Ask John: Why Do Anime Girls Have Fangs?

Question:
Why do anime characters have fangs? The characters I am talking about are definitely demons or cats (Mihoshi from Tenchi, Ranma-girl, Akane and Ryoga) yet they still have fang like teeth that stick out of their mouth when they smile or when they are angry.

Answer:
I think I’ve answered this question on the Ask John Archive sometime before, but since I can’t find it, this particular answer may have been a victim of alien abduction.

Actually I think you’ve partially answered your question yourself by mentioning demons and cats. I don’t recollect ever seeing an explanation of this characteristic before, so based on my theory, allow me to explain. It may be that fangs, particularly on female anime characters, may be traced back to Lum, who is a combination of girl, cat and demon. Lum is obviously a girl, but she has demon horns and is referred to as a demon girl (oni-girl) and wears a tiger striped bikini. Naturally, Lum also had pronounced cat-like fangs, especially when angered. If we consider these elements individually, the significance of the fangs becomes clear.

The traditional “yamato nadesico,” geisha, or ideal Japanese woman was one that was strong willed but elegant, loyal and submissive. The subtlety and grace of the classic, “perfect” Japanese woman can easily be compared to the character of a cat. If we also look to Japanese culture we see that the siren-like ghost in female form is also typical of Japanese culture. Combining these myths, we get the Japanese equivalent of the Western maiden/crone literary archetype: woman is both angel and devil simultaneously. If we transpose this character to anime we find largely female characters that overtly appear to be quiet, nice girls who hide ferocious tempers inside.

Especially considering the traditional de facto sexual segregation of sexes in Japanese society, anime girls with fangs may be seen as an exaggeration of male fear of female power. In the same way that anime men are often afraid of cats, they often cower from enraged anime girls when the girls bar their fangs. Essentially, the fangs simultaneously represent female empowerment and vilification. When the fangs come out, the girl becomes dominant over all those around her, but at the same time she becomes a frightening monster.

Do you agree, disagree, have a different interpretation? Why not visit the AnimeNation Forum and share your thoughts or provide some additional examples.