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Resource type: Journal Article Language: en: English Peer reviewed DOI: 10.1386/qsmpc_00041_1 BibTeX citation key: Fanasca2021 Email resource to friend View all bibliographic details |
Categories: General Keywords: Gender, Japan, Manga Creators: Fanasca Collection: Queer Studies in Media & Popular Culture |
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Abstract |
This article focuses on the representation of FtM cross-dresser characters in Japanese shōjo manga and their gender performances. The first cross-dresser heroine in manga is Sapphire, the main character from 1953s Ribon no kishi. Following this first example, similar characters have continued to appear in shōjo manga, obtaining very positive responses from the audience. While they are seen as rebellious characters challenging stereotypical views on gender in the Japanese society, the narratives where they appear do not always fully explore this aspect. The aim of this article is to investigate the role of cross-dresser heroines in manga as a tool to reinforce the sociocultural patriarchal status quo and as a different gender embodiment outside stereotyped femininity. It argues that the possibility for those characters to occupy powerful positions and succeed is related to masculinity, symbolized by the sword, stressing how ultimately their revolutionary potential is weakened and limited.
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