Weak Domestic or Fighting Female: Anime and the Portrayal of Women
Document Type
Oral Presentation
Campus where you would like to present
SURC 271
Start Date
16-5-2013
End Date
16-5-2013
Abstract
Japanese animation or “anime” started out as television shows and films for children, but anime has evolved to portray women using degrading and sexist images. Both anime series and films have continued to use those images without restraint and are presented to audiences of various ages, races, and genders. Evidence from peer-reviewed articles, books, and actual anime series and films displays that some anime creators are forcing female characters into traditional feminine roles where they must depend on men. In these roles, the characters must be motherly figures proficient at domestic work in order to be considered worthy love interests. In addition, anime portrays women with specific physical features that are intended to be more appealing and desirable by audiences. However, these portrayals create unrealistic images and ideals of women that are broadcasted to current and future generations of young women. Female audiences may go on watching anime without realizing the effects that these degrading stereotypes have upon them. If left unchecked, girls are encouraged to emulate the passive characteristics found in their favorite anime heroines. Audiences should increase their awareness of sexism in anime and other media if they are to come up with a possible answer to the widespread problem. The purpose of this paper is to inform an ever growing audience of the portrayal of women in anime productions in order for the audience to reach better understanding of the animated films of the Japanese culture.
Recommended Citation
Kobashigawa, Amy, "Weak Domestic or Fighting Female: Anime and the Portrayal of Women" (2013). Symposium Of University Research and Creative Expression (SOURCE). 58.
https://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/source/2013/oralpresentations/58
Additional Mentoring Department
English
Weak Domestic or Fighting Female: Anime and the Portrayal of Women
SURC 271
Japanese animation or “anime” started out as television shows and films for children, but anime has evolved to portray women using degrading and sexist images. Both anime series and films have continued to use those images without restraint and are presented to audiences of various ages, races, and genders. Evidence from peer-reviewed articles, books, and actual anime series and films displays that some anime creators are forcing female characters into traditional feminine roles where they must depend on men. In these roles, the characters must be motherly figures proficient at domestic work in order to be considered worthy love interests. In addition, anime portrays women with specific physical features that are intended to be more appealing and desirable by audiences. However, these portrayals create unrealistic images and ideals of women that are broadcasted to current and future generations of young women. Female audiences may go on watching anime without realizing the effects that these degrading stereotypes have upon them. If left unchecked, girls are encouraged to emulate the passive characteristics found in their favorite anime heroines. Audiences should increase their awareness of sexism in anime and other media if they are to come up with a possible answer to the widespread problem. The purpose of this paper is to inform an ever growing audience of the portrayal of women in anime productions in order for the audience to reach better understanding of the animated films of the Japanese culture.
Faculty Mentor(s)
E. Rick Hutchins