I’m sure many of us who have been anime fans for a while have noticed that male and female fans usually like different genres of anime for different reasons. But within each of the two genders, I’ve noticed two contrasting preferences in anime…
Just to make it clear, I’m speaking generally in this case and naturally there are plenty of fans who are exceptions. But I think my point here can be related to a good portion of anime fans. That point being that within each of the two genders (male and female fans), there are two contrasting preferences in anime that fans have, with one preference having masculine characteristics and the other, feminine.
I’ll start with female anime fans. The two preferences of female fans are as follows:
Female Fan A (feminine): these fans prefer anime with feminine characteristics, i.e., shojo series that provide wish-fulfilling romantic situations between a female protagonist and attractive bishounen around her. Example series for them include Fruits Basket, Vampire Knight, Nana, and Fushigi Yuugi. Besides shojo, they prefer other similar genres of anime with a cute or pretty style such as yaoi, slice-of-life, or romantic drama/comedy. They could like “darker” series too such as Death Note, Gundam Wing, or Inuyasha, mostly because of the appealing male characters rather than the story/plot. Their main preference in anime is romance and/or attractive characters.
Female Fan B (masculine): these usually tomboyish fans prefer anime with masculine characteristics, the opposite types of Female Fan A. They prefer anime with action/violence, sci-fi, fantasy, and/or complex, gripping plots. They sometimes have a strong dislike for the cute, pretty types of anime that Female Fan A prefers since they prefer darker, more creative stories. Example series for them include Hellsing, Cowboy Bebop, Naruto, and Darker than Black. Their main preference in anime is cool characters and/or an action-packed, stimulating story.
For male anime fans:
Male Fan A (feminine): these fans prefer anime with feminine characteristics, i.e., cute, moe characters and/or harem series that provide wish-fulfilling romantic situations between a male protagonist and attractive girls around him. Example series for them include Clannad, Nogizaka Haruka no Himitsu, K-ON!, and Hayate no Gotoku. Besides moe or harem series, they could prefer other similar genres of anime such as yuri, slice-of-life, or romantic drama/comedy. Their main preference in anime is cute, moe, and/or attractive female characters.
Male Fan B (masculine): these fans prefer anime with masculine characteristics, the opposite types of Male Fan A. They prefer anime with action/violence, sci-fi, fantasy, and/or complex, gripping plots. They sometimes have a strong dislike for the cute, moe types of anime that Male Fan A prefers since they prefer more masculine, intellectual stories. Example series for them include Gurren Lagann, Hellsing, Ghost in the Shell, Kara no Kyoukai, and Darker than Black. Their main preference in anime is cool characters and/or an action-packed, stimulating story.
Like I mentioned in a previous post, anime encompasses a variety of genres and thus it attracts a variety of fans who prefer different genres and like anime for different reasons. Some anime, such as K-ON!, have limited appeal, while others, like Code Geass, could appeal to all the above types; Female Fan A watches it because she has the hots for Lelouch, Male Fan A is moe for Euphemia, and Female and Male Fans B like the action, suspenseful story, and flashy designs.
Again, I’m in no way stating that this typecasting is applicable to all anime fans. I know plenty of male and female fans (myself included) who don’t match any of the above types and indulge in a variety of anime genres for a variety of reasons. But I think there’s a little truth to this typecasting as far as what a portion of the fan base prefers in their anime.
Oh, and I guess I’m a Male (A) more than anything else. Most of the series I’ve watched fall in there though I will admit that I’m finding it harder and harder to get through empty Moe series lately. I think I’m actually evolving to the point where I need a good plot or at least good character interaction.
Bishounen creep me out. There’s just something about the art style a la fruits basket that gives me the willies. It’s not horrible when animated, but it’s just way over the top in the manga. I imagine it’s how some non-anime fans view the art style of anime at first. The whole buggy-eyed thing must be sorta freaky at first.
@ henwy
I get what you mean, that’s one of the reasons I usually prefer the character designs in anime over the original manga ones. Fruits Basket is a good example. The guys are a bit too big-eyed and effeminate looking in the manga, but in the anime they’re not quite so stylized. Not that there’s anything wrong with how a manga-ka wants to portray their style, it’s just my personal taste.
I am a confusing one. I loved Lucky Star. Hated K-On. I loved Hayate no Gotoku (and really anything like it). I also love anything with blood. The more the better. Yuri? Among my favorite types of shows.
I guess I’m a bi of the anime world.
@ Glo
I’m sort of a mixture too. I enjoy anime for all of the four types I mentioned. I too love the cute, funny, slice-of-life like Lucky Star and Azumanga Daioh, as well as the dark and violent Wolf’s Rain and Evangelion. Like I said, this typecasting is pretty general.