Longtime LiA supporter Casey W. requested me to jot down one thing concerning the grocery store and its place in Japanese life (and anime). As ordinary with these tasks, it is really a reasonably large matter. Konbini (typically Romanized as “conbini”) is a type of American establishments that takes on a remarkably completely different kind on this nation (very similar to the phrase itself does). I grew up within the US with 7-Elevens and Ampm et al. and native chains in Chicago like Little Crimson Hen (which I feel is gone now). That was my thought of what a grocery store was. However as soon as I got here to Japan – visiting was sufficient, I did not even must reside right here – I noticed that konbini was one thing fully completely different.
How else? Briefly, they’re simply a lot better. There’s fairly all kinds of ready dishes. Not a lot of it’s wholesome and it is not often nice, nevertheless it’s tasty and is usually a godsend while you’re determined. Throughout the interval of 30/30-1/3 (roughly) when the nation is essentially closed, together with supermarkets and eating places, konbini are the one recreation for buying in lots of cities. Each main chain has its personal line of pastries, a few of that are fairly strong (7-Eleven lately had one thing known as “Florentine Almond Cake” that was otherworldly).
Konbini in Japan are additionally locations the place you’ll be able to pay your payments, which have a UPC code. You should buy tickets for sports activities, films or occasions. You’ll be able to print and replica. You’ll be able to ship letters and packages, or organize for deliveries to be collected from you. Yow will discover a (predictably pristine) rest room. Should you discover one with seating, this can be a comfy place to go the time. Briefly, they reside as much as their identify – they’re an amazing comfort for on a regular basis life. Supermarkets are cheaper for many issues and have extra selection (most konbini are very lean in produce and don’t include uncooked meat or fish). However there are most likely 20 konbini for each suupaa, and virtually all of them are open 24 hours a day. You turn out to be depending on them to an extent you do not even understand.
Nationally, there are enormous chains that dominate the sphere: 7-Eleven (nothing like its American namesakes), Household Mart and Lawson. Collectively, that is greater than 90% of the shops on the market, and everybody – everybody – has a private favourite, for private and typically nonsensical causes. Personally, I like Fukuoka-based Lawson as a result of they’ve the perfect ¥100 espresso (a necessity in a rustic the place Starbucks costs virtually ¥400 for a brief drip). Household Mart is famous for his or her fried rooster “Famichiki,” and 7-Eleven is one thing of an all-rounder with presumably the perfect bakery choice (though I’ve doubts about that).
The remainder are primarily regional and native manufacturers and some one-off manufacturers – Each day Yamazaki (owned by Japan’s largest baking firm), Ministop (well-known for his or her mushy serve ice cream), NewDays, and so forth. Probably the most revered of those is Seicomart from Hokkaido. , which instructions the fierce loyalty of Hokkaido residents for his or her collection of native merchandise that spotlight Hokkaido’s produce, dairy and meat (collectively the perfect in Japan). They rank close to the highest of Konbini’s enormous annual buyer satisfaction survey, and plenty of of their merchandise function their inside model ‘Secoma’. In addition they promote heating oil in winter, a should in frigid Hokkaido. It is no marvel that there are much more individuals of their house nations than the large three.
The draw back to all this? The demise of the native mom-and-pop store – the type we see in animanga via nostalgia-coated glasses. They survive in small cities the place it’s much less worthwhile for the large guys to function (though they nonetheless do), however within the massive cities these native outlets with their ice cream, sweet and every kind of different issues are an endangered species fifty years later . the konbini chain was actually beginning to take off (it was the introduction of onigiri within the Seventies that actually helped them take off). The cruel reality is that they don’t seem to be almost as handy as their fashionable counterparts – my Kagurazaka neighborhood in Tokyo had one other one which I at all times instructed myself to help, however I often ended up with the Lawson or the 7- Eleven.
What about in anime? In fact, konbini play an enormous position in college students’ lives, and since most anime do, so do they about college students, they’re widespread. Konbini play a big half within the story Boku no Kokoro no Yabai Yatsuparticularly the “Fairy Mart” Anna and her hole leg seemingly doing enterprise on her personal (I visited the actual inspiration final December). In that sense, I feel the Japanese and American examples are comparatively related: comfort shops are kid-friendly locations to satisfy and hang around. They’re additionally essential in selling anime – Lawson was a pioneer on this, however all three giants are closely concerned in issues like themed product strains and particular art work that’s customized printed in shops.
They’re additionally locations the place virtually anybody, together with foreigners, can get a job. We see them as workplaces in exhibits just like the one at the moment airing Negaposi fisherman (which is unquestionably uncommon) and Yesterday with Utatteand they’re an essential employment possibility for individuals equivalent to faculty college students and even highschool college students on the lookout for part-time work. There are numerous different sequence through which konbini play a significant position. A latest favourite of mine is Kyuujitsu no Warumono-santhe place the native konbini – and his sensible and cheerful saleswoman – are a giant a part of Mr. Villain’s day by day routine. And that isn’t unrealistic: for a lot of Japanese (and expats) they’re a comforting a part of day by day life.
