What's Japanese in Japanese Animation?

What's Japanese in Japanese Animation? Symbols in the background of anime also remain. Aka-chochin, literally meaning "red lanterns," hang outside restaurants and bars in Japan and sometimes have writing on them as advertisements (Poitras 4). Aka-chochin hang outside the yatai, outdoor stall (Poitras 147), that Misato takes Shinji, Asuka, and Rei to in Neon Genesis Evangelion (ep 12). These red lanterns rattle violently as Dasher Inoba comes out of a restaurant to find the city being destroyed in the opening scene of Ehrgeiz (Squaresoft). In both instances, the characters also eat ramen noodles. Ramen are a type of Chinese noodle that can be ordered as take out, or even made from instant ramen packets (Poitras 105). Ramen comes in many flavors, usually pork or beef, but Rei orders garlic ramen in Neon Genesis Evangelion (ep 12). Another symbol seen in the background of many anime, although usually over looked, is the manekineko. The manekineko, or ‘beckoning cat,’ is a statue of a cat sitting with one paw raised. This statue sits in the entrances of businesses and homes and brings good luck (Poitras 79). In Tales of Destiny, Stahn notices a manekineko in a store. Upon further inspection, a message pops up explaining "There’s a statue of a cat here. The cat looks as if it’s beckoning someone with one of its front paws. This statue is a good luck charm for business success in Aquaveil. The cat’s either trying to invite customers or money, depending on which paw is raised." (Tales of Destiny, Namco). A manekineko sits behind Ranma when he practices the cat fist position (Ranma ½ ep 54). This pun may be missed by some American viewers who are not aware of what the manekineko represents. The noise of the cicada, another uniquely Japanese symbol, is heard rather than seen in anime. The cicada "is a symbol of summer, since its distinctive sound is common at that time of year." (Poitras 112). Kensuke comments on the loudness of the cicada in Neon Genesis Evangelion (ep 4). Shinji explains that the cicada population grows every year as their ecosystem returns to normal.

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