Eroticism for the Masses: Japanese Manga Comics and Their Assimilation into the U.S.
Sexuality & Culture, 6 (1):
3-126 (March 2002)Abstract
A special journal issue explores manga, or Japanese comics, which have sexual content by focusing on themes, reader subjectivity, & emotional stimulation in the contest of their US reception. A brief review of the history of Japanese art/culture shows that sexuality is considered a legitimate topic for art. Erotic themes examined include heterosexual & homosexual sexual relationships, transvestitism, sadomasochism, incest, & bestiality. Although manga has been criticized for exalting rape, 90% of stories about rape or sexual assault analyzed showed the victim taking violent revenge on the attackers. Contrary to traditional Japanese portrayals of women, the females in manga are beautiful, erotic, & powerful. Manga is described as an art form that involves the reader with the characters in a "complex narrative framework in which sexuality is a positive virtue for both men & women." It does not reflect scientific truth or sexual realities but offers clues about people's hopes, interests, & ideals by suggesting imagined realms of possibilities that reconfigure the limitations of the world. 2 Appendixes, 119 References. J. Lindroth