Since this is more or less confirmed already, might as well say it.
I’m going to Japan.
I’m going to Japan for training in my work, and I am going to be stuck there for about a year. While this may be no big deal to others, to me it is. In a way, this will radically change the way I live, and in effect, this anime blog of mine might render a lot of changes in the near future.
First and foremost, I really do hope that I will not stop blogging anime and related stuff. But getting nearer my points of interest does not necessarily mean that I’ll experience more. It is rather obvious that any kind of otaku behavior in Japan would be looked down upon by other people. While I don’t consider myself one, I am ‘dangerously’ close, particularly my certain likehood for bishoujo games. I shouldn’t put my real-life work in jeopardy, although reportedly my company there is rather open-minded when it comes to these things. The fact that I was allowed to work in Japan is already even too kind for them. If they don’t care that I’m a foreigner, the more they don’t care what my hobbies are.
I also have lots of things to consider. Would I be able to watch those late-night anime? Would I muster courage to buy stuff since I don’t know 95% of the language? Japan is the dream of many-an anime fan, but facing reality is a nightmare. Especially the ‘price’ of entertainment. I would break-even with my allowance using it for food alone. No moyism for me.
Am I thinking so negatively about this? Well heck I’ll look at the bright side now… I’M IN FREAKING JAPAN! Entertainment heaven! Technology! Sights! Sounds! Hot springs! Mountains! Amusement parks! Shopping! (Girls!) WOW! Let me tell this from a 3rd world perspective. To go to a 1st world country is nothing short of AWESOME. I’ll stop now before this becomes mere bragging.
So what’s the future of this blog? Well, since I will leave my entire fansub collection back home, I only have the space to carry [Da Capo II->summer-of-bishoujo] and [Ojamajo Doremi->] along with me. Those projects should remain active. Hopefully I will have internet in my apartment so I can build some new collection to enjoy. First I need a laptop…
And so that’s it, life goes on. Apologies for holding it in for so long, since I wasn’t sure of this a few weeks back. I’ve been preparing for this recently and that’s why I took a break. Plus my birthday is drawing near and all. I would certainly love to be back in the scene again, so please come back for more. I’ll be back when I get things settled.
Thanks for your continued support.
Congratulations–Japan seems like it would be a fun place to work for a year, if I could do it over again I think I’d have done the JET program or something similar after college. If you get the chance, go to Kyoto while you’re there, it’s incredible, especially in the fall…
Congrats on the year of training in Japan! Even if you aren’t a rapid otaku, the experience itself should be a blast!
If you’re going to hunt for anime goods, you know the usual blogging people to ask. Especially since some of them have recently returned from trips to Japan *grumble lucky bastards*
Anyway, hope you’ll enjoy your year in Japan! It’ll be great if you can still blog but hey, work comes before anime right? It’ll be nice, if at least, you can give us random status updates of your adventures ala Kongetsu… not like you have to or anything though 😉
BTW, for the record if I ever end up going to Japan I know I won’t be doing that well expense wise. I’d need at least someone who’s half decent in Japanese to be with me if I want to make it alive… with any change left in my wallet. I think… LOL
Congrads on fullfilling the dream of many anime fans.
Don’t be afraid of what others might think of your hobby. If you really love your interests, then go for it.
Again, congrads 😀
“It is rather obvious that any kind of otaku behavior in Japan would be looked down upon by other people” >> that’s true but you shouldn’t worry so much… people in Japan really don’t care what other people hobbies are. They will not judge you.
I am also in Japan and I am working there for more than one year now, and I never hide the fact that I am an anime and manga fan. And when I tell japanese people that I like manga, they generally don’t believe me, but maybe it is because I am a girl.
Congrats and good luck!
I would like to switch bodies with you.
Thanks to all! I’ll do my best.
Just want to wish you luck over there and for you to have a great time. However, if there’s one thing you’ll probably need while in Japan, it’s probably going to be a handkerchief. ^_^ For some reason, the Japanese don’t believe in either papertowels or hand dryers.
Mmm, careful on the way there… to the haven of all things Eastside. Be sure to work hard, live well and most of all… have lotsa fun for us guys who couldn’t be there. *sniff*
Good luck kabayan~
Do your best when you’re there. Just to give you an advice:
You know the work ethic there. The trick to dealing it is to look at the little things with meaning. That’s how they cope with the work stress.
And don’t worry about becoming a moyism: a little bit of smart financial planning won’t hurt, and you can still indulge in your hobby.
Congratulations. You are going to be living a year away from home, don’t you think entertainment concerns are the least of your worries? But if you do have time for entertainment, make sure to make it serious. Study all the anime mags (400 yen and up)and doujinshi (500 yen and up) you can afford or borrow. Hang out at the shops, Gamers, Animate, Melon Books, Tora no Ana, K-Books, used book stores(free). Grab flyers and attend conventions (free to 2000 yen attending). Be proactive in finding friends who share your hobbies, anime or otherwise. Practice Japanese. Do not spend too much time on the computer, you can always do that at home (I know I’m a hypocrite). In other words, saturate your senses, stimulate your brain, and expand, produce, synthesize.
Personally I don’t think you will have a problem with computers and bandwidth. Heh. Don’t bother with trying to watch or record stuff at 26:00 (2 AM) etc, you’re better off just dl it like always. Get a laptop.
Also just regular travel will eat up your pocket money. If your company will pay for a fixed train ticket (teikiken), by all means use that as much as possible to explore your area. If you can, get a bicycle.
As long as you’re living up to your work obligations, you are free to do what you like on your free time. Of course, “otaku behavior” like using mousepads/screensavers at work or ending your sentences with “nyo” is frowned upon. Having a cute anime character on your cell phone (keitai) is fine.
Good luck and live it up! And don’t worry about your blog, what has it given to you recently?
cool! I envy ya … a lot. Good luck.
Looks like the excitement had already settled in, and you’re becoming worried about the negatives.
I envy you for even having the chance to step into a Japanese store. No matter how embarrassing the experience turns out to be, you can always laugh at it later and celebrate its enriching memory.
Why not make some friends as soon as you get off the plane? Being in a foreign country by yourself is a terrible situation to be in. Better yet, if you meet some gaijin otaku friends, you can exhibit your love for anime together.
In the mean time, don’t spend all your money on anime. Travel around to the different parts of the country; it’s the least thing you can do.
Good luck with the trip, and don’t stress yourself out!
http://www.gyao.jp/anime/
Make sure you go out drinking. I find that the Japanese are the funniest people to get drunk with.