I definitely agree that Japanese (and American, and Canadian...) men and women live fandom differently on the whole. But I also think there are many styles of fandom, and that some men can have a more "fujoshi-like" style, while some women can be more "otaku-like."
I guess it depends on what you consider "otaku" and "fujoshi". I tend to think of (typically male) otaku as being more into trivia, information gathering, competition (especially video gaming), and collecting (especially figurines), with a focus on fighting shows, sci fi epics, and bishoujo/harem fare. I tend to think of the (typically female) fujoshi style as being more about characters, emotional connection, collaboration (doujin circles), and doujin/fanfic production, with a focus on fantasy, some sci fi (Gundam Wing!), romance/drama and bishounen/reverse harem shows.
BUT: in practice, I like hard sci-fi, while my (straight) male friend adores Ouran High School Host Club. He writes fanfic, I don't. All of these practices have gendered associations, not essential gendered restrictions. So I think there may be female otaku -if you define otaku as a set of practices, not a gendered identity. (And I guess there are "fudanshi" too!)
I also really, really wish there were cross-cultural (trans-national?) studies of fandom
This is my thesis topic. ^_^ I'm translating the survey I posted here into Japanese right now, and looking for a place to host it. (I was really, really hoping to go to Japan on a Monbusho scholarship, but it fell through. >.<) If I can get this thing off the ground, it'll be interesting to see how the gender breakdown and reported interests compare between English- and Japanese-speakers. I think #s 3, 4 and 5 from above apply globally too, but we shall see!
And, ah, I don't have much to say about Chobits, sorry! I didn't make it all the way to the end...*shame*
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2009-10-13 11:57 pm (UTC)I guess it depends on what you consider "otaku" and "fujoshi". I tend to think of (typically male) otaku as being more into trivia, information gathering, competition (especially video gaming), and collecting (especially figurines), with a focus on fighting shows, sci fi epics, and bishoujo/harem fare. I tend to think of the (typically female) fujoshi style as being more about characters, emotional connection, collaboration (doujin circles), and doujin/fanfic production, with a focus on fantasy, some sci fi (Gundam Wing!), romance/drama and bishounen/reverse harem shows.
BUT: in practice, I like hard sci-fi, while my (straight) male friend adores Ouran High School Host Club. He writes fanfic, I don't. All of these practices have gendered associations, not essential gendered restrictions. So I think there may be female otaku -if you define otaku as a set of practices, not a gendered identity. (And I guess there are "fudanshi" too!)
I also really, really wish there were cross-cultural (trans-national?) studies of fandom
This is my thesis topic. ^_^ I'm translating the survey I posted here into Japanese right now, and looking for a place to host it. (I was really, really hoping to go to Japan on a Monbusho scholarship, but it fell through. >.<) If I can get this thing off the ground, it'll be interesting to see how the gender breakdown and reported interests compare between English- and Japanese-speakers. I think #s 3, 4 and 5 from above apply globally too, but we shall see!
And, ah, I don't have much to say about Chobits, sorry! I didn't make it all the way to the end...*shame*