One particular group in this particular class in the second year of junior high seemed to be in a heated debate about something. The worksheet on their desks were still blank. R-kun raised his hand, looked my way, and yelled out, “Ana-Sensei!” (Again, italics denote a conversation all in Japanese.)
Me: Yes?
R-kun: What does “You still have lots more to work on?” mean in Japanese?
Me: Hm. Simply put, “Mada mada desu yo” or something like that.
He turns around to face his group as they groan.
R-kun: I told you! I told you! See?!! I TOLD YOU!!
Me: Where did you learn that?
R-kun: Comic. I like, er, Tennis .. Prince? You said reading comics is good for learning.
Me: Oh, Tenisu no Ojisama? Ah, I see. That’s “Prince of Tennis”.
He turned back to his group as he posed like a familiar character from the aforementioned comic as he said to them, “Your English … You still have much more to work on.”
I really don’t know if I am a good influence on these kids or not.
The character being referred to is Ryoma Echizen from The Prince of Tennis. I had to research this and later realized it was also being parodied by my favorite anime, Gintama, as seen here:
at 2:04 pm
Anna’s slowly making Japan a little more cocky. One student at a time.
at 6:55 pm
What can I say? I’m a natural charmer. Ha ha ha.