The School
The reference context in the Universe of Person (starting from the first chapter) has always been that of higher education, which in Japan ha
s a three-year duration, unlike, for example, the five-year-old Italian. Generally, it is the most “exploited” period of products targeted at young people such as
souls or manga, since it is considered by Japanese as one of the most beautiful and significant moments of their lives, the one that remembers with more affection and nostalgia. Love, friendships, examinations, trips, sports clubs are just a few of the many things that you live intensively during that school year and that, as a result,
you can also revive yourself in Persona .
By playing the series titles, the first thing you will notice is that the school year begins in April and ends in March of the following year, and school days range from Mo
nday to Saturday from 8.30 am to 4 pm (except Saturday that is only half day). Obligatory school u
niform, which changes according to the season.
Periodically (about every two to three months), students are tested with a 5-day exam, which is why this period is called “Shiken Jigoku” or ”
The Hearing of Exams”. The results of the exams are then publicly posted on the school board, which is to spur the competition and the desire to take the lead, as the best students often receive various benefits and privileges. Not by chance,, to be first in classics increases the level of “Charm” with other students.
Clubs
The school clubs are som
ething that is totally foreign to us in Italy, even though they can conceptually be categorically cataloged for common “extracurricular” activities. In the Japanese schools, clubs are really, but very seriously, because they lay the foundation of socialization and d
iscipline in young students to prepare them for the future, difficult and complex adult world, which in Japan is a rather hot topic, as well as a of the main themes in Person 5 .
The most famous and popular club activities are, of course, those related to the sport world (such as Swimming and Kendo in Person 3 , Soccer and Basketball Person 4), but there are also others related to culture such as art, music, photography ( Person 3) and acting ( Person 4 ).
Each club must be co
mposed of at least 5 people and necessarily require the supervision of a teacher and the permission of the student council, which will literally provide a minimum budget for the purchase of any necessary tools and equipment. Thus comes into play the importance of economics and money management, which lead to greater accountability of our alter ego.
Timetables for clubs are those afternoon after lunch, and can often be extended until late in the evening for important events. In th
e case of sports, sometimes participation in training requires the presence of members of the club even in the morning before the lessons. This is because the opportunity to make a career and become noticeable in a competitive environment is the case during tournaments and interschool events. then leading to the participation of regional or even national competitions.
Leisure and Leisure
What do Japanese students do when they are not in school or do business with a club? Obviously there is no definite answer that can be given except that of “dependence”. Certainly, what we can tell you is that in Japan, especially in big cities, there is no lack o
f entertainment, as long as there is conscience in place with the tasks and subjects to study, as evidenced by the la
rge number of students scattered in libraries or in the cafè bini on the books to go over sipping a tea or a hot chocolate.
Surely, among the major and famous distractions in the land of Japan there are surely the games halls, now almost extinct. Huge palaces made up of multiple floors filled with cruisers where all possible and unimaginable video games are running. O
r, Karaoke, another of the most popular and favorite pastimes that sees groups of friends (or even singles) delight in singing and
singing, as embarrassment does not exist in those contexts.
There are those who just love reading (especially when you are in the metro), shopping in the best shopping malls (Everyday is great at your Jun
es, I bet you’ve read it singing), go to the movies or even eat what you like so much to the adorable Chie Satonaka in Person 4, especially when there is meat in the dance. In Japan, snacking bars are on the agenda, open until late (some even 24 hours a day, 7 days a week), with a variety of styles and cuisine that should not be underestimated.
Holidays
Students in compulsory schools in Italy must feel lucky because they can enjoy almost 6 months of holiday for each school year thanks to the many holidays and summer breaks. For Japanese students, however, the moments of relaxation and leisure come a
bout 3 months and for that reason they try to exploit every single day away from school to the best. In Person, usually it is highlighted by 3 special holiday periods: the golden week, the summer and winter breaks that include Christmas and New Year.
The Golden Week, for those who did not know it, is the week from April 29 to May 5, and is considered the “Golden Week” as more festivities consecutively: emperor’s birthday (April 29), party of the Constitution (May 3rd), People’s Day (May 4), Children’s Day (May 5th).
The summer break, however, includes about 6 weeks of vacation starting from the last week of July to the first of September. It is clearly the ideal time for trips and trips with friends and, as a Person teaches us, it simply means: sea, beach, sun and, of course, bikini girls.
Let’s not forget, however, that without money, and for many students, the summer break is also the ideal time for part-time jobs in order to get some sums to be put aside and invest later on.
Towards the end of August, then, the so-called Matsuri, or festival of summer, is unavoidable, where boys and girls (mostly the latter) go by wearing Yukata, the typical common kimono summer. During the festival, many stalls are set up near the temples by providing a variety of activities and, above all, typical Japanese street food. In Person, there is no better Matsuri summer time to flirt with the girls and see them in Yukata. A very similar thing happens during New Year’s Eve, where it is impermanent to go to the temple to pray to the gods for the coming year to come.
