r/hatethissmug • u/iseedeadllamas • Sep 16 '26

Gaming I hate this stupid ass knock kneed idle stance that plagues fighting games

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EDIT: for the love of god people read the last paragraph in regard to toph being part of the images. Reading comprehension is a valuable skill.

Both of the first two characters are from granblue but there are plenty of other examples.

The latter being Meg which is particularly egregious because she’s supposed to be this super strong badass shark tamer fighter.

The stance is just poor form. It’s not sturdy, irl you could be pushed over with a light push. It’d be hard to generate any power in your strikes.

On top of that the stance is just there because they are pretty girls, as far as I’m aware there is not a single male character using this dumbass idle pose. Imagine if they gave ryu the knock kneed stance for the next SF game.

My last example is toph from the avatar fighting game as a good example of a fighting stance from a female fighter. She has a low square stance that is rock solid (pun intended)

10.2k Upvotes
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697

u/StankoMicin Sep 16 '26

Pretty sure this is a Japanese cultural trope that goes back centuries. It is supposed to represent femininity or something.

Still looks stupid af in my non-Japanese opinion but whatever

409

u/Embarrassed_Fox5265 Sep 16 '26

Cute clumsy girls in fighting games was such a huge trope in Japan that Arcsys decided to mock the trope by creating Bridget.

Yes, THAT Bridget.

130

u/omegon_da_dalek13 Sep 16 '26

And then bombard the player with many a sexy humanoid , especially the dandy vampire man

69

u/Arguably_Based Sep 16 '26

That's its own troll because he's loyally married.

28

u/omegon_da_dalek13 Sep 16 '26

Sadly yes......but one if hisapprentices is free.......assuming he can escape elphelt

12

u/Gaming_Forehead Sep 16 '26

With Elphelt pressure? He's as good as taken...

4

u/whatthefuckluna Sep 17 '26

Not anymore, one well timed 6p and you get your turn back

2

u/EnderJoker77 Sep 16 '26

With another immortal so none of us will ever get a chance

119

u/IvanYYvanI Sep 16 '26

The shiggy wiggy

40

u/Annihilator_Of_Walls Sep 16 '26

Ok what the fuck is that

42

u/HadokenShoryuken2 Sep 16 '26

It’s whimsy, that’s what it is. She just be dancin

1

u/This-Insect-5692 Sep 17 '26

I dont know fighting games but I think that character is supposed to be a guy?

22

u/Vegetable_Turn_539 Sep 17 '26

She's trans (MtF)

6

u/This-Insect-5692 Sep 17 '26

Well I don't know the character since I dont play fighting games, but I know in Japanese games they often do femboy characters that dress like girls. That is what it looked for me instantly lol

19

u/Kay_Tonbey Sep 17 '26

Originally yes, but the plot of the most recent game is her discovering herself and coming out as trans.

10

u/BuckLuny Sep 17 '26

Good for her,

2

u/throwyeppers 26d ago

Wtf I thought the plot was she got really hungry and ate an entire town in one sitting.

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-4

u/notyetcosmonaut 29d ago

Yeah. It’s a guy. Had to be disguised as a girl so he didn’t get killed for whatever reason.

4

u/IvanYYvanI 29d ago

Don't start with this shit

30

u/RylanRabbit Sep 16 '26

What the fuck don't you get?

8

u/Annihilator_Of_Walls Sep 16 '26

I mean I’m agreeing that this is ridiculous

47

u/Craving_Suckcess Sep 16 '26

it's guilty gear, so it's intentionally ridiculous. If that affects anything

She attacks people with I believe primarily a yo-yo and her butt.

39

u/_b-jia Sep 16 '26

She only uses her butt on 6H (god I hate that I know that)

11

u/WesternFirm9306 Sep 17 '26

Why hate it? It'd only be weird if you knew this but don't play the game.

You... you play the game... right? (￣ヘ￣;)

3

u/IIHOSGOW Sep 17 '26

More gg 'fans' are larpers than have actually played it atp lol

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4

u/Careless_Ad2194 Sep 17 '26

thats like the bridget move tho

-1

u/[deleted] Sep 17 '26

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5

u/Lord_of_Seven_Kings Sep 17 '26

She’s canonically a trans woman.

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2

u/hatethissmug-ModTeam Sep 17 '26

No slurs, hate speech, and other such bigoted language is to be permitted in this sub.

2

u/hatethissmug-ModTeam Sep 17 '26

No slurs, hate speech, and other such bigoted language is to be permitted in this sub.

15

u/HadokenShoryuken2 Sep 16 '26

Don’t forget the giant teddy bear command grab

0

u/Annihilator_Of_Walls Sep 16 '26

…ok
Uh yeah alright

9

u/SmoothDiscussion7763 Sep 16 '26

its a yoyo/ripsaw/teddy bear hybrid

2

u/gamerz1172 27d ago

Ok but honorary mention for when the designers know a character's stance and or design is stupid so they go all in on the stupid rather then try and play it off or something

2

u/IcySilver6251 Sep 17 '26

From what game?

1

u/Foxthefox1000 29d ago

And now they just played it straight

-4

u/[deleted] Sep 16 '26

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0

u/hatethissmug-ModTeam Sep 17 '26

No slurs, hate speech, and other such bigoted language is to be permitted in this sub.

56

u/Atlove01 Sep 16 '26

Yeah, I’ve noticed anime tends to love having its female characters stand pigeon-toed. Not sure the WHY behind it, but I see it often enough to know it’s definitely intentional design.

41

u/XishengTheUltimate Sep 16 '26

It's just a Japanese culture thing. It's considered cute and feminine. Not much different than other completely arbitrary things that other cultures make up to define femininity, like thigh gaps or big lips or certain behaviors.

28

u/umlaut-overyou Sep 16 '26

It's likely because when wearing traditional clothes you want to not take steps that cause the clothes to open up at the fold, and the fabric isn't stretchy, so you have to take smaller steps or angle your feet and knees so that your knees stay closer together while allowing you to maximize your stride.

-7

u/lunareclipsed1 Sep 16 '26

The average Japanese person doesn't wear traditional clothing enough for it to affect how they move in normal clothes though. Someone from a very traditional household might, but most only wear them for special occasions or not at all.

26

u/umlaut-overyou Sep 16 '26

I'm talking about why it became a trope originally, like why it became a "cute" thing. It's one of those weird little anachronisms

15

u/SlippyDippyTippy2 Sep 16 '26

Like how everyone in Korea pours drinks like this, even though they rarely have hanbok sleeves to hold back

10

u/endlessnamelesskat Sep 17 '26

It’s why we shake hands, it’s a symbolic gesture to show you aren’t currently trying to stab someone with your sword and the handshake is proof you’re unarmed

2

u/arto64 Sep 17 '26

I thought that was what waving was.

2

u/hendergle Sep 17 '26

Is that also why you see them hold their hands below their cups when taking a drink?

5

u/lunareclipsed1 Sep 16 '26

I see I misinterpreted then, my bad

1

u/greatestunderstandin 29d ago

The why is misogyny

1

u/TankMain576 Sep 16 '26

Sexism sexism sexism sexism

1

u/InstantSword Sep 17 '26

There is actually logic to it. Many women do stand with knees pointed slightly inward. Many men stand somewhat bow legged too. I forgot the reason but it's anatomical

0

u/Notte_di_nerezza Sep 17 '26

Even as a teenager, Naruto drove me crazy with this. Why is Sakura, the top Kunoichi in their class, standing in such a stupid way? Even after the time skip, after Tsunade trained her into a taijutsu powerhouse?

Oh, it's culturally cute, and Kishi had already said he doesn't know how to draw cute girls? Of course.

https://giphy.com/gifs/Vn53Jw9OINsWF6Rrpt

-1

u/Traditional_Soup9685 Sep 16 '26

I remember hearing its become associated with femininity because your knees bow inwards after years and years and years of kneeling.

97

u/Gabriel-Donovan Sep 16 '26

Yeah but its kind of hot so whatever

42

u/ISketchDinosaurs Sep 16 '26

It look like knee pain.

7

u/ricki692 Sep 17 '26

high heels are considered hot and im sure they must hurt too

0

u/ISketchDinosaurs Sep 17 '26

I mean, i think that if you willingly tried to fight monsters and villains in high heels, you'd probably look pretty stupid, too.

POSSIBLY you would look REALLY badass, in the same way that you'd look really badass if you kicked ass while doing the three legged race or tied your hands behind your back or something. Voluntary handicaps can make you look very cool. They just probably won't.

4

u/gamerz1172 27d ago

My dream female character design is a lady who fights in high heels who will take them off for fights they believe are serious or dangerous

2

u/ISketchDinosaurs 27d ago

Th equivalent to boss music lol

5

u/Necessary-Crow1892 Sep 16 '26

It looks stupid but knee pain doesn't make sense?

7

u/ISketchDinosaurs Sep 16 '26

It'll make sense once you stand like that in combat.

-1

u/TalkingRaccoon Sep 17 '26

Turn 40 first

0

u/Estrogonofe1917 Sep 17 '26

i'm still almost a decade from 40 and my knees sound like a kindling fire for a good entire second if i squat too low, i get the knee pain comment

45

u/sugarpopkitty Sep 16 '26

gng genuinely how

39

u/RX-HER0 Sep 16 '26 edited Sep 16 '26

Because it accentuates the curves of the female form. Isn't that obvious?

26

u/sugarpopkitty Sep 16 '26

wouldnt a woman who knew what she was doing be hotter

27

u/RX-HER0 Sep 16 '26

To some. Others just wanna see a flattering pose tho

2

u/Foxthefox1000 29d ago

Irl this pose would kill a woman to be doing constantly lol

1

u/RX-HER0 29d ago

IRL most fighting game moves are also impossible.

4

u/Healthy_Agent_100 Sep 17 '26

Different strokes for different folks

1

u/2w0be Sep 17 '26

That's why there's a thing called preference

16

u/Ae3qe27u Sep 16 '26

How does it accentuate curves? It's just knees pointed weirdly inwards. Like I'm not seeing whatever you're seeing

19

u/RX-HER0 Sep 16 '26

The knees pointing inward causes the legs and hips to curve together, into one big arc. In the first two examples OP posted, start at the waist, and trace your eyes all the way down to the knee, to see what I mean.

16

u/Am_i_banned_yet__ Sep 16 '26 edited Sep 16 '26

What would be hotter is a woman who looks like she knows how to fight

24

u/Backupusername Sep 16 '26

I'm not going to pretend Spike Spiegel isn't based, but we also have to acknowledge that he isn't exactly a representative of the mainstream opinion.

2

u/RX-HER0 Sep 16 '26

To you, sure. But most anime gooners ( like myself ) appreciate design decisions like this lmao

1

u/Actual_Aioli Sep 16 '26

Lame as fuck lol

-5

u/Sopadefideos9 Sep 16 '26

you sound proud

15

u/RX-HER0 Sep 16 '26

I'm just honest!

1

u/hanotak Sep 16 '26

No. It makes them look like they have a skeletal disorder.

4

u/RX-HER0 Sep 17 '26

This is just flat-out incorrect. Any art major can tell you that.

-1

u/hanotak Sep 17 '26

I said 'look like', not 'must have'. It's like seeing someone hyperextending a joint or walking on the knuckles of their toes. It's possible to do, but it looks off-putting when used as an idle.

3

u/RX-HER0 Sep 17 '26

That’s not what I mean. I’m saying that any art major would agree with me, that the pose is designed to, and does hiighlight the female form.

Practicality or comfort are a different topic.

-2

u/hanotak Sep 17 '26

It makes them look like they have a skeletal disorder.

They look like crabs

2

u/RX-HER0 Sep 17 '26

They look like women in a cutesy stance.

0

u/gaspronomib Sep 17 '26

But it also makes a woman look like she has some kind of congenital skeletal issue. That could make her less attractive to potential mates who are unconsciously selecting for genetic robustness.

2

u/RX-HER0 Sep 17 '26

I suppose I agree. It could make a character like that.

Ultimately, it's public opinion that decides which designs are good or bad. In that regard, the general fighting game audience generally likes this design trope, which is why it's prevalent.

1

u/Foxthefox1000 29d ago

I don't think there's that much of an opinion on it actually. It's just kind of been accepted coming from Japanese studios.

Mortal Kombat doesn't do this and no one complains. Just think no one cares that much

1

u/RX-HER0 29d ago

It’s more like those games appeal to different people, who naturally prefer different things.

No one complains ( save for OP lmao ) because everyone knows that instead of trying to change a game YOU don’t like but OTHERS do, you should just find a game you do like.

5

u/[deleted] Sep 16 '26

[deleted]

3

u/Metaldoorwithagun Sep 16 '26

I always knew there was something wrong with the male gays!!!

13

u/Sinocu Sep 16 '26

When I'm in the "make stuff up to paint others as evil" competition and my opponent is u/SpaceCorvette:

6

u/ElessarKhan Sep 16 '26

They're right though. Another commentor said its a "cute and clumsy" look. And, as a huge weeb, I agree. So either the 3 of us are having the same delusions, or you're on the wrong here.

You get similar poses in fan service scenes, often featuring sexualized clutzy girls. Jojo characters do it pretty often.

There are variations, like sometimes the clumsy part is heavily reduced in favor of overt sexuality.

8

u/Sinocu Sep 16 '26

I'm not saying it's not sexualized to look clumsy, but I'm calling out the wording of their message, it's written in a way that provokes others and incites anger and hate

0

u/ElessarKhan Sep 16 '26

Women live with the oppression of the patriarchy effecting like half the aspects of their lives from a very young age. It seems a little overbearing at times but its totally understandable if you try. It sounds angry because it is angry, and rightfully so.

4

u/Sinocu Sep 16 '26

It's not rightful, you can't just be angry at half of the population for existing, that's not how the world should work, it's quite concerning actually

2

u/shnn_twt Sep 16 '26

Calling out misogyny and men getting off of women being portrayed as weak, dumb, oversexualized and clueless isn't inciting hatred. Male gaze is a real phenomenon. Misogynistic portrayals of women are common. Men oversexualizing women is common. Art reflects culture and vice versa. Men enjoy shit like this, it's for their consumption. Women don't. Women want to see capable female characters who act normal, fight normal and who aren't portrayed like caricatures of femininity.

We're reached a point where calling out sexism and weird as fuck degrading and patronizing attitudes towards women is labeled as bigotry, somehow.

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u/ElessarKhan Sep 16 '26

Its not "for existing"

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u/youngoli Sep 16 '26

Also a bit of a weeb and seconding that it's 100% a stance they use for "clumsy and cute" characters. I've never seen it used in any way that's ever meant to be cool or empowering.

7

u/Sinocu Sep 16 '26

Sure, but the wording of their message is purposely done that way to incite hate, you can say the same thing with different words

2

u/sievold Sep 16 '26

u/SpaceCorvette did not word it in a way to incite hatred. They were being 100% factual and accurate. You got bothered by literal facts and literally incited hate with your comment literally tagging u/SpaceCorvette

3

u/Sinocu Sep 16 '26

"No, u"

1

u/sievold Sep 16 '26

But they are not making stuff up. That is how the knees of a damsel in distress female character are posed right before they scream "YAAAAAAA" or "Taskette"

8

u/CelsoBits Sep 16 '26

Just typing shit

2

u/One-Secretary-2403 Sep 16 '26

mfs when tops:

0

u/StankoMicin Sep 16 '26

Everyone has their yum i suppose

It looks to silly to be hot imo

0

u/sievold Sep 16 '26

Does it?

6

u/SaIemKing Sep 17 '26

Real women in japan will stand knock kneed to appear cuter and ruin their gait. (this is not common)

2

u/Unbundle3606 Sep 17 '26

I'd say it's a "shy/modesty" stance. With the knees as close together as possible.

They draw them with revealing clothes that follow every crease of the Venus Mound for the male gaze, but then they try to compensate with the pose without actually covering anything. With a proper stance and those skintight leggings one would expect a very wide and inappropriate camel toe.

You can see that Toph has very different, sensible clothes on.

2

u/sillygoose1220 Sep 17 '26

Karate stance

1

u/StankoMicin Sep 17 '26

I used to do Karate and did this stance plenty of times.

The OP is NOT Karate lol

2

u/sillygoose1220 Sep 17 '26

yeah lol I'm kinda trolling cus it looks similar, cus this stance only works if you're facing the opponent

2

u/guyrandom2020 Sep 17 '26

It is indeed a femininity trope, but the trope began in 1930 after Meiji restoration. The habit of doing that prior to the 1930s was not a trope per se; instead, it was a necessity from the clothes and shoes women wore. So to put it in another way, if they had fighting games with women characters fighting back then, they probably wouldn’t be depicted with that stance, unless they were wearing kimonos.

2

u/Red-Zaku- Sep 17 '26

Still feels weird, since we can go back to plenty of Japanese fighting games like the classic Street Fighters, Virtua Fighter, the original run of Tekken games, Soul Edge-Blade-Calibur series, and see plenty of women standing with stances that look like fighting stances. This feels more like a cheap anime trope than some deep tradition.

3

u/LughCrow Sep 16 '26

The way they are encouraged to sit from a young age warps their legs as they grow.

Possess like this are designed to exaggerate the effect.

This isn't a correction just additional context.

From my understanding it rarely actually causes issues thar impacts daily life but this is why it's associated with femininity

1

u/mijo_sq Sep 17 '26

Seiza is the sitting term. And sitting for too long will cause pigeon toe.. and martial arts seem to encourage seiza from a young age..
My kid takes karate currently, and they do lots of seiza sitting

0

u/[deleted] Sep 17 '26

[deleted]

2

u/LughCrow Sep 17 '26

Good thing i didn't mention it doing that?

1

u/Economy-Towel9451 Sep 17 '26

Wrong rely apologies 

1

u/LittleMageEatSpaget Sep 17 '26

its sanchin-dachi real fighting stance

1

u/johnnyanderen Sep 17 '26

Avatar is based on Chinese tradition

1

u/StankoMicin Sep 17 '26

Also heavily inspired by Japanese anime. But I'd hardly call Toph's stance the same as the first two

1

u/IlREDACTEDlI Sep 16 '26 edited Sep 16 '26

Maybe I’m wrong but isn’t it caused by kneeling a lot as kids?

Edit: forgot the word kneeling lmao