Representasi Androgini dalam Tokusatsu Kamen Rider Gavv

Analisis Semiotika Charles Sanders Peirce

Abstract

This study examines the representation of androgyny in the character Jiip in the tokusatsu series Kamen Rider Gavv. Androgyny refers to a condition in which masculine and feminine traits are integrated within a single individual, and in the case of Jiip this integration is reflected in both physical appearance and speech style. This study aims to explain how visual and linguistic elements used in the characterisation of Jiip represent the concept of androgyny based on Charles Sanders Peirce's theory of semiotics. A descriptive qualitative approach was employed, with data collected by observing the series and recording visual elements as well as Jiip's use of sentence-final particles (shuujoshi). The data were analysed through Peirce's semiotic triad, namely representamen, object, and interpretant. The results show that Jiip's androgynous representation appears in two main aspects. Visually, Jiip is depicted with long hair, dresses and skirts, and soft body movement, while still retaining sharp facial features associated with masculinity. Linguistically, Jiip frequently uses feminine sentence-final particles such as no (の) and ne (ね) to express confusion, disappointment, and desire. Although biologically male, Jiip adopts a feminine speech style, while his role as an antagonist also displays assertive and forceful traits typically coded as masculine. The study concludes that Jiip represents androgyny through the interplay of visual and linguistic elements, reflecting the freedom of individuals to express themselves beyond conventional gender boundaries in contemporary Japanese society.