US Military Uses Manga to Reach out to Japanese Public
The US and Japan are about to mark the 50th anniversary of their defense pact. In order to strengthen an endangered relationship, the US military is publishing a multi-issue manga designed to promote good relations between the two nations:
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jP3LgTrhlK2O7_pgtq4XpD6UksQQ via Digg | Image: AP
The story features an American boy called Usa-kun -- a word play on USA and "usagi", Japanese for rabbit -- who wears a hooded jacket with bunny ears and befriends a Japanese girl, Anzu Arai.
In the first issue of "Our Alliance -- A Lasting Partnership", to be published online Wednesday, the boy tells Anzu that he has come to defend her home because they are "important friends".[...]
In the four-part comic series, the two main characters "explore and learn about the US military in Japan and its role in the US-Japan alliance," according to a statement from the US forces.
The US military chose the manga format because it is "a very common way of communicating in Japan," Major Neal Fisher, deputy director of the US forces' public affairs office in Japan, told AFP by telephone.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jP3LgTrhlK2O7_pgtq4XpD6UksQQ via Digg | Image: AP
We hope you like this article!
Please help us grow by sharing:
Get Updates In Your Inbox
Free weekly emails, plus get access
to subscriber-only prizes.
We won't share your email. You can cancel at any time.
No thanks...