Toriyama will probably never depict woman in lead antagonistic roles. I don't think he's capable of doing so lovingly. What made Jako, Beers and Whis so fun as new additions to the franchise is just how much fun Toriyama was clearly having writing their dialogue. Don't force art, just do what comes naturally and passionately. As a result, I don't think having a female villain would work unless the main creative force behind the storyline had concrete ideas and the ability to articulate them. That isn't going to be Toriyama Akira.
I'm not a feminist and I don't really care for putting one's political sentiments into their art in such a serious fashion. In that respect, I think Toriyama's genius is apparent: the rest of the world doesn't matter to him and he isn't trying to fix it. Having a message is fine, but only insofar as it doesn't get in the way of the art of entertaining storytelling.
Sexuality is something I find missing in a lot of the mainstream art I consume, so I want to see that included more in the art I consume. The biggest thing to draw me to
Sword Art Online is not the great narrative, but the relationship between Kirito and Asuna. They meet, they relate, they make the best of their shared circumstances and they become an actual married couple
early on. There's no unnaturally prolonged "will they, won't they", we cut to the real meat of their relationship and get to see new story possibilities told. What is it with US television shows needing their main man and lady that obviously belong together going through so many damned failed relationships first? It completely ruins the rhythm and tone. Returning from that little aside, Asuna isn't some stereotyped entrenched in "I'm a strong, independent woman" silliness. Her character very much feels like a figure for Kawahara Reki and the readers' masturbation, but as a result of that stands as an individual. She's tough, but doesn't flaunt it. She doesn't lose her cuteness and femininity. She isn't an Amazon like your
Wonder Woman or your other generic female action hero. Asuna with a sword in her hand is just as natural a sight as Asuna in an apron worrying about whether or not her husband is going to like her cooking. I can certainly relate to such trivial things, too. The feelings of inadequacy that Asuna feels in the face of her mother during the Mother's Rosario arc are all too real for me, too.
A lot of Hollywood female characters feel very detached and inhuman to me, representing nothing of their creators personality or vices. One of the reasons I love Blooma so much is just how terrible she is (whoring herself out to get what she wants, expecting others to do things for her), while also somehow being that one sliver of Toriyama capable of thinking from the point of view of a normal person, like when she suggests killing Doctor Gero before the Artificial Humans are created. There's something extremely human in the selfishness and high-maintenance attitude Blooma displays, or how Maki from
Love Lab uses a dakimakura for practicing talking to boys. It's Otaku creating art for other Otaku, but it rings true and human. The further from our reality a character becomes the more they appear individualistic and thought-provoking. Cersei from
Game of Thrones is a favorite of mine in this regard, although even she gets too big for her britches and has faults within the narrative. The consumer's understanding that they are consuming fiction highlights all the more the aspects of that fiction that represent the real person creating them. This is why over-the-top mannerisms are so effective and why I think our creative culture has become too obsessed with 'subtlety' as the only indicator of high/worthy art.
If
Dragon Ball could create a character both narratively and sexuality attractive to its consumer, I think the overall product would grow immensely. Whether that comes in the form of a man or a woman character doesn't really matter.
Shin wrote:come on really
Don't worry, I'm an individual first and foremost. If I were a gay man or a straight woman I'd include big, articulately drawn penis' on the men, too!
Swifticuffs wrote:That guys avatar drives me wild. I know this isn't the place to be during work, but I can get away with it until his silly avatar pops up. Also did you expect anything less from a guy with an avatar like that?
I'm into
Dragon Ball for the highly philosophical discussions about life, social status and economical classism first and foremost.
Sarcasm aside, I do take offense to how you put down one form of art you don't like, despite the form of art you do like (
Dragon Ball, comics and animation in general) also being looked down upon by society. Perhaps I can ask you to consider that in the future?
Shin wrote:Swifticuffs wrote:That guys avatar drives me wild. I know this isn't the place to be during work, but I can get away with it until his silly avatar pops up. Also did you expect anything less from a guy with an avatar like that?
Nevermind the fact there's kids on this forum too.
If you (general 'you', kids included) can read
Dragon Ball--filled with bare breasts, penises, gore, blood, and
the use of violence to resolve conflict--you can stand to look at the lovingly illustrated slice-of-life adventures of the greatest and happiest fictional lesbian married couple of all time.