Shan's Take: Is There Sexism In The Manga Industry In Japan???

By Shan Freemoor

A conversation with a friend about Demon Slayer author Koyoharu Gotouge recently got me thinking about the cultural assumptions some western fans bring to anime. He thought Gotouge kept their gender a secret to avoid gender discrimination in Japan, which made me laugh out loud! I’ve seen this idea floating around online, and it’s so American-centric. Sometimes, we push our own social struggles onto other cultures, assuming our views must be universal.

Here’s the thing: Japan has a deep history of celebrating female mangaka (comic artists). Take Rumiko Takahashi, for example, aka Takahashi-sensei, who I’ll forever respect as a true pioneer. She’s the powerhouse behind Inuyasha, Ranma ½, and other beloved series, and she’s sold over 230 million copies worldwide! She’s earned major awards like the Shogakukan Manga Award (1980, 2001), Seiun Award (1987, 1989), Inkpot Award (1994) and even a spot in the Eisner Hall of Fame. During the ‘80s and ‘90s, when Japan was arguably less open to Western-style feminism, Takahashi-sensei was already a giant in the manga world. If sexism was an obstacle (which it wasn't), she overcame it in ways that make her a legend, beloved by fans, industry professionals, and fellow creators.

An image of Rumiko Takahashi and her renown series in Japan and across most of the world.

It’s not just Takahashi-sensei either. Other famous female mangaka like Naoko Takeuchi (Sailor Moon), Hiromu Arakawa (Fullmetal Alchemist), Natsuki Takaya (Fruits Basket), Kazue Kato (Blue Exorcist), and CLAMP (Cardcaptor Sakura) have made unforgettable marks on the industry. Their stories are iconic, celebrated globally, and many are award-winning.

Left to right: Naoko Takeuchi (Sailor Moon), Hiromu Arakawa (Fullmetal Alchemist), Natsuki Takaya (Fruits Basket), Kazue Kato (Blue Exorcist) and Katsura Hoshino (D.Gray-Man)

 CLAMP (Cardcaptor Sakura)

Did you know around 70% of Japanese mangaka are women? Even in the genre of ero-manga (which we call hentai), women are key creators. Yup, women are just as provocatively imaginative and influential here, making it a major female-driven industry. And let’s talk about stories that actually feature female mangaka! Take My Star (Oshi no Ko), for example—two of the supporting characters are female mangaka who play a big role in the story's plot and in the development of the main characters. Their presence adds depth and shines a light on the experiences of women and even men in the manga industry.

Female character manga artists Kichijouji, Yoriko and Samejima, Abiko from the anime My Star (Oshi no Ko).

Dramacon, Doujin Work, Comic Girls, and Eromanga Sensei, are manga series where female creators play central roles. These stories showcase the dedication and influence of women in manga.

There’s also this misconception floating around that Japanese female characters are “poorly written.” But anime and manga are products of cultural context! For example, the word “Shōnen” literally means “boy” or “male youth” in Japanese, and Shōnen series often emphasize themes of friendship, bravery, and overcoming obstacles to inspire their male audience. It’s difficult to do that if the lead or standout character is female, simply because boys may find it harder to see themselves in the story. The male focus in these stories reflects challenges Japanese males face, along with the qualities they aspire to develop for themselves and those around them. So to push for gender equality here, just to be inclusive, goes against what’s specifically designed for a young male audience. This is a misguided practice that hasn’t proven successful—even in America. And if you’re complaining about poorly written female characters, and around 70% of the industry’s mangaka are women, shouldn’t the blame rest with many of these female creators? Why are female mangaka writing weak female characters or choosing to work in genres centered on male protagonists instead of creating stories that appeal to a broader, more inclusive audience?

Here’s the reality: some artists choose anonymity simply for privacy, not because they fear gender discrimination. In other cases, they might be LGBTQ+ and prefer to avoid the social hurdles that come with that in Japan, where attitudes toward LGBTQ+ issues are still conservative. Anonymity can also act as a shield from obsessive stalker fans as Japan has had many legal cases of them. Most Japanese, especially mangaka, are shy and like to live quiet normal lives. Japan is not oppressing women; America (Western society) has oppressed your mind from critical thinking and being open to seek (researching) other possibilities.

Do you think Japan is sexist towards female mangaka or do you think it's all in Western's heads?