AnimeSuki Forums

tektonik · 2004-04-06, 19:22

Sorry if its been asked I searched a few times if you can point out a thread that covered this I would enjoy that as well.

Characters like Okita(Peace Maker) and Haku(Naruto) are two examples. Some of their dialoge makes them sound a bit female. Okita asking "Why don't you play with me anymore?" while leaning on a guy or the itamacy between Haku and Zabuza. They wear a bit of female clothing I think in some parts, when Haku approaches Naruto in the forest.

Is this in my head or is there some reason?

NoSanninWa · 2004-04-06, 19:57

It's not in your head, but there isn't really a good reason either. It is just a schtick that a lot of anime have adopted over time. I do wonder which anime started that character type. Perhaps someone knows the answer. (Probably kj1980 does.)

babbito2k · 2004-04-06, 20:18

Some anime increase their crossover potential by including androgynous or slightly effeminate male characters. I didn't watch either of these series, but just googling the names brought me to a couple of websites where female viewers gushed over these 2 characters you mention.

Marron Glace in Bakuretsu Hunters (TV - 1995) and Aburatsubo Ayanojou in Mahou Tsukai Tai! (OAV - 1996) are examples of characters of this sort from older series.

emessen · 2004-04-06, 20:26

it's to attract an audience that otherwise wouldnt bother with the manga/anime...

plus it's just another vehicle to carry jokes...

husyk · 2004-04-06, 21:42

Well Okita-san definitley bought a lot of humor into PMK, took me a while to figure out he was a guy.

tektonik · 2004-04-06, 21:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by husyk

Well Okita-san definitley bought a lot of humor into PMK, took me a while to figure out he was a guy.

Yeah I know, and I first thought it was an error in the fansub that Haku was referred to as a he.

Secca · 2004-04-06, 21:51

Nuriko from Fushigi Yugi definitely one of those too. ^^

Tzurial · 2004-04-06, 22:11

Well, all the examples that have been given are not purely effeminate characters. Okita Souji was one of the deadliest swordsmen of the Shinsengumi, Haku was Zabuza's 'ultimate weapon' (and I dont think he wore girls clothes..I thought that was just a yakuta type thing), Nuriko had that super strength..so on and so forth.

I would like to say that theyre placed in anime because their multidementions make them interesting characters, and not only that but people who are balanced in both gender personalities are said to be increasingly healthier than an excessively masculine male or overly feminine female (and its not like guys who joke about "playing" don't exsist) But its most likely so that the anime can increase their audience to girls whos vice is salacious relationships between men. (mmm...salacious)

shiznitty · 2004-04-07, 00:24

aww, you guys forgot the dude from Getbackers ( i really thought he was a girl), with the strings ( i think it was the strings, and he also had earrings). and later on, he takes a shower in a waterfall...

but those people in Saint Beasts..... I still think they're girls with manly (partially) voices

Secca · 2004-04-07, 00:41

You'll find alot more feminim guy on shoujo mangas. ^^

cindialai · 2004-04-07, 12:19

it appeals to guy because it looks like a girl so guys would watch that anime.
it appeals to girls because they look so pretty and admire them.

it appeals to two sexes.. usually girly girls are more attractive than guyish guys..

7thMethuselah · 2004-04-07, 13:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by cindialai

it appeals to guy because it looks like a girl so guys would watch that anime.
it appeals to girls because they look so pretty and admire them.

it appeals to two sexes.. usually girly girls are more attractive than guyish guys..

i agree on that one, male/female hybrid characters (what other way to call them) are in my opinion often the coolest in the entire anime. I loved those in Peace maker, in get backers, in Naruto, ...

Basically alot of fetish like things (cat girls, male/female hybrids/...) tend to appear in anime, i guess the japanese are more openminded than we are.

Mr_Paper · 2004-04-07, 13:52

There are stereotypical hybrid (girly-men, manly-women) characters on
North American television too (ie: Will & Grace). There is even fetish shows
if you happen to be watching the right channel at the right time...

We just don't animate our fetishes.

Marduk · 2004-04-07, 15:33

Well, correct me if I'm wrong, but I understand that there is an ancient Japanese beauty concept for men, namely "to be as beautiful as a woman". And it's still being used for bishônen and biseinen characters, not only in shôjo-mangas but also in other genres. Sai from HnG, Kenshin or Griffith from Berserk come to mind here. ^^

Secca · 2004-04-07, 16:06

Yeah Griffith is like the ideal image of a saviour. Male female, young old admires him.

LinChoiSin · 2004-04-07, 17:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Secca

Yeah Griffith is like the ideal image of a saviour. Male female, young old admires him.

Griffith is a very peculiar character and i'd say that his appearance is the opposite of what he really is but it looks like most of the time girly characters are good guys.

Kyuven · 2004-04-07, 17:29

most of the time artists just stick effeminate characters in an anime to attract female viewers
here's a snippet from when i was talking with a girl from my anime club
me: so, who's your favorite anime character of all time
Very Crazy Girl: SESSHOUMARU!
me: ...ok, do you know what show he's from?
Girl: Inuyasha
me: do you know what it's about?
girl: some guy, and a girl, they don't show enough sesshoumaru
me: do you know "some guy"'s name?
girl: no
me: ...

eLstar · 2004-04-07, 17:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by shiznitty

aww, you guys forgot the dude from Getbackers ( i really thought he was a girl), with the strings ( i think it was the strings, and he also had earrings). and later on, he takes a shower in a waterfall...

but those people in Saint Beasts..... I still think they're girls with manly (partially) voices

You mean Kazuki of the Strings? He was pretty cool, and depending on the epsiode, he either looked like a really badass fighter, or a girl.

Anyway, to me it's more odd NOT to have an effeminate guy in the series. It's like the "token black guy" you see in all these North American movies.

LinChoiSin · 2004-04-07, 17:32

your friend is right,Sesshoumarou really is great and they don't show hil enough in Inu Yasha

Kyuven · 2004-04-07, 18:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by LinChoiSin

your friend is right,Sesshoumarou really is great and they don't show hil enough in Inu Yasha

this same girl perks up whenever someone uses the phrase "gay man/guy"

2004-04-06, 19:22	Link #1
tektonik I can see that speed Join Date: Apr 2004 Age: 39	Why do some guys look and act like girls? Sorry if its been asked I searched a few times if you can point out a thread that covered this I would enjoy that as well. Characters like Okita(Peace Maker) and Haku(Naruto) are two examples. Some of their dialoge makes them sound a bit female. Okita asking "Why don't you play with me anymore?" while leaning on a guy or the itamacy between Haku and Zabuza. They wear a bit of female clothing I think in some parts, when Haku approaches Naruto in the forest. Is this in my head or is there some reason?

2004-04-06, 19:57	Link #2
NoSanninWa Weapon of Mass Discussion Fansubber Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: New York, USA	It's not in your head, but there isn't really a good reason either. It is just a schtick that a lot of anime have adopted over time. I do wonder which anime started that character type. Perhaps someone knows the answer. (Probably kj1980 does.) __________________ There's not that fine a line between willing suspension of disbelief and something just being stupid.

2004-04-06, 20:26	Link #4
emessen Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2003	it's to attract an audience that otherwise wouldnt bother with the manga/anime... plus it's just another vehicle to carry jokes... __________________ Hook'em

2004-04-07, 12:19	Link #11
cindialai Tsukimori Join Date: May 2003 Location: Canada	girlly guys are popular.. it appeals to guy because it looks like a girl so guys would watch that anime. it appeals to girls because they look so pretty and admire them. it appeals to two sexes.. usually girly girls are more attractive than guyish guys.. __________________

2004-04-06, 20:18	Link #3
babbito2k annoying white bat Join Date: Jan 2004	Some anime increase their crossover potential by including androgynous or slightly effeminate male characters. I didn't watch either of these series, but just googling the names brought me to a couple of websites where female viewers gushed over these 2 characters you mention. Marron Glace in Bakuretsu Hunters (TV - 1995) and Aburatsubo Ayanojou in Mahou Tsukai Tai! (OAV - 1996) are examples of characters of this sort from older series.

2004-04-06, 21:42	Link #5
husyk Stupid Flanders! (Homer) Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Taxachussetts Age: 39	Well Okita-san definitley bought a lot of humor into PMK, took me a while to figure out he was a guy.

2004-04-06, 21:51	Link #7
Secca nya` Artist Join Date: Feb 2004	Nuriko from Fushigi Yugi definitely one of those too. ^^

2004-04-06, 22:11	Link #8
Tzurial in silent opposition Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: oh...I've been there	Well, all the examples that have been given are not purely effeminate characters. Okita Souji was one of the deadliest swordsmen of the Shinsengumi, Haku was Zabuza's 'ultimate weapon' (and I dont think he wore girls clothes..I thought that was just a yakuta type thing), Nuriko had that super strength..so on and so forth. I would like to say that theyre placed in anime because their multidementions make them interesting characters, and not only that but people who are balanced in both gender personalities are said to be increasingly healthier than an excessively masculine male or overly feminine female (and its not like guys who joke about "playing" don't exsist) But its most likely so that the anime can increase their audience to girls whos vice is salacious relationships between men. (mmm...salacious)

2004-04-07, 00:24	Link #9
shiznitty Member Join Date: Nov 2003	aww, you guys forgot the dude from Getbackers ( i really thought he was a girl), with the strings ( i think it was the strings, and he also had earrings). and later on, he takes a shower in a waterfall... but those people in Saint Beasts..... I still think they're girls with manly (partially) voices

2004-04-07, 00:41	Link #10
Secca nya` Artist Join Date: Feb 2004	You'll find alot more feminim guy on shoujo mangas. ^^

2004-04-07, 13:52	Link #13
Mr_Paper Hmm... Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Looking for his book...	There are stereotypical hybrid (girly-men, manly-women) characters on North American television too (ie: Will & Grace). There is even fetish shows if you happen to be watching the right channel at the right time... We just don't animate our fetishes.

2004-04-07, 15:33	Link #14
Marduk Shitennô no Hitori Join Date: Feb 2004 Age: 43	Well, correct me if I'm wrong, but I understand that there is an ancient Japanese beauty concept for men, namely "to be as beautiful as a woman". And it's still being used for bishônen and biseinen characters, not only in shôjo-mangas but also in other genres. Sai from HnG, Kenshin or Griffith from Berserk come to mind here. ^^

2004-04-07, 16:06	Link #15
Secca nya` Artist Join Date: Feb 2004	Yeah Griffith is like the ideal image of a saviour. Male female, young old admires him.

2004-04-07, 17:29	Link #17
Kyuven Bishoujo Goodness Galore! Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Stuck Between Reality and Fantasy	most of the time artists just stick effeminate characters in an anime to attract female viewers here's a snippet from when i was talking with a girl from my anime club me: so, who's your favorite anime character of all time Very Crazy Girl: SESSHOUMARU! me: ...ok, do you know what show he's from? Girl: Inuyasha me: do you know what it's about? girl: some guy, and a girl, they don't show enough sesshoumaru me: do you know "some guy"'s name? girl: no me: ...

2004-04-07, 17:32	Link #19
LinChoiSin Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: paris Age: 41	your friend is right,Sesshoumarou really is great and they don't show hil enough in Inu Yasha