Anime and sexism/feminism

Gurren-Lagann is only sexist in presentation; at least Nia and Yoko are treated, in terms of characterization, storytelling and development, with as much respect as the male characters. And I can totally argue this if I must.
 
And we come full circle on this issue. Japan has a pedophelia issue, plain and simple. It stems from a cultural emphasis on putting innocence on a pedestal. If anything can link Miyazaki to "moe" at all, it's that he also puts a high emphasis on innocence in his work. That said, it's one thing to emphasize innocence, but in Japan it has often been taken far beyond that to the point where innocence became sexually attractive. Hence, grown women often giggle and act "cutesy" because that is seen as attractive. It's not hard to see from there how "moe" and pedophelia came to be prominent. While it is perhaps most visible among otaku due to "moe" anime and manga, it is much more widespread. Miyazaki's frustration is really at Japanese culture in general.

This whole thing is more a side effect of Japanese sexism than a cause, though, in my opinion. The roots to that run much deeper, I believe.
 
From the description I read of Queen's Blade, it would be what we in America would call softcore porn (i.e. as much sexual content as you can have without actually showing genitals interlocking).

Now, whether it's good softcore porn or not, that I am not qualified to judge.
 
Balsa isn't sexualized? That kid was totally checking her out when she was stripped naked and having her bandages put on.

Personally I'm not of the belief that a woman wanting to get married and have a domestic life is sexist. I think what's bad about the feminist movement is that the idea that a woman who wants to do that and become a housewife is like something evil. If a woman wants to do that and she makes that decision herself, independently, I think that's good.

Hiromu Arakawa is a female manga-ka. Her character Izumi Curtis constantly and proudly introduces herself as a housewife in Fullmetal Alchemist.
 
Hey, don't be dissin' Revy, some of us like her for who she is, I'd take her over Melfina or Faye Valentine any day

And yeah, that explains the reason why I like Black Lagoon so much is because of it's twisted sense of humour, and I have a very twisted sense of humour!!
 
rabroad being more on the conservative side, I do feel that many here consider "fan-service" (that is, bouncing boobs, butt shots, etc) to be "pornographic". Of course, in reality it's about as pornographic as Sports Illustrated's Annual Swimsuit Issue but you have to consider the posters here and understand the perspective they're coming from.
 
The problem is its on Japanese cable, not the Playboy channel or something.

The problem is if Japan contiues to make shows like these, they cannot air anywhere in America and thus there is less anime that is marketable in the west.



To be fair, there are some females in Western cartoons aimed at kiRAB that are somewhat ugly, I don't think anyone would say Eliza Thornberry is very pretty, it depenRAB who a show is aimed and where its made.
 
I think you`re taking it a bit to far by implying that anyone who finRAB Innocence sexually or romantically attractive is a pedophile. That's fairly offensive, IMHO, to anyone who dosen`t want their women tsundere or borderline tsundere.
 
I must Admit the Oversexualization of Women in most Modern Anime is getting to the point of Rediculiousness. Thats why some of my Favriote Modern Anime Females Include Clare From Claymore & Rukia From Bleach. I mean Mabye Im eccentric But I find Powerful Female Characters more attractive then those Fanservice Gals. I mean the Only Female character the I like that Could be considered "Strong & Fanservice" Would Probably be Etna From Disgaea. I mean Girls got awsomly Sadistic personality, but doesn't wear all that much, not that it matters though, thankfully she not overly endowed like alot of Girls in modern anime series. Seriously though the Fanservice for Both Guy & Girl Fans has is just to much, I say less Fantasy Girls & Pretty boys! & more Well Developed Characters! That arn't comparable to Girls that work at Hooters. But thats just me


(Why Yes, I am Insane, Thank u for noticing!)
 
That's not at all what I'm saying. I'm saying that it stems from that. Innocence is a positive quality in my own opinion. It's just that in Japan, many have taken it several steps further, twisting it along the way, and it gave rise to things like moe and pedophelia in a more prominent manner than it has in most other cultures.
 
Yeah Lina does have small breasts - by anime standarRAB. In the first 3 TV seasons she was reletivly normally endowed. In Revolution, with the updated and improved animation she is drawn with much smaller breasts.

Is that really a character flaw though. She is insecure about her figure which would be a flaw, but just having small breasts doesn't make her flawed.

Sorry if that in intelligible.

Anyway, I have not seen Hellsing. Is it any good? Integra Wingates sounRAB like she is pretty tough.

On the Slayers note, was Gourry really the narrator for the novels? Also I thought he was genuinly absent minded, I didn't know that he feiged ignorance. Can you please post a source or something. That really makes him seem like a jerk...much different from the TV/Manga. Also I assume the important plot that he hid was
that Xellos was a Mazoku?
 
I like the modern way that some modern animes portray women. Rukia from Bleach and Robin and Nami are m favorite anime characters. I mean they are strong and can hold their own in a fight. They actually have personality and arn't airheaRAB. I mean in both series the female characters are pretty equal to their male counterparts and can act in positive roles.
 
Using the standard anime character design, an artist would probably have to go out of their way in order to make a character unattractive. If nothing else, artistic simplicity dictates just about all characters will have perfectly clear skin.

Seriously think about it for a moment; anime are awash with teenage characters, but I for one can't remeraber ever seeing a teen in anime who had so much as a single pimple.
 
Shugo, you gotta learn to call off the dogs.

His comment was basically that she isn't portrayed in an exploitative way (well, at least not sexually expoitative), which is a testament to the writing.

The fact that she isn't idolized or glorified in that respect is a strongpoint of the show, IMO.
 
If you ever feel like getting well, truly and thoroughly depressed about the state of anime (and, indeed, popular culture in general) as regarRAB the treatment of its female characters, try applying the Bechdel Test and look at just how few of them pass.

I think Escaflowne and Bebop pass-- barely. Mononoke definitely does. Not too many of my other favorites do.
 
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