Ask John: Why is Gravitation Popular?

Question:
Call me close-minded but I fail to understand why Gravitation is popular even in the least? Aren’t most anime fans male? As far as I’ve been around this country alone female anime fans come in very small doses and a bishonen anime about a gay singer is something I don’t see as being very much of a success. Another thing, is incest a fetish in Japan or something? I see a lot of it in shows such as Angel Sanctuary, Voltage Fighters and so forth. That I can see being far more successful that shonen ai anime. Gravitation blows.

Answer:
I’m not particularly a fan of homosexual themed anime or manga, not because I’m homophobic, but rather because I’ve never encountered a homosexual themed anime series that I found interesting. However, I have seen the first 3 or so episodes of Gravitation, and find myself compelled to at least defend it on a certain level.

At one time, years ago, anime fandom in America was virtually a “boys only” club. Nowadays the attendance at major anime conventions such as Anime Expo and Otakon appears to be roughly equally split between the genders, and industry market research reports frequently report that female consumers are being drawn to anime and manga in ever increasing numbers. Since I’m neither female nor a fan of bishonen or shonen ai, I can only speculate that the attraction to bishonen anime is its literal beauty. The iconic symbol of a “pretty” boy represents both masculinity and feminine grace and beauty. The idea of two bishonen engaged in a romantic relationship evokes a unique sensuality that’s simultaneously more decadent and more elegant than a typical heterosexual relationship or a lesbian relationship. While muscular and chiseled men fondling each other may seem brutish and crude, the passionate embrace of two silky smooth and languid males is mysterious and attractive.

The incest theme prevalent in anime is a reflection of Japanese societal and cultural pressures to be responsible to family and subvert social interaction to social responsibility. The de facto segregation of the sexes during adolescence caused by the demands of school studies naturally brings siblings closer together by discouraging or excluding dating. Japan’s distinct dichotomy of sexual liberation but taboo over discussion of sexuality may predicate tentative sexual experimentation within safe and comfortable circumstances such as between siblings.

Differences between Western and Japanese culture may influence the relative appeal of incestuous and homosexual themes in anime and manga in Japan and America. Japan has a social structure that may incite incestuous relationships while such is not really that case with American culture. So the incest theme may seem more believable or familiar to Japanese viewers than to Americans. On the other hand, bishonen and shonen ai may be more appealing to Americans than incestuous relationships because bishonen and shonen ai relationships incorporate a greater degree of fantasy and distinction from reality. Bishonen romantic relationships are idealized and stylized by nature of the very characters involved. In other words, it’s probably easier for American fans to accept and adore the fantasy of two lissome males intertwined than approve of the idea of two family members having a sexual relationship.

Expanding from that basis in fantasy appeal, the Gravitation TV series may not appeal to all viewers, but it does contain respectable quality animation, characterization and direction. Besides its homosexual theme, which may not appeal to all viewers, the production quality of the Gravitation TV anime is solid, so while it may not appeal to me, I can’t say that it’s a bad show.