I agree with that infantilization thing 100%. The Fandom's weird obsession with woobiefying Giyuu always kinda ticked me off. I'm a hardcore Shinobu ride-or-die, but their relationship is clearly of two very close friends, and Shinobu (mostly in the LN's admittedly, and Giyuu Gaiden) does stick her neck out for him a LOT. I don't know what kind of mother these people had if they think Shinobu is in any way a motherly figure for Giyuu - ah yes the classic motherly strat of being an obnoxious asshole to get under your sons skin because it's funni to see him squirm. If anything I think their relationship is anything BUT maternal. They banter, they shoot jabs at each other - it has to be cathartic for both of them in a way, and I think boiling that down to "omg she's so MOTHER to him!!!" is reductive, misogynist, and boring - and a complete misread of the dynamic. Like you can care about someone and stick your neck out for them without being maternal; it's called being friends with someone. And also their banter is spicy - like if someone views Shinobu as a motherly figure to Giyuu - what kind of FRICKIN' MOTHER TELLS THEIR KID NOBODY LIKES THEM HELLO?!?!?!? It also kind of robs Shinobu of one of the few relationships she's got where she can really let the mask slip, which oh my god girlie needs it for real. Don't let anyone get under your skin when you're 100% correct.
i honestly dont know what else to add to this, i feel like you NAILED it!!! tagging the hell out of this so people see this
thank you for your service as a shinobu ride or die. i imagine ur in the trenches constantly. i salute u
