Since I’ve been a bit inactive on the blog the past week or so, I just wanted to apologize and let everyone know that I’m alive. My cat has gone missing so I’ve just been distracted with trying to track her down. However, I will be getting back on my one post a week schedule shortly, hopefully by the end of this week. In the mean time, if you’re looking for some manga that a feminist can give the thumbs up to, check out this list of “10 Feminist Manga Licensed In The United States” on The Mary Sue. I haven’t read a number of these, but I’ve got them on my to-read list and maybe you’ll find some new titles, too!
I’m Alive!
August 23, 2012 by Erin
Posted in Uncategorized | 12 Comments
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When did you decide to keep this once a week post schedule?
Should we as your readers be worried about you when you do not make a blog post once a week?
There is a rock song spinning in my head after reading this post, can I post a YouTube link here for it?
Well, I’ve been trying to post something once a week since the beginning and I’m usually able to, but if I’m unable to post for over a week, I like to let everyone know that I haven’t forgotten about the blog or quit. I’m don’t know if anyone expects me to get a post out a week, but I thought I’d say something just in case someone does.
Since I am not the most capable person in understanding social cues, if you could, please explain why you completely ignored my third question?
Well, I was focused on your other questions when I replied, but as for the song, I’m sorry, I would prefer that you didn’t post it. I’d like to keep links limited to those that are feminist-related and/or related to the content of the post. Thanks for asking first though!
From that list I’ve read (and own): Nausicaa and Sailor Moon; and I definitely agree these two are great works with lots of good female characters (and male ones too in Nausicaa’s case). I haven’t read the manga for Rose of Versailles, but the anime was amazing and I have no doubt the manga will be just as great (although it isn’t licensed in English, which the author seems to have realized because s/he edited that it). I’m sort of mixed about Angelic Layer. I only watched the anime, so maybe the manga is different, but I thought it was only ok and Clamp never really struck me as very feminist friendly to begin with. It’s nice to see a shounen conventions in a shoujo manga. I liked that about it, but it never really stood out to me overall. It’s a good manga for sure, but I don’t know, it’s not up to par with the others listed (and there are so many manga I think fit the “not sexist/demeaning but not really feminist” if you just know where to look that I felt it was an odd choice, especially since Clamp is pretty well known and other less known authors/series could have used that spot. Of course, that’s just my opinion).
I’m really happy to see Moto Hagio listed though~ She deserves so much more love. I can’t wait to pick up Drunken Dream myself. 🙂 I didn’t know about Ooku: The Inner Chambers and it sounds really good too. I’m going to have to add it to my list of stuff to pick up now as well. Thanks for sharing the link. I’m happy that I was able to discover another interesting manga to read. :3
I haven’t read/watched any of Angelic Layer, but I know what you mean about Clamp’s works not standing out as particularly feminist. They’re a bit of a mixed bag, ranging from Chobits to series with stronger female characters like Magic Knight Rayearth. If I’m lucky, my local library will pick up the new edition of Angelic Layer that Dark Horse recently started releasing so that I can find out what it’s like.
As for the others, I’ve either read/watched them (Nausicaa, Sailor Moon, Emma, Rose of Verailles) or I’ve heard interesting things about them. I have to say, I never thought about Emma being feminist friendly or not when I first read it so, now I want to reread it looking at it from that perspective!
I haven’t read Emma myself, so I’m not too sure either. I do know it’s pretty beloved, so if nothing else, it’s probably a good story. (Too bad it’s out of print and pretty expensive to collect from second hand sellers). Maybe it’s like Angelic Layer, not exactly feminist, but not sexist/demeaning with its female characters? Emma sounds like she has a good head on her shoulders.
Yeah, that’s exactly how I feel about Clamp. They have the ability to make some good to great female characters, but then they do things like Chobits and I honestly have to wonder if they thought they were being clever by making very easy claims about human nature by replicating the moe phenomenon. Anyone can do that, but to actually tackle a deconstruction of moe, now that is going to take someone with a lot of guts. Mainly because it would have to explore some pretty dark stuff about the phenomenon; stuff that perhaps people who like moe aren’t willing to admit. There would definitely be a major backlash to anyone who ever attempted it, but I would really respect them.
Thanks, I did’t know that website… I have read “Ōoku: The Inner Chambers” and I liked it. It’s a really clever manga (I’m not sure it’s the right word for a book…). In France that manga is called “Le Pavillon des hommes”, which means “The men’s ward”. It’s even more striking to imagine MEN inside : it hope it’s gonna be effective to show sexism against women for those who aren’t already convinced.
About the list, it’s weird to see that seven of them are old.
I really want to get my hands on Ooku! I keep hearing great things about it and the basic plot sounds quite intriguing. As for being an effective way of showing sexism, I do think that, at least in some cases, switching roles can be a good way to point out sexism. For example, people are used to seeing women positioned in the most ridiculous ways to sexualize them in ads, movie posters, and characters/games so many people think nothing of it, but if you switch roles and put a guy in the woman’s place like this Avengers movie poster, it becomes very apparent how silly the positioning is. After all, we’re just not used to seeing men portrayed like that.
That’s a good observation about the list. I never thought about it, but you’re right. Does this mean we’re seeing less feminist-friendly manga or is it a strange coincidence?
I love that kind of pictures. You’re right, they are ridiculous but there are still some people who say “Oh, women and men aren’t the same”. Yeah, it’s ok to show women doing weird things (we are so used to it that we might think that it’s “normal”) but don’t you dare do that to men ! So awkward ! (haha)
I think I don’t read enough manga to be sure but in the last years, do you remember any big success with a strong female (or a friendly man)? A strong woman who is NOT over-sexualized (Bleachout , Reiko the zombie-shop out) ? I would say Fullmetal Alchemist and that’s all. Ew.
I actually read this article right before visiting this post, so nice timing. Although I do have to question the inclusion of Princess Knight on the list – that manga is one of the most sexist I’ve ever read; not feminist. And I’m sorry about your cat – I hope you find her!
Thank you! I’m hoping my cat comes home soon!
Anyway, I was wondering about Princess Knight when I saw that on the list. I didn’t run out and buy it because I read a couple of comments that made it sound sexist, like you said, things like the main character’s male heart makes her stronger than her female heart makes her, which I find annoying. That’s why I haven’t bought it. Some people seem to love it though. Hopefully, my library will pick it up so I can try it. One way or another, it will give me something to write about.