Picspam! Women in Toku
Aug. 26th, 2010 08:11 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
emilitaSince mariko got me thinking about this, I've been obsessing over who my favorite toku females are. I am rather famous in my household for disliking many Western television female characters. There are notable exceptions, such as Whedon ladies, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles (see icon), and just Terminator in general, Ruby 1.0 from Supernatural, many of the Stargate ladies, etc. But for each of them, there are 10 Bella Swans (sorry Twilight fans, I gave the first movie a try, but you lost me). I hate female characters who are always sitting on men's laps, being carried around, generally being reduced to acting as the child of the relationship, and who are willing to kill themselves when the man is gone. Juliet, I am not. SO, here are some uplifting examples of toku awesomeness.
This is in no particular order, and probably isn't so different from the lists of other Sentai and KR fans, but here goes.
1.
Akiko (Kamen Rider Double/W): She's kind of awesome. And funny. And in control, though she would do anything for the guys (and never admit that she did it for them). She doesn't let love turn her into some mess incapable of actual thought and reason. She has flashes of genius that help Phillip (the actual genius) solve cases. She pours vinegar down Phillip's throat to wake him up, for Pete's sake! Talk about thinking outside the box (and under pressure). Yes, she can be annoying, yes, she can be brash and loud, but she's human. Humans of both genders can be annoying, so I don't hold that against her. I'd say her positive qualities pretty heavily outweigh her negative ones, and I'll always be rooting for her.
2.
Yuuri (Timeranger): Timeranger was my first experience with Super Sentai, so I definitely got off on the right foot! Yuuri is one of the few female leaders in SS, and she does it exceptionally well. She's very smart, has a great tactical mind, and does have emotional vulnerability that comes out. She starts out the series wound too uptight, but she loosens up throughout and I think one of the greatest things is that they show her emotional changes impacting the way she interacts with her team. All of them are much closer, and much more obviously willing to die for each other at the end, and it's heartwarming. I think she's one of my all-time favorite characters.
3.
Saeko (Kamen Rider Double/W): Dude, this chick is badass. She's a slightly evil and vindictive badass, with a definite father complex, but she can totally hold her own and is a great business woman (though I think Wakana was apparently better with the business?). She is not a simpering rich girl looking for a rich husband, but a very cunning woman looking out for number one. These are not very attractive qualities, but it makes her a kickass villain. And her Dopant form is awesome, as you can see above. I also love that even when she hates them, she's willing to die to protect her family, and protect the family honor. She wants to beat Wakana on her own terms, not handed the win on a silver platter. Racing around on a motorcycle track also boosts the image :).
4.
Moune (Goseiger): She's adorable. And can be a brat, but just as easily can stick up for or comfort any one of the team. She's something of a control freak, but she's able to admit when being spontaneous is wrong. When Hyde calls her a child, she says that she's fine if that's what going after something makes her, because she is who she is, and Hyde is who Hyde is, so he shouldn't try to change her. She'll cooperate, but she is definitely strong in her beliefs. And she's great at being a younger sister <3 (take that as you will). The Landick Tribe are written as definite stand-alones, willing to act more than think, but it comes off as less impetuous and more a desire to make everything better faster, for the safety of the people. Moune is always willing and wanting to help people, even though she is incredibly homesick and would go home to visit were she able. That doesn't make her weak, it just makes her a young girl completely cut off from her world. And did I mention she's an adorable brat?
5.
Mako (Shinkenger): Talk about a girl that has it together. She's a motherly figure to the team, and loves taking care of people (only when they're really down and out, though, as Ryuunosuke found out) but she's also very capable of kicking ass and is not afraid to beat Takeru when sparring. Ryuunosuke, the second-in-command, is willing to but apologizes immediately afterward. Mako's like "Tell me I'm awesome, bitch-sama." If anyone else threatens the team (or anyone...), she's on them so fast they wouldn't know what hit them. She also has an awesome relationship with Kotoha that I think is adorable, and Kotoha understandably idolizes her. I'm not thrilled that the writers made her biggest goal in life to be married, but that seems to be a common trend among Sentai women; even though they're awesome and can beat up anyone, they think it would be the greatest thing to be a wife. Oh well. You take the good with the bad, I suppose.
6.
Sae (Gaoranger): Another girl who can kick her male teammates' butts. She has an awesome sibling relationship with Blue, and is very willing to help him improve his fighting skills. She herself is talented enough to get in to a challenging martial arts college, and presumably she did that by besting her father (? I wasn't completely clear if she actually did that). When three of her teammates die, she's able to keep relatively coherent and think of using the Power Animals, so Ura kills her as well. She's also the only one aside from Yellow who has picked up on Tetomu's quirks and realizes that they'll need to look after her. She's able to take the initiative, but also knows when it's better for Yellow or Red to take the lead. Plus, she's just so darn sweet!
7.
Jasmine (Dekaranger): Snarky snarky snark snark. This girl is together and sarcastic enough to have put up with Hoji without the others for a time. Not that Hoji isn't awesome, but before Ban came along, there needed to be someone to keep him in line, but who could work with him in the field and not try to be competitive or get angry when he went all "super pro" whatever. She can see the strangest things, blink, and keep going. And she's psychic. That's a pretty powerful combination. And I would think a rare one? How many psychics in today's media have to deal with the teammates she does, and are as well-adjusted as she is? Certainly not Sam Winchester! I love you, Sammy <3. One thing I really respect is that she recognizes her imperfections, and uses them to boost Umeko's confidence. That's an awesome episode, and I love that she both cares enough for Umeko to put herself out like that and is comfortable enough with herself to admit that.
8.
Natsuki (Boukenger): I know some people aren't fond of her. I don't care. She and Masumi are the toku equivalent of River and Simon to me, and I think their relationship is one of the sweetest in toku. She can be funny, she can be ditzy, she can be psychic and then be quite useful by saving people's lives, she can be manipulated, she can be lost, and she can be angry. She's not a perfect character, but she's not written as such. There's no such thing as a perfect character, and I think that her being willing to leave behind her past after the mind control was broken, even though she thought she was disappointing the parents and race she had just rediscovered, shows that she has what it takes to be a Boukenger. I like that she takes responsibility for things and tries to fix them by herself, even when she shouldn't. I also like that she has the social skills of a recluse sea cucumber outside of the immediate Boukenger group and that she apologizes to a lamppost.
9.
Misaki (Kamen Rider Kabuto): Misakinu!! She acts as a mentor, sister, and colleague to Kagami, and is willing to do what it takes to catch Worm, even if that means going without Command's ok. She has some awesome character growth throughout the season, and ends up a much more well-rounded individual in the end. She's very level-headed and very loyal, and I'd bet on her in a heartbeat if she went one-on-one against someone. You rock, girl. And while she can keep up with the boys, she doesn't let go of her femininity or her emotions. As she says to Kagami, she's one big mystery. She's willing to eventually give Tsuguri a shot, and even is able to look past the Worm (again, eventually) and try to save him. It's a heartbreaking scene and I think the actress handles it spectacularly; she doesn't fall to the ground and sob, but she does cry and scream and then pull herself together to realize why Tendou did what he did.
10.
Sakura (Boukenger): This girl was in special forces. Enough said (though I then don't know what could be freaking her out so much in the above picture...). She's one of the only ones in the group who knew how to fight and handle different weapons before joining SGS (Souta probably knew self-defense and some weapons, but not as many. He's more an information guy). While at the beginning she's emotionally stunted, she has several key episodes where she either willingly or not opens up to a kid, or to Eiji, and she slowly allows her teammates to really have a place in her heart. Boukenger is probably my favorite series, and it's because of things like that. Relationships between characters are awesome, but my favorite Sakura scenes are where we can see her emotions, and so can see how she's evolved. I'm thinking particularly when Eiji is struck down in front of her and she actually loses control, and when Chief doesn't let Souta and Natsuki look for Masumi and she so obviously disagrees. Before, her teammates were just colleagues, now she thinks of them as family. They've been able to undo the work of her blood family and her habits of 20-some years, and make her care. It's cliched, I know, a female having a heart of ice slowly being melted, but they do it well, while making sure to remind us she's a competent SIC and is able to handle herself in almost any situation. I could have done without all the pining for Chief, though...
11.
Saya (Gingaman) -- I just can't keep her off this list! I didn't forget her, I swear! Look, she even got an extra big picture to make up for it! I wish I could have included the picture of her with the bazooka thingy, but it was too big :(. Saya... Saya's cool. She does have a thing for Hyuuga, but I like her because she doesn't let that define her even after she watches him supposedly die. She tries to keep the peace within the team, but she can compete with and tease Hikaru, or listen to Gouki, or just be what her teammates need her to be. Don't let that fool you, though, she's no pushover and does not let the guys or the mission define her. The mission and restoring the forest is her priority, but she lets herself have other interests too. And, like Sae, she's so sweet!
This is in no particular order, and probably isn't so different from the lists of other Sentai and KR fans, but here goes.
1.
Akiko (Kamen Rider Double/W): She's kind of awesome. And funny. And in control, though she would do anything for the guys (and never admit that she did it for them). She doesn't let love turn her into some mess incapable of actual thought and reason. She has flashes of genius that help Phillip (the actual genius) solve cases. She pours vinegar down Phillip's throat to wake him up, for Pete's sake! Talk about thinking outside the box (and under pressure). Yes, she can be annoying, yes, she can be brash and loud, but she's human. Humans of both genders can be annoying, so I don't hold that against her. I'd say her positive qualities pretty heavily outweigh her negative ones, and I'll always be rooting for her.
2.
Yuuri (Timeranger): Timeranger was my first experience with Super Sentai, so I definitely got off on the right foot! Yuuri is one of the few female leaders in SS, and she does it exceptionally well. She's very smart, has a great tactical mind, and does have emotional vulnerability that comes out. She starts out the series wound too uptight, but she loosens up throughout and I think one of the greatest things is that they show her emotional changes impacting the way she interacts with her team. All of them are much closer, and much more obviously willing to die for each other at the end, and it's heartwarming. I think she's one of my all-time favorite characters.
3.
Saeko (Kamen Rider Double/W): Dude, this chick is badass. She's a slightly evil and vindictive badass, with a definite father complex, but she can totally hold her own and is a great business woman (though I think Wakana was apparently better with the business?). She is not a simpering rich girl looking for a rich husband, but a very cunning woman looking out for number one. These are not very attractive qualities, but it makes her a kickass villain. And her Dopant form is awesome, as you can see above. I also love that even when she hates them, she's willing to die to protect her family, and protect the family honor. She wants to beat Wakana on her own terms, not handed the win on a silver platter. Racing around on a motorcycle track also boosts the image :).
4.
Moune (Goseiger): She's adorable. And can be a brat, but just as easily can stick up for or comfort any one of the team. She's something of a control freak, but she's able to admit when being spontaneous is wrong. When Hyde calls her a child, she says that she's fine if that's what going after something makes her, because she is who she is, and Hyde is who Hyde is, so he shouldn't try to change her. She'll cooperate, but she is definitely strong in her beliefs. And she's great at being a younger sister <3 (take that as you will). The Landick Tribe are written as definite stand-alones, willing to act more than think, but it comes off as less impetuous and more a desire to make everything better faster, for the safety of the people. Moune is always willing and wanting to help people, even though she is incredibly homesick and would go home to visit were she able. That doesn't make her weak, it just makes her a young girl completely cut off from her world. And did I mention she's an adorable brat?
5.
Mako (Shinkenger): Talk about a girl that has it together. She's a motherly figure to the team, and loves taking care of people (only when they're really down and out, though, as Ryuunosuke found out) but she's also very capable of kicking ass and is not afraid to beat Takeru when sparring. Ryuunosuke, the second-in-command, is willing to but apologizes immediately afterward. Mako's like "Tell me I'm awesome, bitch-sama." If anyone else threatens the team (or anyone...), she's on them so fast they wouldn't know what hit them. She also has an awesome relationship with Kotoha that I think is adorable, and Kotoha understandably idolizes her. I'm not thrilled that the writers made her biggest goal in life to be married, but that seems to be a common trend among Sentai women; even though they're awesome and can beat up anyone, they think it would be the greatest thing to be a wife. Oh well. You take the good with the bad, I suppose.
6.
Sae (Gaoranger): Another girl who can kick her male teammates' butts. She has an awesome sibling relationship with Blue, and is very willing to help him improve his fighting skills. She herself is talented enough to get in to a challenging martial arts college, and presumably she did that by besting her father (? I wasn't completely clear if she actually did that). When three of her teammates die, she's able to keep relatively coherent and think of using the Power Animals, so Ura kills her as well. She's also the only one aside from Yellow who has picked up on Tetomu's quirks and realizes that they'll need to look after her. She's able to take the initiative, but also knows when it's better for Yellow or Red to take the lead. Plus, she's just so darn sweet!
7.
Jasmine (Dekaranger): Snarky snarky snark snark. This girl is together and sarcastic enough to have put up with Hoji without the others for a time. Not that Hoji isn't awesome, but before Ban came along, there needed to be someone to keep him in line, but who could work with him in the field and not try to be competitive or get angry when he went all "super pro" whatever. She can see the strangest things, blink, and keep going. And she's psychic. That's a pretty powerful combination. And I would think a rare one? How many psychics in today's media have to deal with the teammates she does, and are as well-adjusted as she is? Certainly not Sam Winchester! I love you, Sammy <3. One thing I really respect is that she recognizes her imperfections, and uses them to boost Umeko's confidence. That's an awesome episode, and I love that she both cares enough for Umeko to put herself out like that and is comfortable enough with herself to admit that.
8.
Natsuki (Boukenger): I know some people aren't fond of her. I don't care. She and Masumi are the toku equivalent of River and Simon to me, and I think their relationship is one of the sweetest in toku. She can be funny, she can be ditzy, she can be psychic and then be quite useful by saving people's lives, she can be manipulated, she can be lost, and she can be angry. She's not a perfect character, but she's not written as such. There's no such thing as a perfect character, and I think that her being willing to leave behind her past after the mind control was broken, even though she thought she was disappointing the parents and race she had just rediscovered, shows that she has what it takes to be a Boukenger. I like that she takes responsibility for things and tries to fix them by herself, even when she shouldn't. I also like that she has the social skills of a recluse sea cucumber outside of the immediate Boukenger group and that she apologizes to a lamppost.
9.
Misaki (Kamen Rider Kabuto): Misakinu!! She acts as a mentor, sister, and colleague to Kagami, and is willing to do what it takes to catch Worm, even if that means going without Command's ok. She has some awesome character growth throughout the season, and ends up a much more well-rounded individual in the end. She's very level-headed and very loyal, and I'd bet on her in a heartbeat if she went one-on-one against someone. You rock, girl. And while she can keep up with the boys, she doesn't let go of her femininity or her emotions. As she says to Kagami, she's one big mystery. She's willing to eventually give Tsuguri a shot, and even is able to look past the Worm (again, eventually) and try to save him. It's a heartbreaking scene and I think the actress handles it spectacularly; she doesn't fall to the ground and sob, but she does cry and scream and then pull herself together to realize why Tendou did what he did.
10.
Sakura (Boukenger): This girl was in special forces. Enough said (though I then don't know what could be freaking her out so much in the above picture...). She's one of the only ones in the group who knew how to fight and handle different weapons before joining SGS (Souta probably knew self-defense and some weapons, but not as many. He's more an information guy). While at the beginning she's emotionally stunted, she has several key episodes where she either willingly or not opens up to a kid, or to Eiji, and she slowly allows her teammates to really have a place in her heart. Boukenger is probably my favorite series, and it's because of things like that. Relationships between characters are awesome, but my favorite Sakura scenes are where we can see her emotions, and so can see how she's evolved. I'm thinking particularly when Eiji is struck down in front of her and she actually loses control, and when Chief doesn't let Souta and Natsuki look for Masumi and she so obviously disagrees. Before, her teammates were just colleagues, now she thinks of them as family. They've been able to undo the work of her blood family and her habits of 20-some years, and make her care. It's cliched, I know, a female having a heart of ice slowly being melted, but they do it well, while making sure to remind us she's a competent SIC and is able to handle herself in almost any situation. I could have done without all the pining for Chief, though...
11.
Saya (Gingaman) -- I just can't keep her off this list! I didn't forget her, I swear! Look, she even got an extra big picture to make up for it! I wish I could have included the picture of her with the bazooka thingy, but it was too big :(. Saya... Saya's cool. She does have a thing for Hyuuga, but I like her because she doesn't let that define her even after she watches him supposedly die. She tries to keep the peace within the team, but she can compete with and tease Hikaru, or listen to Gouki, or just be what her teammates need her to be. Don't let that fool you, though, she's no pushover and does not let the guys or the mission define her. The mission and restoring the forest is her priority, but she lets herself have other interests too. And, like Sae, she's so sweet!
