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oyceterWow! That was a very eventful volume!
After being convinced that this series could not possibly end the way I wanted it to, much less question assumptions about gender binaries, gender roles, and all the attending issues, I am now much more convinced that it will.
Ichijo's notions of what it means to be male or female are still entirely fucked up; he associates maleness with action, control, and assertiveness while he associates femaleness with vulnerability, manipulativeness, and pliability. He doesn't think he's a good guy because he's too weak, but he's not a good girl either. I love that Kureha calls him on his notions of gender being an escape for him.
Ichijo plays at being a girl after deciding he's not a good boy; he succumbs to Kurosaki's kiss and tries to make nice with Sou, he puts on the girls' school uniform. But he's still confused because he's hurt by Kureha's closeness with Sou, and not just because he's decided he loves Sou.
And Sou... he lost his virginity to his sister. I am so not surprised! Also, Sou is amazingly being much less of an asshole now. I'm still not convinced that he's the armor, although it seems like Kurosaki may not be as well, given that Kurosaki appeared as himself.
But, I think talking with Kureha has been good for Sou, and I LOVE that they're still having lunch together. I love them both moping about how Ichijo has treated them, and I love Sou's quiet offer to have Kureha call him if she's sad or lonely. Despite the kiss, I'm not rooting for them as a romance, since the delicate balance of their friendship is too wonderful to upset.
And oh, Kureha! I am SO HAPPY that she's getting character development outside of her relationship with Ichijo, and I am SO HAPPY that she's not being pushed aside for Sou/Ichijo. And I love that of all the characters, she's become the voice of sanity, even though she is still dealing with her own issues. Also, she goes home! Her dream form shifts! She's still hurt by Ichijo and would like to hurt back, but she's also acting very well, all things considered. I really want to see her deal with her expectations of her mother and her father, her hatred of her mother (and herself) being the victim of men, and her anger at her father.
And Ai is from another school! I wonder what that means...
After being convinced that this series could not possibly end the way I wanted it to, much less question assumptions about gender binaries, gender roles, and all the attending issues, I am now much more convinced that it will.
Ichijo's notions of what it means to be male or female are still entirely fucked up; he associates maleness with action, control, and assertiveness while he associates femaleness with vulnerability, manipulativeness, and pliability. He doesn't think he's a good guy because he's too weak, but he's not a good girl either. I love that Kureha calls him on his notions of gender being an escape for him.
Ichijo plays at being a girl after deciding he's not a good boy; he succumbs to Kurosaki's kiss and tries to make nice with Sou, he puts on the girls' school uniform. But he's still confused because he's hurt by Kureha's closeness with Sou, and not just because he's decided he loves Sou.
And Sou... he lost his virginity to his sister. I am so not surprised! Also, Sou is amazingly being much less of an asshole now. I'm still not convinced that he's the armor, although it seems like Kurosaki may not be as well, given that Kurosaki appeared as himself.
But, I think talking with Kureha has been good for Sou, and I LOVE that they're still having lunch together. I love them both moping about how Ichijo has treated them, and I love Sou's quiet offer to have Kureha call him if she's sad or lonely. Despite the kiss, I'm not rooting for them as a romance, since the delicate balance of their friendship is too wonderful to upset.
And oh, Kureha! I am SO HAPPY that she's getting character development outside of her relationship with Ichijo, and I am SO HAPPY that she's not being pushed aside for Sou/Ichijo. And I love that of all the characters, she's become the voice of sanity, even though she is still dealing with her own issues. Also, she goes home! Her dream form shifts! She's still hurt by Ichijo and would like to hurt back, but she's also acting very well, all things considered. I really want to see her deal with her expectations of her mother and her father, her hatred of her mother (and herself) being the victim of men, and her anger at her father.
And Ai is from another school! I wonder what that means...
(no subject)
Thu, May. 8th, 2008 10:37 pm (UTC)