiwara calls Miyuki Shirogane as Miyuki-kun during the brief periods in s2 and the 1st live action that Miyuki isn't president. However, for the entire anime, manga and live action movies last ...
- 1,957
0
votes
1
answer
82
views
Is academic performance in high school related to IQ in Japanese's eyes? [closed]
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 ...
- 1,674
0
votes
1
answer
115
views
What's so good about being called by her first name?
In Episode 3 of 5-toubun no Hanayome ∬, when Kintarou called Nino by her first name, she blushed.
This blog says
Unlike many western cultures, in Japan people generally don’t call one-another by ...
- 1,674
-3
votes
1
answer
91
views
What are some famous policies for students to guess the correct answer in a test in Japan? [closed]
In The Quintessential Quintuplets, when taking her mid-term exam, Yotsuba doesn't know the answer to a question, so she uses a policy to guess the answer.
I think this policy is a meme among students ...
- 1,674
1
vote
1
answer
220
views
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 ...
- 1,674
-4
votes
1
answer
86
views
Why does Miku's colleague refer to Miku by last name but addresses Miku by 1st name?
From S02E10 of The Quintessential Quintuplets
Above, we see that Miku is working part-time at some bakery. Yotsuba is visiting Miku at the bakery where Miku has just started working part-time. Miku's ...
- 1,957
4
votes
1
answer
483
views
Are there elite schools or private schools in Japan that teach advanced knowledge for their students' age?
At around 14:00 in the first episode of Puella Magi Madoka Magica, there are 3 math questions in the blackboard. (The following pictures are for the convenience for reference.)
Question: Let p be a ...
- 1,674
6
votes
1
answer
560
views
Why do characters in anime/manga eat their lunches in restrooms?
I have seen many times in anime and manga that a character eats his/(mainly)her lunch in a toilet.
Examples include Nagisa from Kanojo mo Kanojo who used to eat her lunch in the restroom. (Revealed in ...
- 1,674
-1
votes
1
answer
327
views
Do new Japanese step-siblings or new step-siblings in Japan often change their last name?
From here. Mizuto Irido's dad Mineaki Irido married Yuni Ayai who is the mom of Yume Ayai. Yuni's last name changed from Ayai to Irido. For some reason Yume Ayai became Yume Irido too.
Is it common ...
- 1,957
-2
votes
2
answers
214
views
Why when being romantically affectionate do these ex-romantic partner step-siblings call each other by last name? (Motokano S01E01)
1st episode of new anime adaptation of light novel series My Stepmom's Daughter Is My Ex aka Mamahaha no Tsurego ga Motokano datta:
Yume Ayai and Mizuto Irido have recently become step-siblings. ...
- 1,957
2
votes
0
answers
47
views
Where is this kind of pictures originated from? [duplicate]
The following kind of pictures has always reminded me of religion. I don't know whether they are meant to arouse such feeling, though. Where are they originated from? What is the meaning of such kind ...
- 1,674
-2
votes
1
answer
448
views
Why does Yor call Loid as Loid-san when with others?
I thought it was part of Yor's politeness trope, but this is what ConMan said:
To each other, probably just Loid-san. When I said she would call him anata, I was thinking more in the situations where ...
- 1,957
1
vote
1
answer
1k
views
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.
- 1,957
1
vote
1
answer
185
views
What are these rhombus/triangles around the neck?
I saw these rhombus/triangles around the neck in a few stories but do not know what it is:
I'm Not the Evil God's Lackey character - Original Witch Silver
I'm the Grim Reaper (webtoon) character - ...
- 21
-2
votes
2
answers
223
views
Are there Japanese 2 player variations of Sevens/Fan Tan/Domino/Shichi Narabe (7並べ)? [closed]
And in particular, when you play with 2 players do you deal out all the cards the from the deck? Or is there some undealt part that players draw from during the game? I mean, if you deal them all then ...
- 1,957
0
votes
1
answer
212
views
Attire for a Japanese wedding: Why does Raiha attend Fuutarou's wedding in school uniform? (S1 finale)
In the s1 finale, we see Raiha and the dad of Fuutarou and Raiha attending Fuutarou's wedding.
Based on the clothes that Raiha and their dad wore in the earlier scene, it seems like they were already ...
- 1,957
-1
votes
2
answers
539
views
Attire for a Japanese fireworks festival: Why does Miyuki (Shirogane) REALLY attend in school uniform?
Maybe related: Attire for a Japanese summer festival: Why don't the boys dress up for the summer festival while their dates do?
This doesn't seem to be talked about in the anime or even in the ...
- 1,957
8
votes
1
answer
517
views
Is it common to tell people how you spell your name in Japan?
In Death Note when Light introduces himself to Naomi Misora, he gives his full name and tells her how to spell it in Japanese. When she gives her name, she also tells him how to spell it.
The ...
- 405
0
votes
1
answer
118
views
The Quintessential Quintuplets (aka 五等分の花嫁) : Is 届くんです (it reaches) a mondegreen that should be 五等分です (It's divided into five equal parts)?
In animesonglyrics, you can see in the season 1 opening (Gotoubun no Kimochi) for the anime adaptation of The Quintessential Quintuplets
the Romaji: Go-tōbundesu, demo (...) --> the Kanji of which ...
- 1,957
8
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Where is this pool from?
I read a manga and one panel showed a swimming pool. Some readers commented "didn't expect to see that pool here" and no one would tell me where the pool was from. I presume it was from an ...
- 191
2
votes
0
answers
908
views
What does Hanami mean by the words, "Die and become a sage"?
In Jujutsu Kaisen's episode 18 "Sage" (Transcription: "Kenja"; Japanese: 賢者), Hanami disrupts the Goodwill Event and engages Fushiguro Megumi, Inumaki Toge and Kamo Noritoshi in ...
- 802
3
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Is "high school detective" a real-life thing in Japan?
In the show Detective Conan, the main character starts as a "high school detective" who shrinks down to become a child. In the series, there are mentions of other high school detectives as ...
- 133
-2
votes
1
answer
83
views
Should I read manga of famous anime or watch it? [closed]
Is manga necessary to enjoy the anime as I have never read a manga in my life and until now for 2 years, I am watching anime only.
4
votes
1
answer
2k
views
What is the hand gesture Itachi does when calling Sasuke to him?
I've always found this gesture curious, because it looked like the "shooing away" gesture to me, but Sasuke reacts as though he's being summoned. So I'm interested to know if this gesture is ...
- 5,960
5
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Japanese Scoring System on Public High School Examinations: Quintessential Quintuplets season 2
In 5 Toubun no Hanayome, Fuutarou is assigned to help a rich businessman's quintuplet daughters pass their examinations and graduate. Unfortunately, they all suck at academics, or get distracted by ...
- 198
0
votes
1
answer
179
views
What is the significane of 8 in Anime and Manga?
I have recently noticed 8 is a pretty common number in the manga I have been reading. Like Samurai 8 and Kaiju NO.8 have the number in their title. There are also 8 gyms in pokemon. Like the number 8 ...
4
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Is the proverb "When a man steps out of the gate, he faces seven enemies" a real one?
Recently I watched again the Kenichi anime, and I went several times through this proverb.
"When a man steps out of the gate, he faces seven enemies" (e.g. episode 5)
Looks like a ...
- 43
6
votes
1
answer
816
views
Why are most isekai happening in a medieval world?
Why are most isekai happening in a medieval world? I have been reading some of these and I actually can't recall of any in which the story is happening in an other era than in a medieval period. Why ...
- 163
3
votes
1
answer
438
views
What is the significance of Shirogane having 9 kids?
In season 1 episode 6, Shirogane says that he wants to have 9 kids during a psychological test; the same is referenced in season 2 episode 1, when Chika and Shirogane have 9 kids (when playing a game)....
1
vote
1
answer
917
views
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 ...
- 5,960
0
votes
1
answer
166
views
In anime, why high school students are not allowed to work? [duplicate]
I was confused about why in anime, high school students were not allowed to work. I understand in real life that they have to have permission from the school. Maybe I'm just reading into it too much ...
- 3
5
votes
1
answer
307
views
Is Princess Snake based on folklore?
While watching Dragon Ball Z recently I noticed that the premise of the episode Princess Snake is undoubtedly similar to an episode of Boruto (which I don't think has aired in English yet).
Both ...
user50190