"Eye Candy Typology

 

Frail-looking, mild-speaking androgynous but powerful hero

Androgynous characters are very common in manga and anime. However, one should distinguish between "androgynous" and "homosexual". Androgynous is a character that has both male and female features, so that (s)he could be either a man or a woman (or both, or even none - read more about it in the page about sexuality and androgyny). It has nothing to do with their sexual orientation.

Physically they use to be very similar: they are slim, not very tall and look delicate. Their hair is usually long (which reinforces their androgynous appearance) and sometimes red, which is usually a characteristic for female, strong-willed characters (see more in the page about hair color). They use to have a smile on their faces that sometimes makes them look sort of silly, but it is in fact a perfect way to avoid confrontation. They usually dress discreetly and are not so sloppy as the "macho" characters. They have no bulging muscles nor keep a "bad boy face" like the characters in the first two pages of this gallery ("hothead" and "rude"). Their voices are usually more of an alto and they speak in low, soft tones. They are extremely polite and avoid conflicts at any costs, so that they are oft considered weak by their enemies.

What a mistake! These characters hide an immense strength and it is only their consideration for the people around them that makes them endure all sorts of humiliations just to avoid hurting them, would they lose control of their force. They only give their power free reign in order to help others, specially those that are dear to them. When these latter are threatened, that gentle, almost stupid looking character changes into a terrible vengeful angel that terminates their enemies in shocking cold-blooded way. Do not meddle with them!

From left to right and from top to bottom:

Souijiro (Rurouni Kenshin/Samurai X), Bakura (Yu-Gi-Oh), Marron (Bakuretsu Hunters), Kenshin (Rurouni Kenshin/Samurai X), Kurama (Yu Yu Hakusho), Hotohori (Fushigi Yuugi), Ryo (Fake), Sai (Hikaru no Go), Naoji (Meine Liebe), Eisen (Harukanaru Toki no naka de), Weller (Kyou kara Maou). (Click on the yellow-framed pictures to see them bigger).

   bakura.gif (23370 bytes)    marron_archer.jpg (67099 bytes)      kuram002.jpeg (13175 bytes)   hotohori.jpeg (15452 bytes)     

I am not really sure whether Souijiro should be in this category or among the bishounen. He is a bit different from the others here, but he also doesn't have the immense eyes of the typical bishounen. On the other hand, he is very calm and polite and always speaks quietly, just as the others. Well, it is up to you do decide where he belongs to.

Another one that does not fit completely here is Weller. He is not that much androgynous, but he is much like Kenshin, nice and mild, but also very strong. Since there is no other page where he fits better, here he will stay!

Proceed to the next category: Silent and serious

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No money is being made through this page. All mentioned series and characters belong to their respective legal owners. Pictures from the sites:   Anime Inn - Rurouni Kenshin Image Gallery (Souijiro, Kenshin), Official Yu-Gi-Oh! King of Games Site (Bakura), Bakuretsu Hunters Realm (Marron), Yu Yu Hakusho Image Gallery (Kurama), Anime Inn Image Gallery: Fushigi Yuugi (Hotohori), Paperthin Pleasures - Fake (Ryo). Pictures of Sai, Naoji, Eisen and Weller are screen captures from the anime series made by me. Since I have been surfing the Net a lot to find the pictures, it is possible that I have mixed some credits... If this should happen, please contact me so that I can correct my mistake. Doumo arigatou!