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Why are female characters portrayed to be so weak in anime?

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Dec 25, 2013 4:03 AM
#1

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Jul 2013
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It gets really annoying in some anime. They can't do anything by themselves, and rely too much on the guys.
No Eren, you just can’t die and come back to life. That isn’t how life works. You’re suppose to stay dead.
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Dec 25, 2013 4:08 AM
#2

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Sep 2013
2720
Well, not all anime girls are weak but of course some anime does have that kind of stereotypical girls but mostly it's quite the opposite. I actually think that 80% of female heroines out there are dominating the males.
AsianKungFuDec 26, 2013 8:48 PM
"I have been wielding a blade since before your were swimming around your father's scrotum." - Kurou
Dec 25, 2013 4:12 AM
#3

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Nov 2013
22774
Because fans like those characters.
Dec 25, 2013 4:16 AM
#4

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Oct 2013
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Damsel in distress
Dec 25, 2013 4:19 AM
#5

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Nov 2012
143
Because females are weak in real life too.
"The Goddess of victory is waving her underwear in your faces!"
Fritz Josef Bittenfield (Legend of the Galactic Heroes)

Dec 25, 2013 4:20 AM
#6
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Sep 2013
827
In a large amount of anime, it's the other way around.
For example, in pretty much every single battle harem anime.
The end is nigh

Dec 25, 2013 4:31 AM
#7

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Nov 2013
832
If it's so annoying go and find an anime where a female character isn't portrayed as weak. They exist.
stupidfucker said:
Screw you, 'moshimoshikitty', you fucked up my thread.

Dec 25, 2013 4:33 AM
#8

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Apr 2012
4713
What do you mean by weak? Physically or psychically? I mean physically weak they are in RL too and the fun thing is in anime usually they are not. And Im not only talking about battle shounen. Just look at all the rom-coms where the female tsundere kicks and throws around the main male characters as if it were nothing. Id rather say the men are protrayed as to weak in anime but hey. Both physically and psychically you hardly ever see the man have his way, the woman/girl is always the one that gets her way with the man. Most males in anime are more like puppys.
At least for rom-coms. In Battle shounen its usually a male character that is the strongest, but that is because its usually a main lead. In other anime where females are the main lead she is the strongest (see Kill la Kill for example).
Dec 25, 2013 4:53 AM
#9

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Sep 2012
76
To grasp why exactly, you have to look into Japan's current standpoint with relations with the opposite sex. Have any of you heard about the hotels in Japan that are made just for Men and their virtual girlfriends? As in girls from Dating sims and the like.

The reason why these things are trending so much is Japanese women are just not interested in relationships currently, most of them are focusing on their careers and the like and are actually very harsh to the male population, and the younger male population itself is actually getting more... "Docile?" I guess, discouraged by women some men turn towards well, games and anime to seek out that girl that just, well, adores you! That perfect girl that's kind and cute, (Or whatever their tastes are.) that's more than likely, sensitive and needs "protecting" sort of replacing the current standard in women in Japan that just.... Treats them fairly harshly. So you just see the "Weak" girls popping up in Japanese media because the content creators profit off of this desire for girls to be like that, or they have that desire themselves. All the while they want the male lead to be the protector because that's who you're supposed to associate themselves with when watching the anime. I could be wrong on this, though, this is just what I notice about their culture currently.

There's a reason Japan's population is on the decline.~
Hm, looks like I can't get my signature to work anymore.
Dec 25, 2013 7:42 AM

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Jul 2013
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-_Haemokinetic_- said:
To grasp why exactly, you have to look into Japan's current standpoint with relations with the opposite sex. Have any of you heard about the hotels in Japan that are made just for Men and their virtual girlfriends? As in girls from Dating sims and the like.

The reason why these things are trending so much is Japanese women are just not interested in relationships currently, most of them are focusing on their careers and the like and are actually very harsh to the male population, and the younger male population itself is actually getting more... "Docile?" I guess, discouraged by women some men turn towards well, games and anime to seek out that girl that just, well, adores you! That perfect girl that's kind and cute, (Or whatever their tastes are.) that's more than likely, sensitive and needs "protecting" sort of replacing the current standard in women in Japan that just.... Treats them fairly harshly. So you just see the "Weak" girls popping up in Japanese media because the content creators profit off of this desire for girls to be like that, or they have that desire themselves. All the while they want the male lead to be the protector because that's who you're supposed to associate themselves with when watching the anime. I could be wrong on this, though, this is just what I notice about their culture currently.

There's a reason Japan's population is on the decline.~


I understand so much better, thank you for the details!
No Eren, you just can’t die and come back to life. That isn’t how life works. You’re suppose to stay dead.
Dec 25, 2013 8:03 AM

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Oct 2012
6508
Uhh hell no.

There are a lot of females that have very dominant/violent personalities (e.g. the tsunderes).
Dec 25, 2013 8:06 AM

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Jun 2008
24605
To make boys help them so they won't have to do anything.
That's what i do :D
Dec 25, 2013 8:23 AM

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Jun 2012
426
Because you watch the wrong anime.
Dec 25, 2013 8:26 AM

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Jul 2011
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Mum said:
Because you watch the wrong anime.

Pretty much this
Dec 25, 2013 8:27 AM

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Mar 2013
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Chibi-Alice said:
To make boys help them so they won't have to do anything.
That's what i do :D


You're rubbish. As for the thread, it really depends on what you're watching and what genre it is in.
Dec 25, 2013 8:29 AM

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Apr 2011
13803
Why are male characters given so many "surrendering" features? Why are MCs in battle shonens so damn naive? Why is the sky blue? Questions, man. Questions.
Dec 25, 2013 8:29 AM

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Apr 2011
1121
Watch anime with Magical Girls.

Them Starlight Breakers are definitely not weak.
yomachiDec 25, 2013 9:06 AM
Dec 25, 2013 10:39 AM

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Dec 2013
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ouch.. not really
Dec 25, 2013 10:40 AM

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My guess is that you haven't seen black lagoon
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Dec 25, 2013 10:43 AM

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Jan 2013
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Mum said:
Because you watch the wrong anime.

This.

/ thread.
Salmon is delicious.
Dec 25, 2013 10:49 AM

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Dec 2012
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Mum said:
Because you watch the wrong anime.


With a (Sanageyama impersonation) "SATSUKI-SAMA!" picture to boot. Go you.
Dec 25, 2013 12:55 PM

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MCsq2 said:
Uhh hell no.

There are a lot of females that have very dominant/violent personalities (e.g. the tsunderes).

For some reason there are many characters either standing out because they're weak or because they're strong (especially the latter kind of character feels always like the same type...). It would be nice if there were more who are interesting because of other traits and/or are neither just weak or just strong. And there seem to be many female characters who can only be "strong" physically...
Dec 25, 2013 1:09 PM

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Aug 2013
522
Watch Kara no Kyoukai , Black Lagoon, Baccano , Rose of Versailles and Miyazaki films
Dec 25, 2013 1:26 PM
elk sensei

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Oct 2013
8805
There are a lot of anime fans out there, male mostly, who like seeing females, not week, but timid and shy. It's a bit of an attraction for a lot of guys.

That being said, there are a ton of anime out there with strong female characters. A few that come to mind right off the top of my head are Michiko Malandro from Michiko to Hatchin; Saeko Busujima from HOTD; Yozora Mikazuki from Haganai; and Asuka Langley from NGE.
Dec 25, 2013 1:57 PM

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Jun 2013
532
I can so agree with this - I absolutely despise the female characters that are just so weak that they can't do anything without a boy and constantly cry for stupid reasons.
Black Lagoon has awesome females though, like Roberta, Revy and many more. It's refreshing.
Dec 25, 2013 2:22 PM

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May 2013
665
Well some guys like to imagine they are the male hero saving the weak princess I guess. Personally, I find badass females to be unique and attractive, but that's just my opinion.
Dec 25, 2013 2:31 PM

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Oct 2010
11839
Considering that my current avatar is a female character portrayed as weak in her story, I'd say that my opinion is not as black or white as some people comment in here. Other than that it is:

1) Not a problem of anime in specific, neither of Japanese culture.
2) Actually reverted enough times through the industry. I have found an amount of strong and determined female characters out there.
Dec 25, 2013 2:35 PM

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Sep 2012
29205
Go watch something like Black Lagoon or Jormungand then
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Dec 25, 2013 2:35 PM

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Aug 2011
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Mum said:
Because you watch the wrong anime.
Smiles and laughter are always good, but never forget your Poker Face.~
Dec 25, 2013 2:39 PM

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Nov 2011
2233
Cuz japanese men have small penises and inferiority complex, that's the only logical reason.
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Dec 25, 2013 2:43 PM

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May 2013
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Animefreak17a said:
My guess is that you haven't seen black lagoon


Erza...Saber...Derp

There's alot of strong female characters
Dec 25, 2013 2:46 PM

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Jan 2013
5350
Because you haven't seen Gunbuster.
Please learn about cel animation and its technical process.
Learn how special effects and backlighting were done without computers.

Dec 25, 2013 2:46 PM

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Jun 2013
3112
ObViOuSlY bEcAuSe WoMeN aRe WeAkEr AnD iNfErIoR.

Ha. No, but really, it's not like all anime portray women like that. I mean, I guess it's pretty common, but that's not just in anime.

Honestly, the differences in customs between Japan and Western Countries have already been explained by some people earlier, so I'll just reiterate. Japan is still fairly medieval in terms of customs, and they've got a lot of pretty damn weird rules. You can be fined, or worse, for being out of shape/overweight in Japan. Crazy, AmiRight? Anyway, anime-- or rather, fantasy mediums tend to profit greatly from creating unrealistic characters and situations so that the viewers can project themselves onto the characters, and into the situations. Hence why the "Damsel in Distress" kind of scenarios are common in Anime, and other mediums of entertainment.

- Yandere.
It's natural for a person to deny he's a failure as a human being. That's why he searches for somebody who is more miserable than himself. That's why so much animosity exists on the internet. Those who aren't able to find a more miserable person, turn to the internet and call other people losers, even though they've never met. Just to make themselves feel superior. isn't that pathetic? There's a sense of security that comes from speaking badly of someone else. But that isn't true salvation. — Tatsuhiro Satou
YandereTheEmo said:
The only thing more pathetic than quoting someone you know nothing about, is quoting yourself.
Dec 25, 2013 3:11 PM

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Dec 2012
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pizzasparklez said:
It gets really annoying in some anime. They can't do anything by themselves, and rely too much on the guys.

Huh? I don't know what you're watching but in the majority of anime it's the opposite. Anime chicks can kick more ass than the guys.
"The name's Gambit. Remember it."
-Gambit "X-Men '97"

Dec 25, 2013 3:28 PM

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Aug 2013
464
Myiazaki laughed at the title of this thread, and now is dancing the inaccuracy song
Dec 25, 2013 3:29 PM

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25970
WHAT!?!?

Is Saeko Busujima weak?

Is Revy weak?

Is Inner Moka weak?

Mikoto Misaka?

Rias Gremory?

Nanoha Takamichi?

Fate Testarossa?

Kan'u Unchou?

I could keep going and going....and guess what, all of these characters are main characters that have a deep impact in their respective anime.
Dec 25, 2013 3:39 PM

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Oct 2010
11839
I would also point out how depicting a weak female character doesn't necessarily make the author an apologist of this idea, but it's late and I'm tired, bye.
Dec 25, 2013 3:48 PM

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Sep 2012
2536
I have seen both strong and weak females and males, just watch more anime OP.
Dec 25, 2013 3:53 PM

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Jul 2011
616
I think I've seen more strong female characters with special abilities etc. who protect the MC.

Even outside of Harem's females are normally baddasses tbh. Actually, most females are fucking awesome in comparison to generic MC's.
Dec 25, 2013 4:02 PM

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Jul 2012
637
Don‘t watch badly written shounen and you will maybe find some.
So, What do you think is on the other side?
Dec 25, 2013 4:04 PM

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Nov 2008
27806
You want women and girls who can fight go watch Dog Days, Date A Live, or Highschool DxD.


Dec 25, 2013 4:06 PM

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Dec 2012
24355
The male characters are the one who are usually weak..

You can avoid both if you search.
Dec 25, 2013 4:09 PM

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Aug 2013
8706
Rushuna Tendo.
Dec 25, 2013 4:09 PM

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Jul 2012
279
All the anime I have watched the females are strong
Dec 25, 2013 6:25 PM

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Jun 2012
1585
Physically, women are far stronger in anime than irl. Even in non-supernatural anime. Mentally, I guess it depends what you're watching. Timid/shy isn't my favorite female archetype, but it certainly doesn't mean they're weak mentally or can't do anything themselves.
Dec 25, 2013 6:28 PM

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Jul 2007
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Mum said:
Because you watch the wrong anime.


There's a multitude of anime where online females characters are actually strong. Like... Claymore for instance.
Dec 25, 2013 6:28 PM

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Dec 2012
16218
Unchou said:
Don‘t watch badly written shounen and you will maybe find some.


Ironically you're going to find the weakest and most submissive women in shoujo.
Dec 25, 2013 7:05 PM

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Sep 2012
889
...they are?

I'd contend that the opposite is true! And that it is MALES who are portrayed as pussies far too often.
Never forget, that if you post a topic, you're not allowed to post in it yourself, by order of MAL administration.
Dec 25, 2013 10:21 PM

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Aug 2013
501
Because one Revy is enough to keep the world spinning.
Dec 25, 2013 10:24 PM

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Jun 2012
6492
The lolis in Ro Kyu Bu! are pretty bad ass.
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