Trigger Warning: This episode contains some references to sexual assault. If you / someone you know has suffered from sexual abuse, please reach out to the resources available in your country / region of residence for help, such as The 24/7 Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line if you are in England & Wales.
Disclaimer: This episode contains discussions around societal issues in Japan. While this episode’s guest is a Japanese person, she is NOT representing herself as an authority on this subject. The contents of this podcast are for entertainment purposes only.
Joining our A30SAG cast as another one of Nat’s university friends, Yukari introduces her own take on anime culture and its relationship with Japan as someone who was partially raised there.
Nat and Yukari briefly discuss East Asian student society culture, then move on to the popularity of anime, Sanrio and Disney among adults in their homelands. Yukari recalls her exposure to anime growing up and her experiences meeting international fans of both anime and Japan.
They then discuss the prominence of the Vocaloid community and escapist entertainment in Japan, and little things that make them miss living in East Asia sometimes. Yukari expresses her admiration for particular aspects of anime and hopes for improvement in others, and also her personal hopes for improvement around certain issues affecting Japanese society.