Why does a lot of anime take place in high school?
Japanese consider their time in high school the last time they felt free. Usually they're committed to a career or even a specific company shortly after graduating. That's why you don't see a lot of fiction there taking place in colleges, because they're considered less 'free' since they're already down the path of their working life at the point. Also, perverts.
Why are schoolgirls fetishisized often?
The imagery of schoolgirls are mostly related with the concept of purity. The majority of citizens usually see them as innocent and usually don't juxtapose them with any sexual concepts. However, a lot of fetishes in Japan (as well as in the west) consist of corruption of such purities. Hence, perverts obsessing after them.
What's with the swirly glasses on that one girl?
That's the trope with bookworm types having thick glasses. They almost always depict thick glasses as swirly for some reason.
What's with those sprout things on the top of anime characters heads?
Those are called 'ahoges', literally translated as 'idiot hair'. It is most often used to identify foolish, bumbling or carefree characters.
Why do those three girls look stinky?
Those are evil auras, Dan, not stink lines.
Why all the panty shots?
Besides the obvious, I've seen games and anime that joke about panties being the window to the soul or something like that. I dunno man, Japan is weird like that.
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