Ask John: Can Boys Be Moe?

Question:
You know much more about moe than I do, so I was wondering… can boys be moe? And if so, what anime boys are considered moe? I saw Mamoru-kun and was thinking about if the show was a kind of male moe program since Ayako says that she loves Mamoru’s cuteness, bright smile and rubbery cheeks.

Answer:
English speaking anime fans, in particular, are so used to associating the concept of “moe” with cute, young anime girls that we frequently forget the exact meaning of the term. As a noun, “moe” refers to any object that arouses feelings of adoration. As a verb, “moe” refers to the feeling of swelling adoration for something. While “moe” is often associated with sweet and innocent pre-adolescent anime girls, it can and does also refer to boys and even inanimate objects. Items like eyeglasses, cat ears, maid outfits, bloomers, and one-piece school swimsuits are also subjects of moe fascination, as it’s not particularly the character wearing bloomers or cat ears that creates the feeling of “moe”; it’s the item itself. Adding cat ears to virtually any anime character suddenly transforms the character from normal to “moe.” Even objects normally not thought of as “cute” can be called “moe” in certain circumstances. Enterbrain’s series of Moe Moe Weapon Encyclopedia books featuring firearms, melee weapons, and fantasy weapons, are labeled “moe” because the books feature extensive illustrations of cute anime girls. But to weapon otaku, the guns and swords themselves are objects of affection.

Mamoru from the Mamoru-kun ni Megami wo Shukufuku Wo anime series is a perfect example of a male “moe” character. If I recall correctly, during one episode of the Ouran High School Host Club television series a crowd of female students in unison call Mitsukuni Haninozuka “moe.” Negi Springfield, particularly in the Negima!? anime television series, is clearly a “moe” character for his students, and may be a “moe” character for viewers as well. Young, innocent, and cute boys are, I think, most likely to be “moe” characters or be the object of “moe” fascination, but I think that virtually any male character can potentially be “moe.” I can’t envision anyone having paternal compassionate and affectionate feelings for masculine adult male characters like Kenshiro or Captain Harlock. I think those characters represent the antithesis of “moe.” But I do think that certain anime fans can develop sweet natured affection for bishonen characters like the male casts of shows including Ouran Host, Saiunkoku Monogatari, Marginal Prince, Yamato Nadesico Shichihenge, and so forth.

We often associate the concept of “moe” with petit cuteness and innocence, but in the sense that “moe” is anything that inspires an obsessive, indulgent love, “moe” is certainly not limited to focusing on just adorable little anime girls.