Fried Chicken and Sushi 248 Where to look while on the subway

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When I'm on the subway in Japan it really is difficult to figure out where to look.  Maybe it's because I'm a tall black man but I don't want to freak Japanese people out if I stare in their direction.  Usually I just look up at the ads on the walls of the train or out of the window.  Of course, plenty of people stare at me because I'm the big foreigner that they can't help but see.  I will admit that when the train is packed with people, I do pretend to be taking a nap to avoid the awkward closeness.

Fried Chicken and Sushi 247 Does Glossy Gleam like boy bands?

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If you look at Principal Glossy Gleam, you've got to admit that he could be in a boy band!  He's probably trying to make up for all of those lost years as an energetic youth by making sure he stands out with gleam today.  He may look like he could be in an "over the hill" boy band now but we don't even know if he can sing!  Hmmm...maybe in a later comic?

Fried Chicken and Sushi 246 What was that nightmare again?

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I guess the fears from our nightmares can come true!  Let's hope that J can still pull it together and move ahead of Ryan!  Sometimes, we need something like this to give us the push we need to work even harder.  Will J use this as a motivator to prove the boss wrong?  We'll see! 

Fried Chicken and Sushi 245 J's performance review is in

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I must admit, I've had this nightmare before myself.  It can be tough to work as one of the few people of color on the job.  Especially, when you have terrible stereotypes about black people out there.  Just as soon as you think people understand a little bit about black people, they do something to make it clear that they don't.  You can really feel the pressure to work super hard and never slack off.  Thank goodness this one was just a dream!  J seems like a hard worker so he shouldn't have anything to worry about.  Or, should he?  Thanks for reading and commenting!  Remember, you can also discuss things in the FORUMS.  I love reading your thoughts and opinions!  Go ahead, start a topic!

Fried Chicken and Sushi 244 Sato needs a SLAP SLAP

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I'm always surprised by all of the grown women in Japan, some with kids of their own, that are huge fans of Jpop boy bands!  It's "cute" to look and act really young even if you're an accomplished woman.  I imagine that these mothers must get into arguments with their children about their favorite bands.  Nothing's stopping Sato sensei from enjoying her moment of youth with SLAP SLAP!  Don't forget you can talk about comics and your opinions of all things Japan in the FORUMS.

Fried Chicken and Sushi 243 J-Pop Laughter Restraint

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There's no way I would be able to hold my laughter for those names.  The sad part is, most of the names Miki mentions are actually real bands from either now or the past!  I really wanted to make the point that most bands in Japan have names that just seem too ridiculous to be real.  I think Karl feels the same.  Have you heard any of the music from these bands?

Fried Chicken and Sushi 242 The true look of SLAP!

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SLAP SLAP reminds me of how girly a lot of the "boy" bands look in Japan.  It amazes me how this look is loved so much by women.  They really seem to value girly men.  When I'm out in Japan, I see more men messing with their hair in the mirror than women!  Of course, not all men in Japan are like this.  In fact, most of my Japanese friends are not.  I do feel that men are more concerned with style in Japan than the men in America.  I don't think that the group SMAP looks this girly but I tried to combine several styles from other bands I've seen to make SLAP. 

Fried Chicken and Sushi 241 For the Love of SLAP!

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I guess that JPop band new just what girls would do when their male friends heard how much they love that band and laugh.  The girls would give them a huge SLAP SLAP!  Maybe their songs are so good, you feel like you've been...SLAP SLAPPED!  Ok, you get it.  For those of you in Japan, you probably already can tell that I based this name off of the group SMAP.  Japanese people love SMAP and I still don't understand why.  They have a TV show called SMAP SMAP and I couldn't resist using SLAP twice for my made up group.  Japanese pop groups have hilarious names and I've been looking forward to talking about it in FC&S.  Enjoy the next few strips!

Fried Chicken and Sushi 240 The let down scare

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Maybe you haven't had a girl scare you like this before but it's happened to me several times.  Do women think this is funny?  Are you really crazy and pretending that your pretending to be crazy?  I know, I didn't get that either but you know what I mean!  Let's hope Beverly has all of her noodles in one bowl or J might have to think twice about that date.

Fried Chicken and Sushi 238 Practicing Japanese with Principal Glossy Gleam

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Can you tell that I drew this entire comic on the computer using Manga Studio software?  Yeah, I bet you could.  With the wonky lettering and perfect panel boxes, who doesn't love when artists practice directly in front of their fans?!  It's so much fun, and fewer steps, to draw the comic on my Mac.  Please bare with me on the quality of the strips until I really master it.  You'll see what I'm talkin' about in the next few comics.  Anyway, Glossy Gleam is always fun to draw and we know that he should never be approached in Japanese again!

Fried Chicken and Sushi 237 Practicing Japanese with Sato Sensei

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How in the world are you supposed to improve your Japanese if no one wants to speak it with you?  It really is a big deal in Japan to have someone to practice English with.  Big money is spent just to have a conversation with a native English speaker.  I can understand Sato sensei's issue but I hope she'll loosen up a bit and help Karl out.  He sure needs it!

Fried Chicken and Sushi 236 Practicing Japanese with Miki

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Looks like Karl is on a quest to find the perfect partner to practice Japanese with!  It's difficult to find a Japanese person who is open to speaking slowly and clearly so that foreigners can practice.  Miki means well but I have a feeling she's putting too much in too soon for Karl and he just got a bit scared.  Ok, maybe A LOT scared!  I don't know about you, but when I have to respond in Japanese, I always want to be able to do it without a long pause to think.  I'm sure people understand that I need a minute to gather my response but it makes me feel slow. 

Fried Chicken and Sushi 235 The beauty of being just friends

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J hasn't yet realized what a catch Beverly is!  Or, perhaps, he doesn't feel like he could actually date a woman like her?  There are so many issues and questions that come into our minds when we're interested in dating someone new.  Let's hope this goes in the right direction for J!

Fried Chicken and Sushi 232 Tanuki still ain't talkin'

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I guess Karl is just accustomed to going to Tanuki to talk about his struggles.  Maybe Tanuki is sick of listening and just refuses to interact.  Oh well, it's probably for the best.  Karl needs to learn to be more confident in himself anyway.  Even though Tanuki can be annoying, I wonder if any of you out there miss him?

Fried Chicken and Sushi 231 The way to communicate at a compa

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Maybe if Karl would get with the program and start drinking just enough to loosen up and enjoy Japanese parties, he might have more fun.  Not too much, just enough.  It's a fine art he will have to learn in order to get to know people.  If you're a long time reader, you know that Karl is sensitive to liquour.  If you're new, perhaps you should read the comic where he last went a little too far at a party HERE.  Enjoy!

Fried Chicken and Sushi 230 The compa bill

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If you've been to a compa or even just out to eat with friends in Japan you know that the bill can get crazy!  All of that drinking and eating.  I'm always upset when I barely eat anything, because we're sharing small plates of food, and I don't really drink a lot and have to pay buckets of dough!  No wonder everyone gets drunk.  If they're going to pay tons of money, they might as well!  Let's hope Karl can get his confidence up and try more Japanese while he's out.  He seems to be a little shy and unsure of his language skills.