Month: December 2008

Your mother is a Fujoshi!

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genshiken, ohno, ogiue, saki, yaoi, BL, doujinshi, fujoshi

So the internet is a mysterious, fun, and sometimes scary place. I have observed many strange statements and maybe that is the way of the internet but really. When I hear arguments that reverse harem, BL, and ren’ai games are smart or incredibly artistic, I have to wonder if we are seeing the same things. Of course these genres have examples of greatness, but could anyone really believe that an entire genre of anything is all good? I have even seen people claim that these types of genres are the way to combat an alleged boys only attitude in fandom. It seems like a similarly elitist attitude that plagues everything.

Before we begin I would like everyone to be on the same page. So I begin with a definition. What exactly is a fujoshi? We have mentioned them in the past but I have never really talked in depth about them before now. The simple definition of fujoshi is a female otaku who focuses on BL/yaoi and BL/yaoi related material. I have seen a trend to try to label any female otaku as a fujoshi but I think this is a grave mistake. Fujoshi have very specific tastes that warrant them having their own sub-classification. All fujoshi are female otaku but not all female otaku are fujoshi.

Something strange is happening. And while it certainly isn’t just these genres, it seems to be quite prevalent. Some girls actually think that BL, reverse harems, and girl-oriented dating sims are automatically deep. I get that girls want to have their own sub-genres that are specifically created for their enjoyment, that speaks to their fantasies, but why go putting meaning in things that have none? I feel the same way about anyone who actually believes moe is the be all end all of high art. It is becoming quite apparent to me that there are some fujoshis who are a whole different class of women in denial.

You unruly cad! Are you implying that Fushigi Yugi, Fake, and Angelique are not the pinnacles of visual literature whether it be in the pantheon of Eastern or Western civilization? Next you are going to tell me that Fate/Stay Night, Strawberry Panic!, and Negima! aren’t high literature! All kidding aside, no one sane that I know has ever attempted to even imply that Night Shift Nurses or F-Force has a grand amount of subtlety and deep insight into society. They are animated porn for men to masturbate to. Any social insight gleaned from them is ancillary to the actual “narrative.” And I use narrative in the loosest sense of the word. Porn is porn and titillation is titillation no matter if it is made for men or for women. I will bet good money that 75% of all BL, reverse harems, and girl-oriented dating sims are as shallow as shows made for men. They may be entertaining and enjoyable but they are almost always about as far from deep as Naruto is far from the actual practices of ninjas. I’m not saying it’s all pop culture junk food but it is certainly the dominant percentage.

Yaoi is to manga what romance novels are to literature. Not all books containing romance go into the romance novel section, but you can bet on what you are going to find in that section. Sure some of it has some semblance of plot but that isn’t why the reader is reading it. That is not a bad thing! Read for your own enjoyment but don’t try to tell me that it is saving the world. To ascertain that BL is the answer to the “male dominated world” of anime and manga is not only wildly exaggeratory, it is insulting. That seems to imply that women are only superficially interested in these mediums. As if they could only possibly care about pretty faces and boys touching each other. I mean no woman actually wants a plot line or character development, right? Aren’t these kinds of statements ghettoizing females and making them seem even more remote in a fandom that has a great number of men?

I think that the real problem is horribly vocal crusader fujoshi. They then assume their fellow female fans are just as shallow as they are. I think that female anime fans can be similar to their male counterparts but I don’t think that one gender is filled with nothing but intellectual pursuits where as the other group only wants shallow fan-service. I think that anime containing a wide variety of genres including genres aimed at females of all ages that are often written by women makes it appealing to women.

It is true that much of geek culture has a large gap in the male to female ratio. However, I frankly think it has quite a lot to do with women more than men trying to keep girls out. Women keep women out. And this has a whole lot to do with society and many outside factors that have nothing to do with geekdom which I could go on and on about. But I won’t, not right now. Geek pride is on the rise and with the growth of online communities, one not even need to leave their house in order to interact with their chosen fandom. I’ve mostly found a female opinion welcomed.

I think that most geek guys would give their eye for more women to be into their chosen hobbies. One problem is that most geeky guys lack the interpersonal skills to easily draw more women to their groups. I will also admit that a certain percentage of any geeky community will have a no girls allowed attitude but I think they are in the definite minority. Plus, they mostly have that attitude due to bitterness of the small numbers of women actively in the community. Women stay out of geeky hobbies because they think they don’t have a place in geek fandom or it holds any interest for them. Why this happens is another debate beyond the scope of this article and perhaps even this blog. The main point is I don’t think there is a cabal of men trying to keep women out of anime and only though the diligence of Light x L and Kyo x Yuki doujinshi authors are girls watching anime.

What about that shojo manga? Manga written for young women has been a popular genre since the 1970’s (though obviously appeared much earlier) so I think it is safe to say it has plenty of influence on why women/girls like anime and manga. And shojo manga sells quite well here these days, some have even made it on to the best-seller list. What about Sailor Moon? She was a phenomenon! Half the girls I know my age remember her fondly and can credit her, atleast partially, to their thrust into fandom. Yes, there has been an influx of girls in fandom as of late but there is more than one reason for this. I just think they are overlooking huge things just to make their given preferences important.

More girls start watching anime and reading manga due to non-sexual reasons. You usually have to hook girls on the shojo and the shonen before they go out and start reading the BL and doujinshi. It’s an outgrowth of their interest in the medium. Women don’t primarily come to anime for any one reason. There is the universal appeal of Studio Ghibli films. There is the wish fulfillment magical girls. There is the simple pure-hearted romance of young girls’ shojo. There is the drama and excitement of older girl’s romance, fantasy, and adventure shojo. There is the more mature look at love and life in josei manga. Many shonen shows have had almost as many female fans as they have male fans. Do some girls just watch these shows as fodder for their BL doujinshi? Sure. Are some girls only reading Fruits Basket because they want to be surrounded by the handsome men of the Sohma family? This is an undeniable fact. I just feel that the appeal of anime and manga is stronger than that. I have always loved the attitude of certain fujoshi that their favorite pairings are not just in their heads but actually a secret between them and the author. They also usually have the feeling that anyone who does not realize this is a plain idiot.

Everyone isn’t just here watching, reading, (blogging) for purely aesthetic, superficial reasons. We all know that anime offers both things to its fans. We can have over-the-top, shallow, or silly stories and we can turn around and move on to deep, thought provoking, or endearing tales. Nothing dominates bringing female fans in as far as I can tell. It is just the vocal minority on the internet that gives this weird illusion. And don’t get me started on the obsession with non-canon relationships that do not exist. Please don’t imply that all women are that delusional. Do I read doujinshi? Yes. Do I read about characters that will never be in a relationship? Yes. Do I insist that it is real? No.

I just want to make it clear that I don’t mind fujoshi in general. Everyone is entitled to like what they like. Women should be able to indulge themselves and be catered to with all the gusto that any male would. I feel fujoshi are no better or worse than moe fans, mecha fans, hentai fans, classic anime fans, or sports anime fans. I would even go as far as to claim that American fujoshi make the U.S. market more robust and healthy. What I don’t like is fujoshi running around with a superiority complex. Even moe fans don’t claim to be the saviors of fandom.

Top 5 non-canon couples
5. Spike and Faye (Cowboy Bebop)
4. Allelujah and Sumeragi (Gundam 00)
3. Allen and Lavi (D.Gray Man)
2. Kanda and Lenalee (D.Gray Man)
1. Zoro and Nami (One Piece)

Ongoing Investigations: Case #024

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My first thought upon finishing the first story in Object of Desire by Tomoko Noguchi was this is certainly a series of Redikomi stories. This means that it is josei with graphic sex. We get the Full Monte from both sexes and pretty graphic intercourse. It’s certainly not traditional hentai but it’s not censored in any fashion. There are four one-chapter stories and one two-chapter story. The title of the book sets the tone about girls falling for guys who might not be the easiest or best choices for them. Almost all of the men cheat on the women they are with and are usually jerk-faces to their girlfriends at some point in the story. In fact, the author mentions that in retrospect even she found the guys to be tremendous jerks even if they were lovable jerks. The art is rather pleasant and cute where it needs to be cute and sexy where it needs to be sexy but the author seems to have an odd policy about hands. She either draws them extremely well and detailed or so horribly that even I noticed it. She does the same things with mouths to a lesser degree. I think Oil and Water and With Lemon were may favorite stories in the series because we get a little more insight into the main characters than in the others. I was most interested in Shizuka and Kimura’s weirdly developing relationship and their coming to understand each other and themselves. Maid for Love was my least favorite story because although the main guy was the nicest and coolest guy in the whole book his girlfriend was sort of a ditzy-subservient-maid-girl. Overall they are short little stories about trying to find a little connection with someone else in sexual relationships. I found the stories enjoyable but extremely fluffy as you would expect from what is essentially girl porn. You can see for yourself if this collection is for you because Aurora has a preview of it up.

I watched the first episode of Basilisk. I got it along with three other first episodes from a Funimation deal with iTunes for free. I had heard good things about it, mostly about the crazy warriors and the fighting. I really enjoy the opening fight between a guy who used wire verses a guy who used sticky goo. Oh a side note, guy who uses sticky goo, not the most attractive fellow. There is also this guy that works for the shogunate that has the craziest chin. I think his secret ability must be hidden in it. This short half hour had a good balance of action and political drama. I enjoyed the fierce rivalry of the two clans mixed with unattainable love plot as well. I am curious to see more of it.

Bartender is without a doubt healing manga. While the stories are warm, touching, and fascinating there is also nothing close to action in them. The story revolves around Ryu Sasakura who is, oddly enough, a bartender. Customers come to various bars where he works and he is able to size them up and give them just the cocktail needed to solve their problems. This neigh magical ability has given him the nickname the “glass of God.” Does anyone know if there is some connection between Bartender and Yakitate!! Japan. Did the artists of both series study under the same guy or is it all in my head? They both have similar character designs and personalities to their main characters. Also, while the comedy is over the top in Yakitate!! Japan the comedy in Bartender can be reminicent of it in style. The Bartender manga seems radially different from the anime but conversely the essence is the same. Ryu uses his Sherlockian attention to detail and empathy and dispenses an expertly served bit of alcohol as he solves their problems. The chapters also end with recipes for all the cocktails presented.

Watched three more episodes of The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya. I really enjoyed the two part murder mystery on the lonesome island. I liked how it established a limit upon Haruhi’s desires because she always seems so boundless. So I am just a few short episodes away from finishing this show.

In anticipation of the upcoming Maria†Holic anime, I decided to read some of the manga to see how much it lives up to our expectations. Kanako is so repulsed by boys she breaks out into hives whenever one touches her. So she goes to an all girls school to meet the girl of her dreams. On her first day, Kanako runs into a beautiful blonde girl named Maria and falls head over heals for her. The problem is that Maria is actually a boy. So Maria uses his influence to become Kanako’s roommate and watch her 24/7 to make sure she does not reveal his secret. Most of the comedy comes at Kanako’s expense because Maria and his maid are horrible human beings. I find this highly amusing but it might turn some people off. It’s a solid anti-romantic comedy. I eagerly await the first episode of the anime. On a side note the reaction shots remind me on Pani Poni at times.

Read a short BL manga collection called Red Blinds the Foolish by est em. The main story is about a famous bull fighter and his lover, a butcher, we get to see their quiet passion for each other but also a loving resolve to try and understand the other. The focuses in all the stories are some unique, and sometimes a little odd, relationships. The manga-ka gives us just a glimpse into the lives of these characters which starts in the middle and doesn’t end in finality. I found this approach appealing and a little abstract but I never felt hindered by not knowing every detail of these characters history. Most of the stories contain some amount of sex however it is not graphic with just a little nudity and none of it frontal. I liked that they kept alot of the Spanish words in the first story and gave us footnotes, however many of the footnotes were close to the spine making it difficult to read or even notice. The art is well done for the most part and made me think of my many hours in figure drawing classes. An added bonus at the end is the manga-ka talking about a trip to Spain to see real matadors. It is a very amusing couple of pages and she draws herself as R2D2. This manga-ka is great a creating quiet little vignettes and also helps to show the range found in BL manga. A preview of Red Blinds the Foolish is also avaliable!

I bit the bullet and watched Revenge of the Space Pirate aka The Just for Kids version of Arcadia of My Youth. It was bundled at Wal-mart with Defenders of Space and Protectors of the Universe for three dollars. While Arcadia of my Youth is considered a classic, less people feel the same way about Revenge of the Space Pirate. I have seen less wooden acting in a marionette show. Half the time the voice actors seem like they are on qualudes and the other half they are just plain terrible. The dub script looks as if someone who did not know Japanese read a quick summary of what the movie was about and then wrote a script based on their best guess of what was being said. I know that Arcadia of My Youth is not the quickest moving movie, but Revenge of the Space Pirate moved at a glacial pace despite cutting out parts of the original film. I am still interested to see original because if you look under the deck you can see there is a well-made manly Harlock movie. There was also two episodes of Robo Formers (Getter Robo G) and two episodes of the lusciously well-animated Fleischer Superman cartoons from the 40s to fill-out the DVD. Robo Formers makes Revenge of the Space Pirate look like a masterpiece. I’m not how much the “quality” has to do with Getter Robo G being garbage and how much is just a terrible dub but my goodness was Robo Formers painful.

Because there can never be too much Alice in Wonderland fan-art, this is the pic of the week:

Poll Results: Is CLANNAD actually popular in the U.S.?

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CLANNAD, key

I wouldn’t say I frequent a lot of forums, but I am active in a couple. I can often be found in the anime recommendation section of forums. I can’t go a day without someone/many people suggesting CLANNAD for various reasons, sometimes completely unrelated to the topic at hand. I also see it frequently blogged about, whether it be general praise or following it episode by episode. So after all this, I just kept asking myself was it really that popular? We set out to try and find out.

I can tell you first hand from several online interactions that CLANNAD has a evangelical fan following. You could easily get the idea the Internet that it is this hot show with thousands of very vocal and devoted fans. I remember stumbling on one web review of CLANNAD that called anyone who did not like CLANNAD lame, gay, and without artistic taste which strikes me as a rather extreme reaction. But I feel it is exemplary of the attitude of many of CLANNAD’s die-hard supporters. The question was how much does this translate into an actual fan following in anime fandom. Does a single online supporter translate into something like 100 real life fans or does it translate into two real life fans?

Hypothesis
CLANNAD only appears to be popular because of a vocal minority on the Internet. Our theory is there is no sizable mass of mid-range fans of CLANNAD who love the show but don’t talk about it online. There is also no hidden market outside of the established online fans making it an excellent license for the U.S.

Method
In person, vocalized, polling of anime fans attending New York Anime Festival and Providence Anime Conference. This was done to get the widest variety of people who have varying degrees of knowledge of current titles in Japan. We first asked each person had they ever heard of CLANNAD. We also gave a brief description if people seemed fuzzy on what the show was. If they had heard of it we then asked if they watched any of it, whether it be an episode or a whole season. If they answered in the affirmative, we asked if the liked it. This gave us a good insight into several things. One, how much of a general buzz was there about the show. Was the show popular enough that it is recognizable to a majority of anime fans? Two, how many people then investigated the show due to the buzz. Third, when people finally sat down and watched the show did they enjoy what they watched?

Results

Total polled: 320

Haven’t heard of the anime: 219 (68%)
Heard of the anime: 101 (32%)
Of those who had heard, how many watched any of it: 56 (55%)
Of those who watched, how many disliked it: 27 (48%)
Of those who watched, how many liked it: 29 (52% which is 9% of the total group surveyed)

Conclusions
I think a good question that we didn’t ask of people would have been whether or not they were interested in seeing it if they hadn’t. But unfortunately that is hindsight. And we are only two people (plus Kohaku helped) so getting more people to survey during the allotted period was rather impossible. As our experience was everyone under the sun had seen CLANNAD, these results make that obviously untrue. Though I think these results do translate into a small established fan-base with very proud and fervent supporters, that doesn’t mean that people wouldn’t be interested in it if it comes to the U.S. However, it does seem to suggest similar results as seen with the debacle of the Rozen Maiden license.

The Internet has the proven ability to easily give a misleading perception of what is popular. Rozen Maiden is was a huge phenomenon in Japan and had a large vocal fan following on the Internet in America. So it was easy to assume from the number of people in the U.S. talking about it that it would garner solid U.S. sales among an otaku market like it did in Japan. From everything I have heard Rozen Maiden totally bombed for Geneon when released. Most people who had already watched it passed on buying it and almost no one who was not already a fan picked it up. Looking at the numbers we gathered a similar situation could occur with CLANNAD. The vocal minority of fans who love the show have made it seem like it has a large fan-base but in actuality the number of people who purchase DVDs tends to be smaller than the number of people talking about any show. Only 18% of the people interviewed had taken the time to watch the show when it was available free to them.