Homosexuality in American Anime
by Michael F. Esposito

Originally Posted: 20 March 2000

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As a foreword I would like to say that no, I am not homosexual or bisexual, however, I have many friends the likes there of. Secondly, this "editorial" has less to do with Dragonball then it has to do with anime as a whole and American society in general. Now, please, read on.

Last night (3-4-00), I was in the car with one of my long time best friends (Let's call him Batman), when the conversation turned to R.E.M. Batman made the comment that he loved R.E.M., and would love them even more if the lead singer (Who's name escapes me now) was not a homosexual. I really could not believe he had said that. All of you must know that Batman is a very non-racist gentleman, and this comment shocked me. It also shocked me because I have many bisexual friends, and Batman went on to say "That is almost worse."

Later that night we came to our destination, a small get-together at a friend's house. As a joke another one of my friends (Let's call him VanSmack) and I put a tape cassette on the stereo; The song was "Blue" (I think it's by Eiffel? I'm not sure since I avoid the radio because of songs like this.) This was the first time I had ever actually heard the full length of the song, however, I have heard many things about it. One rumor was that the refrain (I assure you it's a scat, or a type of rhyming with sounds,) was "I'm in need of a guy." Well, a few of my friends took offense to the fact that two "gay guys" were singing something like this. I couldn't stand it, leaving 45 minutes later.

Now, I'm going to get to my point. As all of you most likely know, Japanese animation is littered with Homo & bisexuality. Characters that are not heterosexual are common in most anime. The thing that scares me is the fact that when the anime shows that sport homosexual & bisexual characters come to America, they will be subjected to another incident like the Kunzaito-Zoicite affair in Sailor Moon (For those of you only familiar with the American version, Malachite & Zoicite are, in actuality, both male, & are in a homosexual relationship with eachother.) The disheartening thing about this is that Zoicite (though he did very much so look like a female) was turned into a female character because homosexuality is no no in America.

I'm extremely frightened at the fact that something the likes of that could happen here in America, "The Land Of Equality". I am appalled that an opportunity to explain homosexuality to younger generations was avoided, perhaps creating yet another generation of bigotry. Friends, if things like this continue to happen to our beloved anime, then we are not only missing out on the original story the show was meant to be seen as, but we are also saying yes to the fact that homosexuality & bisexuality are a bad thing, and therefor, cannot be shown to children (I am saying children because it is seen here in America that all animation are "cartoons", and therefor, banned to the hell that is kiddy-television.)

If we are ever going to get rid of bigotry and racism as a society, then maybe we should prepare children for the encounter at an early age. By aiding the conspiracy that homosexuality & bisexuality in anime is a bad thing, then we are condemning future generations of young children to be taught by potentially hatred-ridden parents of the old regime. By this I mean that parents were taught one way, we all know that was wrong, and that if their values are continued to be passed down we continue to see homophobic children tying gay men and women to a fence, and setting them on fire (Yes, I am referring to the incident a few years back. It is just meant as a visual to explain how horrible hatred is.) People, if we are ever going to see our Japanese animation in it's full glory, we must put a stop to the cover up of the "Big Bad Fags" (Hopefully, no one took offense to this, as I am, once again, reiterating the fact that hatred is ugly.) We must not let another couple go the way of Kunzaito & Zoicite. After all, if we don't, the KKK will be around for a long, LONG, time.

As a footnote, I must reiterate the fact that I am not homosexual, however, I am defending my friends, my entertainment, and the generations of the future who would be subject to such hatred. This "editorial" will be sent out to all major Dragonball web sites the likes of Planet Namek and VegetoEX's Homepage (editor's note: this editorial was received back when I still operated "VegettoEX's Home Page"). This editorial can also be viewed at my "base of operations", Dragonball: Ano Toritsuki (A link will be provided upon request.)

Contact: GoodGod31@aol.com