Ask John: Why Do Aggressive, Masculine Women Appear in Anime?

Question:
Is there a particular reason behind the strong and dominating female characters in anime? Series such as World Destruction, Black Lagoon, Tetsuwan Birdy Decode, Seirei no Moribito, Ghost in the Shell, and from what I’ve seen, the upcomming Michiko to Hatchin series (to name just a few) have female characters in positions of strength and authority that one would normally consider male roles. These female characters seem to have lost their femininity to the point where they may very well be considered asexual. I can only assume there is a facination with this character type in Japan, but could you expound on this?

Answer:
In summation, the principle of this question is the appeal of dominant, powerful, and physically aggressive, masculine women, unlike more feminine women in positions of authority. So, muscular and forceful characters like Revy of Black Lagoon, Balsa of Seirei no Moribito, and Claire of Claymore rather than sultry and conventionally feminine aggressive or powerful women like Musubi of Sekirei, Rin Asogi of Mnemosyne, or Cowboy Bebop’s Faye Valentine. I’ve never encountered an explanation for this appeal to Japanese viewers, nor an examination of the distinction between the attraction to different types of dominant female characters, so I’ll need to propose a personal theory.

My best guess is that there are a few conjoined reasons for the appeal of these characters, including their obvious sex appeal, the reception of anime and manga among Japanese consumers, and characteristics of the Japanese identity. First, authoratative women can be especially attractive to otaku because otaku, especially many Japanese otaku, tend to have shy, introverted, or socially repressed personalities. A dominant woman compensates for a man’s insecurity, and a woman that takes charge and leads may be comforting for a man that lacks self-confidence or assertiveness. However, this explanation alone is not enough to explain the phenomenon because this rationale alone would place the sensual, feminine female foremost.

The assertive female who can be protector, provider, and lover is certainly psychologically attractive and comforting for a man, but the particular appeal of masculine women is also fertilized by the recption that manga and anime have in Japan. Traditional American comic superheroes are typically men because American superhero comics exist as a role playing outlet for young boys. American superheroes are tall, muscular men in order to provide role models for young boys to respect, associate with, and envision as themselves. On the other hand, anime and manga series like Seirei no Moribito, Black Lagoon, and Ghost in the Shell aren’t primarily designed to be vicarious experiences. These works are external entertainment, not second-hand experience. Manga readers and anime viewers are supposed to enjoy the experience and characters but not envision themselves as those characters (that’s what robot anime and high school stories are for). Masculine, aggressive manga and anime characters are similar to the American comic heroine Wonder Woman. These women are to be respected, and their adventures enjoyed; but these women are not characters designed for typical readers to personally associate with or envision themselves as. As protagonists in compelling, exciting stories, masculine, rough hewn women are more believable than especially feminine women in the same roles.

Finally, women that seem to disregard the expectations of their gender and exist in masculine, aggressive roles may have some foundation within Japanese cultural identity. The adage that there’s a good woman behind every good man is especially prevalent in Japanese psychology. The visual depiction of a physically strong, outgoing female character can be interpreted as a visual representation of the Japanese concept of the mentally resolute, determined, supportive traditional Japanese wife. It’s the traditional Japanese concept of a dependable woman exaggerated by the liberal manga and anime artist community. The image of the traditional Japanese “yamato nadesico” propagated during WWII – the image of a loyal, suffering wife prepared to take arms and fight if necessary seems to echo in the modern image of the independent yet still suffering Japanese female character that arms herself and fights, always prepared to die for valor.

Furthermore, it’s an undeniable fact that the Japanese physical constitution is typically a bit smaller and leaner than the typical Western body. Hulking, muscle bound physical specimens like Superman are uncommon in Japanese pop fiction because that sort of physical development isn’t typical among Asian people. When especially muscular characters do appear in anime, for example the male form of Moldiver, or You’re Under Arrest’s Strikeman, the character is often a satirical figure – the butt of jokes rather than a character admired or taken seriously. So for Japanese readers and viewers used to the real life proportions of Japanese citizens, a bulky woman is more natural and believable than a towering man with a bodybuilder’s physique. So Revy or Motoko Kusanagi may be easier for Japanese observers to relate to and accept as fictional characters than characters that resemble typical “Mr. Universe” style American heroes like Superman, Batman, and Wolverine.