Subculture Thrives on “Deviation”
Subculture thrives on “deviation.” The other day, I stumbled upon a manga for young men online that left me uncomfortable. A blonde, twin-tailed high school girl was striking a smug pose while flipping the middle finger.
Perhaps the intent was to show “a unique value through provocative expression.” I can understand the urge—youth-oriented manga often want to break away from norms. But honestly, it doesn’t feel healthy, and it isn’t entertaining. It made me wonder if the creators are misunderstanding what “fun” really means.
The Pitfall of “Everyone is Different, Everyone is Good”
In the end, people can dismiss it by saying, “Well, that’s just one form of expression.” Or they can wrap it up with, “Everyone is different, everyone is good.” Yet, if one claims “freedom of expression,” I believe an equal responsibility should follow.
Jidaigeki and the Feeling It Leaves Behind
Period dramas (jidaigeki) have mostly faded away. I used to love Sanbiki ga Kiru! (“Three Outlaws”). That, too, was an entertainment of “deviation”—sword fights and killings for fun. And yet, I could accept it.
So what explains the difference in the feeling it leaves behind? Is it just the rambling of an old man? Or is it actually a matter of how “deviation” is absorbed back into the story’s structure?
What About You?
This is how I felt, but reactions will differ from person to person. For you, what kind of “deviation” feels acceptable, and what kind feels simply unpleasant?
日本語版note：凡夫日記：サブカルは「みんなちがってみんないい」？
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