To say a bit more about the subject of yuribait, a lot of shows kind of are in a no-win situation. I mean, what are their options?
(Note: This would mostly work perfectly in reverse with yaoibait and guys, I think)
What most shows do: Have most of the girls (or guys) who are in the main cast be straight, but ... bi-curious, I guess you could put it, so that they have both yuri/yaoibait and also romance with the opposite-sex main character Alternatively, have a single-gender cast where the yuri/yaoi-bait is the only romance-hinting you get.
The problem: For either of those situations, that leads to a very unrealistic number of gay/bi characters versus reality, and creates a situation where there is lots of same-sex stuff in the series purely for fanservice reasons. I often like some of these shows, for instance Saki's a favorite of mine, but it sure does have an unrealistic proportion of girls interested in other girls.
But what's the alternative? You don't want them to mostly just be straight, that'd be boring and hurt your ratings! Few girls groping eachother, yuri-goggles incidents, etc? Who'd want that?
So, in the fanservice goes, even if it makes no logical sense.
I don't want no yuri in anime; I like the stuff. I would just rather see more plausible characters, and less stereotyped stupidity. For instance, "Every single girl in the main cast just happens to have never had a boyfriend" is such a comically convenient thing so many animes like to do, for instance... I know why (they must stay pure!) but it's silly. (My issue here is the "every single" part.) I mean, I like fantasy in the setting, events, etc, but the extreme unrealism of the CHARACTERS in anime is an issue I have with it that just keeps coming back.
Of course, the other alternative would be to make a higher-quality show which actually takes its subject matter seriously, is well-written, etc (Wandering Son and such), but such things are incredibly uncommon because it's the otaku base who keep the industry afloat, not people who want something that actually respects the subject matter it's covering.
I do notice a lot of yuri baiting and pendering. Lots of boob groping, licking, longing looks, pouncing between girls. That stuff is damned obviously designed to pander. I dont think that this scene was really meant to do that in the context it was shown, but it cannot be ignored the subtle hints at something going on.
It doesnt always have to be overtly sexual to throw out those kinds of signals to people.
I have no problem with discussion of different viewpoints. what I hate, and what happens A LOT in these threads, is looking down on other people for a differing opinion. Like saying they are sick or wrong or stupid. Implying some sort of moral high ground or superiority because of holding one particular belief or another. Thats as wrong as the things we argue about.
Frankly Im pretty sick of seeing it.
