Two things have been at my back of my mind for a while now. The first is the low number of posts here. The second comes from a pub discussion about Faye Valentine, in that most female leads seem to be aimed at a target audience of men. So here we are, my attempt at encouraging debate on the forum. Please note, I'm playing devil's advocate, nothing which follows represents my opinions.


The Question
Does anime give, what we in the west, would recognise as good female role models? If, so, which characters? And do cultural differences make this question moot?


The Evidence
Case Study 1: Belldandy


The oldest character listed here, Belldandy is noteworthy for having a personality befiting of goddess, and for possibly the best example of a Magical Girl Friend. I continue to wonder why Belldandy accepted her enforced engagment to Keichi, and did not to try to find a way out of the contract, or even whine at length. Then again, she is appearently the emodiment of the old japanense female ideal.

Case Study 2: Yoko


Ah, Yoko, an awesome character from an awesome series. An Action Gril extraordinare, who can forget her resolution to a hostage situation, and the many, many times such took down a giant robot without using one herself. She is however the designated Ms Fanservice, fated to see the deaths of only two men ever to take an interest in her, and falls into a "traditional" women's job, a school teacher.


Case Study 3 & 4: Haruhi and Mikuru


Another awesome series, and one that's clever enough to know what cliches and stereotypes its invoking. With this in mind, you do have to question Haruhi's treatment of Mikuru.

Case Study 5: Hazuki


Let's ignore aside the issue of Lolicon and related trends, as its a whole other kettle of fish. As is my dislike of the series. Let's instead comment on how Hazuki starts out as a self-confident poweful vampire, and becomes progresively more helpless as the series goes on, so Kouhei can rescue her.

What do you all think? The number of women at the club has increased a lot over the last year, I'd like to here from you.