"Gap moe": does it exist?

[risingstar3110]

I stole the term from Yuruyuri's sister one-shot series, Yuriyuri. And the term was used to describe a girl who looks very friendly normally, but very harsh and sadist against the main character. So yeah, basically it is a fetish on liking a certain character, who has a huge gap between a character personality and her (stereotyped) outlook, or between different personalities.

Here is a list of a few that especially turned me on:

• tsundere, cooldere and anything-dere
• insanely strong or overpowered female character (e.g. Teressa the Faint Smile in Claymore, or Yukari of Touhou)
• giant girl with super passive/ shy personality (e.g. Yamabuki in Binbougami-ga)
• generally stubborn, but actually very obedient (imouto!!) to main character
• tomboyish girl with long hair and long skirt (Marisa of Touhou)
• side character who actually the most sexy of the whole cast (Jun fanart in K-on, i'm serious!!)
• and so on... In fact every female character i like has a element like this

So what i want to discuss is: is it a special fetish (moe!!) of just me, or is it a popular thing as well? Anyone also find this element in their favorite character?

[Chaos2Frozen]

Actually, I thought the gap moe refers to just two very drastic, unexpected, different sides to one person.

For example in one lawyer drama/comedy show I saw a female punk rocker singer take the stand first in her use punk getup, and at the end of the episode when she had to take the stand again, she switch to a very formal attire with a completely different mannerism which stunned everyone.

While they didn't call it 'moe', the characters in the show clearly referred to it as the 'gap'.

[Akito Kinomoto]

I talked to a blogger one time who said that Reo from Sono Hanabira is tsundere while Runa from the same series is gap moe'. Given the definition of gap moe', this seems like a very arbitrary distinction. Just saying.

[ninryu]

The ultimate gap moe.

[risingstar3110]

So basically the term is still very loosely defined?

And if base on chaos examples, does it mean this fetish is not limited to anime?

[Chaos2Frozen]

Can you even call it a fetish? Its just a 'thing' isn't it? A phenomenon.

[NoemiChan]

Could you give examples fron non-yuri anime? l can't really see what it really is...

[risingstar3110]

Originally Posted by GenjiChan

Could you give examples fron non-yuri anime? l can't really see what it really is...

Haven't read or watch any of these? =[

Originally Posted by risingstar3110

Here is a list of a few that especially turned me on:

• tsundere, cooldere and anything-dere
• insanely strong or overpowered female character (e.g. Teressa the Faint Smile in Claymore, or Yukari of Touhou)
• giant girl with super passive/ shy personality (e.g. Yamabuki in Binbougami-ga)
• generally stubborn, but actually very obedient (imouto!!) to main character
• tomboyish girl with long hair and long skirt (Marisa of Touhou)
• side character who actually the most sexy of the whole cast (Jun fanart in K-on, i'm serious!!)
• and so on... In fact every female character i like has a element like this

?

Originally Posted by Chaos2Frozen

Can you even call it a fetish? Its just a 'thing' isn't it? A phenomenon.

... But..but it is a turn-on for me

[wontaek]

I think romance novels from ancient days were full of bad boy gentlemen and tomboy ladies who may be extremely loose and informal at one occasion and extremely strict and formal in another

[Chaos2Frozen]

Originally Posted by GenjiChan

Could you give examples fron non-yuri anime? l can't really see what it really is...

I got it, the simplest of simplest- Cinderella

Before -Gap- After.

[RRW]

http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.ph...SheepsClothing
http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.ph.../CuteAndPsycho

[Chaos2Frozen]

Originally Posted by RRW

http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.ph...SheepsClothing
http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.ph.../CuteAndPsycho

*facepalm*

Wrong and wrong again.

At it's very core- You could have the same individual with hardly any change in personality, but with a different look and appearance.

Hell, even something as simple as wearing glasses or tying a ponytail can have a 'gap moe' effect.

[Marcus H.]

Hell, even something as simple as wearing glasses or tying a ponytail can have a 'gap moe' effect.

You're referring to Saori Makishima here, aren't you?

[Kirayuki]

Can this apply to a case where someone who usually wears contact lenses suddenly put on glasses ?
I believe so

[Chaos2Frozen]

Originally Posted by Marcus H.

You're referring to Saori Makishima here, aren't you?

Actually I had no one particular in mind

Originally Posted by Kirayuki

Can this apply to a case where someone who usually wears contact lenses suddenly put on glasses ?
I believe so

The idea is that it has to be drastic and sudden/shocking....

[Natsuki Hyuga]

Actually, as what C2F said, it's not exactly a fetish. It is just how people found the 'gap' of personality with appearance OR how people can change 180degrees from their normal appearance (usual case*) 'moe'. Or rather, how it makes the viewers go "SO CUTE".

The 'gap' thing is actually applicable to even RL situations (moe part is pretty much lifted from otaku lingo), and yes this definitely applicable to both males and females as the subject alike.

Heck, the most cliche easily explained "gap moe" is actually 'punk who shields tossed out puppy in the middle of rain -> heroine falls in love' shoujo manga cliche And actually, punks who have hidden golden heart behind jerkass facade qualifies 85% of the time, as long as the viewers have no idea about the nicer sides of him/her until it is revealed.

Another easily explained gap is where you have a tomboy who is shown wearing pants 24/7, suddenly wears a skirt (e.g: Tsugumi - Nisekoi, brain not working atm). The 'hnnnng' reactions you guys might get IS called 'gap moe', since the character/person normally never have that appearance and yet, she is shown to be wearing skirt. Keyword: Normally.

For more info, Nico-Nico dictionary is pretty good at explaining the various possible situations.

*Of course, arguments said that some people find loli-esque middle aged woman or shota-esque adult guy being "gap moe". In my case, since I have no idea how the friggin hell they call that a gap, let alone feeling it being cute, I can't vouch for the idea. Same for the waif-like characters.

[Kirayuki]

Originally Posted by Chaos2Frozen

The idea is that it has to be drastic and sudden/shocking....

So I guess how big the gap is pretty much relative and depend on each person

[Chaos2Frozen]

@Natsuki Hyuga
Yup, for the gap effect to work, you have to see the person in a completely different light that you never expect.

*snapped fingers*

I got it, you guys seen OreImo episode 3? The one with Saori's backstory?

That's a Gap Moe right there.

[Cosmic Eagle]

Originally Posted by ninryu

The ultimate gap moe.

Whom everyone can't help but love to the very end

[NoemiChan]

Haven't read or watch any of these? =[

I got it, the simplest of simplest- Cinderella

Actually none ....

Originally Posted by risingstar3110

Haven't read or watch any of these? =[

Acrtually none it.. my bad...

Originally Posted by Chaos2Frozen

I got it, the simplest of simplest- Cinderella .

Disney? Sorry....

Anyway... I guess its closed to yandere? Maybe I could relate.... Higurashi?