Random Anime/Manga Term #239: Hikikomori

Hey y'all. I'm overdue for an update, so I'm posting the text and picture from a handout I've created for my Anime/Manga club describing the ever-popular hikikomori. It's pretty basic and probably familiar territory for some readers, so for that I apologize....

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Random Anime/Manga Term #239: Hikikomori

Meaning “to pull away” or “to be confined”, a hikikomori is someone that has decided to isolate themselves away from others and refuse all social interaction. The cause of the condition is unknown, but it seems that the intense social pressures of Japanese society - a very rigorous but boring school system, rigid rules of public behavior, and the typical challenges young people face when they’re transitioning into adulthood – can often prove so overwhelming to some that isolation is preferable.

Most hikikomori are in their teens and early twenties, and almost all seem to be men. A stereotypical hikikomori never leaves their apartment (or if they live with their parents, their bedroom), aside from going on late-night runs to the convenience store for food. They spend their time sleeping, watching TV, reading, or on the computer (Hey, that doesn’t sound half-bad! D) and survive on handouts from their family.

One of the most notable hikikomori in anima/manga is the title character of The Wallflower, Sunako. Those of you who dig the Peach-Pit body of work may be familiar with Rozen Maiden and Jun, it’s hikikomori protagonist; Welcome to the NHK also has a hikikomori protagonist, Sato.

You probably won’t see a hikikomori nearly as much as you’ll see a tsundere character (remember her?) in the manga you read and the anime you watch, but keep an eye open for him….they’re controversial folks in Japan, so manga artists and anime creators have definitely included them in their work.

References:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hikikomori

Anime/Manga Term #457: Tsundere

This is a basic definition of the ever-popular tsundere character type that I created as a handout for my Anime and Manga Clubs. Hardcore readers are probably more than familiar with tsunderes and very well might have their own (Naru from Love Hina and Eri from School Rumble are my two current faves, but I'll always have a soft spot in my heart for Lisa Hayes from the classic Robotech/Macross series...), but for those of you not familiar with this classic (or just hackneyed) character type, I hope you can benefit from my definition:

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A combination of the Japanese words tsuntsun (aloof/standoffish) and deredere (in love/lovestruck), tsundere refers to a character that is initially unfriendly to the main character, but becomes romantically attracted to them over time. It also can mean a character that is outwardly mean to the main character while harboring a secret crush on them. So, tsundere can be both a process (from disliking someone to being in love with them) and a personality type (being mean to - yet still liking - someone). Tsunderes are almost always female, although there are male tsunderes that appear in shojo (manga/anime for girls).

One of the most classic tsunderes is Naru Narusegawa* from Love Hina. Naru can’t help but lose her temper at main character Keitaro’s klutziness and stupidity, but as Keitaro gets more responsible and mature, she begins to fall in love with him - even though she has a hard time admitting it to herself. Sakura from Naruto is also sort of a tsundere; she thinks Naruto is a total loser, but as Naruto gets more skillful, she starts to respect him. Two more tsunderes you may have seen are Nagi from Hayate the Combat Butler (she crushes hard on Hayate, yet puts him through rigourous tasks when he makes her angry), and Miss Chidore from Full Metal Panic (who clearly likes the clueless tough guy Sousuke, but can’t help getting angry at his tendency to solve simple problems through firepower).

The tsundere is a popular character type in Japan, so keep an eye open for her in the shows you watch, mangas you read, and video games you play!


* In Japanese, Naru means “to become” and Narusegawa means “raging river”, so her name is a joke about her bad temper…..