Here are several sample entries from
THE ANIME COMPANION
WHAT'S JAPANESE IN JAPANESE ANIMATION?
In the printed book, each entry is accompanied
by an icon that indicates which cultural category it belongs to.
Plus, there are dozens of illustrations from actual anime that our permission agreement forbids us to post here.
The line drawings that accompany the entries are by Lori Grant, and there are dozens more of these in the book too!
A = Examples in anime
M = Examples in manga
Boldface indicates cross-references to other entries in the book
(i.e., not live links on this site)
Pop singers. Idol singers are not unique to Japan; every modern country has its clean-cut prefabricated stars known for their short careers. In Japan highly competitive management companies maneuver to get their latest singers in the spotlight for as long as they can before the next act comes along. In anime, idol singers struggle for success or deal with the results of it; they sing in unlikely concert locations, even in outer space, and some are not even human, like the virtual idol Sharon Apple in Macross Plus.
A The most famous idol singer in anime is Minmei from the original Macross series; her voice actress, Iijima Mari, continued on to a successful singing career. · The award for most unlikely concert setting must go to idol singer Amy Lean, whose concert at Cape Kennedy is interrupted in Moldiver (OVA 2). · In Kimagure Orange Road (OVA 3, ep. 1) we get to see a rare portrayal of a male idol singer. · The award for best anime portrayal of idol singers has to go to the group Cham in Perfect Blue.
Located in northeastern Chiyoda Ward in Tokyo, this neighborhood is famous for its electronics shops. The area was originally a neighborhood around the Akiba Shrine, and after WWII a black market thrived in a group of buildings that had not been destroyed in the bombing. After the black market was closed down by the authorities dealers of radio parts continued to operate in the area. Over time more shops opened and more goods were brought in. Nowadays hundreds of shops with bright signs offering discounts and hard-to-find items do a busy trade. The neighborhood is well connected to the rest of Tokyo by several train and subway lines.
A The major action in Pretty Sammy 2 takes place around Akihabara (unless you think the mother's routines are the best part).
A Buddhist temple bell. Unlike Western bells, these bells have no interior clapper but are rung by striking them on the outside with a large pole or log on a special spot called the tsukiza, which traditionally has a lotus petal design. Bonshô have a very deep sound and are rung slowly so that the next ring comes as the preceding one has almost faded away. The ritual ringing of the bell 108 times at New Year's is called Joya no kane.
A Since it is rather dark inside such a bell Ataru occasionally traps Mendou there in Urusei Yatsura (TV tp. 13, ep. 48, st. 71). · One sees a bell in the background in You're Under Arrest (OVA 1) during the scene on the temple grounds. · The bells are sometimes heard but not seen, as when the senpai visit in Oh My Goddess! (OVA 3) or in Metal Fighters Miku (tp. 5, ep. 10), Kimagure Orange Road (OVA 3, ep. 1), and Vampire Princess Miyu (tp. 1, ep. 2).
Bodhidharma, also known as Bodai Daruma, the founder of Zen Buddhism who is famous for his devotion to sitting in meditation for long periods of time. His dedication to this one task has made him a common symbol of working toward one goal. Daruma dolls representing him are often seen in anime and manga. When starting a project, or making a wishing, you buy a Daruma doll, paint in one eye, and place it in the household's or organization's shrine. Upon achieving your goal, you paint in the other eye. The present design of the doll dates from the Edo period, when it was used as a protection against smallpox. Daruma dolls are sold at special fairs called darumaichi.
A We see a Daruma doll with both eyes painted in in one of Keiichi's fantasies at the beginning of Oh My Goddess! (OVA 1).
A popular summertime treat is some shaved ice with fruit syrup flavoring poured on top. In the spirit of research I had some Japanese-style shaved ice and found that it is not at all like American snow cones, as the Japanese ice is so thinly shaved that it quickly melts in your mouth. (Next time I think I'll have it with azuki beans.) Often what you see in anime and manga is not the shaved ice but the characteristic banner used to advertise it. The banner has a single character, and often waves are painted at the base.
A Hotta-sensei treats Botchan to shaved ice in Botchan (pt. 1). · We see a shaved-ice banner held by Ataru in the beginning of Urusei Yatsura: Beautiful Dreamer. · Ranma and Akane eat it in Ranma 1/2: Darling Charlotte (ep. 1) as do Godai and Kintarô in Maison Ikkoku: Playing Doubles (ep. 2).
M We see a banner in English in the translation of Return of Lum: Lum in the Sun (p. 176).
KAPPA
An aquatic supernatural creature. The top of its head is bald and holds water. Should the water spill the kappa becomes defenseless. Children are warned not to play near rivers as kappa may drown them. Kappa are said to be fond of cucumbers (kyûri) and sumô.
A Kappa are mentioned in Urusei Yatsura (TV tp. 2, ep. 8, st. 15). · We see kappa with a feast of cucumber dishes in Urusei Yatsura (TV tp. 7, ep. 23, sts. 45–46). · Washu turns Ryoko and Ayaka into kappa in Tenchi Universe (tp. 1, ep. 4). · Kappa, translated as "water imp," are mentioned in Blue Seed (tp. 2, ep. 3) and later seen (Sea Devils, ep. 15).
There are several species of crow in Japan. Two live there year round; the rest are migratory. The crow is considered an evil omen and bearer of bad luck. Loud croaking or the gathering of many croaking crows is a sign of disaster; croaking crows in the evening are especially feared. The crow, however, is also considered a messenger of some kami, for example the kami of the Kumano Shrine, the Suwa Shrine of Shinano, and the Hiyoshi Shrine of Ômi. The crowing of a crow at the hours of 6 A.M. and noon is a good omen. Crows are also seen as symbols of filial piety, as it is said that crows care for their aged parents.
A A crow cawing in the opening scene of Otaku no Video (pt. 1, 1st anim. seq.) might be a bad omen, given the changes in life to come for Kubo. · We also hear a crow during Keiichi's senpai visit in Oh My Goddess! (OVA 3), at the beginning of Tenchi Universe (tp. 1, ep. 1), and in Urusei Yatsura (TV tp. 1, ep. 1, st. 1).
| ANIME AND STAR TREK
The more anime you watch the more Star Trek references you find. Star Trek has been popular in Japan since the first series, and many Japanese animators have placed little tributes to the series in their work. But what about anime references in Star Trek? The Next Generation has an interesting number of these. A few are: When Riker and his father battle in "The Icarus Factor" you see banners in the background that say in hiragana, "Ataru," "Lum," and "Urusei Yatsura." Also visible are "Kei," "Yuri," "Akira," and "Tonari No Totoro." I wonder what the reaction was in Japan when this episode aired? In "Ménage à Troi," a Ferengi security code begins with "Kei Yuri." Later in "Loud As a Whisper" Geordi has a faux stone table beamed down, and the patterns in the grain of the table are distorted markings for "Kei" and "Yuri." Other references include starships named the Kei, the Yuri, and the Yamato (which may or may not be an anime reference given the existence of the real Yamato). Guess what series are popular with the staff who design sets for Star Trek? |
Literally, "the way of the bow." Targets are shot at from a standing position, with an emphasis on form and etiquette. The military form, kyûjutsu, is often done from horseback.
AM We see examples of kyûdô when Yuzuru is the team captain in the Rumic World story and video "Laughing Target."
A Jinnai corners Makoto in the school archery range in El-Hazard (tp. 1, "First Night"). · Akane borrows a bow from other student in Ranma 1/2: Cat-Fu Fighting (ep. 1).
MIZUGORI (WATERFALL PURIFICATION)
Literally, "removing impurities by water." This ascetic practice is related to misogi and is done by standing under a waterfall or by pouring buckets of cold water over oneself. It can serve to express religious devotion or, as is often the case for martial artists, as a form of mental or physical discipline.
AM Princess Kurama has Ataru doing mizugori under a waterfall in Lum Urusei Yatsura Perfect Collection (p. 298) and in Urusei Yatsura (TV tp. 3, ep. 9, st. 17).
A In Ranma 1/2 (OVA "Akane vs. Ranma!") Soun Tendo is pouring water on his shoulder as part of a prayer for his daughter's success in the kitchen. · In Blue Seed (tp. 1, ep. 1) we see Momiji pouring water on herself in the sacred cave; the water must be quite cold as it is winter in this scene. · An image of a warrior meditating under a waterfall is shown in Metal Fighters Miku (tp. 5, ep. 11).
Also known as shinobi, the military art of the ninja was used to spy on enemies, assassinate opponents, and stage commando-style raids. To do this ninja had special training and used special tools and weapons. Many of the tools were for easy entrance and exit. One tool that contributed to legends of the ninja's amazing powers was a small spring board that could be concealed near a wall so, if in danger of being caught, the ninja could use the board to leap higher and escape. The ninja costume was suitably nocturnal: tight dark clothing (that wouldn't snag on tree limbs or furniture) with only the eyes uncovered. Ninja were mostly used in the civil wars of the Sengoku period. During the peaceful years of the Edo period ninja techniques were refined into a formal martial art to prevent them from being lost. In popular culture ninja have been elevated to superhero status.
AM Female ninja play a significant role in a story in Urusei Yatsura (TV tp. 6, Spring Special 2; Return of Lum: Sweet Revenge, p. 71).
A Sasuke is a ninja in Ranma 1/2: Cat-Fu Fighting (ep. 1). · To cover up his abilities Kyosuke claims his ancestors were ninja in Kimagure Orange Road (tp. 2, ep. 2). · One of the best examples of a ninja story in anime is Dagger of Kamui. · Ninja Scroll, another well-known ninja anime, owes more of its style to the excesses of kabuki theater than to conventional ninja stories or movies.
The semi is often not seen but heard in anime and manga. This noisy insect is a symbol of summer, since its distinctive sound is common at that time of year.
A We hear this sound at the beginning of the first Tenchi Muyo! OVA and in Hakkenden (tp. 3, ep. 6), Theater of Life, and You're Under Arrest (OVA 1). · Semi are seen in Ranma 1/2: One Grew over the Kuno's Nest (3rd music video after ending credits) and in Blue Seed: Fate and Destiny (ep. 20).
M We "see" the sound of the semi in Ranma 1/2 (vol. 5, p. 22).
Shinboku are often identified by a shimenawa placed around them. These trees may be shintai of a kami. Some shrines may have an entire grove of shinboku.
A In My Neighbor Totoro we see that the camphor tree is a shinboku. · There is a shinboku in Tenchi Muyo! (OVA 1).
The city's major terminus. Originally built with steel-reinforced red brick and white stone, it was finished in 1914. The Marunouchi (western) side was modeled on the central station in Amsterdam. During WWII it suffered major damage but has been restored to its original style. The building faces the Imperial Palace, and before WWII the main entrance was reserved for the imperial family. Today there is a second wing on the Yaesu (eastern) side of glass and steel built in 1968.
A Miyuki uses the old entrance when she enters the station in You're Under Arrest (OVA 3). · We also get a good view of many aspects of the station when the students arrive and when Tenchi gets ready to go to Tôkyô Tawâ in Tenchi Muyo in Love.
M Yoshio catches a train at Tokyo Station in Adolf: Days of Infamy (p. 14).
Online Anime Companion Supplement
