Wouldn't we all love to be Tanuki! I might have to make this a regular thing for the comic. Checking in on what Tanuki's doing at home was pretty fun to draw. If you have any funny ideas please write them in the comments section below.
I have a feeling that many of my readers out there have never been the only one like them in their workplace. I know from my experience that's it's a big deal to be the only black employee and if there's actually another black person that starts working there, it's very exciting. Also, a bit of a relief. Yes, I have had white employees assume that I'm dating the young black woman at work just because we're young and black. It's something that you get used to and almost expect it!
I also find it interesting that by giving the new girl, Beverly, large breasts many of you think she's not very smart or devoid of personality. You know, her breasts aren't even that big! I know it seems like I'm upset but this is just what I want all of us to be thinking about. Fried Chicken and Sushi is about perception and how we see things and judge them from our perspective. Maybe we need to ask more questions and open our minds. I know I'm still working on that myself.
Looks like J isn't the only black person working at his video game company. I have a feeling he's happy about it, for many reasons. Oh! I've been playing around with my Art Blog at www.bangacomics.com and I think you should check it out. It will give you a good idea of some of the other stuff I do. Thanks!
What is up with J's girlfriend?! I guess she really wants to feel included, even if she really doesn't want to go to Japan. I'm pretty sure J knew what she would say which is why he didn't ask her in the first place!
Happy New Year! I hope you all are excited about the new year and all it will offer. Today's comic really happens when you're in Japan and are accustomed to talking to people that do not speak English well. You begin to speak slowly and very simply so that everyone can understand you. I remember forgetting certain words because I didn't use them anymore. Have any of you had this experience? I'm looking forward to another year of comics and I hope you're are too!
My first taste of Japanese ramen was truly divine! I couldn't believe something so delicious was also so easily affordable. This series of strips really is based on truth. I enjoyed going to a small ramen shop in Shimamoto owned by my student's father. He was a very energetic man that always made me feel welcome. I could literally walk there in three minutes. Dangerous, I know! I didn't go there nearly as often as I should have. For Karl, this is going to be a new hang out spot so expect to see him back at the ramen shop again in the future!
I really didn't know much about ramen when I moved to Japan. It was just the cheap meal you buy at the grocery store, fourty eight packs for a dollar! I remember being so amazed by the taste of actual authentic ramen that it's almost impossible for me to eat any instant brands anymore.
This is my lame attempt at a Chuck Norris style joke. "J is so tough that colds are afraid of him. Just like white people!" I think it came out better in the comic strip. Sorry white folks, we love you but you can get intimidated by tall black men. Especially, when they're bald or wearing dredlocks! Me and J don't get sick that much so this comic might actually be true!
The way things are going in the publishing world nowadays, if this "How to Talk Ghetto" book was real, it probably would be a bestseller! I just wish I could animate this comic so that you could hear how Sato sensei sounds speaking "ghetto style." That would be priceless! Peace out.
After living in Japan for several months I forgot about all other types of music and mainly listened to R&B and Hip-Hop! It's amazing how a lack of "black soul" in a society can mess up a black man. No wonder there aren't a ton of black folks living in Japan! I did bring quite a bit of music with me when I moved but getting new music wasn't easy. When I was living there, iTunes was pretty new and I mainly had to go to the music stores (remember those?) in the city to buy my music. They had a limited selection and the American music was pretty expensive. I would buy something that I really wanted though if my soul meter dropped way too low. ;)
You just never know what Karl's gonna get from the Japanese language! Honestly, when I first heard the word suihan-ki I thought it was some kind of power tool. It just doesn't sound like something that makes delicious rice! These "English Lessons" between Karl and Miki really do pull out some interesting topics.
Judging by the comments, a lot of you out there know the truth of this comic strip! Glad I'm not the only one that notices the hardcore music some restaurants and stores play in Japan. It makes sense that they wouldn't notice if it's in a foreign language but it still catches me off guard. If you've been in this same situation, I'd love to hear your stories! Oh, and please continue to spread the word about this comic to your friends! Especially, if they are living in Japan! Thank you.
Well, it's Thanksgiving in America! I wish all of you that celebrate it a happy one! We don't have any turkey or stuffing in today's comic but we do have Karl stuffed into Osaka! It's great to be out and about in Japan but sometimes it can really feel overrun with people when you're living in the city. I remember feeling so happy to get home so that I could stretch out and have some privacy.
It is crazy how many manga styled mascots are on everything in Japan. Medi-Kun looks like he needs to keep his hands to himself! I do believe that every town has a mascot. They're always super cute, young and fun! It would be fun to see them battle. Hmmmm...another comic strip idea perhaps? I'd like to see a grumpy old cursing mascot. Wait, don't tell me there's already one. If you know of a crazy mascot, let me know! They do crack me up!
To me, hot sake and a raw egg does not sound appatizing! However, people have told me that Tamagozake is actually pretty tasty and helps warm your body when you have a cold. Tanuki may have done something nice for Karl for a change! ;)
I hope this strip shows how Tanuki, when given a chance to be bad, cannot help himself. He's almost compelled by some evil force to scream at Karl and wake him up!
Ryan learned not to mess with J and cheat codes. I wonder if J would be ok with using them after beating a game? You know, just for the fun of it! I thought of creating the strip with Ryan showing J cheat codes on the internet. Then, J would hit delete and walk away. Even though people aren't writing many cheat codes down on paper these days, I felt like this version had more of an impact. Nothing like crumpling and burning to make a point!
The Emailin' Home strip is my attempt to show you what it was like for me to email my family and friends while in Japan. I would send these long emails telling stories of things I experienced and learned about. Everyone seemed to enjoy them (I hope) and it planted the seeds for this Fried Chicken and Sushi webcomic. To add a little extra interest, I drew the characters in a Chibi style with a huge head and small body. Did you spot Tanuki and Miki in that last panel?
Ok. So, I dropped the ball this week with the comic strip commentaries. Sorry about that! Karl was feeling guilty about staring down the ladies in the Women Only car but I think Miki understands. Thanks for all of your comments on that one. They made me feel less like a fool for jumping on one of those train cars without noticing.
J and Ryan seem to be enjoying their common bond of video game obsession. Of course, you know that they say once your addictions start interfering with your day to day work, it's a real problem! Let's hope they get it together! Oh, and thanks to all of you who read the interview I did here with examiner.com. Hope I get more of those!
Hi fans! Mark Turner from the Oakland area examiner.com interviewed me about Fried Chicken and Sushi, my creative process and the future of the comics industry. Check it here! I think it turned out pretty well. I actually sound like I know what I'm talking about. Please give it a read! Thank you Mark!
I remember getting on my first "Women Only" train car in Japan. I wasn't staring at them but I did notice that there were only women. There was a sign I missed, that said Women Only, in Japanese and English, so I felt kind of silly to have walked on like it was any other one. There have been times, when I'm in a rush, that I've hopped onto one of these train cars without noticing. I'm never sure if I should just stay there and look foolish or get up and move to the regular train car. What would you do?
Check out a review of Fried Chicken and Sushi by Mark Turner here:
Fried Chicken and Sushi is a Blog and humorous comic strip about living in Japan and Japanese pop-culture.
© copyright 2010 - Khalid Birdsong All Rights Reserved.
