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the united states of america

As stated in Himaryua's notes on America, other than England, Japan is America's only other nation whom is considered his friend. Japan seems to be able to tolerate America's hyper oddness without wanting to run away (too often anyway).

Their friendship seems to have its start in the 'Japan and the Footsteps of Westernization' strips when America comes to Japan to befriend him and "teach him a new game." America seems to enjoy Japan's naivety of the Western world and his American culture, using it to show off more to Japan because of it.

They're shown again and again exchanging things from one another's country. Video games and movies from Japan; computers, hair straighteners and food from America. They're both very different from one another, Japan acting like the 'old man' he is a lot and America constant hyperness. Even so, they seem to come together with a common geekiness and love for technology and entertainment. America finds Japan different and awe-aspiring and Japan is more interested by confused about America than anything else.

They seem to have gained a close friendship, more easily shown in strips taken place in more current times; and could easily been seen as best friends.

This amusing contrast and friendship probably is shown so well because of the author's Himaruya's time living the the States, being a native from Japan himself. He writes these America & Japan-centric strips for his Japanese readers, showing them in an amusing light the things he's noticed about the Americans he's come to know and befriend through America's character.