For conciseness, I’ve reviewed only manga and not animé, and I have not included any  underground, alternative, or non-published manga, as it falls outside of my realm of experience (see end notes/calls for contribution.)

Categories of Fantasy Transsexual Narratives

The Unwilling Supernatural Sex Change

One of the most common transsexual themes in manga involves a character who has unwillingly had their sex changed through magical means.  This is either used as a plot driver, a comedic element, or both.  Ranma 1/2 is probably the pinnacle of this theme, where the titular Ranma changes from boy to girl when splashed with water.  These kinds of characters clearly identify with their birth sex, and will feminize or masculinize themselves grudgingly in order to survive long enough to reverse the process.  These characters never identify as transsexuals (though you could argue they are in the sense that their new sex does not match the identity of their original sex, I suppose,) and so do not represent a person who is experiencing the process of transition or trans identity.  Other examples include Futaba-Kun Change! and Cheeky Angel.

The Girl-Prince

Another prolific theme is the girl who dresses and lives as a boy– with the very clear caveat that they never abandon their “true” identity as a female.  This is not necessarily negative, though.  Most recognizable from this group is Utena (Shoujo Kakumei Utena), the girl who dresses and “acts” like a boy to emulate her ideal of the Prince.  However, Utena never identifies as a male.  She doesn’t reject her femininity, but rather embraces the performance of the opposite gender without abandoning her sex.  Lady Oscar from Rose of Versailles is the predecessor of Utena in theme and style, living life in a man’s role but never as a man.  And Princess Sapphire (Ribon no Kishi) comes before even all of them.  This theme avoids addressing a transsexual identity because “it’s okay, they’re really female after all.”  They are interesting portraits of transvestitism, (and maybe transgenderism,) but never transsexuality.

The Okama, New Half, or “Trap”

Another widespread theme, and by far the most troublesome, is this: “A man pretending to be a woman.”  This is the best umbrella I could come up with for all of these discouraging depictions– the okama (a man dressing up as a woman for entertainment or hobby, often a comedic character), the new half (or futanari, a person with male genetalia, with or without  breasts who dresses like a female, and exists almost always a sexual object) and the “Trap” (just typing the term fills me with rage, this is a man who passes as a woman, and will either [a.] be depicted as sneaky and trying to “fool” men into bedding them or [b.] legitimately trying to be female but being met with scorn and derision when “caught.”)

The curious thing about this theme is, however, that these are actual Japanese identities, and that they are illegitimized as badly in real life as they are in manga.  While there are Okama and New Half bars, which employ those people as hosts, they are not respected– they are relegated to entertainment or sexual service, and, many times, both.  (A significantly more legitimate discourse on these identities, and the identity of gay men in Japan, can and should be read in Male Homosexuality in Modern Japan by Mark J McLelland.) Okama are visible in many anime, including Ouran High School Host Club and One Piece.  New Half are sprinkled intermittently too ( Kizuna, any “futanari porn”) as well as the *shudder* Traps (Gankutsuo, Princess Princess, Fushigi Yuugi, the list is endless.)  But since these characters are understood as “faking” it (whether their desire to pass as female is genuine or not) they are not granted a transsexual identity, and exist instead as entertainers, stereotypes,  and threats.

To be clear, I don’t mean to sound like I’m saying the okama, etc, are not legitimate transsexual identities (they are, in real life!), but they are not depicted as legitimate transsexual identites in manga (with the exception of the listings below!)

Legitimate Transsexual Identities

Below, I’ve compiled a few review of series that deal with the transsexual identity in a realistic way.  They don’t involve magic, they are respectful, and are often brutal in their honesty.  Like many transgendered stories, they often lean melancholy,  but above all, they are stories that transsexuals can identify with.

I.S. (IS: Otoko demo Onna demo nai Sei) by Chiyo Rokuhana

I.S. is about intersexed individuals.  (Intersexuality is the condition of being born neither male or female, per partial or abundant genetalia/hormones.) It seems to be an education piece more than an entertainment piece, meant to show different kinds of stories (intersexed kids, adults, parents with intersexed children, as well as those who chose to “pick” a sex, and those who embrace their otherness.)  The art is not particularly good, but not quite so intolerable that it cannot be read.  This title is unfortunately not available in English.

Horou Musuko (Wandering Son) by Takako Shimura

Wandering Son is a hit comic (recently rendered as an animé) that follows the story of a school-age transsexual boy and girl.  It is a daily life narrative merged with the anguish of growing up a transsexual child.  Shimura is known for exploring topics of sexuality (usually lesbianism) and this story treads new ground, depicting the legitimacy and sadness of transsexual youth.  A particularly beautiful angle of the story is that the two youths befriend an adult transsexual woman who lives a happy life with her boyfriend, painting a happy picture of something that could be.  The art is solid, though those used to action comics may find the slow, shoujo-style narrative tedious.  It is heart-wrenching, and the story is ongoing, so we wait with baited breath to see if happy endings are in store. This manga is being printed in English by Fantagraphic Books.

Hōkago Hokenshitsu (After School Nightmare) by Setona Mizushiro

After School Nightmare is often cited in the very short lists of manga with transsexual characters, but the content is and isn’t about transsexuality.  It is a masterful work about an intersexed student named Mashiro, who is “male on top” and “female on the bottom.”  In the story, Mashiro must take a mysterious “dream class” to graduate — and in the dream class, students look not like themselves, but like their “true” spirits.  Mashiro is horrified to find that he is female in his dreams, and even more horrified when the other students see him as such.  Someone who has experienced transphobic agressions may find this a very difficult read.  While Mashiro’s girlfriend accepts him as male, his rival, Sou, constantly badgers him to “quit pretending to be a boy,” sometimes to levels of physical assault.  I almost quit reading halfway through, for all that.  But it is worth reading to the end.  The story is actually a fantasy about something much greater, something complex and profound, that puts it high in the realm of quality manga.  And as with all of Mizushiro’s work, the art is solid.  After School Nightmare is out of print, but available in English second hand (amazon, ebay), released by Go! Comi.

Genshiken Nidaime by Shimoku Kio

Genshiken is the story of a group of college otaku (anime fanatic) and their college otaku club.  It is a comedy and a real story of  social others.  In the second installment of the manga, Genshiken Nidaime, we meet Hato-san, a girl who is later discovered to “really be” a boy.  As the series is ongoing, it is still unclear what Hato’s “true” gender identity is (transsexual, transvestite, other, ) but this is a plus, because in truth, Hato hirself isn’t sure what hir true identity is.  Hato is learning and exploring hir gender otherness as we watch, and the struggle is particularly interesting because hir sexual identity is mixed in with hir social identity of “fujoshi/fudanshi” (a “rotten” person, referring to someone engrossed in slash literature,) and hir sexuality (gay, straight, or other?) Hato is so many “others,” it’s distressing.  So far, Hato’s story has been treated with interesting realism and tact, though there are characters, as always, that repeatedly try to “convince him” to just be live as his assigned birth sex.  Genshiken Nidaime is not available in English, though it’s predecessor, Genshiken, is.  And the art is excellent.

Double House by Haruno Nanae -

Double House explores the identity of an okama as a legitimate transsexual.  Maho may have to work as an entertainer, but her portrait is that of a woman fighting a constant stream of micro-agressions and assertions of her illegitimacy.  In this very short, three-chapter story, she finds herself with an unexpected companion named Fujiko.  Fujiko is a young woman rebelling against her status, expectations, and gender, and falling in love with Maho as the woman she is, and not the object she is expected to be.  Their relationship is beautiful, and in the final story, we see a portrait of another okama, one who struggles with the additional burdens of sizeism and an unfulfillable desire to have children.  The art is dated, but it holds up well, subtleties in the simplified style easily portray the spectrum of sexes.  This title is, very unfortunately, not available in English.

(Technically Legitimate but Unreccomendable: Sazanami Cherry by Kamiyoshi:  It is about a transsexual girl, but as a manga it is just so poor, I can’t possibly suggest anyone read it.  Those immune to manga/moe tropes may find it cute, but I found it extraordinarily grating.)

Other works of mention that need perspectives:

Day of Revolution by Mikiyo Tsuda:  If you’ve read this title and can give a perspective on the transsexual themes, please let me know!  I have not read this manga.

Moyashimon by Masayuki Ishikawa: I’ve been told that later in the manga, the protagonist’s best friend leaves and returns as a female.  I’m not clear whether she is a transvestite or transsexual, though I find bothersome the fact that she presents only as a gothic lolita.  If you have read this manga to the point where Kei returns as a female, and can give a perspective on the transsexual themes, please let me know!

Kashimashi! Girl Meets Girl by Satoru Akahori/Yukimaru Katsura:  This one initially falls into the category of “Unwilling Magical Transsexuality,” but since I did not finish reading it, I’m not sure to what extent the protagonist embraces a transsexual identity and/or whether she experiences difficulties because of it.  If anyone can weigh in on it, please do.

Also, as mentioned above, if anyone can provide perspectives on any underground, alternative, or non-published manga that deals with transsexual themes, please contact me or point us in the direction of resources about them.

As a final disclaimer, I’ve compiled this entry because I found a lack of any kind of comprehensive English-language review of transsexual identities in manga.  I am no scholar in the field, but I am a transgendered manga-lover who seeks to be as informed as possible about gender representations in Japanese comics.  I am aware that whole concept of a sexual identity is very different (and in fact very new, and very imported) in Japan than it is in the United States, and I seek to be considerate of that in my writing.

Please share any and all thoughts and recommendations.

I’ve been enjoying the variety of webcomics that center around the relationships between males.  Some feature gay couples, some gratuitous homosexual activity, and others are gen comics with strong friendships or with big slash fandoms despite being otherwise totally straight.  Some are written by female yaoi fans, some are collaborations by couples, and some are written by gay men themselves.  Here’s a list of some you may have seen and some you may have not.

Teahouse

• profile: High
• artwork: 10/10
• writing: 8/10
• Rating: Adult
• Spectrum: Yaoi

Summary:  Follows the goings-on of a brothel, and the sex and love-drama therein.

Review:  This is a well-known yaoi-style comic.  The art is gorgeous and the writing is funny- the characters have a lot of personality and gorgeous costumes.  Everything is highly sexy, too.  But if you want the really explicit pages, purchase the printed books.  I promise, it’s worth it!

Starfighter

• Profile: High
• Artwork: 9/10
• Writing: 9/10
• Rating: Adult
• Spectrum: Yaoi

Summary:  Follows the life of a “navigator” of a military space ship.  He is paired with a fighter, who promptly beds the hell out of him.  Everyone’s motivations are suspect.

Review: Also well-known, Starfighter’s story is a little more complicated.  The universe design (spaceships, etc) are fantastic and beautiful, and the plot is heady and full of mystery.  The characters are slow to reveal their full personalities, but I think that’s part of the excitement.  Lots of very sexy, and generally consensually rough, sex.  Also available as a printed book.

Artifice

• Profile: Medium
• Artwork: 10/10
• Writing: 10/10
• Rating: Adult
• Spectrum: Yaoi/Gay

Summary:  An advanced android’s experience with a homosexual prisoner, as told from his doctor’s psych chair.

Review:  Gorgeous artwork at home with a fascinating story.  It has a million red flags of cliché, but contains none.  It is wholly unique, a fabulously built universe, and features an absorbing main character- even if he is artificial.

The Less Than Epic Adventures of TJ and Amal

• Profile: Medium
• Artwork: 8/10
• Writing: 8/10
• Rating: Adult
• Spectrum: Gay

Summary: Amal’s got the car and TJ’s got the gas money.  The two strangers set out across the country, and get to know one another quite well.

Review:  This pencil drawn comic is beautiful.  The characterization and writing is real and whimsical and absolutely delicious.  The story is immediately absorbing, even if not much is actually happening (but that’s clear in the title, then, isn’t it?)  A fun ride, with some fabulously sexy scenes later on. Some absolutely expertly creative pages litter throughout.

Fishbones

• Profile: Low
• Artwork: 8/10
• Writing: 9/10
• Rating: Teen & Up (violence)
• Spectrum: Straight (friendship)

Summary: A geeky teen grows up with a best friend in a mafia family.  They become companions and allies in a world otherwise rather lonely for them.

Review:  This is not a gay comic at all, but the fabulous friendship between the boys in this story is intense and beautiful.  It is well written (it was a novel first) and very cleanly rendered.  You will be sure to love every character.  Includes some mob and bully violence.

Tripping Over You

• Profile: Medium
• Artwork: 6/10
• Writing: 7/10
• Rating: Teen and Up
• Spectrum: Gay

Summary: Boarding school adventures with the not-yet-a-couple oddcouple.

Review:  An adorable story with fantastically lovable characters- not just the alpha couple, but the secondary characters as well (Archie is highly adorable!)  The artwork is improving rapidly, but starts out a little shaky.  Has an indie feel, and is pretty engaging.  The awkwardness and tension is written very well, and the alliances are very much like high school always felt.

Always Raining Here

• Profile: Low
• Artwork: 6/10
• Writing: 7/10
• Rating: Teen and Up
• Spectrum: Gay

Summary: A very forward gay highschooler searches for sex, finds love.

Review: This is a fun and relaxed story with a fun and relaxed style of art and writing.  The main character is a refreshingly straightforward kind of guy– completely oblivious to the fact that he is performing his own personality.  I have never wanted to see a couple get together quite as badly as I wish it for these two.  You’ll fall in love with their banter instantly.  Another comic that gives off very “indie” vibes.

Mahou Shounen Fight!

• Profile: Low
• Artwork: 7/10
• Writing: 6/10
• Rating: PG
• Spectrum: Straight (with gay characters)

Summary: Boy acquires magic powers, transformation, and elemental mascot.  Joins a band of other elementally magic teenagers to save the earth or something

Review:  A premise that was bound to happen sooner or later, this is the story of a magical boy.  The artwork is polished but still young, and the writing is a bit weak, but it may just be a parody of the maho shoujo standard (unfortunately, it’s hard to tell the intention.)  But a secondary character in the clan is a very sweet gay boy that you root for absolutely immediately.  I want more of him.

Hannah is Not a Boy’s Name

• Profile: High
• Artwork: 10/10
• Writing: 8/10
• Rating: Teen & Up
• Spectrum: Straight (Bromance?)

Summary: Unfortunately named Hannah joins forces with an undead detective and they have adventures with a cast of incredibly colorful characters, including vampires, ghosts, and werewolves.

Review:  The design of this comic is phenomenal- each page is a work of absolutely brilliant art-and-typography design.  And the characters are rich and exciting and flawed.  This is a gem of a comic, though it takes months and months for new pages to come out and the writing is a little scattered.  This comic has a huge slash fanbase, though none of the characters appear gay (though something might be said for the hipster vampire.)  Hannah and the unnamed (running joke) undead partner make a great team with an immediately touching connection.

The Element of Surprise

• Profile: Low
• Artwork: 4/10
• Writing: 4/10
• Rating: Adult
• Spectrum: Gay

Summary: Working man comes to new town, rescues a reporter, falls in love.

Review:  Somewhat weak in both art and writing, this comic is entertaining none-the-less, and features Conversations of Denial With Penis, one of my favorite gags.  The world is not deeply built, but the falling-in-love part is nice and solid and satisfying.  Good for a fix.

Honeydew Syndrome

• Profile: Medium
• Artwork: 5/10
• Writing: 4/10
• Rating: Teen & Up
• Spectrum: Yaoi (non-explicit)

Summary:  Boys falling in love with boys they didn’t think they’d ever fall in love with?

Review: Honestly, I had a difficult time following this comic.  The art sometimes leaves you wondering which character you’re actually looking at, and the story is a little flailing. The first arc is cute but predictable (the characters almost fully formed, but not quite), and after that, it descends into time jumping and beta-couple developing that is bizarre and hard to understand.  But it has quite a following, and is often recommended (so maybe it’s just not to my taste?)

Please send suggestions if you think something else should be included in this list!

Dear Anti-Fangirls: Do you know the difference between appreciation and fandom?

Clearly not.

My reason: I’ve really had it up to here with fans talking about how you “just can’t see” the relationship between Kotetsu and Barnaby, or how “the author didn’t intend” for a relationship between Naruto and Sasuke, or best of all, how “all this idiodic slash” between Nezumi and Shion are somehow ruining your experience with the show.

You think we fangirls are too delusional, too dumb, and too desperate to see that those relationships are not cannon?  Do you really think you’re the only sane one, and we need to be enlightened that our favorite shows are not, in fact, about legions of men having sex and getting gay married?

Well, you’re wrong.

Of course you “just can’t see” the romantic relationship.  There is none.

Slash fandom and serious narrative appreciation are necessarily different things,  but that doesn’t mean that fangirls and boys cannot participate in both.*  Example: I draw pictures of Kotetsu and Barnaby having sex, glee over potential homoerotic overtones and situations, and read and enjoy the most dreadfully lewd fanfiction about the two.  And then, I hobble my butt over to the discussions, take off the fujoshi hat, and discuss things that have nothing to do with Barnaby and Kotetsu even kind of being attracted to one other, because I actually think that would be rather out of character for them.**

When a “fangirl” declares “OMFG NEZUMI AND SHION JUST FUCK ALREADY,” it incorrect to assume that that fangirl thinks that this is a canonical next step in their relationship (…though they might.  Don’t get me wrong. They exist.) When a fujoshi draws pictures of Goku and Vegeta having sex, don’t think they they honestly believe they are fucking behind the scenes in universe.

My point: This is fandom. It exists to satisfy kinks and universe speculation. It is fun. And it is not ruining your capacity to enjoy the show. OF COURSE I don’t think Kotetsu and Barnaby are ever going to fuck. Kotetsu would likely not sleep with a man so much his junior, and… lots of things make that not a good idea! However, I draw pictures of them fucking. Because it’s hot. WE ARE ALLOWED TO DO SUCH THINGS. I appreciate the show, and, separate from that, I fandom the show.

(Yes, I made “fandom” a verb.  I’m sure I’m not the first or last.)

Look. When you try to sound all smart and common-sensical for realizing the truth and so graciously informing us that there is actually no sexual relationship between our OTP, we will either:

• Laugh at you because we knew that already, and you now look pretentious.
• Ignore you, because the fujoshi goggles are on so tight that you’re really not going to get through no matter how smart you (think you) are.

My solution: If you like the show for the porn, enjoy the porn. If you don’t, ignore the porn. Stop trying to show the fangirls “the light” about how wrong they are about a series. They know. They are not delusional. They are just horny.  And you’re harshing our buzz.

*Nor does it mean that they cannot be simultaneous.  I’ve read some great articles/dissections that speak to narratives actually being about homosexuality, or about a certain relationship in the universe.  You can, in fact, fandom and appreciate simultaneously!  You can also appreciate a perceived relationship in a show that is not explicit and not have it make you a “yaoi fangirl.”  Turns out!

** Which is to say, this is just an example.  I’m not going to argue about whether they’re into each other in universe or not.  There’s way more evidence for them actually being physically or emotionally attracted to one another than there are for other characters in other fandoms, that’s for sure.

(Extra disclaimer: Keep in mind, thinking two characters are actually gay for each other does not necessarily make you a “yaoi fangirl.”  We’re not talking about you, but we love you anyway.)

-

I love you, fandom. Let’s be a better fandom. Let’s be educated, lets be friendly, and let’s be reasonable.  

Until next time… let’s not have to have this talk again.

Dear Fangirls: Do you know what “yaoi” is?

Let me remind you. Yaoi* comes from an acronym meaning “No climax, no point, no plot.” It originated in Japan in the 1970′s when women started creating slash doujinshi (fan comics). It referred to PWP (Plot? What Plot?) narratives, drawn by women and for women.

Explicitly? “No point…” other than to make two characters from an anime or manga have sex. Seeeeeeeeeex.  Key word.

My point: No.6 is not “a yaoi.” Tiger and Bunny is not “a yaoi.” While you can’t do much to please the anti-fangirls, I feel like they’d hate you a little less if you at least used terms with accuracy at least a little understanding. I’m not one to usually even condone reprimanding my little sisters for their fannish ways, but heavens, you’re making us old-timers look bad.  And I’m not even on the oldest tier of fandom old timers.

My reason: My tumblr (and I’ve got some thoughts on what simultaneously wonderful and absolutely horrible thing tumblr is for the fandom community) is full of “OMG THEY DANCED THIS IS SUCH A YAOI.”

Guys, no.  Would you sit down and watch it with your mom or little brother?  Then it isn’t yaoi.  If you say it’s yaoi, not only do you scare off the people who aren’t interested in yaoi, but you neglect the fact that No.6 has a plot.  Same goes for Tiger & Bunny.  Naruto.  Gundam Wing.  Dragonball Z.  They may have extensive yaoi subcultures, they may have a yaoi rich fandom, but they are not, not, NOT “a yaoi.”

Look, I’m not attacking you.  I’m correcting you.  It’s my responsibility as a condescending bitch fandom veteran.  I love yaoi.  I draw it, and I write it, and I consume it.  That is why I want you to appreciate it and understand it.

When you use the term incorrectly over and over, we lose the privilege of being able to participate in meaningful discourse about the series.  I am not unique in wanting to both enjoy yaoi fanworks from No.6, but also to appreciate and discuss the narrative.  If you enter the conversation calling it a yaoi, no one is going to take you seriously.  Not because yaoi is an illegitimate media (it’s not!) but because No.6 has a plot beyond an incidental contrivance allowing two males to have sex.  Even I’m not having a meaningful discussion about No.6 with you if you think it doesn’t.

Look, would you call the original Star Trek a yaoi? No. Can you make yaoi media based on it? HELL YES.

…And please do.

My solution: Feel free to suggest that No.6 has “fanservice.” Remark on the “emotional tension.” Say “OMG they are so in love!” or “They are so sweet!”   Or even go “I need some Shion/Nezumi yaoi, stat!” While you can, I think, argue the trueness of whether it’s a love story or not, you can’t claim it’s porn.  Not unless you have some really specific kinks involving robot rats.  While people may draw plotless No.6 porn, No.6 is not plotless porn, so do yourself a favor and stop saying it is. Many aspects of anime discourse are speculatory, but I’m pretty sure this is a fact.

This is a pretty condescending rant, I know.  Is it hurting me if you call something a yaoi if it’s not a yaoi?  Should I give a crap if you call Naruto a mecha anime or Tiger & Bunny shoujo manga?  No.  But when I see constant “serious business” tumblrs and blogposts about how dumb or delusional No.6 fangirls are because they think No.6 is a yaoi, I’d like to not have to agree with them.  If you were to correctly identify the genre/theme, then, when the anti-fangirl still calls you delusional, we can fight back together.

I love you, fandom. Let’s be a better fandom. Let’s be educated, lets be friendly, and let’s be reasonable.  

Until next time… let’s not have to have this talk again.

It touches on the origins of fandom (zines for The Man from U.N.C.L.E and Star Trek) and American slash (Kirk/Spock).  It takes a brief foray into the ethics and legality of fanfiction (curse you and your ignorant view on fanfiction, Anne Rice, I say).  And of course, it speaks to what is it today, and how it got there.  Most importantly, though, is the discussion what it means to write fanfiction- that fic writers are not simply people who can’t cut writing their own original work.  Professional writers indulge in writing fanfiction too.  In fact, some writers write licenced “professional fanfiction” for a living.

It’s not about stealing, it’s about playing in the playground with the best possible equipment.  Writers can explore a built world without having to build it themselves.  The motivations for writing fanfiction are as diverse as the fics themselves.

It’s not just about fanfiction, but fanart, too.   “Fanartists” take a lot of scrutiny for profiting off of another person’s intellectual property.  While it is true that some artists sell their fanworks, that act does not define the act of making fanart.  It is still the act of playing in the prefurnished playground, it provides characters, themes and narratives available to make art from.  The alternative is drawing “original work.”  This could entail writing your own narrative and characters in order to illustrate them, or illustrating characters with undetermined personality.  But what if the artist is not a writer?

Remember that many of our favorite artists are, in a sense, professional fanartists.  Adam Hughes is one of my favorite illustrators, well-known for his amazing comic book cover art of everything from Cat Woman to Wonder Woman and beyond.  But those aren’t “his” characters, and he didn’t invent them.  On technicality, he’s not a “fanartist” because he is doing the work officially, and for pay.  He is then just an “artist,” whether or not he’s a “fan.”  This is not to degrade him- he is a professional fanartist, and that is a career I envy.

So I think it’s unfair to berate authors and artists of fandom, because it’s unfair to assume that they want to create their own original works.  Some do, and may also, or may eventually.  Accomplished and well-loved original webcomic artist Elena Barbarich (known as Yamino online) has never been apologetic about her Avatar: The Last Airbender fanart.

And she shouldn’t.  And neither should you.

But that Yamino is also a “professional artist” does not legitimize her desire to make fanart.  It does not need legitimizing.  Other fanartists are office workers, teachers, stay-at-home-moms and dads and everything in between, who do it for fun, and who have no illusions about making their hobby any part of their professional pursuits.

Fanworks are legitimate.  That’s the bottom line.  The whole idea that we should feel ashamed of or feel the need to apologize for making fanworks is ridiculous.

It’s downright frightening.

It’s not a romance, it’s so, so much more complicated than that.  It’s a dangerous dance between predators.  One with his sharp animality being slowly worn away, and the other just discovering the brutality he is capable of.  No wonder it’s so scary.  Suddenly I feel like I’m reading about a love story between two psychos.  Maybe I am.  Even if I am, it’s still amazing.

Spoilers included in the discussion after the jump:

It’s like the real danger to Nezumi, the really dangerous fact about Shion is that Shion believes in his identity as Nezumi’s dedicated soulmate.  Believes it, means it every time he says something about how he can’t stand to lose him, how he will always be by his side, how he will never be his enemy.  It’s not that he’s lying.  He’s not.  And that’s not doing all this crazy shit justice.  Shion is a monster.  He’s a monster, and Nezumi knows it and Shion doesn’t.  Not only does Shion not know he’s a monster, he’s trying with all his might to convince Nezumi that he’s not.  And if Nezumi finally falls for it, then he will be truly screwed.

Look at this.  Nezumi tells Shion not to kill because he wants him to “stay Shion.”  Doesn’t want him to be a killer, or to bloody his hands.  That’s where Nezumi doesn’t understand.  Just because Shion hasn’t killed yet, doesn’t mean he’s not a killer.  Doesn’t mean he’s not capable of killing.

Because he is.  And he will.

Nezumi thinks he’s protecting Shion from becoming a monster. But he already is one.

…how will this play out?  What happens when Shion finally kills?  I’m so excited.  I wish I could read Japanese on my own.  But until then, I will rely on all the generous fan translators out there, supplying me with wordy, wordy drugs.

…

Anyway, I don’t feel like I, or any of us were naiive or stupid to think we were getting a romance up until this point.  Just look at the anime.  It’s taken that dangerous dance and reduced it to endless repeatings of “You and I will be enemies.”  God, say it in every episode, Nezumi.  We get it.  And the novels are darker, for sure, but this shit is dark.

I was unsure of how things would progress after the post-kiss fight in volume four.  Based on what I’ve learned to expect expect from reading manga and watching anime, I thought that after the fight and the “descent into hell,” Shion and Nezumi were going to be some renewed, hopeful, lovey-dovey fight-for-mutual-survival heroes.  Look at all the profound affection they shared during the manhunt and as they sunk in that elevator.  And then volume five completly throws that into a blender with some nonchalant conversation about how Nezumi will slit Shion’s neck if he needs to.  Somehow, this would be an act of love.  I mean, I understand the idea of putting somone out of suffering, or stopping someone who’s a danger to you, but.

Damn,  you two are just freaking scary.  Shit is real now.  Now a kiss isn’t affection.  There are no more kisses of affection where you are.  Now, a kiss can only mean death.