feminist media analyses

Ouran High School Host Club tells the story of Haruhi Fujioka, a student attending the wealthy Ouran Academy on scholarship. At the Academy, Haruhi finds the Host Club—a group of affluent boys who entertain girls through flattery and tremendous parties. In a series of unfortunate events, Haruhi joins the Host Club to pay off later-assumed debt.

Due to Haruhi's masculine appearance, the other Hosts assume she is a boy, though they soon realize Haruhi is a girl. Haruhi reveals she does not care about her gender identity and is fine with being perceived as a boy.

Finally! A canonical, gender non-conforming character in a type of media that has previously disincluded such a population!

However, with further (otaku)analysis, one can see how the series offers something beyond Haruhi's character.

Despite OHSHC's inclusion of Haruhi's indifference to gender identity, the events in the remaining episodes of the series highlight a broad, problematic ideology regarding the social acceptance of gender: the bar is low, with referring to someone as the correct gender identity being considered a sufficient marker of social acceptance.

The Host Club refers to Haruhi as a boy while at public club events, but as a girl in private. This is not the main concern as Haruhi does not mind this switch. The problematic ideologies arise such that the series features transphobic rhetoric and exclusive labeling.

Haruhi's father dresses in drag as a career, so he is seen in women's clothing for most of the series. In several episodes, the characters (other than Haruhi) use transphobic slurs and language to refer to Haruhi's father. The use of this language in regard to Haruhi's father's gender expression undermines any positive behavior that is presented toward Haruhi's gender.

Further, the love interest of the film, Tamaki Suoh, insists on making Haruhi fall in love with him. While their romance is not a harmful subplot, Tamaki infantilizes and feminizes Haruhi in his efforts. This behavior forces a restrictive label onto Haruhi and disregards other aspects of her identity.

Fruits Basket: a story of love that sees beyond appearance. The series' use of appearance demonstrates a liberating definition of gender beyond the TV screen.

Many of the characters featured in Fruits Basket adhere to quite typical gender expectations. With a deeper (otaku)analysis, one can see how a select few characters embody what it means to embrace gender as an art; something that hasn't been experimented with much in anime and similar media.

For example, Ayame Sohma is an extremely effeminate man. Ayame is a women's seamster and uses his charming charisma and flamboyant personality to advertise his brand, as well as to maintain his unwavering confidence. What is special about Fruits Baskets' interpretation of Ayame is its perception of his femininity. Generally, this character type is seen as inferior in some manner, whether that be physically or intellectually. However, Ayame's unique personality and stylish clothing are his strongest character traits. He uses these to bring courage to our protagonist, Tohru Honda, as well as his family.

Ritsu Sohma: another character who redefines the norm of men's gender expression. Ritsu, while identifying as a man, dresses in women's clothes. He does so as he feels most comfortable in himself when he dresses in such a way. Ritsu's family, while concerned for his mental health regardless of his dress, accepts Ritsu's choice of fashion and doesn't ostracize him for deviating from the traditional masculine dress. Ritsu represents the message of 'self-acceptance' by expressing himself freely.

Attack on Titan features several deep plot twists and intense betrayals, all of which encompass the series' complex and ever-changing storyline. The main character, Eren Yaeger, is one of the story's most impactful traitors.

At the start of the series, Eren's main goal was to avenge the death of his mother who was killed by a Titan (humans-turned-beasts with unfathomable strength). After the realization that his ability to turn into the Founding Titan could give him overwhelming power over the entire Titan population, Eren's abilities go to his head and warp his original goal. Eren's new objective is to euthanize the entire Titan population: the Eldian race.

The racial conflict of the series is extremely apparent; the Eldians are hated by the Marelyans, who are allied with Eren and his followers in eradicating the Eldian race. However, with a deeper (otaku)analysis, one can see how the featured concept of power depicts a strong influence on one's definition of liberation for one's own race.

In the first episode of the series, a young Eren Yeager can be seen devoting his life to defeating the Titans. Eren's unwavering determination leads him to use his Founding Titan abilities to defeat those very beasts themselves. Years later, circumstances change once it is revealed that Eldians are the race that has the ability to turn into Titans.

Eren's power multiplies once it is revealed that the Founding Titan can control every Titan. As Eren makes his presence known to the Marleyans, the opposing group, they craft a plan to eradicate the Eldian race and all of the Titans within.

Before the escalation of Eren's power, racial conflict was nowhere to be seen, and liberation meant defeating the Titans that actively murdered humans. Once new information was shared and power grew, the evil was no longer a specific entity, but scapegoated to an entire race. Liberation, in these terms, meant abusing one's absurd power and betraying those who once were considered kin.

The Stranger by the Shore illustrates the beautiful love story between the two main characters, Shun Hashimoto and Mio Chibana. Encapsulated in its beautiful imagery and emotional turmoil, the animated film creates the classic queer-love journey.

However, with a deeper (otaku)analysis, the anti-hegemonic message of living one's authentic self despite societal, familial, and internal pressures becomes quite clear.

Shun and Mio's feelings toward each other develop quickly, but are forced to be put on standby as Mio leaves the seaside town for several years. When he returns, Mio confesses his commitment to Shun. However, Shun is anything but eager.

Shun's experience with sexuality is not like what Mio's is implied to be: Shun has endured harassment from his peers at school due to his sexuality, as well as verbal abuse from his parents. These circumstances led to Shun developing intense internalized homophobia, which ultimately prevented him from committing to Mio.

However, things begin to change as Mio is quite determined to be with Shun. Additionally, a family friend named Eri (also a member of the queer community) gives him the unfiltered honesty and courage he needs to face his challenges.

The communication, stories, and bonds that are created between Shun, Mio, and Eri provide the strength that Shun needs to confidently live as his authentic self. Shun resists the hegemonic pressures to conform to heterosexuality by visiting his parents with Mio, not as friends, but as partners.

Haikyuu!!: a light-hearted story of a boy achieving his volleyball dreams with the help of his friends and unwavering determination—but is that all?

On the surface, the seemingly insurmountable differences between Haikyuu!!'s main volleyball team, Karasuno High School, and the other featured teams are based on skill and experience. However, the differences go further than technique and finesse. With deeper (otaku)analysis, the team dynamics in the series go beyond sportsmanship.

Karasuno's volleyball team is quite underfunded compared to its competitor teams, and it is not prioritized by Karasuno High School faculty. Other teams featured in the series, such as Aoba Johsai, Fukurodani, Inarizaki, and Shiratorizawa, are highly funded and have overwhelming support from students and faculty.

The vast differences in financial and institutional support reflect similar struggles in class identity and class differences in today's society. Karasuno represents those of a lower socioeconomic class, and the other teams represent a higher socioeconomic class.

As the series progresses, we see how the innovative collaboration between Karasuno's team members can represent the congregation and kinship between those of a lower class. The team works endlessly on their techniques, polishing their skills, and utilizing each other's special abilities to develop a playing style that is adaptable and undefeatable. They work together to succeed in their own unique way, regardless of their situational circumstances.

*Spoiler Alert* Nearing the end of the series, Karasuno makes it to the National Games, defeating all of the previously mentioned teams despite all doubts.