She mentioned Reborn! and Bleach. And I said "I don't think the biggest names of shounen manga can be that representative."

I meant she could use other examples other than the biggest names.

And right now, we are nitpicking. Stop that!

*cough* Try not to spam, guys... ;;

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Sexism in manga is something that really disgusts me. In fact, it's something that often nearly makes me stop reading manga altogether. Remember, though, that manga doesn't exist in its own little sphere. If it's written in Japan, it at least somewhat represents ideology in Japan. Male chauvinism is even more ingrained in Japanese societal mores than xenophobia. I'd have to say that attitudes in Japan against women today are worse than those in the West 100 years ago - ideas about the education and careers of women are only very slightly better, ideas about women's place being in the home are mostly the same, and ideas about women's appropriate reaction to molestation are far worse. Here we complain about women being paid less than men and getting different places in a company as if it's some sort of conspiracy; in Japan, it's completely expected. Sexism in manga makes me glad I don't live in Japan.

There are varying degrees of sexism and sometimes the themes are used to help establish setting, character and such. Which is something to keep in mind before going the feminazi or ultra alphamale route.

Personally, I think you'd be hard pressed to find a manga completely devoid of any sexist themes, as that is native to the culture of the writers (and many, many other places, ourselves not excluded).

I usually drop (or not even pick up, for that matter) material with strong "subservient women" or "everyone wants his trouser snake" type themes, as they are distastefully executed and usually mean that the story is garbage too. Though, I am likely not to drop a manga just because a female character or two is crazy for the main character and does some nonsense actions or the male protagonist is stronger/saves a princess peach/etc. (I am a man and therefore identify easiest with a male character, so it is natural that I would want a strong male lead.)

I seriously don't care, because I realise that it's a totally different culture with different attitudes towards women.



At least a woman can get actually get a job over there, and are not be disallowed in many bars, nightclubs, and treated poorly because people are afraid of them.

For Bakuman, I found it boring after a while and then when that glasses guy said that it left a bad taste and since I wasn't really interested in it anyway I stopped. The dad saying women don't understand men's dreams and stuff irked me a bit but that was alright (and in some ways it's true) until that part.

I started to dislike Seinen series because so many were "we men have it so hard" and they show all the gore and show lots of scenes of women being raped and killed. It's not like I can't stand violent things and such but it gets mighty tiring.

Yea yea, I get it the world is tough and the women get raped. Stop showing me theses repetitive things and focus on the things that make the series good! I actually wouldn't mind this if it was used effectively but most use it to just show how gritty the series is. Whatever.

Every genre has series with sexist things but some are because that's the way things are and the story is showing the way it is, kind of like reporters.

Others, like Bakuman, are not and that is what makes me angry. I doubt it's just the character too, because of the way it was stated and worded. Apparently it seems there are these kind of things in Death Note too, so there you go.

My enjoyment of a series will probably affected, but if it's good enough, I'll continue.

That's a very good point. (-_-)

I would'nt read it and i hate it when there is sexist themes so if there was then i might post a forum to tell everyone

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Well I for one definitely dislike the sexist themes constantly seen within anime, but I haven't came across a point to where I read an manga and the sexist things was so strong that I've stop reading it, but than again, I am slightly picky with my manga. With that said, I am more and more disliking the sexist themes seen in manga, but on both side of the fence with both women and men.


Women: I recently heard word that quite a few gundam titles were suppose to be women characters such as Loran Cehack from Turn A Gundam, Kira from Gundam Seed, and a few characters in Gundam 00. But bandai made them change the sex of the characters because they feel guys would not be able to relate to a female pilot as a main character. This is truly disheartening. I also don't like how in many manga and anime, women aren't worth their salt. Meaning, they lack the strength or skills of their men counterparts. An excellent example of this is Gundam, and Naruto. The female pilots in Gundam rarely compare to their men counterparts, and the female shinobi's in Naruto rarely compare to their male counterparts. Another aspect I despise is the fact that they rarely nowadays show women protecting men. A good 90% of the time, it's the opposite. The most a female character will do is get in the way and take a blast, attack, whatever. Overall, one of my primary gripes with manga is their lack of ability to show strong women who can't protect men. Of course this isn't always the case, you have manga's such as claymore and black lagoon, but majority of the times, the women doesn't seem to compare with the men.


Men: Oh boy, where do I start. Let's start with the tsundere concept. We all know if the roles was reverse, it would not be funny. So this is a double standard at it's core. I can't stand tsundere, and almost immediately drop a manga if one appears.
The second aspect I despise that is not just in manga, but in both japanese and western society in general is that the male character has to be the strong, courageous, protector that "doesn't show emotions." In manga, a woman can be sad and no one bats an eye, let a guy be sad and he's a weakling. And don't get me started on crying, you might as well have your testicles remove because you are no longer "a man." It's especially prevelant in our society as well as Japan that a man isn't suppose to let anything bother him, that emotions are just hindrances unless it's anger or courage. Lord forbid a man actually cries on a women's shoulder. Never mind the fact that men commit suicide 4x more than their women counterpart. I wonder why, hmm.

Than you have my final complaint which I'm not sure fits in this category of sexism, but the fact that the male character has to constantly want to protect a female. Even manga's where the female is the stronger character, the guy feels like he is a failure because he can't protect her. News flash, not every single female in the world needs protecting. I don't think I've came across a single manga or anime that I've read yet where the main male did not say to some female that I'm going to protect you.

So yes, Manga is literally wrapped in sexist themes, actually being one of the strongest themes in manga IMO. It just depends upon a person mindset and if they are willing to ignore/handle it or not.

lol for real? such thing happens in here/ i don't even noticed. >.>
hehehehe But yea, i wouldn't get offended by it. Thought i would love to see more smarter and...amazing females=D

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Manga never lack smart and amazing females.

I think what makes manga sexist is the male characters' and the authors' attitudes towards females. Yeah, the guys in Bakuman don't sound that good but that doesn't prevent me from reading it.

And I don't remember how many times I have seen in shounen or seinen manga where male losers and perverts are glorified, and where the female body parts are talked about in a humiliating way. I find that most offensive and sexist. Sadly that seems to be a natural part of the Japanese culture. I personally don't see the appeal of that as jokes or fanservice. Sadly some male readers like it. I won't read such manga. Too offensive and disturbing.

Even if it's not humiliatiting, a lot of mangas have discussion about who's breasts are larger, who's flatter, and so on. I don't know whether it's Takahashi Rumiko who started such. At least I first read in her manga. Sadly today's mangas are still like that. It's very tiring and stupid. I fail to see the humor of it. I say mangakas, like and draw whatever you want to and leave people as they are. No need to make someone being criticized because they are not your ideal size in manga.

Last edited by base_coat at 3:13 pm, Jul 4 2009