I can only assume you don't know anyone who either has autism at all or is severely autistic. Everyone has socially awkward moments, yes, and most BL have characters who are that type of socially awkward. However, there are other indicators of autism that those without autism never display. For one, the natural ability to gauge one's own physical strength when touching others. Or the inability to "put themselves in the shoes of another person" and empathize with the feelings or thoughts of another. These are both described in the manga as being part of the secondary main character's life since early childhood and he was unable to outgrow them, or had a lot of difficulty doing so, when he reached adulthood. This is common in high functioning autists. I have a dear friend who is autistic, he is actually more like a son to me since I have cared for him since he was 3, and the secondary main character was a mirror image of the way my friend has experienced life. He is a very sweet, warm and wonderful person IF you don't expect him to act like everyone else you know. To those who don't know him, he can be seen as rude, cold and extremely awkward. That, however, is because he doesn't view the world the way a person without autism does. If you view the world through his eyes you can easily see that he is just as kind, considerate, warm and endearing as any other 20 year old man. You just have to be patient with him and try to understand him without expectation. Just like the MC of this story did with the secondary MC.
Mameiha, thank you for sharing your story and explaining all to me! Although I still have mixed feelings about this... I have a distant relative who is autistic. He is treated well, but I think his mother gave up early on his education... He's very nice person though! But I just can't compare them. I guess you're right, I'm not very familiar with this topic. It's strange to me that I didn't even think about it... ._. For me he is totally fine...
I can understand your mixed feelings, especially if you have been raised to believe that being different means there is something "wrong" with you, and that is the common line of thought for many people in many parts of the world. I simply adored this story, not because the protagonist was autistic, but because he wasn't openly portrayed as being so. To someone familiar with autism it is obvious, but to anyone else, he is just kind of awkward and even rude at first. He is not the subject of pity or put on a pedestal as particularly special either. He is just a guy who meets someone who understands and accepts him. There is nothing particularly tragic or spectacular about his life. I think that is all anyone, "normal" or autistic, ever wishes for in life. Just a simple, quiet life with someone who understands you and loves you for being you. The fact that a protagonist is autistic but not openly or directly portrayed that way puts emphasis on the story and the character, not the autism. To me, that is the best way to portray a character who is different from the norm.
Allow me to clarify that I was raised to believe that if you were different, there is something "wrong" with you. Now, however, I am nearly 50 and haven't believed that for 40 years. The adults around me believed this and impressed this idea upon me as a child. It was up to me whether to truly believe it was true or not.
I would also like to add that autism is a spectrum and varies in degree
because nowadays everyone who hasnt grown up in a certain culture, and therefore acts differently, must be autistic. Its a typical western idiocy that can be found especially in america.
errr... how funny you assume that everybody here is westerner or American.
It's hard to take a person who cries "prejudice" seriously when their own comment is dripping with their own prejudice. Isn't It? LOL
Yeah. Like...They clearly saw how all the other characters in the manga didn't act nor understand why he is like this. This isn't even about the japanese culture itself, damn weeb. The manga clearly portrays him as different from others. Also you are a true idiot if you think that japanese people act like this as if they were some exotic creatures.
What really bothers me is that saying someone has autism is taken as if it were some kind of insult. That's like saying, "You have brown hair or green eyes.", is an insult! In my experience, people with autism are exceptionally intelligent, compassionate, articulate and frankly, witty as hell. Sadly, it is the normies who lack patience to try and understand the autistic person who never get to see it. There is nothing "wrong" with people with autism. Different? Sure. Uncommon? Sure. But wrong? No way. And those that think saying someone has autism is an insult are the ones that hold prejudice in their heart. They obviously think that being autistic makes something "wrong" with you or they wouldn't be insulted by it. For instance, I don't have a problem with promiscuity or hypersexuality. Therefore, if you say I act slutty, I would reply with, "Yeah, I do, thanks for noticing. What's your point?" I'm not insulted by it. It's a fact, not an insult. And if you think you're insulting me, you're obviously the one with the problem, not me. Offense is rarely given as often as it is taken.
You are so absolutely right about Japanese people or anyone from another culture or country for that matter. They are HUMAN BEINGS. They don't all act exactly the same, think exactly the same or even view the world exactly the same. They are as individual as any other group of humans on the planet. The idea that all the people of any culture act or think alike on all things is the epitome of prejudice.
Western idiocy has infected the world. McDonalds everywhere. Greed and capitalism killing old cultures. And you expect me to believe that you are not influenced by Americanism?
Fuck yeah!!! FUCK YEAH! I mean sure, each culture has its own norms, and some have different norms and things they consider as ok or bad. This could translate into their manners or what they consider the conventional way of handling situations.
Even in the most "open-minded" societies, there are still several codes to follow. For example, you shouldn't ask somebody about their religion in certain areas unless you truly know the person, or you shouldn't ask a person why they have a certain hair color or skin color. It is just "common sense" in certain societies, and you're expected to have the common sense.
Now, because autistic people percieve the world differently, a lot of them don't have that "common sense". For example, in Japan, you don't really flaunt the fact that you are dating a guy, unless you know they aren't homophobic or smth. In a lot of countries, this is the case. It is just "common sense" because you know people can look at you weirdly or judge you. He, however, says it because he sees the world differently, so he doesn't calculate that it is inappropriate for him to say so.
Yuppp. It is very funny how some people thing autism is a negative thing while it is just... A thing. I mean we can point it out and be fascinated with autistic people since they are different than us, but that's it. They aren't stupid or "retarded" if that is what some might imply.
Hey there, genius, you're using the internet and writing in English. So, before you start spreading your prejudice and your idiocy, remember the old saying. People in glass houses shouldn't run around naked... or throw stones. I'm sure your culture is fucking awesome. Is it the one where a girls genitals are mutilated because females shouldn't enjoy sex or the one where six year old girls are sold into marriage to 60 year old men? Because, well, you weren't real specific about which of the fabulous Eastern cultures you hail from. Just a hint, the next time you bitch about Western culture, you probably shouldn't do it using two of the biggest icons OF Western culture - the internet and English. I guess it is true, prejudice makes you stupid... or is it being stupid makes you prejudiced? Ah, either way, stupid and prejudiced go hand in hand.
I mean what does capitalism has to do with an autistic character????
Maybe they are upset that they didn't get a McDonald's in THEIR town. LOL
i think i am pure dumb to not understand @kurarara's point and where it even came from... like what triggered such response...
oh and especially @dookkatob
Why do you people say he's autistic? I don't get it. That thought didn't even cross my mind o_o" He seems just an average, a bit naive and awkward in his feelings man to me. I don't mean to be rude, it's not about autism itself, but the fact that almost every BL manga has those kinds of people, it's just most of them are uke. So... do you call every awkward person autistic now?.. ._." I've checked another work of the same author, 'Soredemo Kamawanai'. It seems she is just in those types of seme, which is somewhat cute :^) I mean, until the mangaka doesn't give us a hint about the character's situation, don't read into it too much, especially in such a simple and not over-dramatic story. The hug scenes with 'strength control' were funny. The story is pretty simple and heartwarming too. If mangaka will say one day he was autistic, then ok, I guess I read it wrong X) But so far it's just very cute story to me.