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[SquiddyCracker]

I think there is a historical reason why Japan does appear quite odd:

Keep in mind, Japan was the only "developed" nation of the 20th century that was not European-descended.

We think European cultural things are "normal" because it dominates the world and is the majority.

All the other nations that are getting close to "developed" status today did so more under a globalized, Westernized world. As such, their media and modern society are going to seem far less odd.

This was my other second theory.
It does seem like it's simply their culture (the ancient tentacle porn painting kinda supports this), and that it has simply continued to develop just as ours has.

 

[Crash Station]

if you don't like natto you don't get to have an animu avatar.

 

[Conciliator]

That dialogue is the funniest thing I've ever read.

YOUR "BOBO" IS RIPE AND FULL.

Just wanted you to know.

 

[Finaika]

i think japan isnt weird at all, they just have their own style and the western world doesnt understand it. also remember japan is one of the few countries that shut itself out from the rest of the world which made its culture develop without any influence it is only recently that they have taken cultures from other countries and integrated it into their own country. case in point, japan isnt weird we just dont understand them, yet.

If their culture developed without any influences from the outside world, how come they use kanji?

 

[Valjean Lafitte]

Child rapists, and slavers. Ie, things the Bible is ok with.

Hey, Mitt's on there (two face)

Yes, because Israel taking war captives as slaves and Paul making a passing reference to slaves honoring their masters means that the Biblical text, as a whole, advocates slavery. And all the times that the word "nigger" is used in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn means that Mark Twain was in favor of segregation. I've heard all the usual laugh lines about how the Bible supposedly advocates despicable things such as rape, slavery, and incest, but child rapists? Really? How far into your ass did you have to go to pull that one out?

 

[BocoDragon]

If their culture developed without any influences from the outside world, how come they use kanji?

Yeah you're right.

It's better to think of them as the far fringe of the old Chinese tributary system...

...who broke away in 1858 and joined the far fringe of the Western imperial system.

Lots of adoption of foreign innovations... But there is an element of isolation that allowed them to import ideas on their own terms.

 

[braves01]

sorry to bump this guys, but....NSFW*wtf*NSFW*oh god why*NSFL

 

[Yoshichan]

 

[nhlducks35]

sorry to bump this guys, but....NSFW*wtf*NSFW*oh god why*NSFL

 

[Grakl]

I absolutely love Japanese comedians. Their yearly "No Laughing" show is great.

 

[SquiddyCracker]

sorry to bump this guys, but....NSFW*wtf*NSFW*oh god why*NSFL

 

[Crash Station]

sorry to bump this guys, but....NSFW*wtf*NSFW*oh god why*NSFL

That scene actually makes perfect sense in context.

 

[cheststrongwell]

I absolutely love Japanese comedians. Their yearly "No Laughing" show is great.

Those are some of the best shows ever. 24 Hour Tag is my favorite.

For Halloween:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1mHZIcqoPE

SOOOO GOOOOD!

 

[StarWolf]

Japan may be weird, but it's more than made up for with this! NSFW!!

 

[Grakl]

Those are some of the best shows ever. 24 Hour Tag is my favorite.

For Halloween:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1mHZIcqoPE

SOOOO GOOOOD!

24 hr tag is probably my favorite as well. Pie Hell was amazing, too. Poor Matsumoto.

 

[ThisWreckage]

Galapagos culture. Japan has been isolated from the world for centuries and even now, Japan feels isolated and inward bound.

You're right, but I think that is a positive thing. The same can be said about introverted, isolated people. I've always fond "weirdness" to be an endearing trait, however.

Americans really have no room to talk about "weird" cultures when so many people here watch Here Comes Honey Boo Boo while devouring fast food.

 

[cajunator]

sorry to bump this guys, but....NSFW*wtf*NSFW*oh god why*NSFL

Funky Forest

 

[Trokil]

also, natto is fucking nasty. I will eat a lot of things, even sampled a roach, but natto is just GROSS. Fermented beans. Sticky, smelly, and awful.

Natto is terrible, it is simply the worst thing