Bait and Switch Lesbians: Difference between revisions

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{{quote|"''[[Girl-On-Girl Is Hot|We like our ladies to go les]]... but not [[But Not Too Gay|full]] les.''"|'''Brian Safi''', ''[http://current.com/items/90732681_thats-gay-lady-kisses.htm That's Gay]''}}

In the eyes of fandom, a show's major selling point is that its principals are [[Schoolgirl Lesbians]]... but oops, it was just a [[Romantic Two-Girl Friendship]] after all! The viewers have been [[Ship Tease~~|Ship Teased~~]]; and now that the writers got their attention, they can write more comfortable (to them) relationships. The lesbian [[Subtext]] may [[Bait and Switch Credits|not even last beyond the opening credits]].

In the eyes of fandom, a show's major selling point is that its principals are [[Schoolgirl Lesbians]]... but oops, it was just a [[Romantic Two-Girl Friendship]] after all! The viewers have been [[Ship Tease]]d; and now that the writers got their attention, they can write more comfortable (to them) relationships. The lesbian [[Subtext]] may [[Bait and Switch Credits|not even last beyond the opening credits]].

The is pretty common in [[Moe|Bishoujo fandom]], where the [[Romantic Two-Girl Friendship]] develops for a number of unintentional factors. One could say that [[Girl-On-Girl Is Hot|audience likes girls in large quantities, and seeing two girls acting cute, even at each other, is better than one]]. One could also point out that ''far'' more attention is put into the interaction and communication between the girls; while a relationship with a guy just "happens" with most development offscreen. And if they're the [[Fundamentally Female Cast|only people you see]] but the show still maintains particular tropes, the audience is sometimes led toward an imagined payoff that might not be there. Often, this is coupled with a young age for both characters as well as the lack of any actual 'sexuality' in either character, barring [[If It's You It's Okay|concessions]], as this outcome is harder to rationalize for an adult character. Note that any romantic relationship with boys, on the other hand, is considered completely serious at any age. Yes, it's [[Double Standard|hypocritical]].

Tends to raise the hackles of a show's [[Yuri Fan~~|Yuri Fandom~~]], who tend to crop up more infrequently, but also makes them paranoid in the long run. Any male friend of one of the girls becomes the [[Sword of Damocles]]; a possible route of escape for the writers via [[Last-Minute Hookup]]. So [[Die for Our Ship|expect malevolence.]] It takes frustratingly little for a male character to become a love interest. A single scene, a [[Where Are They Now? Epilogue]], can instantly make [[Canon]] to overturn entire seasons of interaction.

Tends to raise the hackles of a show's [[Yuri Fan]]dom, who tend to crop up more infrequently, but also makes them paranoid in the long run. Any male friend of one of the girls becomes the [[Sword of Damocles]]; a possible route of escape for the writers via [[Last-Minute Hookup]]. So [[Die for Our Ship|expect malevolence.]] It takes frustratingly little for a male character to become a love interest. A single scene, a [[Where Are They Now? Epilogue]], can instantly make [[Canon]] to overturn entire seasons of interaction.

An ironic result of this is making a relationship explicit can result in enough fuel for viewers who oppose the [[Shipping]] to simply scoff that any evidence of the pairing is "just [[Fan Service]]." The fact that a great many shows avoid [[Unfortunate Implications|portraying relationships in significant detail muddies it further: so many other shows cop out at the last minute, so why should this one be different?]] The writers won't ever [[Hide Your Lesbians|admit anything anyways]].

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== Anime and Manga ==

* While the original ''[[Mariasama ga Miteru]]'' novels are a bit more lenient in [[Subtext]], the anime only has one canonical pairing, derailed when one member ''went off to become a nun,'' and when two girls are about to kiss, the camera cuts away as if it were [[Sexy Discretion Shot|something much more]] [[Harmful to Minors]]. This is especially unusual, as ''[[Portmanteau Series Nickname|Marimite]]'' is pretty much defined by its [[Girls Love]] fandom.

* ''[[Bubblegum Crisis]]: Tokyo 2040'' spent its first half building the [[Sempai-Kohai]] ~~relationship -- and~~ [[Romantic Two-Girl Friendship]] ~~-- between~~ Priss and Linna. The final half of the series drops this subplot like a hot potato for a [[Last-Minute Hookup|sudden romance between Priss and Leon]] that fits the "offscreen explanation" part of the trope to a T; Leon shows up at her club while she's on stage, does a smarmy clap for her, Priss grins a bit, and from thereon in they're treated as dating.

* ''[[Bubblegum Crisis]]: Tokyo 2040'' spent its first half building the [[Sempai-Kohai]] relationship—and [[Romantic Two-Girl Friendship]]—between Priss and Linna. The final half of the series drops this subplot like a hot potato for a [[Last-Minute Hookup|sudden romance between Priss and Leon]] that fits the "offscreen explanation" part of the trope to a T; Leon shows up at her club while she's on stage, does a smarmy clap for her, Priss grins a bit, and from thereon in they're treated as dating.

** It also had Linna attending a marriage date and actually be tempted to give up being a Knight Saber, move home, and marry a guy she'd spent one evening with because darn it, she's a good ''straight'' Japanese girl!

** Ironically, it was the original ''[[Bubblegum Crisis]]'' [[OAV]] that gave rise to the mantra among many early anime fans that "All women in anime are lesbians. Unless they're bisexual."

* ''[[Nana]]'' has, at its core, the interesting relationship between the two titular Nanas: [[Tomboy and Girly Girl|one a tough punk-rocker, the other a girly girl who likes frilly fashion]]. Disappointingly, most of the manga depicts the two girls' relationships with comparatively bland or annoying guys, to the point where the carefully set up romantic tension between them is all but thrown ~~overboard--which~~ isn't helped by the fact that one of them {{spoiler|gets knocked up.}}

* ''[[Nana]]'' has, at its core, the interesting relationship between the two titular Nanas: [[Tomboy and Girly Girl|one a tough punk-rocker, the other a girly girl who likes frilly fashion]]. Disappointingly, most of the manga depicts the two girls' relationships with comparatively bland or annoying guys, to the point where the carefully set up romantic tension between them is all but thrown overboard—which isn't helped by the fact that one of them {{spoiler|gets knocked up.}}

** One ''[[Nana]]'' develops an infatuation with her roommate later in the series, encouraging her to get together with (and get back to) the one decent opposite-sex relationship that she finds... because [[Values Dissonance|the man in question is close to both of them, and that will keep them together]]. She moons over her in a way that she doesn't moon over the man she eventually marries. Nothing comes of it though and both women do eventually marry.

** In more recent chapters of ''[[Nana]]'', however, we find that, after a short while, both women ''do'' separate from their husbands. One of them leaves Japan, and the other plans to go after her, claiming that she "loves" her. It should be noted that the manga is still going ~~on -- and~~, as for now (February 2008), only author Ai Yazawa knows what's going to happen in the end.

** In more recent chapters of ''[[Nana]]'', however, we find that, after a short while, both women ''do'' separate from their husbands. One of them leaves Japan, and the other plans to go after her, claiming that she "loves" her. It should be noted that the manga is still going on—and, as for now (February 2008), only author Ai Yazawa knows what's going to happen in the end.

*** Ultimately, the theme of the series is that [[Love Hurts|love is a hell of a thing to sort out]].

* The OVA for ''[[Saber Marionette J]]'' introduced Marine, a new Marionette who somehow imprinted on Lime as her ~~Master -- and~~ therefore, her implicit love interest. Although there is plenty of [[Subtext]] in their relationship, Marine eventually realizes that her true <s>love</s> master was the ocean, the first thing she saw when she awoke (underwater). Complicating this is Lime's perception of affection is generally much more childlike than the other androids. The more likely explanation is the [[OA Vs]] are [[Non Serial Movies]] whose topics [[Put on a Bus|couldn't be put into the next season of the show]].

* The OVA for ''[[Saber Marionette J]]'' introduced Marine, a new Marionette who somehow imprinted on Lime as her Master—and therefore, her implicit love interest. Although there is plenty of [[Subtext]] in their relationship, Marine eventually realizes that her true <s>love</s> master was the ocean, the first thing she saw when she awoke (underwater). Complicating this is Lime's perception of affection is generally much more childlike than the other androids. The more likely explanation is the [[OA Vs]] are [[Non Serial Movies]] whose topics [[Put on a Bus|couldn't be put into the next season of the show]].

* The opening credits of the ''[[Venus Versus Virus]]'' combine this with [[Bait and Switch Credits]], although the two girls never really have that kind of relationship in the show, which isn't helped by the [[Gecko Ending]] of the anime.

** The manga is licensed as a yuri manga, actually. The yuri subtext is much more apparent in the manga too. It's [[Sugar and Ice Personality|very]], [[Innocent Innuendo|very]] apparent. Lucia quite noticeably has feelings for Sumire by the end of the manga, though fans think they sparked around volume 2, but Sumire's feelings are a case of YMMV.

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** Among other [[Mind Screw|infamous oddities]], the movie's depiction of the relationship is explicitly physical mostly care of an extroverted Anthy. Paradoxically, many fans [[Unpleasable Fanbase|now claimed to dislike it because it was somehow TOO obvious and thus fanservice]].

** And lets not forget Kozue's car scene with Anthy.

* The relationship between Fate and Nanoha in ''[[Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha]]'' has quite a bit of this, leading to some [[Internet Backdraft]]. The makers of the show likely didn't want to ruin the [[True Companions]]-dynamic with romantic relationships, but they really push the issue by making the female leads share an apartment and [[There Is Only One Bed|even a bed together]]~~--not~~ to mention having them [[Has Two Mommies|adopt a child who starts calling them both "mama"]].

* The relationship between Fate and Nanoha in ''[[Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha]]'' has quite a bit of this, leading to some [[Internet Backdraft]]. The makers of the show likely didn't want to ruin the [[True Companions]]-dynamic with romantic relationships, but they really push the issue by making the female leads share an apartment and [[There Is Only One Bed|even a bed together]]—not to mention having them [[Has Two Mommies|adopt a child who starts calling them both "mama"]].

** Nevertheless, the [[Fourth Wall Mail Slot|Megami Sound Stages]] tried to explain that really, Fate was "more of a sister to Vivio" than a mama, and that Fate sent herself into deep space missions in order to "get out of the way." Something ''the voice actresses of the characters themselves'' have declared [[Canon Discontinuity]].

*** The Vivid manga (which take place two years before Force, in the same continuity as the other works in the franchise) retconned the Megami Sound Stages, by the notes along the first chapter (which said Fate and Nanoha raised Vivio together) AND Vivio, who said in the same first chapter that she had two mothers (and acknowledging it's something strange, [[Has Two Mommies|but they're her mothers]]), and the last Soundstages released for the C76 Comiket definitely sunk any possibility of the Yuunoha pairing. And in bonus, we have Vivio in this Sound Stage saying in the prologue that she is Nanoha and Fate's child.

* The opening credits of ''[[Magical Pokaan]]'' feature TWO pairs of [[Bait and Switch Lesbians]]. Although the four main female characters are paired up and almost-kiss each other while [[Barbie Doll Anatomy|sort of naked]], nothing even close to this happens in the actual show... but then again the entire OP seems [[Bait and Switch Credits|deliberately misleading]].

* The opening credits of ''[[Magical Pokaan]]'' feature TWO pairs of Bait and Switch Lesbians. Although the four main female characters are paired up and almost-kiss each other while [[Barbie Doll Anatomy|sort of naked]], nothing even close to this happens in the actual show... but then again the entire OP seems [[Bait and Switch Credits|deliberately misleading]].

* Used in an episode of ''[[Rental Magica]]''. In order to ensure the safety of her mage corporation, Addie plans on getting married - to Honami. Almost the whole episode is spent on them preparing for this girl-girl wedding. Then Itsuki interrupts, runs off with the brides, and declares that he'd rather take the [[Tenchi Solution]]. It was an [[Almost Kiss]] too...

* A lot of relationships between the girls in ''[[Oniisama e...]]'' (which ''is'' a manga of [[The Seventies]]) get blown up prematurely by various degrees of human failings. In the end {{spoiler|all female main characters - with the exception of Rei, [[Bury Your Gays|who is dead by this point]] - enter relationships with men}}.

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** Fans noticed quite a few scenes in which Alicia and Akari seem to be ''very'' close to kissing. Maybe this is the reason why Amano introduced some rather forced male romantic interests later on.

* A somewhat mild version occurs in [[Pretty Sammy|Magical Project S]] between Sasami and Misao, since the characters are underage. They're very close friends, and there's subtext there, but the end of the show very haphazardly pairs them up with their Ryo-ohki and Rumiya respectively, even though they didn't know either boy had human forms until the end of the show.

* The old [[Girls Love]] manga ''[[Maya's Funeral Procession]]'' ends with one of the girls marrying her male childhood friend, even though up until that point she'd been very [[Squick~~|Squicked~~]] by the idea of marrying him, since she viewed him as [[Like Brother and Sister]].

* The old [[Girls Love]] manga ''[[Maya's Funeral Procession]]'' ends with one of the girls marrying her male childhood friend, even though up until that point she'd been very [[Squick]]ed by the idea of marrying him, since she viewed him as [[Like Brother and Sister]].

* ''[[You're Under Arrest]]'' features a very intimate relationship between two [[Lovely Angels]]. The couple gets a lot of [[Ship Tease]] from manga omakes, endings of the anime, and official artwork. However, they both have male love interests and don't express any romantic feelings for each other. Compared to their male love interests, which tend to be forced and they typically have an awkward relationship with, their relationship is the main cause of troubles in the series.

** In the third season, ''Full Throttle'', the male relationships were greatly downplayed, but outside of the ending animation Miyuki and Natsumi never quite make it beyond [[Ship Tease]].

* Rika and Hanyuu come millimeters away from kissing -with hands intertwined and eyes closed, no less-, in the the closing theme of ''[[Higurashi no Naku Koro ni]]: Kai''.

* ''[[Life (manga)|Life]]'' is very similar to the ''[[Nana]]'' example above. A lot of the manga centers around the close bond between Ayumu and Miki. Ayumu states that Miki "is her light", they share a [[Kiss of Life]], and one character teases of one their male friends about them. Still, Ayumu eventually shows feeling for a boy, Miki gets a boyfriend in her home town, and {{spoiler|both women go their separate ways in the end}}.

* After all the heightened emotions, almost-declarations of love and subtext between them, [[Canaan]] and Maria choose to separate because their lifestyles are too ~~different--and~~ they don't even once contact each other again. A lot of yuri fans felt this was quite a cop-out. At least the makers decided not to [[Bury Your Gays|kill any of them off]] or suddenly give one of them a straight option out of nowhere...

* After all the heightened emotions, almost-declarations of love and subtext between them, [[Canaan]] and Maria choose to separate because their lifestyles are too different—and they don't even once contact each other again. A lot of yuri fans felt this was quite a cop-out. At least the makers decided not to [[Bury Your Gays|kill any of them off]] or suddenly give one of them a straight option out of nowhere...

* ''[[DearS]]'' combines this with [[Bait and Switch Credits]] with an on screen kiss between Ren and Miu during the credits.

* Oddly and sort of annoyingly inverted with the manga ''Maka-Maka''. It's billed as a yuri manga, and the girls do have sex with each other... but they both consider themselves straight and all their relationship focus is on their boyfriends. It's basically about the lesbians from porn movies who will just randomly have sex with each other because there are no guys around.

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== Film ==

* A common complaint about ''[[Kissing Jessica Stein]]'', in that the two women don't end up together (and it's implied that the Jessica ends up with her ex-boyfriend shortly after the two come out). The problem with this, though, is that people don't seem to note that it's outright stated that neither woman is explicitly ~~gay--in~~ fact, outside of the relationship, Jessica is only seen dating guys while Helen dates both. Also, the film shows the entire course of the relationship, over the space of nine months.

* A common complaint about ''[[Kissing Jessica Stein]]'', in that the two women don't end up together (and it's implied that the Jessica ends up with her ex-boyfriend shortly after the two come out). The problem with this, though, is that people don't seem to note that it's outright stated that neither woman is explicitly gay—in fact, outside of the relationship, Jessica is only seen dating guys while Helen dates both. Also, the film shows the entire course of the relationship, over the space of nine months.

* In ''[[Twilight (novel)|Twilight]]'' (the movie) Alice says that she and Bella will be "really good friends" in a suggestive manner, and Edward responds with a sneering, "Can you keep your thoughts to yourself!" It turns out that Alice is [[Have I Mentioned I Am Heterosexual Today?|SO TOTALLY NOT GAY]], and she REALLY REALLY MEANT THEY WOULD JUST BE GOOD FRIENDS.

** The book has a good bit of this at well. That line is in the actual book, as is Alice pointing out that Bella" ''does'' smell good!" As is the bit about Alice loving Bella deeply. Then throw in how often Alice hangs on Bella, carries her around, etc. and you've got a ripe lesyay shipping ~~bed--except~~ Meyer, as a devout Mormon, would not write lesbians into her story. So it just winds up looking like another of the franchise's examples of Meyer having certain deeply repressed urges she's not really comfortable with.

** The book has a good bit of this at well. That line is in the actual book, as is Alice pointing out that Bella" ''does'' smell good!" As is the bit about Alice loving Bella deeply. Then throw in how often Alice hangs on Bella, carries her around, etc. and you've got a ripe lesyay shipping bed—except Meyer, as a devout Mormon, would not write lesbians into her story. So it just winds up looking like another of the franchise's examples of Meyer having certain deeply repressed urges she's not really comfortable with.

* On the DVD commentary for ''[[Bring It On]]'', the director notes that a scene showing Kirsten Dunst and [[Eliza Dushku]] (who has a strong lesbian fanbase) in bed together wasn't intended to hint at girl-on-girl action. Really!

* The Israeli movie ''Walk on Water'' is about a Mossad agent who is sent to assassinate an aging former Nazi, then meets the man's grandson, who gives him a new outlook on life. They get really close. I mean, ''[[Ho Yay|really]]'' close, and then it is revealed that said grandson is gay. Then, in the end, the Mossad agent gets together with the grandson's sister, an until-then-minor character. The [[Ho Yay]] between the agent and the grandson, however, was so blatant that I couldn't help but wonder if the grandson was originally intended to be the agent's [[Love Interest]].