How is Anime Connected to Japanese Culture?

Students learned about how Japanese history and politics are reflected in anime characters and storylines at a September event hosted by Japanese visiting instructor Naoko Omori. This introduction to anime, a popular form of entertainment in Japan and around the world, showed students more about anime and just how much they can learn about Japan by watching it.

Attendees also viewed cherry blossoms blooming in the anime and were offered an opportunity to sample cherry blossom tea, try Tamagoyaki, or Japanese omelets, eat Japanese candy and more. Professor Omori ended the event by teaching the students to play “Jan Ken Pon,” or rock-paper-scissors, a game played almost every day in Japan, and sharing her favorite anime for them to watch.

Professor Omori shared, “I was very happy that I was able to hold an event and not only had students who were taking Japanese language classes come, but also students who don't normally speak Japanese, and I was able to talk with teachers from local high schools.”

Although people from all over the world watch anime, it is primarily created and focused on Japan and displays Japanese culture. On Sept. 27, Professor Omori introduced students, faculty, staff, and community members to the genre of anime. They watched a few clips of a popular anime called Ginatama, and Omori showed how anime is connected to Japan and Japanese culture.

According to Omori, “There are a lot of people who watch anime for fun, but from anime you can learn about Japanese culture, ways of thinking and the way of life that Japanese people take for granted. Since I am living in Scranton for a year and I’m from Japan, I wanted to share this with everyone from The University of Scranton.”

Professor Omori can be found in the Language Learning Center, O’Hara 306, on Wednesdays from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., for anyone interested in learning more about Japan or Anime.