Gender Related Themes in Manga and Anime

Ian W. Kamp

Bishounen – Male character in Anime and Manga with strong female appearance characteristics. – “Delicate, Cute, and Refined”

Yaoi – Anime or Manga dealing with sexual attraction between two males. Usually one character is Bishounen

Yuri – Anime or Manga dealing with sexual attraction between two females.

Shoujou – Manga and Anime marketed toward women

Shounen – Manga and Anime marketed toward men

Shounen-AI – Manga and Anime dealing with relationship between males. Less sexual content than “yaoi”

Manga and Anime Female Stereotypes

Generally, in Manga and Japanese Animation you will see these three types of stereotypes. Traits are often amplified.

Leader – Often takes typical “male” roles. Very assertive.

Reserved / Subservient Type – Very traditional in typical female roles.

Hyper Girl Type – Immature and always jumpy. Usually young.

Anime and Manga as Anti-Feminist – Women always have specific stereotypes. Animators often portray women as sex objects (panty shots, big breasts, etc.)

Anime / Manga as Pro-Femenist – Women are often in position of power, Not so much “Damsel in Distress” stereotype.

Sources -

http://www.ex.org/2.8/45-essay_sterotypes.html

http://www.awn.com/mag/issue1.5/articles/goslingcult1.5.html

http://animeworld.com/essays/feminism.html

http://www.naughtykitty.org/shoujo.html