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Women in anime.

Our flagship courses tended to be sales and management related. When we were asked to make these courses available in Japanese we were shocked to learn that this included removing all references to women in managerial positions. And yes, I do still know Japanese women who walk behind their man or any man for that matter.

Does the media have:
1) More than one woman

Do they:
2) talk to each other
3) about something other than a man

However, (and possibly surprisingly,) a great deal of Japanese manga does *not* fail the Bechdel Test. A shockingly large amount of manga, both by and for women and by and for men, fulfills and surpasses these criteria.

wcsinn wrote:

Our flagship courses tended to be sales and management related. When we were asked to make these courses available in Japanese we were shocked to learn that this included removing all references to women in managerial positions. And yes, I do still know Japanese women who walk behind their man or any man for that matter.

This just bothers me. Badly.

I love anime. I love manga. It's something I've been into for years. But whenever I indulge in these interests, I don't often see a lot of sexism. Maybe it's because I am not looking for it.

I do know women aren't as favored in Japan as men are and don't have the same opportunities. But you'd think a country as technologically advanced and education-oriented as they are would throw away some of these very old-fashioned , ignorant, and sexist thoughts towards women.

Why exactly is it that Japan feels the need to keep women under the wing of men? Why do they refuse to put women in positions of management? Do they feel as though we are mentally incapable? Not intelligent or strong enough to handle it?
I also heard Japan disapproves of women working after marriage. Being a housewife is very encouraged.

I know it's cultural, but it still bugs me. I'm not a hardcore feminist but I do believe equal opportunity in the work field should be enforced. I also feel that gender roles shouldn't be so focused upon.

Sometimes it is hard for me to indulge in anime and manga knowing it comes from a country with these standards. I mean, it's a LOT better than how some women are treating in some parts of Africa or the Middle East, but still....

wcsinn wrote:

Our flagship courses tended to be sales and management related. When we were asked to make these courses available in Japanese we were shocked to learn that this included removing all references to women in managerial positions. And yes, I do still know Japanese women who walk behind their man or any man for that matter.

This just bothers me. Badly.

DazzleNeko wrote:

wcsinn wrote: Our flagship courses tended to be sales and management related. When we were asked to make these courses available in Japanese we were shocked to learn that this included removing all references to women in managerial positions. And yes, I do still know Japanese women who walk behind their man or any man for that matter. This just bothers me. Badly.

You know it was not my intention to stir things up, why should you be bothered by another culture, just because it is different does not mean it is better or worse. There is much to admire in the Japanese culture and it also has it's fair share of flaws - just as any culture does. I'm old enough to remember segregation and bigotry right here, which unfortunately has not yet disappeared entirely.

Personally I do not see alot of sexism in anime nor do I see a lack of strong female characters - though I guess this is open to interpretation and how one defines a strong woman character. What I see is a wide cross-section of personality types, which by the way, mirror what I see in most media. Anime isn't intended to always reflect reality, nor is media in general. A lot of American TV comedies show adults as idiots and the teenagers as the wise and sane ones - makes good comedy but it isn't very realistic.

Here's a few characters I feel are strong women:

Motoko Kusanagi, the Major - Ghost in the Shell
Balsa - Moribito
Tsunade - Naruto/Shippuden
(in fact I think there are quit a few strong women in Naruto)
Burst Angel - all strong women, OK Meg is a girl-girly who needs rescuing constantly - but she gets rescued by another woman
Revy - Black Lagoon, in a gang of smugglers the girl is the enforcer!
Saya - Blood+, she holds the fate of the world in her hands
Claymore - all women, all physically and emotionally strong

I think you find what you look for - if you look for inequality you can probably find it, if you look for strong women you can find them too.

2. Will not change to some. I'm speaking presently and of course recently for the last couple of years. Obviously what I see differs from what you see. So let me clarify my interpretation of independence. Individuality. That means being self-sufficient w/out the help of the man. Autonomy. Essentially, they do not rely on the man. The woman solves her own problems or is the leader. In many animes, you see those qualities reflected in the male. You hardly see those qualities in the females.

However, need proof? Just look at what has been released for the passed two years and even now. If you want me to list fine. However I don't think I need too.

3. I'm not saying females shouldn't have faults. That's what makes a story. I concur. However, based on what I said in 2, I would like to see more animes where the women is the leader of the pack. More importantly not a figure head. I would like to see more women in anime not being used to strengthen the male's character(which happens a lot). I would like to see more women in anime not being exploited aka fanservice. I would like to see more anime where women are independent and don't make decisions because of the male.

Observing and getting details from an indirect source is one thing. Actually socializing with them, what I do since I am a teen, is another. Now I'm a guy so I can't really say what guys my age mostly think...I think the dudes know what I mean, but no. Guys chase girls. Maybe its different in other places, but typically, the rule is-"a girl that's known to chase guys is a slut." What I hear, what my friends say.

Contrary, from my experience, I generally see women play vital roles. They have more idk flare, cocky at times, but they are very independent.

I am wondering how you all think women are portrayed in anime?
Do you think their depiction is sexist or degrading?
How realistic do you think women/girls act in your average anime?
Do you even want realistic girls in anime or do you prefer the whimsical fantasy girls they have?

You've made a mistake regarding Black Lagoon. it's not just Revy. Pretty much ALL the females in the series(even the old nun) are pretty tough chicks.

Average anime? Is there such a thing??

Stop watching Magical Girl and Giant Robot anime and stop pretending 95% of women aren't completely [expletive] insane from social engineering that feeds them contradicting realities from birth.

Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann had a strong female lead? Yeah, she better had been strong, given how her weapon of choice was an anti-tank rifle that would normally break a person's collarbone. Oh, and that the skimpy bikini is no protection in combat, in the heat of the day or the cold of the night. Therefore Yoko's skin must be the child of military-style body armour and the suits astronauts wear for their EVAs.

Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann had a strong female lead? Yeah, she better had been strong, given how her weapon of choice was an anti-tank rifle that would normally break a person's collarbone. Oh, and that the skimpy bikini is no protection in combat, in the heat of the day or the cold of the night. Therefore Yoko's skin must be the child of military-style body armour and the suits astronauts wear for their EVAs.