Summary
- Claymore's female cast adds depth and uniqueness to the dark fantasy anime landscape.
- Male Claymores were omitted due to unreliability in controlling powers.
- Claymore's approach to gender sparks online discussions over feminist representation.
Many things make Claymore a special action anime that fans continue to love, but one of the most eye-catching is how it uses a predominantly female cast. Claymore is one of the most popular dark fantasy anime of all time, with a story rich in lore and world-building. Claymore’s instantly recognizable protagonists are a great example of this.
On the face of it, the Claymores look like action anime staples – sword-wielding demon hunters akin to what you'd see in many popular anime. However, behind their cold demeanor and ruthless efficiency, is a menacing backstory that explains why there are only female Claymores left in action, while also highlighting the series' intriguing world.
Claymore: The Edgy Shonen That Anime Fans Might’ve Missed
Claymore might've flown under the radar when it was released in 2007, but a more faithful reboot of the series might get it the love it deserves.
Claymore: Beautiful Creatures Hiding Ugly Truths
In the popular gothic anime series, Claymore is a nickname given to the solitary beings that walk the lands and kill Yoma on behalf of the mysterious Organization. The name comes from the large swords they regularly carry, which resemble a real-world medieval sword of the same name.
The Claymore themselves are half-human, half-yoma hybrids created by the Organization and are usually referred to by their name or number. Their creation is a brutal process that highlights why Claymore is one of the darkest shonen anime ever made. Often purchased as orphans or children from impoverished families, the surgery to implant Yoma flesh is excruciatingly painful and leaves permanent incision marks on their skin, as well as causing their pale skin and hair.
"The Organization that makes our bodies like this and disposes of us like that after we're of no use… I cannot forgive them." Miria
Infused with the power of Yoma, Claymores are incredibly strong swordswomen who can tap into wells of strength to defeat powerful demons. However, releasing too much of that power can cause Claymores to lose control of their Yoma side and become superpowered demons known as Awakened Beings.
The Story of the Failed Male Claymores
While it’s true that all Claymores are women at the time of the story, this wasn’t historically the case. At the beginning of the Organization’s experiments, both male and female Claymores were created. In fact, there was little difference between Claymores of different genders; they were of similar strength and would work together when required. However, it was found that male Claymores were much more susceptible to losing control of their powers.
Male Weakness is the Cause of Omission in Claymore
The process of becoming an Awakened Being is supposed to be similar to sexual pleasure, and it was discovered that male Claymores were much less capable of avoiding crossing the point of no return than their female counterparts.
Because of their unreliability, male Claymores are no longer being created by the Organization at the time of the main story. However, the legacy of these early experiments is still felt in the series. Some of the anime’s most powerful antagonists, such as Isley, are former male Claymore.
Claymore’s Approach to Gender Fuels Online Discussion
The use of a primarily female cast is one of the most fascinating aspects of Claymore and generates a lot of discourse in the community. Many fans see the anime’s female protagonists as refreshingly feminist and ahead of its time. The characters largely avoid objectification, have normal relationships with others and are given room to develop as rounded characters, instead of being pigeonholed as attractive side-characters with romantic arcs as in many other action anime.
However, some argue that the story behind why there are no male Claymores is itself problematic, with the series suggesting that women naturally show more restraint and men struggle to resist their urges. No matter what side of the debate fans fall onto, all agree that Claymore offers something unique to the canon of dark fantasy anime, and the story behind its predominantly female cast is just one part of what makes this such a fascinating world.
- Release Date
- 2007 - 2007
- Directors
- Hiroyuki Tanaka
- Writers
- Yasuko Kobayashi
- Franchise(s)
- Claymore
Cast
-
Stephanie Young -
Cherami Leigh
- Creator(s)
- Norihiro Yagi
