Moé
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Moe or Moé (萌え pronounced mo-EH) is a term used in Japanese anime and manga to describe a genre of shows featuring an "ideal girl" and her cute charisma. The term's origin is not known. Some say it stems from a name of an anime heroine. Others believe that it was a wordplay of "moéru" (燃える), literally meaning "to burn", but figuratively interpreted "to burn with passion". (I.e., "to be madly in love".) Moé characters tend to typify the concept of kawaii.
More derisively, the term is used with the implication a character is as cute and non-threatening as possible while still being presented in a realistic sense, with the implication the intended audience is incapable of dealing with actual real life women.
The moé genre usually contains female characters not yet of adult age, or someone younger than the main character who is usually a male. There are dozens of characteristics that make a "moé" character but some characteristics make others consider her "un-moé." They are often contradictory and are dependent on personal viewpoints. For example, some fans argue moé characters should be cutesy and feminine, while others argue a cute character who acts in a thuggish or tomboyish way makes creates a paradox that actually enhances Moé.
Some adult characters are nonetheless consided moe, such as the female leads in Maison Ikkoku, Onegai Teacher, and Read or Die.
"Moé" is often confused or even equalised with borderline rorikon but for many fans there is a subtle yet distinct line that separate them. To many moé-loyalists, the point is on supporting and watching rather than to imagine being actively involved (literally and sexually) with the character. Their position is like that of an protective oniichan (elder brother) to a younger sister, another common complex which can have sexual or nonsexual connotations. Contributing to this is another main characterstic of many moé characters: "purity" from carnal activities.
Some that study moé have pointed out similarities between moé and "idol craze" of 70s and 80s where an ordinary-but-cute girl would come out of nowhere to become a popular singer. Others have gone even further back referring to The Tale of Genji and its writer Murasaki Shikibu. The character of Onna Sanno Miya (女三の宮) already has the several distinctive characteristics of moé like a girlish look, childish behavior, a lack of common sense, and a noble upbringing.
"Moe!" is also used within anime fandom, and even in some anime, as an interjection or exclamation referring to a character the speaker considers moé, somewhat like a male version of the fangirl "Squee!"
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