Natural, casual Japanese dialogue#

This manga avoids the kind of overly dramatic or fictional speech patterns like “~dawa（〜だわ）” or “~yo（〜よ）” that often appear in fictional works. Instead, the dialogue sticks closely to natural, everyday Japanese, making it a great resource for learners. Since the main cast is mostly female, the conversations are especially helpful for women studying Japanese.

Source: Toaru Arako, Busu nante iwanaide(KODANSHA)

Just the right amount of text#

The text density is moderate—not overwhelming, but not too sparse—making it an easy read. Even beginner-level learners should find it approachable without too much difficulty.

Source: Toaru Arako, Busu nante iwanaide(KODANSHA)

From Classical Roots to Cruel Slang#

The word ブス originates from busu (附子), a historical term for a toxic plant extract used in poison darts. In the Edo period, it was associated with paralysis and disfigurement, and eventually came to be slang for something grotesque or unpleasant. By the 20th century, busu was used to mock or insult women considered unattractive—often with a harsh, dehumanizing tone.

Unlike English terms like “ugly” or “plain,” which can refer to any gender, busu almost always targets women. It’s deeply gendered and laced with social judgment, making it especially painful when used in school settings or media.

Why “Busu” Is Fading from Mainstream Media#

Over the past decade, the term busu has steadily disappeared from TV shows, commercials, and official publications. Japanese broadcasters have internal guidelines to avoid potentially discriminatory language, and busu is often flagged as “NGワード” (NG word)—inappropriate for public use.

This reflects a broader cultural shift in Japan toward sensitivity in language, especially concerning body image, gender roles, and mental health. Just as English-speaking media now avoids once-common terms like “fatso” or “retarded,” Japanese culture is reconsidering the everyday cruelty embedded in words like busu.

Beauty, Shame, and Language in Modern Japan#

Japan’s beauty ideals—pale skin, slim bodies, double eyelids—continue to shape self-image and social norms. Harsh words like busu remain deeply hurtful, made more striking by Japan’s typically indirect communication.

Recently, younger generations have begun to challenge these pressures. On social media, voices criticizing lookism (ルッキズム) are growing, alongside discussions about language, self-esteem, and mental health.

Yet at the same time, the pressure to appear beautiful is only intensifying. The rise of filters and online comparison has fueled a troubling trend: more young people in Japan are turning to cosmetic surgery, raising new societal concerns.

In this context, Busu Nante Iwanaide (“Don’t Call Me Ugly”) becomes more than a title—it’s a quiet act of resistance.

What Learners Can Take Away#

For Japanese learners, encountering a word like busu can be unsettling—but it also reveals how language reflects deeper cultural values.

In Busu Nante Iwanaide, the main character’s story questions the idea that beauty defines worth, inviting readers to consider how words shape identity and emotion.

By engaging with expressions like busu in context, learners gain more than vocabulary—they begin to understand the social undercurrents of modern Japanese life.

Kansai dialect#

One character, Yamamoto, who becomes close to Tomoko at work, speaks in Kansai dialect. Learners who aren’t familiar with Japanese regional dialects might find this a little challenging at first, but it’s a great opportunity to expand your understanding of natural variation in spoken Japanese.

Source: Toaru Arako, Busu nante iwanaide(KODANSHA)