Sunday, March 6, 2011

Japanglish Fantasy League Vocabulary #6

Like all persecuted peoples, anime fans dream of escaping to a Promised Land, where they will be free from persecution. For the otaku, that Promised Land is Japan.



"Let my people Goku!"


It is true that your average Japanese person is more likely than your average American (or what-have-you) to read the occasional manga or buy a Tony Chopper cellphone strap. They also have about as much respect for rabid anime fans as they would for, say, animal tortue enthusiasts or flesh eating bacteria with poor table manners.

Or, Koreans


Upon arriving in Japan, foreign Otaku often find it easier to deny their nerdish interests, despite that being the reason they came to the country in the first place. Which brings us to today's vocabulary:


Notaku - n. 1). An anime enthusiast in denial.

2). "I'm not an anime fan, I just like Miyazaki films. Well, and Cowboy Bebop. And One Piece. And Berserk. And Hanaukyo Maid Team La Verite. And..."

3). 90% of English-speaking foreigners in Japan.

Usage: "Brad? That f***ing Notaku's wall of shame is twice as big as mine."

"Notaku? I'm not a Notaku. I just like Miyazaki films. Well, and Cowboy Bebop. And..."

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Japanglish Fantasy League Vocabulary #5

Japanese Dinosaur - n. 1). A Japanese woman who holds her handbag like the mighty Tyrant Lizard:



(I couldn't find a good picture, but this should give you the general idea)

2). The 45-year-old woman you picked up at Pure1 last night.

See Also: Velociraptor, Louis Vuitton



1Pure - n. 1). An infamous foreigner pick-up nightclub.
2). A wretched hive of villany and English teachers.

Sunday, April 4, 2010

The Most Important Meal of the Day


I love me some Japanese food something fierce. It's one of the main reasons I came back (which seems like a really horrible reason, until you imagine having a craving for a tuna onigiri for two damn years). Sure, there are a few inedible things like umeboshi or natto, but in general, shit be delicious. The main exception to this rule of deliciousness is breakfast. The traditional Japanese breakfast is essentially the worst parts of lunch and dinner, with miso and rice.

Meanwhile in America Damn It, we got waffles, pancakes, sausages, bacon, omelets, biscuits, cereal, and occasionally, fresh fruit. And that's just a SINGLE DISH at Denny's. We haven't even gotten into such variations as the chocolate chip pancake or the biscuit sandwich. American breakfast is so freaking sweet, I will sometimes eat it three times a day. It is not a meal. It is an institution.

Monday, March 22, 2010

All Americans Always Wear American Flags. Always.



So after drawing this comic, I realized it was this comic, in reverse. Oh well.

Newsflash: not everyone speaks English.

Newerflash: not everyone who speaks English speaks your particular brand of colloquial English.

Newestflash: you probably were already aware of this, but oh well.

Sunday, March 7, 2010

From the book "101 Activities for Bored Foreigners in Japan"


I have, in fact, done this, and it is, in fact, fun. The best is giving little fliers to the people who are giving out fliers, because it creates a sort of feedback loop of confusion that blows their friggin' minds.

Also I drew this:

Any caption ideas?

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Japanglish Fantasy League Vocabulary #4

Homodachi - n. 1). Your gay friend. 2). Your "Hetero Life Partner" 3). Pretty much anyone in the room at karaoke after five double shots of whiskey and "Total Eclipse of the Heart"

See also: Tomodachi, Homo, Bromance, Bro-hug, Good Game

Why we need this word: We don't particularly need this word, but it is fun to say. What's more, this linguistic corruption often gets a laugh out of native speakers too.

Monday, February 22, 2010

Frostbite frost bites




So tired of winter without insulation. The worst is when we occasionally have a warm day, and you remember what not being cold all the time feels like, and then you want the world to die.