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By: Emma Aird
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| The other main way female characters are hyper-sexualized, in comic books, manga/anime, and video games, is the outfits they are drawn in. Most of these outfits make no sense in the real world or even in the context of the world they belong in. I am mentioning the context of the fictional worlds; because a lot of fans defend the way the female characters are dressed with the reality of the world. For instance Starfire, a character in DC comics, is dressed in practically nothing. Her outfit is defended by many fans, who state she is dressed practically, because her powers need sunlight. The more sunlight she absorbs through her skin the more powerful she is. Yet, that is essentially how Superman’s powers work (DC) and he is not drawn with a thong and little pieces of clothing covering his nipples (though there is fan work of that). |
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| 'Female armor', 'bikini armor', or 'sexy armor' is armor that is designed for and shown only on female characters. In the context of the stories, this armor somehow manages to work as regular armor or the enemies have terrible aim. In most cases female armor,is a metal bikini with a short skirt or a metal thong, and the female is often wearing heels as well. Most of the female's body is exposed, expect for her nipple area and crotch area. Those two areas are often framed or in the case for the breasts accentuated as the armor works as a push up bra. Sometimes female armor will also cover up her butt or just her butt crack and in more recent years the armor will cover the female's arms and legs. |
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In video games, there is a limited amount option for your character or avatar's armor (for male and female characters).
However in a lot of video games, 'female armor' is the only type of armor you can have for your female character.
In fact a lot of the time, the better the armor is the more revealing it is.
Sex and sexuality play large roles in video games, especially those in the fantasy genre.
The genre itself is rifled with sex and gender stereotypes.
Video games are unique mediums, because you are playing the character on the screen, that in a way is meant to be you.
So for a female playing a video game it can be rather distorting to see 'yourself' practically, especially if you had no say in the matter.
Having the option for your character to not wear any clothing is one thing, but there is something rather insidious about not having a choice.
Especially in the case when your character's body is the center to the story itself.
Some fans defend the armor, by stating that those types of armor have 'special' abilities, so the character has to wear that specific armor. These special abilities are nothing, but thinly veiled reasons for the creators and fans. That allows them to 'justify' having barely dressed females in their media franchise. The men in these franchises, don't have to wear wear ridiculous outfits. In fact a lot of their armor is magical or special too, yet still manages to cover up all of their vital organs as well. |
| This is a link to a College Humor video that exemplifies why exactly female armor sucks. I personally really like this video, because not only is really funny, but it shows a lot of fans' defenses or excuses for the armor that female are often force in. |
