In anime, a man can cry and still save the world – the most important thing is trying, friendship and winning

Two young men dressed as anime and game characters. One has a white-black robe-like outfit, the other has a blue-red-white skirt-like bottom, bare top, long dark hair and a red mask. — Pictured on the left is Juho from Tuusula, as Aizen Sosuke from the series Bleach. The character lives in the soul world society and is one of the leaders of the army division. On the right, Michael from Espoo. The game character Yone is from League of Legends, \”really cool\”.

Anime events that sell out in minutes tell about the passion and love of the fans for the sport.

Anime, manga and cosplay enthusiast gathering Desucon Frostbite.

Emerging Conien Suomi ry will organize the event over the weekend at Sibelius Hall in Lahti.

Tickets often sell out very quickly at other Finnish con too.

– Back then there might have been more people who were somehow interested in anime, but their interest didn’t necessarily last terribly long. We may have a little less enthusiasts today than we did then, but the enthusiasts are much more committed.

A young man dressed as a game character. The character wears dark baggy pants, a wide brown belt, an almost bare upper body, blue-black hair and a huge scythe-like weapon. — 21-year-old Leevi Järvinen came to Desucon from Turku. The character this time is one of the characters he plays, namely Kayne from League of Legends. It took three months to make the outfit and my aunt helped, meaning \”thanks to Hanna!\” The body of the scythe is a sewer pipe and it is covered with EVA foam material.

Engagement can be seen in going to events, but also in the consumption of series: fans watch new anime series and their older favorites, i.e. they may watch several series at the same time. Previously published series have also found new viewers.

According to Kari, estimates of the number of enthusiastic enthusiasts vary, but there could be about 20,000 to 30,000 in Finland.

Hit series can also temporarily gather new fans to anime.

A friendship between men in a large part of anime

According to Jussi Kari, especially for boys and young men, there are often three important themes: trying, friendship and victory. Friendship between men save the world.

– In the older series, you can see the familiar way from the nursery yard, which of us would be stronger. Through that, a kind of respect is achieved, which is also where friendship is found – we realize that we are both strong, at least in our own way.

A young man dressed as a game character. The character wears a black headdress, a black short coat with white fur, gray pants and short-soled shoes with white fur at the top of the shaft. — Michael Lindström, 31, from Espoo. The character Prompto Final Fantasy is a shooter who likes to photograph himself, including in the middle of a battle. The outfit itself is sewn in two days. The weapon is 3D printed, as well as buttons, buckles and other character props.

– Very often, the theme is, for example, martial arts, which can be considered masculine and conservative. But often there is a fair competition and training specifically because of friendship. In almost all series, the nuclear point is to become stronger in order to protect your friends.

However, Kari would not draw very strong conclusions on whether watching the anime series affects the growth of boys as men. But:

– There are many boys and men in anime circles who have started going to the gym specifically to be strong so they can help their friends. Yes, at least this way it seems quite clear.

A young man dressed as an anime character. Two wide swords, blue -white outfit, brown short robe and light, horned hair. — Chan Long Him, 23, from Lappeenranta. Asta, the character of the Black Clover anime series, never gives up. The weapons are foam plastic painted with spray paint. Green contact lenses complete the outfit.

In series made for young boys or men, the main characters are very often ordinary people. It’s easy to identify with them. As in other parts of society, the male image in anime is also alive and changing over time.

-In the 1980s, the protagonists were two meters of corsers, muscular and semi-death. Today, a typical hero is a basic waste. We have come closer to the ordinary young man.

Close-up of Jussi Kari dressed in a white shirt and gray slipover. In the background is the lobby of the concert hall with other people. — There are about 400 volunteers at Desucon. The next event will be organized with the proceeds. At the event, Jussi Kari talked about friendship between men in anime.

Jussi Kari cites the change in the role models of the creators of the series and following the preferences of the viewers as the reason. In the midst of a robot battle, you can now also solve a friend’s difficult relationship with his father.

Softer, positive masculinity

According to Jussi Kari, Japan has always considered masculine that the man is crying and still pressing forward.

– In the fight of the battle, when it comes to the last, the changing stroke of everything, the tears flow. This is always a highlight in the series. It is precisely the fact that you do something important, but tears in the eyes are masculine.

A young man dressed as an anime character. The character with light gray hair, round, black sunglasses and dark outfit. — Mikael Oja-Nisula, 26, from Vääksi. Character Satoru Gojo is a Japanese series Jujutsu Kainen. This is the strongest figure in the beloved series, the protagonist’s Sensei master who used sunglasses when he was younger.

Jussi Kari wants to convey to boys and men in today’s world the message that there is nothing wrong with strength, but it must be used specifically to help others.

– In my opinion, anime offers the kind of positive masculinity that many young men and boys can identify with. There is something masculine about having to be strong, but strength exists precisely because you can defend and help your loved ones.