Do you think differently about race and gender roles in cartoons?

[Tim Sun]

There was a discussion I had a while ago about female characters in movies and shows, and how there are so few good woman characters and most of them are Mary Sues, damsels in distress, or killjoys and very rarely the fun character.

I didn't agree, but I wasn't thinking in terms of live-action, but in cartoons, and realized my view about women in Hollywood end up changing drastically when I think about cartoons. I think, "Nah, there's been a lot of good female characters! Like Cruella De Vil, Lilo, Frankie Foster, Bessie Higgenbottom, Dory, Sam Sparks..." but look over to the live-action side and see how hard it is for women to actually have a funny role in movies or television (Which Tina Fey tries to prove against that theory in 30 Rock).

So what about you guys? Do you ever consider gender balance being an issue with animation, believing it's hard for a female character to have a good role in a cartoon, or does the issue never come up with you?

For me, it rarely comes up. While there aren't that many hilarious female characters vs. male characters in cartoons, I still don't think about it because animation ends up making a character out of ANYTHING, that whether or not it's a girl's voice or boy's voice doesn't affect me. People, talking animals, talking furniture, it ends up being so broad that I don't ever think about stuff like, "We need more positive (meaning not stereotypical, genuinely funny characters with heart) women/black/gay/etc characters in cartoons!". Part of this could be that I'm an aspiring cartoonist, so I think more about the art style, how the character was built, the writing, etc rather than their gender or ethnicity.

 

[jamesfh3]

I very much enjoy your "bad-arse" female character. One who can take care of herself. One that is funny, etc. I usually like the female character in a lot of shows, despite me being male. I think that more times then not, a female character is more interesting than a male. Unless, of course, it's your "Mary Sue"/"Just there for voice of reason"/"Buzzkill" type thing.

 

[luke_man40]

I'd be lying if I said I didnt think about it. :sad: I think it's unfortunate animation is pretty much a boys only club. Almost every show made stars a male lead, who can be stupid, serious, kind, mean, or whatever he wants. The only time girls take the spotlight is if it's a throwaway show based on a doll line like Barbie, My Little Pony, or Bratz. Action shows are even worse, since it's rare enough to find a show that won't shy away from violence on a guy, but most don't want to show girls getting hurt at all. Ive noticed a lot of 'girl power' characters who are, for lack of a better term, perfect Mary Sues who can do everything. Kim Possible comes to mind, I got the feeling they felt the only way to make girls equal was to make the girl perfect at everything while the guy was a bumbling loser. So yeah, I'd say girls tend to get ignored... both as characters and as viewers

 

[Alicia Glick]

The issue comes up occasionally - for me it depends on the show. Some stuff is mostly gags, so as long as its funny, I don't really think much of it. Other stuff is trying to be something more, so it can be irritating when there's "token female characters" or only female characters from the box of stereotypes in an otherwise well written cartoon.

I think the biggest problem animation faces is that girls will watch a "boys" cartoon, but boys will not generally watch a "girls" cartoon (with the exception of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, it seems XD), so networks are reluctant to finance a cartoon with a female lead (regardless of the genre) for fear of alienating boys. Which always struck me as asinine because they never seem to have any trouble with alienating girls - which is not only insulting, but extremely foolish, since girls tend to buy stuffed animals and the ilk well into adulthood, whereas boys will generally grow out of their childhood toys in their early teens and either view a show with fond remembrance, or treat it like kryptonite once they're adults*.

Not to mention, the vast majority of fan activity (fanfics/fanart/fangoods/cosplay) is dominated by women. From a business standpoint, they SHOULD be making more female oriented and/or balanced cartoons to tap into these lifelong female fans.

That said, I think that cartoons have had - in recent years - a better balance of characters than live action. A lot better. I mean, hell, probably the most popular cartoon this past season was My Little Pony! But, it's still got a ways to go. I'm sure having more women in the industry (not just as grunt workers IE inkers/colorists/animators) is making a difference, and an overall greater emphasis on good writing will have the biggest impact.

* Obviously the guys here are the exception to the rule.

 

[meadcorp]

I don't see how live action is worse. One thing I like is a lot of Nick and Disney live action shows star females as well as some of them starring males; there's a much better balance than animation which is pretty much barren from what I've seen.