Well, in Japanese Christmas stories, the idea of new experiences is quite common. As Japan has adopted Christmas from Western cultures, characters in the stories often discover the joys of Christmas for the first time. Lights also play an important role. The cities are beautifully lit up during Christmas in Japan, and in stories, these lights can symbolize hope or a magical atmosphere. And of course, food. Fried chicken, as I mentioned before, is everywhere in Japanese Christmas, and in stories it represents the celebration. It could be a family looking forward to their fried chicken dinner on Christmas or a character sharing fried chicken with a new friend.
Another story could be about the Christmas illuminations in major Japanese cities like Tokyo and Osaka. The streets are decorated with beautiful lights, and people, especially young people, enjoy walking around and taking in the festive atmosphere. It has become an important part of the Japanese Christmas experience, with some areas becoming very popular destinations during the Christmas season.
In cliche Christmas stories, there is often a character who is a bit of a Scrooge at first, like Ebenezer Scrooge from 'A Christmas Carol'. This person is initially grumpy about Christmas but then has a change of heart. Christmas lights are everywhere in these stories, brightening up the dark winter nights. And the act of giving, whether it's a small kindness or a big present, is a central theme that spreads the Christmas spirit.
In rude Christmas stories, often there is a disruption of the festive harmony. People might be rude due to stress, like during the Christmas shopping when a customer is rude to a cashier because of long lines. Selfishness is also common. Some might hoard all the Christmas treats or good seats at a Christmas event without thinking about others. And then there's the element of bad manners. For instance, talking loudly and inappropriately during a Christmas church service.
Miracles or unexpected good things often happen in Cheerful Christmas Stories. It could be a snowstorm that suddenly stops just in time for Christmas travel, or a lost item that is magically found. These elements of surprise and good fortune contribute to the overall cheerfulness of the story.
Magic is common in Christmas stories. For example, the magic of Santa's sleigh flying through the night sky. It adds a sense of wonder to the stories.
Unconditional support. Whether it's a child's choice of career or a hobby that might seem a bit odd, Japanese moms tend to support their children wholeheartedly. For example, if a child wants to study a very niche subject, the mom will encourage them and do whatever she can to help them pursue it.
One common element is shared interests. For example, if both like anime, they can have in - depth discussions about it, which strengthens their bond. Another is mutual respect for each other's cultures. This allows for a more open and positive exchange. And of course, regular communication is important.
Isolation is a common element. In many Japanese horror stories, the characters are often alone when the horror strikes, like in the 'Teke - Teke' story where the victim is usually alone near the railway tracks at night. Another element is the use of vengeful spirits. Figures like the 'Kuchisake - Onna' are spirits seeking revenge for the wrongs done to them during their lives.
Supernatural abilities are also common. Ghosts in Japanese stories can often appear and disappear at will, like the Teke - Teke that can suddenly show up on the railway tracks. Also, there is often a sense of isolation in these stories. The encounters with ghosts usually happen in remote places, like in the middle of a snow - covered forest for Yuki -onna or on a lonely railway track for Teke - Teke. This isolation adds to the spookiness of the stories.
Often, there are elements of the unknown. For example, in 'Another', the mystery of the class curse is not fully explained until later in the story, creating a sense of unease. Another common element is the use of disturbing imagery. In 'Higurashi no Naku Koro ni', the scenes of violence and the distorted expressions of the characters are very creepy.