Yuri!!! on Ice does everything but explicitly state the relationship between the main characters. As a well-received, mainstream anime (aired on Asahi TV during primetime and popular overseas) that normalizes gay relationships, does Yuri!!! indicate a step forward in representation? Potential angles include how gay relationships have historically been portrayed in anime or an analysis of Viktor and Yuri in Yuri!!! itself.
I believe that this anime focuses more on the skating than the relationships. There didn't seem to be much interaction between the characters during the series, and the characters identity were depicted through their thoughts as they performed. As far as I can tell this anime portrays very little concerning the ideals of romance, its more about the skating. – RadosianStar8 years ago
I think this is a great topic because I know there is much debate in the fandom about it on social media like Tumblr. Personally, I think it is a step forward because gay relationships in anime have a reputation for being sexualized, like in yaoi. There's a lot to work with between Yuri and Viktor's interactions, like the promise rings in front of the church and Viktor literally calling them engagement rings. Some say its queerbaiting, but they have the emotional development of a romantic relationship. The question comes down to whether people believe that romance can be written or shown without a kiss. – LauraKincaid8 years ago
I have not seen Yuri!! on Ice myself, but if it anything like Free! (which can be used as a comparison) I can understand the suspicion of homoerotic undertones. – SarahKnauf8 years ago
While Yuri!!! On Ice certainly has LGBT undertones (and overtones, depending on who you ask), I think its important to regard the the intended audience for its consumption: Fujoshi, (usually female) Yaoi and BL fans. 'Representation' connotes a certain progressivism upon the part of the show's creators, displaying gay relationships to normalize LGBT culture in the strongly heteronormative Japan. However, at the end of the day, Yuri!!! On Ice isn't being consumed by fans who want to challenge their perspective on sexuality, but rather shippers who view Boy's Love as a means of titillation. Even in America, where the show is equally beloved, a great portion of fan discourse is about shipping characters together, rather than contextualizing their relationships in staunchly anti-gay Asian cultures. Despite how negative I've been coming off, I do think analyzing these themes would be a worthy topic of discussion- I just don't think that the show has had nearly as large an impact on Japanese views on homosexuality as westerners might hope. – PeterThelonious8 years ago
A lot of the time LGBT relationships in shows such as this are portrayed very subtly, but with the shows creators relying on the fans to find those links and emphasise them. Yuri!!! On Ice seems to be using more of this kind of technique, and the gay relationships are there more to excite and engage the fanbase (fans are known to jump onto any small hint of canon relationships and plots, and even the smallest signs can blow up, thus also increasing the shows popularity). – SophIsticated8 years ago
YOI has been the most explicitly pro-queer anime I've seen so far (though, tbh, I haven't seen a large number) in that it allows lead characters of the same gender to be in love. It is accepted by peers, there is no drama with family or love competitors, and the relationship is healthy. The discussion of gender fluidity is also interesting. – IndiLeigh8 years ago
YOI is probably the first sport anime that has LGBT themes, especially between its main characters, which is Yuri and Victor. Its also an anime in which there is an (implied) interracial relationship, with Victor being Russian and Yuri being Japanese. In terms of most animes, the show is quite progressive in terms of LGBT, though it is subtle. However, the issue with the anime, from a lot fans' perspective, is that it is still not as progressive as it could be. As mentioned before in a previous comment from PeterThelonius, fans of the show focuses more on shipping the characters together, rather than the sport. Some fans argue that YOI does show LGBT themes, but not the struggle that comes with being LGBT. As many may know, not a lot of people will accept those who are gay, trans, lesbian, queer, etc. Especially in sports, as seen with many gay athletes like Jason Collins and Johnny Weir (who is in fact a gay competitive figure skater), that face discrimination. YOI could actually discuss this considering that the show is made in Japan, where LGBT is still considered to be "abnormal," or with Victor dealing with discrimination from his family or Russian fans (Russia is very staunch anti-LGBT). It would be interesting to delve deeper into the show dealing with more LGBT themes and struggles. For now, I will say that YOI has broken barriers for LGBT community, but this is only the surface. – themessenger1518 years ago
Gen Urobuchi's Psycho-Pass exhibits varying themes of both implicit and explicit violence. I would be interested for the various kinds of violence depicted in Psycho-Pass to be explored: violence enacted by the government onto certain characters, violence inflicted by one character onto another, or even violence directed by a character onto themselves. Some thinkers that I have considered on my own when thinking about this topic are Hegel, Nietzsche, and Caillois.
It would also be interesting to see how different types of violence effects people and how that is reflected in the show. – LaRose7 years ago
Which anime series or films have been successful at accurately portraying characters who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, or part of any group in the LGBTQ community? Which ones have failed? Give multiple examples and explain why.
I think this is a great topic, although, it would probably have to be almost exclusively focused on the "failure" end of the spectrum. Aside from a few major exceptions (Yuri on Ice, the Kaze to Ki no Uta OVA), a lot of anime either hasn't done a great job in portraying LGBTQ characters or, notably, have just avoided the topic altogether. Manga is certainly more inclusive in that respect. – tjtheemperor7 years ago
It's a great idea but the problem is that LGBT doesn't usually get much visibility IRL in Japan let alone any explicit recognition in anime and manga. Yaoi and yuri aside, I feel that in order for inclusion of any LGBT characters into mainstream anime/ manga, they usually have to be a) not-explicitly stated as LGBT or b) be ridiculously misrepresented. – Hann7 years ago
I plan to submit my paper to this topic! – nbenn0577 years ago
With autism becoming a growing phenomenon, it has become large enough to get official as well as ambiguous depictions in Western fiction. However, the disorder seems to be largely ignored in anime… Or is it? Analyze anime characters who, while not explicitly autistic, exhibit symptoms and behaviors associated with autism spectrum disorders.
You may want to give some examples for those who don't know anything about autism. – RadosianStar8 years ago
I wouldn't say autistic, but there are anime characters that show signs attributed to developmental disorders. Speaking inaudibly, trouble grasping simple concepts, being savants in some way, impaired speech, etc. Good topic, especially considering the wide array of characters that make up the anime universe. – MikeySheff8 years ago
I would suggest clarifying what you mean by "autism becoming a growing phenomenon..." What do you mean by this? Autism rates growing in numbers; autism becoming apparent in popular culture? This can be misconstrued a bit, perhaps offer information that supports this topic. – N.D. Storlid8 years ago
Maybe provide a proper, medical definition of autism and expand on the characteristics of it. Perhaps research how the creator(s) of the anime meant for the characters to be interpreted. – SecretEve7 years ago
There has been increasing popularity in the West over Japanese anime and manga, prime examples being Avatar: The Last Airbender and Naruto. Although the West is not a stranger to Japanese anime such as Dragon Ball, the shows and books that are being localised are portraying more Japanese characteristics than ever before. Even JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, that has a dedicated following in Japan, has had a faithful adaptation with Western localisation that has developed an almost cult status in certain niches.
Since Japanese media has seemingly distinct quirks that distinguish it from normal Western media, it would be interesting to analyse why western audiences are craving for more Japanese media.
It would also be interesting to consider the format of animated programs versus live action programs. That would be to ask what difference is there between watching an anime and watching a western produced live program with respect to how one responds to it. – Callum Logie8 years ago
It might also be a good idea to see how western animation is taking lessons from anime. For example: how western animation has embraced the idea of animation made specifically for adult audiences. – AGMacdonald8 years ago
A good idea might be to mention how shows like Pokemon were so influential to younger audiences growing up with it who could then 'transfer' to other Japanese anime/manga series.
For older audiences Attack on Titan has been a bridge for so many into the world of Anime and Manga. – Isaac7 years ago
Studio Ghibli's films, even in their English dub, incorporate subtleties about Japanese customs. For example, When Marine was there presents a Japanese festival scene and Spirited away and Princess Mononoke both present ideas of gods and spirits. Even though all of Ghibli's films are fiction, to what extent are true Japanese customs presented ?
Maybe expand a little more on what would be the main argument in the article? Will it only focus on Japanese culture or Eastern culture (then what is Eastern culture?), etc. – L.J.8 years ago
To extend Birdienumnum17's commentary, perhaps you can selectively focus on a specific aspect of Japanese custom and culture that anime insightfully represents. For instance, select relevant animes that lend some perspective about the concept of friendship in Japanese culture. – minylee8 years ago
Also, how are these Japanese customs being represented, are they being distorted, exaggerated, etc.? And what does this say about the orientation and commentary that Studio Ghibli is trying to relate through these films, if any? – Jonathan Judd8 years ago
Queerbating is the attempt to reel in viewers by providing false hints that there is a potentially queer relationship. One example is Sound Euphonium, a series about high schoolers playing instruments where two seem to have an almost-lesbian ending. Is it harmful to the queer community? Or is it helpful that at least we get a little representation? Do writers/producers do it because they respect us but have to censor themselves or because they really just want a variety of viewers?
This is an interesting topic. I think you need to look at the history of homosexuality in Japan, Yaoi, and Yuri. For example, the medieval Warlord had homosexual relationship with their favored Samurais to ensure their loyalties while legally married to wives. With such historical evidences, the perception of homosexuality will be different from Western point of view, so it will require some cultural studies to explore this topic – idleric8 years ago
I'd like to hear someone explore the fan interest in World War II, but rather how it crosses over into Japanese animation and graphic novels. I have noticed that there has been a growing presence of WW2-inspired anime and manga such as Kantai Collection and Girls und Panzer. I think it would be worth discussing the Japanese view towards their own role in WW2 and how this view has led to a different handling of the subject in Japan. In many anime and manga, one can see that there is a hesitation to portray Axis-aligned countries strictly as villains. Often times, I have seen Axis-countries being portrayed from a neutral position like in Girls und Panzer and Axis Powers Hetalia, or WW2-esque settings being entirely re-written and replaced by alternate settings like in Strike Witches or Sora no Woto.
I don't know about anime, but manga... "Hadashi no Gen". – T. Palomino2 years ago
