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 on a funny coincidence in last week’s issue of Shonen Jump. Both We Never Learn and Hunter x Hunter featured some of the scariest foes ever seen in manga: cockroaches! And the two series treated these pesky pests in completely different ways.

GOKIBURI (ゴキブリ)

GOKIBURI means “cockroach.” There seems to be debate over the etymology of this word. GOKI refers to tableware, but there are various theories on the BURI part. Some think it means “to bite,” while others think it means “to burrow.” Either way, the name fits! In We Never Learn, GOKIBURI are treated as something to fear by Kirisu Sensei. She refuses to even be in her house as long as a GOKIBURI is on the loose. Luckily, Rizu knows how to take care of them!

ARI (あり)

ARI means “ant.” Hunter x Hunter has a long history of featuring insects. In a previous arc, Hunter x Hunter featured a major threat from a species called the Chimera Ants. Plot twist: most of them looked nothing like ants! In the most recent chapters, Kurapika’s ability allows him to use a GOKIBURI as a spy. Talk about a useful ability when you’re trying to gather information!

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