Curiosities: bishonen characters in manga and anime (2)

Bishonen characters can play both good and evil roles. Captain Aizen in Bleach can be considered an example of the latter (and if you read further the manga you will 100% agree with me),

Often their 'bishonen' quality is what adds to their mystery and mysticism, making them an encompassing character.

Yet at the same time they are aware of their beauty and use it as a weapon to deceive their enemies. No wonder samurais in ancient Japan wore lipstick and makeup to stun the enemy.

But bishonen is a term applied to those characters under 18. For a beautiful male character in his twenties or thirties (Aizen is seemingly in that age group??), the correct term would be 'bidanshi', meaning 'handsome man'.

Another classic example of a 'bishonen' character would be Shun from Saint Seiya:

(nosebleeds!)

Despite people understimating him during the course of the whole series, Shun proved that he was worthy of being an Athena Saint, if not one of the strongest around, just that he doesn't really like to fight.

Given the influence of the androgynous looks from Glam rock bands of the 70's and the 80's, the 'bishonen' archetype was consolidated as a pretty guy with long hair, big eyes of an unusual color, a slender, skinny physique, and feminine features, of course.


This is further proved in the Kurama character from Yu Yu Hakusho.

Bishonen characters are never afraid of being who they are, but rather embrace it, as they are basically males who embrace their feminine side, and in contrast it makes their masculinity stand out more, in my opinion.

Andromeda Shun (part 1)

Being a controversial and an ambiguous character at the same time, Andromeda Shun has his fans as well as his detractors (the infamous scene in the house of Libra with Hyoga comes to mind!).

Somewhat effeminate in appearance, Shun has always been underestimated, but it is no wonder since it's what you would normally expect of a bishounen or bishie character (Japanese for 'beautiful boy').

Shun, unlike his brother Ikki, is calm, sweet and does not like fighting. However, he is one of the few Saints that has a physical weapon as a primary mean of attack.

But while the story of Saint Seiya progressed, Shun was showing his tough side and he was determined to protect Saori (Athena) no matter what, mastering his maximum technique 'Nebular Storm' (Storm Nebular).

The Nebular Storm is one of the most impressive techniques seen in the series, and consists of a cosmic wind that paralizes the enemy, that in a matter of just seconds can become a brutal storm that destroys everything in its path.

That's how Shun was able to finish Aphrodite of Pisces, using this technique as a last resort before he was struck with the White Rose (White Rose Dead).

Like his peers, Shun is an orphan and was selected to train as a Saint. He was initially meant to train at the Fire Island, most known as the Death Island, but Ikki took his place so that his brother had better luck on the Island of Andromeda.

Basic Facts

Height: 1.65 meters.
Weight: 51 Kg
Date of Birth: 9 September (Virgo), the same date that Hades was born, making him the perfect candidate to be his host, as well as being the human with the purest soul.
Blood Type: A
Source: Japanese
Teachers: Daidalos in the manga, and Albiore of Cepheus in the anime, given that the creators thought that it was more accurate, because in Greek mythology, Cepheus was the father of Andromeda, whom he gave in sacrifice to Poseidon.

Shun de Andromeda (parte 1)

Siendo un personaje controversial y ambiguo a la vez, Shun de Andromeda ha tenido sus fans así como sus detractores (la famosa escena en la casa de Libra con Hyoga!!) Y no solo en el fandom de Saint Seiya sino dentro de la misma historia del manga también.

A lo largo de todo el manga, Shun ha sido subestimado por su apariencia algo afeminada, y es que no es para menos, como personaje bishie o bishounen (en japonés se traduce como 'muchacho hermoso').

Shun, al contrario de su hermano Ikki, es tranquilo, dulce y no le gusta pelear. Sin embargo, es de los pocos caballeros que posee un arma física como su principal medio de ataque.

Pero mientras la historia de Saint Seiya fue avanzando, Shun fue mostrando su lado más rudo y determinado por proteger a Saori (Athena), llegando a dominar su máxima técnica 'Tormenta Nebular' (Nebular Storm) con singular maestría.

El Nebular Storm es una de las técnicas más impresionantes vistas en la serie, y consiste en un viento cósmico paralizante del enemigo, que en cuestión de apenas segundos, y a voluntad, puede convertirse en una brutal tormenta que arrasa con todo a su paso.

Asi fue como Shun pudo acabar con Afrodita de Piscis, como último recurso antes de que le alcanzara la Rosa Blanca (White Dead Rose).

Al igual que sus compañeros, Shun es huérfano y fue seleccionado para entrenar como caballero. Inicialmente le había tocado entrenar en la Isla del Fuego o Isla de la Muerte, pero Ikki tomó su lugar para que su hermano tuviera una mejor suerte en la isla de Andrómeda.

Datos básicos

Estatura: 1.65 mts.
Peso: 51 Kg
Fecha de Nacimiento: 9 de septiembre (Virgo), la misma fecha en que nació Hades, lo que lo hace el perfecto candidato para ser su host o cuerpo, aparte de tener el alma más pura.
Grupo Sanguíneo: A
Origen: Japonés
Maestro: Daidalos en el manga y Albiore de Cefeo en el anime, ya que a los creadores les pareció más preciso darle este nombre, pues en la mitología griega Cefeo era el padre de Andrómeda, a quien dio en sacrificio ante Poseidón.

(fuente: SNK-Seiya y Enciclopedia Saint Seiya Taizen)