The idea of rape in manga land (and my bizarre turn-around)

[dangermousie]

I am now on vol. 3 of Hot Gimmick and am mightily surprised to find myself not loathing Ryo any more. (Though I still think Shinogu is the only decent guy in the story. Yeah, he is her brother but he is adopted. They should hook up). I still think Ryo is a bad boyfriend material, and if a car ran him over I wouldn't be all miserable, but he amuses me. I guess he isn't too bad. Why?

1. He is still bossy but Hatsumi doesn't do what he says. I don't mind bossy guys as long as it's not 'bossy guy/meek woman' dynamic. If she tells him to go to hell, I have no problem.

2. He keeps telling Hatsumi to grow a spine. Since I find myself wanting to yell that myself, this mellows me out.

3. Pushy and bossy but no mind games. And he won't have sex with her unless she's into it, which sadly, already puts him above her boyfriend (the scene where Hatsumi tells Ryo he can have sex with her, because it's all one to her, as that's all guys want anyway, and he blows up at her because 'he isn't like that' and there is no sex is good).

4. He rescued her from a gang rape (catdecember was right. This manga got a LOT weirder). Which while still not making him prime bf material does make me think that the car running over him should be a small one.

That last point brings me to something else, which is my utter bafflement at the attitude toward rape in manga. I am beginning to wonder about social attitudes and th penal codes of Japan. This isn't the first time I've seen heroine's virtue threatened, but there is no mention of threat of legal charges or anything. In fact, the wannabe perp never seems to be worried about getting caught. Heck, so far Fushigi Yuugi has the most realistic approach to rape and rape trauma and that is set in a freaking fantasy version of ancient China.


Why do I mention this? Well, because part of the plot goes like this. Azusa, Hatsumi's 'sweet' bf has in reality just been trying to get close to her to wreak revenge on her father, who he believes is responsible for his mother's death. He puts a roofie in her drink, but that particular plan goes nowhere because her brother sees her and takes her home. Later, Azusa gets her to come to his place. Luckily for her, she comes with Ryo (he sees her and insists on going along because he wants to tell Azusa to keep away from her. Jealous much?) In that apartment, there is a bunch of Azusa's model friends (between this, HYD and Peach Girl, I am beginning to think all male models are psychos. Note to self: if meet a male model in Japan, ruuun). They tell her that Azusa told them to basically gang bang her, and isn't it going to be fun for her virgin self. And they grab her, and restrain Ryo (sweet boys, they tell him he can watch if he's quiet). Then Azusa shows up and confirms the whole thing, and tells her about revenge and how he is going to videotape the gangbang thing. Hatsumi is on the bed and the guys are sort of all over her, videotape running, when Ryo manages to break free and grabs one of the guys who was holding him, and (in a pretty cool scene) demands the guys let her go, or else he is going to stab the guy with a pen in the face and 'it can be quite painful, and you are all models, aren't you?' What is even cooler, when Azusa goes to the abashed gang 'come on, he wouldn't,' Ryo pretty matter-of-factly stabs the guy and says 'other cheek is next.' Heh. And then the manager shows up, takes this whole scene in, horrified. Ryo tells her to fuck off, takes Hatsumi and leaves. Interesting, no?

Maybe, but what is more interesting is WHY IS NOBODY CONCERNED ABOUT THE RAPE CHARGES??? OK, what the heck did Azusa think he was doing? The whole point of this excercise was to show the videotape to Hatsumi's dad. That is freaking evidence (and Dad can testify too). Nor were they going to off Hatsumi after this whole thing was over. Not to mention Ryo was there, and he would have been a witness too. Fine, Asuza might want revenge enough not care about going to jail, but he doesn't even seem to think it's a possibility. And his model friends also don't seem to be worried about going to jail, and there isn't even revenge in it for them. Nor does Hatsumi or Ryo yell out something to the effect of 'stop. You want to go to jail?' etc. or threaten them with it later. And when Hatsumi meets Asuza's real gf later (btw, sorry, knowing your bf organized a gang rape that only got prevented by the fact that the girl brought someone along? Relationship breaker to me, but not to her apparently), and yet again, there is no mention that THE GUY WAS ENGAGING IN SERIOUS CRIME THAT IS PUNISHABLE BY JAIL TIME AND THANK YOU FOR NOT GOING TO THE POLICE. What bugs me is that no one seems to think that is even a possibility? Is rape not a crime in Japan? The hell?

Here's a list of other manga and anime I've seen dealing with the issue (this is by far the most extreme).

Other anime/manga:

Fushigi Yuugi: Yui and Miaka both believe they've been raped. This screws Yui up enough for her to attempt to slit her wrists and later join the bad side. Miaka ends up trying to basically scrub her skin off and it fucks up both her and Tamahome (her OTP) in a pretty bad way. The only really 'no problems with how this is handled' anime/manga I've come across so far.

Hana Yori Dango: In a romance novel cliche, Doumyouji loses control and starts popping off Tsukushi's buttons as she yells no. He stops with her clothes still on (all there has been is some kissing and a couple of buttons unbuttoned) and bolts. Sadly, pretty mild as far as this sort of story goes. Points for Tsukushi flipping about it and having flashbacks about it for ages, and this does put a crimp in his later attempts to be sweet to her. But. They meet at a party next day, and he is snotty to her, and she never retorts something to the effect of 'you are a wannabe rapist and be grateful I am not pressing charges, bub.'

Peach Girl: Momo is almost raped by Kairi's brother, who she knees and leaves. Why would Kairi's brother, who is a cold-blooded bastard but a smart guy, risk rape charges just to hurt his brother? Because he doesn't even seem to think there is any possibility of those. Also, Sae arranges for Momo to have sex with some guy (whom she tells Momo has been dying for him). Once again, no mention of fucking jail time for something like this, once Kairi and Touji burst in and rescue the girl.

Mars: Kira has been sexually abused when much younger by her stepfather. Points for having her be severely screwed up by it. Points for her bashing him over the head. Points for Rei (her bf) almost killing the guy when he got his hands on him. However, once stepfather decides to press charges against Rei, why doesn't anyone mention to stepfather that if he does that, the rape thing will come out. Once again, it's Kira and Rei against the world, as if there is no legal recourse at all in this world.

Comments

[crumpeteer.livejournal.com]

I think Ryo is someone who is handy to have in your corner since he has no qualms playing dirty and is fairly tolerable if he likes you. He's the friend you go to to plot revenge. Absolute jerk? Heavens yes, but then I've got friends like that myself.

You might also like The Wallflower, another shojo that's pretty popular. Also, Tsubasa: Reservior Chronicles, which I absolutely love. Every girl needs a Syaoran, who might be the best "not technically a boyfriend" in the world. And there's also Fai, who reminds me of Hakkai slightly.

I'm not sure about the rape issue, but it does come up a lot in anime/manga with relatively little consequence for the perpetrator. If they do, it's generally some vigilante justice from a guy friend.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Ryo is someone who is handy to have in your corner since he has no qualms playing dirty and is fairly tolerable if he likes you.

Yeah. I am in the middle of vol. 4, and oddly enough, I don't dislike him any more. For one, he is the only one who tells Hatsumi she is crazy to even be talking to Asuza afterwards.

But I think I can pinpoint the exact moment when I stopped thinking 'ugh' and ended up thinking 'not bad.' It's when he tells her that if she tells him she doesn't want him to be with any other girls, he will let her be his gf, and she goes 'you are clueless' and he is honestly puzzled. Then she retorts that a gf is someone who wants to spend time with you voluntarily, someone who talks with you and shares her problems with you. And he replies something to the effect of 'that's stupid' and after a beat goes 'so, what are your problems?' Heeeee. I just realized then that he wasn't being mean to her because he is abusive or a bastard (though he is still no picnic) but because he is incredibly poorly socialized. Which is much less bad.

And of course much later Hatsumi comes up to the landing looking for her sister and he is still there going 'geez, how long do I have to wait for you?' and when she is all confused he grouches 'you said 'later.' You are the one who said that if I listen to your problems it makes you my gf'' And she tells him she still doesn't like him :)

He's the friend you go to to plot revenge. Absolute jerk? Heavens yes, but then I've got friends like that myself

Yeah. He's pretty bright. The vol I was reading has him solve her ostracism problem by getting her bro to be his tutor (which is rather a big deal, since he is trying to get into that prestigious school). What is bugging me is why she doesn't use Ryo, who is able and willing, to get some revenge on Asuza. She doesn't seem to want any. Ugh. Odd.

I really do want to check out Tsubasa. I've heard really good things about it. But it's not finished, right? And isn't Syaoran in love with the heroine and they were dating before but now she doesn't remember him. Or am I confusing it with something else?

If they do, it's generally some vigilante justice from a guy friend.

That is what strikes me as so odd. It's weird, the absolute uniformity of lack of law enforcement issue.

[crumpeteer.livejournal.com]

The thing with Ryo is that he does try eventually. And no, he's not being mean to her just for jollies. To me he's reacting sort of like middle school boys who pick on the girl they like and show affection my throwing spit wads at them. He just hasn't matured beyond that point in the social area. Ryo has that blunt straightforwardness that say Aram has for different reasons (Aram's being that he's 12). Like many animales, Ryo just isn't very functional in society.

The thing with animales like that is while they're extremely hard to put up with, they work well for the heroine they're paired with. Sano in HanaKimi might be a sweet guy, but only the girl knows that as he's pretty abrupt with everyone else. Everyone but Eimi is scared of Wanibushi because she's rather oblivious, but he's good to her (and she brings out the niceness in him which is sweet).

Tsubasa has got about 8 vols of late and it's not done. The premise is that Syaoran and Sakura were best friends. Sakura goes to finally tell Syaoran that she likes him, but gets all her memories erased and thrown through different dimensions. Syaoran agrees to trade all of Sakura's memories of him to get the ability to go from dimension to dimension. Syaoran is a sweetheart. He loves Sakura deeply but can't tell her how they know each other and is extremely protective of her. Fai and Kurogane are two guys who end up helping Syaoran. Fai is on the run from his own dimension and Kurogane has been kicked out of his dimension as punishment.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Tsubasa sounds good. Is it at least halfway done though? *please please please*

loves Sakura deeply but can't tell her how they know each other and is extremely protective of her.

Why not. I know he gave up her memories, but he can still talk to her about it, even if she won't remember, can't he? The angst sounds awesome.

The thing with Ryo is that he does try eventually

I think I'd gotten to the early part of his trying, and it's rather funn. Sort of like a Martian trying to acclimatize to earth and blend in. It's all gobbledegook to him. Which isn't that surprising considering he spent most of his time studying and the rest with his not-exactly-social-paragon of a mother.

sort of like middle school boys who pick on the girl they like and show affection my throwing spit wads at them.

Exactly. Of course, what those boys (and Ryo) don't realize, that is such not a good way to get a girl :P

The thing with animales like that is while they're extremely hard to put up with, they work well for the heroine they're paired with

Basically it's the flip side of that whole 'women imperfect men perfect' post of yesterday. The guy doesn't have to be a prince or work for me, as long as I can see the heroine want him. I am not there yet with Ryo, but at least I don't want to strangle him either any more.

[crumpeteer.livejournal.com]

I know he gave up her memories, but he can still talk to her about it, even if she won't remember, can't he?

He's not allowed to, at least while they're still getting her memories back. She doesn't even know who he is when she first wakes up (which is why he excuses himself and goes outside and starts crying).

I'm personally quite fond of Fai, who is a very sad individual under all his sweetness and who likes annoying Kurogane by calling him cutesy nicknames (Kuro-pin, Kuro-tan, Kuro-kun, etc.).

I don't think Tsubasa is even done in Japan yet. CLAMP is well known for running long series.

The guy doesn't have to be a prince or work for me, as long as I can see the heroine want him.

That's all I want myself. I always use Hibiki and Dita from Vandread for that since Hibiki is distinctly annoying, but he and Dita are perfect together since she's just so blithely oblivious to his obnoxious habits.

[plazmah.livejournal.com]

A have a theory on the entire "legal ramifications of rape" matter, but this crazy feminist is too cross-eyed with frustration to say anything coherant right now.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

If you do get more coherent, I would love to read your take. Because I am honestly bewildered.

[aliterati.livejournal.com]

Maybe because the stigma against rape victims is so much worse there, so realistically girls usually don't report such things? I haven't done research on this or anything, but I'm throwing it out as a guess for a culture that traditionally takes "honour" so seriously.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

That actually makes sense, except that even with the added stigma, you'd imagine reporting would be less but not nonexistant. The way the characters act is as if there is no threat of being prosecuted at all (heck, I'd feel better if the heroine went 'I'll tell on you' and the villain was 'no you won't, it would ruin you' but as there is, no one would even suspect this was a crime at all from the way all concerned react).

And overall, the attitude seems to be 'so and so is a wild kid. He listens to nasty music really loudly, he is rude to elders, mean to his gf and makes fun of handicapped people. And he is also a wannabe rapist.' Which is odd, to say the least.

[catdecember.livejournal.com]

i knew that azusa was too good to be true. but that "plan" of his just made him a jerk. and yes, Ryo sort of becomes...tolerable.

i've always found it weird that the rape/attempted rapes seem to play a "normal" part in manga storylines. very disturbing!

[catdecember.livejournal.com]

by the way....look out for Shinogu. ;)

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

I finished all 10 volumes and am now both hooked and a Ryo lover. But now I need to know what happens next!

[catdecember.livejournal.com]

Wow that was fast! Do you read scanlations? Coz I would like your "source" if you don't mind...

I'm glad you liked it. I'm sad its ending soon, I need another serialized manga to get addicted to.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

No, I bought all of them. And I had plenty of time to kill on the flights.

[catdecember.livejournal.com]

yay! i buy manga too, very rare i do scanlations unless am just "trying it out". :D

Hmmm, yeah, you see that a lot

[sarasa-moku-ren.livejournal.com]

I have come to guess that maybe the Japanese have a rape fetish. The also talk about sexual harassment in the workplace (or school or home) and on trains quite often.

I've never really liked the way they handle bullying scenes either.

Still, there was one interesting way rape was handled in the manga (not OAV) Please Save My Earth, which slightly reminds me of To Kill A Mockingbird. We are told a rape takes place, and then see the events leading up to, as well as, the rape from the memories of the man. There are lots of unanswered questions concerning what happened afterward. Many volumes later, we see the events before and after the rape through the eyes of the woman and learn how the case handled. Not only was it interesting how the situation was dealt with in an isolated location with only 7 people (no law enforcement), what I appreciated the most was the unique inclusions of the psychological affects on both the victim AND the rapist, which haunt them for the rest of their lives and into their next ones.

Re: Hmmm, yeah, you see that a lot

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Hmmmm - I keep meaning to check out PSME - everything I've heard about it makes it sound excellent.

Re: Hmmm, yeah, you see that a lot

[(Anonymous)]

Oh, it was a WONDERFUL manga. It's slow-paced, but extremely well-plotted. The villain is both charming and creepy, and the supporting characters are all very interesting. The heroine was a little bland at first, but she really grows on you. It has a short 6 episode OAV/OVA, but it never covered the good parts (or the end).