Author Topic: Manga divided among the genders? (Read 6577 times)

XxIntegralEinxX · « **on:** September 19, 2007, 07:41:44 pm »

So....I am having a debate in a forum on another site, but some people seem to believe that just because Shonen manga's and Shojo manga's are aimed at different groups, that the other group absolutoly CANNOT read the opposite type...For example....

Some one in the forums said that no male would ever admit to liking Shojo, because it is embarrasing to like a "Girls Comic". I myself have come to believe that though Shojo is aimed at the female audience, many males can enjoy it completely as well, if for different reasons. (I also know many people who enjoy Anime and manga such as Card Captor Sakura, He is my master??, Azumanga Daioh, and plenty of other Shojo type manga/anime that are male. And it dosn't just extend to people I know here in CO. It is also people who i know that i met online through Gaia or whatnot.)

Another thing that bugs me is that though people seemed to be looked down upon ad Males reading shojo, that the same is not true for Females. I can like any type i want without feeling embarased.

Whats with that?

Seriously...

What are your opinions on it? I thaught this just might be an interesting discussion to get into.

(Also, i have read all the rules, but im pretty sure this is allowed...If not just let me know.)

Curucar · « **Reply #1 on:** September 19, 2007, 08:32:33 pm »

I'm actually one of the few females that LOVES Berserk. And while I can't stand most Shojou, there's always the exeptions. I *lovelove* Ouran High School Host Club, ~half of Yuu Watase's stuff, and Azumanga Diaoh. But yes, I do perfer to stick to Shonen; though it's definatly not a solid barrier that ties me to that genre.

XxIntegralEinxX · « **Reply #2 on:** September 19, 2007, 08:39:27 pm »

See, im completely with you on that...my favorite animes/manga's are not Shojo, they are all mostly shonen, like hellsing, Berserk ( we're two of the only females that like it..xD), Trinity Blood etc...(with the acception of Ouran, Vampire Knight, Nana, and all of Yuu watase's things...)...But I still believe that Males should not HAVE to hate or avoid shojo because it is called Shojo...You know?

MagRowan · « **Reply #3 on:** September 19, 2007, 08:51:06 pm »

I'm a fan of both camps of manga/anime. I'm into whatever I like - gender gearing regardless. I'm also of the thought that other people should be that way, without having to feel ashamed of it.

The stigma of the males liking 'female geared' manga vs the acceptability of females liking 'male geared' manga is rather like the stigma of cross-dressing. If a male wears a skirt or a dress, they are considered weird or abnormal. If a female wears pants or a suit, it is considered comfortable or trendy. Unfortunately, I just think that the male vs female acceptable norms are still pretty tightly bred into our society.

If it makes you feel better though, when Cartoon Network was running Sailor Moon, they were actually pulling quite a large part of their pre-teen to early 20s male viewership into watching it, in addition to the expected number of female viewers.

XxIntegralEinxX · « **Reply #4 on:** September 19, 2007, 10:08:35 pm »

Actually, that Sailor moon thing did make me feel better...xDD I mean i've never actually met anyone who dosn't watch/read Shojo JUST because its Shojo. I prefer shonen type manga, but I wont purposely stray away from Shojo because its called shojo...

Greg Hines · « **Reply #5 on:** September 20, 2007, 11:55:57 am »

I like anything with a good story. Target audience is a non-issue to me.

Anonymous · « **Reply #6 on:** September 20, 2007, 01:35:17 pm »

Quote from: Greg Hines on September 20, 2007, 11:55:57 am

I like anything with a good story. Target audience is a non-issue to me.

Ditto. As long as it isn't boring, and either has a plotline that isn't hideously written or has interesting characters, I'll read/watch stuff from either group. (The only real categorizations I pay attention to is whether it's more obvious "children's" stuff or not. I won't go near Cardcaptor Sakura, but I have no trouble with Tsubasa Chronicle due to the age target difference).

Morwen · « **Reply #7 on:** September 21, 2007, 04:11:16 am »

I like both genres. I think there really is a bit of a stigma with guys reading Shoujo, but it's a stupid one...actually, the person that really got me into manga was a guy, and the manga he suggested I read was Marmalade Boy. (His anime tastes tend to be more shounen, though.)

Oh, BTW, Azumanga Daioh isn't shoujo. It's actually a seinen manga--written for older males, particularly college-age.

Nogardous · « **Reply #8 on:** September 21, 2007, 10:58:15 am »

I don't care what I read as long as it is good.

Masurao Tsukino · « **Reply #9 on:** September 23, 2007, 06:48:14 pm »

I know plenty of people who love both shojo and shonen manga. Heck I dont mind a good shonen manga, the only problem that I have with them is that they seem to lag on and on, but shojo does that too look at Furuba.

LXL_Guy · « **Reply #10 on:** January 26, 2008, 02:03:46 am »

Well...I'm a guy and I read all sorts of manga. From Shonen to Seinen...to Shoujo up to Josei. It really doesn't matter as long as it's appealing. SO yeah...anyone can enjoy any type of manga genre that they wish to enjoy. It shouldn't matter in the long run on what the targeted audience it was intended for. Then again...that thought I hope got across clearly enough.

Rippy The Nekomatta · « **Reply #11 on:** July 05, 2008, 11:44:57 pm »

Well shoot, I break that rule all the time, I like Shojo sometimes, but I like Shonen most of the time, I'm a tomboy. Anyway, it is easier to find things that are separated by gender for some. I have seen girls staring at me when I read Hellsing and they tell me its for boys, but when I tell them I'm a tomboy, they are always assuming I'm into girls, lol, what a laugh. i just think it is funny that when you're a kid, your parents are the ones who tell you, girls wear pink and boys wear blue, which is really sill.y If I have a kid, I'm going to dress them in what fits.

Its the same for manga, its the person's personality the picks what they like to read, regardless of the gender. Sure I will pick up a girlie one every now and then, but I will read the manga that i feel happy with. So i sort of expect the same for most girls who think about it, I know guys who like girl manga and also Yaoi if you believe that. LOL.

toadstoolssecretluvchild · « **Reply #12 on:** July 05, 2008, 11:53:13 pm »

hey wassup Im a guy and I dont see the whole division of which you speak. I luv the shonen stuff however every now and again I need a good luv story so I trek to the shojo stuff too. Vampire knight is great as well as Kaze Hikaru which I sampled and Im plannin on gettin into as well. you gotta "switch it up" sometimes you'd be amazed at how "ungirly" those titles are. Bleach one day Doubt! the next. Its all good times

rini · « **Reply #13 on:** July 08, 2008, 03:50:01 pm »

as someone who sells a lot of manga, yah, no, no gender lines.

so many guys buy shojo, and so many girls buy shonen.

i, for one, like shonen better. in fact, i like supernatural horror best.

toadstoolssecretluvchild · « **Reply #14 on:** July 08, 2008, 04:29:19 pm »

at this point into the world of anime/manga you gotta start branching out cause if not then stick with just one side is gonna start becoming dull, and repetitive too.

Rippy The Nekomatta · « **Reply #15 on:** July 08, 2008, 04:43:03 pm »

Well, you know why they do that gender division stuff right, its a safety mechanism, that's at least what my sociology professor told me once. The problem with gender splitting is that gives off sterotypes that people want, or a society wants.

LOL, in Manga, I always thought it was confusing. Because I know guys who like Shojo and Shoneon, and I like both too. So really, the whole social experiment and divisions have failed utterly over the years.

I would say pick up what you want.

toadstoolssecretluvchild · « **Reply #16 on:** July 08, 2008, 05:20:15 pm »

Quote from: NagiNaoe101 on July 08, 2008, 04:43:03 pm

The problem with gender splitting is that gives off sterotypes that people want, or a society wants....

....I would say pick up what you want.

thank you for saying that

true. to think that all women want bubble eyed beautiful men that pawn after you like the extra pepperoni lovers package on a pizza is just the most ridiculous thing Ive ever heard. I know that a lot of girls wont go for that type of dude nor would they in a story.

Landstander · « **Reply #17 on:** July 08, 2008, 07:53:53 pm »

I think were looking at this from an american point of view. Remember in Japan everyone from babies to old ladies read manga, i think the separation is purely on a corporate level so that they can distinguish their target demographics. I don't think anyone cares anymore as long as its good.

Rippy The Nekomatta · « **Reply #18 on:** July 08, 2008, 08:00:48 pm »

That too, but you have to think about the facts, the US is rather gender bias at times, when it comes to certain shows and Manga. Japan looks more at a market values.

I look at everything from a sociological point of view sometimes, sorry.

Landstander · « **Reply #19 on:** July 08, 2008, 08:13:10 pm »

Thats true we are pretty bias. Also is it just me or does it seem like they try to mix the genres more these days. Say you compare DBZ to Bleach DBZ was all action and bad comedy where bleach has far more dramatic and relationship based moments.

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Author Topic: Manga divided among the genders? (Read 6577 times)