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New Jersey + Demon King Retcons
I have a friend from college who used to study Japanese as a hobby, and he now lives in Brooklyn and plays with venture capital as a hobby. He's actually from Cherry Hill (a South Jersey suburb of Philadelphia known for its malls and diners), but he still knows way more about South Asian communities around New York than I do. This guy owes me for putting up with the anime memes he DMs me on Instagram, so I had him read the chapter of The Demon King about Ananth in New York. He said he totally knew kids like Ananth growing up, and that "Ananth" (which is slightly nerdy) is exactly what he'd be named.
(I actually named the character after Anthy Himemiya from Revolutionary Girl Utena, so it's good that works out.)
My friend said, though, that Ananth's family would be from Edison, not Jersey City. He was like, "I get that you're writing him as if he's from Atlanta or DC, and Edison is the closest place you can get to that sort of casually multicultural vibe in New Jersey." He also said that Ananth's family isn't poor enough or rich enough to live in Jersey City, and that Jersey City would be instantly flattened if Manhattan exploded.
I guess that makes sense. I actually like Edison a lot and drive up there at least once a month, so I feel oddly gratified. I'm most familiar with the East Asian and Middle Eastern communities in Edison, but I guess the township also has large South Asian communities too. Which makes sense, given that you can see one of their giant palatial temples (this one here) right from the Edison exit of the turnpike.
Man, New Jersey is a really interesting place. I wish I knew more about it.
(I actually named the character after Anthy Himemiya from Revolutionary Girl Utena, so it's good that works out.)
My friend said, though, that Ananth's family would be from Edison, not Jersey City. He was like, "I get that you're writing him as if he's from Atlanta or DC, and Edison is the closest place you can get to that sort of casually multicultural vibe in New Jersey." He also said that Ananth's family isn't poor enough or rich enough to live in Jersey City, and that Jersey City would be instantly flattened if Manhattan exploded.
I guess that makes sense. I actually like Edison a lot and drive up there at least once a month, so I feel oddly gratified. I'm most familiar with the East Asian and Middle Eastern communities in Edison, but I guess the township also has large South Asian communities too. Which makes sense, given that you can see one of their giant palatial temples (this one here) right from the Edison exit of the turnpike.
Man, New Jersey is a really interesting place. I wish I knew more about it.