Where would anime be without damsels-in-distress?

[Relwarc]

We've all seen them. They lurk everywhere, in almost every show...more often than not, waiting for a big, strong man to dash in and save the day. Sometimes, these women burst onto the scene when we least expect them. Most times, they're so obvious, it makes one wince. Which ladies in distress have you admired? And which have made you want to throw something at the TV?

For me, I'd have to name Faye Valentine as one damsel-in-distress who makes the most of any kidnapping situation. And despite Fuu's endless kidnappings (and rescues by Jin and Mugen), she skillfully manages not to be annoying -- not an easy feat since she spends most of the "plot" episodes in distress. Another leading lady who isn't too bad of a hostage is Hitomi Kanzaki, who didn't need nearly as much saving as one would expect from a show about a girl stranded on another world. And then, there's Kaname Chidori, who can certainly hold her own (while simultaneously shouting up a storm at Sousuke) in a life-and-death situation.

I think that the most realistically capable damsel (who certainly doesn't act like one) I've ever seen is Lafiel, who doesn't break a sweat no matter the odds against her.

On the flip side, every time Miaka put herself in danger and had to be rescued (most frequently by Tamahome), I wanted to pull my hair out. Then, of course, there's Aya Mikage, who made me wish she'd just disappear already and let Ceres take over permanently. Maybe I just have a problem with Yuu Watase... :sd: What say you?

[Mr. Nail Bat]

My favorite would have to be Clarisse of Lupin III: The Castle of Cagliostro. A classic "damsel-in-distress", and one of the original "moe" characters to boot.

[Serial Experiments Nobue]

The ultimate anti-Damsel in Distress... Anthy Himemiya. :>

[Lego]

I'd really have to go with an all time favorite, Relena from Gundam Wing. From standing up top a hill and yelling out the name of your psychotic love interest to making him be your personal bodyguard the whole series, yeah, she fits the bill.

[aquapermanence]

The ultimate anti-Damsel in Distress... Anthy Himemiya. :>

:> Good one. Chalk her up there with Princess Emeraude, Washu, and Rei Ayanami, and I think we'll have enough for a game of Bridge.

[Relwarc]

I'd really have to go with an all time favorite, Relena from Gundam Wing. From standing up top a hill and yelling out the name of your psychotic love interest to making him be your personal bodyguard the whole series, yeah, she fits the bill.

Why does everyone bash Relena? :cry: I thought she was kind of weird/creepy at first, too. But she's FIFTEEN YEARS OLD. She was raised in a household that spoiled her. She always got what she wanted and then her father gets killed before her eyes. The only person (it's important that he's male to substitute for her father) she can hang onto as a rock is Heero and she doesn't have any idea how to get him back except wishing for him to "come kill her." So, she's traumatized and hysterical for like two seconds. Give her a break!

But then, she recovers and takes over a country, loses it (to Romefeller), takes over the world (but her brother got in the way), cedes it (to Treize because she doesn't know anything about military strategy), tries to save it (from Milliardo), fails that (but at least she was willing to die for her beliefs), then becomes almost the most important politician (who brokers the relationship between Earth and Space), then runs for the presidency and will probably win that at the age of 18. Talk about a frenetic life of achievements!

She's just about the only character on the show who isn't close to perfect to begin with and slowly grows until she damn near is. I'd say she's one of the best damsels-in-distress that I've seen yet. :D

[railohio]

Meg from Burst Angel has to be one of the most distressed damsels in anime. Just about every episode she's kidnapped and Jo and the gang ride to her rescue. One of the commentary tracks even makes light of that, though I can't remember from which disc.

[pianocello]

How about dudes-in-distress? I count Fate/Stay Night's Shirou as one of the worst and most annoying. Due to his constant stupidity, he often has to be rescued by Rin and Saber.

[The_Mahou]

How about Akane Tendo of Ranma 1/2. Of all the girls in that show, she seems to be the one needing rescuing the most. You'd think that as a martial artist, she could hold her own, but noooooooo. She constantly needs Ranma to bail her out. The most obvious example being the first movie.

[Relwarc]

How about dudes-in-distress? I count Fate/Stay Night's Shirou as one of the worst and most annoying. Due to his constant stupidity, he often has to be rescued by Rin and Saber.

I agree completely. Shirou definitely acts like an idiot quite a lot. I have to wonder, though, since there are so many weak male leads these days if there's a turnaround on the classic damsel-in-distress formula? Just compare Revy in Black Lagoon to Rock and it's a world of difference. Girls with guns are nothing new, but maybe we're finally drifting away from guys-saving-girls as a law of entertainment.

I'd be interested to see more of "dudes-in-distress," as you put it. Instead of having male leads with dark pasts (where their wife/girlfriend/sister/friend is murdered or something), it'll be the woman with a man close to her die/in danger. :D

[The_Mahou]

Well, don't we have some characters like that in a way? Not necessarily dark girls with plenty of angst, but characters like Mahoro and Belldady are often protecting their men from danger.

[jecca-neko]

The damsel in distress that has the most "classic" quality to her that I can think of is C-ko from Project A-ko. The thing with C-ko though is she's oblivious to the fact that she's a damsel in distress. Everything is just a big game to her.

[Lego]

I'm actually a big Relena fan. But she is the first one I think of when I see damsel in distress. My only gripe against here character was that there should of been more interaction between her and Heero.