Otaku Corner

[Mx.Drago]

Reflecting on how much anime I have consumed over the years, I'm interested to see others experiences, interests and opinions on the subject. Examples like; Ranma 1/2, Yu Yu Hakusho, Fruits Basket, One Piece, High School Host Club...

 

 

 

[Heather Nicole]

Ranma 1/2 was a big clue for me. Or should've been if I wasn't so dense I never did understand why earlier on he had such a problem with turning into girl-ranma (I just dismissed it as the same weird reason the cis-het-male, presumably non-ace, protagonists in harem manga always seem strangely repelled by the girls' advances) I always wished Jusenkyo Spring was real. Eventualy I realized, "Hmm, if it were real and I did jump in...the only reason I'd ever go back into boy mode would be to 'keep up appearances' and avoid coming out."

 

And I still thought I was cis. "The self-denial is strong with this one." 

 

You mentioned Ouran Host Club, I loved that one too. Especially Haruhi's attitude toward gender. Heck, Haruhi is just awesome period!

 

[Russ Fenrisson]

@Heather NicoleAh yes, the classic Ranma 1/2. I remember seeing a few episodes of that show when I was little. I thought it was cool his dad turned into a panda whenever water was splashed on him too. I, too, from time to time, wish that pool was real. I'd never touch cold water again! 

 

I've always liked Haruhi. She sort of helped me get through some feelings regarding gender identity when I was in middle school. It must have been stressful posing as a guy all the time but also pretty funny.

 

For me, one of the shows that has long resonated with me is an old 1978/79 classic called Rose of Versailles. It's embarrassing to admit, but when I first saw it, I fell in love with the main character, Oscar François de Jarjayes, and the idea of presenting as male and being respected as such in a time when it was rare for women to have positions of power, even in the military, was truly inspiring. I've always respected Oscar and the interplay of gender that happens throughout the course of the show. Even if Oscar is a cis-woman raised as male wearing a man's military uniform, people still respect her, whether she be a man or woman- the true epitome of androgyny. It's a great show full of melodrama. I like to revisit it from time to time.

[Meek]

Ranma 1/2 was the first anime I ever watched. I never heard of anime until the local video store opened a genre section of it in the 1990s. Later, in my adult life I enjoyed other gender-bending anime like Kämpfer, Your Name, and Genshiken: The Second Generation. This was all before my egg cracked. I should have had a clue. 

[Russ Fenrisson]

It sometimes takes time. You know how you feel, but you don't quite have a name for it.

 

Some years back, I came across an anime called Stop! Hibari-kun. At the time, I couldn't watch all of the show, so I read the manga instead and it was pretty good. Had a few laugh-out-loud moments. Some attitudes and jokes are dated and could be offensive to some people but is totally worth a look.