Ask John: Is Tsukuyomi a Gothic Lolita Anime?

Question:
Is Tsukuyomi ~Moon Phase~ a clear example of GothLoli? Why are its main female protagonists so appealing to the viewers & what were your thoughts about this show? I’ve heard different discussions coming from anime fans that this show is GothLoli. I watched more than half of its running episodes, and I must comment that some of the girls, particularly Luna/Hazuki, look moe. I’m deeply enthralled watching Luna/Hazuki wearing elaborate, fashionable dresses along with nekomimi and also paying close attention to her mannerisms.

Answer:
It’s probably dangerous for me to affirm any description of Tsukuyomi ~Moon Phase~ that includes the word “loli,” short for “Lolicon” or “Lolita complex,” because any use of the term is likely to overshadow its context. Tsukuyomi is a clear example of lolicon that doesn’t involve overt sexuality. In an attempt to provide a critique using politically charged terms with objective meanings, I think that the description of Tsukuyomi as “Gothic Lolita” is supremely appropriate.

At least within the first half of the Tsukuyomi anime TV series there are two primary female characters, Hazuki and Elfried. Although both girls are of indeterminate age, Hazuki obviously looks and acts like a spoiled, cultivated, adolescent girl. She’s appealing and attractive in both personality and appearance. The American Heritage Dictionary defines “Lolita” as, “A seductive adolescent girl.” By definition, Hazuki is a Lolita, specifically designed to be attractive to young adult males. Although Elfried doesn’t obviously look the part of a Lolita, she still exhibits the same refined sensuality that Hazuki exudes, and she is also obviously designed to appeal to the same male audience that Hazuki has wrapped around her finger. The appeal of both Hazuki and Elfried is further enhanced by their clothing and apparel. Elfried often wears revealing, low cut tops that expose her cleavage. And she wears stylish glasses, which appeal to a particular breed of male anime fans. Hazuki alternates between cat ear accessories (nekomimi) coupled with elegant dresses, and adorable, humorous costumes. Clearly, the “Lolita” aspect of Tsukuyomi is undeniable, although it isn’t obviously sexual.

The literary characteristics of “Gothic” include an emphasis on Medieval architecture, particularly castles and other ornate stone structures, and a preoccupation with a macabre, mysterious atmosphere. Tsukuyomi illustrates these characteristics both literally and figuratively. In a literal sense, the show is filled with spooky castles; elaborate, highbrow accoutrements; and lots of shadows and atmospheric darkness. On the figurative side, Hazuki and Elfried are both vampires. It’s difficult to imagine protagonists more macabre and mysterious than vampires.

As of early 2005 there have been three “Gothic Lolita” anime productions: Petit Cossette, Tsukuyomi ~Moon Phase~, and Rozen Maiden. (Actually, there have been four “Gothic Lolita” anime if Mahou Shoujo Tai Arusu is included, but I exclude Mahou Shoujo Tai because I don’t believe that its characters are specifically designed to be seductive or attractive in a sexually suggestive way.) Among these three ideal examples, so far I consider Tsukuyomi the most superior (based on my perception of having watched all of Petit Cossette and Rozen Maiden and half of Tsukuyomi.) Technically Petit Cossette is Gothic Lolita, but I found it to have a frustrating derth of story and character development. Rozen Maiden was an attractive looking and well characterized show with a relatively mundane primary conflict, which prevented it from reaching the pinnacle of excellence it theoretically could have hit. Tsukuyomi is also slightly flawed by not quite having the depth or consistency of character development that it occasionally reveals. However, among the three recent Gothic Lolita anime, Tsukuyomi feels the most complete and most fulfilling. Tsukuyomi feels more dramatic than Petit Cossette and Rozen Maiden, which both felt like very enclosed character plays, because Tsukuyomi has a broader scope for its story. Furthermore, the Tsukuyomi anime radiates a profound care from its animators. The Tsukuyomi anime is literally very beautiful to look at. Small details like the appealing variety of its characterizations, the slight (and sometimes major) changes made to each episode’s opening animation, the visual design of the show, and its perfectly fitted opening theme song, which virtually single-handedly has added a new catch-phrase to the lexicon of anime, “Neko Mimi Mode,” are all gorgeous little “services” to fans.

So in summation, Tsukuyomi ~Moon Phase~ is undeniably a “Gothic Lolita” anime. And the adjective “Gothic Lolita” isn’t a pejorative, although it does necessitate a degree of sexual innuendo. The show seems to be fairly popular in Japan’s fan community, but doesn’t seem to have a big following among English speaking fans. On one hand I find that ironic, while on the other hand it seems logical to me. Considering that Tsukuyomi is ostensibly a horror anime and other horror anime titles like Vampire Hunter D and Hellsing are tremendously popular in America, I’d imagine that the moody, Gothic Tsukuyomi would be very appealing to American viewers. On the other hand, Tsukuyomi is also cute, and with rare exceptions the American anime fan community and consumer market just don’t seem to gravitate toward cute or “moe” anime series, which I find somewhat disappointing because it leaves excellent shows like Tsukuyomi relatively unknown and unappreciated outside of Japan.