Danica Davidson
June 24, 2025 
Many anime and manga characters are students in Japanese schools, but how accurate is their portrayal to real school life? And what are some things real students might not like about their schools? A new survey asked Japanese kids in elementary school and junior high about what they think are the oddest rules in place where they get their education.
Just under 80% of those surveyed claimed that their school had some strange rules. Elementary school students think it’s unfair that they can’t bring in scented paper or paper with characters drawn on it. They also don’t understand why they’re not allowed to use mechanical pencils.
Junior high students complained more about stuff related to hair and clothes. They don’t understand why they have to put their hair up if it reaches their shoulders. They look askance at some dress code rules, like only being allowed to wear some colors and how socks must be a particular length. They’re weirded out that some schools even tell you what color underwear you can or can’t wear. There is also sometimes an issue that if you’re in gym class, you’re not supposed to be wearing underwear underneath.
Past that, the junior high students disagreed with items that had been banned by their schools, like phones, keychains, food and beverages. There’s even the possibility of school banning sunscreen on campus!
Students also shared what can happen to them if they break these rules. Punishments range from receiving warnings to writing an essay to having the forbidden item taken away from you to being expelled after three warnings.
Different schools can have different rules, so these descriptions do not affect all schools in Japan. 1,749 kids took part in this particular survey, giving a glimpse into what some of their academic lives are like.
Do you have any weird school stories?
Source: SoraNews24
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Danica Davidson is the author of the bestselling Manga Art for Beginners with artist Melanie Westin, plus its sequel, Manga Art for Everyone, and the first-of-its-kind manga chalk book Chalk Art Manga, both illustrated by professional Japanese mangaka Rena Saiya. Check out her other comics and books at www.danicadavidson.com.
