Comments on: The Anime Blog Poll: Are You An Anime Fan Who’s Turning Japanese?

By: The Anime Blog Poll: Are You Learning Japanese? at The Anime Blog

The Anime Blog Poll: Are You Learning Japanese? at The Anime Blog — Fri, 23 Mar 2007 13:21:39 +0000

[...] all goes back to Turning Japanese. Anime fans all suffer this affliction to some degree; be it preferring to watch anime in subs only [...]

By: Rachel

Rachel — Tue, 16 Jan 2007 15:08:34 +0000

I really love the traditions of Japan. -rebecca, if you look at all the simplistic and clean lines of their architecture and art and compare it to their wild and rich mythology, you can see where anime gets it’s many influences; like Miyazaki’s films and the ideas for Naruto.

By: rebecca

rebecca — Tue, 16 Jan 2007 10:29:07 +0000

hey! i’m OK with japan stuff, but i love anime, like those by miyazaki and naruto

By: Rachel

Rachel — Wed, 11 Oct 2006 13:37:27 +0000

I agree that perhaps some folks may use anime and Japanese culture as an escape from some of the dreary and dull American stereotypes; Goth, Emo, Twee, Preppy (is that even used any more?) etc.

I understand that and am pretty cool with it, all things considered. I know that there are worse things people are and/or would like to be.

By: zingor

zingor — Wed, 11 Oct 2006 01:05:16 +0000

I love many aspects of the culture. I love the food, video games, fashion… but I wouldn’t go as far to say that I want to be Japanese. I like Greek and Indian food a whole hell of a lot too. I would like to think that my appreciation for other cultures makes me more open-minded, not a Japan-o-phile.
Also, I can’t answer your poll correctly because I do mind being “American.” The rest of the world thinks we’re a bunch of retards. I don’t blame them either.
Maybe that’s why American kids are so into anime and Japanese culture–it’s an escape from our own.

By: Katie

Katie — Tue, 10 Oct 2006 03:06:01 +0000

Ah, you’re right:

Fenton is characteristically reticent on such matters. “It means whatever you want it to mean,” he says, before admitting: “I wrote it as a love song. But when I went to America everyone said to me, “Is it about wanking?” In interviews, I’d say alternatively, “Yes it is”, and “No, it’s not”. It could be about a lot of things. I just woke up with that phrase in my head. It’s just an image which captures what that song was all about. But, no it wasn’t intended to be about wanking at the time. What surprised me was that the Americans thought it was an English phrase!”

But still as far as popular culture goes that is the most well known meaning and if you read the post with that in mind it is quite humorous.

By: David

David — Tue, 10 Oct 2006 00:16:16 +0000

I've heard what you're talking about, but here's a hint of proof that it's not a dirty phrase (via www.80smusiclyrics.com): "As for the song itself, there was a good deal of confusion at the time as to just what the hell it was all about. A rumor spread here in the US that it was about masterbation, and that the "turning Japanese" was a reference to the facial expression made at the moment of climax. At the time the band did little to dispel the rumors... they were no doubt happy to get the press. What can be safely said is that the song was yet another example of the early '80s western world's fascination with Japan, a fascination shared by such contemporaries as the Cure (Japanese Whispers), Styx (Mr. Roboto), Alphaville (Big In Japan), and of course the bands Japan and Big In Japan."

By: Katie

Katie — Mon, 09 Oct 2006 22:56:35 +0000

Rae…you do know what turning japanese means…right?