The Manga Lifestyle

 

Japan has always had their fads. Their teens and 20-somethings take to them with gusto too. I never knew they dressed up like Manga characters, but there you have it. This isn't what you'd normally expect with many Japanese since they place such an emphasis on conformity. These kids are going way out their way to blow the Old Ways off.

The article I read about Manga Teens said there is an odd cultural shift with the young of Japan. They're seeing less and less of that studiousness the Japanese kids were known for because there aren't any real decent jobs out there to absorb them all. The teens now figure, ”Why knock myself out for what isn't there anymore? Why study my brains out?”

What's also funny is the slang the Japanese have invented about these newer kids. Herbivores or “Grass-Eaters” are uncommitted, uncompetitive youth who have long since blown off their father's Samurai ideal of masculinity. You can work as a freeter (minimum wage jobs that allow only low expectations and cheap living) and never have to put up with the shit your Dad did 70 hours a week. Again, why work to kill yourself for now lower pay? Theses kids now believe the pride of being a dutiful, competent worker means nothing if that can't be backed up with a decent salary.

The article goes on to complain of a newer phenomenon. These kids prefer to stay home, since they can't find decent pay to start a life of their own. The parents of these kids will now actively seek to marry them off as it's the only way to get them out of the house. Their kids now have ditched the idea that being unmarried by a certain age is a social embarrasement.  

Japan in the 90's had their “Lost Generation” of youth who were decimated by the country's long, long recession. Now, the newer kids, the Next Lost Generation, are coming of age and aren't really bothering to put their nose to the grindstone and prefer to “make just enough” to get by. There aren't many dreams of devoting your life to Hitachi like their Dads did.

So, work you a cheap job, hang out in the city center and wear garish costumes. Conforming to the old ethic no longer pays out any longer to these kids.