"Satsu Says"

Buffy the Vampire Slayer is one of those shows that just doesn't seem to go away – and that's a good thing. After its series finale in 2003, the story about "one girl in all the world" turned into thousands of girls continuing to fight the good fight in comic form. As Buffy fans, we know that's not all Buffy's about. For instance there's Satsu, Buffy's latest love interest, who created controversy and some main stream media hype. With write-ups in such publications as The New York Times, the news of Buffy sleeping with a woman created some rifts in the Buffyverse, and catapulted Buffy into real world media. Unfortunately, some facets of American culture still see same sex relationships as taboo and as a declivity of American society. This begs the question, how about Japanese culture?

Homosexuality is not an unfamiliar topic for Buffy creator Joss Whedon. Willow came out in Season 4 and had two long term relationships with women. In fact, in May 2003, Buffy became the first TV show to air a lesbian sex scene. Satsu, the newest openly gay character, seems to have no shame in her sexual preference. Satsu has proclaimed her "Buffy-love" a few times, and has more of a problem sleeping with Buffy because she's her boss, than because she's a woman.

It's unclear so far in the comic if Satsu is Japanese-American or a native to the country of Japan, yet what is clear is that the character is confident and safe in her own skin. This self-awareness could be from her Japanese upbringing where homosexuality seems to be less of a hindrance than in American culture. Japanese pop-culture is filled with gay and transgendered main stream celebrities. Akihiro Miwa is a drag queen and a spokesperson for many Japanese Financial and Beauty companies. Can you imagine Citibank using Divine to promote their free checking? Anime and Manga don't shy away from gay characters either. Mr. 2 Bon Clay from One Piece comes to mind.

It isn't just pop culture. Kanako Otsuii is an openly gay assemblywoman from Osaka and in 2003, Aya Kamikawa became the first transgendered person to serve as a Tokyo municipal official. She was re-elected in 2007.

It seems that Japanese society has created a culture where sexuality is just what it is defined as, and not a meter to gage someone's moral decency. In turn, Joss Whedon has created a character who reflects societal upbringing and forces other cultures to question their views on such issues. With the recent addition of Proposition 8 in California, along with the other divisive outcomes in such places as Arizona, Arkansas and Florida, Satsu becomes a perfect example of how culture can effect the views of many, as well as the reflection of ourselves.

**This post is the first of a two-part discussion. Look out for the next installment titled, "Buffy Says".