ADVERTISEMENT

It is no secret that culture shock is real, and it can impact one's perspective. Especially if your home country is drastically different from the one you are visiting.

Evangeline Neo shared in her previous Bored Panda post that she studied in Japan, "Tokyo from 2010 to 2014, and noticed a lot of cultural differences". To navigate through them, she decided to portray her experience in the comic series called Evacomics. All of the comics can be found spread out over her two books: "Eva, Kopi and Matcha" and "Eva, Kopi and Matcha 2.0" which are available on Amazon and other eBook platforms (Kindle, iBooks, Google Books, and Kobo).

So today, we invite you to explore the differences and let us know in the comments if you have faced something similar as well.

To learn more about Evangeline and Evacomics, Bored Panda reached out to the artist. Read the full interview below.

More info: Instagram | Facebook | twitter.com | Patreon | evacomics.com

Evangeline has participated in a program that gave her a once-in-a-lifetime experience to study in Japan. We were wondering about her experience, as well as the inspiration behind her comics. She wrote: “I was on a scholarship program that had a mix of scholars from ASEAN countries to Japan to study. The scholarship focused on cultural exchange between ASEAN countries and Japan, so we needed to work with the Japanese office to organize events and give talks about our countries to Japanese, as well as to go on cultural trips and events around Japan to learn more about Japanese history, culture, and language. We also needed to write several reports in Japanese that were checked by the office. These activities took place while we were studying in our respective universities.”

“While working with the scholarship office, I was shocked about the differences in our behavior and expressions. For example, I didn't know that when they said 'it was difficult', it meant 'NO'. I thought it meant that there was room for negotiation. I later learned about 'kuuki wo yomeru', which translates to 'reading the air'. I was supposed to gather from their indirect expressions that it meant 'NO'. This kind of shocked me. At that time, I missed home a lot and found nobody comparing their countries to Japan, so I decided to do that to record what I experienced.”

ADVERTISEMENT

These days, when people are free to travel and live abroad fairly easily, a lot of them can relate to experiencing culture shock. Evangeline had a hard time in Japan, and her way to cope was to express her experiences in a comic. “I was frustrated at some parts of Japanese culture that I only found out when living there. Anime, manga, and drama usually paint a good picture and are different from actual experiences, like opening a bank account or trying to rent an apartment as a foreigner... I used to love Japanese culture a lot, but actually living there made me dislike the country more and more. It's strange that while drawing the comic strips, I brought out the goodness of Japan, and it sort of balanced out my perception. Talking with my readers and exchanging our views also helped me cope with my culture shock,” shared the creator of Evacomics.

#4

A Cartoonist Creates Cool Comics That Show Japan Is A Country Like No Other (New Pics)

evacomics Report

Add photo comments
POST
alicepatel avatar
mikeoxlong avatar
Mike Oxlong
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's wrong . I work in Japan 8 month and it's not like that. The boss will add more work for u. Some even sleep at work. Don't always think Japan is happy place of work . Literally 100+ people kill themselves cause overwork and stress and debt . They electricity bills is the highest paid of all Asian. 80% of citizens are in debt of electricity.

Load More Replies...
richardthomas_4 avatar
Richard Thomas
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

United States: No rpg game, no phone, stare at wall for rest of shift because you are on "company time"

ennioviau-liva avatar
Astrius
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wait, holup, can you not leave or is it just a bit shameful to do so early?

mikeoxlong avatar
Mike Oxlong
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's wrong . I work in Japan 8 month and it's not like that. The boss will add more work for u. Some even sleep at work. Don't always think Japan is happy place of work . Literally 100+ people kill themselves cause overwork and stress and debt . They electricity bills is the highest paid of all Asian. 80% of citizens are in debt of electricity.

Load More Replies...
marikofujita avatar
Mariko Fujita
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I feel this whole post should have been called "how someone visiting Japan for a very short time feels Japan is always." Because I haven't seen a true one yet.

aeden avatar
Aeden
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Meanwhile in the US: I've finished my work, but I have to look busy so I don't get yelled at.

angeltg avatar
ANGEL TG
Community Member
10 months ago

This comment has been deleted.

joshuaretzloff avatar
Joshua Retzloff
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think these comics are pro Asia glossing over things and ignoring facts. Just because you like Asia doesn't mean they don't have problems...

ernestkovach avatar
Ernest Kovach
Community Member
10 months ago

Cute!

nachtfalter407 avatar
Baleygr
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Japanese has a word for dying from being overworked. Yeah, totally cute...

Load More Replies...
View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT

We were wondering what motivated Evangeline to share her comics with wider audiences. She shared: “I've always posted comics online. Just that before Facebook came, it was on blogging platforms. Back then, I didn't have many followers on my FB page. Half were my friends whom I forced them to like. I was trying to find my niche and a topic that they like too, so I picked Japan. I thought it was a good idea because I was studying there, and the scholarship activities made me learn more deeply about Japanese culture instead of just on a superficial level. My first comic went viral. For the first time, there were strangers liking, commenting, and sharing my comics. So I decided to make more of such comic strips and see if I could compile them into comic books, which was my dream.”

#6

A Cartoonist Creates Cool Comics That Show Japan Is A Country Like No Other (New Pics)

evacomics Report

Add photo comments
POST
virivirikit avatar
Ridiant
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wasn't the privacy concern mentioned a problem with people taking pics up dresses?

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

Evangeline has created over 300 comic strips about cultural differences. Therefore, we wanted to know how she managed to maintain the consistency and quality of her work.

“Initially, it was easy because I was in Japan, and I had a lot to say. It got harder and harder after I graduated and returned to Singapore, my home country. My target was to compile them into 2 books, so I had a rough quantity in mind to work towards. Talking with my readers in the comments also helped me think of new topics to draw, so that was how I managed to churn out so many comic strips on the cultural differences,” shared Evangeline.

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
#9

A Cartoonist Creates Cool Comics That Show Japan Is A Country Like No Other (New Pics)

evacomics Report

Add photo comments
POST
alicepatel avatar
Arunika R.
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Honestly, eating while walking is not very comfortable either. I'd either end up spilling everything on the road or choking.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

Now Evangeline covers more topics through her comics, so if you like her style, make sure to follow more on her Instagram. As for the future, the artist shared: “I'm actually quite busy with commissioned work now, but I always find time to draw and upload new comics every Monday on my social media channels. I've drawn comics on yoga before (which was a success) and Chinese metaphysics (which didn't work out). So now I don't have a consistent theme in mind and just draw whatever comes to my mind. I had thought about conducting regular classes and YouTube videos to teach drawing, but maybe when I have time…”

And lastly, Evangeline added: “Thank you for reading my comics and my brief interview. Hope to see you all on my social media channels too. Wishing all of you good health and dreams come true!”

#10

A Cartoonist Creates Cool Comics That Show Japan Is A Country Like No Other (New Pics)

evacomics Report

Add photo comments
POST
cali-tabby-katz avatar
Lakota Wolf
Community Member
10 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've been to several Comic-Cons here in the US. There are plenty of cosplayers dis(cos)playing their hajoobaloobs there too. And plenty of fan art of characters with their chi-chi-chongas in prominent view. And plenty of "Rule 34" fanart as well XD Maybe it's worse in Japan because of the pervasive culture of anime and manga, but just sayin', the the US it can be just as exploitative/gazonga-filled at conventions.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#11

A Cartoonist Creates Cool Comics That Show Japan Is A Country Like No Other (New Pics)

evacomics Report

Add photo comments
POST
ashconner avatar
Ash Conner
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

People in the USA don't respect other people's stuff alot. It is not just the package handlers.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#12

A Cartoonist Creates Cool Comics That Show Japan Is A Country Like No Other (New Pics)

evacomics Report

Add photo comments
POST
adaml_3 avatar
Adam L
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

At least in my area in the US, we recycle every other week, and the recycle barrels are the same size as the trash barrels..... do they want us to recycle or not????

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#19

A Cartoonist Creates Cool Comics That Show Japan Is A Country Like No Other (New Pics)

evacomics Report

Add photo comments
POST
kar_wo_li avatar
Mr.Li
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I give the point to Singapore. prefer a clear No, instead of being on hold

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#20

A Cartoonist Creates Cool Comics That Show Japan Is A Country Like No Other (New Pics)

evacomics Report

Add photo comments
POST
klynch4 avatar
LokisLilButterknife
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hah hah, I think I would much prefer the Singaporean approach to getting to know business partners and colleagues. People always seem more jovial and relaxed over a tasty meal.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#22

A Cartoonist Creates Cool Comics That Show Japan Is A Country Like No Other (New Pics)

evacomics Report

Add photo comments
POST
takamimi33 avatar
Omima mimi miki
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This one could never be more truer - you have to go through so many stages to get a job in japan and like you could reach the final stage and then boom not hired..lol

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#24

A Cartoonist Creates Cool Comics That Show Japan Is A Country Like No Other (New Pics)

evacomics Report

Add photo comments
POST
rayewest avatar
Raye West
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I had to use a laundry mat one time here in America and it was quite a bit of it so I took up two washing machines and when I got a phone call and had to leave real quick and ended up not being quick and came back 2 hours later and they were already out of the dryer and folded LOL

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#28

A Cartoonist Creates Cool Comics That Show Japan Is A Country Like No Other (New Pics)

evacomics Report

Add photo comments
POST
stefaniepatterson avatar
BluEyedSeoulite
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's easy in Korea. Acquaintance gets $50, friends&family get $100. Super close friends or family, more but no idea. My his and once gave 2 really close friends of his $400 for each of their weddings which were on the same weekend. It was an expensive month...

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#31

A Cartoonist Creates Cool Comics That Show Japan Is A Country Like No Other (New Pics)

evacomics Report

Add photo comments
POST
2cwiz avatar
unseeable mouse
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I just wanna know why there's a bunch of penguins. Did ppl turn into them?? Are they replacing ppl?

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
See Also on Bored Panda
#32

A Cartoonist Creates Cool Comics That Show Japan Is A Country Like No Other (New Pics)

evacomics Report

Add photo comments
POST
sharonlafantastica avatar
Weasel Wise
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No government should be telling its people what times thet can and cannot consume something. It it's legal, let it be legal without politicians being everyone's mother (looking at you, Utah😒).

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#35

A Cartoonist Creates Cool Comics That Show Japan Is A Country Like No Other (New Pics)

evacomics Report

Add photo comments
POST
rayewest avatar
Raye West
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Now THIS is something you wont catch us Americans without ANY WHERE. Air conditioning is normal and on 24/7. Too dang hot and humid for that

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

Note: this post originally had 49 images. It’s been shortened to the top 35 images based on user votes.