My final word on the matter
Any of you who have been following this journal since I joined the Kuro fandom probably have heard me ranting on a specific topic related to Grell. Well last November this particular topic in the fandom got really ugly and to the point where I was ready to leave the fandom and it nearly killed my muse. The wank has died down considerably to the
( Read more... )
I first became a fan of this character in 2010 the first time I saw Ep. 5 of the anime. I immediately saw him as a flamboyant gay man and to tell you the truth that gave me a very strong connection to the character, being a proud butch lesbian myself I understood him. This detail plus the fact he is such a dark character really made me fall in love with him. This wank we're seeing now took about a year to develop. In the early part, a lot of wank was around how people insisted Grell was bisexual because of Madam Red (which in my opinion isn't necessarily true for a lot of reasons). There were people who referred to Grell as a "she" and defended their pronoun choice, but that was few and far between. It didn't start getting bad until around the time you came into the fandom and I'm sorry your introduction to this fandom had to be this.
Thankfully I haven't really been the recipient of crap, but I have friends who have gotten some horrific comments and even threats because of this. It got way too out of control. I'm now at the point where I can't take the perpetrators seriously, I watch out for them but I just know that anyone who becomes that unhinged over this is not worth anyone's time. A lot of this seems to have died down but it still pops up from time to time.
I think he was meant to be a very undefinable character, so undefinable he's unnerving. I wonder if people get that in Japan, but in the western world everyone needs to have a definition; or better yet everyone needs a sob story and people are latching onto this concept of this being that for Grell. In the process people completely neglect his character and try to twist it to something else. I just have this appreciation for him as this force of nature and how fluid he is in general.
Thanks for reading This Immortal Coil! He is a very loud muse and therefore I just love exploring him. Oh I don't mind the watch at all, though I have been using this account less and less. I might just use it more, who knows. And I might just have to check you out on Tumblr XD (and awww my Grell cosplay is unique XD)
And I am also excited to see a Grell fan who knows where I'm coming from, and its also not crazy XD
Reply
I completely agree with you on how there is a massive problem-- I also find myself feeling nervous when it comes to posting about Grell and/or discussing the character. Worst of all, it's made me paranoid about my fic, and that bothers me most in this situation. I worry that I'm going to get flamed or blacklisted or whatever, which is just… kind of sadlarious.
Thanks for the history of the wank ;) Guess I joined the fandom at just the right time! /sarcasm
I became a Grell fan the first time I saw ep 5 as well! It's kind of funny, actually-- I still remember the "OMG!!!!!" moment I had when he took his true form--- I'd never seen a character quite like him before (I remember actually texting a friend of mine and telling her she'd have to come over to watch it with me later, because there was a "psychotic gay dude with a chainsaw"). I was so taken with the fact that he's so very unnerving (as you perfectly put it)--- terrifying yet hilarious; repulsive in how twisted he can be, yet also beautiful and charming; and of course, sexually provocative and totally comfortable with who he is/not sorry/not ashamed/not giving any fucks what anyone else thinks (though perhaps he's just too crazy to really give it much thought!) And there's a personal level relating to sexuality for me, as well-- I only recently discovered my sexuality (at 28) and I've been having a bit of a struggle with figuring it out after living my life thus far thinking I was one way, and then CLEARLY finding out that I'm another. I've also been uncomfortable in my "proper" gender for as long as I can remember back to childhood, and I suppose it all just culminated in an "a-ha!" sort of moment for me. Which, coincidentally, wasn't too long before I discovered Grell. I hope this doesn't sound like the corniest, most awkward thing ever, but it was actually somewhat of a relief to discover a character like him and be able to relate in that way, solely because Grell does not fit into "normal" expectations of gender and sexuality at all.
All that being said, I agree that Grell is a largely undefinable character; for me, this is definitely part of his allure. I also wonder what people make of him in Japan, considering all of the ways in which their culture and social attitudes differ from us here in the west.
Alright, I've reached my rambling quota for the evening. It's very nice to have met you and had some intelligent Grell-talk! I'm sure we'll be seeing one another around in the future 8D
Reply
I can understand how you relate to him totally and it must be nice to see a character who doesn't fit into such a neat package and is so many things that relate to how you're feeling. Putting this character in a tight category is just the antithesis of what this character was meant to be. I kind of relate to the age thing too, I made a lot of realizations about myself at 27-28, I'm 32 now (yay older fans!)
I have a feeling that people in japan get him a little better. Understanding of these things in japan seems to be a lot different and either they are willing to see a bit more shades of gray or their black and white is completely different from ours.
It's nice to meet you too! I'll probably be using LJ a little more so I'll return that friending thing :D I am more active on my DA account (I know you've been on my page ;))
Reply
Leave a comment