Another Bit of Everything

1. "TSHD is about a gay high school kid with internalised homophobia who falls in love with an eldritch monster that wears the face of his dead best friend"

My interpretation is that Yoshiki doesn't really fall for "Hikaru." He already says as much in ch. 38 that he was in love with Hikaru but isn't in love with "Hikaru." This IS about a closeted queer kid who ends up latching to this "monster" in hopes that by accepting it as it is, all its horrors and inhuman logic and all, that may spell out some hope for him as a gay kid. He feels like he cares less about what normal means when he's with "Hikaru." But while the theme of queerness is central, it bleeds into a bigger topic about being "normal." He doesn't fall for "Hikaru" but rather sees his monstrosity as hope for him to be accepted as well but also as a haven and escape from that world of normality.

2. This page here from ch. 38.

In a way, I do think it's about the horrors of being forced to be normal, to see "normal" as the highest form of happiness. And I do think the manga presents this as horrible buuuuut...at the same time I kind of get where Kurabayashi's coming from. "Ya don't know how precious bein' 'normal' really is" isn't exactly a false statement to me. Heterosexual people. Alloromantic/allosexual people. People of a certain religion or a non-religion (depending on the country). People of a certain race. To be considered normal is to not be glanced at twice, to not be scrutinized. Being normal is precious in that way - or more accurately and not what she was saying (cause she herself definitely has internalized this hatred for "abnormal" people like herself) - being considered normal is very valuable.

3. The theme about monstrosity as an allegory for queerness.

Actually, a take I disagree with - at least for this manga. I think it IS a parallel, but like Asako says, also in ch. 38

Killing people isn't a good thing - it just isn't. Not for us humans, anyway. As far as we know, that's a human value that remains unquestioned for the large part and that's okay! But for the Illegitimates, that's fine because they believe a person is mostly their soul - to them, killing a body is fine because it's not the same as snuffing out a soul (not the best explanation but how I read it). And... that's valid, too. Like Asako says, it's okay to go say that these people who aren't from my world and aren't my species aren't beholden to my morals. But also, what's stopping them also from changing, from wanting to adapt, from seeing the other's perspective and adapting to respect that? Yoshiki's done it or tried to do it for "Hikaru." So what's stopping "Hikaru" from doing the same? And that's the parallel and not allegory that I'm talking about. Because if "Hikaru" as an Illegitimate represents everyone who is not normal and Yoshiki as a human everyone who is, then the analogy fails since "abnormal" people are all too aware of how they need to understand, cater to, and adapt and accept the "normal" people. But in another sense, it's still not an allegory because "Hikaru" as an Illegitimate and Yoshiki as a gay kid are simply two "abnormals" who have to learn how to understand each other - which is true of many marginalised communities! But in which case "Hikaru" isn't representing queerness - he's representing otherness, point blank, that often gets mistaken as monstrosity even by those who are also other.

Listen, you two. Stay close to me. As close as you can.

‘Shounen Anime’ Santa

Why does the plant in the frame resemble the plant that Shirahama said symbolizes "memory of the past," Tetia?

Right image: WHA Reproduction Selection translation by LetoPridet

Why are your motivation and themes revolve around remembering and being remembered, Tetia?

What happened/what is going to happen to you, Tetia??

It mirrors Coco perfectly. This little girl being thrusted into the world of magic that doesn't fully accepts her. Through endless practice and willingness to learn she's still able catch up with witches who's being born into this world of magic.

It's interesting to also look at Brimmed Caps and what they represents from this POV. Iguin calls Coco special. A child of hope that will set the magic free, whatever that means. Creepiness aside I think that they basically represents this power fantasy path for Coco. Brimmed Caps offers an easy way out, no regulation, no taboo. You're a special little girl and can do anything you want.

But Coco rejects this offer time and time again. Choosing to stay true to herself and her abilities instead of relying on some Main Character ticket that Brimmed Caps offers her.

Forgot to post this here so here's my annual mulan drawing wehehe