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My honest opinion as a fellow lgbtq+?
No. I believe that Naoko , and many other Japanese artists , romanticize the concept of same sex attraction as a novelty or artistic foundation , but not a character trait.
for instance , The Rei/Minako aesthetic is very fun as well, but it also is more about how it looks on the page . I have huge doubt that Naoko was thinking seriously about the portrayal of homosexuality in the 1990’s.
Her portrayal of Haruka and Michiru is not an elevated , informed representation of gay culture. It has Haruka assuming a ‘male’ role , and Michiru in the feminine . I do not think Takeuchi is homohobic , but that the artistry and intrigue of sexuality is more face value for her than actually making a true to life statement . Haruka and Michiru are lesbian because it suits naoko’s whim and they are tragic , mysterious lovers. It just works .
I interpret that passage as Ami being so desperately lonely and needing to be loved that any FORM of love is fine. Not just romantic love. Ami’s crisis is one of needing a purpose . I see it as her needing validation from a pet, a friend, a coworker , a purpose . I don’t know that the art or passage is indicative of anything that concrete in her character.
I just don’t think it’s that deep. It’s artistic and beautiful but not meant to exemplify deeper layers of the characters romantic inclinations .
No. I believe that Naoko , and many other Japanese artists , romanticize the concept of same sex attraction as a novelty or artistic foundation , but not a character trait.
for instance , The Rei/Minako aesthetic is very fun as well, but it also is more about how it looks on the page . I have huge doubt that Naoko was thinking seriously about the portrayal of homosexuality in the 1990’s.
Her portrayal of Haruka and Michiru is not an elevated , informed representation of gay culture. It has Haruka assuming a ‘male’ role , and Michiru in the feminine . I do not think Takeuchi is homohobic , but that the artistry and intrigue of sexuality is more face value for her than actually making a true to life statement . Haruka and Michiru are lesbian because it suits naoko’s whim and they are tragic , mysterious lovers. It just works .
I interpret that passage as Ami being so desperately lonely and needing to be loved that any FORM of love is fine. Not just romantic love. Ami’s crisis is one of needing a purpose . I see it as her needing validation from a pet, a friend, a coworker , a purpose . I don’t know that the art or passage is indicative of anything that concrete in her character.
I just don’t think it’s that deep. It’s artistic and beautiful but not meant to exemplify deeper layers of the characters romantic inclinations .
We need to frame this the correct way…She didn’t risk too much…Pseudo homosexuality and romanticization of same sex friendship and attraction have been a literary convention for centuries , but especially in Japanese culture of the last 50 years or so.
I would be cautious to not mistake the inclusion of that type of imagery in a media form like Sailor Moon for bravery or an ‘ally’.
Japan is not a very progressive nation when homosexuality is considered in the real , human right sector. Japan is extremely conservative on this topic despite the romanticizing of lgbt imagery in manga and art.
We have Uranus and Neptune which is great, but they are also the creation of what a privileged and wealthy person ‘thinks’ lesbian love looks like. The romantic subtext between her female characters is , in my opinion for the artistic visual merit and less an indication of intention to write gay characters .
I would be cautious to not mistake the inclusion of that type of imagery in a media form like Sailor Moon for bravery or an ‘ally’.
Japan is not a very progressive nation when homosexuality is considered in the real , human right sector. Japan is extremely conservative on this topic despite the romanticizing of lgbt imagery in manga and art.
We have Uranus and Neptune which is great, but they are also the creation of what a privileged and wealthy person ‘thinks’ lesbian love looks like. The romantic subtext between her female characters is , in my opinion for the artistic visual merit and less an indication of intention to write gay characters .
Likes:
HappyMoon
I’d frame your post if only I had a printer. It feels more like a literary trope than a genuine act of inclusion. Interestingly, this theme was starting to trend again at the time, especially with Ribon Magazine serializing a manga featuring a gay female main character.
Likes:
kasumigenx