Quote:
Originally Posted by Triple_R
This is more of a basic cultural/social thing than any sort of fictional cliche.
At some level, it does seem odd, since a girl's two-piece swimsuit generally doesn't cover any more than a girl's two-piece underwear does. But here is where social norms and values take over.
"Swimwear" being appropriate attire for trips to the beach and/or for going swimming has been engrained in us. And there's practical reasons for this - You don't want to be wearing much in very hot places and/or when you're going swimming. So swimwear is not meant to be "under" or "hidden".
"Underwear", as the very term suggests, is meant to be worn under the rest of your clothes. When it comes to practicality, its intended to give added warmth, support, protection, and cleanliness. Because its intended to be "under" and "hidden", it becomes engrained in the minds of many of us that its "embarrassing" to be seen in our underwear (unless the whole point is for it to arouse a sexual partner, which can make it even more embarrassing for your underwear to be seen by someone you have a crush on but aren't yet in any sort of real relationship with).
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Adding to this, panties can have a much more embarrassing pattern on them compared to swimwear.
There seems to be a popular, running gag in anime with teenage girls who wear panties with goofy-looking animals on them like teddy bears or puppies (though Komari's unique
anteater is worthy of a mention
). These prints are regarded as childish but they are panties and "not meant to be seen". So it's an even funnier joke if the girl's
crush sees her wearing these embarrassing panties.
Even DBZ cashed in on this gag with one of their MALE characters!
Spoiler:
In one episode, some girl gets a crush on
high school-aged Gohan after seeing him put on
teddy bear underwear because it was "so cute" to her. It's pretty hilarious, actually.
I really am curious if Japan actually makes panties like you see in anime. They ain't no where in America for TEENAGERS, that's for sure. XD
[Edit after Google search]
.........okay, I stand corrected.