Women Empowerment Themes in Kaichou wa Maid-sama! Anime Series

Bibliographic Data

ID22360376
AuthorsClarissa Jane Corpuz (Mariano Marcos State University), Justine Mae Adena (Mariano Marcos State University), Karla Auria Galeon (Mariano Marcos State University)
Year2025
Volume25
Issue1
Pagese266672
Publication date2025-01-20
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueAsian Journal of Arts and Culture (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2773-9953 • E-ISSN: 2773-9953
PublisherCollege of Graduate Studies, Walailak University (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.48048/ajac.2025.266672
OpenAlexW4412040267
LanguageEN
References cited3

This content analysis of Kaichou wa Maid-sama! anime series determined the women empowerment themes exemplified by the main characters’ appearance, language, personality, and behavior, and how they support or limit its emergence. Examining the 26 episodes of the anime series, 5 women empowerment themes are depicted: protective towards women, embodying leader attributes, providing guidance to others, presenting hegemonic masculinity, and depicting well-rounded characteristics and multifaceted roles. Both the main characters of the anime series exhibited their own expression of support for women empowerment. The female protagonist, Misaki Ayuzawa, depicted a refreshing and well-made character which is considered a breakthrough from the traditional portrayal of women in the artistic media. Takumi Usui, the male protagonist, is portrayed as an aid to Misaki and her goals. However, there are instances where he limited women empowerment through his inappropriate behavior. The results suggest that the portrayal of women in recent anime series breaks the long-standing stereotyped and traditional portrayal of women in an artistic medium

Anime · Art · Empowerment · Linguistics · Political science · Sociology · Asian Culture and Media Studies · Gender Studies · Japanese History and Culture · Law · Media, Gender, and Advertising · Philosophy · Geology

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Open DOIOpen Access