Anime Feminist - Japanese pop culture through a feminist lens

Flying with Your Spirit: Independence, self-definition, and Kiki’s Delivery Service

Perspectives

The very idea of being able to live on my own, make my own decisions, and grow based on my experiences outside of the stipulations placed upon me by my small town seemed like the ultimate dream. After seeing Kiki leave her parents and fly across the water at midnight with her little red radio, I thought that I could do the same.

Clothes Make the Guardian: Fashion and femininity in the Sailor Moon franchise

Versus

The silhouettes and clothing styles from the original 1990s Sailor Moon anime, as well as the manga, are consistent and intentional. What is feminine becomes something powerful. Unfortunately, this idea doesn’t carry through to much of modern Sailor Moon media. The new adaptations betray the purposeful fashion of the original series in a way that undermines the story’s overall gender commentary.