something i dont see many people talk about when it comes to the winged lion is how his character and relationship with the dungeon lords is a metaphor for rape. this is most predominately seen in chapter 72 and mithruns backstory. (also the entire concept of the winged lion and the dungeon lords is just a metaphor for the cycle of abuse but thats for another post)
ill get into thistles chapter/ch 72 here because i barely see it talked about a lot even though its singlehandedly the most disturbing scene in dungeon meshi.
if you know a single thing about thistle you know he's confident. he's cocky, bratty, and will do anything to get what he wants. hes awfully selfish and is a prime example of an immature person not realising the extent of their actions and how its not benefiting them in any way. thistle, in a way, is aware of this, but is in complete denial (a tactic he usually resorts to when confronted with an idea he doesnt like. as seen with that one mithrun scene where hes pinning thistle down and telling him about king delgals wish)
in the backstory were given, before the events of present dungeon meshi, thistle was sweet and caring, but clearly didnt like being vulnerable, especially after the events with delgal. he loved the feeling of being relied on, of being a leader that people need to follow, whether that be by choice or force. it makes him feel powerful, something he absolutely didnt feel like he was when he saw delgal grow old, whilst he stayed the same age, helpless.
then we get to chapter 72. as we know, the winged lion granted his wishes when he became the lord of the dungeon, but they of course dont last for long until the consequences of their own selfishness comes crashing down on them. this chapter is where that happens. we see something similar with mithrun, but i think thistles is just all the more disturbing, for a multitude of reasons.
a common theme thats associated with grooming is the corruption of innocence. even though weve seen just how unforgiving and cruel thistle can be to people he opposes and gets in his way, hes still, in his heart, childish. we see this in several scenes where hes reminiscing on his past. just moments after this image, the lion strikes him. this sudden cut from something sweet and innocent, to something the complete opposite causes a sense of whiplash in the reader. which is the point - thats exactly what thistle felt.
of course, he resists. the winged lion, to thistle, is nothing more than a pawn in his eyes, even if he knows the power that the lion holds over him. thistles own arrogance doesnt allow himself to let the truth settle in, but he silently acknowledges the power that the lion has over him, his life, his desires. you can see just how panicked he is when he realises hes in such a vulnerable position - his life is in the lions hands. but were not talking life in a literal sense, were talking the golden country, delgal, his desires - everything. the lion gave him these things, and he can take them away if he pleases.
when the initial shock of the surprise of the bite wears off, and the lion finally starts his actual feast, the feeling of resistance completely wears off. this isnt out of thistles own will, of course. the fact that it isnt hurting is meant to surprise the lions victims - to catch them off guard, and wonder, "am i being dramatic? just what is he doing, and is it as bad as i thought it was?". to confuse their brains.
but this hurts more than the actual bite did, just not physically. now, the winged lion is searching for the very lifeforce of thistle, only sugarcoated. thistle isnt aware of whats happening.
id like to add that this could also relate to s/a victims unwillingly feeling pleasure during the experience, causing them to question if theyre actually liking it or not.
this panel.. bleh. "prime stuff", "left to mature". throughout thistles time as the dungeon lord, the lion has sort of taken the place as a mentor figure, even if thistle didnt view the lion as such. their power indifference makes this dynamic only natural.
with his victims, the lion waits for his victims to finally feel comfortable in their position as the lord before finally striking. like fine wine, the desire grows tastier as it ages. waiting for his victims 'desire' to finally mature before he can take it
also gonna mention just how uncomfortable their positions are in this scene. thistle being pinned beneath the lion, shaken by fear and confusion, while something that has been by his side licks across his torso, leaving thistle no choice but to be put into a vulnerable and uncomfortable position as hes overtaken by confusion.
honestly, this panel speaks for itself. resistance and struggle is a typical thing that comes to mind whenever s/a is brought up, and its something common in that experience. the culprits of s/a can say things extremely similar to this to confuse their victims. to trick them into thinking "this isnt so bad, right?" "it doesnt hurt, see?"
the first panel here can be viewed as the lion knowing what hes doing is wrong, but he just cant help himself. if were taking this metaphor seriously, its the assaulter saying "i know i shouldnt do this without your consent, but its just too good to resist." or something along the lines of that.
thistle, again, is confused. he doesnt know whats going on, he doesnt know the full extent of the lions power and what exactly hes searching for in his body. this can be viewed as thistle being a victim in the context that theyve never had experience with things like 'that' before, ever.
though, there comes the next scene. metaphorically, lets say this is where the experience reaches its 'peak'. thistle realises the lions intentions, and what hes doing isnt right, and that this will become something traumatizing. this isnt *right.* when his physical manifestation of his desire is taken out of his body, it becomes undeniably clear that the lion isnt just having fun or exploring, but taking advantage of his vulnerability to hurt him. then comes the pain of it all when it finally sets in; this is *meant* to hurt. now he cant feel anything else but that.
"i almost hate to eat it." the lion is aware of the importance of this desire. this manifestation of thistles purest and highest hopes and dreams, something so, so important to thistle. metaphorically, this is thistles 'innocence' in this scene.
with this part of the scene, i can almost see it as thistle dissociating from the experience. even though hes literally running away, if were talking in the metaphor, this is - lets call it an 'astral projection' of sorts. his body is numb and still, while the little strength in him he has left is reaching out for help, to not disappear. this could also be supported by the composition of thistles body being more towards the darkness, while the lion is still in the light - the truth of the situation
this scene is meant to be absurd. thistle, this character weve seen as an arrogant and cocky bastard with no other desires other than to save himself, is so vulnerable that hes willingly reaching out and holding anothers hand so they can help him. this scene is still inherently just for himself, but its a new side of him we havent seen before, nonetheless. usually, thistle is extremely picky with who he willingly interacts with, but, hes blind in this moment. no matter who, no matter what - even if its the people he was trying to kill beforehand, he needs to survive
his body is getting weaker and weaker here. just in the next panel, we see his unconscious body holding onto marcille's hand, the hand of a corpse. here, even though thistle isnt entirely dead - there are two corpses on screen. his desire has just been entirely eaten (or, his innocence being entirely taken away) and he goes into a state of shock and absolute exhaustion. without desires, one is basically dead
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