New words

gain

gain

〜を得る

Understanding

Understanding

理解

Nordic

Nordic

北欧の

author

author

著者

Swedish

Swedish

スウェーデン人(語)の

Asa・Ekstrom

オーサ・イェークスとロム

guardian

guardian

守護者

illustration

illustration

イラスト

surround

surround

〜を囲む

fascinating

fascinating

〜魅力的な

motivate

motivate

〜にやる気を起こさせる

discovery

discovery

発見

Let's read!

Let's talk!

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There are many things in the Japanese culture that people from overseas are surprised to see.  Through their eyes, we may gain a new understanding of Japan.  As an example, let me introduce the journal comic series, Nordic Girl Åsa Discovers the Mysteries of Japan.  The author is Åsa Ekström, a Swedish manga artist.

When Åsa was 13 years old, she watched the Japanese animation The Guardian Sailor Moon on TV in her country.  It was surprising for her to learn that all the female characters were strong.  She had never seen that before.  From that moment on, she felt a strong connection with Japan and began to dream of becoming a cartoonist.  She had some experience drawing illustrations and writing stories.  She gradually hoped to live her life surrounded by Japanese animation and cartoon characters.

What type of Japanese manga characters do you like? Why?

​Åsa often came to Japan and visited various areas to get to know this fascinating country better.  The only Japanese words she had known before she came to Japan were “geisha” and “samurai.”  As she came to know more about Japan, she discovered more and more of its wonders.  Her journey throughout Japan motivated her to draw comics about her discoveries.

What kinds of things in Japan do you think people overseas are interested in?

Questions!

1. We can gain a new understanding of Japan only through our own eyes.

1. We can gain a new understanding of Japan only through our own eyes.

2. Asa was surprised when she saw The Guardian Sailor Moon because all the female characters were strong.

2. Asa was surprised when she saw The Guardian Sailor Moon because all the female characters were strong.

3. Asa began to dream of becoming a cartoonist when she was 13 years old.

3. Asa began to dream of becoming a cartoonist when she was 13 years old.

4. Asa didn't know any Japanese words before she came to Japan.

4. Asa didn't know any Japanese words before she came to Japan.

5. Watching Japanese movies motivated Asa to draw comics.

5. Watching Japanese movies motivated Asa to draw comics.

1. Why was Asa surprised when she watched a Japanese animation on TV?

2. What motivated her to draw comics about her discoveries.

Title

Asa Ekstrom's strong connection with Japan

Asa Ekstrom's journey for Japanese comics

Title

Asa Ekstrom's strong connection with Japan

Asa Ekstrom's journey for Japanese comics