Guest Author - Monica Flink
Mary Jane plants one on Peter Parker with her famous line of: “Face it Tiger, you hit the jackpot,” while Hitomi blushes at her very first kiss with Van. The difference in the portrayal of love and affection in comics and manga are as different as the artistic style, and the characters themselves. While it is possible to say that perhaps some characters are just more brazen than others, there are certain archetypes that can be seen in much of comics and manga concerning those in love, and those who just want to show someone they care.
The male archetype in manga is a familiar thing. It is the tall, brooding male who cannot exactly say that he loves the heroine of choice, but will pull her close when the two are alone so that he might simply savor her sweetness close to his heart. Kusenagi from Blue Seed is certainly an example of this, while Mamoru from Sailor Moon can be seen as an exception to the rule, not one for hiding in the shadows after his love for his Usagi has been declared. There are variations on a theme with this archetype, but most of the time, saying those three magic words is beyond the manga male. Even the character in question shows his affection in a more physical way, he is generally unable to express himself verbally.
On the other hand, the comic book male has been known to do crazy things in the name of love. Frank Castle kills mobsters for his dead wife, while Batman has nearly removed himself from the streets in order to let a woman know she is the only one he cares for. The archetype for the comic book male seems to be slow to realize that he is enamored with someone, but has no trouble admitting it to the world. Perhaps typical of more open Western cultures, this type of behavior is obviously quite different from that of manga characters. Comic book males will openly pursue those they desire, and tell them that they are interested, while shy looks and finally a quiet declaration of love might be all that comes from a man in manga. More able to be verbal about emotions, the comic book archetype is more willing to tell his gal and the world that he’s in love.
Some might say that the female characters portrayed in manga are just shy about their feelings, or very proper. The manga archetype is a female character that is unable to speak about her feelings, and instead blushes, shares shy glances, and is genuinely shocked when her male crush asks her out on a date or brings her a gift. She also is unable to talk about her feelings unless it is one of those “Do or Die” situations. Most blush when it comes to the thought of a first kiss or anything more intimate, and a first kiss that doesn’t go just as planned can even have devastating emotional results, including a torrent of tears. While charming and gentle she may be, brazen the female manga character archetype is not.
Mary Jane Watson, Catwoman, Wonder Woman. These are all excellent examples of the comic book archetype for female characters. Brave, bold, and not afraid to take what they want, these women are portrayed as being confident, straight-forward, and exactly what the hero seems to need. While there are a few shy-violets out there, much of the main comic book style of female character is brazen and delightfully so. What would Electra be without her hard-core fighting skills and her personal desires fulfilled when she decided on it? Would Oracle be the same woman if she kept all of her feelings of affection inside? These characters are delightful because they are not shrinking away from telling the world, and men, exactly what they want.
So where is the middle ground for love in manga and comics? Is it possible for graphic novels and manga to play around with these archetypes and find something new and interesting? Of course it is, but it’s just as much fun to read about familiar characters who may be as bold or as shy as we are, who are sensitive or brooding and reserved. Maybe, perhaps it is because we see a little of ourselves in these archetypes as well.
