The Japan obsession

[Sukunai]

Hmm, I like anime, I like it a lot.
About as much as I like models of tanks.

That said, Japan is of course where anime comes from. But, does it make you have an inordinant amount of obsession with wanting to go there?

I mean, myself I don't speak Japanese. I'd not be able to talk to anyone. I wouldn't be able to read anything, or watch anything.
I am not actually into sushi at all. In fact I don't like their diet at all. I suspect I would be very bored with my food intake.
Anything I might buy there, I can buy from my home if I am so damned interested. And postage is a lot less than a weeks vacation there.

I don't actually mind enjoying my anime while sitting in the dull not even similar Kawarthas of Central Ontario.

[The Origonal Head Hunter]

I have been to Japan. The only memory I have is an airplane with pokemon painted all over it and a picture of a naked woman hanging over a crowded street. Nothing interested me there, but then again I was 8.

No need for me to go back, I like anime but not that much.

[hasteroth]

Yes... In fact I'm going on a Rotary 9 month exchange program to Japan in Grade 12. I'm moving over there when I graduate, I'll probably end up continuing my training with the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai. I love the language, I took Japanese class in my school last year (my new school doesn't have one) and now I have Rosetta Stone (though I still prefer being taught by another person).

Hmm, I like anime, I like it a lot.
About as much as I like models of tanks.

That said, Japan is of course where anime comes from. But, does it make you have an inordinant amount of obsession with wanting to go there?

I mean, myself I don't speak Japanese. I'd not be able to talk to anyone. I wouldn't be able to read anything, or watch anything.
I am not actually into sushi at all. In fact I don't like their diet at all. I suspect I would be very bored with my food intake.
Anything I might buy there, I can buy from my home if I am so damned interested. And postage is a lot less than a weeks vacation there.

I don't actually mind enjoying my anime while sitting in the dull not even similar Kawarthas of Central Ontario.

Well here this, if you live in Japan, you are bound to learn the language pretty damn fast. Full-immersion is the best way to learn a language. I hail from the West Coast, I used to live in Victoria, BC (I was born there). There is an incredible Japanese influence there. I live in Ontario now and there is significantly less influence from Japan out here, so little that it annoys me, after all I lived in BC for 12 years of my 15 year life.

And it's not just an obsession with wanting to go there for me. It's an obsession with the country in general.

[Vivaldi]

It intrigues me about as much as any other unique country, so yeah, on my list of places to go before I die, it's on the list.

[Coffee 54]

I've actually been to Japan on vacation twice now. Interestingly, while there I've engaged in a grand total of zero anime related activities. With the possible exception of model shopping, which as you mentioned can be done online from home.

Really my choice in Japan as vacation location stems more from a childhood fascination born from Godzilla movies, WWII documentaries, and my father's fond memories then from an anime/Japanissoawesome obsession. I had a lot fun both times I was there, and Tokyo is a breeze to get around in, even if you don't speak Japanese. Although I feel its worth mentioning the most fun I had was when I escaped the hustle and bustle of Tokyo and got out into the country. I know in my case, and probably most other peoples', peaceful countrysides can likely be found a whole lot closer to home then a foreign land on the other side of the planet.

I could definitely go back, though not for a years I think. For my next major vacation I was planning on Europe. Perhaps delve into my own cultural roots a bit. See peaceful countrysides on the other-other side of the planet.

I love the language, I took Japanese class in my school last year (my new school doesn't have one) and now I have Rosetta Stone (though I still prefer being taught by another person).

I've used Rosetta Stone too, in fact I have to hit a lesson later today. I also see exactly where you're coming from as regards being taught by an actual living breathing person. By way of comparison my brother is studying Mandarin in a class with actual people, and he can run circles around me despite starting lesson a year or so after I started toying around with Rosetta Stone in my spare time.

[hasteroth]

I wanna go to Akihabara. And Comiket (I'm ready to be overwhelmed).

[Vivaldi]

Interestingly enough, My music teacher lived in japan for around three years while studying music. She speaks japanese fluently and loved the whole culture. I don't think she has even the fainest Idea if I care about japan or not. But I imagine back when she lived there anime wasn't quite as popular.

[Rubystars]

I would like to visit Japan one day but there's no way I would want to live there. I don't belong there. It should be for Japanese people of Japanese descent. I respect their nation and their pride enough not to want to move there. I think it's wonderful that they keep their culture and people Japanese and I wouldn't want to do anything to sabotage that. I think the best way to love Japan is to allow them to be Japanese.

[hasteroth]

I would like to visit Japan one day but there's no way I would want to live there. I don't belong there. It should be for Japanese people of Japanese descent. I respect their nation and their pride enough not to want to move there. I think it's wonderful that they keep their culture and people Japanese and I wouldn't want to do anything to sabotage that. I think the best way to love Japan is to allow them to be Japanese.

Wow.... um yeah what? I mean I get what your saying but it's too late for Japan. The current generation of Japanese people don't really seem to care about any of that, they are the most Westernized of them all.

[The Origonal Head Hunter]

I would like to visit Japan one day but there's no way I would want to live there. I don't belong there. It should be for Japanese people of Japanese descent. I respect their nation and their pride enough not to want to move there. I think it's wonderful that they keep their culture and people Japanese and I wouldn't want to do anything to sabotage that. I think the best way to love Japan is to allow them to be Japanese.

Wow.... um yeah what? I mean I get what your saying but it's too late for Japan. The current generation of Japanese people don't really seem to care about any of that, they are the most Westernized of them all.

Thank you for that very professional and informed opinion.