Perhaps so, except the girls always give something to the boys, and it is always chocolate (though rarely chocolate hearts). Clever writers use whether, how, and when the heroine gives chocolate to the hero (and whether, how, and when he accepts it) to further the relationship. (In yaoi, one male character will often protest the other male character receiving chocolates from "the girls." Sometimes, in yaoi, the male characters will agree to exchange chocolates despite deep embarrassment. Not Sato, of course.)
Does this Valentine's Day ritual happen in Japan? Is it an imported custom? An imported custom with a twist? Or just a plot idea by one writer that turned into a manga motif?
Eugene: Yes, this particular version of Valentine's Day is a real custom throughout Northeast Asia. It really took off after the war thanks to the obvious commercial interests and a brilliant ad campaign. (As did the practice in Japan of eating Kentucky Fried Chicken on Christmas. No kidding.)
It has brought about the inevitable backlash: secretaries feeling duty-bound to give chocolates to the guys in their office (called giri-choko or "obligation chocolate"). Which, of course, has led to the important distinction between a cheap box you bought at the store and chocolates lovingly hand-made.
It has brought about the inevitable backlash: secretaries feeling duty-bound to give chocolates to the guys in their office (called giri-choko or "obligation chocolate"). Which, of course, has led to the important distinction between a cheap box you bought at the store and chocolates lovingly hand-made.
And, of course, the sight of the popular guys raking in all the good stuff (a standard scene in anime is a popular guy's locker stuffed to overflowing with boxes of chocolates).
It's not a one-sided affair. Valentine's is followed by "White Day" (March 14), when boys give chocolates (or other gifts) to girls. As you might imagine, it's not something guys tend to get passionate about (unless they have a real reason to), and they approach the occasion in a more pro forma manner.
Lately, Christmas Eve (not an official holiday in Japan but a big commercial blow-out) has become the real "Valentine's Day," when serious couples indulge in lavish demonstrations of affection, get engaged, that sort of thing.
It's not a one-sided affair. Valentine's is followed by "White Day" (March 14), when boys give chocolates (or other gifts) to girls. As you might imagine, it's not something guys tend to get passionate about (unless they have a real reason to), and they approach the occasion in a more pro forma manner.
Lately, Christmas Eve (not an official holiday in Japan but a big commercial blow-out) has become the real "Valentine's Day," when serious couples indulge in lavish demonstrations of affection, get engaged, that sort of thing.
Kate: The comment about "obligation chocolate" made me laugh. In one manga, teen boys explain the ritual to a Japanese-American female student; they add with utterly undisguised hope, "And sometimes, the girls even give chocolate to guys they don't like!"
(Of course, the noble hero never accepts chocolate except from the heroine--which is, generally speaking, totally unrealistic, but sweet nonetheless.)
