Another post on anime and feminism

I’ve decided to do another post on this topic, because I feel I haven’t explained why I feel that anime and feminism can coexist.

As a feminist, it’s not so much about making female characters super humanly strong so it can be counted as “being feminist.” Feminist scholars have been examining how women are portrayed in anime and manga. We look at characters such as Usagi from Sailor Moon, is she a model for empowerment? She is a super heroine after all, not only that she has a good support system of friends. But at the same time, Tuxedo Mask (Mamoru) acts as guardian to the Sailors, yet he has no special powers.

However, Sailor Moon has male characters who transform into girls. There is also a lesbian relationship within the series. These are some things that a feminist may appreciate, strong multi-dimensional characters, the twisting around of gender, and same sex relationships. Though, there are elements in Sailor Moon that would annoy a feminist.

I’ve also indicated that I believe Revolutionary Utena is an example of what I would call a ‘feminist’ anime. Why? The questioning of gender roles, sexuality, and not to mention the questioning of archetypes that are found in fairy tales.

For one, the character Tenjou Utena who doesn’t have the desire to be saved by the prince that she met as a small child, she wants to be that prince. As she enters Ohtori Academy she develops a feelings for Anthy who is basically behaves like a doormat, but this isn’t really her true character. If you’re anime fan and have watched Utena you would know Anthy is much more complex than what she appears. Anthy represents the ‘witch’ archetype we find in fairy tales.

You also have issues of sexuality, of course with Utena and Anthy who became physically attracted to each other later on in the series (or is that the movie?) and there is Touga who tries to seduce everyone, such as Saionji who have an interesting relationship, and later on in the series there are scenes of them rolling around on a bed together. But I think that’s mostly just fanservice, at any rate, I believe many feminists can appreciate Utena.

While I understand there is much more to discuss, I will address more specific issues of gender, sexuality and what makes an anime feminist.
I’ve also came across a podcast that discusses women in anime. You can listen if you like.

Women in Anime

Woo hoo!

Yaoi Generation has recently announced that their manga Breath can be published at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Totally awesome!

Sensitive Pornograph

Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas.

Here’s a hard yaoi video, I mean very hard. I like how the song is sung in Czech. Hope you enjoy.

Back on Friday

I won’t post anything until Friday. Have a Happy Holidays!!

Japanese subcultures

Since my interest in Japanese culture, their subcultures have always fascinated me. One would the cosplay subculture. Cosplay is also popular here in North America, and there’s another subculture which we all know are the otakus. Yeah, I guess I’m an otaku to a degree. However there is some negativity towards otakus in Japan. So this is just a post to give you a glimpse of Japan’s colorful subculture.

Girls dressed in gothic lolia fashion.

Harajuku girls.

And we can’t forget the cosplayers.

Lulu from Final Fantasy 10.

Sakura from Naruto.

Yaoi video

A yaoi video to give you a good start on your weekend.

You’re a fangirl, if…..

Read this post which has a list of indicators that you just might be a fangirl.

You know you’re a Fangirl…..

More on anime and feminism

There’s been a discussion over at Feministing as to whether feminism and anime can coexist. I thought I’d post my thoughts on the subject. I do believe anime and feminism can coexist. As strange as that may sound because there is a lot of anime out there that’s very derogatory towards women, but at the same time there’s anime out there which have very strong female characters.

Revolutionary Girl Utena in my opinion can be considered a feminist anime. Not only because there is a strong female characters (or characters) but it also addresses issues of gender roles and sexual orientations, which is something that feminism is known for. But I won’t ignore other anime which has strong female characters, such as Nausicaa of the Vally of the Wind, Princess Mononoke, and even Spirited Away (even though it’s mostly about childhood ).

Now I just have a few questions:

Which anime that you know of that has strong female characters?
Which ones question gender roles and seuxality?
Do you think anime and feminism can coexist?

Anime and Feminism

There was a video posted on the popular feminist site, Feministing, it asks whether feminism and anime can coexist. For those of you who have read my blog long enough know that a few times I have revealed that I am a feminist. Anywho I thought this video was interesting and I think anime and feminism is a good topic for discussion. I may do another blog post on the subject. Another reason why I’m posting this video, is because it does mention yaoi as well and brings up an interesting point about it.

Feel free to tell me what you think.

*The video has been removed.

Yaoi Manga Review: Oh my god! volume 2

*I’m really late on this review, I wanted to read FreshMen first, that’s why Oh my god! is late.

Author: Natsuho Shino
Publisher: Deux Press
Rating: Older Teen (16+)

The amnesiac god Jade and the water god Rin are still fighting each other, while Yuto is trying to enjoy his summer vacation, but it’s interrupted by chores and other things.

The story has progressed and is becoming much more interesting. Yuto powers are really starting to blossom but he is still unaware of how powerful he is. Jade and Rin are also making an effort to put aside their differences in order to protect Yuto. Two mysterious men are after him because he has in possession these mysterious balls that have vast amounts of power.

I enjoyed reading Oh my god! because not only is the plot becoming more serious, it still has a decent amount of humor. I like how Yuto is asserting some authority when he yells at Jade and Rin to stop fighting. I also like both of the gods, Rin because he’s calm and eloquent when he speaks and Jade because….well he’s just funny. Oh my god! is a shonen ai manga, there’s no sex in this volume either. But I wouldn’t pass this up.

My rating: 81/2