User blog comment:Pandahero2014/Ideas for a fanmade line, need help!/@comment-26414442-20150414090511

I'm East-Asian, but I'm not Japanese, nor do I know any Japanese people other than the really sweet lady who runs the sushi store near my school, but would you mind my input in the theme?

I mean, a non-Asian wearing a kimono doesn't count as culture appropriation. Neither does wearing a qipao, a hanbok, or any other traditional clothing. But, it is problematic if it's not worn with respect to the culture, and not worn accurately. So, if you're going to draw your OC in traditional clothing, please please please  do research. If not, it's really disrespectful and rude to their culture.

As Buggy said, "oriental" is pretty offensive. It's an adjective commonly used to objectify and sexualise parts of Asian culture. The only non-offensive way I've seen "oriental" used is on instant noodles packets – in all other circumstances, it was never used prettily or respectfully.

Name-wise, try not to use any name with the words "rising" in them. The rising sunis a symbol of the Japanese military, which symbolises imperialism and nationalism. That's really problematic, especially from a history standpoint. I don't want to go into too much detail but the rising sun to the Japanese is what the swastika is to the Nazis. You don't use swastikas because it's a sign of racism and genocide, and the rising sun also symbolises those two things.

'''Otherwise, I think it's a great idea! Just remember to be respectful and all that jazz. And do your research into the outfits, too (especially if you or your OC isn't Asian).'''

As for OCs to put in it, I've got no Japanese OCs but I do have a Chinese one? His name is Chaoxiang Ma, and his name is 50% joke filler because I'm still working on him. I could probably draw him in traditional Chinese clothing or something.

(I put the most important parts of my comment in bold since I did ramble a little, sorry.)