What does "strong female character" even mean? I once read a great article years ago addressing how ridiculous this idea of a "strong female character is"
https://www.newstatesman.com/culture/2013/08/i-hate-strong-female-characters
To basically summarize the article:
People never ask whether a male character is "strong." No one asks if Sherlock Holmes is "strong." Male characters are expected to be complex, interesting; while female characters are expected to be strong first and foremost.
Don't get me wrong; I'm cool with the idea of a female character who can kick ass...but it's not something that I think about when I look into whether I like a character. I don't like Saber from Fate/Stay Night because she can kick ass (for the most part): I like her because she is a morally strong, mature, honorable, but flawed character with an interesting arc. She has enough character that she functions without Shirou Emiya, the love interest.
Now as to whether anime lacks "strong" female characters; as in, female characters with superpowers or who can kick ass, then no. Anime doesn't have a shortage of those characters.
But I think the problem is that anime characters in general, but especially female anime characters, are so damn bland. Like their male counterparts, female characters in anime often have one or two core personality traits that are overemphasized.
At the end of the day; I don't really care how much ass a female anime character can kick, when 9 times out of 10 (at least in the anime that I watch, which tend to be geared towards guys) their whole personality revolves around the male lead. Female characters in anime often don't have any dreams or aspirations. When they do, their dreams are stupid; like getting married. Don't get me wrong; marriage is fine...but it shouldn't be your #1 goal in life. Your #1 goal should be to try to get a good education, a good job, that pays well. Marriage should be a secondary goal. Love doesn't pay the bills or put a roof over your head.
As sexy as a waifu like Akeno from Highschool DxD, she's one-note; most of her character revolves around Issei, the male MC. She doesn't talk to any other guys other than him and Kiba. She doesn't seem to have any other male friends. Or goals, aspirations in life. She doesn't seem to have any FLAWS aside from her dramatic, but short character arc with her father.
What I find more attractive than a female character who can kick ass...is a female character who is complex who feels human. A female character whom I can imagine existing without the male love interest.
I'm watching Breaking Bad and am blown away by how human all the characters feel. They're incredibly flawed, layered, and there's subtext and subtlety to some of their actions.
Ryuk9428 said:I don’t like strong female characters in TV shows. I like girls the way they should be, dainty, cute, damsels in distress.
I hope you're being sarcastic. If not...
DigiCat said:LSSJ_Gaming said:I'd love to see more. Probably just my transfem ass wanting to see more protagonists I can relate to considering a lot of the things I watch tend to have male protagonists
I'm always left a bit confused when people say they want to see more protagonist/characters they can relate too reffering to the characters having the same gender as them ???
Don't know, maybe i never understood this point of view 'cause even though i'm female most of the characters i can relate to are male
I don't think it's a huge deal for most, but a lot of people think it's nice to see a character on screen who resembles their race/gender. Gender/race is obviously not the end all-be all for most people in deciding which character is their favorite, but it's a nice little detail, and nice things are nice.
Attackonfiller said:I always seem to find these complaints in the more mainstream shounen communities, which says a lot lol. Some people can't even bother trying to look to the right stuff before making overblown complaints, and I swear some just don't even want to acknowledge things. It was hilarious seeing JJK treated by some like it was seriously changing the game for having competent female characters or "no fanservice," with the latter complaint really having a narrow scope on what fanservice is lmao.
I think Jujutsu Kaisen's female cast are great, not because they "kick ass" but because they have personality, flaws, backstories, that also do not revolve around the male lead. In other words, they feel human. |