Although they are sometimes considered to be the pastime of kids and teenagers, modern comics and graphic novels often deal with some incredibly heavy and moving content. Craig Thompson’s Blankets, for example, is a spellbinding journey that will melt any adult’s heart, and despite using mice as protagonists, Art Spiegelman’s retelling of his Holocaust survivor father’s experiences in Maus was so moving that it was awarded the Pulitzer Prize in 1992.
The following American comic deals with equally heavy content: the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941. The comic lost a little credibility amongst Japanese readers earlier today, however, when one netizen noticed that it shows one of the pilots preparing for the attack by donning what appears to be a headband much more likely to be worn by school kids studying for a big exam than someone going on a mission from which they may not return.
Shared by Twitter user ★gurosuke earlier today, this page from an as-yet-unknown American comic has, unfortunately, been raising eyebrows and smiles across Japan.
▼ “A member of the Special Attack Unit is preparing a little too hard for his school exam in this Pearl Harbor comic”
Although it does indeed look very Japanese with its red sun and stylish kanji characters, the bandana this pilot is slapping around his head here actually reads 合格 “goukaku“, which means “success” or “pass in an exam”. We’re not going to be mean and make fun of the comic here since we have no idea what this character’s background is – for all we know this bandana could have been passed down to him, or he could indeed have been studying for a big test in the near future – but we have to wonder if this pilot’s commanding officer didn’t ask him what on earth he was doing when he produced this strip of cloth…
“I wonder which school he’s applying to!?” chuckled one Japanese netizen. We know this comic is retelling a very serious story, but after reading that we couldn’t help but smile ourselves…
Image: Goods from Japan
Source: Hachima Kikou (Japanese)
Pikachu brings electric style to brand-new Pokémon G-Shock watch featuring every stater trio
Blind Tokyo commuter explains the easiest place for him to stand while riding the train
Taco Spaghetti appears in Japan, and our taco fan rushes to try it[Taste test]
Krispy Kreme Japan releases new fruit doughnuts…that taste better cold
Japanese man’s gross conveyor belt sushi social media prank video gets him a 500,000-yen fine
Pikachu brings electric style to brand-new Pokémon G-Shock watch featuring every stater trio
Blind Tokyo commuter explains the easiest place for him to stand while riding the train
Taco Spaghetti appears in Japan, and our taco fan rushes to try it[Taste test]
Krispy Kreme Japan releases new fruit doughnuts…that taste better cold
Japanese man’s gross conveyor belt sushi social media prank video gets him a 500,000-yen fine
The adorable, delicious joy of the Totoro cream puff gift box[Taste test]
Family Mart Japan installs red-eyed “Monster Wolf” to keep bears away from convenience store
Beautiful new dangling Totoro socks let the Ghibli mascot sway with every step[Photos]
Starbucks Japan reopens Shinkansen platform store after redesigning it for speed
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan launches first overnight Shinkansen bullet train between Tokyo and Osaka this summer
Japanese sweets brand creates new drinkable Cigare and we’re totally here for it
Starbucks Japan creates special drink bottle bags, adorable stickers for all 47 prefectures[Pics]
Studio Ghibli store Donguri Republic announces opening of first-ever store in America
“Phantom Egg Shop” opens in Japan, with a dozen rare Japanese varieties
Japanese sweets shop sells an ohagi so exquisite it sells out by noon
New Japanese overnight train coming to connect Tokyo with Tohoku in sleep-travel style
Uniqlo reveals third round of massive 100-year-anniversary manga T-shirts for Jump’s Shueisha
Even at twice regular Daiso price, this handy item is still great for summer travel in Japan
New official Ghibli anime food cookbook will teach you how to make Ponyo’s ramen and more
Forget Tokyo go-karts – there’s a new way to sightsee on four wheels in Japan
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
The adorable, delicious joy of the Totoro cream puff gift box[Taste test]
Family Mart Japan installs red-eyed “Monster Wolf” to keep bears away from convenience store
Beautiful new dangling Totoro socks let the Ghibli mascot sway with every step[Photos]
Starbucks Japan reopens Shinkansen platform store after redesigning it for speed
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Japan opens shrine for plush toys in Kyoto, offering memorial rites and a resting place for remains
Japanese theme park adding Immersive Death Game with a “bomb collar” you have to wear
Totoro Soot Sprites are here to help keep your organized as adorable paper clips[Photos]
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Tokyo cops arrest foreigner for suspected visa violation, don’t know what new residence cards look like
Starbucks Japan creates special drink bottle bags, adorable stickers for all 47 prefectures[Pics]
Nintendo’s Animal Crossing crosses over to Baskin-Robbins Japan with special ice cream and merch
Japan launches first overnight Shinkansen bullet train between Tokyo and Osaka this summer
Studio Ghibli store Donguri Republic announces opening of first-ever store in America