
According to his shirt, this guy isn’t just “huge in Japan”, he’s huge somewhere else too.
While the English language consists of 26 characters, the Japanese language contains thousands of characters, ranging from a simple stroke to represent the number one, all the way through to 84 strokes, for complicated surnames.
These strokes make even common words look beautiful — so beautiful, in fact, that some people want to wear them as a style statement, despite not being able to read what they say. That’s given us reason to laugh before, like when Lily-Rose Depp wore a shirt with kanji that read “arguments welcome”, and now it’s making us laugh again, thanks to a scene from U.S. TV show Chuck that resurfaced recently.
Chuck ran from 2007-2012, but is still available to watch on streaming platforms, where new generations of audiences can experience the show for the first time. And if you’re a first-time viewer who can read Japanese, you might want to keep an eye out for episode two of season two (“Chuck Versus the Seduction”), where the character of Morgan, played by Joshua Gomez, wears this T-shirt below.
海外ドラマって突然の謎な日本文化とか出てきたりするけど、二度見した。
— 吉田 瑳矩果 SakuraYoshida (@SAKURA__harp) November 21, 2020
ハープ奏者がこんなツイートしていいのかわからないけど、とにかく二度見した。字幕も意味深に見えてくる。 pic.twitter.com/ft8z1OylQb
As you can see, the shirt has “I’m huge in Japan” written on it in English. Below it are two kanji characters, which people might assume is the Japanese translation, but…it isn’t exactly.
The first character “巨” does mean “huge” in Japanese, but when combined with the kanji “根” (“root“) after it, it becomes “kyokon“, which means…well, “huge penis”.
Needless to say, online commenters had a good chuckle over the shirt, especially given that it was broadcast to audiences across America without any problems when it first aired over a decade ago.
“Hahahaha ‘huge in Japan’ has a double meaning!”
“This made me laugh out loud when I saw it!”
“Well, okay, Mr Big Penis!”
“I bet they did this on purpose because it matches the character!”
“I envy his self-confidence!”
“I guess we can’t talk – shirts with English written on them in Japan are just as crazy!“
“At least he didn’t get this inked on him forever as a tattoo!”
It’s true that things could’ve been worse if this was a permanent tattoo. Just ask Ariana Grande, who got “7 Rings” tattooed onto her palm, only to realise later that the characters for “7” and “Rings” become “Japanese barbecue grill” when read together.
Source: Hachima Kikou
Featured image: Pakutaso
● Want to hear about SoraNews24’s latest articles as soon as they’re published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

“Do honky” command Japanese TV show’s T-shirts
Hey, “cool guy!” Here’s why you should double-check the meaning of your Japanese kanji T-shirt
New Studio Ghibli Uniqlo T-shirt line coming to the U.S., Japan left out once again【Photos】
Kyoto temple bans visitors from wearing kimono
Starbucks Japan adds new Sweet Potato Frappuccino and Latte to the menu, but do they deliver the taste of autumn?
Japan’s first fall color forecast for 2026 is here!
American tourist in Japan arrested on charges of attempted murder and arson
A real-world Pokémon Poké Ball hotel is opening in Japan at a still-secret location [Video]
Starbucks Japan reveals new Tsukimi Moon-Viewing drinkware and gifts for autumn 2026
German woman rescued from Mt. Fuji after suffering altitude sickness symptoms, hiking to peak anyway
Solo travel in Japan: $3 all-you-can-drink deal at this conveyor belt restaurant is a fun time for one
Japan’s revolving sushi restaurant king Sushiro coming to U.S. this fall with high prices, no tipping
Mini CRT-lookalike Final Fantasy figurines are awesome pixel art music boxes [Video]
Japan’s final Penguin Suica train cards have already shipped, and when they’re gone, they’re gone
Studio Ghibli unveils new anime calendars and diary planners for 2027
Solo travel in Japan: Hidden beer garden in Tokyo is a haven for single visitors
Hobonichi unveils new 2027 planners, diaries and stationery with One Piece, Suica Penguin, Hello Kitty and a must-buy Mini Techo
Farewell Final Ceremony announced for Tokyo’s life-size Gundam statue, will stream live
Family Mart releases new Human Made Cup Noodle in Japan, with freebies for Nigo fans
Japan approves foreign resident visa renewal fee increases of up to 967 percent, starts soon
One Piece Day 2026 brings new art, music, and new cast announcements
Hikaru Utada sings new song in Shinkansen commercial for Japan’s Supreme Class cabins
12-year-old British girl who went missing in Tokyo found safe after visiting anime sites around Yokohama
7-year-old boy left behind on Mt. Fuji by his own dad
Sushi Bus: Japan’s first conveyor-belt bus lets you eat sushi while sightseeing around Tokyo
Pokémon Center Online designates first Pokémon items that will require Japanese ID card to buy
Japanese toilet aims to attract foreign tourists but not everybody is happy about it
New Japanese vending machine at Shinkansen station sells cups of ice on platform
Study finds hundreds of people in Indonesia legally named after Naruto, Inuyasha, other anime stars
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】