Masculinity is Ours to Keep: Male Power Fantasy and Masculine Archetypes in Grappler Baki

Summary

This video script explores the concept of masculinity amidst a cultural war, where it's deemed both toxic and essential. It discusses masculine archetypes using the anime 'Baki' as a lens, highlighting male power fantasies and the mythification of masculinity. The script argues for the necessity of power fantasies in shaping male identity, critiquing modern deconstruction of traditional values, and emphasizing the cyclical nature of masculine traits. It concludes by asserting the importance of masculine role models and the need for media that reinforces, rather than destroys, these values.

Takeaways

• 🔍 Masculinity is a central topic in a cultural war, with some people denouncing it as toxic and others trying to reclaim it.
• 💪 The script discusses masculine archetypes and their importance, focusing on male power fantasies and the mythification of masculinity.
• 📺 The show 'Baki' is used as a case study to explore these themes, chosen for its portrayal of testosterone-fueled masculinity.
• 🧬 Masculinity is linked to the production of male hormones, which give men physical characteristics like muscle mass, height, and a low voice.
• 🌿 The script argues that masculinity is rooted in biology, but also shaped by cultural standards and learned behaviors.
• 🎭 The concept of 'male power fantasies' is introduced, where media portrays an idealized version of masculinity that people aspire to.
• 📚 Literature and media are seen as important in preserving and transmitting masculine values across generations.
• 🌐 The script criticizes Western media for deconstructing traditional values and not celebrating cultural standards of masculinity.
• 💥 The script suggests that without masculine role models, future generations may become either overly aggressive or overly passive.
• 🤼 The narrative of 'Baki' is analyzed as a journey of physical and spiritual growth, with the hero confronting various aspects of masculinity.
• 👊 The script concludes that masculinity is about action and self-improvement, and that it's the responsibility of men to uphold and pass on these values.

Q & A

What is the central theme of the cultural war discussed in the script?

The central theme of the cultural war discussed in the script is the concept of masculinity, with people either denouncing it as toxic or trying to reclaim it.

What is the purpose of discussing masculine archetypes in the script?

The purpose of discussing masculine archetypes is to explore their importance and how they contribute to the understanding and perpetuation of male power fantasies and the mythification of masculinity.

Why is the show Baki chosen for the discussion on masculinity?

Baki is chosen because it is seen as dripping with testosterone and showcases extremely buff and combative characters, which are indicative of masculine traits.

How does the script connect testosterone to the concept of masculinity?

The script connects testosterone to masculinity by stating that being a man is to produce male hormones, which give men their characteristic physical traits such as muscles, height, square jaw, and a low voice.

What is the role of biology in shaping masculinity according to the script?

Biology plays a foundational role in shaping masculinity by providing the physical traits that are associated with being male, which are then complemented by nurture-based qualities to complete the picture of the perfect man.

What is the significance of male power fantasies in the development of male identity?

Male power fantasies are significant in the development of male identity because they provide a model of what men aspire to be, allowing them to project themselves into stories and identify with characters that reflect their ideals.

How does the script view the role of literature in preserving the concept of masculinity?

The script views literature as an integral part of preserving the concept of masculinity by allowing it to be shared and survive through time, serving as a guiding beacon for future generations.

What is the script's stance on the current state of Western media's portrayal of masculinity?

The script criticizes Western media for having stopped celebrating cultural values and now focusing on deconstructing them, which is seen as detrimental to the modern concept of masculinity.

What does the script suggest as a solution to the 'crisis' of masculinity?

The script suggests that more power fantasies are needed to bolster the strength of the modern male and ensure that future generations are influenced by positive masculine role models.

How does Baki serve as a medium for transmitting masculine values according to the script?

Baki serves as a medium for transmitting masculine values by narrating the physical and spiritual progression of its protagonist, showcasing the confrontation and growth necessary to embody positive masculinity.

What is the significance of the antagonistic relationship between Baki and his father in the script?

The antagonistic relationship between Baki and his father symbolizes the struggle between positive and negative aspects of masculinity, highlighting the necessity of balance and the cyclical process of masculine identity construction.

Outlines

00:00

💪 The Concept of Masculinity

This paragraph delves into the ongoing cultural debate surrounding masculinity, with some viewing it as toxic while others seek to reclaim it. The video aims to explore masculine archetypes and their significance, using the show 'Shogu Probaki' as a case study. The narrator highlights the biological basis of masculinity, linked to testosterone and its influence on male physical traits. The discussion also touches on how masculine identity is shaped by both biology and cultural standards, with literature and media playing a crucial role in perpetuating these ideals. The paragraph concludes by criticizing modern Western media for abandoning traditional masculine values in favor of deconstruction.

05:02

🛡️ The Defense of Masculinity

Paragraph 2 discusses the importance of masculine traditions as a stabilizing force and a protective bastion for a country. It suggests that the current attack on masculinity is an attack on the identity of men and their communities. The narrator argues for the need for more power fantasies to strengthen modern masculinity and prepare future generations. The paragraph also refutes the misconception that masculinity breeds dangerous males, instead positing that it is essential for maintaining order and preventing societal chaos. It emphasizes the role of media, particularly anime and manga, in teaching and transmitting masculine values.

10:04

🐉 The Dragon of Masculinity

This paragraph focuses on the dichotomy between positive and negative traits of masculinity and how they contribute to the construction of male identity. It uses the metaphor of a dragon to describe masculinity, suggesting that it must be confronted and grappled with. The paragraph discusses how the show 'Baki' and its characters represent different facets of masculinity, with the protagonist's journey mirroring the process of becoming a man. It also touches on the cyclical nature of masculinity, where positive traits are born from the need to balance negative ones, and how this is represented through the show's narrative and characters.

15:05

🤼‍♂️ The Struggle for Masculinity

Paragraph 4 examines the role of violence and confrontation in male power fantasies, using 'Baki' as an example. It argues that violence is not normalized but is instead portrayed as a necessary tool for survival and self-defense. The paragraph discusses how the characters in 'Baki' face tragedies and adversities, which serve as catalysts for growth and the development of masculine traits. It also addresses the criticism that such portrayals are toxic, arguing that they are instead a reflection of reality and an essential part of masculine identity. The paragraph concludes by emphasizing the importance of action and self-improvement in achieving masculinity.

20:11

🚶‍♂️ The Path to Manhood

The final paragraph of the script is incomplete, but it seems to be leading into a discussion about the journey towards manhood. It suggests that being a man is not just about who you are but also about what you do, implying that action is a key component of masculinity. The paragraph likely encourages viewers to take the lessons from the show 'Baki' and apply them to their own lives, to become a male power fantasy for others to follow.

Keywords

💡Masculinity

Masculinity refers to the qualities traditionally associated with men, such as strength, courage, and assertiveness. In the video, it is central to the cultural war between those who view it as toxic and those who seek to reclaim it. The script discusses how masculinity is not only biological but also shaped by cultural standards and literature, influencing male identity and behavior.

💡Cultural War

The term 'cultural war' is used to describe the ongoing conflict over values and beliefs within a society. In this context, it specifically refers to the debate surrounding masculinity, where different groups have opposing views on its role and impact on society. The video suggests that this war is being fought through media and cultural narratives.

💡Power Fantasies

Power fantasies are narratives or stories that allow individuals to imagine themselves as powerful or successful. In the video, these fantasies are linked to male identity, where they serve as a foundation for understanding and aspiring to masculine ideals. The script uses the show 'Baki' as an example of how power fantasies can shape perceptions of masculinity.

💡Testosterone

Testosterone is the primary male sex hormone responsible for the development of male physical characteristics. The video script connects testosterone with the physical traits associated with masculinity, such as muscle mass and aggressiveness, suggesting that these biological factors contribute to the concept of being a man.

💡Biological Reality

Biological reality refers to the inherent, physical aspects of being male, such as the production of male hormones and the development of secondary sexual characteristics. The video emphasizes that while masculinity is influenced by cultural standards, it is fundamentally rooted in biological reality.

💡Representation

In the context of the video, representation refers to the portrayal of characters in media that audiences can identify with. The script argues that while representation is important for inclusion, shows like 'Baki' go further by presenting characters that embody male power fantasies, thus influencing the viewer's aspirations.

💡Deconstruction

Deconstruction is a critical approach that seeks to analyze and break down complex ideas or constructs. The video discusses how Western media has entered an 'age of deconstruction,' questioning traditional values, including masculinity. This process is seen as a threat to established cultural norms and identities.

💡Hero's Journey

The hero's journey is a narrative pattern found in many stories, where a protagonist goes through a series of trials and transformations. In the video, the script uses 'Baki' as an example of a hero's journey, where the protagonist's physical and spiritual progression represents the development of masculine values and identity.

💡Antagonistic Relationships

Antagonistic relationships refer to conflicts or oppositions between characters. The video script suggests that such relationships are essential for the development of masculine traits, as they provide a context for confrontation and growth. The show 'Baki' uses these relationships to explore the dynamics between positive and negative aspects of masculinity.

💡Masculine Traditions

Masculine traditions are the cultural practices and values associated with masculinity. The video argues that these traditions serve as a stabilizing force in society, protecting communities from external threats. The script suggests that the preservation of these traditions is crucial for the development of future generations of men.

💡Media Influence

Media influence refers to the power of media to shape public opinion, beliefs, and behaviors. The video discusses how media can be used to either deconstruct or reinforce masculine values. The script advocates for the use of media, such as anime and manga, to counter negative portrayals and promote positive representations of masculinity.

Highlights

Masculinity is at the center of a cultural war between those who denounce it as toxic and those who seek to reclaim it.

The concept of masculinity is explored through the lens of the show 'Shoguprobaki', which is rich in male power fantasies.

Testosterone is linked to the physical traits associated with masculinity, such as muscle mass and aggressiveness.

Masculinity is portrayed as having both mental and physical aspects, with both being interconnected and rooted in biology.

The show 'Shoguprobaki' is used as an example of how media can perpetuate the mythification of masculinity.

Representation in media allows individuals to project themselves into stories, resonating with characters that reflect their identity.

Male power fantasies are discussed as a foundational element for the development of male identity.

The importance of literature in preserving and sharing the concept of masculinity across generations is emphasized.

Western media is criticized for no longer celebrating cultural values and focusing on deconstructing them.

Masculine traditions are seen as a stabilizing force and a last bastion of protection for a country under attack.

The need for more power fantasies is argued to strengthen modern masculinity and prepare future generations.

The concept of 'toxic masculinity' is refuted, arguing that it is necessary for the existence of positive masculinity.

The show 'Baki' is highlighted as an effective medium for conveying masculine values and the hero's journey.

Baki's character arc is used to illustrate the development from boyhood to manhood, emphasizing the importance of strength.

The antagonistic yet complementary nature of father-son relationships is discussed as central to the construction of male identity.

The cyclical process of masculine traits is explained through the trope of confrontation and the creation of role models.

The importance of symbols in传达ing the messages of male power fantasies is discussed.

The necessity of violence in male power fantasies is justified as a tool for self-defense and survival.

The show 'Baki' is praised for its portrayal of strength as a virtuous trait and its focus on action over debate.

The conclusion emphasizes the duty to pass on the concept of masculinity to future generations.

Transcripts

masculinity is at the center of what can

only be described as a cultural war

right now

between people denouncing the entire

concept as toxic and who's trying to

reclaim it there is a lot to be said

about the topic so much so that i'm

fully certain this video will not be

enough to cover it all

but since the idea of what being a man

constitutes is so interesting in my eyes

i don't mind making this a series

today i want to offer a broad discussion

on masculine archetypes and their

importance using the shoguprobaki as a

way to narrow down the scope of this

discourse

that will be focusing mainly on male

power fantasies and the mythification of

masculinity that they perpetuate through

narration

i selected this show because one is

great and two it's so dripping with

testosterone that the only way to grab

the volumes without developing firm

mittens is to wear kevlar gloves

and just like that there goes our first

point

testosterone

why did i just make that connection

well the answer is simple

to be a man is to produce male hormones

these hormones in return make your body

more androgenic giving you all of the

characteristics of a male

periosity muscles height square jaw and

shoulders low voice aggressivity etc etc

these traits are gifts from nature and

our cyclical resurgence is what allows

masculinity to rest on a base more solid

than ideology alone

as they aren't going anywhere

stemming from them were created

nurture-based qualities aiming to

complete the picture of the perfect man

as instincts alone aren't enough to

create him

one or the other is missing

male identity is incomplete

here we see that masculinity works on

two fronts

both mental and physical with the two

being interconnected and taking souls

from the same place

biology

this means that a manga focused on

representing masculinity would need to

showcase extremely buff and combative

characters

and that's exactly what becky does

regardless of your identity you will be

able to resonate with the story simply

because there's bound to be a character

you'll recognize yourself in

this is the mere power fantasy trope in

full effect

in every piece of fiction we tend to

scan for people that look like us in

order to be able to project ourselves

into the story

this is known as representation

however

some shows take that to the next level

by showing you not who you are but who

you wish you could be

these are male power fantasies

without them we wouldn't be here

they are the soil in which male identity

blossoms

it might sound extreme especially to the

people who have a bone to pick with

masculinity but the truth is that the

codification of what it means to be a

man is what has led the wood to be what

it is today with literature playing an

integral role in allowing this vital

information to not only be shared but

also survive through time

after all while being a male is first

and foremost a biological reality

there's no denying that a large portion

of it also comes down to cultural

standards

which aren't exactly innate traits

instead we learn how to behave according

to masculine standards thanks to our

environment

be it via oral transmission or books of

written tradition that serve not only as

a guiding beacon but also as a permanent

lighthouse

left there to inspire future generations

for us the children of modernity this is

our main pathway to access masculinity

since and let's be honest the

generations of men that precede us have

been nothing but disappointing

and are mostly to blame for the

decrepitude of the modern man

sadly we can't really count on western

media to salvage this [ __ ] show either

considering that it has stopped

celebrating our cultures decades ago and

is now entirely focused on destroying as

many of our values as possible

this is because the west has entered the

age of deconstruction

everything must be questioned and

anything that doesn't align with the

bleached out blemish of modern morality

must be deconstructed for the greater

good

and since there isn't anything more

vital to our societies than masculinity

it is therefore no surprise that this

concept would attract the ire of the

beast

always under the cover of progressivism

and global equality

acting as a stabilizing force the

masculine traditions of a country end up

being its last bastion of protection

when under attack

something that explains the constant

bombardment the concept has been under

they're not attacking you they're

attacking who you are telling you that

both you and the community would be

better off if masculinity were to die

in this dire situation we need more

power fantasies more than ever

to bolster the strength of the modern

male but also to make sure that those

who have yet to come will be placed in

the right hands

if you think that men are pathetic now

wait until you see what an entire

generation that will have ground without

masculine role models will look like

there'll be either ultra aggressive low

self-control baboons or pacified pansies

with no balls to speak of

this is another misconception about

masculinity that needs to be refuted

the goal of such a social construct

isn't to breed dangerously unhinged

males that would pose a threat to

society

if anything it does the exact opposite

in a sense this is the distinction that

the woods toxic masculinity tries to

capture

if some of it is bad then by default

some of it must also be good

this nuance completely escapes the vapid

minds of those that choose the term

persuaded that manhood in its entirety

is on reasons to be ridden of

in reality there is only one thing that

can oppose the violence and mayhem of

which masculinity often gives both too

and that's masculinity itself

to prevent chaos from taking over

we must make sure that masculinity is

always in stock

and to do that we need instruction

manuals

under the form that will be the easiest

to consume for our little brothers

in this case anime and manga

i would prefer to offer a video essay

centered around the odysseus

but the truth of the matter is that in

this war against degeneracy

refusing to use the weapons of the enemy

would be a mistake

we get targeted through the media so be

it

we will use the media to fire back

and in that aspect there is nothing more

effective than japanese nakatsu shonen

these stories are for the most part

always centered around a young male

protagonist

narrating his physical and spiritual

progression with no regards for

political correctness or inclusivity

this is where bakiyama comes into play

as the hero of the eponym manga

he is the male power fantasy from which

masculine values will be vehiculated to

the audience

his journey and encounters serving as a

parabola

whichever message you can receive from

the narration will be shown to you not

told which is obligatory for the

transmission of masculine tradition to

proceed

if i tell you that you must be loyal

respectful and sincere it might stick to

you for a day or two but chances are

you'll never actually integrate these

values

this is where the hero's journey comes

into play

by showing instead of telling the story

places you at center stage

allowing your own subjectivity to

project itself onto the characters

gaining your involvement and attention

through watching jack you will learn of

the dangers of excess

through watching katsumi you will come

to understand the downfall of arrogance

and through watching bakki you will get

to experience the evolution of a boy

seeking to become a man

this means that it cannot start as a

fearless mountain of muscles as that be

counterproductive

the reader needs to identify with bucky

and so he has to start young and small

which is why the story begins when he's

only 13

to give you a chance to put yourself in

his shoes and grow alongside him

and why exactly is he trying to grow

well to become stronger meaning more apt

to defend himself and others from the

threats of his word

in the series the personification of

that danger is yujiro anmar who also

happens to be the father of the hero

an obvious metaphor that represents the

birth of positive masculinity as a

response to its negative counterpart

that topic will require its own video to

decorticate

as the opposition between positive and

negative masculinity traits is central

to the construction of male identity

for today let's just say that if

masculinity is a dragon it is one that

we must all confront

and in grapple back his universe

it is reincarnated as the strongest

creature on earth

naturally this means that bucky isn't

the only one to have his sights set on

the serpent

as every fighter in the show will sooner

or later try their hand at defeating the

ogre

which they always fail to do

by definition you cannot best paroxysmic

masculinity you can only measure

yourself to it

and by doing so you reinforce your own

masculine essence

in the hope of one day coming out on top

if that were to happen you wouldn't be

destroying it

you'd simply replace it

becoming the new target that men

everywhere would shoot for in order to

prove themselves

through that trope we understand three

things

one that masculinity is built through

confrontation

two that the creation of positive male

role models is only made possible by the

existence of negative ones

and three that the very perpetuation of

masculine traits is a cyclical process

that finds its roots in the antagonistic

yet complementary nature of fatter sun

relationships

one dominates the other topos

this is what makes the world go round

[Music]

it's no wonder why many books and movies

utilize this opposition in their

depiction of the hero's journey

the easiest way to convey those

struggles the main character will have

to surmount is by giving them a familiar

face

one that is either set up as a proper

model to follow or an example of what

not to do in order to be a good man

in bucky's case it's both

eugero is an abusive tyrant yes but he's

also a formidable warrior

leaving his son to juggle with

contradicting emotions between hatred

and respect

despite spending the entirety of the

series trying to separate his identity

from that of his father he still has him

as the main objective that dictates his

life choices showing that male power

fantasies work on both a positive and

negative front

as such it would be ridiculous to say

that toxic maximality is bad

since without it positive masculinity

wouldn't exist at all as it is born from

a necessity for balance

throughout his battles becky faces

plenty of villains

all representing different facets of

masculinity which echo with the inner

turmoil agitating our hero

just like the labors of hercules

each new challenge can be interpreted on

a spiritual level

with success signifying victory not just

against an enemy but most importantly

over the self

one can for example cite the bout

against anayama which is a shonen

rewriting of david versus goliath with

its lesson being relatively evident

or the yasha ape encounter which dwells

more into the surmounting of primal

fears

in both cases the necessary masculine

attributes needed to survive these

challenges are expressed through symbols

which is often the case for male power

fantasies

at first glance it might look like two

hunks of muscle throwing haymakers at

one another

but the real importance of these battles

is to be found in the messages that they

transmit

the essence of chaos versus the spirit

of order

one only existing as a response to the

other

this subtlety

juxtaposed with the apparent barbarism

of the peregrination needed to own one

owns masculinity is the reason for all

the criticism coming its way

often the people hell bent on

deconstructing the makeup of male

identity aren't men themselves

which explains their inability to see

underneath the facade of brutality

to them if it's ruthless and bloody it's

bad because hurting people is mean

this is a typical feminine mindset as

one only gets to be this naive when

entirely sheltered from the reality of

violence

a privilege that is bestowed upon them

by the graces of masculine protection

paradoxically by trying to destroy toxic

masculinity

these people end up getting rid of the

only thing standing between them and a

soccer

punch in the world of bakki that

invisible barrier is more tenuous

and as people often get beat up or gold

it is incumbent upon the hero to grow

that much stronger to make up for it

this is a message to the modern man

as the world around you turns harsh

you have to become harsher

because if you don't

you won't be able to protect what is

precious to you

realizations such as this one are a

common occurrence in back his life who

went through several tragedies involving

the loss of a loved one

first the yasha ape then his mother

both at the ends of you guessed it

yujiro anma

if you're not tough enough to defeat him

the big bad wolf will eat your family

that is the lesson being taught here

at no point is this assessment turned

into an acknowledgment of failure

and our hero is always revolted and

invigorated by those deaths

that he seeks to avenge with righteous

anger

this shows one thing

in male power fantasies

violence is never normalized

rather it is always used either as a

tool to combat itself or as a method to

prepare for its inevitable occurrence

if baki characters fight it's not

because they like it

they simply understand that this is what

it takes to survive

[Music]

contending doesn't make one mean it

simply makes you normal

those that try to escape the cycle of

confrontation are the abnormal ones for

they seek to evade nature itself

in baghi everyone fights because

everyone lives unsheltered from reality

the members of the cast aren't cruel

they're simply competing against one

another to affirm their existence

the men that don't are really cured

often depicted pissing on themselves or

cowering away

an exaggeration that conveys a very

simple message

don't be a wimp

being weak isn't virtuous and it

certainly isn't a healthy identity to

cultivate

as a man that cannot defend himself will

soon see his self-respect with her away

and die

this type of aggressive normalization is

often decried as object bullying

when it is in fact an act of kindness

one that aims to guide men that have

started to believe that weakness could

be a strength

and who are suffering from it

too frequently men will compromise

masculinity by seeking to find in it the

aspects that should be shunned or taken

away

thus they try to only keep the nice and

ditch the mean which is exactly what a

work of deconstruction entails

to take apart a concept ignorant of the

fact that it was functioning precisely

because it was the sum of two parts

ancient masculinity wasn't toxic

it was whole

this is what made it great

if bucky is so efficient in sharing this

message

it's because it espouses every facet of

it

giving the reader a fantasized view of

what it means to be a man viabaci's

character arc

which at all times presents strength as

a virtuous trait to possess

the show highlights the time the hero

spends on becoming a man instead of

debating about what it means

as this reality cannot be told

only shown

this compels you to action

being a male isn't only about what you

are but also what you do

you are given the blueprints to

masculinity

now it's time to act on it or else will

stay a fantasy forever

and as you fully accomplish yourself and

your identity blooms you will in turn

become a male power fantasy for others

to follow

for our ancestors

our brothers and those to come

it is our duty

[Music]

[Music]

you