Anime talk
I really like to rant about my favorite animes, so why not just do it in my journal?? And writing this was really fun... so maybe mor will soon follow.
Anime: Kyou Kara Maou
Is Yuuri homophobic?
Once I began thinking about this question I recongized that the answer is not an easy one.
First I want to say that Yuuri certainly is one of the most open-minded characters of KKM. He is not easily influenzed by other people. He is rather objective, but sometimes too trusting and naïve as well.
Exactly this aspect of his character makes me wonder why he seems to struggle with accepting homosexual relationships. I am not saying that he judges them as wrong, but he becomes extremly nervous whenever feelings like that are directed at him. This is understandable with him growing up in Japan (it is after all not exactly a very modern land in terms of homosexuality in spite of the yaoi boom), he is not used to people expressing such ways directly. But it is strange that he reacts this edgy whenever Wolfram gives him attention. He certainly does not look trapped when Günter hugs him or gets nosebleeding while giving Yuuri his new underwear in episode 2 (this scene was hilarious!).I think it is not surprising that Yuuri bears with it since he likes Günter and on top of it he is a loving creature by nature that bears with his own discomfort for the sake of other people. There is also the possibility that he takes Günter`s behaviour as signs of respect towards the king, but I give Yuuri enough credit that he should at least SUSPECT that there is more to it.
What I am trying to say is that Yuuri oviously tries to blank out every sign of male attention towards him that goes beyond friendship. When he has never dealed with something like that before (he himself said that he was not popular with girls on Earth so he should be even more overstrained to handle male admirers) it is normal to an extend to just ignore it as long as possible. If intentionally or not I can`t tell, but I can see that this is not successful when it comes to Wolfram. The boldness of his action makes it hard to ignore him (insisting on sleeping in the same bed with Yuuri, trying to wash his back ^o^). He can no longer ignore Wolfram, he is too stubborn to leave Yuuri alone, and although it is clear that Yuuri does not want to hurt his friend, I think there is also another reason why he keeps from rejecting Wolfram for real. He actually likes Wolfram a lot (not just in terms of friendship as you sure can tell). I have always thought that they would fit together perfectly, but that Yuuri`s way of thinking about loving another men would be an undestroyable obstacle. That it would hinder him to show even a bit affection towards Wolfram, but after watching episode 56 and 57, I changed my opinion. After Wolfram is kidnapped he follows his captors without hesitation, which is not surprising since Yuuri would do that for everbody, but what really convinced me was that he did not even went to Conrad and asked for help…. Without thinking about the danger he jumped onto a horse and went to rescue Wolfram. I think this portrays genuine affection towards Wolfram.
So when he has developed feelings for him, why does he still keep pushing Wolfram away? (Yay finally gotten back to the original question ^_^!)
I think the problem really is not hidden at all, Yuuri IS slightly homophobic. He never seems to have a problem with Wolfram himself, just with the fact that Wolfram is a guy. For example in episode 65. After being seperated from Yozak and Conrad, when Yuuri and Wolfram are sitting together at the campfire… remember Wolfram talking about the “legend” of sharing body heat to keep warm (*chuckle* Wolfram sure IS bold, don`t you think?). Yuuri`s reaction to this was a bit to forceful, and he immediately changed the subject. And did you watch the preview for the next episode at the end? Yuuri`s last sentences was “It is not a legend!”. He was really freaked out at that idea… but nevertheless I am totally convinced that he feels towards Wolfram.
So where did he get this attitude from? Certainly not from his family. They are all open-minded and accepting of the engagement (think about Yuuri`s Mom suggessting to buy a wedding dress.. I would LOVE to see that). Another source could be his circle of friends, but since we do not get to know other friends besides Murata, it is hard to tell. And like I said, he does not strike as someone, who would stick with opinions of other without believing it himself. And for Murata… he is the Great Sage, who remembers his past life in Shin Makoku, so he should be accustomed to Mazoku ways (people of the same sex getting married). I actually like his way of teasing Yuuri with the engagement.
To slowly quit this rant, I came to the conclusion that Yuuri is a bit old-fashioned in his ways of thinking, but could definitely love Wolfram as soon as he warms up to the idea of two men in love. I really miss that development in the anime and since I do not know the novels (hopefully they will be translated someday) I will have to settle with fanfiction to satisfy my need of Yuuram action.
Well, maybe I should give an explanation, why I think that Yuuri could love Wolfram in the future…. I think I resemble him in that way. Do you know this too, when you are not ready for certain feelings, especially in regard of love like letting your guard down and opening up to people, and you meet someone you really like, that you keep pushing away that certain person even more forcefully than others? Because you feel that they penetrate this shell that you can not toss away yet? It happens to me a lot, and I think it is the same for Yuuri. Once he can shake off the uncertainty, he will open up to Wolfram.
In the end I want to say, that there is up until now only one fanfic, that is able to give me what the anime lacks: Of Age by [info]lenainverse. I think most of the people here on the Wolfram community know it, so I don´t need to say more (if you have not read it, then you should take your time and do it... it is worth every second of your time!!!). She portrays Wolfram`s feelings so well and the scenes between Yuuri and him are beautiful. They progress of their relationship does not seem rushed or forced (that is what I do not like about most fanfics).
So this were my thoughts, there was surely nothing new in it... but I would like to hear opinions...
Anime: Kyou Kara Maou
Is Yuuri homophobic?
Once I began thinking about this question I recongized that the answer is not an easy one.
First I want to say that Yuuri certainly is one of the most open-minded characters of KKM. He is not easily influenzed by other people. He is rather objective, but sometimes too trusting and naïve as well.
Exactly this aspect of his character makes me wonder why he seems to struggle with accepting homosexual relationships. I am not saying that he judges them as wrong, but he becomes extremly nervous whenever feelings like that are directed at him. This is understandable with him growing up in Japan (it is after all not exactly a very modern land in terms of homosexuality in spite of the yaoi boom), he is not used to people expressing such ways directly. But it is strange that he reacts this edgy whenever Wolfram gives him attention. He certainly does not look trapped when Günter hugs him or gets nosebleeding while giving Yuuri his new underwear in episode 2 (this scene was hilarious!).I think it is not surprising that Yuuri bears with it since he likes Günter and on top of it he is a loving creature by nature that bears with his own discomfort for the sake of other people. There is also the possibility that he takes Günter`s behaviour as signs of respect towards the king, but I give Yuuri enough credit that he should at least SUSPECT that there is more to it.
What I am trying to say is that Yuuri oviously tries to blank out every sign of male attention towards him that goes beyond friendship. When he has never dealed with something like that before (he himself said that he was not popular with girls on Earth so he should be even more overstrained to handle male admirers) it is normal to an extend to just ignore it as long as possible. If intentionally or not I can`t tell, but I can see that this is not successful when it comes to Wolfram. The boldness of his action makes it hard to ignore him (insisting on sleeping in the same bed with Yuuri, trying to wash his back ^o^). He can no longer ignore Wolfram, he is too stubborn to leave Yuuri alone, and although it is clear that Yuuri does not want to hurt his friend, I think there is also another reason why he keeps from rejecting Wolfram for real. He actually likes Wolfram a lot (not just in terms of friendship as you sure can tell). I have always thought that they would fit together perfectly, but that Yuuri`s way of thinking about loving another men would be an undestroyable obstacle. That it would hinder him to show even a bit affection towards Wolfram, but after watching episode 56 and 57, I changed my opinion. After Wolfram is kidnapped he follows his captors without hesitation, which is not surprising since Yuuri would do that for everbody, but what really convinced me was that he did not even went to Conrad and asked for help…. Without thinking about the danger he jumped onto a horse and went to rescue Wolfram. I think this portrays genuine affection towards Wolfram.
So when he has developed feelings for him, why does he still keep pushing Wolfram away? (Yay finally gotten back to the original question ^_^!)
I think the problem really is not hidden at all, Yuuri IS slightly homophobic. He never seems to have a problem with Wolfram himself, just with the fact that Wolfram is a guy. For example in episode 65. After being seperated from Yozak and Conrad, when Yuuri and Wolfram are sitting together at the campfire… remember Wolfram talking about the “legend” of sharing body heat to keep warm (*chuckle* Wolfram sure IS bold, don`t you think?). Yuuri`s reaction to this was a bit to forceful, and he immediately changed the subject. And did you watch the preview for the next episode at the end? Yuuri`s last sentences was “It is not a legend!”. He was really freaked out at that idea… but nevertheless I am totally convinced that he feels towards Wolfram.
So where did he get this attitude from? Certainly not from his family. They are all open-minded and accepting of the engagement (think about Yuuri`s Mom suggessting to buy a wedding dress.. I would LOVE to see that). Another source could be his circle of friends, but since we do not get to know other friends besides Murata, it is hard to tell. And like I said, he does not strike as someone, who would stick with opinions of other without believing it himself. And for Murata… he is the Great Sage, who remembers his past life in Shin Makoku, so he should be accustomed to Mazoku ways (people of the same sex getting married). I actually like his way of teasing Yuuri with the engagement.
To slowly quit this rant, I came to the conclusion that Yuuri is a bit old-fashioned in his ways of thinking, but could definitely love Wolfram as soon as he warms up to the idea of two men in love. I really miss that development in the anime and since I do not know the novels (hopefully they will be translated someday) I will have to settle with fanfiction to satisfy my need of Yuuram action.
Well, maybe I should give an explanation, why I think that Yuuri could love Wolfram in the future…. I think I resemble him in that way. Do you know this too, when you are not ready for certain feelings, especially in regard of love like letting your guard down and opening up to people, and you meet someone you really like, that you keep pushing away that certain person even more forcefully than others? Because you feel that they penetrate this shell that you can not toss away yet? It happens to me a lot, and I think it is the same for Yuuri. Once he can shake off the uncertainty, he will open up to Wolfram.
In the end I want to say, that there is up until now only one fanfic, that is able to give me what the anime lacks: Of Age by [info]lenainverse. I think most of the people here on the Wolfram community know it, so I don´t need to say more (if you have not read it, then you should take your time and do it... it is worth every second of your time!!!). She portrays Wolfram`s feelings so well and the scenes between Yuuri and him are beautiful. They progress of their relationship does not seem rushed or forced (that is what I do not like about most fanfics).
So this were my thoughts, there was surely nothing new in it... but I would like to hear opinions...