I found the definition of shoujo a particularly interesting idea within anime and Princess Mononoke. When I Googled ‘shoujo’ it came up as a genre of anime targeted at girls aged about 11-18 years, however after doing a bit of further research it seems that it is much more than this and there is extensive comment and research on femininity and its representations within manga and anime. Napier (2005) notes that anima is an appropriate art form for the turn of the millennium particularly due to uits fascination with gender roles and gender transgression (p.11) highlighted in romantic comedy anime, narratives aimed at young girls and in pornographic anime – all while characterising a world in which women’s roles are rapidly changing. As seen in Princess Mononoke ,where Miyazaki focuses on the changing historical identity and traditional roles in relation to fast-changing modern world.
Anime conventions and, particularly Miyazaki’s work, tend to redefine feminine physiognomies (Cavallaro, 2006). Heroines are wide eyes, lipless and with seemingly Caucasian features at a young adolescent age and therefore cannot dismissed as plastic dolls or the ‘hero’s accessory’. Cavallaro goes on to explain that Miyazaki’s heroines are undeniable shoujo in that they are active independent, courageous and curious – which are characteristics that in Western or more traditional genres would be attributed to a male protagonist (like Tintin).
This being my first andonly experience of feminist themes within anime, I was tempted to praise the modern views and non-sexualisation of female figures. However, upon further investigation I found that this is not true of all anime genres. And this particular anime blog (http://angrogynousfemales.blogspot.co.nz/) with the post titled The New Feminism in Anime in which she raises the point as to why these heroines have their female sexuality minimalised to the point that they could be pre-adolescent boys. So, they are given modern day female characteristics but then have their breasts and womanly figures downplayed. As the blogger, who goes by the name Sennac, states: 'This (the erasure of femininity) is due to the imbalance of characteristically feminine and masculine qualities in dominant female characters' - however, she focuses quite specifically on post-apocalyptic and cyberpunk anime. It appears that more independent heroines radiate more subtle feminine features while the more passive female characters are drawn to embody their gender. However, interestingly, Lady Eboshi in Princess Mononoke is an undoubtedly feminine figure. She cares for the sick and 'rescues' girls from brothels and is an overseeing mother figure within Iron Town, however, she simultaneously embodies masculine qualities with ruthless actions towards the forest and a very keen interest in warfare and its weapons. And then contrasting this is the character of San.
San's body is physically represented as female without being overly sexualised (as seen in other anime genres where the female heroines appear to resemble animated Playboy Girls). Her demeanor is no doubt feminine but is contrasted by her bestial behaviour and dominance and steadfast opinions. However, aligning San to a more feminine character is that she is very much akin to Mother Nature and her care for the forest which hold reference to more traditional female values.
Having said this, not being a particular fan of Western comics and superheroes nor anime and manga, I still prefer the Japanese representations of femininity within shoujo and Miyazaki's texts in comparison to the overly sexualised representations of women through the likes of Superwoman in her knee length boots and mini skirt or Catwoman in her skin tight catsuit or even the role of Lois Lane and her never-ending dependency on Superman for survival.
Hi Lusinda, you have expressed some interesting opinions on feminism and anime. You seem to be following a few trains of thought here, but I think the one that stands out to me is the argument you have that Miyazaki - in creating strong female characters - have somehow played down their 'feminine' characteristics.
ReplyDeleteWhat is considered feminine and what is considered masculine have, of course, been proven to be largely cultural constructs. I think another interesting trait about Lady Eboshi is that she has been assigned the role of 'mother', somewhat at the expense of her sexuality - she has no love interest in the film and Miyazaki almost implies that she is above all that.
I do agree with you that it's refreshing to see women portrayed as strong and independent on screen though. Keep up the good work!
Thoughtful comment Lucinda. A lot has been written about gender representation in anime. It strikes me that both Mononoke and Ashitka or represented as pre-adolescence or those still on the cusp, which might help account for Mononoke's boyishness. She is just not yet fully physically developed. On the other hand I take the point that in punk and cyberpunk anime the girls tend to be tomboys.
ReplyDeleteYes, there was a lot to be read through just on a basic Google search but I think from the small amount of reading I did there must be extensive research of gender representations in anime. I struggle to see Ashitaka as a pre-adolescent however, in many ways Mononoke is very naive and innocent so her portrayal as a young girl is more believable. Contrasting to this - as Karen has mentioned- is Lady Eboshi and her lack of femininity but having a 'mothering' but very dominant, aggressive role.
ReplyDeleteYes, you're right about Ashitaka. The reaction of the women in the town to him is clear enough! But love, bonding and marriage are clearly not the concern of the film, whatever age San and Ashitaka are meant to be. Therefore we can't really call the film a romance although it has some features of the romance genre
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree with Lucinda, San is not the typical anime character, also because usually anime protagonists have conventionally female gendered aspects like sweetness and cuteness. Cuteness is such an important part of contemporary Japanese culture, even thou San is kind of naive and innocent; she doesn't fit into the cute, silly and sexualised common anime characterization.
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