The Chikan: Difference between revisions

Japanese public transit is ''very'' crowded -- incrowded—in fact, the operating companies hire employees to help pack trains as full as possible at the height of rush hour. Japanese society has very strict sexual mores, as well. A significant social problem is that of creepy strangers on public transit (or in parks) anonymously fondling women in the midst of the crowd and confusion, or otherwise molesting them. These molesters are known by some anime fans as ''chikan'' (''chikan'' is actually the '''act''' of sexual assault by groping, not the perpetrator), and signs are prominently posted in parks and on transit warning women about them.

Many anime and manga series have at least one episode where a female character encounters a ''chikan'' who must be confronted or evaded. [['''The Chikan]]''' will tend to be a one-shot character serving a similar role to the [[Monster of the Week]]. It's rare for a series to have a recurring ''chikan'', although quite a few series have perverted characters, many of whom are even portrayed sympathetically. [[Hentai]] series, on the other hand, might have this as [[Rule 34|a fundamental plot element]]...