There are so many anime stereotypes running around these days, it’s hard to keep track of them all. Some have actual names that define their appearance, like “meganekko” or they have names that define their personality, such as “tsundere” and some are more ambiguous, like “shy girl”. Whatever you call ‘em (or not) and whether you like ‘em (or not), anime girl stereotypes are here to stay.
Anime stereotypes can help define a series and help develop characters or they can distract from a story. Not all characters stay 100% true to their original stereotypes, however, and can grow out of them all together. Many moe fueled anime are rife with stereotypes. These girls never seem to out grow their stereotypes but tend to define them. I’m not a fan of stereotypes whether in fiction or reality so my thoughts on anime stereotypes are rather negative at this point. Many fans actually have a fave stereotype they like to see more of; meganekko seeming to be one of the more popular right up there with meido.
Since the term “stereotype” conjures up negative associations, why are there so many in anime and how come they’re so popular? I answered my own question: Anime is so full of stereotypes since they are popular. But why are they popular? I want to know why stereotypes have become something so desirous among anime fans that the studios are serving up anime solely to fill that demand. What the hell happened to letting a story develop on it’s own and letting the characters define themselves for who they are instead of what they are?
Characters can drive a story but it should be with their personalities and not their stereotypes. Anime shouldn’t all, or even mostly, be about maids or powerless girls in loli outfits. Powerless girls in loli outfits should make appearances in anime, sure, but the story shouldn’t revolve around their inability to do anything for themselves and look cute while not doing it. I think I dislike moe so much in part because of this.
I’m starting to think that anime might be stalling out because the demand for these types of anime seems to outweigh the demand for more original, character driven anime. Is creativity and innovation being stifled and stamped out because of this? What’s coming out in spring that could truly be defined as original and stereotype free?
Stereotypes aren’t just confined to moe or females, however. Tsundere are a stereotype and they’re most definitely not moe, though usually female. I don’t mind the use of stereotypes in anime when used in context and used conservatively. It’s this recent overdose of female stereotypes which gets my blood up.
Are anime stereotypes hurting the industry? Since the studios are rushing to fill the demand for more meganekko and nekomimi is the rest of anime suffering because of it? Take a look at recent releases and ask yourself if the anime are character driven or stereotype driven. Do you feel this is becoming a problem or are these stereotypes what define anime as a whole?
A couple of years ago while I was at a conference for some healthcare thing, my co-worker thought he saw one of our clients across the room. It wasn’t that person, just someone who looks close to them. I mentioned something about there are really only 40 archetypes people fit into (if that many), which is why so many people can look so familiar. The people at our table got in on the conversation and pretty much agreed that people just naturally template themselves.
In short, the archetype, template, whatever you want to call it thing goes on in real life. You all know them, “The Writer”, “The Smoking Man”, “Wise Eyes Set Close Together Man”, “Mario”, etc. I used to play the classification game.
Anyway, bringing this back to anime, I’ve gone full circle on it. The overt pandering to stereotype used to bug me, but it’s so prevalent and natural that it’s turned invisible. I’m aware of it, like saying water is two parts hydrogen one part oxygen, yeah I know, but I don’t think it when I drink it.
Wow, that list of anime stereotypes is impressive. I never really thought about how many there are.
I don’t think that they’re hurting the industry really. Companies are supposed to create what the fans want, and I think that’s what the fans (Japanese ones at least) want. I remember John on AnimeNation answered a question similar to this. He said that the Japanese like the intimacy and familiarity felt with stereotypical characters and stories. I guess, unlike most Americans who always want something new and fresh, the Japanese don’t mind the repetition.
I wouldn’t say it’s hurting the industry. You could extend the same argument to videogames, American comics, or even music. It may just be that the stories these days aren’t as intriguing as 10 years ago. Or, maybe demographics are shifting. Who knows?
The thing is that stereotypes are just labels that fans/producers use to define the characters appearance/personality.
Sure, the creators run the risk of building characters that fall into that mold and never being able to take themselves out of it – but likewise those characteristics are stables of the genre now, and the creators will sooner or later create something which turns those stables on their heads, playing against fan expectations. Someone will take that risk – which of course just creates a new stereotype for the genre.
Frankly, I think it’s a good thing in some cases, while in others it’s not.
Using stereotypes allows the creator to get into the meat of the story quicker. For example (for a western audience), we want a fiery tempered female – give her red hair and green eyes – sure it’s a stereotype, but one that the audience would know almost instinctively. The creator then does not have to spend as much time on setting up that character, and can get to to use for that character.
Basically, what I’m saying is that stereotypes can be a good launching point for characters.
They become bad things when every character has a set ideal stereotype and that’s it. All the action revolves around those characters yet they don’t change from their starting point.
Though of course all that text above this point does not deal at all with physical stereotypes. And of course, I’m less inclined to call those things stereotypes as much as they are broad categories for the artform.
i.e. meganekko, mecha, catgirls, ecchi, etc.
Seeing those labels applied to an anime/manga, allows the consumer to automatically know the type of stuff that he’s going to be getting.
If someone wants to create a echhi, meganekko, mecha manga more power to them – just that does not mean that the story is good/bad – it just means that the story will have giant robots, driven by large-breasted, slim waisted girls wearing glasses with a predilection towards wearing miniskirts on windy days.
Ultimately they’re a double-edged sword. IMO, they both hurt and help the industry at the same time.
^^ agreed with the above.. the best thing is most likely when an anime employs stereotypes for instant relatability, and then adds a little bit more to the character to twist it and make the whole thing less predictable in the long run.
The other need for stereotypes is because we’re not dealing with live-action, which can employ a whole range of subtleties for a “performance”.. things generally need to be pretty broad to get over with animation
And I don’t know if I would personally refer to meganeko, catgirls, etc as stereotypes since it’s really just a look, and their personality can run the gamut. It’d be like saying a dude with a mustache is a stereotype.