From LoveLive! Superstar!! To Reality 

I started to engage in Japanese cultures such as anime, games, and character voice (Seiyū) in 2019 because it was the time when the whole world was in a critical condition with curfews and other strict rules. Japanese content felt like an escape at that time. My favorite anime, LoveLive! Superstar!! Even had this relatable high school girl named Tang KeKe who moved from Shanghai, China to Japan. I wondered about going to Japan one day, but my present situation made it impossible. 

Then, one day, on my way to hand in my assignment at the School of Foreign Language, I bumped into a lecturer who taught Japanese. She was so friendly. She kept on talking with me and she eventually asked about my thoughts on my future. This was the first time I was introduced to the FAST OFFER International program provided by ASIA to JAPAN Co. Ltd.   

That introduction lit up the path to my future. I didn’t have to be a high school girl like LoveLive! Superstar!!’s Tang KeKe, instead, I could be an office worker in Japan. Learning about FAST OFFER International made what felt like impossible daydreams a realistic goal. 

Choosing Japan as My Career Destination Just Like Tang KeKe

There are several reasons why I chose Japan, and of course, the first one would be my love for anime. The second reason will be the working culture in Japan, which is quite different from the one in my own country. For example, in Japan, you can have a good rest during the weekend, you can switch to your personal life after working hours, and people have the appropriate social distance from each other. I think work-life balance in Japan is a big really attracted me. In addition, the system in Japan is well maintained in such a way that everyone is highly self-disciplined, and the country is clean, which made a good impression on me too. 

What Motivated My Journey? LoveLive! Superstar!!, Japanese Games, and a Community 

Being a LoveLive! Superstar!! Fan 

My favourite anime LoveLive! Superstar!! Inspired and motivated me to one day work in Japan and experience life there, just like Tang KeKe. In addition, this lovely character is voiced by a famous Chinese singer and cosplayer! I believe that this coincidence has become a streetlight in the middle of a crossroad, brightening my route to Japan. I even had a solo trip to Yokohama for a LoveLive! Superstar!! Live event in 2024. That trip convinced me I wanted more! 

More opportunities to delve into my hobbies 

Through video games by Japanese companies, I’ve made friends from all around the world. We contacted each other and shared the different cultures in our own countries, and that is how I got to know more about Japan. Thinking about how I’d delve deeper into this hobby in Japan excited me.       

Free Japanese Classes gave me a learning structure. 

Studying Japanese is not an overnight gig. I started the program with zero foundation. Thanks to FAST OFFER International and their Japanese teachers, I was able to learn basic Japanese gradually. I also dedicated my hard work and have passed the JLPT N2, and I plan to attend the JLPT N1 next.  

Working with a translation group with friends

I also have friends interested in the Japanese language, and we grouped and formed a translating group. We often make subtitles and translations for the Japanese media and upload them to the website for educational purposes. It is fun and I am always learning through the process. Watching the anime “LoveLive! Superstar!!” isn’t quite enough, it also helps to deep dive into it this way. 

My family’s nonstop support  

My family’s support was another motivation for me to continue learning and not give up on my dream. They were the ones who worried for me the most in the six months after I finished the intermediate class and was waiting for an interview chance. I am so grateful for their non-stop support. 

Throughout the way, my family, friends, and AtoJ staff supported and assisted me a lot. I am glad our combined efforts helped me make it!

My dream kept me looking forward

My community was a big part, but I also had to play an important role. I’m thankful to my past self who studied consistently and always remembered my initial intention despite the uncertainties during the waiting.  

One of my favorite phrases from anime is deeply connected to my job-hunting journey. The first one will be ‘いくら苦しくても、楽なほうへ逃げない’. This will be like you should never give up, no matter how hard it is.  

After I finished the N3 (intermediate), class, I was so frustrated, anxious, and depressed when I received no news regarding an interview offer for six months. That was not what I had been expecting when first joining the class. Looking at my friends who were busy looking for a job in China, I almost gave up on waiting and wanted to apply for a domestic job. Whenever I almost gave up, I reminded myself of this phrase to self-motivate and continue to wait for the good news. At the same time, I also went to the Japanese teacher to seek more options to work in Japan. 

I’m glad I put my faith in the process. When the opportunity finally came, it was such a breath of fresh air. I was so happy that I finally got to travel to Tokyo for free thanks to FAST OFFER International. 

Dreaming about going to Japan isn’t enough, I had to put in the work!  

Being an otaku was really inspiring in more ways than one. My favorite song comes from LoveLive! Superstar!!, titled ‘私のSymphony’. It gave me one of my favorite phrases:  ‘できっこないよって思ってたことも、踏み出せばはら叶うんだ’ ˆ. It means that if you are willing to make the first move, your dream will come true even though it might seem impossible initially.   

During my interview preparation, I mentally prepared myself for two different endings, whether I got it or not. When I first stepped into Japan, I felt like I was getting closer to success as other people were stuck still making future career decisions. If you don’t put yourself out there and try, you can’t gain anything. I’m glad I was brave, challenged myself, and gave myself a chance by stepping into this adventure. 

Tasting Sweet, Sweet Success  

According to the Chinese calendar, my birthday fell on the second day of the interview event. Fortunately, on the evening of that day, I was informed that one Japanese company had officially offered me a permanent job in Japan!  

It was heartwarming and I felt every single effort pay off. On that night, I passed the good news to my family and friends and bought a petite cake for the celebration. This was indeed an unforgettable night for me. I went to Japan with expectations from everyone that I loved, and success was the best birthday present to me and to everyone.  

Tips for Fellow Chinese Otakus Who Want to Work in Japan 

1. Having a good foundation in Japanese can help you grow faster into the advanced levels. 
2. Practice and improve your conversation skills as this is the key skill for life in Japan.  
3. Connect your studies with your desired working role in Japan.  
4. Think wisely, plan your future well, then make the first step.  
5. Do your best in all kinds of preparations and you will succeed no matter what conditions you are in. You are the only one who knows best about your potential.  

FAST OFFER CAREER GUIDE: More Inspiring Anime Like LoveLive! Superstar!! For Aspiring Chinese Talents

If you want to work in Japan as a Chinese national, here are some anime that can inspire you:

1. Aikatsu!
   • An idol anime with vibrant performances, close-knit friendships, and plenty of character growth. One of the characters, Mei from Aikatsu Friends! is depicted as talented and cheerful, with a strong sense of friendship.
2. The iDOLM@STER Cinderella Girls
   • This story focuses on aspiring idols forming bonds and developing their skills, with a slice-of-life idol charm. Shiki Ichinose is often speculated to be part Chinese due to fan interpretations.
3. BanG Dream! (Bandori)
   • Watch high school girls forming music bands, striving for dreams, with emotional storytelling and catchy songs. Rui Yashio, who speaks Chinese and is multilingual, is depicted as elegant, talented, and determined.
4. PriPara / Idol Time PriPara
   • The Colorful, whimsical idol world of this show highlights individuality, friendship, and growth. Shion Todo (has Chinese heritage), is depicted as a cool and talented mahjong-playing idol with strong leadership.

从动漫《LoveLive! Superstar!!》到现实

我是在2019年开始接触日本文化的，比如动漫，游戏和声优。当年疫情爆发，全球都处于严峻状态。这些日本文化对于当时只能宅在家里的我就像一道救赎的光，陪我度过了漫长的时光。我有一部非常喜欢的动漫，名叫《 LoveLive! Superstar!!》，恰巧动漫里也有个从中国上海前往日本的女高中生角色，叫做唐可可。这部动漫启发并激励了我也想像唐可可一样在日本生活、工作，但是碍于当时的情况，这个梦想简直比登天还难。 
 

有一天，我在外语系院里准备提交作业的路上认识了一名教日语的老师。这位老师很健谈，问了很多关于我未来工作的打算。这也是我第一次得知关于株式会社ASIA to JAPAN提供的Fast Offer International赴日求职项目。当时就似突然出现了一条前往日本的明路，感觉这个项目能帮助我实现我的梦想！ 

像唐可可一样，选择日本为我的职业目的地 

我选择到日本工作的原因首先肯定是我对动漫的热爱。其次，日本的工作文化与我国的差异让我更加向往赴日工作。在日本，你可以在周末好好休息，做自己喜欢的事，在下班时间可以完全的专注于你的个人生活，还有人与人有着适当的社交距离。我觉得在日本工作给予的工作生活平衡大大地吸引着我。再者，在这个高度自律的国家，你可以看见人人都在守规则还有周围都非常干净整洁，这给我留下了一个很好的印象。 

什么在激励我的赴日之梦？动漫LoveLive！Superstar!!，日本游戏还有生活圈子 

我是LoveLive！Superstar!!动漫迷！ 

我最喜欢的动漫《LoveLive! Superstar!!》里唐可可的角色一直在激励我总有一天一定要到日本去体验生活及工作。更巧的是，负责唐可可配音的声优老师也是一名来自于中国的歌手及角色扮演者。冥冥之中，我觉得这个巧合就像矗立在十字路口的街灯，照亮了我赴日的道路，使得我能更好地看见我的未来。在2024年，我还单独前往日本去参加了LoveLive! Superstar!! 的线下活动，那次的体验让我更加渴望能到日本生活，这样我就能有更多机会去接触我喜爱的动漫。 

更多机会了解我的爱好 

通过日本公司开发的游戏，我认识了来自不同国家的朋友，当中也包括日本友人。我们时常联系对方并且分享自己国家的文化与习俗，这也是我其中了解日本当地的资讯的方法。一想到未来能在日本接触更多我感兴趣的东西，我就变得超级兴奋及向往！ 

免费的日语课程提供了我更好的学习规划  

我是个零日语基础的人，所以我明白学习日语并不是一朝一夕的事。通过报名FAST OFFER International所提供的免费日语课程，我的日语水平与日俱进。目前已通过了JLPT N2，但是我仍然在努力学习日语，为JLPT N1合格做充分的准备。 

和好友组成一支翻译小组 

很开心的是我也有一群志同道合的朋友，大家一起学习日语并组成了一支翻译小组。我们经常翻译日语视频并加入字幕，然后将视频上传到网站供浏览者学习。整个过程非常有趣，而且我也非常享受这些时光。我认为不仅仅从观看动漫中学习日语，通过这个翻译小组的活动也让我的日语水平有了极大提升。 

来自家人的无限及大力支持 

我衷心地感谢我的家人。对于我的赴日之旅，家人更是给予了无限支持，一直在推动我努力前进，学习日语。我还记得当时FAST OFFER免费中级日语课程结束后，我等了大概半年都没有面试的消息，这半年内我看出来他们比我还焦虑，担心我实现不了梦想。除了家人，我还要感谢我的朋友们和AtoJ的工作人员。多亏了大家，我的梦想得以实现！ 

我的梦想让我勇往直前 

除了大家的支持与鼓励，我也很感谢过去的自己刻苦耐劳，保持初心努力学习。即使在等待面试机会的过程中充满了不确定性，我也从不放弃。 

我很喜欢一部动漫中的一句话，叫做 “いくら苦しくても、楽なほうへ逃げない”，意思就是无论多艰难都不应该轻易放弃。这就非常贴切地形容了我的赴日之旅。当时我完成了FAST OFFER免费中级日语课程（N3水平），然后就开始等待面试机会。结果我等了整整半年都没有任何消息，我变得沮丧、焦虑和抑郁，因为这并不在我的预想当中。看着朋友们都在忙着面试国内的工作，我也差点放弃等待转而考虑国内的工作。每当有这个念头，我就用这句话鼓励自己一边等待面试机会，一边咨询老师看有没有其他在日本就业的渠道。 

我很高兴我始终对这个过程充满信心。当机会终于到来时，我感到如释重负。我还得感谢AtoJ给予了我一个很棒的机会，我被选中去到东京线下参加面试，免费赞助了机票和住宿。 

光有赴日梦想是不够的，我还得付出努力！ 

成为一名御宅族也可以在很多方面受到激励。在《LoveLive! Superstar!!》里有一首歌名为《私のSymphony》，其中有一句歌词是“きっこないよって思ってたことも、踏み出せばはら叶うんだ”。寓意为即使一件事情看上去不可能被完成，但是只要你愿意踏出第一步，那一定能实现！ 

准备面试的时候，我已经预设了两个结局，那就是我获得内定或者失败了再参加下一次的面试。而当我踏入日本的那一刻，比起其他还正在为未来工作烦恼的同胞，我顿时觉得我离成功越来越近了。我坚信只要你肯尝试，你肯定能从中获得一些东西，而我很高兴当初的我很勇敢做出追梦的决定，踏入赴日之旅挑战自我。 

甜美的胜利 

很凑巧地是我的农历生日就是在当时面试会的第二天，并且就在当晚我获得了成功内定的通知！这让我很欣慰，觉得所付出的努力都得到了回报。那天晚上，我把这个好消息告诉我的家人和朋友们，还买了一个小蛋糕庆祝。这对我来说确实是一个难忘的生日。我带着所有我爱的人的期望去了日本，不负所望获得了成功就是对我和大家最好的生日礼物。 
  

给想赴日工作的中国御宅族的贴士 

1. 掌握扎实的日语基础，可以帮助您更快地达到高级水平。  

2. 练习并提高您的会话能力，因为这是在日本生活的关键技能。   

3. 将您的学业与您期望的在日本的工作岗位联系起来，学习更多相关的知识。 

4. 认真思考，规划好您的未来，然后迈出第一步。  

5. 尽力做好各种准备，无论在什么条件下，你都将会成功。因为只有你自己最了解自己的潜力。