(scans are in left to right reading order)So I’ve been reading through Yoshihiro Togashi’s YuYu Hakusho, a series about a juvenile delinquent who gets drafted by the netherworld to become a spirit detective. The first couple of volumes surprised me with their level of quality, featuring some more-emotional material that didn’t make it into the anime adaption. Midway into volume 3, though, we run smack dab into a fighting tournament, and the series consists of a whole lot more punching from there on out.
In volume 6, our heroes Yusuke and Kuwabara make their way through a mansion protected by demons to save an ice maiden who’s being held captive and tortured for the jewels she generates when she cries. One of these demons is Miyuki, whose main appearance I’ve scanned here. Miyuki is a male demon who dresses like a woman, but our protagonists don’t find this out until Yusuke, uh, checks for himself.
I’m… not really sure what message the author is trying to get across during Miyuki’s defeat.“You beat me up because I’m different!” “You’re not a REAL crossdresser - you just can’t make up your mind!” *slump* “You’re so right…”
Not a… real crossdresser? Wha? Are demon crossdressers unionized in Japan, or something…? Is Yusuke questioning Miyuki’s dedication to his craft…?
I am confused.
Part of the problem seems to be with the Japanese cultural concepts of crossdressing, transgender, and homosexuality. In the original Japanese, the word "okama" is used by both parties (a term referring to men who dress as female and use female mannerisms; strongly associated with homosexuality and female identity).
ReplyDeleteIn response to Miyuki's claim that it is discriminatory of Yusuke to use full force because Miyuki is an "okama" rather than a "woman", Yusuke responds:
"teme- mo ima otoko nara hanpa na mane sunjane-
kokoro ga sou nara kicchiri onna ni natte shimae!!"
(Approximately: "If you're currently a man, don't do such a half-assed job! If you've got a woman's soul, then become a woman all the way!!")
In other words, Yusuke is telling the demon to complete the gender reassignment process so that the physical body expresses the demon's true gender identity.
Given that this whole argument seems to hinge on "under what circumstances should Yusuke consider someone to be female and thus (chauvinistically) pull his punches", it's still a very confusing situation in terms of gender equality and progressiveness.
"In response to Miyuki's claim that it is discriminatory of Yusuke to use full force because Miyuki is an "okama" rather than a "woman", Yusuke responds:
ReplyDelete"teme- mo ima otoko nara hanpa na mane sunjane-
kokoro ga sou nara kicchiri onna ni natte shimae!!"
(Approximately: "If you're currently a man, don't do such a half-assed job! If you've got a woman's soul, then become a woman all the way!!")
In other words, Yusuke is telling the demon to complete the gender reassignment process so that the physical body expresses the demon's true gender identity. "
Which is still bullshit. Just because she dont want to resource to surgery is ok to grab her genitals and tits and disrespect her in general? If he just fight anyone regardless of everything he wouldnt even check her genitals!
Hey, it's Yusuke. He doesn't exactly have the best manners.
Delete