By studying several shojo anime programs and investigating history of homosexuality in Japan, it can be determined that the Japanese see homosexuality in a different light than Americans. In Japan there are many different layers to a homosexual relationship, ranging from an honorable one between samurai, to an innocent schoolgirl crush, to a relationship that prevents a person from entering into traditional marriage and is thus disapproved of. These different relationships and views are distributed through shojo anime, which usually concentrate on relationships and emotions. This is true even when the program is targeted towards children.
Homosexual relationships are portrayed in shojo anime in such a way that fits with the way that the Japanese view homosexuality, but also within a heteronormative structure. Couples often seem to have a more masculine partner and a more feminine one. Even with Japan's more open view towards homosexuals, there still seems to be a need to make the relationship seem like a conventional one.
When shojo anime is brought to the United States, it is dubbed, allowing for the dialogue to be changed to comply with American censors' values. Occasionally, in order to disguise all suggestions of homosexuality, a great deal of explanation is needed in the dialogue. Sometimes, this explanation can be excessive, and sometimes it can make scenes in the program seem absurd. In the case of Bishojo Senshi Sailormoon S, the explanation for Haruka/Amara's and Michiru/Michelle's close relationship even hints that they could be incestuous. This is due to the fact that even with redubbing, not all hints of romantic love can be removed. In this case, it might have been better, if necessary at all, to simply dub out only the most apparent of dialogue concerning Haruka and Michiru's relationship, and then leave the viewer to decide for themselves. This leaves the viewer to choose how much they wish to censor the program.
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