The Superwoman Trope - An Analysis on Excessive Masculine Woman Superheroes in Movies, Anime, and TV Shows

Abstract

 The Superwoman ideology of superheroes has long been elusive in the cinematic medium (Movies, TV shows and Anime) as well as the print medium (graphic novels, comics and manga). However, this elusiveness is not due to the fact that patriarchy has a role to play in its propagation but it is because the Superwoman (or Tough Girl) trope has long been used, reused and overused to the point it is no longer a matter of elusiveness or careful insertion in the mainstream cinematic or print mediums. Instead of subtly portraying a strong woman character that embraces her calm and composed feminine side counterbalancing it with her strong will and determination to overcome a given problem. Characters like Skyler White from the TV series Breaking Bad (2008-2013), Gal Gadot from (Wonder Woman (2017), Batman vs Superman (2016) and Justice League (2017)), Claire Underwood from the TV series House of Cards (2013-2018), Bulma & Android 18 from the anime Dragon Ball Z (1989-1996) & Dragon Ball Super (2015-present) and Mikasa Ackerman from the anime Attack on Titan (2013-present) are vital examples for this multiple layered woman tropes. In this research paper we will be looking into the dynamics behind the excessive masculinity that is employed for woman characters like Trinity from The Matrix Trilogy (1999-2003), Scarlet Johansson from The Avengers (2012-2019) series of movies, Caulifla and Kale from the Dragon Ball Super (2015-present) to name a few. In order for us to effectively ascertain what these gametes of women representations unfold, we need to analyze how these characters interact and portray their characters in tandem with the other male characters as well as the other lesser female characters in their respective movies, TV series or anime. After such a comparison or standard has been set between them and the other characters, then we can identify what are their motivations for acting a certain way. Strong woman characters and the overly masculine woman characters will both go through this comparison standard that this paper will attempt to put them through and only then can we safely call them a strong woman character or an overly masculine woman character. This paper will attempt to give a strong justification for both the categories of woman characters and try to understand them.