Expanding the focus from strictly anime to animesque videogames may serve well for a wider perspective on androgyny. In such an equally-"animated" medium, characterization occurs not only through visual design, action, and voice, but also through one last critical dimension of interactivity. In this medium, the player's position necessarily affects the story's reality.
There are plenty of games with amazing androgynes to offer in this light of player-guided mutability, which inherently opens doors to exploring themes of ambiguous identity. One example that doesn't get nearly enough attention is a particular console installment of a niche farming RPG, Harvest Moon: Magical Melody (2006).
Wait! Don't tune out at the childish title and chibi style! While admittedly targeting a young demographic, the game offers some genuinely valuable morals and genuinely unique implications about gender.
See that ambiguous figure... on the fence there? That's Jamie. Jamie is the aptly-unisex name of the single most important androgynous character in the history of androgynous characters, so listen up.
There are plenty of games with amazing androgynes to offer in this light of player-guided mutability, which inherently opens doors to exploring themes of ambiguous identity. One example that doesn't get nearly enough attention is a particular console installment of a niche farming RPG, Harvest Moon: Magical Melody (2006).
Wait! Don't tune out at the childish title and chibi style! While admittedly targeting a young demographic, the game offers some genuinely valuable morals and genuinely unique implications about gender.
See that ambiguous figure... on the fence there? That's Jamie. Jamie is the aptly-unisex name of the single most important androgynous character in the history of androgynous characters, so listen up.
