I saw this while I was in Japan and made a huge "D:" there. I feel ridiculously elitist for saying this, but this is the image I /never/ want to project
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I agree with the disgust toward people who think they're Japan experts because they've watched anime. I never considered myself an expert, but looking back on the stuff I thought I knew and it's a bit embarrassing. Anime represents Japan about as well as Cartoon Network represents the U.S. I did cringe at the cosplaying in Akihabara, but then I remembered the people in Harajuku and didn't feel so bad anymore.
That having been said, I kind of have to agree with Mara. Japanese documentary pieces make me wary in general, but even more so when they decide to "investigate" foreigners in Japan. Because it inevitably becomes a chance to poke fun at the "silly gaijin", without ever letting the subjects in on the joke. If they had known what the finished piece was going to make them look ridiculous, I have a feeling they wouldn't have done the interviews. Yes, the "punk'd" mentality is a common thing on Japanese TV, but I've rarely seen it so condescending.
I know all tourists represent their countries to some extent when they go abroad, but honestly, this was a group of people who were getting a chance to experience something they love in its place of origin. Yeah, they look a little silly, and their Japanese isn't very good, but it's really no more shameful than tourists going to Disneyland.
Maybe I have been a bit too harsh at the people featured. I do understand the excitement/happiness of going to Japan for the first time --the land of dreams and anime. And I think you hit it really on the mark describing them with the Disneyland mentality. Going on a limb from that, I feel that most of these people behave the way a lot of people do for conventions: loud fangiggling/shouting random anime catch-phrases/etc. While I personally feel that their behavoir is annoying, it's not exactly what makes me irked. What gets to me is that they seem to be viewing Japan, as a whole, with this mentality --as if Japan itself was a convention to squee and fanboy over. And that makes me a bit miffed, because in between the Tokyo Animefair and Akihabara, they've probably had to interact with people who didn't want to be a part of their Japan-Con experience.
I was also surprised by the negative media portrayal. Usually, the Japanese news documentary I've seen have been painfully neutral. I did however, follow a few links on Youtube and found a few other videos with even heavier biased reporting. The main one that got me sad was a report on Gals in which the reporter outright tells one of them: "Your face looks like Picasso drew it." I've no love for Gals, but ow the bias, it hurts. :(
What gets to me is that they seem to be viewing Japan, as a whole, with this mentality --as if Japan itself was a convention to squee and fanboy over
Ahhh, I understand now. Yeah. I mean, my first trip to Tokyo had me squeeing over buildings I recognized and random things like police boxes, but I did it quietly. Maybe the cosplayer girl and "Rick" are beyond hope, but maybe the visit helped them appreciate Japan outside the context of anime. Because, sure, Tokyo Tower is a CLAMP fan's Mecca, but don't forget to check out Zozoji Temple that's right beside it.
And ouch. I wonder if it's the conformity thing. You don't look like everyone else, or you don't come from here, so we have free license to mock you on national television. :(
It would be nice if these people did go back to Japan, and enjoyed some cultural activities too. Not that anime isn't great, but I feel that Japan has loads more to offer than that. :D
I know what you mean about Tokyo love though. I took so many pictures the first time I went to Odaiba and saw Rainbow Bridge. XD Truthfully, I've never actually been to Tokyo Tower, despite living in Tokyo for half a year. *shamed* I've seen it from far away, but never got around to planning a trip for it. The next time I go though, I'd definitely like to go to that temple. :3 (Pinwheels? ;o;)
I think I agree with the conformity issue. And sometimes, the people they ridicule aren't very different at all. I know my host-father hated teenagers just because they sat on the sidewalk. :
That having been said, I kind of have to agree with Mara. Japanese documentary pieces make me wary in general, but even more so when they decide to "investigate" foreigners in Japan. Because it inevitably becomes a chance to poke fun at the "silly gaijin", without ever letting the subjects in on the joke. If they had known what the finished piece was going to make them look ridiculous, I have a feeling they wouldn't have done the interviews. Yes, the "punk'd" mentality is a common thing on Japanese TV, but I've rarely seen it so condescending.
I know all tourists represent their countries to some extent when they go abroad, but honestly, this was a group of people who were getting a chance to experience something they love in its place of origin. Yeah, they look a little silly, and their Japanese isn't very good, but it's really no more shameful than tourists going to Disneyland.
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I was also surprised by the negative media portrayal. Usually, the Japanese news documentary I've seen have been painfully neutral. I did however, follow a few links on Youtube and found a few other videos with even heavier biased reporting. The main one that got me sad was a report on Gals in which the reporter outright tells one of them: "Your face looks like Picasso drew it." I've no love for Gals, but ow the bias, it hurts. :(
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Ahhh, I understand now. Yeah. I mean, my first trip to Tokyo had me squeeing over buildings I recognized and random things like police boxes, but I did it quietly. Maybe the cosplayer girl and "Rick" are beyond hope, but maybe the visit helped them appreciate Japan outside the context of anime. Because, sure, Tokyo Tower is a CLAMP fan's Mecca, but don't forget to check out Zozoji Temple that's right beside it.
And ouch. I wonder if it's the conformity thing. You don't look like everyone else, or you don't come from here, so we have free license to mock you on national television. :(
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I know what you mean about Tokyo love though. I took so many pictures the first time I went to Odaiba and saw Rainbow Bridge. XD Truthfully, I've never actually been to Tokyo Tower, despite living in Tokyo for half a year. *shamed* I've seen it from far away, but never got around to planning a trip for it. The next time I go though, I'd definitely like to go to that temple. :3 (Pinwheels? ;o;)
I think I agree with the conformity issue. And sometimes, the people they ridicule aren't very different at all. I know my host-father hated teenagers just because they sat on the sidewalk. :
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