are schools in japan actually like anime

by Prof. Bradley Simonis PhD 6 min read
image

Is Japanese school life similar to anime? In anime, you might see students hanging out with their friends, eating snacks, and chatting in their classrooms. Unfortunately, real Japanese schools are much more strict and many students do not have as much time as you may think for cliques and other things similar to what you might see in anime shows.

The vast majority of anime are at least partially set in Japanese high schools... but the depictions aren't always accurate. How do anime high schools compare to the real thing? There's no single answer to that question because each school makes its own rules.Jan 15, 2019

Full Answer

Is school life in Japan similar to what is portrayed in anime?

- Quora Is the school life in Japan similar to what is portrayed by high school animes like Chihayafuru? Originally Answered: Is Japanese high school life really similar to how high school life is pictured in anime? Not in the slightest. For example, everyone is around 15 or 16 years old, not 24.

Do anime trends apply to Japanese schools?

But, some broad trends can apply to most school settings in Japan. Here are a few things you might experience at a Japanese school that doesn’t quite match what you see in Anime. Japan is well known for its uniform culture. Japanese schools can be quite strict about clothing and personal expression.

Is the high school setting in anime real?

But the high school setting shown in these shows and movies are seen by some as what it is really like to live in Japan, but according to real life Japanese students, that is far from the truth. The Japanese website My Navi Gakuesi no Madoguchi polled over a hundred anime fans in college to give some insight on the interpretation.

Do students actually go up on the roof in anime?

But according to real life students, students never actually go up on the roof. One participant in the survey stated, "You often see anime characters run up to the roof when they're upset about something, but in my school we weren't allowed up there." Another participant even said that all schools lock the roof access.

image

Are Japanese schools similar to anime?

Although anime presents Japanese school life well, they exaggerate most things, present several things that are prohibited and break school rules, in addition to exaggerating the excitement and joy of students. The reality is that the Japanese school is much stricter, but they are like any other school.

Is Japan actually like anime?

3:597:09Real Life Japan is NOTHING Like Anime - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipMost people probably already knew that but what's a little less apparent is that even slice-of-lifeMoreMost people probably already knew that but what's a little less apparent is that even slice-of-life anime that are more grounded in reality. Might not be entirely plausible.

Do schools in Japan teach anime?

There Are Many Schools in Japan Where You Can Study Anime! Apart from Anime production companies, Japan has many schools where you can study Anime as well, and there is an extensive range of creators across the country.

What is Japanese high school really like?

They spend an average of two hours per day watching television, half an hour listening to the radio, an hour reading casually, and less than half an hour in social relations with peers outside of school. Japanese adults tend to perceive high school students in many ways as large children instead of young adults.

Do high schoolers live alone in Japan?

While it's not EXTREMELY common, it's definitely not unusual for Japanese high school students to live alone, away from their family.

Do Japanese adults watch anime?

There is something like this for all different demographics in Japan – and this gives anime a really broad and diverse audience. This, really, is the great achievement of specifically Japanese anime: even adults enjoy it.

Are schools strict in Japan?

The students in Japanese schools are generally better behaved and there are far fewer discipline problems than in the United States. Studies have also shown that Japanese students on average spend about one-third more time learning each class period than American students do.

Is Japanese high school hard?

Japanese students study very hard in high school, so they can pass the entrance exams to get into a reputable national or private university. Once they get into their dream college, things become more relaxed as they are almost guaranteed to graduate.

Do students in Japan wear uniforms?

Nearly all public and private students in Japan wear uniforms, although they are most common for junior high school and high school students. Each school has its own uniform, but most school uniforms are very similar. Boys' uniforms are based on 19th century Prussian military uniforms, and are usually black.

What grade is a 15 year old in Japan?

Comparison between the Age and Grade Structures in Japan and other countriesAgeJapanU.S.A.11-12​ELMN 6Grade 612-13JHS 1Grade 713-14JHS 2Grade 814-15JHS 3Grade 912 more rows•Jan 25, 2022

Do Japanese schools let you wear makeup?

In some high schools in Japan, the dress code may be strict, with teachers checking students' uniforms meticulously, even nail and hair length! Also, don't wear makeup, nail polish, or piercings at school; keep those for when you let your hair down on the weekend.

Do Japanese schools ban ponytails?

The ponytail ban is one of many rules known as buraku kōsoku or 'black rules'. These regulations have been commonplace in the Japanese education system since 1870, but were ramped up in the '70s and '80s in an effort to curb school violence and bullying.

What do Japanese think of anime?

Anime, for most japanese, is nothing more than a form of entertainement. They dont think much of it, the problems they may have with it, video games or anything really, is the same any sane person shall have: deviant uses of the medium.

How many Japanese actually watch anime?

According to a survey conducted by the Nippon Research Center in October 2019, around 33 percent of people in Japan stated that they often read manga or watch anime.

How is anime perceived in Japan?

While manga is ubiquitous, anime is still considered for kids and younger teens by most Japanese people, and if an adult in his twenties said to other adults "I'm a big fan of anime" I think people would look at that person funny, supposing he might even be an "otaku" (used here in the stereotypical negative sense, as ...

How is anime viewed in Japan?

The overall frequency of anime viewing is 'once a week or more' for 57% of respondents. 17% watch 'once in 2-3 months', 16% watch 'less than once in 2-3 months', and 10% 'don't watch anime works at all'. This result means one in two people watch anime once a week.

What are the uniforms in Japanese schools?

Japan is well known for its uniform culture. Japanese schools can be quite strict about clothing and personal expression. In the average anime, students wear some version of a school uniform. Most Japanese schools do have a uniform for students. But, real school uniforms are far less fashion-forward than what you see in anime. You won’t find any student sporting pastel skirts or garish colored plaid pants. Uniforms lean toward the conservative. Knee-length skirts and subdued colors like navy, black, or beige are most typical. The variety of uniforms is also not as wide as what you see portrayed in anime. There are a few basic uniform types. Blazers with pants or a skirt, sailor-style uniforms, and the gakuran – black uniform with a high collar are the norm.

What are the most common uniforms in anime?

Knee-length skirts and subdued colors like navy, black, or beige are most typical. The variety of uniforms is also not as wide as what you see portrayed in anime. There are a few basic uniform types. Blazers with pants or a skirt, sailor-style uniforms, and the gakuran – black uniform with a high collar are the norm.

What is an anime trope?

Often anime characters will have some identifying accessory or style. A silly amount of jewelry or wild hair color is a common anime trope. While it gives the character personality it’s not that realistic. Such expressions of individuality in a Japanese school are rarely tolerated.

Why are school clubs important?

School clubs are a major commitment for the average student. Lack of sleep and falling behind are common complaints brought on by club schedules. Many schools have a variety of clubs, sports, academics, art, culture, and band clubs are common.

Is Japan full of high school students living on their own?

High school students living on their own. Anime may leave you with the impression that Japan is full of high school students living on their own. Although not unheard of it is far less common than anime might have you believe.

Do Japanese teachers have to be superheroes?

A teacher need not be a superhero to take that extra step. Home visits are standard practice for Japanese teachers. In fact, homeroom teachers are very involved in their students’ home lives. It’s not only house calls. Teachers often take responsibility for their student’s behavior in and out of school.

Do Japanese students travel home?

Even then students will usually travel home on a regular basis. Most Japanese parents keep close tabs on their children. Sometimes anime does get it right, well almost…. There are a few things you might encounter in a Japanese school that also appeared in anime.

What is the student council in anime?

In anime no one is cooler or more highly revered in high school than the student council. They are are held at a higher prestige, respect, and hold actual authority over other students. While in reality this is just not true at all.

Is anime like real life?

There is one statement that stands to be true about many aspects of society, "Anime isn't like real life." This applies to many situations, as Japanese animation features an ultra glorified, extreme, or sometimes ridiculous version of real life. With the recent spike in popularity of slice-of-life series, many shows show an "ordinary" student in a "normal" Japanese high school. But the high school setting shown in these shows and movies are seen by some as what it is really like to live in Japan, but according to real life Japanese students, that is far from the truth.

Do high school students live alone?

1. That Some High School Students live alone. In anime you see high school characters who are either orphaned by their parents, or has a rough home life and lives by themselves in their own apartment. However this in extremely rare in real life. Just like in the United States, it is unlikely that a student in high school will have their own ...

Do students go up on the roof?

The roof provides a chance for a beautiful backdrop of serene clouds or epic rain. But according to real life students, students never actually go up on the roof .

I love talking about it, writing about it and, of course, getting lost in all the beautifully drawn scenes that depict life in Japan

I've watched Your Name so many times and the animation still takes my breath away.

But as someone who lives in Australia and has never actually travelled to Japan (it's first on my bucket list!), I often wonder if what I'm watching is similar to real life or if there are some aspects that have been exaggerated

Obviously, I know all the fantasy elements aren't real. Like, there aren't giant robots or kids with superpowers just walking around in Japan — unless there's something I need to know. 👀

1. Whether the characters are in school or walking down a road, there always seems to be plenty of vending machines around in anime. Is it like this in Japan?

Emi: Yes, especially in metropolitan areas! There are vending machines EVERYWHERE. On the streets, in train stations, schools, offices, libraries…the list goes on. It's not just cold drinks either! During winter, many cold drinks are replaced with warm drinks.

2. On the topic of food, I've noticed several eating customs, like sitting at low dining tables and saying "itadakimasu" before and after a meal. Are these more reserved for formal occasions or is this common to see in everyday life?

On the topic of food, I've noticed several eating customs, like sitting at low dining tables and saying "itadakimasu" before and after a meal. Are these more reserved for formal occasions or is this common to see in everyday life?

4. Do Japanese people actually say common anime phrases like "baka", "boke", "ara ara" and "daijoubu"?

Emi: Daijoubu is used a lot. It can be used as a question and an answer. Depending on where you put the emphasis, both "Are you okay?" and "Yes, I’m okay!" can both be used by saying the same word: daijyoubu.

6. Sometimes one character might poke fun at another because they have a regional accent when speaking. Are there different Japanese accents or dialects depending on where you grew up?

Emi: Like most countries, Japan also has different accents and dialogues depending on the prefecture. I wouldn't say people "poke fun" at others because of the way they talk, as that’s just mean, but there are a lot of cases where people are more intrigued by the accent and want to learn more about that specific region or prefecture.

7. Do Japanese people actually use kotatsu (a Japanese heated table)? They look so comfy and perfect for winter

Emi: Yeeeees! We love a good kotatsu !! Like with the dining tables, they are getting a little less popular, especially with people who live in small apartments as there's literally no space for it.

image