Welcome to the Nihongo Lesson feature. We strive to give you useful manga-based Japanese language tips and maybe even a glimpse into the translation process. This week’s lesson will focus our new JUMP START with the longest title ever—Seiji Tanaka: Secretary to the Managing President, General Time Industries. The title may be wordy, but this manga gets straight into the action with a battle secretary from the future!

HISHO (ひしょ)

HISHO means “secretary.” But Tanaka is no mere HISHO, he’s a fighting HISHO. Not only can he organize your bookshelf and manage your meetings, he can fight off assassins! Does he get hazard pay…?!

SHACHO (しゃちょう)

SHACHO means “company president.” At the start of the series, Tokioka doesn’t seem like someone you’d want anywhere near the top of a company. But Amatsuka Sensei does a great job of showing that Tokioka actually has some really strong leadership qualities. Now he’ll just have to stay alive long enough to become the SHACHO he was born to be!

MEISHI (めいし)

MEISHI means “business card.” Japanese businessmen are often seen exchanging MEISHI, but using them as a weapon? That might be a first! Talk about a painful paper cut.

Check out Weekly Shonen Jump for more great JUMP START series!