by J. A. Stier

Created on: May 20, 2008

If you define anthro as meaning anthropomorphic and follow the definition according to the dictionary as "ascribing human form or attributes to a being or thing not human, esp. to a deity" or "resembling or made to resemble a human form" then no, people who draw anthropomorphic characters are not fetishists.

If, however, you define anthro as relating to the "Furry Fandom" subculture, one can not separate its history from that of "furverts" (a conjunction of "furry" and "pervert") who are a specific subgroup of the subculture that draw, write about, or otherwise portray human-animal hybrids in sexual intercourse or in states of arousal. Most often this takes the form of either anatomically correct or exaggerated cat-human hybrids, fox-human hybrids, or mythical creatures (such as dragons, griffins or phoenixes) made more human then is traditional "yiffing" which is a subculture-specific word meaning having sex.

Because the Furry Fandom subculture is largely self produced, as opposed to similar Anime, Comic Book, Specific Movie or Television Series Fandoms, these "furverts" can not be declared non cannon, as can people who draw characters from the above mentioned fandoms in sexual acts can be, since there is no authority authorized to decree what is and is not legitimate Furry Fandom. Thus "furverts" have experienced more prominence within their chosen fandom then their fetishist counterparts in others.

In addition, a large appeal of the Furry Fandom is the expression of human emotions as animalistic and primitive through portrayal of animal-human crossbreeds caught up in that exact emotion. Rage is popular, depictions of Furry battle scenes can be found set anywhere from far in the past, with swords and shields and armor, to far in the future, with lasers set aboard space ships. Lust is often shown as well in not-quite-bestial depictions of humanized animals in the heat of passion.

Rarely can one attend a Furcon, a convention of people dedicated to the Furry Fandom, without their attention at some point being drawn to a concealed, X-rated art showing requiring proof of age to enter. Although these showings can include legitimate art depicting nude hybrids, often the intention is to serve as, to be blunt, porn.

So while perhaps not all anthropomorphic artists are fetishists, fetishists make up enough of the artist base to not be easily dismissible, and a consideration of anthropomophic art without references to sex and fetish is incomplete at best.

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