Otaku Corner: White Day

ヨホ、みんな！お元気ですか？(Romanji: yoho minna! Ogenki desuka?)
(Eng: Hey everyone! How are you guys doing?)
In the previous session of Otaku Corner, we have talked about the degree of affections that can easily be mistaken in many situations. Today, we shall talk about two things: i. the ‘kinds’ of chocolate gifts and ii. Anime versus Reality. In Japan, it is a custom to gift chocolates to the person you like on Valentine’s Day (14th of February) and it is also a custom to return those gifts on White Day (14th of March) too.

white-day-comic3 — Source: https://www.ricedigital.co.uk/japan-explained-white-day/

On Valentine’s Day, the girls would be busy preparing chocolates for the occasion. The chocolates being prepared could be either bought or in many cases handmade. There are a few ‘kinds’ of chocolates given during the occasion.

義理チョコ　(Romanji: Giri Choco)

Eng: Obligatory Chocolate
Obligatory Chocolates or義理チョコ　are chocolates given to friends and families on Valentine’s Day. They are given as a sign of gratitude towards the people around that particular individual who gave the chocolates.

本命チョコ　(Romanji: Honmei Choco)

Eng: (Favourites’ person)
Fovourites’ or本命チョコ　are chocolates given to the person you love. In anime or manga, such scenes are rather one of the highlights in series.

逆チョコ　(Romanji: Gyaku Choco)

Eng: Reverse Chocolates.
Reverse Chocolates or逆チョコ　refer to guys giving out chocolates to the person they like (a reverse role) on Valentine’s Day.
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Onto the second segment of the corner, let us compare some of the points shown in shoujo series and in reality.

Valentine’s Day and White Day (14.2 and 14.3)

Yes, Valentine’s Day and White Day are celebrated in Japan. It is an event that is really special to many people in Japan.

Public Display of Affection

Japanese people are rather reserve in displaying their affections. Hence, you very rarely see Japanese couples hugging and holding hands in public, unlike in anime and manga.

Confessions

In reality, many Japanese guys prefer to take the lead and make the first move in asking the girl of their dreams out. According to Jun’s sister, all of her friends (who are in a relationship) were asked by the guys.

The shoe lockers

According to Jun, yes, the shoe lockers in Japanese high schools do act as a communication box for students. Love letters and other ‘gifts’ are placed into the shoe lockers to deliver the messages intended.

Kabedon (壁ドン)

The all-time favourite kabedon can only be found in the 2D world. According to a friend of mine, it is something that you do not often see in Japan.
These points are some based on what I found and some points are from Rachel and Jun’s videos. I apologize if they are inaccurate. Thank you for joining me in another session of Otaku Corner. Ja ne!
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