It was quite heartwarming to read plus i love all the friends who didn't get all awkward or treat them any differently. They were honestly just good friends Yay supportive ppl!
I hope more mangaka follow this one's lead and begin writing stories that feel more like they are written by someone who has at least one gay friend or family member, ya know? Stories that encourage acceptance and understanding, rather than shove the "hetero is better/hetero is correct" bull down your throat. Yaoi readers seem to get younger everyday, it's better to teach them understanding and acceptance through the genre than to keep pressing the old "straight" line. Seeing secondary characters treat openly gay, or even quietly gay, friends with kindness, respect and understanding makes my heart sing. It feels so much better than the typical ridicule, name calling, fear or "you just need a girl" lectures.
I in general totally agree but I do also think that the times it is shown as not accepted is good too for a few reasons. Like it can show them how u might deal with it better if u r the one being picked on Or and i think most importantly, it could show some people a mirror of how their words and actions coukd truly effect someone. Sadly i have come across many ppl who don't seem to grasp how their actions truly effect others
I think my favorite ones have a mix of ppl, some who accept, some who dont and some who dont care lol. Makes it realistic and dynamic
You make an excellent point. Grasping how one's words affect others seems to be a talent a lot of people lack, this is true. Learning through example in a manga can be effective for some. Others, however... Well, honestly, there's no helping some people. They are the way they are and little will change that. I think having older manga with homophobia and prejudice in them allows younger readers to see what things were like before their time. Homosexuality is widely accepted in most liberal countries, but it hasn't always been that way. Here in the US, just 40 years ago, the public attitude toward homosexuality was little better than that of Japan right now. So, as long as the reader has perspective and can distinguish between past and present views, having homophobic characters can be beneficial.
True but there will always be those who still dont accept it even in more progressive communities. I woukd really like to see more manga where it shows how they deal, positively, with bullying. So many manga seem to just have them fighting it out or the one being bullied dropping out of school n such. Which that last one just always breaks my heart. I think it would be really interesting to show how they over come it instead
Well maybe someday everyone will just learn to live and let live. If it isnt hurting anyone just let them b
I'd like to see that in more manga too. A protagonist who stands proud when asked if they are gay by a co-worker or classmate and says, "Yes, I am. What's your point?" Then proceeds to educate the narrow mind. That would be an awesome story. I've seen one or two like that, but more would be a blessing.
This story is so beautiful and poignant. Perfectly depicting how awkward, disorienting and painfully wonderful first love can be. The fear and insecurities of love are not exclusive to same sex couples, but there are additional fears and insecurities a same sex couple must face. All this heart wrenching drama would be exponentially worse if we are not supported by caring and understanding friends. I love this mangaka. They have a talent for touching on the most delicate topics with sensitivity and true understanding.