Go Tokyo Your Experience
In recent years, the phenomenon of “young people not buying cars” has frequently appeared in Japanese news and online discussions. As a giant in the global automotive manufacturing industry, this change in Japan undoubtedly has an impact on its economy. The public generally believes that convenient public transportation, high car maintenance costs, and lower salary levels are the main reasons for this trend.
However, a recent Japanese netizen has put forward an interesting viewpoint: the trend in anime from another world may also affect young people’s attitudes towards cars. Let’s explore the logic behind this viewpoint together.
In some news in Japan, the decline in the number of young people taking driver’s license exams has attracted attention, and even concerns that it will affect the future of the transportation industry.
News headlines such as’ Young people don’t buy cars (if their cars leave) ‘have always attracted the public’s attention.
Analysts have expressed their opinions, and a user nicknamed “ネギ” has brought a new perspective by explaining the weakening interest of modern young people in private cars through anime and novels from another world.
Investigation: Young people not buying cars and reincarnation in another world
This netizen pointed out that in many modern alternate world novels and animations, characters usually choose to move on foot or teleport, and the situation of riding in a vehicle is relatively rare.
Even if sometimes relying on the merchant’s carriage, it is not personally owned by the character. This setting seems to reflect the changing demand for private cars among modern people.
To some extent, these works omit plot descriptions related to cars, such as the joy of getting a new car, the troubles of maintaining the car, and the adventures and beautiful scenery on the journey.
He further pointed out that the flying turtle “Syrup” in “I’m Afraid of Pain, Just Boost Your Defense” also served as a means of transportation for the protagonist and friends, which may be the most similar setting to a private car. However, overall, the depiction of private cars in modern works is still scarce.
This netizen suggested that perhaps science fiction works can stimulate interest in cars. By depicting magnificent future technologies, perhaps people can develop a desire to own a private car. Adding such descriptions in novels or animations may evoke some longing for future modes of transportation, especially if they depict exclusive vehicles that are as futuristic as spaceships.
Japanese netizens have different reactions to this viewpoint. Some netizens agree that private cars are rarely seen in anime nowadays.
Some netizens also pointed out that the ability to move quickly, such as teleportation and flight, has largely replaced the functions of traditional transportation.
However, there are also voices questioning whether the author omitted the background setting or unnecessary plot descriptions.
Some people point out that many otherworldly themes focus on helping people who are not satisfied in reality achieve their dreams, naturally avoiding scenes that may cause frustration in reality, such as owning expensive transportation.
In the process of discussing the popularization of private cars, some netizens believe that the transportation infrastructure in mainland China is not yet perfect, making it more practical for animals or other creatures to travel through rugged terrain.
Overall, this new perspective of interpreting social phenomena from entertainment works does provide a unique analytical dimension for the topic of ‘young people not buying cars’.
If the novel of another world really wants to focus on cars, it may really be a car equipped with beautiful girl AI.