×
  • remind me tomorrow
  • remind me next week
  • never remind me
Subscribe to the ANN Newsletter • Wake up every Sunday to a curated list of ANN's most interesting posts of the week. read more

Forum - View topic
Feminist anime


Goto page 1, 2, 3, 4  Next

Anime News Network Forum Index -> General -> Anime
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
Iris_Anthe



Joined: 10 Nov 2006
Posts: 4
PostPosted: Sat Apr 07, 2007 9:56 pm Reply with quote
So, I just watched the final episode of Saiunkoku Monogatari. As with all the truly great anime, it's creators sadly knew when to end the story, leaving me again just pining for more. I was so taken with the story, and particularly with the outstanding lead character of Shuurei, the "princess." I was sitting and thinking that in the end the reason I loved this story so much, was not the lovely plot convolutions, or the beautiful animation, or the bountiful lovely boys, but rather the very clear feminist battles that Shuurei fights throughout the series. In the end, it is the tension of how a young woman of great intelligence and ambition can manage to achieve her dreams, while still feeling the pull to care for her family, find a mate and support his dreams, and bear children ... it was this tension that had me riveted to the story. What a wonderfully modern set of questions this anime put forth, without any clobbering over the head, and so comfortably disguised in the fluffy and safe framework of a fairy tale set in mythical China, complete with a princess, an emperor, and the emperor's secret older brother, all vying for her good graces.

I'm just wondering, is this a stand alone masterpiece? Don't get me wrong, I can enjoy angry, weapon-weilding, panty-baring, big breasted, freaky female anime as much as anyone else. I just wanted to know if there existed anywhere else, besided the land of Miyazaki, anime where female characters are so wonderfully rich in character, and where true to life questions that women and girls must face in life are actually adressed? Has anyone seen anything to measure up to Saiunkoku Monogatari? If so, please let me know. I'd like to see it too.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Eruanna



Joined: 05 Sep 2006
Posts: 451
Location: Canada
PostPosted: Sat Apr 07, 2007 10:07 pm Reply with quote
Your assumption that the creators "knew when to end it" is wrong; there is a second season airing that picks up right after the 39th episode. Very Happy

I tend to agree with you, this anime is brilliant. Even though I am not much for feminism, it worked so terribly well in this series. There were so many times when I literally cheered for Shuurie as she triumphed over things.
(The hot guys were a very nice plus, I might add)

Im not certain if I know of any others like it.... Ouran High School Host Club has a strong female lead, though she often gets told she cant do certain things because she is a girl. Well, Im really only thinking of one episode in particular.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website My Anime My Manga
TheVok



Joined: 09 Mar 2007
Posts: 613
Location: North York, Ontario, Canada
PostPosted: Sat Apr 07, 2007 11:18 pm Reply with quote
Eruanna wrote:
Even though I am not much for feminism


Zuh?

"Feminism: the doctrine advocating social, political, and all other rights of women equal to those of men."

I'm amazed there are still people today who don't believe in this ....

Now, that said, given the level of power that women wield in Japan--which is much lower than in many poorer countries--the term 'feminist anime' is arguably (and sadly) still an oxymoron.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Eruanna



Joined: 05 Sep 2006
Posts: 451
Location: Canada
PostPosted: Sat Apr 07, 2007 11:23 pm Reply with quote
TheVok wrote:
Eruanna wrote:
Even though I am not much for feminism


Zuh?

"Feminism: the doctrine advocating social, political, and all other rights of women equal to those of men."

I'm amazed there are still people today who don't believe in this ....


THAT I am all for. What bothers me is the "feminists" we get nowadays who DONT belive oin gender equality, they belive in Female Domination. The word "feminism" has changed in todays society, or at least all the"feminists" Iv dealt with seem to think so. I dont belive that females ought to be raised above men. And I disagree with feminist ways of thinking in that I DONT think that "girls can do anything guys can". Girls arent as strong as guys, and I dont think it is sexist to say so, for example. But there are two sides to that coin, there are also alot of things that girls can do that guys cant. I just think that being "different" is not the same as being "unequal", and alot of "feminists" would disagree with me.
All of that said, I AM FEMALE myself, just to put my opinions in perspective.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website My Anime My Manga
jetz



Joined: 31 Jan 2007
Posts: 2148
Location: Manila, Philippines
PostPosted: Sun Apr 08, 2007 12:17 am Reply with quote
I like Saiunkoku Monogatari too - except I didn't really think of it as a "feminist anime" until now. I think it's because I didn't see Shuurei the way you guys did. I didn't see her as a feminist, but I saw her as a woman struggling to work for her country and trying to do all that she can for it.

As for other feminist series, well these days you see a lot of anime that has a majority of female characters like R.O.D and Burst Angel. The female characters in both series show how strong and capable they can be. Although I don't think they're what you're looking for.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website My Anime My Manga
Obaa-chan



Joined: 18 Feb 2007
Posts: 16
Location: Israel
PostPosted: Sun Apr 08, 2007 12:57 am Reply with quote
I recommend Planetes. Although the main protagonist is male, it has three very strong and very amazing female characters.
Although it really displays a feminist's utopia: a world where it is perfectly OK for a woman to have a career in space, coming home once a year while the hubbie raises the kid; a world where a woman can pick herself up, with sheer determination, from being a whore to a respectable job, a world where a woman's chances to get on a prestigious space voyage are equal those of a man.
Ahhh... Oh well, maybe in 70 years it will be that way.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Randall Miyashiro



Joined: 12 Jun 2003
Posts: 2451
Location: A block away from Golden Gate Park
PostPosted: Sun Apr 08, 2007 1:42 am Reply with quote
Planetes is by far one of my favorite series of all time. In regards to feminist I think that Patlabor does a slightly better job though. Ai is a very submissive female character who fits into the typical Japanese girl more than Noa does. Patlabor like Planetes has a nice ensemble of supporting females like the competent Shinobu or the tough Clancy. This series is also far older than Planetes in an era where there were almost no female leads in mecha anime. I will agree that Planetes hits the mark on more mature based concerns and themes than any other series.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website My Anime
Obaa-chan



Joined: 18 Feb 2007
Posts: 16
Location: Israel
PostPosted: Sun Apr 08, 2007 4:27 am Reply with quote
I don't know about Patlabor.
But I disagree about Ai's stereotypical submissiveness. For God's sake, she punches a guy in the nose. That can't be a good behavior for a typical Japanese girl. And she's never afraid to speak her mind. And she spoiler[saves that swan lady ] through an act of physical strength and endurance. Not to mention she's a professional astronaut. All very unstereotypical.
[/spoiler]
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
chicogrande



Joined: 11 Jun 2004
Posts: 190
Location: Huntsville, Alabama
PostPosted: Sun Apr 08, 2007 5:39 am Reply with quote
I think Patlabor, at least based on the movies, could be called a "feminist" anime. The character of Noa is the primary example. She is dedicated to her career and is treated equally by her peers and there is no fanservice. Still, that doesn't exclude her from questions about marriage and such, but it's the way she handles it.

Silent Mobius is a favorite of mine. The female cast is as strong as they come and fanservice is non-existent. The ladies are individuals with compelling stories juggling very dangerous careers, personal issues, love, and freaky demons.

Haibane Renmei is a compelling story with a memorable female cast.

Niea_7 also ranks up there with a story featuring positive female portrayals.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
angel_lover



Joined: 22 Apr 2005
Posts: 645
Location: UK
PostPosted: Sun Apr 08, 2007 8:13 am Reply with quote
Don't you think the fact that Kino spoiler[is a girl maybe counts as a spoiler? Anyway, as far as I'm concerned she's the ideal feminist hero in that it doesn't really matter whether she's a boy or a girl, people treat her on the merits of her character rather than her gender.]
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Mylene



Joined: 07 Feb 2006
Posts: 2792
Location: Indiana
PostPosted: Sun Apr 08, 2007 8:52 am Reply with quote
angel_lover wrote:
Don't you think the fact that Kino spoiler[is a girl maybe counts as a spoiler? Anyway, as far as I'm concerned she's the ideal feminist hero in that it doesn't really matter whether she's a boy or a girl, people treat her on the merits of her character rather than her gender.]


Not particularly. Even before I read the novel (I haven't seen the anime yet, although I own it), I knew that. Sure, certain .hack//SIGN characters' true sex would be considered a spoiler, but Kino? I certainly wouldn't think so. But I suppose if it's supposed to be some sort of surprise in the anime...? I mean, the cover conveys Kino's sex pretty blatantly in my opinion.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message My Anime My Manga
varmintx



Joined: 31 Jul 2006
Posts: 1235
Location: Covington, KY
PostPosted: Sun Apr 08, 2007 2:58 pm Reply with quote
Just because an anime has strong female protagonists, that doesn't necessarily mean it's feminist. I argue here that Revolutionary Girl Utena advocates feminism.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message My Anime My Manga
Momoko_Yumi



Joined: 05 Mar 2007
Posts: 98
Location: Heidenheim, Germany
PostPosted: Sun Apr 08, 2007 5:26 pm Reply with quote
I think there are many animes/mangas who have feminists tendencies. Think of all the "Magical Girls" animes like "Sailor Moon", "Wedding Peach" or "Tokyo Mew Mew"...the heroes are all...girls.


And than animes like "Sakura Wars". spoiler[ playing in an alternative japan in the 20s. The last frontier against demons are a couple of girls in mechas with esp-talents]

Or animes/mangas like "Black Lagoon", "Grenadier", "Zeroin" or "Rose Hip Rose" with real Gunslinger Girls.
OK, many of them have "fan service" (like also "Najica" or "Aika"), but the fact is that these animes show really tough girls^^.

Also "Noir" is a good example. Or "Gunsmith Cats"
spoiler[headhunting girls with fast cars and dangerous weapons]
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message MSN Messenger ICQ Number
Iris_Anthe



Joined: 10 Nov 2006
Posts: 4
PostPosted: Sun Apr 08, 2007 8:17 pm Reply with quote
Thanks everyone. I really appreciate the recommendations. I was a little fearful that the mere mention of the word feminism might ignite some impolite behavior, but everyone was so great in sharing some real recommendations. After all, feminism is badly maligned by popular culture the world over. Thank you, very much.

I had never heard of Planetes, and only vaguely heard of Patlabor. I've wanted to see Revolutionary Girl Utena for a while, and the rec here has bolstered that wish. I'll also definitely look into Silent Mobius and the others recommended.

Thanks again!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Iritscen
Subscriber



Joined: 25 Apr 2006
Posts: 801
PostPosted: Tue Apr 10, 2007 1:33 pm Reply with quote
Obaa-chan wrote:
Although it really displays a feminist's utopia: a world where it is perfectly OK for a woman to have a career in space, coming home once a year while the hubbie raises the kid


The guys also do that to their wives in Planetes. It seems pretty cold looking at it either way. But I too recommend the show to everyone, particularly over the age of 20. And you are right about Ai. She's not a submissive girl. She is tsundere, though. Smile

Miyazaki has stated, iirc, that he is a feminist in writing his films, but others argue that his films generally depict women in need of rescue and that it isn't particularly aiding the feminist cause. Just throwing that out there.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message My Anime My Manga
Display posts from previous:   
Reply to topic    Anime News Network Forum Index -> General -> Anime All times are GMT - 5 Hours
Goto page 1, 2, 3, 4  Next
Page 1 of 4

 


Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group