Naruto
Well I am not sure I would call it sexist so much as aimed at a particular audience. Minor characters do get less time in the spot light, which means Naruto will be more likely to save the day than Sakura.
Sakura represents the obstacle that he can not best. She has more refined control of her power and can always just smack him.
But yeah there is a large focus on the male characters.
I sometimes wonder if male characters are more front stage in action to avoid a reputation for fan service. Lets face it in fights shirts and pants rip.
A lot of shows that do have strong female leads tend to have a good bit of fan service.
Don't put Burn-Up Excess down too much. Granted it is a never ending locker scene to a degree, but think about how it portrays characters.
All the best agents are female, they have strong characteristics, and a greater since of pride and honor than the main male characters.
The big protagonist male in the series being Yuji is the comic relief; a goofy guy that tends to blow it often due to his over active libido.
Najica has strong female characters, but it is definitely more for the fan service I think. Love Lila's character design though.
Shows to try:
Utena
Comic Party (Gender balanced from the little I have seen)
Wrath of the Ninja (female lead in an action movie)
Inuyasha (Kagome's the boss and she will pick an arrow if needed.)
Evangelion (Asuka is much more assertive than Shinji)
and plenty of others as well if keep an eye out.
Princess Ai (Comes out soon, has Courtney Love in it, talk about a girl with brass)
Show I recommend:
Kiddy Grade
(I know it sounds like something Michael Jackson gets accused of, but the show is awesome)
Give it a chance:
I fortunately saw Vol. 2 first. It takes a minute to get into the story...so you think at first.
If I had seen episode 1 first I might have watched another episode just because the art is good. I mean damn this show has a beautiful design. The animation is crisp and smooth too. But things seem mundane and girly at first.
The show starts off maybe even a little cheesy, but some things just don't fit. You might chalk it up to over dramatics or some little girls shoujo technique, but it tends to be clues to something more.
If you are very observant and analytical you will either think, 'something is developing behind the scenes *cool*', or 'man how did they miss such plot holes or is it a bad translation *its not and they didn't*.'
As it progress you get an increasing feeling that something just isn't right, like the numbers don't add up. Like something stinks in paradise.
Its like the feeling of a scratch at the roof of your mouth. Its there but you can't see it. And it would heal if you could only stop tonguing it....but you can't. (Paraphrased from Fight Club, it seemed to fit the feeling.)
Story:
On the surface it is pretty and has themes like friendship, girlish love, good over evil, and just plain general cuteness.
Underneath there is a sense of that blurry line between good and evil, philosophy, self-identity, freedom, and choice.
The show is excellent without its more complicated side, but made even greater by the eloquent subtlety of its more complex side.
And believe me it is very eloquent and subtitle with its darker edge.
Very lovable characters too. They have real depth which may not be apparent at first, but is very prominate not too much later.
Character:
The main characters are mostly female and play very strong leads.
Eclair is strong, powerful, and assertive yet does not lack a more three dimensional sensitive side.
Lumiere is sophisticate, but not without a heart.
Armblast the Auditor is the main male character. He is the more subdued behind the scenes character. (Quite a gender role reversal to an extent.) 8)
The characters range greatly as well. One particular pair is a couple of down right assassin cold bitches as far I have scene in series. Some are resigned, some are out going, and some are shy and observant.
Artistic Beauty:
Sometimes its hard to find anime that are beautiful, but don't constantly show pretty stills.
This show is beautiful in action and in stills. Doesn't have many stills either, none that I can think of which really boosts my opinion of its beauty even more.
I can't think of show that can best KG for its sheer artistic beauty.
The use of light, water, motion, coloring, just everything is exquisite.
Type of Show:
It has a little bit of a lot things.
It has that girlish drama to it.
It has emotional drama.
It has nice smooth fighting action scenes. (None of that cut to flashes of light either)
Nice spaceship battles too.
Fan Service...not really...
(A panty shot or two and maybe a revealing out fit for Eclair.
It is only done when funny or appropriate. Most of it is a product of character outfits, mostly Eclair. Her outfit is rather elaborate and pretty, but under some circumstances a little revealing.)
The show is great blend of entertainment.
It should be mentioned the voice cast is great. (You may recognize some of them from Fruit Basket, Yu Yu Hakushou, and a few other shows.)
The sound effects kick-ass. Dolby Digital all the way at a very very impressive level for a series. 8)
Website:
You can get to the site from the Funimation website. Its is nice well designed site done in Flash.
Funimation's translation actually does a nice job. I do have a problem with the wine getting called 'grape juice' due to the appearance of Lumiere's age. .....*$*@#(@#.......%&@(#$()@&.......*%$#@&...censorship.
Who Should Watch:
I think you would like it
Alpha_Hazard, I am almost certain of it.
If your DBZ only person steer clear. Though I am a fan of DBZ.
Bebop fans may like, but I am not sure as I really am not that big a fan of Cowboy Bebop.
Sailormoon fans might like it, but so might people that found Sailormoon lacking.
Its such an odd cross genre of themes its hard to say so I will say this...
it has some shoujo style to it, it has fights, it has spaceships, it has drama, it has cheery happiness, and it has both simple and complex parts.
he's a guy, but he's been mistaken as different before
. I better stop my post right there. You don't want to get me started on this subject. The ranting would become quite ugly.