[...so Gay.]
Aug. 25th, 2005 12:22 amReading the `Basara' manga (which, btw, I adore to a scary degree), I understood it, I think. Slash, I mean.
Because in shoujo manga, and `Basara' in specific, there are all these guys who have long hair, pretty lips, feminine habits (like uh, styling their fingernails to perfection or say, actual cross-dressing *cough*Ageha*cough*), and they also have these close comrades-in-arms and even blushing-fanboy relationships where they constantly glomp each other and if close friends, would clearly do anything for each other (going so far as saying 'I'd so marry you if you were a girl', etc).... Okay, and then it's revealed they all fall for the main female character, right. And it's amusing, because I sort of dig everyone digging this girl, 'cause she rocks, but at the same time, this burning question wouldn't leave me alone--
Why are they not GAY?
It's just... on the one hand it's wrong, because I'm sorry, at some point I cannot suspend my disbelief enough to really believe this pretty-boy who often clings to his tall-cross-dressing-and-beautiful dancer idol is actually... not gay. I mean, he even falls for the boyish chick whom he can't have because she's nice to him, right, so he gets a little crush, but even so, how can it matter? How transparent can it be, really?
And okay, I understand author intent and in shoujo, it's likely enough you're supposed to see the wink-wink-nudge-nudge boylove references-- so in a way it's even more frustrating 'cause it keeps not happening-- but in a way, it's also amusing because that's how the impulse to slash always feels to me. It's that itchy 'nooo, this can't be right' and more specifically, that 'Why are they not GAY?' feeling. And y'know, not meaning to offend the straightness of all the make-up wearing cross-dressing queens out there, because I'm sure there are some, but do they really also have... er... crushes on other gender-ambiguous guys? Well, I mean. If so, it's a beautiful world out there, and I want a passport.
Really, though, it's all about this overwhelming sense that everything would really make more sense, it would fall into place like some beautiful mosaic, a wonderful storytelling paradise where things are exactly as they should be, and omg, that boy with all the jewels draping himself all over the tall brooding cross-dresser would be just kind of painfully gay. Because that is how it should be.
And I really did intend to tie all this back to the more 'normal' situation (ie, Western TV, say, and not over-the-top shoujo) where there's no cross-dressing or glomping or (too overtly!) affectionate male partnerships, but-- that is like, its own brand of Gay. Sort of like the subtler, deeper flavor.
So in the end, I would just like to say we slash because we care. About the Truth. Yes, the Truth, with a capital T. And the Truth, it is Gay. And. It wears make-up!!
EDIT - Update: omg, did I mention I LOVE this manga?! Because currently, the utterly-not-gay cross-dressing boy is actually having (coerced) sex in a northern prison (to save the girl hero), and there's this (I would really have to say!!) gratuitous shot of his naked heaving torso, and.... *falls over* This is just... I have no words. Gnuh. I mean, I don't even like non-con, but twist my arm why don't you!! *_____________*
Oh, to hell with descriptors :(( I love Ageha so much :(( And omg, Shuri :(( And Nachi (no wonder, considering how much I love Tasuki and Kyou, heheh) :(( Omg, I love them all :(( This is definitely my favorite manga/shoujo ever next to `Please Save My Earth', and you realize I adore PSME a frightening amount. *siiiigh*
Because in shoujo manga, and `Basara' in specific, there are all these guys who have long hair, pretty lips, feminine habits (like uh, styling their fingernails to perfection or say, actual cross-dressing *cough*Ageha*cough*), and they also have these close comrades-in-arms and even blushing-fanboy relationships where they constantly glomp each other and if close friends, would clearly do anything for each other (going so far as saying 'I'd so marry you if you were a girl', etc).... Okay, and then it's revealed they all fall for the main female character, right. And it's amusing, because I sort of dig everyone digging this girl, 'cause she rocks, but at the same time, this burning question wouldn't leave me alone--
Why are they not GAY?
It's just... on the one hand it's wrong, because I'm sorry, at some point I cannot suspend my disbelief enough to really believe this pretty-boy who often clings to his tall-cross-dressing-and-beautiful dancer idol is actually... not gay. I mean, he even falls for the boyish chick whom he can't have because she's nice to him, right, so he gets a little crush, but even so, how can it matter? How transparent can it be, really?
And okay, I understand author intent and in shoujo, it's likely enough you're supposed to see the wink-wink-nudge-nudge boylove references-- so in a way it's even more frustrating 'cause it keeps not happening-- but in a way, it's also amusing because that's how the impulse to slash always feels to me. It's that itchy 'nooo, this can't be right' and more specifically, that 'Why are they not GAY?' feeling. And y'know, not meaning to offend the straightness of all the make-up wearing cross-dressing queens out there, because I'm sure there are some, but do they really also have... er... crushes on other gender-ambiguous guys? Well, I mean. If so, it's a beautiful world out there, and I want a passport.
Really, though, it's all about this overwhelming sense that everything would really make more sense, it would fall into place like some beautiful mosaic, a wonderful storytelling paradise where things are exactly as they should be, and omg, that boy with all the jewels draping himself all over the tall brooding cross-dresser would be just kind of painfully gay. Because that is how it should be.
And I really did intend to tie all this back to the more 'normal' situation (ie, Western TV, say, and not over-the-top shoujo) where there's no cross-dressing or glomping or (too overtly!) affectionate male partnerships, but-- that is like, its own brand of Gay. Sort of like the subtler, deeper flavor.
So in the end, I would just like to say we slash because we care. About the Truth. Yes, the Truth, with a capital T. And the Truth, it is Gay. And. It wears make-up!!
EDIT - Update: omg, did I mention I LOVE this manga?! Because currently, the utterly-not-gay cross-dressing boy is actually having (coerced) sex in a northern prison (to save the girl hero), and there's this (I would really have to say!!) gratuitous shot of his naked heaving torso, and.... *falls over* This is just... I have no words. Gnuh. I mean, I don't even like non-con, but twist my arm why don't you!! *_____________*
Oh, to hell with descriptors :(( I love Ageha so much :(( And omg, Shuri :(( And Nachi (no wonder, considering how much I love Tasuki and Kyou, heheh) :(( Omg, I love them all :(( This is definitely my favorite manga/shoujo ever next to `Please Save My Earth', and you realize I adore PSME a frightening amount. *siiiigh*
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