Looks like working in Japan can have its perks too! Yes, it can be frustrating at times but teaching English as a foreigner can mean that people expect less from you. I remember feeling like I had so much time during the day at school. I would come up with things to do at my desk like reading, drawing and occasionally grading papers. What do you do to kill time in-between classes in Japan?
Did you get that? "The Man" is taking J down! It can be difficult to see the truth when you're a hard worker and good at what you do. Sometimes it's nice to just blame it on someone else! Even if you know that it's on you. Maybe J has been slipping a bit with his focus. Sometimes life can really make work difficult. Let's see if J can focus and get back in the game!
Some of you might not know that I actually draw long form comic books too! My horror/adventure, manga influenced, 200 page graphic novel, Tales of Tritoria: YOUNGBLOODS is up for sale HERE in paperback and digital version for KINDLE. This is the longest comic I've ever drawn and I'm pretty happy with how it turned out! This comic was written and illustrated by me and I would love it if you gave it a read! It's different than FC&S and I use an art style that's influenced by American and Japanese comics. In fact, I wrote the script for YOUNGBLOODS while I was living in Japan! Here's the synopsis:
Looks like Tanuki is back! Wait a minute, maybe not. Only time will tell...
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.
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?
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!
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!
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.
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?
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.
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!
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.
Just when you think things are going your way, you realize there's a price to pay for everything! Can J be a success at work and find time to date Beverly? That is the work or Beverly question!
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!
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!
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.
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!
Beverly asked J out but we're not sure of her intentions. She could just be doing it to support J after his breakup and have fun together. It is pretty early for J to be going out after just breaking up! We'll have to see where this goes.
I guess "talking about it" is different for girls than for guys. I'm not sure if J wants to give anymore details. Will Beverly make a move or try to be a close friend for J to lean on? Stay tuned, friends and fans!
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.
