Actual marijuana usage in Japan is low with only about 1.8% of Japan’s population ever trying cannabis, compared to 44.2% in the United States.
I can't say I miss the representation of it. I can't imagine my favorite characters stoned of their ass 😭. Fun article to bring up the topic and think about it though.
I do think it's bizarre we live in a society where smoking tobacco or drinking alcohol is "normal" yet weed is somehow a taboo subject.
It's especially funny since Japanese policy on weed was basically forced on Japan (and the rest of the world) by the United States with racially motivated trade policies that conveniently helped the alcohol business thrive in a post prohibition world.
I don't think marijuana was ever popular in Japan, though, even before WWII, so banning it was likely seen as a nothingburger. Opium was the widespread drug in that part of the world (and even that wasn't native to Japan), and you do occasionally see opium use in historical anime, although it isn't treated in a positive light.
I don't see weed as taboo, maybe it's different where you are from. It seems way more popular than tobacco these days. Of course alcohol is still the most accepted drug around.
I think I'd prefer seeing characters consume cannabis over alcohol. I definitely get that it's entirely cultural, but I can't say I ever feel comfortable with the stereotypical drunk characters. I suppose, at the very least, most perpetually drunk characters in the anime I watch are seen as a nuisance, annoying, and obnoxious. I do understand why cannabis doesn't have representation in anime and don't really see that changing any time soon.
Maybe that is the important part and the particular drug used is not that relevant. If so, the characters wouldn't really change that much? In the west in decades time, when young people assume the position in society that boomers have right now, we might actually see stoner characters and vaping characters become somewhat normal like drunk characters.
11 Comments
CsXGF8uzUAOh6fqV@lemmy.world · 43 pts · 150d
This is such a gaijin question to ask 😅.
I can't say I miss the representation of it. I can't imagine my favorite characters stoned of their ass 😭. Fun article to bring up the topic and think about it though.
MoogleMaestro@lemmy.zip · 28 pts · 150d
I do think it's bizarre we live in a society where smoking tobacco or drinking alcohol is "normal" yet weed is somehow a taboo subject.
It's especially funny since Japanese policy on weed was basically forced on Japan (and the rest of the world) by the United States with racially motivated trade policies that conveniently helped the alcohol business thrive in a post prohibition world.
nyan@lemmy.cafe · 3 pts · 149d
I don't think marijuana was ever popular in Japan, though, even before WWII, so banning it was likely seen as a nothingburger. Opium was the widespread drug in that part of the world (and even that wasn't native to Japan), and you do occasionally see opium use in historical anime, although it isn't treated in a positive light.
CsXGF8uzUAOh6fqV@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 149d
I don't see weed as taboo, maybe it's different where you are from. It seems way more popular than tobacco these days. Of course alcohol is still the most accepted drug around.
Vibi@lemmy.blahaj.zone · 15 pts · 150d
I think I'd prefer seeing characters consume cannabis over alcohol. I definitely get that it's entirely cultural, but I can't say I ever feel comfortable with the stereotypical drunk characters. I suppose, at the very least, most perpetually drunk characters in the anime I watch are seen as a nuisance, annoying, and obnoxious. I do understand why cannabis doesn't have representation in anime and don't really see that changing any time soon.
CsXGF8uzUAOh6fqV@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 149d
Maybe that is the important part and the particular drug used is not that relevant. If so, the characters wouldn't really change that much? In the west in decades time, when young people assume the position in society that boomers have right now, we might actually see stoner characters and vaping characters become somewhat normal like drunk characters.
mycodesucks@lemmy.world · 36 pts · 150d
Tell me you don't know anything about Japan without saying it.
John Lennon got caught with 2 joints at the height of his popularity and got banned from the country for 10 years.
MoogleMaestro@lemmy.zip · 17 pts · 150d
Wow I never knew that Great Ace Attorney was used for Anti-weed propaganda. That's crazy (and probably a little bit niche?)
remon@ani.social · 9 pts · 149d
NineSwords@ani.social · 4 pts · 149d
Personally, I prefer my anime without drugs. So I hope the current state doesn't change.
Smash@lemmy.self-hosted.site · 0 pts · 149d
Fuck smokers 🖕