Sexism in Anime


to ranma@ml.usagi.org
from "Benzaiten" <benzaiten@excite.com>
subject Sexism in Anime
date Tue, 01 Jun 1999 15:37:00 PDT
Shadow:

<snip sexism in anime treatise>

I consider myself something of a feminist, and as such I am 
among the first to notice any sexism when it occurs, whether 
in anime or any other entertainment medium, or in real life. 
Yes, there is a lot of sexism in anime, and no, it doesn't 
bother me. Much of it is unconscious on the part of the 
writers, producers, etc.; women in Japan are still generally 
subservient to their husbands and fathers, and the creators 
of the anime are merely depicting the society that they 
know.

Another reason it doesn't bother me much, particularly in 
the Kasumi and Belldandy examples you pointed out, is that 
only rarely will all the females in a series be depicted as 
sweet, domesticated angels who never stand up for 
themselves.  Yes, Ranma 1/2 depicts a woman who is content 
to be an obedient little housewife, but it also depicts 
several women who are aggressive and ambitious and, if 
anything, feminists themselves! People who would argue that 
the series tells girls all they are good for is domesticity 
are obviously just looking for an argument.


Benzaiten the ever melodic
Wielder of the Biwa of Justice
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Master of Anything-Goes Martial Arts Dog
Grooming
Vocalist, Lead Biwa, Translator, and Assistant
Producer for Hammerspace





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