kageling
SoundByte
Of course, these generalizations are the most obvious differences. There's a very interesting article up here at
Journalista about those differences and reviews a lot of yuri titles that are currently in scanlations. (You have to scroll WAY DOWN until you reach the section
Comics Culture for the article). It's interesting how he considers the series Maka-Maka to be made for women while Erica Friedman's review of it (if you want to read it, I'll send a link via PM since it has very mild nudity) states how it's predominantly for men. I highly recommed the read.
Another interesting to note in the article states how Dirk Deppey (the reviewer) tried to push Eros Comix (an imprint of Fantagraphic's adult titles) to license Maka-Maka but to no avail because of it's low appeal to men. This says a lot about the state of the comics market and how it's still biased against titles for women and female readership which is a serious problem if the States still WANTS a comic book market to succeed.
I really think that series strikes at both male and female readerships. I enjoy it myself as a gay female. The thing is, I really enjoy the relationship that Jun and Nene have. It's believable and the girls obviously have a very close connection, despite the fact that their bisexual-ish sex lives reflect a little more of a male-targeted fantasy.
The sex is possibly a little more male-targeted (and for those that are curious, there is sex in every chapter. EVERY chapter...), but things like...if you read the chapter one where Nene comments on Jun's two or three short nails? That's a kind of thing that I tend to believe that only lesbians think of. Males in general don't consider stuff like that. Or at least, they don't really seem to--everyone's surprised whenever I point out long nails as a not-likely-lesbian indicator.
A lot of the other personal issues that the girls face aren't really things that most guys seem to be able to empathize well with, either. They're very...girl, somehow. I dunno. They just are. The characters are written very convincingly female?? I can't think of how else to say it.
So I generally think that the series goes for both, possibly with a very empathic gay female influence in the writing. Let me say this first and foremost.
Most heterosexual men whether they are aware of shoujou-ai/yuri existence enjoy it's concepts as well.The basis of a man's mentality in a relationship is to reproduce which is why we love the physical aspects of a relationship, though I don't know WHY people think this has to be restricted to just sex. Kissing is physical, hugging is physical, cuddling is physical....
That said the only thing better than one female to a man is TWO females. The IRONY is that if neither is bisexual he doesn't have a chance to enjoy it beyond viewing and his hand. But he's just responding to his instincts. Unfortunately, the concept known as civilization that we live in is BIASED against acting on a good chunk of our instincts; having more than one mate, killing anyone whom you deem an enemy, stealing from others to benefit yourself. Without civilization and it's laws most if not NONE of these barriers would exist.
Now as for women. The statement on the table is that shounen-ai/yaoi & shoujo-ai/yuri is targeted at females.
Well my theory is this. Let's start with shounen-ai/yaoi. Needless to say that this is a relationship between two men. Now, though men let's look at the characteristics of the men depicted in this genre.
They're effeminated; long slender bodies, sharp faces, long and/or refine hair, and emotional. However, it's an ideal and for the most part only that. I consider shounen-ai/yaoi males a EMOTIONAL answer to
futanari females. They possess qualities that females WISH men had.
I'm NOT saying that femals aren't realistic but everyonce in a while I hear these
"far out" qualities some women look for in an ideal man. He has to speak 4 languages, have a 162 I.Q., have a muscular build, be into politics, graduate from Princeton, the latest model car, and handsome. This is a double-edged sword because some of these qualities CLASH with one another. A person is usually either a bookworm or a jock, VERY RARELY are they both and societie's grouping's doesn't permit a person to have
"two families" so-to-speak. Not to mention that MOST people, let alone men alone don't come from families with the
"monetary wealth" to provide them with some of these opportunities. Heck, you'd be hard pressed to fulfill these demands yourself but you'd have a much more realistic perspective of at least seeing them fulfilled at all by ANYONE.
The irony is that realisitcally, men aren't this way so they add the qualities that compliment their desire and personalites better so-to-speak. Likewise with a man desiring a relationship with two lesbian women it won't yeid much fruit in the form of physical involvement anyway, hell even just talking with them simply because gay men don't want anything to do with women in ANY aspect of a relationship.
Also, the fact alone that these men tend to be rather effeminate, not just in personality but build as well, I wonder if there is a base attraction to other women as well when it comes to women who are into yaoi. Which brings me to yuri.
Another woman has the emotional empathy for another woman because SHE IS a woman so of course that aspect of the relationship can be fulfilled withouth question. Maybe even the physical aspect as well if you're a woman who prefers the soft curvy feel of your own anatomy more than a man's hard, mascular anatomy. But the bottomline you have what you so desire the most in a relationship, the emotional qualities. However, if you're a bisexual female and love the emotional aspects of the relationship you share with a female spouse but prefer the physical aspect of male spouse well you've got a catch-22.
Now...if you've looked at my guild affiliates...
As you know...
...l'm quite keen on comic books.
Especially the ones about superheroes.
I find the whole mythology surrounding superheroes fascinating.
Take my favorite superhero, Superman.
Not a great comic book.
Not particularly well-drawn.
*takes a drink*
But the mythology...
The mythology is not only great, it's unique.
Now, a staple of the superhero
mythology is, there's the superhero
and there's the alter ego.
Batman is actually Bruce Wayne,
Spider-Man is actually Peter Parker.
When that character wakes up
in the morning, he's Peter Parker.
He has to put on a costume
to become Spider-Man.
And it is in that characteristic
Superman stands alone.
Superman didn't become Superman.
Superman was born Superman.
When Superman wakes up
in the morning, he's Superman.
His alter ego is Clark Kent.
His outfit with the big red "S" - that's the blanket he was wrapped in
as a baby when the Kents found him. Those are his clothes.
What Kent wears - the glasses,
the business suit - that's the costume.
That's the costume Superman wears
to blend in with us.
Clark Kent is how Superman views us.
And what are the characteristics
of Clark Kent?
He's weak...
...he's unsure of himself...
...he's a coward.
Clark Kent is Superman's critique
on the whole human race.
Sorta like a effeminate male and masuline female.
Oh, I'm a guy...and I like romance. An effeminate homosexual male can wear worn the costume
of a female and a masculine female can wear the costume of a male.
But but they were born male and female respectively.
And every morning when they wake up, they'd still be male and female respectively.
They always have been, and they always will be.
Changing the way you dress...
...the effeminate voice or masculine voice...
...goin' to out with other men and or women...
...the gestures.
That's them...
...trying to disguise themselves as a woman or a man.
That's them tryin' to blend in with the female or male society.
But they're not a woman or man.
They 're a man and a woman.
And no matter how much they say they are or what they think they are
or how much surgery they get,
nothing in the world would ever change that.
So, if you're a female yaoi AND/OR yuri fan, both of which features the feminine aspects of a relationship, what does that say about what you're ultimately attracted to?
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