Again, I'd like to reiterate that I'm not bashing people who don't know much about Japan, I just wanted to help and let people know of some mistakes I've found and that I'd like to help correct those. I really don't mean to be extremely picky.

This is what Mystic Blue had to say-

Anyway! The review was going to go on to contribute some of my own examples of fics
that have errors.
Here are some...
1) English names. Okay people, if Hitomi is in Japan, then her neighbours/friends/classmates
would not have ENGLISH names. You have no idea how frequently I see that Hitomi's roommate
or friend is named "Tony", "Kevin", "Sarah", etc.
2) Stop giving Hitomi's brother a made up name. And if you insist on replacing yours with the
real one, at least make it JAPANESE. It's completely illogical to name him "Jason" or "Corey".
His real name, as given to him by the makers of Esca, is Mamoru.
3) Don't mix english with Japanese. If you're writing a story in English (or whatever language),
then make it entirely in that language. Hundreds of anime fics here frequently use Japanese
in their stories, for just little clips at a time, and it's distracting. Those who do this may think
they're demonstrating their "coolness" by using simple words that in truth, most anime-sub
watchers know as well (eg. Baka, Aishiteru, Hai, Iie, Hontou, etc....). People should learn that
Japanese is not a language that should be used in stories for synonym purposes. If you are truly
unable to think of a better word for "idiot", resist the urge to use "baka" and actually look up the
english word in a thesaurus.
4) Okay, one of the major errors. If Hitomi goes back in a fic (which usually happens), she and Van
are all cold footed.
Van: "She's so beautiful! But I can't tell her, because she'll reject me... she probably doesn't feel the same
way...."
Okay, wrong. Some fics sidestep this by inserting a "still" somewhere in the last phrase. But those who don't
should be reminded of something.
In episode 26 (23 in the cut), the FINAL episode, Allen and Van are fighting. Hitomi watches and then cries out,
"Stop it Van!" thus sending them both into a different dimension. THey are BOTH there. They are both speaking
of their own accord. Hitomi is not playing ventriloquist with Van, he is THERE and SPEAKING. He drifts off for a while
as Folken explains the reaction of fate and whatnot to Hitomi. When she gets it, she says, "I... I think I'm in love
with Van. Yes! The smell of the fields... Van's smell... I love you, Van."
To which, Van cries, "Hitomi!" and his eyes widen at her confession.
HE HEARD HER CONFESSION! His reaction just as she said it is far too coinciding to be a simple coincident. Yet, in
many VH fanfics, Van is always in doubt about whether or not Hitomi loves him. Um, HELLO. She TOLD you she did.
What more do you want? A large banner ad professing it?
5) Another LARGE one. Some fics have Hitomi going back a few months after. Or have her overwhelmingly depressed
a few months later. For those authors who do this, there is something you should know.
That scene in the final episode where Hitomi is standing waiting for the train and sees Van takes place (drumroll please)
ONE YEAR LATER!
She says she's fine... and she genuinely looks it. And she's not on Gaia.

~~Okay, that's my beef. LOL. IF you're making another chapter you can use these examples if you want.
Good job. I'm glad someone finally spoke up about errors. Maybe from now on we'll see some more worthy-of-reading fics.
^_~

Thanks for leaving a review. I will use your long one you left for the next section, but I'll have to tell you I sorta disagree with one part, not to annoy you, just my view.

I think it's okay to use a *little* bit of Japanese just for emphasis (I hope I spelled that correctly) Since they are probably speaking some Japanese. But I do find it annoying if it's half Japanese and half English, or what I'd like to call: Janglish.

I find that some Japanese words are hard to translate like "mou!" which doesn't mean "jerk!"(although it's pretty close) as it was translated in the subtitles, more like an angry groan or exclamation. Other than that I think they should just pick a language and go. I mean, even in real conversations you might use a few words of another language, like me. I sometimes mumble "Itte" rather than "ouch" when I hurt myself, but then again it may be because I'm more comfortable using it (Japanese was my first language, although I grew up in America. My mom is Japanese.)

Anyways, thanks for your input.

-Lea aka LSR_7

About not having Japanese names to use, I would understand because it would be hard to figure out a Japanese name, just as it would be hard for me to come up with a Polish or Russian name.

There was a question of why characters in anime looked western and not Asian. My mom said that it's probably wishful thinking (remember, she's Japanese, so please don't blame me, it's what she said) Like having long legs, big eyes, different colored hair, eyes, etc. My opinion is that they look cool and are meant to attract people to watch them. My mom also says it's also a mind complex about being short, but these days the younger generation of Japan are taller.

School

School starts in the Spring and ends in winter. I believe you get a four week summer vacation and a two week winter vacation. There are a couple other vacations around, but I don't want to wake Mom up to get exact dates, I'll do that some other time. I think in Japan they have 280 days of school while most schools in America is 180 days. I'll edit this and re-post it so I don't leave too many bloops.

Weddings

Guess what? I really don't have a problem with this! LOL. But just to let you guys know weddings can be done traditionally or western or both! My mom and dad did both. Apparently Mom had to change four times! What I know for certain is this. She wore a white kimono to show how colorless her life is (something like that) then a colorful one since getting married to a man is a joyful occasion. From there she changed into a traditional Western white wedding gown and Dad was in a suit. Before Dad dressed in a suit he wore the traditional Japanese black top and the black and white striped bottom.

(March 23, 2002

On the radio with John Tesh 98.9 FM it was the annual wedding fest or whatever. According to Mr. Tesh in Japan and in China the women wore white to symbolize death since in the olden days when a woman married she moved to her husband's place and usually didn't see her family again.)

At a wedding there is something like the best man and maid of honor, except a little bit different. They take care of the guests. They originally were the people that introduced the couple to each other.

Your friends talk about you at the reception like what we do here in front of everyone.

Gifts are mostly money (toasters? lol) and it is the duty of the newly wedded couple to give them gifts later on that are about the same value. A thank you card is not enough. This is true in other situations, not just weddings. When you receive a gift you give one back of about equal value, or if they gave you a really expensive gift at least half of the value. For example: My aunt gave me $100 for gradutaing high school, I(or Mom) would send back a gift about $50 worth, more or less.

More on Schools

In Jr. high and high school there are uniforms. "Sailor" uniforms are the most popular in middle and high school for girls. Girls usually wear a pleated skirt about knee length and most likely a white blouse or with the "sailor" flap and a ribbon/tie. Guys wear trousers and a dress shirt. There are usually two different uniforms, one for cold weather and one for warm weather. There are dates of when everybody needs to wear their different uniforms. Warm weather uniforms are generally short sleeved while cold weather uniforms are a little thicker and long sleeved. The most popular color for uniforms is navy blue. There are uniform jackets and back packs.

I think that's all I can think of for now. Please ask questions, they are welcomed.

I'll try to edit and re-post this at a later date. If you want a few Japanese names, I think I can help you out. I don't think I know enough to start a list and post yet.

Thanks.

-Lea aka LSR_7