Fried Chicken and Sushi is a webcomic by Khalid Birdsong, a cartoonist and former JET. The comic is loosely based on his experiences in Japan and follows the adventures and misadventures of Karl, an American English teacher who arrives in Japan with a great love of the culture but no language skills.

"Corny Propaganda." Image copyright Fried Chicken and Sushi 2011.

Much of the comic is a humorous take on living in Japan as a foreigner–corn on pizza, staredowns with obaasans, and uncensored music–but the approach feels fresh, even though we all hear the corn-pizza freakout from all the new people every year. In addition, the comic also tackles perceptions of race and culture: Karl’s experiences as a black American in Japan; Hachiro’s as a Japanese American English teacher; and J’s experiences as the “black ninja expert” in the multicultural video game industry. What I like the most is how honest Birdsong is about the differences and similarities in the “foreigner in Japan” experience for different people–this is definitely not Charisma Man! (Though I am hoping to see some more female expats represented.)

Fried Chicken and Sushi updates every Tuesday and Thursday.

-Leah