Yume no California, Episode 6

The Actors

Rape-Huggist: Nomura Hironobu ♂
Rape-Huggee: Kuninaka Ryoko ♀


The Context
They both work at the same company, although she is a temp-worker who tries her hardest not to look like she hates her job. The two spark up a non-romantic relationship until he eventually asks her out. This event occurs after the date when she runs away when she reveals that she has been divorced. I'm not quite sure what the motivation was for the rape-hug, but I suspect the guy didn't know what else to do in that awkward moment - may as well make it as awkward as possible, right? And when the rape-hug wasn't bad enough, he tries to turn it into a kiss.
 

The Result

What did the five fingers say to the face? Glorious. Although really she should have slapped him before the hug. You know, you really have to be firm with Japanese people who are interested in you - men and women - because they just aren't used to hearing the word 'no'.

The Depiction

This is a classic night scene in a park, and the camera cuts back and forth with close-ups of their expressionless faces. I find it quite odd that a couple of low-angle shots are shown for no apparent dramatic or symbolic effect. I think even the director felt awkward when in the editing room so he just slapped all the shots together.

Awkwardometor ☆☆☆☆

While I definitely applaud the use of open-palm violence to combat rape-hug, the slap didn't actually result from - or punish the hug itself. But the reason for the awkwardness is the guy's complete inability to read the situation. First of all, usually when a woman is literally running away from you and you do run after her, chances are that she wants a little bit of distance. Then his words preceding his rape-hug are hardly the most romantic: "[knowing you're divorced] only makes me more interested in you". And then somehow after embracing a motionless human being, he thinks that trying to kiss it is a good idea. It's a tough watch, like seeing a skateboarder approach a set of stairs knowing you're watching a programme called "Stupid People Getting Hit in the Nuts".

Video
To truly appreciate just how long a short scene can be, take a look at the video. Also, note how when the guy leans in for the kiss, the intrumental version of California Dreaming jumps in. I don't quite know how this song was relevant to this dorama (apart from a flimsy conversation that worked it into the storyline), but I like the harmonica wailing out the tune as she runs away.  

Manhatta Love Story, Episode 3 - Double Header!

The Actors
Rape-Huggist: Funakoshi Eiichiro ♂
Rape-Huggee: (prob.) Morimoto Yuko ♀

The Context

As can be gleaned from the above GIF, this is a meta-rape-hug as this is a small scene on TV within the dorama. So within the vacuum of the meta-dorama there is no context. But again, the one small snippet they show of a fake dorama just so happens to be of a rape-hug. In this, the male character is actually playing himself in this dorama as a famous actor, on the other side of the TV screen in the father of the female victim.

The Result

Predictably, the father watching his daughter get ravaged on TV gets angry tries to break it up, which only makes his daughter get angry at him for butting into her career.

The Depiction

This is a rear-attack, and a prolongued attack from the technically difficult kneeling position. It is made especially creepy by the end part where he sniffs her hair. 

Some may argue that this scene errs more on the rape-side than the hug side, but since this is a dorama for all the family, it stands as is. 

Awkwardometor ☆☆☆☆
I don't know about other people, but watching this makes me very uncomfortable. Actually, I do know about other people who are Japanese - they're immune to seeing things like this. That's why I believe that rape-hugs are a gateway rape. In this scene the female even tells him to stop as he keeps rubbing and grabbing at her as if it's turning him on even more. I understand that this scene is supposed to add humour watching the father go insane, but wouldn't it be funnier if, instead of her being sexually assaulted, if his daughter was being a total slut? Just a thought. 

Video
Watch the reaction of the father as he realises what he seeing on TV, and another character trying to tell him to calm down as it's only acting. On the one hand, his reaction is the correct on, but the overall message from the dorama is defintely not.

 

 No.2

The Actors
Rape-Huggist: Matsuo Suzuki ♂
Rape-Huggee: Morishita Aiko ♀

The Context

This is an extremely complex dorama in the pretty much every character at some point falls in love with another character (and by extension, rape-hugs). This particular trist is of one such doomed relationship where they have an argument outside the cafe. Then she says "What do you want?" and apparently the correct answer is a rape-hug.

The Result

Still in just the third episode it's a doomed relationship, but it leads to some extra drama as another character oversees them. It's not quite explained why he is creepily spying on them from behind a telephone pole, but they're got 42 minutes to fill every episode dammit!

The Depiction 

There's not much to say here, as the focus isn't really on the rape-hug, but rather on the fact it is being spied-on. The are no cuts and no real reactions shown as the camera zooms out on the lifeless hug to the profile of a downtrodden character standing alone in the dark.

Awkwardometor ☆☆

This is a rather bland depiction of rape-huggery, and feels almost like A) he only did it to make her shut up, and B) she was actually inviting it. Yes, that is what all rape-huggists say, but in this case she is being cute-angry, stands in close range and coyly starts rearranging her shawl within arm's reach. This is not condoning his actions, but rather condemning hers for accepting it without reciprocating. Alternatively, if she didn't want it, she could have shrugged him off. We need answers!

Video
Here's a video of one of the most boring rape-hugs you will ever see.

BONUS!

This gem was from the popular sit-com Modern Family Season 2 (episode 14) and demonstrates the vast cultural divide between the East and West when it comes to rape-huggery. Let's outline some of the main differences and why the depiction of this rape-hug was not only okay, but funny.

First, let's outine the general gist of the above scene. The fat guy, Cameron, has come to see his boyfriend at the office. He suspects the receptionist - the guy in the white shirt - to have a crush on his boyfriend so he makes sure to show off some affection. Then, on the way down in the elevator, the receptionist attacks Cameron.

Difference no 1
In this scene the victim is completely unaware of the imminent rape-hug. See, in Japanese Doramas, you know a rape-hug is coming like a shark smelling blood. This eliminates any of the surprise elements which may result in genuine emotion - or in this case humour. See, when you know there is a rape-hug right around the corner, just by sitting there and passively watching you almost become implicit in the crime. It's like bullying - doing nothing is just as bad as being the one who drew a penis on that nerd's forehead. That's why the mission of J-Dorama Rape-hugs was started.

Difference no 2
The rape-huggist knows that what he is doing is wrong. As seen in the gif above, he is shaking his head right before he lunges, and he also whispers "Please don't hate me". This is societal awareness that uninvited touching is a bad thing. Japanese doramas on the other hand glorify rape-hugs.

Difference no 3
It's a rarity. I watch a lot of TV and movies, and rape-hugs don't come around all that often in American TV. This is the first rape-hug in Modern Family - which means it took 38 episodes. Even accounting for the half-hour format, a Japanese dorama running for 19 hours with some unwanted hugs is just unfathomable. It cannot be fathomed! No-one could possibly ever try to fathom it!



Ah, cultural differences. Some may say I'm being ignorant, but I would like to end by quoting Bill Maher:

I know a whole generation has been raised on the notion of multiculturalism; that all civilizations are just different. No! Not always. Sometimes things are better! Rule of law is better than autocracy and theocracy; equality of the sexes, better; protection of minorities, better; free speech, better; free elections, better; free appliances with large purchases, better! Don't get so tolerant that you tolerate intolerance.

I would like to add to that that regular hugs are better than rape-ones. And no, that doesn't mean that I condone those hippies with those "free hug" badges, because hugs should not only be wanted, but they should also be earned.

Hotaru no Hikari, Episode 8

The Actors

Rape-Huggist: Ayase Haruka ♀
Rape-Huggee: Kato Kazuki ♂

The Context

These two have been dating for a few episodes and have carefully followed the J-dorama relationship curve. 

• They are awkward together
• He 'proclaims his love'
• They hold hands and go to the amusement park
• He kisses her while she imitates a mannequin

Then he jumps the gun and asks her to move in with him. She eventually agrees and the rape-hug scene comes when they are looking for an apartment. By "they are looking for an apartment" I mean "he decides the apartment and announces it to her because she doesn't have an opinion". She was extremely worried about the fact that she likes to wear jerseys at home, and when he tells her that despite her love for wearing jerseys he still wants to move in with her - she strikes with that rape-hug.

The Result

They do move in together, but because their relationship is so perfect and so polite you know it will never work out. I guess it should be a hint when the only real emotion that is shown is expressed by rape-hug, you're in trouble.

The Depiction

The room is sparse and the light streams in through the apartment window. She drops her head and runs three pathetic steps toward the light/her boyfriend, and dips her head, nestling it in his armpit upon impact. 

It's quite disturbing too that A) she has to make a run-up to hug him and B) that he totem-poles himself. I mean, he just said something very sweet to her so he should be expecting a hug. Also, he is facing her and she sucks at running. He could at least raise his hands to stop his girlfriend from being a rape-huggist.

Awkwardometor ☆☆
I don't know which of the two is more awkward. On the one hand, she is completely justified in hugging him but turns it into something weird, but on the other hand he asked her to move in with him yet he doesn't have the balls to reciprocate a measly hug.


Video
Rape-hugs really are a litmus test for bad acting. Firstly, any actor with an ounce of dignity would steer clear of them - or at least find that rare context where it works. Here in this tiny 8 second clip is all you need to know about the acting performances in this series. [Note: Ayase Haruka won awards for this role. Awards! How?]

First Love, Episode 1

The Actors

Rape-Huggist:  Fukuda Kyoko ♀
Rape-Huggee: Watanabe Atsuro ♂


The Context

As you can see in the above GIF, she is in school uniform and he is not. The reason he isn't in school uniform is because he is the teacher. 

This scene is a flashback from several years earlier which moves the entire dorama. She is a quiet student who falls in love with her teacher and this is the moment that she makes her move. They are in a secluded part of school presumably at lunchtime (I presume that it is exam season because the gymnasium is deserted).

The Result

He reciprocates the rape-hug and kisses her back, which would be awesome if he wasn't her teacher. Another student witnesses the event and because he is such a popular teacher she attempts to commit suicide which forces the teacher to "take responsibility" and hand in his letter of resignation and disappear out of her life without saying goodbye.

For those scoring at home, there are several extremely Japanese things about the above paragraph:

1. A relationship between a student and teacher - a disturbingly popular theme in J-doramas.
2. Someone attempting to commit suicide
3. Someone else claiming responsibility simply by leaving their job
4. Someone breaking off a relationship simply by leaving
            - this is heightened by a 'running alongside the train' scene, which is completely ridiculous in a country where a train leaves every 8 minutes.
5. The rape-hug

The dorama continues on several years later when he reappears in her life as the fiancee of her sister.

The Depiction

The rape-hug is definitely in the 'Praying Mantis Style' where the aggressor remains very still until she lunges.  This is where it gets weird. He - and remember - he is a teacher who should immediately bat off any advances from students, instead embraces that awkard moment. He gives a face as if he just creamed his breifs, moves his hand creepily onto her bra-strap-area, puts his hands stiffly on her shoulders like a boxing trainer between the 11th and 12th rounds and leans in for a pathetic closed-mouth kiss. I mean, if you're going to break the law and lose you job, you may as well make it worth your while.

Awkwardometor ☆☆☆☆

This is a strange situation where the fact that both parties are willing participants it does not mitigate the awkwardness of the situation. The dorama tries to present this event (shown in flashback form in most episodes) as a blossoming of first love, when in reality it is about the childish female crush-turned-obsession and a morally weak man. That, and the very long-drawn out scene makes this an easy 4-star rape-hug.

It's such a shame, but Fukuda Kyoko is seemily always cast as someone with extremely unhealthy or depraved sexual attractions. Here she macks onto her teacher, in Strawberry on the Shortcake she falls in love with her step-brother, in Kamisama Mou Sukoshi Dake she is a fan of a 40-year-old music producer and sleeps with him despite being 17 (and having AIDS and getting pregnant), and in Friends she commits the biggest relationship sin a Japanese person could do: fall in love with a Korean.
[I kid. Actually, Friends is probably the best romance Japanese Dorama I have seen - possibly because it is half made by Korean directors/actors/etc.]

Video
As the entire scene was too long for the one GIF, you may want to see the scene in all it's entirety including the reciprocal kiss - you know, in the interest of journalistic integrity.

Ikebukuro West Park Gate, Episode 1

The Actors

Rape-Huggist: Kato Ai ♀
Rape-Huggee: Nagase Tomoya ♂

The Context

This is that all-too-familiar situation where you have your eye on someone but their best friend is throwing themself at you. In this situation, he likes her best friend who is much prettier (at least in the world of J-doramas) and has just called his cellphone. Feeling that her opportunity is slipping Kato Ai grabs away his phone and makes a close-range hug-attack followed by a sloppy kiss.

The Result

As seen in the GIF, he momentarily engages her before throwing her off in a manner similar to when your older brother tosses his dirty laundry on your face.However, later on in the series they do end up together.

Also - and this is definitely a spoiler although I stupidly wasn't aware at the time - her best friend ends up being killed later on in this episode. Yeah, that's the difference between men and women. When two guys like the same girl one will step down honorably, but when two girls like the same man it's a fight to the death.

The Depiction

The moment of impact is only shown for an instant as the shot quickly changes to her attempt to kiss him. Both of their faces are highlighted although there is absolutely no expression in either of their face - primarily because Japanese people still haven't learnt about the open-mouth kiss. A nice touch is when he throws her off, it is shown from a low angle to make him look brooding and tough. Yeah, he doesn't take any crap from anyone even if that crap is a girl hopelessly and completely throwing herself at him.

Awkwardometor ☆☆
A large part of the awkwardness of a rape-hug is the reaction of the victim, and this guy is simply too tough to care. And in fact, their relationship over the next few episodes is relatively normal as they search for the murderer, and they do begin dating. So, I guess her strategy worked?


Video
Watch the above scene followed by him scolding her for her misbehaviour, and for all her talk of sex and giving him presents. I'm starting to think that this character isn't a very realistic portrayal of a male human being, or perhaps due to seeing so many rape-hugs I have lost all faith in humanity.
 

Haikei, Chichiue-sama, Episode 9

The Actors

Rape-Huggist: Morikami Chie ♀
Rape-Huggee: Ninomiya Kazunari ♂


The Context

 

They are coworkers at a Japanese style restaurant. He is a junior chef and she is a waitress who is at least 15 years his senior and has a child. After a round of post-work heavy drinking, she is completely drunk and he is left to take her home. He finally gets her home, drags her inside and tries to put her to bed. Now, this is a classic rookie mistake - or perhaps a reality only seen on television. Once you get someone home who is that drunk, you'd probably take them into the bathroom first, or dump them ontop of the bed and try to feed them a glass of water. You don't pull up the sheets. Because, I guess that was her cue to rape-hug'n kiss him. But really this is basically the depiction of attempted rape - and he says so in a voiceover as he leaves the apartment.

The Result

He feels very dirty about it, but there is no mention of the event between them when they show up at work the next day, and the event is soon forgotten about.

The Depiction

As mentioned above, there is such a fine-line here between rape-hug and legitimate rape. The ordeal is papered-over quickly enough, but could you imagine how disturbing this would be if the gender roles were reversed?

Awkwardometor ☆
This is - no doubt - an extremely awkward scene. Although not explicitly mentioned, he seems to be a 22-year old virgin who is completely smitten with another girl, so although douchebag males would probably joke that they would love for this to happen to then, to him this was not a welcome surprise. But the portrayal of rape-hug in Haikei Chichiuesama is surprisingly self-aware for a Japanese dorama, and that is all we strive for at JDRH. 



Video
From the GIF, it may be difficult to ascertain who is attacking who especially since he is the one who lifts up the bedsheets, but the video clears leaves any trace of doubt behind.