Fushigi Yugi is one of my favorite manga series. I mean, it's just so magical. A young girl, Miaka in this instance [Yui, too, but she comes in later],gets sucked into a book and finds herself stranded in a totally different time. She's a priestess who has the power to bring luck & life back into the land. That's cool! Right? Right?
It sounds cool, but throughout the whole entire series, Miaka was portrayed as a whiny, over eating, and spineless girl. (Except for the few bursts of compassion and courage every now & then.) Her protectors were all MALE and three of them were pursuing her throughout the series. (Hotohori is MINE. 
) How many women do you know that are like this? Weak and babyish and always have men fawning over her? I can honestly say that I know none, and I know ALOT of people. (Okay, so maybe I know a few girls that are quite popular with the dudes, but it doesn't mean that they're like fragile or anything.)
Why does Yui, one of the antagonists in this story, get to be portrayed as a cold, stone faced, and strong priestess? Her protectors are a mix of male and female right? What is so different between Miaka and Yui? Yui went through a tragedy. She was raped (almost raped anyways) and she's in love with Tamahome, whom her former BFF has her clutches in. The readers must watch Yui endure silent pain as she slashes her wrists every night. But just because Miaka is like the innocent girl next door, it doesn't mean that she should be written (drawn, whatever) as a pathetic thing that should be hawked over at all times. Are we reverting back into Victorian times or something? Back then, when something 'bad' (I think you know where I'm going with this) happened to a girl, it was called "Falling from grace." The girl that fell from grace is usually portrayed as a different person after her experience and less delicate than her fellow friends and peers. So did Yui fall from grace? Was it necessary for her to fall to become strong?
So this is my point. (Finally!) To become strong, must our minds become tainted? Do we have to 'fall from grace' to become mentally able? Can't women be just STRONG without a catalyst? When will society finally accept women as an asset to the world, and not just a pretty face to ogle at? Do guys even KNOW that we can protect ourselves without their help? (Maybe some help...) I love Fushigi Yugi and all, but all you girls out there reading this essay have to know that you don't have to fall from grace to be strong. You have to set yourself apart from what society wants and what soceity needs. What do YOU want? What do YOU need?
And my friends in The Otaku, I bid you adieu with one last sentence.
POWER TO THE FEMALES!
^-^
