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?
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.
Although I am sure body language is somewhat dependent on culture (just as the language and translations are), let's look at how what's-her-face is acting in chapter 35 based on how the characters are positioned and what social cues are involved. On the first page, Kurose and Shirotani are facing each other but turn to look at her. She is ostensively speaking to Shirotani, but stands much closer to Kurose.
http://iweb6.mangapicgallery.com/r/newpiclink/ten_count/52/f00bd00e230a92a120e93e021641a00b.jpeg
She does it again on page two--she stands close to Kurose and speaks as if to Shirotani. Then on page three she sits farthest from Shirotani and smiles at Kurose, ignoring that he frowns slightly as he looks back at her.
http://iweb6.mangapicgallery.com/r/newpiclink/ten_count/52/a39edd7c24d752506ccf0c38e4c0f2c0.jpeg
See how she leans into Kurose and how he sits up straight? He looks at her without turning his head or shoulders in her direction. She is the only one smiling. Notice how Kurose has his drink close to Shirotani's drink, even as she cosies up to Kurose. Then in the next pane,+l she does the hair thing and looks flirty--but there is no return smile or return lean. His face is blank and his body is kind of squared off. Not defensive, but not inviting. There is no mutual flirt there. In the bottom panel, Kurose turns his head to Shirotanti in an attentive way.
Throughout this chapter, she smiles at Kurse, Shirotani fidgets, looks nervous, and puts on a fake smile, and Kurose keeps a straight face and does not encourage her. Kurose turns his eyes to her to talk but not his whole face.
When she says catty things about Shirotani, Kurse looks upset.
http://iweb6.mangapicgallery.com/r/newpiclink/ten_count/52/0e84b67bdcf45194c5d003ab65de27ce.jpeg
Kurse is clearly paying attention to Shirotani clenching his hands, and Kurose is not smiling at her nasty comments or looking at her. Later, Kurose wants to go after Shirotani and she stops him.
http://iweb6.mangapicgallery.com/r/newpiclink/ten_count/52/53cfa46424b781750cd90b3a0c578fb0.jpeg
He is polite and blank while she continues giggling and doing the hair thing and bumping his arm.
http://iweb6.mangapicgallery.com/r/newpiclink/ten_count/52/ccc1ce1a5ec635ba0e873f8ea53fc48e.jpeg
eo
He smiles for her for the first time when she goes for the "If you get tired of him, come have sex with me" line--and then it's too lean and blow her off. He's just not making a scene. It was a bit manipulative, but she'd been manipulative all day, so it was just a taste of her own medicine.
Even when I just saw the Chinese scans (which I do not understand at all) I knew she was trying to hit on him and he wasn't into her--though the smile at the end worried me until the Spanish translation came out.
The point is, if you look at the body language, it seems like she's hitting on Kurose, Kurose is polite but worried about Shirotani, and Shiroatni is nervous and increasingly upset by what she is doing. Maybe that's just how it looks to an American. But from what I've observed in manga and movies, it seems to me like it's not all that different in Japan, at least not for this type of thing.
Well said!
Honestly I'm seeing so many comments accusing Kurose-kun of slut shaming and it's making me laugh and I think what you said is the perfect explanation for what's going on
I would like to add that some people think that Kurose is abusive to Shirotani when Shirotani does things such as taking off his pants and laying with his butt on Kurose's lap, or later when Shirotani verbally expresses the desire to have sex. To me, Shirotani indicates he wants Kurose to do sexual things with him with both actions and words. Now, if Kurose had taken off his pants and laid across her lap, I could see where she might think he wanted to have sex. But if it's abusive for Kurose to do things to Shirotani that Shrotani wants done, how can it not be harassment for her to proceed with unwanted attention to Kurose? How can the consensual relationship be wrong and the unwelcome attention be good?
Thanks :) I consider myself sex-positive, but I also feel strongly about unwanted attention. I guess sometimes that may seem to conflict, but in my mind, it makes sense if you watch people.
Thanks for the indepth body language analysis! I can really apreiciate this, espically because manga relies on the visual aspects the mangaka creates, it's nice to find someone who can spot and apreiciate it.
That's one of the things I really love about manga, "story telling through drawing" and enabling us to see such emotion.
Can't people read basic body language? (〜￣△￣)〜
The version of her would be commonly called a creep, one insulting your peers at that. "Hey girl, forget about that wimp, if you ever get bored of him come to me."
Like what. Would women here tell him to back off "politely"? You're too nice~
Yeah, there's no sexism, stop reading too far into it. Equality means equally getting as much shit when you have a shit attitude. And he whispered to her, so it stays between the two, he's not humiliating her in public.
That works.
My Spanish is bad. Did she tell Shirotani that Kurose was a father substitute, and then tell Kurose that Shirotani was a spoiled and clingy child?
Here's the link again for those who missed it:
http://www.tumangaonline.com/biblioteca/mangas/8737/Ten-Count
Ahh thank you!!! yeah she pretty much said Kurose was like a father figure for him
and yup. You got it right :DD. I love what kurose replies to her hihihihi....>:D Kurose evil mode (▰˘◡˘▰) that face loved it!!! I hope there's Cuddling in the next chapter!! (๑•ㅂ•)و✧
Shirotani: I finally have someone who supports me.
Ueda: Wow, how cute, your relationship is great. Kurose- San is like a father to you.
Shirotani Well....
Thats when out of anger Shirotani accidently grabs Kurose's drink and drinks it and then...
Shirotani: KUROSE-KUN IS NOT MY FATHER'S SUBSTITUTE!....I'm going to the restroom.
Kurose: Shirotani-san wait.
Ueda: I'm very surprised, he was very cute in the past.
Kurose: ... Sometimes I can't distinguish whether he is an adult or a kid.
Ueda: He is a cute man, but very spoiled, back in primary school he was very close to his father.
Kurose: Is that so.
Ueda: The intimacy was terrible. (Now this part I dont really get where ueda wasvgetting at when she said that
Thanks to both of you. I too loved Kurose's responses. :)
Your very welcome! ヾ(❀╹◡╹)ﾉ~
She was talking about when shirotani was a kid he saw his father having sex with her and then he came because of that sight (vol.4 ch.22.2)
I loved Asami's reactions, and lines such as,"Maybe he realized no matter how much he cries, no one is coming to save him." It made the whole thing work for me.
Yasss! So cute - seeing big bad with little cute. So glad this was not a false update~
I think part of why many of us of conflicting feelings about Harada's work is that like many yaoi/shota, the children are emotionally, psychologically, and sexually little adults. The stories are complex and compelling, and the art is beautiful--but we have to suspend disbelief about how we know real children are to accept these fictional children who want sex (and understand all it entails) and adult relationships. All fiction does something like that--but because of the raw emotional truths in the story and how close this feels to some real life situations, for many of us part of our minds balk at these things happening to kids--not because they don't happen, but because they shouldn't, and of course in real life, no kid is ever to blame or "looking for it". Because it's fiction, I can still read it, but because it involves a kid, it still makes me uncomfortable in a way doing horrible things to adult fictional characters does not. At least the story moved on to him being in high school. Still, I find myself wanting to protect this character instead of wanting to see him have sex, which is an odd feeling in yaoi.
This is the first time I want to delete a character from the existence of yaoi ...I want to Nii-chan disappear, for good. I want him being hit by a bus or an airplane falling over him. I really hate HATE that guy, because it's so close to reality that's disturbing and at least I want that fictional character pay for the psychological damage he's doing to Yui. I said before that I didn't have any interest to read another work from this mangaka but curiosity got me at the end and I choose the most disturbing one, I think. I blame latest updates option. And I don't read shota because NOPE, but then I said, it's Harada and maybe she's trying this in another way and HELL yeah, yes doing it, she's actually writing something related to what we usually read in the news and I'm just UGH!
She's like using yaoi to draw/write about that dark and tainted side of human nature. And btw she's being accurate about certain things (about how that pedo manipulate that child and later how cruel and disgusting he's being to get in some way his revenge). Maybe she's a psychiatrist and this is a way to vent all that disturbing reality she has to put up in her profession. Or she's very good investigating shit or something.
I know that probably this will turn in some creepy ¿love? story... but ok, I hope that Yui can make that fucking bastard suffer in a way (I'll try to get into this plot and go with the flow of it BUT I STILL HOPE YUI CAN MAKE THAT BASTARD FEEL HORRIBLE FOR ONCE)
Tbh i either want nii chan to die and yui finds a boy he likes that cares for him and they are both in love or nii chan ends up loving and caring about yui. Im srry im into this fucked up story and i get all giddy and excited. but if this happened in real life of course i wouldnt like that.
Oh, I'm not trying to shame anyone over their fiction--I read it. But I like your second option--falling for someone good. Of course, that's like her Momo stories.
So, that key dropping trick shows she's still plotting and fishing for men...and that smile when she knows Shirotani will have a hard time refusing her. She's still messing with him, even now. With her there, Shirotani will never get to play in the waves on his beach.
As a silver lining, thanks to all the Ten Count fans who don't mind expressing a little healthy disgust for a fictional villain. Sometimes you have to boo the bad guy, you know? Unless he is hot, and you're into him. She's not my type at all. I want Kurose to shut her down. I hope it doesn't turn into the idea that reconciling with her will cure Shirotani. I'm afraid it might.
I think that the child abuser deserves full psychiatric care while she serves time for her crimes but she did not commit the crimes because of her previous mental trauma. She did it for money. It wasn't a situation where she could no longer understand right from wrong. It wasn't done in the heat of the moment. She was not robbed of her ability to reason at the time. These crimes were done in a cold, premeditated, intentional way and they were ongoing for years. These acts were not a "mistake", a "misunderstanding", or any label that minimizes child abuse. These were serious ongoing crimes committed for the cash.
I do sympathize with her situation, but she had other options and she chose to blame a child and to sell that child to be gang raped for money. It was her choice. She needs to be held accountable. I think seeing a shrink regularly while serving time for her crime would be a good idea. I think group therapy while in prison would be great for her. I hope they can make progress in getting er to see how her rationalizations and pain do not justify what she did in the slightest.
I don't think Momo should go near her until she truly takes responsibility for her actions and puts his needs ahead of hers. Even then, Momo should only allow contact if he is in a place where he feels it is good for him to do so. I think Yata should support him by telling him no six-year-old could be held responsible for an adult's pain or an adult's crimes, and that she is toxic and 100% at fault.
Thank you. Someone who understands .
Again, I completely agree with you. Especially the last paragraph. I hate that Momo is still suffering and hasn't gotten a proper apology...
I really dont like it that she is now "happy and married" had more expectations from Harada
Have you read Nii chan, by Harada?
http://www.mangago.zone/read-manga/nii_chan_harada/
The author has some problems ,the abused child in the manga liked being touched by his older brother so much and was "upset" because he got scared that time.
Harada did that, you think it's weird for her to give momo's mother a happy ending...
Yes, I think that like in many shota stories, Harada's fictional children are more like tiny adults than actual children. Maybe it's a type of empowerment for survivors looking back. Honestly, that part of these stories creeps me out. If the rest of the plot were not interesting and I didn't like the characters, I'd stop reading it.
I agree. In fact thats how I see most shota/loli stories or stories with children in manga. I feel especially in Japan's porn industry, there is this disconnect from reality. They often have hentai with pedophilia (they just label them shota whether the shota is underaged or an adult; same with loli) but the characters are far from resembling actual children. I'm not sure if every author does it intentionally...but I do think that Harada has been shaped by the works of other authors and honestly think that in her case the disconnect from reality is intentional. I don't think any of her stories are meant to resemble real life. She likes to add in a twist or see how far she can push things in her stories. She constantly tries to how far she can take things in her stories and gauges the readers responses. She tries to make us uncomfortable. I do think it is important that we acknowledge this stuff as the readers though because some people can't draw the line between reality and fiction and there are a lot of underage people on this site who don't exactly realize that just because these things are written by real people doesn't mean that the stories resemble rational or real trains of thought.
." I do think it is important that we acknowledge this stuff as the readers though because some people can't draw the line between reality and fiction and there are a lot of underage people on this site who don't exactly realize that just because these things are written by real people doesn't mean that the stories resemble rational or real trains of thought."
Well put, there is a line that should be recognised by the readers otherwise such mangas can be harmful.
So, is the child abuser going to buy Momo a place to live and set up an account for his school and living expenses so she can at least start to take care of his needs for a change? or is she just going to boo hoo about what a victim she is and what she needs from Momo?
I see Momo getting bullied in the street, trying to be a better person and do his job. He suffered more at a younger age than the child abuser did--and he's now supposed to think about her feelings and her needs? That's total crap--and I am disappointed in Yata and their friend for buying into such garbage and pushing him to do the same.
She belongs in prison, and the courts should set up a trust fund for Momo from her assets.
maybe people don't want to think that the main character is that damaged(so they excuse the woman), cuz maybe there will never be a really happy ever after...... without some psychiatric help in the first place
Oh, I think Momo is amazing--and I like the way he is still such a good person despite everything. That's why I want better for him. :)
Same, I want the best,hopefully it will get better for Momo. Yata ain't no gentleman .....yet ╮(￣▽￣)╭
YOU ARE VERY RIGHT.! (๑•ㅂ•)و✧ need a psychiatric to heal momo from the start. And his mom too... they both need it..!
First, let me say I love Finder and I know the difference between fiction and real life. Now, let me confess that I find it a tiny bit annoying that Aki still accepts sexual harassment and sexual assault from just about everyone without blinking an eye. Why is Asami often seen as worse than the rest of the men in this story?
I know many people didn't like the first S&M chapter (though I did) and that YA has said she would have started their relationship differently if she had known how long the story would run. But then Asami would be the only person who isn't harassing or assaulting Aki--and in my mind, he's the only one I want to do those things (with the possible exception of Fei). I know "ravishment" is problematic and romanticizing rape bothers many people, but honestly, I think it's complex and plays many roles--and I like S&M. I get we all like different things. And in RL, of course, you need consent and such roleplays would need safewords and rules.
Constant non-romanticized sexual harassment and assault strike me as worse because it is unfeeling. It's sensationalizing objectification in a way that is a personal turn-off. I get that it's still fiction and it also plays many different roles, but it is so not my thing. If I were queen of the universe, I'd discourage that (not that I would actually tell someone else what to do with her story).
So yes, hypermasculine Asami is a trope that's unrealistic and done to death, and ravishment is problematic--but I still love Asami. I know it would be unhealthy in real life. But what about all the sensationalism of people who don't have feelings for Aki constantly objectifying him and pushing unwanted sexual activities? I mean, it's not a major issue for me, but why does Asami get all the heat while a host of creepy guys get a pass?
I see your point here AG, but let me say something: you know that this story is marketed in many places with different cultures and subcultures, and probably there are many people out in other places who don't see any problem in Aki being molested/sexually assaulted by other characters in this story, probably it is a turn on for many people outside, even if people like us find it annoying. It's a matter of tastes, you know. If someone criticizes Asami for ravishing Aki (at least in the first chapters), it is because he (Asami) is seen as his partner and, because of that, the person that has to take care of him and protects him.
Ah, yes it definitely is worth thinking about.
For me, see I *like* Akihito getting attacked by pretty much everyone, I really do. And in a way I like to see him suffer because I want to see how far as a character he and Asami can go, how far they can be pushed because they have so much to give and so much emotional depth. And him getting constantly (and sometimes yes forcefully) sexed up by Asami too - even better!
I just get so bored with manga that see our couples in more 'normal' established relationships and normal psychology, for example 'Haru wo Daite Ita' got more realistic and therefore so boring for me that I just ended up phasing it out. They had a house, careers, twin beds - meh, not my cup of tea! And the 'Kuroneko' series? - Dude, I see that as so damn boring I just can't stomach it! But hey, that's just my personal tastes!!!
I personally don't like any real life thoughts, morals, drama, conversation or feelings to come into my manga. It's escapism, a release, frivolous fun that you can pick up and put down when you need it. Yes sure there are some stories that just don't leave you with a good feeling because they go so against who you are as a person - I for example have two Yaoi that I will never, ever, ever read again - but surely if some readers feel so offended or irritated at Finder, then maybe these people should give up reading it? for their own sanity? You're supposed to enjoy your hobbies after all!
You are right. I see that. I guess some people could enjoy fiction with the fantasy of being objectified by a lot of people who have no connection to them. I'm sure culture also plays a role. I enjoy a lot of fantasies others think are sick and twisted. I still want to see Aki kick a harasser in the balls though. I guess it's no worse than shipping out of canon.
Can I ship an act of violence with sexual harassers? Is that a thing?
I'm not going to argue with your opinion but I'm not sure the problem is as egregious as you paint it. Sure, Fei gets a pass on raping Akihito but that's because 1) he's really pretty and 2) he actually expressed remorse, which Asami has not.
But of the other men who have assaulted Akihito, who is getting a pass? And what other assaults besides those by Asami and Fei have been sensationalized? I don't know of anyone who read the Sudou assault scene and went "Oh yeah, baby, that's hot!" Everyone I know was turned off by it. Same with Sakazaki. Everyone thinks he's a sleaze.
Maybe there is not constant condemnation of those other men because they are minor characters and so not the focus of readers. Asami comes in for more examination because he's one of the main characters. He simply is on the page more than they are.
So I'm not getting the disparity and this sensationalism you're talking about.
Oh Romy! I understand your point, but please don't criticize haru wo daiteita, I have such a soft spot for that story (it's my Achille's heel), and I like it the most because of it's realistic feeling! sob sob (I'm crying now... just kidding :) )
Fair enough. :) I like a lot of things that people think are twisted, and when things are too sticky sweet it bores me too. But I guess personally, I like twisted fluff, if that's a thing. I mean, I like a lot of dark elements, but I want a HEA (of some sort)--like a Scarlet Beriko vibe. I can go darker, of course. And I too, have some stories I own't read again. I guess maybe it's also a sick kink to want to see sexual harrassers kicked in the balls. Who knows. (●'◡'●)
The point is (but this is only my opinion), that so many persons read this story in the wrong way. I'm part of the minority that don't think it's a "love story", for me is something different and in its way more interesting. Have you ever read "The dangerous liaisons"? From my point of view this story has more to do with that than with any average love story. You can see it from a different angle if you consider this as a mafia story with lots of sex (and sometimes feelings) than as a boy's love.
Haha, don't get me wrong, I loved it in the beginning but it just got too much for me. Even 'Bi no Isu' got a little too domestic and lovely doves for me and at times Finder does too. So I need a little dysfunction now and again to keep me on my toes :D
I do want to see these guys (Sakazaki, Sudou etc) maimed for hurting Akihito. But I feel like Sensei is a little (maybe too much?) Tame when it comes to that stuff…I for example think Asami let Fei Long off completely scott free for actually kidnapping, assaulting and raping Akihito - which was a little lame. Oh! And how many times is he going to tell Akihito 'I am the only one who can touch you.' Before Akihito goes and gets molested again : / empty words Asami, empty words…………...
Hmm I don't know, I would definitely disagree with the statement that Asami gets all the heat and the other pervs get a pass. I much more often see people get mad at the others (Feilong, Yuri, Sakazaki, Sudou etc), whereas Asami is rarely called out for what he does. He's the one getting the free pass the way I see it (and I will admit it bothers me sometimes).
However, there are people who see it the other way around and view what Asami did as worse, and I think that might be because those other creeps are SUPPOSED to be creeps, they are antagonists and not love interests. Asami is the one you're supposed to root for, the reader is supposed to want him and Akihito together, and so it sticks out a lot more when he sexually assaults him.
Oh, I don't mean it's egregious; it's just a little thing. And it's just my opinion, not any huge deal. I just prefer people to act sexually with feelings, specific attraction, and connection.
Fei gets a pass from me because he has real feelings on the line, even if those feelings were originally for Asami. I liked Fei better when he developed feelings for Ai. The key for me is feelings.
I guess Sudou also has those feeling but with less cause. I admit I just don't care for Sudou's character. It's not a simple as a sad backstory and being pretty--it's about whether I see complex feelings and character growth. Sudou's emotions come off as stalkerish to me, whereas Fei's seemed based on a past relationship of a sort.
The characters that annoy me are the ones who harass in general. Mikhail, Yuri, the stalker (did he have a name?), the old guys in the other story where Aki chaperoned high school students, and Sazkizaki come to mind. To me, it seems like it happens a lot. Again, it's not a huge problem, but I see it.
I always loved Haru wo daiteita because of all that chapters about their careers, not only about their domestic life. I admire that story because it begins where many other stories end (live together), and because of its realism, just as I said before... but, yeah, it's becoming really long now.
Well, permanently maimed might be going too far, but I'd like something to happen to them. It doesn't have to be a literal kick in the balls--it could be a metaphorical kick. Still, most men will recover from a literal kick in the balls.
But again, maybe it's my kink. Like if I had money*, I could offer a prize to the best fanfic about Sakazaki getting what's coming to him--something painful, but not too extreme. I could make a tag such as, "K2B/Sakazaki". In the unlikely event Sensei would ever want to grant me one wish, she could draw Aki smacking down Sakazaki, and I could die happy.
Asami could do it too (as you said, he says he will), but I'd like to see Aki stand up for once and say, "Keep your damned hands to yourself!" in a way that such men would take to heart--er that is, through the balls.
*I do not have money. There is no prize.
If I understood well this story, you'll get what you want (in part), in my opinion the next in line to be molested/sexually assaulted will be Sudou (after Aki and Fei), but you won't see that with Sakazaki (because he's a 'seme'... but he can get shot by someone ;)). Can we bet 10$ ?(≧∀≦)
I like finder for the hunter/prey. Dom./Sub. between Asami and Takaba. In a sense Takaba got to play out pretending to not want it and having to be convinced . Asami all knowing pleasure giver. Sex is what is selling the story to a large extent. I like this story for the play betwn. Takaba and Asami (verbal/non verbal) Takaba is a well written charac. Asami can be quite expressive (with her drawing style) esp. around Takaba. He reacts to him. Posture and face. That is what is keeping me here.
You might be right. I fear Sakazaki might not get shot. as you said, he's a seme, one of the Laws of Yaoi is that the Seme is Always Right :) I mean, of course, Asami is always right--but other semes somehow get the same treatment even when they are wrong--(just kidding).
I like the thrill of the chase parts too. :)
I don't think that Akihito "accepts" sexual harassment, but sensei writes the villains as twisted and Akihito as a very forgiving person. Since I'm not Japanese, I'm not sure what the cultural significance is, since rape/sexual assault is a common manga trope. Maybe somebody from Japan could explain that. Also, Asami's enemies are figuring out that Akihito is Asami's Achilles heel.
In this type of manga it is bec. it is smut. The A.V. industry can't legally show what we see here. This is porn with a story esp. what happens to Takaba. Jpn. as a whole is very conservative publicly abt. sex. What you do in private is another matter.
Yes Japan is a whole other kettle of fish where sex is concerned. It's complicated and there is a bit that does make me uber uncomfortable and unhappy when I'm there - Shota and Loli being openly sold and read in convenience stores for example. Peadophilia is more acceptable there and there is a big market for it. It's something I hate to think has a place in a country and society which I love so much. It's completely heartbreaking really. The same with their policy on animal rights -_-
But back on subject!!!! And yes, though most are conservative and shy away from the subject of love and sex, people will most of the time not raise a fuss about what you do, buy, wear, sleep with, they ignore strange and uncomfortable things and always say things like 'it can't be helped.' And move on.
And hmm, I don't know much about the history of sexual violence and assault outside of the Yakuza and prostitution world, but I should imagine that with how society can be - it would ruin the victims reputation the same as the attacker in some instances. I can understand very easily if someone chose not to report it :(
Also, they are big on privacy and their stance on crime is very strict. I mean, Kids don't even really do underage drinking despite the vending machines in the street! Which for a Brit like me is just unfathomable ;)
Though interestingly, even though they are a dying breed, sex museums and love hotels are still around in Japan and sex is not as taboo a subject as you would expect. Just check out Nobuyoshi Araki's work, explicit - but so beautiful.
DISCLAIMER! *I say 'they' and stuff but I am not generalising Japanese people as one organism, just making a quick example of societies' attitudes. The same as saying British people drink a lot of tea, I'm well aware that we don't all drink tea! Just for anyone who might get needlessly offended…..
This is a part of the manga indus. as horror films are a part of the moive indus. Love hotels filled a need for people with little privacy. Walls are thin in Jpn. homes. That need is dying out as places are built better. not all people in Jpn. read porn. or watch A.V. films.there are a lot of diff. types of manga with no sex in them. they have changed their policies on pedo. esp. the laws. and the showing of children ect. getting the idol industry to follow and getting public out of the private/public mindset is another prob.Not every one is abusing kids. at one time they did not have the right laws in place, now they do.
Oh,I iknow it's just part of how sensei writes...but it still seems to me that Aki kind of accepts it and goes along with it rartehr than make a fuss (not so much with Mikhail and Yuri, since he couldn't--but certainly with Sakazaki). I know part of Aki's charm is that he sees thebest in people and nothing gets him down--but damn, couldn't he just once tell them it's crap? It's like he doesn't even know it's wrong to let people treat him that way.
I know what you mean, the charac.s some times do things that don't make sense.
I didn't imply all people in Japan read porn, watch AV, abuse children. Just want to clear that up right now!!!!
Yes there are 'controls' and stuff on explicit material with children (flimsy as ass controls) - but I am saying what I literally see when I am there, in Japan. And Loli and Shota are just as bad - just because it's not photographic, does not mean it's OK to use images of children in that way (in my opinion) that's what I'm saying about it. They can 'put laws in place' all they like. There is still a massive problem in Japan for sexualising children.
Maybe the larger part of the audience enjoy the whole 'damsel in distress' vibe that Akihito can give off sometimes??? By now it's just lather-rinse-repeat with him; rush head first into a situation, get molested or raped, get rescued by Asami and his magic cure-all penis. I mean, just the fact that Akihito is so eager for sex after these things happen to him is so jacked up in itself : /
Rommy I was not implying you said any of those things I was putting in a pre disclaimer just in case for the both of us.
Thank you (⌒▽⌒)
Probably. I do like the parts with the magic cure-all penis.
Honestly, seeing as the vast majority of the lolicon readers are 15 to 21 years old, I wouldn't worry so much. Besides, correlation does not equal causation. Not every lolicon reader has interest at real kids. They seem to mostly just fetish purity (a big part of Japan's culture), and lolicons tend to be quite irrealistically perfect in that aspect, on top of being stylized drawings. Plus people can enjoy it casually without being seriously into it.
It really seems to me that a lot of the stigma surrounding lolicon is more cultural than moral. If you're banning something that doesn't even hurt anyone you're just invading liberties because you think it's icky.
Besides, children are sexualized as well in the western world. There's no need for child porn for that to happen. We just live in an era where everything that could possibly be sexualized has been sexualized, and of course that's rubbing off quite bad on tweens. We have done a wonderful job as a society of sexualizing our youth in our own way. America really have spawned wonderful role models such as Beyoncé, Miley Cirus, Nicki Minaj and Rihanna, which affects pretty much all the other western countries. Being quite young, I sure have lived the full effects of that, being a tween whose sole worth was based on sexiness, was encouraged or expected to dress and behave sexually etc. And what is considered sexual here is far from looking or acting "pure"...
Back to the topic though, while Japan is less sexually repressed than the western world, it is more socially oppressed. Japan has little taboo on homosexual behavior or fantasies, but has a huge problem with the idea of same-sex relationships. Not because they think it's sexually deviant, but because it's socially deviant.
The same can be applied for lolicon.
A little bit of history, just to explain the questions you raised before: During the Edo period, men and women alike would look at “shunga,” a form of sexually explicit images that depict heterosexual and homosexual relationships, but also sex with animals and even vegetables. Shunga images were an integral part of people’s lives, bought not only for fun, but also for educational purposes. Meanwhile, homosexual romances were frequently depicted in kabuki plays, which proved popular with all ages and sexes.
However, this openness gradually changed after the Meiji Restoration of 1868, as Japanese society grew increasingly Westernized and its system of morality, both sexual and otherwise, fell under the influence of Christianity. Of course, national traits that have been cultivated over centuries don’t change instantly. Instead, Japanese people came to a compromise, where on the surface they would see sex-related topics or activities as an embarrassing taboo, but inside they would enjoy them. The similarity with the well-known concepts of “honne” and “tatemae” — one’s real feelings and public front — is unmistakable.
This explains why sex shops don’t get exposed, even though prostitution is illegal. While many of these shops are essentially selling sex, it’s tacitly permitted because they claim that they are just massaging customers. On the surface, it’s platonic; inside, however, it’s anything but.
As for rape reporting, in Canada it's only 5% of it that goes reported (according to statistics Canada). This is caused by plenty of potential reasons, other than reputation ruining:
- Feeling powerless
- Shame
- Self-Blame
- Desire to move on
- Belief that reporting wouldn't do any good
- Not wanting to turn a family member
- Effect on future relationships
- Afraid of further damage from attacker
- Afraid of the legal process
- Knew the person and didn't want to destroy their life
But most of all, if the prosecutor thinks they can't win a case, the police won't even arrest anyone. So most of the rapes reported do not get any real results. This is the same for Japan. This feeds in the "belief that reporting wouldn't do any good".
So I'm not sure how much of it is that much culture related when it comes to rape reporting...
Lolicon by itself isn't a problem (for me) but when people actually grab female students on trains (which happens) it is no longer just fiction. I like Japanese culture overall, and I admit some people can get handsy in the US too, but it seems like it's more prevalent over there. I don't mean every Japanese person, just that the reletively few pervs seem to get away with it a lot. I do think that sometimes people say "It can't be helped" and put up with it instead of making it clear that unwanted sexual contact is unacceptable. Again, this happens in many places, including the US--but it seems like it happens frequently in Japan. I'm not trying to be alarmist or overstate anything, but I think culture does play a role in that kind of thing (though many culturees teach grils it's easier to stay quiet and try to avoid it than to call people out on it).
And I hate when the US sexualized children (and we do).
But groping in trains seems prevalent in Japan because they're so damn packed (depending on the hour, people are literally shoved in it until there's no space anymore), no? I mean, horny men in a cramped space and squeezed against cute women?
It'd be much more prevalent as well in the western world if trains were as legendarily cramped.
Sure the more timid Japanese women may not complain much, but let's be real, I'm not sure people fully understand how humiliating it would bee to admit you were sexually harassed in a crammed train full of strangers. I know the best I'd do would be to push them/kick them, but then again if it's all crammed I wonder how much that would be efficient aha. You can't get away! So let's say those hits you gave him with your elbow didn't phase him, and he's obviously probably stronger than you, what's left is screaming. But I know I probably wouldn't. I'd be too shocked and embarrassed for that. So what's left is waiting and at least hopefully nobody noticed.
Then again, I feel like violent rape is much more prevalent in Western societies. In Japan you sure can get your share of gropers and sexual harassers, but without living in the fear of being violently raped and/or murdered.
That's probably why groping is seen as a menace rather than a serious criminal offence back in Japan. They just feel less extremely threatened (of potential death/injuries) all around.
I had a profession back when I was in university who once grabbed a man's hand on the train, held it in the air, and shouted, "Is anyone missing a hand? I found this one on my ass!". I thought it was the coolest thing I'd ever seen. The guy turned red and got off at the next stop. I think you can only do that if you think that the people on the train will take your side and not his--so it is cultural, but a wide-spread cultural problem. (I think most modern cultures make it hard for the girl to make that kind of fuss). I'd have to look up whether reports of rape are more prevelent here or Japan--beout if most rapes are unreported, how could we ever compare?
To be fair, I take precuasions (self-defense classes when I was young, pepper spray key chian, Kubotan...etc.) but I don't live in fear. I have survived attempts by strangers when I was alone in Europe, and I survived some very bad bad relatioenship choices (and I think family and bad relationships are a much greater threat to most Western women than stranger rapes--but I'd have to go do research to prove that). The Ted Bundies of the world make the news, but thankfully they are actually only a tiny percentage of rapes. Most rape survivors knew and at least somewhat trusted the rapist. That's what makes it so hard to report.
We don't know what the vast maj. of readers of any thing is. You can't take a poll and expect honest ans. to the questions . no one is going to admit to reading it.I have a problem with anything that involves children. I do not feel it should be shown at all. freedom is not an absolute value all the time. I'm not talking abt. the Black Butler type stuff. I'm talking abt. where thy dress the kids in bikinis and still call it lollicon.
Aha, I was only saying that assuming I was in an utterly cramped place. It's a totally other story otherwise.
But honestly, I've never been even groped and did not ever see that happen to others as well, so yeaah. I guess it's good to be living in a city in which the last murder occured 13 months ago ٩(๑❛ᴗ❛๑)۶.
I'm not sure about the "most modern cultures make it hard" though... In Japan, apparently, the acceptable way to do it is to grab the guys' hand, raise your own and yell "Sumimasen, chikan desu!". Then people around take over (someone latches on him, takes him off the train etc.). It does break the "minding my own business" bubble Japanese usually have in trains. Really, in no way do Japanese see this as socially acceptable.
It's just that, understandably, most people just freeze instead, so yeah they tend to get away with it.
In any case, he probably won't get arrested. And yeah, I guess the right attitude is to move on. Shikata ga nai! Just start to ride in the women-only train.
I love the irony of What's-her-face worrying that she'll get a complex over being rejected. Somehow, I didn't pick that up reading the Spanish translation. Thanks Mysophobic Anon!