Comments on: Weekly Recon, 8/15/07

By: Katherine Dacey-Tsuei

Katherine Dacey-Tsuei — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 15:51:13 +0000

That would certainly explain the Gaijin Do the Stupidest Things! tone of the book.

By: Aven Chati

Aven Chati — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 01:50:27 +0000

hey, a little anonymous info from someone who knows some of these people… Isaac was involved in the creation of this when he was at DMI, and the original idea, but it was completed after he left and the details of the story were scripted by the Japanese artist. I’m sure Isaac could elaborate more on exactly what he did and didn’t do… but I’m guessing what you’re really looking at here is a look at how a Japanese mangs-ka sees American tourists. Yikes.

By: Katherine Dacey-Tsuei

Katherine Dacey-Tsuei — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 00:50:32 +0000

I hope other readers see your comment, Joe, as I tried to make it clear that I was discussing the character, not the former DMP/JPT employee. Thanks for the clarification!

By: Joe Dizzle

Joe Dizzle — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 23:47:48 +0000

Hey guys, just wanted to clarify the Isaac in this manga is BASED on Isaac but nothing like the actual guy himself.

The real Isaac is a great guy and speaks TONS of Japanese. He’d never violate Japanese cultural norms as he’s been there over a dozen times.

This might be an okay comic (well apparantly not from the review), but it doesn’t represent the Isaac/Aka-san I know.

By: Katherine Dacey-Tsuei

Katherine Dacey-Tsuei — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 02:56:39 +0000

I don’t usually give make-ups, but you do get an A for responding to a tough review with an awesome sense of humor.

By: jake myler

jake myler — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 23:42:20 +0000

Aww man! I never have gotten a C in my life! Is there any chance that I could retake the test? This is totally going to screw with my grade point average.
I’ll study better next time I swear!

By: Katherine Dacey-Tsuei

Katherine Dacey-Tsuei — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 12:48:24 +0000

Thanks, Danielle–correction made. For some reason, I thought Fruits Basket was only 18 volumes.

By: danielle leigh

danielle leigh — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 12:25:13 +0000

hmmmm…first time I tried to comment the internet crapped out on me…

anyway, just a note that Fruits Basket 17 isn’t the penultimate volume since the series runs 23 volumes.

By: Jon Haehnle

Jon Haehnle — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 04:15:42 +0000

Never fear Kate, I think we knew you were talking about the way Isaac the character is portrayed, not the man himself.

By: Katherine Dacey-Tsuei

Katherine Dacey-Tsuei — Sun, 12 Aug 2007 23:29:00 +0000

Just to be clear: I’m referring to the way the character Isaac Lew is portrayed, not the real person. (In the book he’s a member of the tour, not the guide.) I’d certainly be curious to hear what the real Isaac Lew has to say about his manga counterpart; he may feel my assessment is way off base, especially if he knows the manga-ka.

By: Jon Haehnle

Jon Haehnle — Sun, 12 Aug 2007 23:10:39 +0000

PCS' Joe Doughrity actually went on a Pop Japan Travel tour a couple years ago with Isaac Lew as a tour guide. Joe made a short film -- Seven Days in Japan -- about the experience which won Best Documentary at San Diego Comic-Con 2005. I know Isaac actually left Pop Japan Travel a few months ago to start his own tour company, Intermixi. Now I've never met the guy, but from what I saw of him in Seven Days he seems like a very cool, personable, capable guide. (There's a bonus section on the DVD called Aka-San's True Japanese Stories that's greatly entertaining). I know Joe says he's cool people, and beyond that, it seems like he's had plenty of satisfied customers over the years. I kind of wonder if Isaac even knows he's the main character in a PJT book, and if he does what he thinks about the portrayal. (Well, I was just telling Joe about all this and he said he'd hit Isaac up, so guess we shall see).