Anime female characters

[Jelly Bean]

I'm not a huge anime fan I watch a few titles, but I've sort of grown out of it really. But one thing that bugs me about watching anime is really the female characters. I find my self really liking the male characters waaaaay more than the female characters. I don't know there is never a situation where I don't eventually get annoyed with the female characters and stop liking them all together. Now I'm not being some pissy or sensitive feminist here, I just fine my self genuanly disliking female characters in anime.

They're all so one note, even when they start out interesting they eventually become boring or annoying or played up for laughs with physical humor, or just become violently jealous retards. Maybe it's the culture or maybe not but I don't get whats so funny about having these anime chicks become violent psychopaths for laughs all the time. Does anyone else get aggravated with famale anime characters?

[愛]

No female acts like the females in anime. Not even Japanese girls. That could be your problem.

[Samhain]

They're all so one note, even when they start out interesting they eventually become boring or annoying or played up for laughs with physical humor, or just become violently jealous retards. Maybe it's the culture or maybe not but I don't get whats so funny about having these anime chicks become violent psychopaths for laughs all the time. Does anyone else get aggravated with famale anime characters?

Maybe it's playing into the stereotype that women are overly emotional and ''crazy'' at times. I dunno...

[Powder]

I think maybe you've seen more harem anime than anything else, if that's how you feel. They're usually very stock.

[Sage Ninja]

I think maybe you've seen more harem anime than anything else, if that's how you feel. They're usually very stock.

Harem anime?

Maybe it's playing into the stereotype that women are overly emotional and ''crazy'' at times.

I think the violent anime chick cliche in anime has more to do the image of a the normally powerful and stoic male character getting beaten half to death by some seemingly frail cutsey girl, because you wouldn't expect it. Kind of playing the whole "a girl beating up a guy twice her size? How novel, ha, ha, ha..." Or something like that. I find it an over used cliche as well, though it can at times be genuainly amusing.

Does anyone else get aggravated with famale anime characters?

actually at times I do. Not to the point where I dislike the anime I'm watching but there are times I find myself rolling my eyes at them. From watching different kinds of anime I noticed that anime females tend to come in a few "catergories." The violent tomboy, the cute but bossy girl, the feme fatale, the wide eyed cutsey "victory-sign-making" school girl (typical traits obsessed with food or boys or both, and at times "endearingly" clumsy), the shy bespectacled chick, ect, ect.

the list goes on. But it's really no differnt from caratures we have in the United States. You know, the ditzy blonde, the school temptress, girl next door, the sporty girl, the Queen Bea, the goth...most characters in media anywhere are basically caratures in some shape and form. But yeah, anime caractures tend to make people gnash their teeth more than any other I've noticed, from crusing the around on other meaage boards. Go figure...

[pl212]

Have you seen animes like Ghost in the Shell, Claymore, Gurren Laggan or Berserk?
Can you name a few of the ones you particularly cant stand?

[Powder]

Harem anime?

From Wikipedia-

Harem is also criticized for often excessive use of clichés and stock characters as well as obvious use of wish-fulfillment fantasies. Common criticisms also stem from the tendency to portray female characters very negatively often having little depth beyond their attachment to the male lead and their tendency towards unnecessary violence and jealousy which is often seen as repetitive and sexist.[

[IamtheKnight]

I agree with you because some anime like Naruto and Bleach the female characters always seem to be weak even though they are supposed to be strong fighters.

[gobo]

Tenchi Muyo is a harem anime, but the chicks in there are pretty badass.

[Luzmagica]

From Wikipedia-

Harem is also criticized for often excessive use of clichés and stock characters as well as obvious use of wish-fulfillment fantasies. Common criticisms also stem from the tendency to portray female characters very negatively often having little depth beyond their attachment to the male lead and their tendency towards unnecessary violence and jealousy which is often seen as repetitive and sexist.[

Wow!!! :teek: Thanks for the info !!...! I didnt know it have a name for that typical stereotype!!!

[Wildgoose]

I agree with the guys from above. Maybe you just happened to see harem and ecchi anime. You should try something more shounen or seinen.
Here are my suggestions:
-History's strongest disciple Kenichi (Its a little cliche with the girls in some things but overally its really good with martial arts and humor)

-Gurren Laggan (If you like mecha)

-Higurashi no naku koro ni (Psycological, thriller and splatter...but addicted!!)

-Mnemosyne (6 OVAS)

In these anime, the female characters are everything but weak!!!

[愛]

The problem I had with Higurashi was the format of the show. The first season will have you confused and bored because it's the Question Arc. The second season is much better considering it's the Answer Arc, and you finally figure out what the hell's going on in the show. The visual novels also paint a much better picture of the story, I feel. The anime is too rushed because it has an episode time restraint.

[Wildgoose]

The problem I had with Higurashi was the format of the show. The first season will have you confused and bored because it's the Question Arc. The second season is much better considering it's the Answer Arc, and you finally figure out what the hell's going on in the show. The visual novels also paint a much better picture of the story, I feel. The anime is too rushed because it has an episode time restraint.

Well actually thats what I loved in Higurashi. The fact that you dont understand a thing till the second season. And as for the first season...it was my favourite! All this suspence and twisted turns...I also liked the manga. I havent played the visual novel cause I havent found it in english, but if I do, Ill definatelly play it.

[愛]

I think I would've had a better experience with it had I not watched ONLY the first season in the Anime Club at my university. I had to watch the second season later on.

Here is a link to where you can buy and download the VN's first 4 Arcs in English:
http://www.mangagamer.com/allages/Titles/Details/DB2324F5-8829-455B-B75B-93C14A560794/higurashi-when-they-cry

And here is a link to the second 4 Arcs:
http://www.mangagamer.com/allages/Titles/Details/533FE0C5-62C7-4A6F-AF25-54E099AE2CFC/higurashi-when-they-cry-kai-bundle-pack

[Logan]

I tend to prefer female characters in anime as opposed to other mediums, especially when they're protagonists. The Japanese aren't caught up in this PC crap, they're perfectly cool with making women kick ass and still look hot. Perhaps they are a little too enthusiastic about it, in fact.

[Wildgoose]

I think I would've had a better experience with it had I not watched ONLY the first season in the Anime Club at my university. I had to watch the second season later on.

Here is a link to where you can buy and download the VN's first 4 Arcs in English:
http://www.mangagamer.com/allages/Titles/Details/DB2324F5-8829-455B-B75B-93C14A560794/higurashi-when-they-cry

And here is a link to the second 4 Arcs:
http://www.mangagamer.com/allages/Titles/Details/533FE0C5-62C7-4A6F-AF25-54E099AE2CFC/higurashi-when-they-cry-kai-bundle-pack

Thanks!!! ^_^

[Leonardo Mystic]

The only anime I've watched was Pokemon and I remember there were very few female characters that were truly annoying. Jessie and Cassidy come to mind, as does May. For some reason or another I couldn't stand May. She rubbed me the wrong way.

After they changed VAs, I stopped watching because it wasn't the same until I saw an episode of Diamond and Pearl. Dawn replaced May and I was ridiculously happy about it, more than I should have been actually for a show I more or less didn't care about anymore. I like Dawn better, but nowhere near as much as I did Misty in the beginning.

[Wildgoose]

Whaaaaaaaaaaaa!!! O_O :teek: Only pokemon? Man, you need some more education on the anime!!:D Of course it has few female as it's shounen and usually they use male characters more in this kind of anime... I say, you should try watching and some other anime, some with a small circle of episodes (24-26)8)

[愛]

Well, anime isn't that great anymore. If you wanna get into anime, I'd watch the classics just to test the waters.

[Logan]

Well, anime isn't that great anymore. If you wanna get into anime, I'd watch the classics just to test the waters.

I'm inclined to agree. It's gotten to be pretty sanitized, especially in comparison to the 80s and 90s.

If anyone wants suggestions for movies/shows, I'm happy to hand them out.

[Jelly Bean]

I think maybe you've seen more harem anime than anything else, if that's how you feel. They're usually very stock.

I don't know if I've seen harem anime or not but I always thought most anime in general tended to be on the "ecchi" side. (showing nudity and all) Even the girly girl ones. It's just I find most anime girls to be too syrupy and insipid. Especially when a love interest in introduced. And again I'm tired of the whole bitchy/violent/jealous persona that seems to be done to death.


Have you seen animes like Ghost in the Shell, Claymore, Gurren Laggan or Berserk?
Can you name a few of the ones you particularly cant stand?

I've seen ghost in the shell and it was neat, I really enjoyed the main character. Haven't seen to much of the other titles you mentioned. Are female characters at least decent? these are the anime I've seen:

Inuyasha (Kagome sucks I hate how self rightious she was)

Ranma 1/2 (Akane violent unreasanable bitch)

Mermaid Forest (Mana started off spoiled but got better)

Cowboy Bebop (Faye...I understand why she is the way she is but still)

Lupin the 3rd (Fujiko, a decietful, lying, manipulative skank. I don't like feme fatale characters)

Yu Yu Hakashow (sp?) (not not much to say about the females here)

Naurto (I hate Sakura)

Dragon Ball seris ( my God this one is full of annoying violent bitchy women)

Suzaka (this girl was on her perptual period. I couldn't understand what Yamato saw in her)

Tenchi Muya (I love the character in this especially Ryoko, but the obsession thing with the girls got tired)

Sailor Moon (I love Sailor Moon, though Serena got way obsessive with Darien after while and she could be too much a whiner. I liked the other scouts better than her)

a little bit of City Hunter (I haven't seen too much of this but from I've seen the female lead is violent and and beats the hell out of the main character with a hammer when he looks at other girls)

Orion High Host Club (Haruhi is awsome)

Fruits Basket (I love Tohru she is too sweet. though maybe too much a doormat at time.)

the list goes on

most of these I didn't care for any of the female characters. Compared to the male characters their reactions and negative traits seemed, I don't know EMBELISHED to a ridculous degree. I know it's likely done up for humor but does anyone actually find this funny?

I guess what annoys me is that alot of them seem like they are just there mainly to be spoiled and bitchy for no reason and yell and scream at the other characters. I've noticed a trend where if there is a male lead he is always paired up with the violent jealous girl that has no good qualites over maybe a more sensiable character. Thats one of the reasons I don't watch anime as much as I used to. But who knows maybe it is the titles I've seen, are more modern anime better in terms of famale characters go?

[Powder]

Maybe you're just sexist.

[愛]

I think the way we can sum this whole discussion up is...you're not supposed to like every anime show that comes along. I hate probably 3/4 of the shows that have come out of Japan, and yet I still consider myself a big anime fan.

I just watch whatever I like and the ones I do not like I give to others to enjoy. I think Code Geass is the worst show I've seen in a very long time, and yet it has this ridiculous cult following. I don't get it, but I guess others do, and who am I to say that their tastes are wrong?

You know there are people who actually like bitchy women? Moe girls? Ditzy idiots? I don't get it, but the otakus over there do. That's the name of the game: pleasing a target audience. By the way, harem animes are amazing.

[Powder]

By the way, harem animes are amazing.

They're certainly my favorite variety hahaha.

[Jelly Bean]

Maybe you're just sexist.

sexist? Never been called that before.

[novovictus]

I'm inclined to agree. It's gotten to be pretty sanitized, especially in comparison to the 80s and 90s.

If anyone wants suggestions for movies/shows, I'm happy to hand them out.

Agreed................

[NameGoesHere1066]

I think maybe what you should do is maybe not take it so seriously. I can understand you not liking females in anime (most of them are pretty stupid no one can deny that) but if you like the storyline of the anime or any of the male characters like you've mentioned you do than just concentrate on that. Maybe watch less "romance" animes and more action or mystery.

Or better yet, maybe you could just watch american cartoons instead. Many American cartoons have well rounded likable female characters that don't like dim-witted emotional retards. Watch Kim Possiable, or justice league or X-Men cartoons. Most of the females in those cartoons are kickass and less sexist (which I what I think your problem is)

Question to everyone. Do you think American cartoon characters are depicted better (or more posetively) than anime female characters?

[ssjup81]

I just thought I'd give my input on this. All anime isn't the same and there are many diferent genres just like books, television shows, movies, etc. It's crazy to think it's also not aimed at all audiences. The "ecchi" series are obviously aimed at guys. Some series are aimed at families, like Sazae-san, which has been on in Japan since 1969.

My all-time favorite series is Yoroiden Samurai Troopers, aka, Ronin Warriors. An adventure series based arounnd samurai armor legends. A shounen series obviously aimed at probably boys.

Oh, one other thing. Japan doesn't have the same hang-ups with nudity as not all nudity is sexual. Onsen comes to mind. Seems that no matter what you watch, an onsen trip is is usually shown, even in kiddy shows because it's apart of life there. I loved my onsen trip and would love to do it again and is one thing I miss about living there.

[愛]

Actually, Japan is beginning to have very large hang-ups on nudity these days. You can still see it on TV, but many of the major anime channels have policies against nudity. Kodomo no Jikan, Seikon no Qwaser and Manyuu Hikenchou immediately come to mind. Manyuu's censoring is so bad, it's not even worth watching.