#positive examples

So, amongst the many other weird excuses for bikini armor, and nonsense explanations why buffoons don't believe women could have been warriors (despite the abundant historical evidence they have always fought), has always been this idea they wouldn't be able to or want to put on 40 kilograms of gear and throw down.

Seems it not only happens but its becoming an increasingly popular way for women to unwind in Australia.

I lust watched Moana again, and really noticed how completely absent the Girl Proving She’s As Good As The Boys trope is.  If this movie had been about a son of the chief instead of a daughter, it would have been exactly the same.  (Maybe the conversation about the definition of “princess” might change, but that’s a maybe.  The guys wear skirts too.)

But no one tells her she can’t Do The Thing because she’s female.  Maui even takes pains to be inclusive with his pronouns and such.  She’s held back by chieftain-in-training responsibilities, and her father’s well-earned distrust of the open sea.  Not by “let the menfolk handle this.”  No one questions her right to be the next chief, either. 

I feel like the culture of this movie has already experienced a groundbreaking Girls Can Do Anything moment -- probably at the hands of an ancestor of Moana’s.  (She certainly takes after her great-x grandma.)  How often do we actually get to see that?  It’s always the same tired story, where the beginning of the movie has everyone dumping on the girl even though she’s clearly and objectively more capable than the boys, then by the end the authority figure/s apologize and everyone cheers.  Then what?

Moana is what.  Gender is no more considered here than right-handedness or favorite fruit.  It’s not a factor.

And it’s glorious.

So, this image has been viral on the Internets in armor nerd circles a few times, but I never saw anyone talk about the artist and how she also does amazing stuff like this.

And this.

And this.

Gambargin is mostly active on Facebook, but has a huge, HUGE backlog of amazing drawings of warrior women on Instagram and deviantArt.

In summary:

I love this For Honor trailer not just for the obvious charm but for it showcasing how as armor evolved, it maintained its ability to become fancy and memorable. Sometimes fashion armor looks like a breastplate and the world's floofiest coat and hat.

It goes perfectly with this video that reminds us that ridiculous armor doesn't need to be sexy. Sometimes ridiculous armour is cloth and oil, and sometimes its a perishable foodstuff or a mascot costume with 2 bottles of dairy or double denim.

Armor, particularly when you mix in magic and sci-fi, can be so many things—so we really must stop defaulting it to being tacky lingerie. Be clever, prize historic accuracy or just be silly.

Just don't make boring bikini armor and then tie yourself in knots trying to legitimize it.

Okay, I covered the stuff in Baldur's Gate 3 is mixed and complicated. Let's talk about an objectively well executed character and visually designed - Minthara.

From a general writing perspective, she's exactly what I mean when I say it's not enough to support, women's rights - we need to support their wrongs. She is complicated, ruthless and villainous in a way we rarely get to see female characters - and every aspect of her design supports and conveys it.

Spoilers below the cut.