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Relationships of Shōjo Manga and Women

It has been a heating debate whether shōjo manga affects women’s perspectives or women’s perspectives are reflected in shōjo manga. However, no one can clarify which is correct. Thus, it can be said that there is a unity between shōjo manga and women’s perspectives that is too strong to distinguish which first affects or reflects. In other words, it is like a coupled mirror relationship that simultaneously reflects each other. [7] However, it is true that shōjo manga affects women’s perspectives towards feminine beauty. Shōjo manga mainly depicts the theme that love triumphs after all by overcoming obstacles with a beloved man. Female heroines in the story are likely to be adorable, short, and elegant, which are the stereotyped elements to be feminine. From such depictions, female readers tend to assume that they have to behave and dress like the characters. In addition, female readers will look for gentle prince-like figures forever due to such love romance. [8]Moreover, the emergence of “working women” in shōjo manga led little girls to think that it is normal for women to work outside their houses, and that they will pursue career just like the characters when they grow up. Considering these effects of manga on female readers, manga largely affects women’s perspectives, and has a strong relationship with each other. [9]

 

[7] Sugimoto Shogo, “Historical Analysis of Discourse on Shojo Manga,” p. 145

[8] 雲野加代子「漫画におけるジェンダーについての考察: 恋愛と武闘」pp. 84-85

[9] Toku Masami, “Shojo Manga! Girls' Comics! A Mirror of Girls' Dreams,” p.19

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