An outspoken manga artist openly criticized the strict dress codes at most Japanese high schools.
As detailed by Japan Today, Masayuki Ishikawa, creator of the slice-of-life manga, Moyashimon, posted a lengthy message on Twitter condemning the fact that students in Japan, especially girls, are forced to adhere to the dress code even when weather conditions necessitate different clothes to stay warm. Ishikawa also pointed out that teachers have more freedom regarding what they can wear. Japan Today included a translated version of the original tweet.
Ishikawa Suggested Adults Follow the Same Dress Code
“I used to think high school girls were really tough, what with how they walk around with bare legs in the winter,” Ishikawa said. “But the rules at the school my daughter attends include that the only leg coverings they’re allowed to wear, [other than a skirt] are the socks specified by the school. If they wear anything more than that, they get yelled at by the teachers, who are all bundled up in tights, [Uniqlo} Heat-Tech, and other lined wear. If those adults had to walk around outside for even two seconds wearing just a pleated skirt and socks, they’d be completely wrecked! Why don’t men understand?”
As many anime protagonists are high school or middle school age, school uniforms are a common sight in Japanese animation. However, Ishikawa shed light on the practical issues with these required uniforms. The artist’s message received over 30,000 likes on social media, with many commenters stating that teachers should follow the same rules as the students. Others shared stories about how these rules caused actual harm, such as one individual who said that their classmate got hives on their legs due to continued exposure to the cold.
Masayuki Ishikawa is best known as the creator of Moyashimon: Tales of Agriculture. Serialized in Kodansha’s Evening magazine from July 2004 to June 2013, this zany comedy manga revolves around a college student named Tadayasu Sawaki, who can communicate with bacterial microorganisms. While this power makes him a minor celebrity in his school’s agricultural department, it also leads to many bizarre situations. Shirogumi Inc. and Telecom Animation Film adapted the series into an anime that lasted for two seasons and consisted of 23 episodes. A live-action series adaptation starring Yuichi Nakamura as Tadayasu debuted in July 2010 and ran for 11 episodes, concluding in September 2010.
Moyashimon is available to stream on Crunchyroll. The manga is available in English from Del Rey comics.
Source: Japan Today
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