I’ve written about many of the popular debatable topics among anime fans, such as subs vs dubs, cel vs digital, and Western vs Japanese animation. However, I’ve recently realized that I haven’t written about one of the newer debatable topics – moe. Though I’ve mentioned moe in many of my posts, I have yet to actually write a post specifically about it. So here goes…
(Just to be clear, moe is one of those things in which fans have very diverging opinions. I’m only expressing my personal thoughts about moe here and it is no way intended to be concrete.)
I believe moe is more of a feeling than an actual genre of anime – the feeling, not necessarily sexual, of wanting to protect, support, or be intimate with a character, especially if said character has vulnerabilities. The reason it’s used to refer to anime that have a cast of cute, naive young girls is because they’re the kinds of characters that the show’s target audience, male otaku, would typically go “moe” for. However, that’s not the case for everyone. Calling an anime or a character moe is dependent on the viewer. For example, the Lucky Star cast are usually associated with moe.
I love them but I’m not moe for them
I love Lucky Star but I don’t have moe feelings for the characters – I simply enjoy the show’s humor, animation, and watching the characters’ amusing interactions. My feelings for the characters are different than the moe of a Japanese male otaku. Is there a difference between simply loving a character (me) and having moe feelings for them (the male otaku)? Since fans disagree on a true definition of moe, it’s hard to say.
Calling a character moe depends on the viewer, but there are potential problems in turning moe into a genre and trying to call entire series moe.
They’re cute and tragic, but moe only if you feel that way
Clannad and the other Visual Art’s/Key series are sometimes called moe shows because of their cast of cute, innocent, and tragic female characters that would evoke yearnings of protection and sympathy. I love the story, beautiful art, dramatic twists, and whimsical themes of Clannad, but I don’t have any moe feelings for the characters. I don’t even particularly like any of them – I just love the story in general. Clannad may be a moe show to the male otaku who gets turned on by Nagisa or Kyou, but to me it’s just a beautifully tragic tale. Just like defining a character as moe or not is dependent on the feelings of the viewer, defining a series as moe or not works the same way.
To illustrate further, I’ll reveal one of my moe.
My moe
I think it’s safe to say that one character I’m moe for is Chopper. I just love him – I kawaii-plode whenever he comes on screen, I’m always rooting for him, I cringe when he gets hurt, and I smile to myself when he’s having fun. And there’s a multitude of cute Chopper products available that could appease anyone’s Chopper moe. Does this mean that Chopper is a moe character? To me he is, but to many other fans, even One Piece fans, he isn’t. My Chopper moe shows that moe is a feeling and not a term that just applies to cute, submissive, under-age girls, nor does is necessarily have to involve sexual feelings. I get the same feelings of yearning to support and protect Chopper that many male otaku get for characters like Tsukasa (Lucky Star) and Misuzu (Air). Does the fact that I have moe feelings for Chopper make One Piece a moe show? Of course not. Since moe is dependent on one’s feelings, I feel that classifying an entire series as moe is pointless.
However, the only time I find it acceptable to call an entire series moe, for convenience’s sake at least, is if the number of obviously moe-pandering characters outweighs any other aspects of the show.
They’re eating pastries shaped like their instruments. How cute (or moe) is that?
I enjoy K-ON! because I like cute, funny, slice-of-life anime. But I’m also aware that K-ON! is all about showcasing female characters with archetypal personalities that appeal to male fans in an otherwise plot-less show. Its moe elements are more dominant that anything else, therefore I don’t have any qualms in calling K-ON! itself a moe show (though I would rather classify it as just slice-of-life/comedy).
Haruhi is sometimes called a moe show because of its character designs and the way certain characters, particularly Mikuru, are presented (though unfortunately people miss her depth). But again, anyone familiar with the series knows that it has tons of other appealing aspects besides that (unlike K-ON!).
Yuki (and Alt. Yuki) could be moe, but that’s only a fraction of her appeal as a character
The characters could potentially evoke moe feelings, as a lot of the series’ promotional art dictates, but just as many fans who watch it for moe reasons watch it for its humor, fun characters, and intricate plot. Haruhi is one series that has a good balance of possible moe elements but also an engrossing, creative, and intelligent story.
Since moe is so fervently attached to cute female characters, it’s often mistakenly assumed to be something only for male viewers. But if one agrees with me that it’s a feeling and not a genre, moe characters can just as easily be male.
Hetalia – potential male moe
Hetalia is sometimes called a male moe show because its cast are presented in a way that could evoke moe feelings in female viewers. Male moe characters in other series could be Honey-senpai (Ouran Host Club) and Momiji (Fruits Basket).
Once again, I want to emphasize that moe is a feeling, not necessarily sexual, of wanting to protect, support, or be intimate with a character. Someone could be moe for Pikachu or Alphonse Elric just as much as someone else is moe for Shana or Mio. The reason moe is often, and mistakenly, associated only with cute, innocent female characters, and any anime that has one or more of such a character, is because these are typically the kinds of characters that evoke moe feelings in anime’s large male otaku audience.
Many anime fans who prefer unique, intelligent anime often criticize moe. Perhaps, since they prefer intelligence and artistry in their anime, the fact that someone would watch anime just for moe feelings is insulting to their idea of what anime should be. In their vehemence, they often mislabel any anime with even one potentially moe female character as a moe show. But I still stand by my opinion that anime is meant to be enjoyed. Both Mushishi and K-ON! are based off of a work by a manga-ka. One appeals to anime fans looking for mature, thought-provoking anime, the other appeals to fans who like, and could develop moe feelings for, its cute, funny female cast. If you prefer intelligent anime like Mushishi, more power to you. If you prefer cute, potentially moe anime like K-ON!, more power to you. Fans enjoy Mushishi because it stimulates their mind, while they enjoy K-ON! because it stimulates their heart. But either way, they’re enjoying anime, which is what it’s all about. I think fans should like the anime they like and not rage against series that cater to fans who enjoy anime for a different reason than they do.
I always assumed I knew what the term “moe” meant, so I never bothered to look it up. ;) I assumed it meant anime that featured cute girl characters that male otaku saw as lust/love objects.
If the definition of moe is an expanded one, as you say, including a feeling of adoring cuteness in a non-sexual way, then I can definitely see it covering cats like Chi, and Karupin from Prince of Tennis; as well as Honey-senpai (actually I’ve heard of fan fiction involving Honey… but we won’t go there ;) and other cute-type characters.
Or, if one simply flips moe on its head, applying it from the female otaku perspective, then certainly there’s a huge number of bishonen out there one could have mushy, protective feelings about (as well as sexual attraction towards, of course).
And BTW… are Japan and China party-killers or what? What’s up with them in that Hetalia pic? They look like their dog died ;)
for me, moe is just any cute character that acts in a childish way, my feelings towards these characters are usually not protective, or “moe” by it’s definition.
Some is fine, but too much moe can get a little tiring, I like humor and realistic interactions.
I thought about some rl friends who have characteristics one could call “moe” in anime, but in real life anyone over 12 displaying such characteristics is just cute and funny, and possibly the class clown, or drama queen if it goes overboard.
@ Jan
Yeah, like I said in the post, many people mistakenly assume moe applies only to anime with cute young girls that could invoke moe feelings in male viewers. When used for anime/manga, the kanji (萌え) means “crush,” “infatuation,” or “fascination.” But since those feelings vary among viewers, I think it’s more accurate to call moe a feeling and not generalize it so much as to apply it to an entire series. A female otaku could be moe for cute young male characters or even cute little animal characters (not in a sexual way of course =P) It just means that you have feelings of wanting to protect them from their vulnerabilities and support them in what they do.
I found that Hetalia pic on AnimePaper. I like the expressions that China and Japan are making XD It’s funny ’cause they look so stern and serious but we know they’re not.
@ Prooof
Typically the characters people go moe for are cute and childish, whether they’re female, male, or animal characters. Being childish is usually tied with being naive and innocent, which would more easily invoke feelings of wanting to protect. I suppose, as you say, real people could invoke such feelings as well if they have the right personality.
And yes, even though I don’t have a problem with the stereotypical moe characters like the K-ON! cast, I agree that too much of it is tiring. One or two shows like that at a time is enough.
My first impression of “moe” came from Renge’s outbursts in Ouran, so I mainly took the word as meaning “nosebleed or squee moment.” I’m appreciative that you added some dimension.
I’m with you on Chopper; I feel so protective of him. Also, I’m not sure if this is the greatest example, but… Watanuki from xxxHolic? Does he count? Sometimes I get this unbelievable urge to mother him (yet he’s older than me) and I find him adorable in a nonsexual way. Watanuki is one of my most favorite characters ever.
To an extent, I feel that way about Kurosaki Ichigo; it’s somewhat ruined by my obsession with pairing him with older men. He’s just so cute. I feel immensely proud whenever he succeeds, and devastated when he gets hurt.
Mostly, though, I still feel like moe mainly connotes “cute.” It’s too ingrained on my brain, and I can only think of stuff like K-On or Bleach’s Yachiru.
@ Saere
Heh, yeah you were a little off with that definition of moe (though moe feelings could definitely cause “nosebleed or squee moments”)
If you have those feelings for Ichigo and Watanuki, then I suppose you could be a little moe for them =) And LOL, if you get devastated when Ichigo gets hurt, you must be devastated pretty much every time you watch Bleach XD The guy gets bloodied up all over the place.
It’s convenient to call shows like K-ON! and Lucky Star moe because those kinds of characters are typically the ones that invoke moe feelings in their (mostly) male audience. But just remember that moe feelings vary among people so it’s not the most accurate generalization.
This is probably the most reasonable, rational, calm and intelligent posts I’ve ever read about moe on the Internet. :)
@ Caddy C
Thanks! Compliments like that really make my day.
The reason I wrote the post like this is because I don’t particularly hate or love moe (at least, the definition of moe that most fans have). There are some things I like about it and some things I don’t, thus my post turned out kinda rational and objective (except maybe that last paragraph, which seems more pro-moe).
Good good article.
I’ve never felt that the famous K-On is a moe show. Just a slice of life show.
@ Janette
Thanks!
When discussing anime that emphasize characters with typical moe traits, like the K-ON! girls, it’s convenient to call the show itself a moe show. But I too believe it’s best to just call it a slice-of-life/comedy.
The false dichotomy between moe on the one hand and intelligence and artistry on the other is mildly insulting.
@ mt-i
I mentioned the dichotomy in that last paragraph to make a point about the gripe that anti-moe people have. They seem to think that if a show features even one moe character or moe-ish situation, it’s automatically intelligence-insulting. The fact that they think so-called moe shows themselves are unintelligible makes it seem that they also think fans of such shows are immature or even “creepy” for having feelings like that for certain characters. There are a couple of reasons why this claim is flawed. Obviously fans who like moe shows are not a bunch of dullards only looking to satisfy perverse desires from moe characters. Many fellow fans I know that appreciate moe shows are very intelligent, and can both enjoy the shows as well as be inspired by them in an intelligible or even an analytical way. Just because someone is intelligent and appreciative of art doesn’t mean those are the only things they seek in anime. It’s possible for a respectable fan to appreciate the beauty and emotion in 5 Centimeters Per Second as well as the cuteness and humor in K-ON!.
Secondly, the claim assumes that all moe shows lack any artistry or intelligence behind them, which is not true. The humor in Lucky Star, Ichigo Mashimaro, and Azumanga Daioh is witty, clever, and requires some commitment from its audience, namely their knowledge of the characters’ personalities, to be appreciated. And there’s no doubt that much of the art in the Visual Art’s/Key series is gorgeous.
I believe there is some merit in saying that obviously moe-invoking shows like K-ON! are less intelligent than a contrasting show. But what does it matter if intelligence is not the only thing you appreciate in anime? I appreciate K-ON! for the relaxed feeling of watching the goofy girls do their little antics just as I appreciate the drama and intellectual stimulation of Evangelion. Like I’ve said, anime should just be enjoyed.
So much writting, hard to keep up D:
I agree with you that Moe is all about feeling =)
i never thought of lucky star moe for some reason.
Well as you said, about feeling, yes when you feels something is cute then thats the answer = moe ^^
K-on is so moe XD
Moe moe Kyun, thats it!
too much moe kinda annoys me at some point thought ^^
Moe is very much a matter of personal taste. I consider the two best moe characters ever to be Nice Holystone from Baccano! and Gilbert Nightray from Pandora Hearts. They’re hardly the generic sweet, silly characters moe is usually associated with, but they have that special sparkle of “Awww, how MOE!” for me.
I don’t really watch shows that have “moe”, but that’s just personal taste. What really irritates me is fanservice, or anime that resort to fanservice to attract more viewers. That’s a cheap gimmick that loses my respect almost instantly.
“Fans enjoy Mushishi because it stimulates their mind, while they enjoy K-ON! because it stimulates their heart.”
i often pride myself in being able to say a lot with few words, but you sir, just left me in the dust with that statement. perfectly said.
i love k-on! but if was the only anime that ever existed, i would probably shoot myself.
Nice job of describing moe. You’re moe for Chopper like I’m moe for GLaDOS (Genetic Lifeform and Disc Operating System.