U.S. Navy produces 'manga' to promote new carrier in Yokosuka

Thursday 05th June, 06:00 AM JST

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USNinJapan2 at 03:55 PM JST - 5th June

This manga is only step 1. Step 2 is rolling out the CVN 73 'campaign/image character'. Maybe it'll be old George himself, complete with wooden teeth and tricorne hat. Step 3 will obviously be a line of character goods, which the usual hired protesters will no doubt buy by the armload to take back as omiyage when they're bussed in from near and far for the obligatory protests in August.
yabits at 05:58 PM JST - 5th June

It's just too bad that the manga "CVN73" won't be an ongoing series. I'm sure that the Nihon-kei sailor at the center of the story could get into conversations and incidents with his shipmates, where their prejudices and attitudes towards the host nation could be as fully on display as they are here.
USNinJapan2 at 06:40 PM JST - 5th June

yabits

You have a vivid (and evidently prejudiced) imagination. But that's only this 'Nihon-kei" Sailor's opinion...
SuperLib at 06:47 PM JST - 5th June

Brilliant idea.
yabits at 10:15 PM JST - 5th June

USNinJapan2:

Who am I prejudging? Especially after reading things like "nation of 12-year-olds?" You going to try to tell me that no sailors on the GW feel the Japanese are beneath them? That some of the comments expressed above don't represent a segment of the population of Americans aboard the ship? Perhaps just as important: Is there a significant segment of the Japanese population who feel that many of the Americans don't regard them as equals?

I'm not certain if my imagination is so vivid or yours is lacking something. I do have vivid memories of my time serving in Japan, however, and have not been a stranger to the country (or to Yokosuka) since my enlistment was up.

I will admit that it may well be unlikely for a sailor of Asian ethnicity to be exposed to those comments directly. Few want to offend someone overtly.
electric2004 at 10:16 PM JST - 5th June

Does this manga include the recent episode "fire on board"?
NeoJamal at 10:31 PM JST - 5th June

Does this manga include the recent episode "fire on board"?

No, it will be replaced with a flashback episode referencing the "Arresting cable snaps on landing" Arc
sailwind at 10:46 PM JST - 5th June

Yabits,

The attitudes toward the host nation on full display here is from civilians that live here in Japan, not military.

I'll address this comment directly to clarify the difference.

You going to try to tell me that no sailors on the GW feel the Japanese are beneath them?

We serve with them on joint exercises, their ships will serve as plane guard when the G.W goes out to sea, beneath them? Hell, they are our shipmates in every sense of the word. USNinJapan knows this for a fact as I do, Yabits this isn't the Navy you where apart of thirty years ago.
OssanULTRA at 12:01 AM JST - 6th June

"Oh when will you grow up, Japan?"

"The U.S. Navy in Japan said Wednesday it has produced a Japanese ‘‘manga’’ comic book"
rjd_jr at 12:27 AM JST - 6th June

A nation of childish 12 year olds, lol. This Japanese nation of childish 12 year olds that, year in and year out, consistently leads the world in economic power, charitable assistance towards the needy, scientific innovation, high science/math scores in its school systems, technological advancement, and cultural brilliance that influences others nations, just to name a few.

The world would indeed be a better place with more nations that have childish 12 year olds amongst its mist, lol lol lol lol
yabits at 12:47 AM JST - 6th June

sailwind:

Yabits this isn't the Navy you where apart of thirty years ago.

I may not be up on my Navy regulations, but I do spend a fair amount of time in Japan each year, and nearly always visit Yokosuka and include a stop by my favorite watering hole on Dobuita doori. (The last time I was there was last December.) Also, our son currently serves in the Navy in Japan.

I enjoy talking with military people as well as with the local Japanese. One of the biggest changes that surprised me over the years was how the Japanese bar area near Chuo-eki is completely off limits to non-Japanese. I used to enjoy going there and practicing my language skills, which somehow a little alcohol always seemed to improve. (And I was always welcomed.)

What has not changed in all that time is human nature, which I find to run pretty consistently in the civilian and military worlds. I still assert that many Japanese perceive (with some validity) that many Americans look down on them. All it takes is a few bad apples, especially when alcohol ("truth serum") has let down their inhibitions.

A manga which portrays all American sailors as angels with absolutely no fleas in their wings* would be laughable propaganda. My point is that the concept of using the manga medium is a really great one, and that a series of stories could do a great deal to break down some of the barriers and misconceptions, as well as get across important facts about the newly arriving carrier. (I believe many Japanese are in awe of carriers.) The manga should be done in both languages as I'm sure a lot of sailors would find it to be of interest.

*PBS recently did a series of shows about the deployment of the carrier USS Nimitz. It included several examples of misconduct and racist behavior by some members of the crew. Stories like that in the manga medium would be very valuable, in my opinion.
VoXman at 04:43 AM JST - 6th June

A nation of childish 12 year olds, lol. This Japanese nation of childish 12 year olds that, year in and year out, consistently leads the world in economic power, charitable assistance towards the needy, scientific innovation, high science/math scores in its school systems, technological advancement, and cultural brilliance that influences others nations, just to name a few.

12 year olds is over the top, you are right. I would say their reading entertainment is different. But then if it weren't for Japan, the US wouldn't have Manga inspired movies like Matrix.

A. "consistently leads the world in economic power". No that would be the USA, since 1945.

B."charitable assistance towards the needy". USA again. US is always on station with help and physical support. Japan makes charitiable donations, no where near their economic might.

C. "scientific innovation". USA holds more Noble Prizes in Science and Medicine than any country in the world. Japan is one of the lowest.

D. "high science/math scores in its school systems" Singapore! http://www.bc.edu/bc_org/rvp/pubaf/chronicle/v5/N27/timss.html. Though Japan definately kicks butt.

E. "technological advancement, and cultural brilliance that influences others nations" Hard one! I'd say both. The USA is known as a innovative country and has the international patents to prove it. Japan has always been great at tacking a good idea and making it better. Cultural brillance? Doubtful neither culture is brillant. US culture has had more influence on the world since the decline of the British empire. Japan is too closed a society to claim influence culturally on other countries.

"The world would indeed be a better place with more nations that have childish 12 year olds amongst its mist, lol lol lol lol"

The world would indeed be a better place if Japan promoted its culture around the world.
timorborder at 05:47 AM JST - 6th June

I am looking forward to the first installment of this, namely "Seaman Suzuki and the Golden Rivet."
TheguyNextdoor at 02:01 PM JST - 9th June

Does anyone know how it went?
Sparkjack at 03:14 PM JST - 9th June

I agree with Voxman.

Japan has plenty of problems, and so does the US. Given that they are similar and yet different I think there are many solutions that could be found in mutual cross cultural exchanges. After being in Japan for a couple of years I'd love to take back all of the good and none of the bad.

I think people too often get jaded because the world isn't perfect and forsake things that did not give it to them easy.