Having a close observation of the Indonesia comic industry since the early 2000s, Jasmine found that the feminine-masculine selfhood is not equally represented in the comic contents - unless in the indie media which targeted a niche community. A female character is often categorised into two extreme nodes of personalities - hyper masculine (tomboy) or hyper feminine.
“I feel that an existing female character in between the spectrum remains underrepresented in the mainstream media of the comic industry. Therefore, I tried to visualise this with Susi.” Jasmine explained. “My focus is not on how to make the characters different. I want to make a character who perfectly owns the three dimensional nature of personality - someone who is cute, girly, and beautiful, but also has a “masculine side” inside to break the gender boundary of what a typical girl is commonly perceived.” Jasmine said.
As a leading female character, Susi wasn’t born complete. She evolves as the story of GAJELAS universe expands. The character plays a significant role in the story development, and even influences the whole concept of how GAJELAS IP is tailored.
In the character development process, Jasmine draws inspiration from Indonesia's most legendary Badminton Athlete Susi Susanti and a serial entrepreneur and politician Susi Pudjiastuti. Jasmine is convinced that these women are role models for girls everywhere by looking at their achievement alone! Susi from GAJELAS is a beacon of the idea that being feminine is not a limitation. It’s part of ourselves and often becomes our strength.
“Komik Ga Jelas tried to break the hidden rule that female characters have to be feminine inside and out - to make it appealing to the audiences. I am not saying that stereotypical characters are bad, but many comedy comics only use female characters as additional touch points or refresher, even though their role can be expanded more. This doesn't apply to Susi. While she is cute and feminine Susi is also bold, strong willed, and so badass. She doesn’t have to be a “butch girl” to be seen as a brave character.” she added.
So, how did the Susi character develop?
At the initial phase of character development, Jasmine designed Susi with a simple t-shirt and trouser getup. As time goes on, Susi started to be more feminine by introducing her with a diverse wardrobe consisting of short skirts, and brightly coloured t-shirts alongside cute additional accessories on her hair in some of her alternative designs.
“It’s a major change of Susi’ character development. However, I still want simplicity to be her core style.”
One thing that has not changed at all is Susi’s humor tastes that Indonesian people refer to as “bapak-bapak warteg” jokes (typical of fathers who love to hangout with friends in traditional coffee/rice stands). Honestly this is what makes Susi resonate with Komik Ga Jelas’s absurdist humor style. Imagine how the character can be so adorable, but suddenly come up with absurd jokes!”
Love dynamic of Budi-Susi
Budi and Susi are in a one-sided lovelorn relationship, and the obliviousness of romantic advances. They are created together to be the Mickey and Minnie Mouse of the GAJELAS’ story, however their relationship dynamic is made to be like that of Donald and Daisy Duck.
“I wanted to create a couple that’s not just lovey dovey all the time, because real life isn’t like that. Love will be faced with hard obstacles along the way, but how love brings strength against all odds is also what I wanted to stress in the relationship of Budi and Susi.”
Budi and Susi met in the most unexpected situation, yet the most unforgettable memory which then celebrated as the love at the first fart - sorry!
After all this moment, how can Budi not be so in love with Susi? Poor him, as Budi never has courage to tell the truth and Susi is not sensitive enough to grasp the unsaid truth. Love is problematic, but the good thing is that one sided love can always be celebrated with comedy! HAHAHA (mellow melody sound on).
*puk puk Budi, Maybe Susi is just too good for you~~ hang on! we are not done listing down more special things about her!
Susi is an Aries Girl - we know you want to know as many of us are so obsessed with the Zodiak :P She has the habit of making spontaneous decisions - even some of them have to be ended with a regret - but hey, it’s better to learn from our own mistakes rather than regretting things we don’t do right? HOHO
Jasmine hopes that Susi can inspire us to be proud of our true self, without having to worry about being confined to a stereotype and judgement. “You can be feminine and strong, you can be brave and cute, you can be beautiful and powerful at the same time. Let’s normalize the idea to celebrate our own beauty standard, beyond the external expectations.”
We believe many of us would agree that Susi is beautiful in her own way! - saw Budi on the first line for this! \o/
Written by Sesa / Kolaku
Illustrated by Kharen Chandra
Edited by Jasmine Surkatty
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