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REVIEW: Lupin III: The Woman Called Fujiko Mine

Fujiko is in full control of her sexuality. Nobody tells her what to do with her body. That's a very feminist idea. Don't be slut shaming, dtm.

Fujiko is in full control of her sexuality. Nobody tells her what to do with her body. That's a very feminist idea. Don't be slut shaming, dtm.

But the series doesn't make Fujiko's sexuality a theme or anything like that, it simply uses it for sex appeal. Well, actually that ain't quite true. It's treated as a matter-of-fact; it's who she is. But there still ain't anything more to it.

I'm not good at this literary analysis rigamarole, but having spoiler[Fujiko's thieving and casual sex be not the products of Aisha's programming so that she could live vicariously though Fujiko], besides being a fun sucker-punch to our expectations, seemed to make a statement about the validity and independence of Fujiko's choices in life by making them something that were part of her, not features imposed by a controlling authority.

Actually, there's a neat article at Violence Jill's Room that outlines more of these "ladies take control of literary damsel-in-distress situations" narratives, so I will just link you to that.

Historically, at least in the west, female sexuality has been suppressed and stigmatized. For example: The vibrator has a fascinating history: it was conceived as an ostensible medical device to replace prescription handjobs for ‘hysterical’ women, but as recreational use of it among the unrefined working class class rose, that pretense became unsustainable. As such, the vibrator fell out of favor for nearly half of a century. Women wanting and enjoying sex has a long tradition of being frowned up, even held in contempt. (I think that Oscar represented some of that, but just what was going with him is above my pay grade for now) Women employed in sexual trades, namely prostitution or stripping, even if they are not directly shamed, are said to have had ‘terrible fathers’ or ‘daddy issues’, which implicitly puts their sexuality back in the control of a man, thus denying them control and independence. A woman who likes or is comfortable employing sex must be damaged or faulty.

Women wanting and enjoying sex has a long tradition of being frowned up, even held in contempt. (I think that Oscar represented some of that, but just what was going with him is above my pay grade for now) Women employed in sexual trades, namely prostitution or stripping, even if they are not directly shamed, are said to have had ‘terrible fathers’ or ‘daddy issues’, which implicitly puts their sexuality back in the control of a man, thus denying them control and independence. A woman who likes or is comfortable employing sex must be damaged or faulty.

Surrender Artist wrote:

Women wanting and enjoying sex has a long tradition of being frowned up, even held in contempt. (I think that Oscar represented some of that, but just what was going with him is above my pay grade for now) Women employed in sexual trades, namely prostitution or stripping, even if they are not directly shamed, are said to have had ‘terrible fathers’ or ‘daddy issues’, which implicitly puts their sexuality back in the control of a man, thus denying them control and independence. A woman who likes or is comfortable employing sex must be damaged or faulty.

This always strikes me as a very problematic issue. I mean, I agree with it in theory. On the other hand though, I can't help but find it ultimately rings rather hollow in practice. When you look at women working as strippers, or even more so prostitutes, in the real world, it overwhelmingly does not seem to be because they're empowered, independent women. To the contrary, it usually is because they're some combination of damaged and desperate. I'm sure this isn't universally the case of course but still. We obviously want to dispel these negative connotations surrounding female sexuality but it's a bit tough to argue with the stigma surrounding those professions.

Certainly an interesting point though.

I really want to see more of Sayo Yamamoto's work, both her past series, Michiko e Hatchin and more from her in the future. She's a relatively new, quite considerable talent and a woman, I think that she represents something that the Japanese animation industry, a sometimes sclerotic boy's club, could benefit from.

[Mod Reply: Well, while Okada's track record may be relevant, people were seeing the particular mention of your dislike of her track record as cause to discuss those series' she has done that you don't like instead of Lupin. The comments had to go since just telling people to discuss Lupin as the thread is intended wasn't getting through. - Keonyn]

I really want to see more of Sayo Yamamoto's work, both her past series, Michiko e Hatchin and more from her in the future. She's a relatively new, quite considerable talent and a woman, I think that she represents something that the Japanese animation industry, a sometimes sclerotic boy's club, could benefit from.

I found myself little troubled by the rampant nudity. I think that this was largely because it mostly lacked the *tee-hee* sneak-a-pic PEERRRRRRRVVEERRRRT *slap* puerility and humiliation of more conventional fanservice. It was still exploitative, of course, but not in a demeaning, Porky's style. I almost wonder if Sayo Yamamoto and Marik Okada were trying to bludgeon the sexualization of breasts out of us.

Main problem with Mari Okada? She seems to put in random fetish material, namely randomly emasculating characters making them joke characters, in particular putting them in a drag.

Regarding Fujiko and feminism, I totally disagree with you here. Those episodes were not supposed to be thought-provoking at all, let alone from a feminist point of view. And Fujiko is no Utena, not even in the same arm of the galaxy.

Episode one: Fujiko spends most of the episode topless, uses sex appeal to get what she wants. That's not "bringing issues of ... sexuality ... into the series". That's just Fujiko using her body to appeal to her adversaries and especially the audience. Sex appeal is a different thing than actually attempting to make a statement about human sexuality.

The interesting, if not ironic thing is that the situation is completely reversed for Japan's history.

ikillchicken wrote:

This always strikes me as a very problematic issue. I mean, I agree with it in theory. On the other hand though, I can't help but find it ultimately rings rather hollow in practice. When you look at women working as strippers, or even more so prostitutes, in the real world, it overwhelmingly does not seem to be because they're empowered, independent women. To the contrary, it usually is because they're some combination of damaged and desperate. I'm sure this isn't universally the case of course but still. We obviously want to dispel these negative connotations surrounding female sexuality but it's a bit tough to argue with the stigma surrounding those professions. Certainly an interesting point though.

Generally feminist discourse on professional sex work is quite divided. Even the people involved in the work seem to be quite divided. On the one hand, there are those who believe that the work is pretty degrading and dangerous, and that it is a place for the 'damaged and desperate'. On the other, there are plenty in the line of work who also feel that social stigmatization of what they do -- and that some of them are in it out of personal choice -- makes it harder for them to live and get by.

Now, I'll try not to derail Lupin threads into feminist stuff too much...

I was interested in her since I found out that she was on the storyboard team for Galaxy Angel. While that probably doesn't mean much to most, being a bit of a GA fan I tend to trace the careers of everyone involved in Galaxy Angel anime. I think comedy is very difficult to do well and I think the team behind it must have been pretty smart. The script is obviously GA's highest point (to me) but it wouldn't have been executed well if the storyboarding was crap.

The nudity is more confrontational. It's nudity used in a mature manner. I suppose that comes across rather strong to those familiar with the, arguably more juvenile, style of conventional fanservice. Fanservice that is very much a product of that animation industry's boy-club you mention.

The final story arc is in no way a cheat. spoiler[It just subverts the idea that a woman must have some kind of "trauma" to justify being selfish or "slutty". Furthermore, it takes on the idea that women will often perpetuate cruel systems that men imposed on them. That's an extremely valid observation, and it's keeping with the subversive tone of the entire series.]