A Series of Indonesian Cultural References Appearing in the Anime Nichijou, from Sepak Takraw to Gamelan

Kapanlagi.com - Who would have thought, behind the humor and absurdity of the anime Nichijou, there are so many easter eggs related to Indonesia. From Indonesian language suddenly appearing as a morning greeting, to the sport of sepak takraw and the appearance of a character resembling Soeharto, all presented in the absurd style typical of Keiichi Arawi's work.

For those who don't know, Nichijou is a slice-of-life comedy anime that was released in 2011, produced by Kyoto Animation. Although the title means 'ordinary things', this anime actually presents the most unusual things wrapped in everyday life. The story follows three friends: Yuuko Aioi, Mio Naganohara, and Mai Minakami, each with unique traits.

Even though this anime is set in Japan with Japanese characters, Nichijou surprisingly has quite a few Indonesian touches, and many fans only realize this after years. Here’s the summary..

1. Sepak Takraw in the Episode Mio Wakes Up Late

In one episode, Mio wakes up late because her alarm didn't go off. While trying to find her mother, she discovers a note saying that her mother has gone to play sepak takraw, a traditional Southeast Asian sport that is very popular in Indonesia.

Interestingly, when reading that word, Mio's imagination conjures up an image of sepak takraw in her own version, perhaps the only understanding she has of this sport. This reference to sepak takraw has been present since the Nichijou Prototype, the early version of the manga before it became an official series.

2. Greetings Good Morning, Good Night, and Goodbye

Yukko says good morning (Credit: Nichijou Fandom)

This is one of the most iconic moments often discussed by Indonesian fans. Yukko greets Mio and Mai with "Good morning!", but in a very Japanese pronunciation that sounds like suramat pagi. Interestingly, every time Yukko throws out this greeting, the visuals are always blurred from Mio and Mai's perspective, as if the greeting is beyond their comprehension.

Meanwhile, the quiet Mai Minakami responds to Yukko's morning greeting with "Good night". This not only highlights Mai's deadpan humor but also adds another reference to the Indonesian language in this series.

In episode 7, there is a scene where Yukko manages to get on the train while Mio and Mai are left outside the door. Yukko then shouts "Goodbye!" pronounced as seramattinga-ru, with the letter l at the end sounding like ru due to the Japanese accent. This pronunciation shows that Yukko is actually not good at Indonesian, even though she often uses it as a gimmick.

3. Gamelan References

Gamelan poster in the Nichijou anime (Credit: Nichijou Fandom)

Some fans note that this series features references related to gamelan, a traditional Indonesian musical instrument originating from Javanese and Balinese culture. Although not always explicit, these references show how the creators of Nichijou incorporate elements of Southeast Asian culture in a small yet detailed manner.

4. Appearance of a Character Resembling President Suharto

A man resembling Soeharto in the anime Nichijou (Credit: Nichijou Fandom)

In the 'Chic Things' segment of Episode 10, a man appears eating sushi with his bare hands. This figure bears a striking resemblance to Suharto, the 2nd President of the Republic of Indonesia.

It was never officially confirmed, but his resemblance is quite clear that many Indonesian fans immediately recognize him.

(kpl/jpg)