Anime guys with long hair, why the appeal?

I have been debating on this with my buddy Hayate, who is Bio major and very knowlegebal on Psychology, but we are undecided as to why the appeal of men in anime with long hair! I mean seriously, from Kenshin's red mop to Neji fluid Raven black hair to Shodaime Hokage's long hair, Byakuya's flowing black tresses (Hayate is Bleach fan, I'm not), Iruka's cool pony tail, Tsunade's boyfriend Dan with the silver long hair, and many more! You know, the cool pieces flying in the wind and that calm expressions! So appealing!!

Not just anime, and if you look at those ancient cultures, from ancient China (remember the movie 'Hero' and those flying black hair and sword fight?) to Japan to Ancient Greek, Celtic, Mongolian, India in the Vedic age, even cultures like the Minoans, ancient Egyptians (long hair for Egyptian man is the norm), etc etc.....they just look really cool with long hair on men! Plus the cultural clothing and everything!

Can people tell me why? I really want to know!

Anime guys with long hair, why the appeal?

Well, in the past throughtout even in the ancient past, men are often have long hair. The 'traditional' short hair for men and long hair for women are only a relatively modern tradition.

The 'traditional' short hair for men came from the Romans, which the modern 'tradition' of short hair for men and long hair for women came from.

The 'problem' with some 'anime guys with long hair' is that they have long hairs not for the same reason on why ancient men have long hairs, but instead for they have long hairs to be potrayed as feminine.

Kurama in Yu Yu Hakusho for example is know for his feminine look, eventhough he acted pretty masculine.

However not all of them are meant to be feminine looking, Fei from Xenogears is potrayed as mostly masculine looking, but he like many other pretty boys also have a feminine look.

As for appeal.

In the past and also today, men are actually not judged by how they look, but a well groomed is an indicate of wealth and care, which either can be an attractive or unattractive.

Anime guys with long hair, why the appeal?

Chicks dig dudes with long hair, why do you think Fabio is so popular?

Anime guys with long hair, why the appeal?

I don't know about the next person. For myself, I associate men's long hair with their strength and culture. I pull strength because of the story of Samson and Delilah. His strength was because of his hair. You hit the mark about long hair and ancient cultures.

You have to contribute the long hair to Japanese culture. If you noticed, a lot of the anime takes place or has backgrounds (implied) of an earlier time. Then you have also remember that its hard to make short haired heroes look suave (its not the word i want to use but i can't think of a better one). Short hair doesn't show fluid motions those characters are doing.

I hope that showed my perspective well.....

Anime guys with long hair, why the appeal?

ill tell u in 360 but heres a shorter version. maybe because they seem more mysterious, and alot of girls like that :)

Anime guys with long hair, why the appeal?

I don't know, but when you look at normal guys they all have the REALLY short hair, and long hair on a guy seems really romantic (it is not very acceptible in today's society). Most anime guys are good-looking to begin with, so with long hair they are gorgeous!

Anime guys with long hair, why the appeal?

um.. people believe that their hair is a crowning glory(and it does) thats why the longer the hair, the big of importance of it to the person. besides it is cool to have long hair

Anime guys with long hair, why the appeal?

I'm not sure myself. I think it's cool though. How guys in anime could put their hair in a braid or ponytail and still look handsome is just so...cool. It almost gives a romantic feeling sometimes if the guy has long hair and a calm, relaxed face. It's just so hard to explain the awesome-ness. lol

Anime guys with long hair, why the appeal?

The appeal? I just think they're more appealing. lol I like guys w/ shaggy hair but in anime their hair just looks so silky and smooth. lol Also, I always thought that back in ancient times... guys w/ long hair meant they had honor or something? idk... strange, yes... oh and Hayate sounds like a cool name, you tell him that. lol jk

Anime guys with long hair, why the appeal?

I think it's because of the culture. The hair has always been associated as the crowning glory of a person. Like those ancient people, they adorn their hairs with elaborate pieces which can also be associated to their rank in the community.

I think long hairs was just normal during those times. They have other things to think about other than cutting their hairs. Now that we are living in the modern world it has become a style which is only associated to ones preference and nothing else. Since these anime depicted mostly those ancient times of superpowers and the unknown, the makers adopted the hair style and make it look more fashionable.

Anime guys with long hair, why the appeal?

I think the appeal is to the point that women like long haired guys. In a sense, long hair is often thought of for womens' hair. If a guy has long hair, it may give the idea that he is sensitive, showing his femine side. That's all I can see from it. Just to let you know, I do not think that long hair is womanly in the least, however. Many people I know do. And I myself am a woman of very short hair.

Anime guys with long hair, why the appeal?

I dunno either...it's just soo...in your face lol...all shiny...I'm just soo tempted to play with it

Anime guys with long hair, why the appeal?

It might be because that MOST (not all, sadly) men with long hair are somewhat effeminate or somewhat androgynous in appearance. Look at the men you've mentioned. Don't they look, I don't know, at least one bit beautiful?

I read somewhere that women have this thing for guys who are effeminate and/or androgynous in someway. More testosterone means the "manlier" the man is, and while they may be fun flings and produce healthier offspring (lol), they're usually not good for long-term relationships. Men with more testosterone are shown to be more aggressive and get into more arguments and fights. However, men with less testosterone (looks less manly, sometimes leaning toward the feminine sex) are better for long-term relationships.

And face it. Most (if not all) bishonen (Japanese word translated into "beautiful boy") are attractive in one way or another. Look at Lee Jun Ki, or, Louise Hardwich.

Anime guys with long hair, why the appeal?

i think you covered it nicely.

i have never really thought about the appeal myself...it's difficult to say that there is an "attraction" to a cartoon.

i don't think that ALL anime characters look good with long hair. what i find to be even cooler, or more appealing than the hair are the piercing eyes, or the integrity that the character represents.