Forum - View topicFeminist anime
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Iris_Anthe
 Posts: 4 |
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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. |
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Eruanna
 Posts: 451 Location: Canada |
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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.
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. |
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TheVok
Posts: 613 Location: North York, Ontario, Canada |
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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. |
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Eruanna
Posts: 451 Location: Canada |
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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. |
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jetz
 Posts: 2148 Location: Manila, Philippines |
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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. |
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Obaa-chan
 Posts: 16 Location: Israel |
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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. |
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Randall Miyashiro
 Posts: 2451 Location: A block away from Golden Gate Park |
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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.
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Obaa-chan
Posts: 16 Location: Israel |
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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] |
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chicogrande
 Posts: 190 Location: Huntsville, Alabama |
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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. |
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angel_lover
 Posts: 645 Location: UK |
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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.]
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Mylene
 Posts: 2792 Location: Indiana |
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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. |
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varmintx
 Posts: 1235 Location: Covington, KY |
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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.
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Momoko_Yumi
 Posts: 98 Location: Heidenheim, Germany |
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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] |
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Iris_Anthe
Posts: 4 |
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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! |
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Iritscen
 Subscriber Posts: 801 |
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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. 
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. |
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