Men ignorantly trying to comment on feminist issues they don't understand... *laughs*
This was a great little article. And I completely agree with the writer. The character of Dante is very much in the same vein as Bayonetta - they might be over the top, but that's the charm.
The lady gamers quite openly oggle Dante - he is no less an over-exaggeration of male empowerment and sexuality than Bayonetta is for women. But it's not meant to be taken seriously - enjoy the characters for what they are... wish fulfilment.
This might surprise some men here, but most women quite *enjoy* the sexualization of their own gender. Everyone likes to feel sexy, or do things that are sexy. What they don't like is when that sexualization comes as the expense of empowerment.
You can't take Bayonetta's "sexiness" too seriously though, or you're missing the point. It's not meant to be realistic, but then, neither is Dante. That doesn't mean the ladies don't love it when he takes his shirt off. And he's hardly a realistic physical representation of what most men look like.
It's all about the context.
I especially like this part.
"To prohibit a character like Bayonetta, and rush to cover her up in disapproval, is a rejection of her particular brand of femininity. Why do that? Because she makes men uncomfortable? If men feel uncomfortable with Bayonetta, maybe that means she succeeds."
If you feel uneasy and uncomfortable playing as Bayonetta, or seeing her in that way... the problem isn't with her. It's with you.
(For the record, I'm male.)
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