Guest Author - Monica Flink
Of the many traits attributed to magical girls in manga, be it pretty outfits, spectacular hair, and the power to get out of any scrape as long as she has her magic wand, animal guide, or a good friend in a similar outfit, one that seems to stand out as a vice for many of them is gluttony. A love of good food that can lead the main character into untold trouble, or be the plot of numerous stories. But why this concentration on gluttony? Is it to give a seemingly perfect character a predictable flaw that actually has no bearing on how the magical girl fights? Or perhaps it is to give her a flaw that we can identify with, as the world is becoming increasingly concentrated on a “gimme more” style of society. Maybe it is just convenient to have a heroine who loves food. Yet, the idea of gluttony in manga is one that can be explored deeply, and touches upon different theories and reasons.
Gluttony in manga is not just reserved for magical girls though. While Tsukino Usagi from Sailor Moon is a prime example, Goku from Dragon Ball Z has been known to indulge even more than his alien physiology would allow, as does Mugen from Samurai Champloo. Perhaps it is social commentary on the state of things in the world today and in the past. The idea that those who are in the spotlight are also those who are gobbling up the resources of the world could certainly be a theory behind characters that can eat for hours and never get full. Another viewpoint might be that those who were once unable to care for themselves are now overcompensating as responsible young men and women.
Comedy relief is also a common use for a gluttonous character. Seen as bumbling and foolish, a character that is easily distracted by food can be used to break up an intense situation with as little added as a freshly-frosted cupcake. Comical situations from overeating are also popular, though it seems a little hard at times to make fun of those who simply enjoy food. In the end, the gluttonous characters of most manga can be looked towards for a comforting laugh, and a moment of predictable monotony that can be envious when a series is quick-paced and convoluted.
Is there a more psychological answer to this question? Are manga authors and artists suffering from deep seated fear of starvation (see the term starving artist) and thus compensate for that by allowing characters to stuff themselves like carnal beasts? There might be something deeper. There might even be more intelligent papers and studies to be done about this topic. But until then, I’ll be reading about these gluttonous characters with joy in my heart, and a slice of black forest gateau on my plate.
