It's based on a sketch done of her doing laundry, which wasn't as sexed-up as the statue ended up being, but was still awful. And, really, I don't think "MJ was a super-model" excuses or justifies this picture - not that excuses need to be made, but...still. *flinch*
I was on a bit of a "damn, the world is still really unfair to females" roll, but I'm not trying to be difficult or contrary or anything...and I'm not all "crazy femme FTW" either. *lol* I'm just very fair. I call it like it is, and if something happens that I don't feel is justified or sensible I'll say so. And, you see, I don't think the way women are portrayed in the specific instances of comics [MJ (and _so_ many others)] and Naruto [Karin, Sakura, etc.] is fair. There have been some turning points, but even when a female character develops substance, she can't escape the "sex object", "needs to be protected" or "damsel in distress" cliches. You need the hero to be all determined and noble? Have him save the chick he's banging, or partnered with, etc.
I'm not trying to change the world one comic at a time or anything - but in the Naruto World I really don't believe there is any reason for women to keep getting glossed over. There don't seem to be any gender stereotypes or barriers from the character's perspectives, and I think it's safe to assume there wouldn't be any in at all because it's more "life and death" and such stereotypes and limitations would be nonsensical in such a world; plus, it isn't our world and hence it could (and should) be better. So, yes, Naruto isn't awful, it's better than others, but it's really not as great as it has the potential to be.
The example you gave isn't the only one. Tsunade kicks major ass, she's a Hokage, a Legendery Sannin, and yet even she gets shafted. Almost all the women (except for like Anko) are over-emotional, go through instances of sheer pettiness, being love-struck or crushing on someone, and even when they are shown to have special skills they don't get praised for them. We see Sakura destroying in one arc, and completely ignorable in the next. *grr*
Since Naruto covers such a wide selection of topics, for almost any age group, even though it targets young males it should show female characters in a stronger, more appealing light. Again, I'm not trying to be "femmes!!!!" or anything, I just feel if you can depict characters favorably and interestingly, why not do it? How much more effort does it take to have someone say "And Karin of the (whatever) is with them" when mentioning the others in Hebi? It would have presented an opportunity for us to know more about her, and it would reinforce her as an interesting, strong female character in the manga.
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I was on a bit of a "damn, the world is still really unfair to females" roll, but I'm not trying to be difficult or contrary or anything...and I'm not all "crazy femme FTW" either. *lol* I'm just very fair. I call it like it is, and if something happens that I don't feel is justified or sensible I'll say so. And, you see, I don't think the way women are portrayed in the specific instances of comics [MJ (and _so_ many others)] and Naruto [Karin, Sakura, etc.] is fair. There have been some turning points, but even when a female character develops substance, she can't escape the "sex object", "needs to be protected" or "damsel in distress" cliches. You need the hero to be all determined and noble? Have him save the chick he's banging, or partnered with, etc.
I'm not trying to change the world one comic at a time or anything - but in the Naruto World I really don't believe there is any reason for women to keep getting glossed over. There don't seem to be any gender stereotypes or barriers from the character's perspectives, and I think it's safe to assume there wouldn't be any in at all because it's more "life and death" and such stereotypes and limitations would be nonsensical in such a world; plus, it isn't our world and hence it could (and should) be better. So, yes, Naruto isn't awful, it's better than others, but it's really not as great as it has the potential to be.
The example you gave isn't the only one. Tsunade kicks major ass, she's a Hokage, a Legendery Sannin, and yet even she gets shafted. Almost all the women (except for like Anko) are over-emotional, go through instances of sheer pettiness, being love-struck or crushing on someone, and even when they are shown to have special skills they don't get praised for them. We see Sakura destroying in one arc, and completely ignorable in the next. *grr*
Since Naruto covers such a wide selection of topics, for almost any age group, even though it targets young males it should show female characters in a stronger, more appealing light. Again, I'm not trying to be "femmes!!!!" or anything, I just feel if you can depict characters favorably and interestingly, why not do it? How much more effort does it take to have someone say "And Karin of the (whatever) is with them" when mentioning the others in Hebi? It would have presented an opportunity for us to know more about her, and it would reinforce her as an interesting, strong female character in the manga.
That's just my two (err - 200 *;.;*) cents. *^.^*