I like the proactive Takaba. he has been jumping in feet first from the start. every now and then I would like him to stop and think things through, have a back up plan. At least get out of the way, don't throw yourself in front of the kidnappers. Jumping off of buildings w/o a rope is not a good escape plan. To me Takaba creates some of the storms but he takes responsibility for his actions example when his friends where taken by Fei, he tries to find a way to save them.
I like both those sides of Aki. I don't see him as either/or. I do think he is often in over his head and sometimes has to tread water or go with the current. He is sometimes the victim of his choices, sometimes the victim of those who are more powerful, but generally not passive. I do love his heart but far from making me pity him, I think his heart--his empathy, his kindness--gives him the inner strength to fight when the odds are so stacked against him. Cheeky, badass Aki and sweet, caring Aki don't exist separately to me. They are essential parts of a whole. (Along with surprisingly kinky Aki.)
It's not the needing-to-be-rescued that makes him human and relatable to me. Again, it's a jumble of things. That heart, the mistakes, the awkwardness, his resilience all make him relatable and human.
That resilience makes him rootable. He has weathered the storm of Asami and his world over and over and keeps coming back, keeps fighting back. Even when everyone else has assault rifles and all he has is a frying pan, he's right there.
He's cheeky, reckless, kind, harebrained, sweet, hot tempered, empathetic, foolhardy, sexy, infuriating, caring, etc. etc. I like all of that about him.
LOL I love the line about assault rifles and a frying pan. :)
I do too. LOL
I believe that other fans doesnt notice how good of a charactet Aki is. Obviously that's because of Asami who is probably the greatest Yaoi character ever. I have always loved Aki ever since i met him. And what i think makes him a good character is just how strong he is. Not in brute force but in his attitude and spirit and this is what attracted Asami to him. In a sense, i think that Asami acknowledges that Aki is his equal.
Since any interesting and complex character will have many sides to his of her personality, readers will identify with different aspects of the character and interpret that character's actions accordingly. I like the cheeky ninja aspect of Aki, so I see him as being drawn to things he knows are better to avoid, but ultimately enjoys. Others prefer Aki's good heart and the fact that he sees good in others, even when bad things happen to him. I guess that these readers are more likely to pity Aki, or see him tossed about by the storm of Asami's personality. I shouldn't really speak for them though. I think there are those that really enjoy seeing Aki get himself into trouble and have to be rescued. They think it makes him more human and relatable, maybe? The point is, I'm sure that many people can point to parts of the story that support their views of Aki, and in a sense we are all right because he is a multifaceted character that has grown over time.
So, what aspect of Aki do you like best and do you see him as mostly proactive and responsible for his choices and what happens as a result or weaker and at the mercy of those who are more powerful no matter what he does?