Hmm... I think for Orihime, it's a buildup to when she just fucking explodes and shows everyone just what she can do with Tsubaki. But as for this... I still don't think it's quite as bad as Naruto. And hey, if Halli survives, you know she's going to defect. ♥
I would be willing to wager it's partially for the sake of popularity. I won't presume to know what fandom is like in Japan, but early in my exposure to fandom I learned that most people hate female characters. At the very least, male characters are almost always more popular than their female counterparts. So giving more attention and screentime to them, and leaving the females in the background, often in a fanservice role, seems like a smart business move.
That's not to say I agree with it though. I'm right there with you, I wish it didn't have to be this way, or at least appear this way if it's not their intention. But I just keep holding on and waiting for those brief moments where they really get to shine, and those make it worth it.
Besides, there are other series out there with kickass women to hold me over between those moments. :P
I'm going to have to agree with the theory it's for popularity, and a big steaming serving of Japanese culture. I can go on, but basically there's women OUR AGE who are very willing and eager to get married and be housewives, regardless of their careers (though there are those that defy that generalization, but they do exist). From what I know from friends who've been there for a while, and my own observations, it's not a culture too keen on women having too much power or spotlight.
I'm male and I would like to see some female kickass characters. Actually isn't there a subversion in Naruto on this where Temari bails out Shikamaru during his fight with Tayuya? I think the Mizukage has more of an issue that Sasuke is a Sue, though it would be great if in that one Konan returns and helps her smack the emo out of Sasuke.
Maybe in Bleach it gets redeemed when we see Unohana fight since we have to see why everyone seems so scared of her at times since they really are building up a badass quotient for her.
Here is a thought I had about this which is related to the rant, how does this affect male characters who don't fit stereotypical gender roles and are the more sensitive types? Do they get shafted as well?
I think the jury should still be out on Hallibel, especially considering this happened right at the end of the chapter (which is always a good sign that it's some kind of red herring - remember Hitsugaya getting cut in half?). We don't know if she's dead, if Gin and Tousen are going to take her place, or if Aizen's just getting the hell out of dodge. This may even trigger some greater power in her. Either way, we don't have the whole story on this and I think it's premature to say it's sexist just yet.
In fact, it reminds me of when Allon took down Matsumoto and everyone immediately started complaining about that being sexist... and then he immediately took out Shuuhei, Iba, and Momo, too, in the next chapter. And this was after Matsumoto held her own against three fraccions at once.
I... also don't agree that Orihime's been flanderized to such an extent, either. No, she doesn't kick ass like the boys, but she's never kicked ass like the boys - her entire drive to fight is to protect, unlike a great deal of the male characters who
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I'm glad to hear stuff like this because it gives me a bit more faith.
I guess I've been stuck with Naruto too long--where it really is a problem, and I fear it will become the same in this series, and I really don't want it to.
Yeah - because when my first reaction to a chapter is "This doesn't make logical sense", it's usually a good indication that Kubo's dropping hints that it's not supposed to.
I actually wrote a big essay about how people bash Orihime for being too 'weak' because she's not as masculine as people perceive Rukia to be (which in and of itself is hilarious, since Rukia's technically the one that acts girlier).
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That's not to say I agree with it though. I'm right there with you, I wish it didn't have to be this way, or at least appear this way if it's not their intention. But I just keep holding on and waiting for those brief moments where they really get to shine, and those make it worth it.
Besides, there are other series out there with kickass women to hold me over between those moments. :P
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Maybe in Bleach it gets redeemed when we see Unohana fight since we have to see why everyone seems so scared of her at times since they really are building up a badass quotient for her.
Here is a thought I had about this which is related to the rant, how does this affect male characters who don't fit stereotypical gender roles and are the more sensitive types? Do they get shafted as well?
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In fact, it reminds me of when Allon took down Matsumoto and everyone immediately started complaining about that being sexist... and then he immediately took out Shuuhei, Iba, and Momo, too, in the next chapter. And this was after Matsumoto held her own against three fraccions at once.
I... also don't agree that Orihime's been flanderized to such an extent, either. No, she doesn't kick ass like the boys, but she's never kicked ass like the boys - her entire drive to fight is to protect, unlike a great deal of the male characters who ( ... )
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I guess I've been stuck with Naruto too long--where it really is a problem, and I fear it will become the same in this series, and I really don't want it to.
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I actually wrote a big essay about how people bash Orihime for being too 'weak' because she's not as masculine as people perceive Rukia to be (which in and of itself is hilarious, since Rukia's technically the one that acts girlier).
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