Does liking Shoujo manga/anime make you any less of a man?

Azureman.EXE

Okay, this strange question that I'm asking was brought about by a conversation I had online a few days ago.

Essentially, a chat buddy of mine said that she sometimes questions my sexuality because I happen to like a lot of manga and anime(Card Captor Sakura, Sailor Moon, Magic Knight Rayearth, etc) that are supposedly targeted at girls, whilst being totally creeped out by porno, hentai and the like.

While at the time I laughed it off, I've been thinking about it over the past few days and wondered what others' opinions on it would be.

So there you have it. I'd like your opinion on this, preferably without out and out flaming, bashing, etc.

In short, a civilized, mature discussion is what I'm looking for, folks. Please try to stay on topic, and thank you in advance for your insights.
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**Malik** · Local Prinny Deity Age: 34 Joined: 14 Mar 2005 Posts: 1179

I like shounen manga/animes like Yuugiou, Shaman King, and Rockman. Does that make me less of a woman?

Having a preference to a type of manga/anime doesn't make anyone less of a person. You could like things with plots or how it's animated. Doesn't mean you swing the other way.
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N2-0 Night · Gnihtemos od thgim I... Joined: 17 Mar 2005 Posts: 992

There's nothing wrong if you like something that wasn't specifically made for your type and personality. Besides, I myself watch shoujo if it floats my boat.
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Synchro-Kun · Posted: Fri Jul 22, 2005 1:24 am Post subject:

Well, I certainly think not, as because I watch some myself, such as, CCS and others. They are okay unless you watch them simply for "satisfaction", if you know what I meant. Shoujo are never "said" meant for girls, they just have "girls" as main characters (well, most of the time). Like Malik said, liking a series that is targeted for your opposite sex is perfectly normal, unless, like I said again, you did not watch for its storyline.

I hope I make sense.

One thing, it doesn't make you any less of a man, but if you got friends like mine, you will be a laughing stock if they see you one day watching "Ojamajo Doremi" on TV. Also, I try not to watch it in front of my mom because somehow I think she thinks wrong.(ex. mom: "ZOMG WHY ARE YOU WATCHING GIRLS OMGG!! AND WHY IS HER THING SO BIG!!") But it doesn't make you any less of a man. But people will think it does.
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Zodiac · Posted: Fri Jul 22, 2005 1:56 am Post subject:

I wouldn't say so. At least, Megawoman doesn't seem to think there's anything wrong with me getting things like Fruits Basket or His and Her Circumstances. And I feel quite comfortable watching them.
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HeatShadow · Posted: Fri Jul 22, 2005 9:20 am Post subject:

Well, you're a fan of both Pokemon (indicated by the Linoone avatar) and Rockman.Exe, both franchises generally aimed at children/preteens. Does anyone question your maturity because of that fact? By the same token, why should your sexuality be in question just because you like reading/watching shoujo?
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Crimson Seiko · Posted: Fri Jul 22, 2005 10:56 am Post subject:

Just because something has a target audience doesn't mean that's the only audience allowed to ever watch the show. Besides, being ecclectic with your interests is something I find really admirable. Look at my musical tastes. I'm all about Linkin Park, Nickelback, System of a Down... then there's Coldplay and Yellowcard... and then Sublime... and then Hilary Duff... and then I like Kenny Chesney, and then Jay-Z. Does any of that flow logically? Having some Christy Carlson Romano songs doesn't make me any less of a man, but just as much... liking some Metallica and Mudvayne doesn't make me any more of a man. Like what you like and don't care what other people think about it. They're your interests... be interested in them.
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Kupo.EXE · Darkloid Joined: 24 May 2005 Posts: 537

It wouldn't affect women but men are more sensative to have their man hood questioned. People can insult you all they want but don't let it affect you, if they say something like anime is for chicks then think up a witty remark, half the people who insult people who watch it have never done so themselves use that to your advantage.

Pitchums · Posted: Fri Jul 22, 2005 4:20 pm Post subject:

I don't know about that women thing. I know some people - female people - who flat out refuse to watch anime at all for fear of it hurting their "image". Ticks me off to no end.

If you like it you like it. Forget what other people say. This "manhood" most people refer to is something created by the media. They sell it, and you're supposed to live it - gee I wonder where I got that from. It's bs. If someone questions your manhood, question their ability to fricken think for themself.
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Viewtiful Starman · Puzzle Game Addict Age: 37 Joined: 14 Mar 2005 Posts: 708

*checks his pants*
Yup, still male. XD

Anyhow, there's nothing wrong with liking Shoujo and being a guy... you'd be surprised at the amount of guys I've seen that like Shoujo anime/manga. Razz

FusionDragon2099 · Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2005 10:34 am Post subject:

If they ask, tell them that a lot of great hentai is based on shoujo anime *ducks*

Azureman.EXE · Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2005 10:41 am Post subject:

Solar Knight · Joined: 20 Jul 2005 Posts: 23

Liking shojo doesn't make you less of a man. One of the coolest people I know said he liked Sailor Moon (not using me as an example 'cause I'm a pansy vv; )

Ming Yi · Nebula Joined: 17 Apr 2005 Posts: 562

Synchro-Kun · Posted: Mon Apr 17, 2006 9:04 pm Post subject:

Reviving dead topic, since I got a major problem concerning this with a friend of mine.

Lately, I've been watching a lot of shoujo animes: Da Capo, Shuffle, Karin, Kashimashi, and now Mahou Sensei Negima. Because of how US rated Negima!'s manga (which is rather stupid, btw.) of 16+, my friend KEPT on saying that it's age inappropriate for me and that I am basically watching porns at the age of time. While the other two of my friends always read/watch it, one doesn't care much (since he doesn't pick on him), and the other kept on saying he doesn't like it that much since he knows he is going to pick on him. So, now I am at a stage, where a really good friend of mine is saying that Bishoujo animes are all porns since he sees Negima a 16+.

Which is rather annoying me. Anyway to prove him?

Just a note, this guy's main pissing me off is due to the fact that he didn't even read ANY of the mangas yet he is saying they are age-inappropriate.
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Nenji · Posted: Tue Apr 18, 2006 5:13 am Post subject:

Well unless the characters are naked all the way through, it's not porn; otherwise any movie with a sex scene is porn.

Besides, it's just a guide. I'm sure your friend has seen M15 Films or played M15 games if he's making this kind of comment. Football and other contact sports *should* be classified G8+ at the least due to the violence they have in it and they're not.

Point is:

* Classifications are biased politically and socially

* They are guidelines and buyers have to make up their own decisions. Except for the most extreme ratings they don't actually restrict the buyer from purchasing it

* If your legal guardians feel you are mature enough for it, that's all that needs to be said
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Zippo · Posted: Tue Apr 18, 2006 11:21 am Post subject:

Pah, gender and social expectations. You're allowed to like what you want to like... it's a free country.
If guys only liked "manly" stuff and girls only liked "girly" stuff, we'd have a boring society comoposed entirely of stereotypes...

I love all sorts of shoujo and shounen manga... I tend to favour shoujo, though.
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**Izumi** · Posted: Tue Apr 18, 2006 12:22 pm Post subject:

Slifer. EXE · Posted: Tue Apr 18, 2006 1:08 pm Post subject:

If you started looking at porn before him, that means you're more mature, doesn't it? D:

:EDIT: w00t, I gots me a balleet button O:
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Unknown Neo · Posted: Tue Apr 18, 2006 1:18 pm Post subject: