Hey there! As a tech geek and avid anime fan, I‘ve noticed the letters ‘S‘ and ‘M‘ pop up a lot in discussions about Japanese manga and anime characters. On the surface, they seem connected to sadism and masochism – but as with many things in Japanese culture, the meaning goes much deeper than that.
In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll break down the nuanced Japanese cultural context behind S and M terminology. You‘ll walk away with a clear understanding of what these letters signify in anime, as well as their roots in BDSM subculture.
The Origins of S and M
While the terms S and M originally referred to sexual sadism and masochism in BDSM relationships, their meaning evolved as they entered Japanese pop culture.
In the West, S&M explicitly describes deriving pleasure from giving or receiving pain and humiliation of a sexual nature. Dominant, controlling partners are called ‘sadists‘, while submissive partners are called ‘masochists‘.
However, in Japan, S and M are not used to directly imply sexual fetishes or practices. Instead, the terms describe broader personality traits and interpersonal dynamics between characters.
S = Sadistic Traits
In manga and anime, an ‘S‘ character displays personality traits associated with the sexual sadist archetype:
- Assertive, dominant, takes charge
- Confident, competitive, ambitious
- Controlling, demanding, strict
- Bossy, arrogant, self-assured
- Teasing, playful, naughty
- Protective, possessive, territorial
Think Asuka from Neon Genesis Evangelion – the confident pilot with a bossy attitude. Or Haruhi from Ouran High School Host Club, who enjoys ordering others around.
S types take initiative, make bold declarations, and actively determine outcomes. They pursue their desires through determination and self-direction.
M = Masochistic Traits
An ‘M‘ character embodies qualities linked to the sexual masochist archetype:
- Passive, compliant, obedient
- Submissive, deferential, avoids conflict
- Nurturing, generous, puts others first
- Needy, clingy, dependent
- Calm, stoic, stable
- Loyal, supportive, humble
Shinji from Neon Genesis Evangelion represents an extreme M type – overly passive, nervous, and avoidant. Tamaki from Ouran High School Host Club aims to please others with his dramatics.
M types allow others to take charge, quietly serving while avoiding confrontation. They gain satisfaction through helping S types achieve their ambitions.
Combining S and M: Switch Characters
Not all characters are strictly S or M types – many exhibit a mix of both depending on context. This switching between dominant and submissive roles is described as being an ‘S/M switch‘.
For example, Goku from Dragon Ball Z displays M traits like humility and kindness most of the time. But when confronting villains, he taps into more S-like aggression and competitiveness.
Vegeta also switches between his prideful, ambitious S side and begrudging cooperation with Goku when needed.
Even lovers may toggle between S and M modes. A protective, possessive S type can submit in bed to satisfy their partner‘s desire for control.
S and M in Everyday Usage
While rooted in sexual terminology, S and M took on more innocent meanings in mainstream Japanese culture.
When used to describe real people, S and M indicate general outgoing vs. reserved dispositions – not sexual preferences. An S friend might be called ambitious, while an M friend is cooperative.
This builds on long-standing Japanese cultural tropes about dominance and deference in relationships. S types are go-getters who seek status and control interactions. M types are peacemakers who quietly enable an S partner‘s aspirations.
Of course, these stereotypes often break down in nuanced human relationships. Still, the S/M dichotomy remains a common shorthand for describing broad personality differences.
Other Japanese Titles and Honorifics
Beyond S and M, Japanese also features other honorific titles:
- -san: Equivalent to Mr/Ms, gender-neutral politeness marker.
- -kun: Used mostly for boys and close male friends.
- -chan: Primarily used for girls and children, signifies endearment.
- -sama: More reverent version of -san, for respected elders.
- -sensei: Used for teachers, doctors, masters of a craft.
So an elderly lady may be addressed as Yamada-sama, conveying deep respect. A female teacher is Tanaka-sensei. Reference girls as -chan and boys as -kun to imply familiarity and fondness.
S and M in a Nutshell
While linked to BDSM culture, S and M hold broader meaning in Japanese anime, manga, and interpersonal dynamics:
- S types are dominant, ambitious go-getters.
- M types are deferential, cooperative supporters.
- Most people exhibit some S and M traits variably.
- Used for real people, S/M simply indicates outgoing vs. reserved dispositions.
So next time you watch anime or read manga, keep an eye out for S and M coded language describing characters! Just remember, it generally conveys personality nuances rather than sexual practices.
Let me know if you have any other questions! Happy to share insights on Japanese culture from my experiences as an avid gamer, anime fan, and traveler.
