The Great Power of the Fujoshi
“Out of the otaku population, female otaku have the most spending power, which is one of the reasons why you see an increase of boy love publications and anime featuring good looking guys.” - Danny Choo on CNN GeekOut
Over the past couple of years, I have noticed that things were changing in the anime/manga world. There were more and more titles that seem to have attractive male characters. Even though “moe” series targeted towards males are still running rampant, the anime/manga world has been filled with titles (such as Blue Exorcist, Naruto, BLEACH, Gintama, Black Butler, Katekyo Hitman Reborn, Bakuman, Axis Powers Hetalia, and Tiger & Bunny) that have a variety of male characters for female fans to swoon over. Especially females who are into yaoi and boys’ love. This has led to the rise of the fujoshi, a community of fangirls that has the power to shift the gender balance for the better. Some male otaku have felt threatened and intimidated by the fujoshi, but this is just another example of how strong the purchasing power of women is despite the state of the global economy.
You really need to read the whole article. At the beginning Tony really builds a strong case for the fear-driven divide between anime fandoms. Here, the idea that what comes out/is published is zero-sum preys on the fears of male otaku in the same ways that idea that gender equality is zero-sum gives rise to Mens’ Rights Activists (MRAs) in the non-anime world.
I find it particularly interesting that anime fandom has—in perception—divided along the lines of moe versus yaoi and never the twain shall meet, since deep down, we are all anime fans. AND many of the shows operate under the same set of common tropes (here, my assertion would be better supported if I’d gotten around to watching Kimi to Boku, but I suspect that this is the case given what I know about Hetalia).
I think the vast appeal of Gintama shows the supposed dichotomy of fujoshi-vs-otaku exists on a more complicated spectrum. Gintama is a core JUMP title that mercilessly skewers ALL parts of anime and yet also appears to be a an important BL-shipping work. As a result, I think it’s fair to argue that the rise of the fujoshi doesn’t signal the end of fandom as we know it.
