The Goal of Shojo Manga: Finding Love
Here is a page (volume 1, chapter 1, page 43) from the manga series "&" (And) by Ozaki Mari. The main character (who has light hair and bangs), Aoki Kaoru, is discussing relationships with her hospital co-worker, whose statement, "Isn't having a guy more important for women than getting more work?" reflects what men and women in Japan have been conditioned to believe.
The overarching goal for women in shōjo manga, regardless of the plethora of other potential storylines, is finding love. The term hatsukoi, which translates as “first love,” is something that virtually all series are centered around. Typically, the female character has just entered high school and is excited to find her hatsukoi. An example of this type of story would be Koukou Debut!, in which the main character’s ambition for her high school career is to get a boyfriend. She is very tomboyish and masculine and attempts to change her identity in order to attract a boyfriend. Another type of story that is equally as prevalent is one in which a female character has gone through her adolescence without finding her first love and is pressured to resolve this. For instance, in Hapi Mari, the female lead, Chiwa Takanashi, is 22 years old and has yet to have a boyfriend. She is surrounded by peers who constantly urge her to find a match. Her co-workers who are single lament the fact that they don’t have boyfriends and evaluate everything about themselves harshly. They lack confidence in regards to everything, from their appearances to their personalities and find that being in a relationship with any man at all is better than being single. Take, for example, the way in which they insult Chiwa's ideal type of man. By telling her, "That kind of man runs out the fastest, idiot," they are implying that they don't think they have the ability to be in a relationship with a man like this. Also, by saying, “It’s fine even if he’s not handsome. A super normal guy is fine,” they show that they are happy with lowering their standards to find a relationship.
It is important to differentiate between first love and true love because female characters often become enamored, sometimes for the majority of the series, with a male character they think is “the one” for them. Later, though, they realize that this is not the case. At this point, they usually discover that the male leading character, while not their hatsukoi, is their true love. For example, in the romantic comedy ToraDora!, the female lead, Taiga Aisaka, is in love with the friend of male lead, Ryuji Takasu. Reluctantly, Taiga and Ryuji form a tentative friendship because Ryuji is interested in Taiga’s best friend, Minori. Taiga and Ryuji promise to help each other with their romantic problems but ultimately fall in love with each other. The significance of the two types of love, first and thereafter, is that the intent of the women is to find a permanent partner. This is unlikely in the real world, but the fact that girls this young are imbued with such an ardent desire supports the idea that it is better to be in a relationship than not. The concept of hatsukoi and the concern characters feel when they have yet to experience it faciliates accepted gender roles and prompts girls to define themselves not by who they are, but by who they date.
It is important to differentiate between first love and true love because female characters often become enamored, sometimes for the majority of the series, with a male character they think is “the one” for them. Later, though, they realize that this is not the case. At this point, they usually discover that the male leading character, while not their hatsukoi, is their true love. For example, in the romantic comedy ToraDora!, the female lead, Taiga Aisaka, is in love with the friend of male lead, Ryuji Takasu. Reluctantly, Taiga and Ryuji form a tentative friendship because Ryuji is interested in Taiga’s best friend, Minori. Taiga and Ryuji promise to help each other with their romantic problems but ultimately fall in love with each other. The significance of the two types of love, first and thereafter, is that the intent of the women is to find a permanent partner. This is unlikely in the real world, but the fact that girls this young are imbued with such an ardent desire supports the idea that it is better to be in a relationship than not. The concept of hatsukoi and the concern characters feel when they have yet to experience it faciliates accepted gender roles and prompts girls to define themselves not by who they are, but by who they date.
The statements of Chiwa's co-workers as well as those of Aoki's in the very first image are based in the outdated belief that women are meant to be the caretakers of the household and bearers of children as opposed to actual wage-earners. Aoki's colleague's words in particular present this sentiment: "Isn't having a guy more important for women than getting more work?" People argue that the reason for lower female employment rates as opposed to male employment rates is that women want to start families rather than work. However, this assumption removes any semblance of choice from the matter by limiting women to one option in life. Moreover, it makes it seem like those who are opting not to be in relationships are doing something wrong, calling forth scorn from both the female and male communities. This, coupled with the fact that women who do find employment need to combat frequent sexual harassment by male co-workers and bosses, lower wages and opportunities for raises, and less benefits is why there are fewer female workers than male.
Female characters' burning desire to find love above all else serves to cement where they are within the social hierarchy. The scathing attitude of Chiwa's peers towards her view on love shows that a large part of female value is still based on who they date as opposed to their personalities.
Female characters' burning desire to find love above all else serves to cement where they are within the social hierarchy. The scathing attitude of Chiwa's peers towards her view on love shows that a large part of female value is still based on who they date as opposed to their personalities.