Are you Japanese, American, Korean or Chinese when it comes to smartphone game transactions?
If there’s one thing the internet loves to do, it’s compare countries to each other via online lists and videos. Whether it’s objective facts being compared, showing how different countries pronounce the word “transformer,” or simply summing up different countries in one phrase, nothing gets the patriotic blood boiling like a good country comparison.
And one of the latest comparisons gaining popularity online is a comic that shows off four different reasons that people from Japan, the U.S., Korea and China spend money on smartphone games.
How accurate is it? Take a look here and decide for yourself: (translation below)
https://twitter.com/croud_minato/status/792858279231705088Japan
I want to collect
Spends money to complete a personal collection by accumulating characters and new records.
“Yes! I finally got the character I wanted. It’s super rare.”U.S.A.
I want to enjoy the game more
Spends money to expand the game via new levels and stages.
“Since I’ve enjoyed the game, I’ll spend money on it. That makes sense, right?”Korea
I want to beat the game
Spends money on items and other things to help complete the game’s goals faster
“I don’t want to go slow through this game. It’s fun!”China
Wants to win in competition with others
Spends money to beat other players, become stronger, and stand out.
“I love battling! My heart is pumping!”
For reference, the comic is based on the 2015 EEDAR report titled Deconstructing Mobile and Tablet Gaming. So there is some data-backed basis for the trends portrayed in the comic.
Personally, I find it to be fairly accurate for myself. As an American, the only reason I’ve ever spent money on a smartphone game was to get more levels and enjoy the game more. I couldn’t imagine spending money to complete a collection, get through it faster, or to beat friends. But I’m sure there are people who spend money for those reasons and think I’m crazy too.
Here’s how Japanese netizens reacted online:
“Yup. Seems accurate.”
“Right on the nose for Japan.”
“I feel like the U.S. one kind of applies for everyone.”
“The China character is so cute….”
“No way! The U.S. character is where it’s at.”
Putting aside who you think is the cutest of the comic’s characters, which of the four do you most identify with? Does it match with your home country? Let us know in the comments so we can find out how many of us have our hearts in one country and our smartphone-spending-habits in another.
Source: Twitter/@croud_minato via Otakomu
Featured image: Twitter/@croud_minato

Japan’s extremely harsh video game reviews may be the reason it gets some new releases last
Why do Japanese gamers spend so much more money on mobile games than anyone else?
Japanese smartphone users rank the 10 mobile phone games they play the most
The reason why Nintendo’s Super Mario smartphone game won’t have in-app purchases is brilliant
Hardcore Pokémon fans in Japan are spending a TON of money on Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket
Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
Japan’s new Pokémon jackets give you the look and powers of the Kanto starter trio
Lipton releases… Pudding Milk Tea in Japan?!?
Viral tweet suggests Japanese convenience store ripping off customers with donuts, so we investigate
Studio Ghibli releases new anime keychains that are like miniature figurines
Retro-style Evangelion T-shirts coming to Uniqlo sister brand GU[Photos]
Japanese people share 11 amusing tales relating to pregnancy and childbirth
Sega opening 65th anniversary store in downtotn Tokyo with deep-cut game merch
Shinto shrine will bless your bike helmet and give you a sacred bike helmet stamp
Bandai cancels gacha/blind-buy system for anime cosmetics, will let fans choose what they buy
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Brand-new Square Enix Cafe to open in Tokyo…and in Los Angeles too!
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Tifa’s Final Fantasy VII bar is going to pop up in real-world Tokyo
Studio Ghibli launches huge new anime movie T-shirt collection with special design details
Hello Kitty is now a transforming truck robot[Photos]
Tsujihan sushi bowl restaurant goes viral with foreign tourists, but is it worth the hype?
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan
Japan’s awesomely beautiful Alpen Route snow corridor is now open
Injuries on stairs in Tokyo highlight an overlooked design flaw
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
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]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
The top 10 mobile games that Japanese people spent the most money on in 2018
Japanese console game market shrinks to nearly one-third its size ten years ago
Why doesn’t Japan like first-person shooters? Old characters and World War II, says Sega exec
【TGS 2012】 WeMade Entertainment Impressions: Farmville-Meets-Final Fantasy App “Hero Square,” Mobile MMO “Arc Sphere” and Social Game Clones for All!