Gender Roles in Anime

Madzack · Post by **Madzack** » Mon Sep 01, 2003 7:23 am

In a thorough analysis of the gender roles that permeate anime, it is important to put this genre within the context of Japanese culture. Anime is commercial entertainment, "which is almost by definition an escapist activity" (Izawa, RPJA). Therefore, it is important to know what the consumer of this form of entertainment is escaping from, in regards to gender dynamics.

More at http://www.mediastudies.pomona.edu/49/bartlo/tony.html

After you have thoroughly read thru the article, can anyone here post their opinions?

PS: Lookout for a link to a site about amnesiac women in anime.

sunandshadow · Post by **sunandshadow** » Mon Sep 01, 2003 10:14 am

That was interesting. I felt that there was more that could be said about the subject (gender roles in anime is a HUGE topic), and that the existing paragraphs were slightly disjointed-feeling because their transitions weren't great, but what was there was interesting and intelligent. Seems to be on a par with the other articles in that collection.

Mroni · Post by **Mroni** » Mon Sep 01, 2003 2:01 pm

Well if you ask me that article was boring who cares about gender roles in Japanese society? Me I like wacking to the animated girls I don't care about thier feelings at all. Give me more wack.

Mr Oni

sunandshadow · Post by **sunandshadow** » Mon Sep 01, 2003 4:32 pm

Ok, here you go! ^_^ Wacks Mr Oni (with a 2x4)

Mroni · Post by **Mroni** » Mon Sep 01, 2003 4:50 pm

Oh yes baby wack me.

Mr Oni

Lone Wolf · Post by **Lone Wolf** » Mon Sep 01, 2003 7:34 pm

Indeed...

post-it · Post by **post-it** » Mon Sep 01, 2003 10:56 pm

Oooh! . . looky what I found - a 2 X 4 with rusty nails . . passing it up the line òó

Org Profile · Post by **Otohiko** » Wed Sep 03, 2003 8:38 am

I think that only makes it more enjoyable for him.

mistress-samwise · Post by **mistress-samwise** » Wed Sep 03, 2003 12:04 pm

This is certainly very interesting. Similiar things can be said for societies all over the globe, though it is a very sad but real truth.

It seems like the Japanese male is put in a very hard postion. Should he admire his mother for her forgiveness and love, or treat her as something less than he? That is a very hard decision, especially in that kind of society.

In other words, male dominance of females in anime, when targeted toward children and teenagers, is an expression of discontent against matriarchal authority.

As for this, I think it is, to put it bluntly, bull-crap. Perhaps such depictions are outlets for males to show their superiority over females; putting it in a different form. This does not show their "discontent", but rather reinforces already harsh patriarchal authority.

In either case, both males and females are put into difficult spots in the Japanese society, so they take turns taking stabs at each other, both at home and in anime. Like I mentioned before, the same can be said for many countries all over the world, even here in America. Respect for the female image has improved, but it still has much further to go.