I tried searching the title, but gave me no results (maybe because "in" and "2-d" gets omitted from the search due to them being "short words"). Forgive me if this has already been posted =]
Love in 2-D By LISA KATAYAMA Published: July 21, 2009
Nisan didn’t mean to fall in love with Nemutan. Their first encounter — at a comic-book convention that Nisan’s gaming friends dragged him to in Tokyo — was serendipitous. Nisan was wandering aimlessly around the crowded exhibition hall when he suddenly found himself staring into Nemutan’s bright blue eyes. In the beginning, they were just friends. Then, when Nisan got his driver’s license a few months later, he invited Nemutan for a ride around town in his beat-up Toyota. They went to a beach, not far from the home he shares with his parents in a suburb of Tokyo. It was the first of many road trips they would take together. As they got to know each other, they traveled hundreds of miles west — to Kyoto, Osaka and Nara, sleeping in his car or crashing on friends’ couches to save money. They took touristy pictures under cherry trees, frolicked like children on merry-go-rounds and slurped noodles on street corners. Now, after three years together, they are virtually inseparable. “I’ve experienced so many amazing things because of her,” Nisan told me, rubbing Nemutan’s leg warmly. “She has really changed my life.” Nemutan doesn’t really have a leg. She’s a stuffed pillowcase — a 2-D depiction of a character, Nemu, from an X-rated version of a PC video game called Da Capo, printed on synthetic fabric. In the game, which is less a game than an interactive visual novel about a schoolyard romance, Nemu is the loudmouthed little sister of the main character, whom she calls nisan, or “big brother,” a nickname Nisan adopted as his own when he met Nemu. When I joined the couple for lunch at their favorite all-you-can-eat salad bar in the Tokyo suburb of Hachioji, he insisted on being called only by this new nickname, addressing his body-pillow girlfriend using the suffix “tan” to show how much he adored her. Nemutan is 10, maybe 12 years old and wears a little blue bikini and gold ribbons in her hair. Nisan knows she’s not real, but that hasn’t stopped him from loving her just the same. “Of course she’s my girlfriend,” he said, widening his eyes as if shocked by the question. “I have real feelings for her.”
At 37, Nisan is already balding, and his remaining hair has gone gray. “I can’t eat meat because of my diabetes,” he said, chomping on a forkful of lettuce and okra. “I’m just an unlucky guy.” As Nisan and I talked, Nemutan stared demurely at her pumpkin soup. It was a national holiday, and the restaurant was packed with young families. Several mothers gave Nemutan inquisitive looks, but the majority seemed not to notice her.
Nisan told me that not long ago he had a real girlfriend, but that she dumped him. He carries Nemutan almost everywhere he goes, though he is more self-conscious about it than he may seem at first. “Some people don’t find this funny,” he said, “and it also takes up a lot of room.” He treats her the way any decent man would treat a girlfriend — he takes her out on the weekends to sing karaoke or take purikura, photo-booth pictures imprinted on a sheet of tiny stickers. In the few hours we spent together, I watched him position her gently in the restaurant booth and later in the back seat of his car, making sure to keep her upright and not to touch her private parts. He doesn’t take her to work, but he has a backup body pillow with the same Nemutan cover inside his desk drawer in case he has to work late at his tech-support job. “She’s great for falling asleep with on an office chair.” Nisan has seven Nemutan covers in total — he buys them at Internet auctions and at fan conventions whenever he finds a good deal (he paid $70 for the original). If one gets too faded and dirty from overuse, he layers a new one over it. On the day that I first met Nisan and Nemutan, Nisan was carrying a new Nemutan cover in his bag in case she needed to look fresh for a photograph. He knows it’s weird for a grown man to be so obsessed with a video-game character, but he just can’t imagine life without Nemutan. “When I die, I want to be buried with her in my arms.”
Cases such as these are not as rare now compared to before, I think. I remember someone posted a news article on this dude who was completely serious about loving his doll.
Still, it's a bit much to love an anime character to the point you'd materialize it in the form of a pillowcase...
Someone is doing it wrong... I'm not sure if it's worse that his 'girlfriend' is supposed to be 10-12 or if it just doesn't make him any less... fail I guess.
According to a government survey, more than a quarter of men and women between the ages of 30 and 34 are virgins; 50 percent of men and women in Japan do not have friends of the opposite sex. One of the biggest best sellers in the country last year was “Health and Physical Education for Over Thirty,” a six-chapter, manga-illustrated guidebook that holds the reader’s hand from the first meeting to sex to marriage.
holy christ the third page has some creepy shit on it
Momo, whose real name is Toru Taima, has more than 150 body-pillow covers at home. His current favorite is Karada-chan, a copper-haired sixth grader from the anime “A Direction in the Day After Tomorrow.” She’s fully clothed in the cartoon, but in Momo’s imagination and thus on his pillow cover, she appears naked, her cheeks flushed, her prepubescent nipples hidden by her forearms, her white panties rolled down to her ankles. A translucent square etched onto the pillow cover censors her hairless vagina.
Wow. The article says more than a quarter of Japanese men and women ages 30-34 are virgins. That's insane; I wonder what the worldwide numbers would look like.
On August 05 2009 04:25 Ingenol wrote: Wow. The article says more than a quarter of Japanese men and women ages 30-34 are virgins. That's insane; I wonder what the worldwide numbers would look like.
I read somewhere that 50% of 17 year old US students are not virgin.
On August 05 2009 04:25 Ingenol wrote: Wow. The article says more than a quarter of Japanese men and women ages 30-34 are virgins. That's insane; I wonder what the worldwide numbers would look like.
I read somewhere that 50% of 17 year old US students are not virgin.
Fifty percent seems kind of low to me. Most of the kids I know who are that age are not virgins, and all the ones who are tend to be Christian. Hell, I'd be willing to bet that fifty percent of sixteen year old students aren't virgins (at least as far as the US goes).
On August 05 2009 04:25 Ingenol wrote: Wow. The article says more than a quarter of Japanese men and women ages 30-34 are virgins. That's insane; I wonder what the worldwide numbers would look like.
I read somewhere that 50% of 17 year old US students are not virgin.
Fifty percent seems kind of low to me. Most of the kids I know who are that age are not virgins, and all the ones who are tend to be Christian. Hell, I'd be willing to bet that fifty percent of sixteen year old students aren't virgins (at least as far as the US goes).
This was a really interesting article. Thanks for sharing! Let's you look into a culture outside of the mainstream which, nonetheless, will have an impact on the future of Japan.
On August 05 2009 04:25 Ingenol wrote: Wow. The article says more than a quarter of Japanese men and women ages 30-34 are virgins. That's insane; I wonder what the worldwide numbers would look like.
I read somewhere that 50% of 17 year old US students are not virgin.
Fifty percent seems kind of low to me. Most of the kids I know who are that age are not virgins, and all the ones who are tend to be Christian. Hell, I'd be willing to bet that fifty percent of sixteen year old students aren't virgins (at least as far as the US goes).
:o that's illegal in most states
Only if you do it with someone older. If two 15 y.o. have consensual sex there's nobody to blame, legally.
Also yes, I think the age of not being a virgin anymore in Romania is 16-17.
On August 05 2009 04:25 Ingenol wrote: Wow. The article says more than a quarter of Japanese men and women ages 30-34 are virgins. That's insane; I wonder what the worldwide numbers would look like.
I read somewhere that 50% of 17 year old US students are not virgin.
Fifty percent seems kind of low to me. Most of the kids I know who are that age are not virgins, and all the ones who are tend to be Christian. Hell, I'd be willing to bet that fifty percent of sixteen year old students aren't virgins (at least as far as the US goes).
:o that's illegal in most states
Only if you do it with someone older. If two 15 y.o. have consensual sex there's nobody to blame, legally.
Also yes, I think the age of not being a virgin anymore in Romania is 16-17.
On August 05 2009 04:25 Ingenol wrote: Wow. The article says more than a quarter of Japanese men and women ages 30-34 are virgins. That's insane; I wonder what the worldwide numbers would look like.
I read somewhere that 50% of 17 year old US students are not virgin.
Fifty percent seems kind of low to me. Most of the kids I know who are that age are not virgins, and all the ones who are tend to be Christian. Hell, I'd be willing to bet that fifty percent of sixteen year old students aren't virgins (at least as far as the US goes).
:o that's illegal in most states
Only if you do it with someone older. If two 15 y.o. have consensual sex there's nobody to blame, legally.
Also yes, I think the age of not being a virgin anymore in Romania is 16-17.
15 for girls and 18 for boys.
So I was dead on. Per average. That makes me think I know too much about people's intimate lifes, since I was able to calculate an average of ppl I know and be spot on.
just b/c all the cool kids either claim they're not virgin anymore or don't talk about it doesn't mean that there are no virgins around you what so ever.
On August 05 2009 05:55 indecision wrote: just b/c all the cool kids either claim they're not virgin anymore or don't talk about it doesn't mean that there are no virgins around you what so ever.
Well, yeah, if I was 17, that would be true, but I'm 24. And I thought of all the people that I knew for sure when they started their sexual life. Also, when you get to be 24, you usually tell your friends you lost it at 15 or 18 or 21, it doesn't matter anymore, so I don't think any of my "imput data" is flawed by bragging.
On August 05 2009 04:25 Ingenol wrote: Wow. The article says more than a quarter of Japanese men and women ages 30-34 are virgins. That's insane; I wonder what the worldwide numbers would look like.
I read somewhere that 50% of 17 year old US students are not virgin.
Fifty percent seems kind of low to me. Most of the kids I know who are that age are not virgins, and all the ones who are tend to be Christian. Hell, I'd be willing to bet that fifty percent of sixteen year old students aren't virgins (at least as far as the US goes).
He has a mental illness and sadly it's not that rare in Japan because *SURPRISE* it's a fucked up country!
He wants a relationship without the actual relationship part (you know, where a girl can have an opinion) and it's especially gross because he's calling her Nemu-tan, an ending you use for little kids like toddlers.
On August 05 2009 06:13 Jibba wrote: He has a mental illness and sadly it's not that rare in Japan because *SURPRISE* it's a fucked up country!
He wants a relationship without the actual relationship part (you know, where a girl can have an opinion) and it's especially gross because he's calling her Nemu-tan, an ending you use for little kids like toddlers.
So he's crazy and a pedophile.
Well look at it this way; in the states he prolly would go around and actually fuck kids. :p
On August 05 2009 04:25 psion0011 wrote: Let's face it guys, 3-D girls are just not nearly as interesting, what with their self-awareness and lack of total submission.
LOL
but that won't be the case once the holograms and gynoids are perfected...
I remember seeing this article linked to somewhere in a funny images thread on TL... it was rather interesting and disturbing to me. But I really just feel sympathetic towards these people, not disgusted. They want to love, but they can't because they can't get girls. But still, they need an outlet to express all their love and caring, and that's where these anime pillows come in. It's that special female they never got to truly take care of. These guys need love too, even if the rest of the world has abandoned them.
Now walking around with some goddamn naked loli image and then later having sex with it... that's fucked up.
On August 05 2009 06:13 Jibba wrote: He has a mental illness and sadly it's not that rare in Japan because *SURPRISE* it's a fucked up country!
He wants a relationship without the actual relationship part (you know, where a girl can have an opinion) and it's especially gross because he's calling her Nemu-tan, an ending you use for little kids like toddlers.
So he's crazy and a pedophile.
Well look at it this way; in the states he prolly would go around and actually fuck kids. :p
Now I feel bad for laughing at the pic of this guy on the Epic Image thread + Show Spoiler +
I'm gonna double what InsaneLane said, I used to really think it was crazy ridiculous and hilarious until I really read that article and thought about it.
It's pretty sad :/ You know, over 1/4 of the global Japanese 18+ population is virgin and a half has just no friends of the opposite sex
But what's very curious is in Japan, well, actually in Tokyo, sex isn't taboo like in the US. Sex is everywhere. I've also read in a Japanese paper that over 80% of the Japanese women are unsatisfied sexually and almost 50% said they have cheated on their husband once at least. Japanese women, from what I can tell, are definitely not the pure, little, fragile women in Animes. Many of them are looking for sex and if you are cute and with some money in your pocket, it's definitely not hard to get a girl.
Consider the average Japanese male and it's very easy to figure out why, and why the women are so unsatisfied.
You can clean up in Japan with a bit of common sense and decency.
This is a culture where you can buy used women's panties in vending machines, there's pay-by-the-hour love motels all over big cities and 99% of the porn is rape simulation.
On August 05 2009 11:26 Insane Lane wrote: I remember seeing this article linked to somewhere in a funny images thread on TL... it was rather interesting and disturbing to me. But I really just feel sympathetic towards these people, not disgusted. They want to love, but they can't because they can't get girls. But still, they need an outlet to express all their love and caring, and that's where these anime pillows come in. It's that special female they never got to truly take care of. These guys need love too, even if the rest of the world has abandoned them.
What about this is love and caring? "Truly take care of?" There is no back and forth, it's just him and his will. This is most likely about control and domination, and he probably doesn't deserve love.
This is a culture where you can buy used women's panties in vending machines, there's pay-by-the-hour love motels all over big cities and 99% of the porn is rape simulation.
no offense but if you really believe that, you know a very little about Japanese porn industry
This is a culture where you can buy used women's panties in vending machines, there's pay-by-the-hour love motels all over big cities and 99% of the porn is rape simulation.
no offense but if you really believe that, you know a very little about Japanese porn industry
What? I exaggerated the numbers a bit? Fine, the amount of rape simulation in Japanese porn is significantly higher than any other modern country. Not to mention the relatively high availability of pedo porn.
I've lived in Japan and I'm pretty confident in saying that much of Japan has a 19th century view of gender, even if crime statistics don't support it.
This is a culture where you can buy used women's panties in vending machines, there's pay-by-the-hour love motels all over big cities and 99% of the porn is rape simulation.
no offense but if you really believe that, you know a very little about Japanese porn industry
What? I exaggerated the numbers a bit? Fine, the amount of rape simulation in Japanese porn is significantly higher than any other modern country. Not to mention the relatively high availability of pedo porn.
I've lived in Japan and I'm pretty confident in saying that much of Japan has a 19th century view of gender, even if crime statistics don't support it.
I would say that Japan has a Japanese view of gender, not a 19th century one.
I read about a new wedding dress robot in the Chicago Shimpo last week. It's like they're creating the real Stepford Wives. It's supposed to walk down an aisle and model wedding dresses?
So, somewhat embarrassing question here: for those of us who don't live in Japan, roughly what percent of the heterosexual pornography is based on rape simulation, or at least involves the woman screaming/whimpering and generally appearing to be uncomfortable, passive and violated. Pretty much every Japanese porn clip I've seen (all via US sites, granted) is like this.
On August 05 2009 13:53 Ingenol wrote: So, somewhat embarrassing question here: for those of us who don't live in Japan, roughly what percent of the heterosexual pornography is based on rape simulation, or at least involves the woman screaming/whimpering and generally appearing to be uncomfortable, passive and violated. Pretty much every Japanese porn clip I've seen (all via US sites, granted) is like this.
I don't want to sound like too much of an expert,
but,
90% of Japanese porn is conceptually consensual.
I know, I know, it sounds like they're wimpering, but if you listen to their words, they are expressing pleasure. Sexuality is different between cultures.
And some of the vocal expression is the actress playing to the camera.
Actually being with a Japanese lady is a different thing alltogether
Yep, he's right. There probably is more simualted rape than usual, though, that's not an exaggeration. 99%, though? Not even close.
And the used-panties-vending-machines thing is like a myth. I'm pretty sure there used to be like two or three and they don't exist anymore, or they used to exist and now there are only two or three, something like that.
Also, saying that sex is not taboo because it's everywhere is rather simplistic. Sex is still rather taboo, hence why women don't want to admit they are unsatisfied (and end up cheating), and why men might not understand that they are performing unsatisfactorily.
Actually being with a Japanese lady is a different thing alltogether
On August 05 2009 13:53 Ingenol wrote: So, somewhat embarrassing question here: for those of us who don't live in Japan, roughly what percent of the heterosexual pornography is based on rape simulation, or at least involves the woman screaming/whimpering and generally appearing to be uncomfortable, passive and violated. Pretty much every Japanese porn clip I've seen (all via US sites, granted) is like this.
I don't want to sound like too much of an expert,
but,
90% of Japanese porn is conceptually consensual.
I know, I know, it sounds like they're wimpering, but if you listen to their words, they are expressing pleasure. Sexuality is different between cultures.
And some of the vocal expression is the actress playing to the camera.
Also, love in 2D is awesome, so awesome that it deserves a double post. I have a girlfriend and I still buy figures and well she would probably get jealous of pillowcases or lovedolls but that and monetary concerns are the only obstacles for me =p
On August 05 2009 14:05 Turbovolver wrote: Yep, he's right. There probably is more simualted rape than usual, though, that's not an exaggeration. 99%, though? Not even close.
And the used-panties-vending-machines thing is like a myth. I'm pretty sure there used to be like two or three and they don't exist anymore, or they used to exist and now there are only two or three, something like that.
Also, saying that sex is not taboo because it's everywhere is rather simplistic. Sex is still rather taboo, hence why women don't want to admit they are unsatisfied (and end up cheating), and why men might not understand that they are performing unsatisfactorily.
Actually being with a Japanese lady is a different thing alltogether
Hahahaha, yes.
Uh... they are still very much around. My uncle (o.O) showed me one when I was last there in 2004, and I don't think they're that hard to find. You can probably find them in the vicinity of any porn vending machine.
It depends on how you want to categorize rape. The wimpering thing is common place, like HT said, and not related to violence. The amount of forced/fondled stuff is pretty high, even if it's not as extreme as the stuff where they pretend to hit girls.
Uh... they are still very much around. My uncle (o.O) showed me one when I was last there in 2004, and I don't think they're that hard to find. You can probably find them in the vicinity of any porn vending machine.
There are porn vending machines? =p All we ever saw was drinks in Tokyo (oh, and vending machine restaurants of course), even in seedier parts of Akihabara. I know the porn ones are surely out there, but the whole "Japanese vending machines for everything" concept gets a bit blown out of proportion.
As for specifically used-panties ones, well, yeah, my only source there is retardo blogs about Japan, which are always retardo and pushing one viewpoint or another.
It depends on how you want to categorize rape. The wimpering thing is common place, like HT said, and not related to violence. The amount of forced/fondled stuff is pretty high, even if it's not as extreme as the stuff where they pretend to hit girls.
Uh... they are still very much around. My uncle (o.O) showed me one when I was last there in 2004, and I don't think they're that hard to find. You can probably find them in the vicinity of any porn vending machine.
There are porn vending machines? =p All we ever saw was drinks in Tokyo (oh, and vending machine restaurants of course), even in seedier parts of Akihabara. I know the porn ones are surely out there, but the whole "Japanese vending machine" thing is a bit exaggerated.
Don't forget the cigarettes!
Oh, yeah? Do you watch a lot of AV?
Nope, I can't stand the noises they make. Then again, I don't really like fake studio American porn either. Did the hotel you stayed at give you the free previews?
Nope, I can't stand the noises they make. Then again, I don't really like fake studio American porn either. Did the hotel you stayed at give you the free previews?
Oh, so you are just talking out your ass then when you quote statistics like "99% of it is simulated rape"?
Also I don't need free previews, I have The Internet™.
It's not as rape-dominated as you think. But we probably could've guessed that, what with you referencing shitty movies like Lost in Translation.
What's your idea of rape? Where the woman is tossed aroundd or where she's simply held down and yelled at? Because the latter is basically every one I've seen. Sorry that I've upset your gaijin love affair.
On August 05 2009 14:31 Jibba wrote: What's your idea of rape? Where the woman is tossed aroundd or where she's simply held down and yelled at? Because the latter is basically every one I've seen. Sorry that I've upset your gaijin love affair.
I just don't want you misleading other people here.
It's not about a "gaijin love affair" because personally, I might like that kind of stuff more >_> <_< >_>
I really don't think because SOME Japanese watch simulated rape movies that the global population is rapist. Also, even if people watch these movies, are they going to rape someone ? Com'on, I'm sure you don't think because kids play Violent Video Games they are actually going to kill everyone, right ?
I live in Japan and for me, the taboo about Sex in the West related to religion.
And the vending machines thing, com'on, it's over-exposed, over-cliché.
Finally,
It depends on how you want to categorize rape. The wimpering thing is common place, like HT said, and not related to violence. The amount of forced/fondled stuff is pretty high, even if it's not as extreme as the stuff where they pretend to hit girls.
I have to add that violence here is totally different. Back in the US, films like Die Hard are very violent but we don't really care because when John kills 4567343445 random peons, they are just random peons. So even if it's very violent, the spectators don't really feel it/aware/understand. In Japan, violence has always a purpose, a background. If someone get killed, he is not a random peon but a person and we generally know a lot about him. And it's exactly the same in Porn movies. When I watch US porn, it's kinda Gonzo : she's hot, she's been fucked. We are not shocked because it's just porn, not reality, right ? Japanese porn is showing the backstage. It's more "realistic" or more "focusing" on the background.
Japanese porn isn't so demonstrative.
But which porn is the best ? And which violence is more dangerous ? The one we see but we don't care/aware or the one we feel/understand ? Tbh, I can't tell.
Joy can be found in both 2D and 3D forms. I'm suprised there's so many judgemental people looking down on this stuff. I'm sure many of you experienced someone laughing at the thought of eSports. You should know what it feels like for someone to lose respect for you just because you're passionate about something not accepted in the mainstream.
On August 05 2009 14:39 Stripe wrote: Joy can be found in both 2D and 3D forms. I'm suprised there's so many judgemental people looking down on this stuff. I'm sure many of you experienced someone laughing at the thought of eSports. You should know what it feels like for someone to lose respect for you just because you're passionate about something not accepted in the mainstream.
But but... part of being deeply into something non-mainstream is desperately trying to make yourself feel better about that fact, right? =p
Seriously though, you are 100% on target.
Also, rock on, MK. Well reasoned thoughts instead of mindless "lol Japan is weird" exaggerations.
On August 05 2009 14:39 MK wrote: I really don't think because SOME Japanese watch simulated rape movies that the global population is rapist. Also, even if people watch these movies, are they going to rape someone ? Com'on, I'm sure you don't think because kids play Violent Video Games they are actually going to kill everyone, right ?
I live in Japan and for me, the taboo about Sex in the West related to religion.
This has little to do with religion. The argument isn't that the sad loser is going to go rape someone, it's that he's a sad loser because he's been brought up in a culture that devalues women and thus he doesn't know how to act around one that can think for herself, so he chooses a companion that can't think for itself. Every country has wierdos, the point of the article is that there's a growing number of Japanese men like that.
If you want to discuss the devaluing part, we can go well beyond porn into fashion, film, literature, etc. Do those all happen in the West? Yes. To nearly the same extent? Nononononononono. Porn has a very specific audience and purpose, so it was a shitty example on my part and yes, I was clearly exaggerating 99%. Many other parts of Japanese culture, however, show similar characteristics. Trashy romance novels are nothing compared to Tanizaki and there's plenty of other examples of classic film and literature that go in the same direction. The amount of incest literature that came out of the 70s is astounding. They're popular themes that sell, and so they indicate something about the greater culture.
Could you similarly ascertain that American culture is violent because of the movies/books/games we play? Yes, it's a very aggressive culture. Just look at our favorite sport.
Do these things translate into crime? Who knows. But I do think there's a social problem when there's a growing number of pariahs and your population is shrinking. If you're living there, as long as you're not one of them, it should be a good thing for you.
On August 05 2009 14:39 MK wrote: Japanese porn is showing the backstage. It's more "realistic" or more "focusing" on the background.
And yet the characters are still two dimensional (except in the literal sense as well).
Jibba: While your critiques of Japanese culture certainly have merit, you probably won't get anywhere arguing with someone who lives in Japan.
Also I hope no one in this thread intends to say that one culture is superior or inferior to another, because that sort of thing is impossible to quantify.
Okay, okay, I could let the whole thing slide, as fucking weird as it is
But these characters represent 12 year old girls. I don't care if they're not raping real little girls, these guys are fucking creepers. They could at least be obsessing over fictional characters who are ADULTS. Seriously, what the fuck man. These pseudo pedophiles for the most part deserve all the ridiculing they receive.
On August 05 2009 15:18 Ronald_McD wrote: But these characters represent 12 year old girls.
Not necessarily. The case study in the article had a dakimakura with a 12 year old character on it, but people have probably fallen in "love" with older characters.
However judging from pictures like this (no nudity, but young anime girls in risque clothing), I'd say that younger characters are probably more popular.
EDIT: I'm pretty sure that the Times got the section about moe wrong, but I can't be certain because I'm not entirely sure what moe is.
On August 05 2009 15:18 Ronald_McD wrote: Okay, okay, I could let the whole thing slide, as fucking weird as it is
But these characters represent 12 year old girls. I don't care if they're not raping real little girls, these guys are fucking creepers. They could at least be obsessing over fictional characters who are ADULTS. Seriously, what the fuck man. These pseudo pedophiles for the most part deserve all the ridiculing they receive.
Who are you to give such judgments upon people. Do you think ridiculing pseudo pedophiles is going to help society in any way?
besides that, i don't think these girls look anything like a normal 12 year old girl, they are anime characters that's all. Hardly counts as pedophilia imo
According to a government survey, more than a quarter of men and women between the ages of 30 and 34 are virgins; 50 percent of men and women in Japan do not have friends of the opposite sex.
scwizard : I live in Japan but my dad is US, i was born in China and I studied in UK and in France.
The thing is people know a little about the Japanese culture and in general, what people takes for "Japanese Culture" (weird) is just some big clichés they've seen on some blogs/forum/4c/animes.
Many people, for example, think that in Japan, families eat on the floor, that japanese women are slaves, that every Japanese are dressed Cosplay, that every men in Japan are lolicon etc. Well, it's not true.
So may I just ask you : what do you know about Japan ? I'm not only talking about Akiba or even Tokyo, but, Japan.
It's like saying every American are nerds and nolife because they are nerds and nolife in "the big bang theory" TV show (great show actually).
PS : just for your information, lolicon is not the biggest porn market in Japan.
On August 05 2009 15:39 MK wrote: Many people, for example, think that in Japan, families eat on the floor, that japanese women are slaves, that every Japanese are dressed Cosplay, that every men in Japan are lolicon etc. Well, it's not true.
How about that people regularly eat sushi? I have never eaten a piece of sushi there and I don't think any of my relatives even bother to make it, except maybe for New Years.
Uh... yes... I eat more Sushi back to the US than here in Tokyo and so what ?... I don't get your point. If you are saying that people are blinded by clichés about Japan, it's exactly what I'm saying so we are on the same side... /: And for me, lolicon-rape-porn is also a cliché.
Edit : depends on the Sushi and the place you eat it. Generally, it's for special occasions. But you can have quite cheap sushi in some random Sushi bars around Shinjuku. But Japanese are definitely not eating Sushi every days and night.
On August 05 2009 04:25 psion0011 wrote: Let's face it guys, 3-D girls are just not nearly as interesting, what with their self-awareness and lack of total submission.
On August 05 2009 04:25 psion0011 wrote: Let's face it guys, 3-D girls are just not nearly as interesting, what with their self-awareness and lack of total submission.
On August 05 2009 04:25 psion0011 wrote: Let's face it guys, 3-D girls are just not nearly as interesting, what with their self-awareness and lack of total submission.
Can we have Manifesto comment on the thread? For someone living in Japan, I'm pretty sure you have a very clear idea of what is going on.
@ Panty Vending machines - Probably stemmed from the "convenience culture" in Japan, it's just convenient sex toys and stuff. Japan is full of vending machines, I'm not surprised they have this feature. Those who bash on these things, you just aren't thinking of Japan's culture as a whole. You do pinpoint a certain thing that you believe ought to be criticised, and rightfully so.
There's quite a bit of controversy about this article.
Here's a rather in-depth analysis, especially about the claim that "According to a government survey, more than a quarter of men and women between the ages of 30 and 34 are virgins; 50 percent of men and women in Japan do not have friends of the opposite sex."
"It turns out that the real statistic from population institute states that around 25% of unmarried 30-34 year olds are virgins. It doesn’t say anything about the population as a whole. Note that a separate survey finds that around two thirds of men and women have lost their virginity by the time they are in university [...]"
On August 05 2009 15:18 Ronald_McD wrote: But these characters represent 12 year old girls.
Not necessarily. The case study in the article had a dakimakura with a 12 year old character on it, but people have probably fallen in "love" with older characters.
However judging from pictures like this (no nudity, but young anime girls in risque clothing), I'd say that younger characters are probably more popular.
EDIT: I'm pretty sure that the Times got the section about moe wrong, but I can't be certain because I'm not entirely sure what moe is.
On August 05 2009 21:47 garista wrote: There's quite a bit of controversy about this article.
Here's a rather in-depth analysis, especially about the claim that "According to a government survey, more than a quarter of men and women between the ages of 30 and 34 are virgins; 50 percent of men and women in Japan do not have friends of the opposite sex."
"It turns out that the real statistic from population institute states that around 25% of unmarried 30-34 year olds are virgins. It doesn’t say anything about the population as a whole. Note that a separate survey finds that around two thirds of men and women have lost their virginity by the time they are in university [...]"
Wow. If this is in fact the case that is beyond horrendous reporting by the NYT to totally misrepresent the actual findings like that.
Katayama's answer to this was "Like all professional writers, I only use primary sources unless they’re absolutely unavailable… The NY Times has a fact-check department, and they’ll correct anything that’s wrong." So if it's in the NYT it must be true...
On August 05 2009 21:47 garista wrote: There's quite a bit of controversy about this article.
Here's a rather in-depth analysis, especially about the claim that "According to a government survey, more than a quarter of men and women between the ages of 30 and 34 are virgins; 50 percent of men and women in Japan do not have friends of the opposite sex."
"It turns out that the real statistic from population institute states that around 25% of unmarried 30-34 year olds are virgins. It doesn’t say anything about the population as a whole. Note that a separate survey finds that around two thirds of men and women have lost their virginity by the time they are in university [...]"
Wow. If this is in fact the case that is beyond horrendous reporting by the NYT to totally misrepresent the actual findings like that.
NY Times is hardly above using sensationalism to sell a story, especially in these days when newspapers just aren't selling anymore.
That said, while the story may be exaggerated to attract readers, it's no secret that the Japanese aren't exactly the most normal people around. And there are a lot of problems in the Japanese society today.
As someone who likes to play JRPGs, watch animes, and read light novels, I find myself kind of on the bordliner of the Japanese otoku culture. It's really incredibly wide-spread. And it can get really hardcore. Yet there are tons of stuff that I won't touch with a 10 foot pole.
On August 05 2009 06:13 Jibba wrote: He has a mental illness and sadly it's not that rare in Japan because *SURPRISE* it's a fucked up country!
He wants a relationship without the actual relationship part (you know, where a girl can have an opinion) and it's especially gross because he's calling her Nemu-tan, an ending you use for little kids like toddlers.
So he's crazy and a pedophile.
Well look at it this way; in the states he prolly would go around and actually fuck kids. :p
No, he'd probably buy a gun and shoot himself.
Shoot his classmates then shoot himself. Thats the american way
On August 06 2009 01:14 baubo wrote: That said, while the story may be exaggerated to attract readers, it's no secret that the Japanese aren't exactly the most normal people around.
I would love to hear what your idea of a "normal" person is.
On August 06 2009 01:14 baubo wrote: And there are a lot of problems in the Japanese society today.
On August 05 2009 15:39 MK wrote: Many people, for example, think that in Japan, families eat on the floor, that japanese women are slaves, that every Japanese are dressed Cosplay, that every men in Japan are lolicon etc. Well, it's not true.
How about that people regularly eat sushi? I have never eaten a piece of sushi there and I don't think any of my relatives even bother to make it, except maybe for New Years.
This has little to do with religion. The argument isn't that the sad loser is going to go rape someone, it's that he's a sad loser because he's been brought up in a culture that devalues women and thus he doesn't know how to act around one that can think for herself, so he chooses a companion that can't think for itself. Every country has wierdos, the point of the article is that there's a growing number of Japanese men like that.
If you want to discuss the devaluing part, we can go well beyond porn into fashion, film, literature, etc. Do those all happen in the West? Yes. To nearly the same extent? Nononononononono. Porn has a very specific audience and purpose, so it was a shitty example on my part and yes, I was clearly exaggerating 99%. Many other parts of Japanese culture, however, show similar characteristics. Trashy romance novels are nothing compared to Tanizaki and there's plenty of other examples of classic film and literature that go in the same direction. The amount of incest literature that came out of the 70s is astounding. They're popular themes that sell, and so they indicate something about the greater culture.
This sounds like it's just plain kinkier, not necessarily devaluing women more. I'm not going to pretend to have explored a lot of 70s Japanese incest literature, though =p
There's an interesting argument lurking in here... does rape porn really devalue women more? In a way it can be seen as the guys have to resort to rape because they aren't devaluing women. A starlet is basically a mindless set of tits and a few holes... at least when the cute schoolgirl is forced into a similar position she is representing an ideal.
If anything it's a statement of the base nature of some men, not a comment on women. Any devaluing is happening at the hands of male agents... in the more Western type porn, the woman is already starting out from base value zero, suggesting that is her default level, leading to a devaluing in culture, instead of only within the porn. Of course, there is also Japanese porn that's just mindless sex.
On the whole, the Japanese view of woman certainly is different, although its becoming more even recently, much like everywhere else. You can point to all this stuff and talk about devaluing, but for example, in the Japanese household it is very typical that the woman controls all of the money. This isn't some black and white "Submissive/Dominant" or "Valued/Devalued" line.
When he admitted to watching human porn at a panel discussion in Tokyo in 2005, several hundred hard-core 2-D lovers in the audience booed with shock that their dear leader had nostalgia for the 3-D world.
is it really possible to substitute 3d for 2d? how do you have sex with a pillow? do these guys suddenly lose their sex drive when they become interested in 2d?
the guy even said he has 'sex' with her. i dont know what kind of sex you can have with a pillowcase but i dont see how you would rather stick your dick in a pillow case than a vagina
On August 06 2009 17:36 JohnColtrane wrote: When he admitted to watching human porn at a panel discussion in Tokyo in 2005, several hundred hard-core 2-D lovers in the audience booed with shock that their dear leader had nostalgia for the 3-D world.
is it really possible to substitute 3d for 2d? how do you have sex with a pillow? do these guys suddenly lose their sex drive when they become interested in 2d?
the guy even said he has 'sex' with her. i dont know what kind of sex you can have with a pillowcase but i dont see how you would rather stick your dick in a pillow case than a vagina
lol! "boo kill the infidel, he's a women lover!" - japanese found the twilight zone.
On August 06 2009 01:14 baubo wrote: That said, while the story may be exaggerated to attract readers, it's no secret that the Japanese aren't exactly the most normal people around.
ol, really? I find the people to be pretty much like people in every other country I have traveled to. Some are nice, some are dicks, some are hot, some are crazy.
"Its no secret that TL members from China aren't exactly the sharpest tools in the shed."
See how that works?
Basically people see weird aspects of Japan and paint the entire culture with it. Happens with America too, but because Japan is all Japanese it is easier.
On August 06 2009 01:14 baubo wrote: That said, while the story may be exaggerated to attract readers, it's no secret that the Japanese aren't exactly the most normal people around.
ol, really? I find the people to be pretty much like people in every other country I have traveled to. Some are nice, some are dicks, some are hot, some are crazy.
"Its no secret that TL members from China aren't exactly the sharpest tools in the shed."
See how that works?
Basically people see weird aspects of Japan and paint the entire culture with it. Happens with America too, but because Japan is all Japanese it is easier.
hehehehe... I think stereotypes tend to drop as people learn more. Most of them come around. I got lucky since I moved to U.S. from China, but most people won't rly get to break that barrier much later.
On August 06 2009 01:14 baubo wrote: That said, while the story may be exaggerated to attract readers, it's no secret that the Japanese aren't exactly the most normal people around.
ol, really? I find the people to be pretty much like people in every other country I have traveled to. Some are nice, some are dicks, some are hot, some are crazy.
Really? I kind of find them hard to believe. Walking into a Japanese home, and talking to Japanese people, I get a much different impression than I do with Europeans, Americans, or non-Japanese Asians. Or even muslims(granted I only know a few Muslims from Saudi and Pakistan). Everyone else I generally feel like "Hey, people from different countries are pretty much the same in the end". Only Japanese people give off a different vibe.
I won't go into details, since it seems my original statement is already getting "Plz die" responses. But I can't really think of Japanese society as being similar to everyone else. I'll retract my statement and just say this is my own personal opinion.
EPT
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