Have you voted?

Tomorrow is the midterm election in the United States, where the majority of AniFem’s staff is located. So what does that have to do with anime?

Well, to quote Anime Herald’s Samantha Ferreira:

Now, let me ask you a question: Have you ever watched a show like Crest of the Stars and wondered why nobody thought to fight back against the Abh? Have you ever sat, incredulous, and questioned how Shimoneta’s oppressive future world, where people wear shock collars to keep their impulses in check, could come to pass? Do you ever wonder why people would allow the atrocities of the World Government in One Piece, or Saber Marionette J‘s Gartlant empire?

Tell me if any of these sound familiar:

“I’m busy.”

“I have a job career to worry about.”

“I have a family.”

“There are more important things to worry about.”

“It’ll work itself out.”

“I’m just one person.”

“It doesn’t affect me.”

While the settings I’ve discussed are fictional, they share remarkable parallels to the world we live in today.

Escape through media is important, but so is action. Discussion of feminist-relevant topics in media is meaningless if one turns away from the ways they can help on a fundamental, legislative level.

So tomorrow, if you’re able to: vote. Vote to protect the oppressed from the overreaches of a fascist government, the kind we’ve cheered to see overthrown in hundreds of anime.

• As with our trans talk post, feel free to use the comments as a way to share some good escapist recommendations as we all wait for results.
• Share resources for any folks who might be having difficulty getting to the polls.
• Non-US readers, thank you for bearing with us—please feel free to share safety and/or action resources for your homes as well!

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