#robi talks

I'm 100% aware that non-con is pretty standard for the genre (and for romance series in general regardless of the genders of the characters, if we're being real), and I've become desensitized to it enough that I'm usually able to suspend my disbelief enough to not be that bothered by it, if the series is presenting it as something that doesn't really affect the character?

But like. Izumi's reaction is played pretty straight, initially? He locks himself in his room, he isn't coming out to eat, he isn't going to classes, he just lays in bed, unable to stop thinking about what happened. It's hard not to see it as a realistic reaction to being sexually assaulted, only for everyone else in Izumi's life to act like he's overreacting and needs to just 'go back to the real world' and move on. Not to mention his own brother taking pity on Ryou, because uwaaaah Ryou just feels so bad, clearly this is all just a misunderstanding.....

And like, okay. Izumi bounces back pretty fast, and if that were the end of it I think I'd be able to take the series at face value and be like ok. The story isn't interested in taking this seriously. This is a world where assault is treated like a minor inconvenience, sure. Let's move on. BUT. As soon as Izumi sees Ryou again? Boy is TERRIFIED. Like, the scene is played more for laughs, but when he's running, he genuinely looks scared for his life. And that makes it harder for me to move on? Not to mention, Ryou apologizes in a way where it makes it really hard for Izumi to reject him, because he's being so dramatic and doing it in public, he puts Izumi in a really awkward position.

It's still early in the show though and I know this isn't going to be treated serious, so I'm still like. Okay. Ryou apologizes very sincerely. He promises not to lay hands on Izumi again. He asks to just be texting friends. If Izumi is willing to accept that, then again, I'm willing to meet the tone of the series where it is and go along with it! But Ryou pretty much immediately shows no regard for the boundaries that he set in place, pestering Izumi about walking with him, texting him constantly throughout the day, and finding out his location at school and going there in person without getting an okay from Izumi. my guy.

That's already a red flag, but from there on he 1) repeatedly kisses Izumi while he's passed out, 2) tells him he will keep going even if Izumi changes his mind and revokes his consent (he does stop but that's still such a crazy thing to say dude wtf), and 3) gets super jealous and becomes physical with Izumi. Like. The ONLY thing this dude has going for him is that he was willing to prostrate himself before a bunch of people to get Izumi a review and autograph from his idol.

It's just? Frustrating, I guess? Like, I don't even hate the show or anything, I did find it pretty enjoyable to watch. Izumi is very cute and I like how in spite of his social anxiety he does still have a bit of cockiness and overconfidence to him when it comes to his own art skills, I like that he's passionate about becoming a mangaka and doesn't want to just go with the flow of his family pushing him into show business. I liked Rei, and I thought the dynamic of him awkwardly being a sort of mentor to Izumi as he realizes he's into men was cute and funny. I wanted to like Ryou, especially when he started shaping up, and trying to be a genuine friend to Izumi.

But the way that it handles sexual assault just feels too wishy washy. I feel like there's so many ways it could have been done better. Ranging from just, not having Ryou actually touch Izumi after disrobing him, and having him immediately realize 'oh shit I've gone too far'; to just... not including that element to begin with. Hell, you can even go with the tried and true route of focusing on Izumi liking it and not understanding why, and being 'in denial' about it- which I feel like can be a cop out but does make it easier to paint the seme as less scummy, if that's what you're going for.

Idk. I feel wild for even discussing this sort of thing in depth. This sort of topic is obviously a controversial one when it comes to BL, and I both don't want to be disrespectful of actual SA, while also acknowledging that Rape Fantasy is common in the romance genre and not shaming anyone who enjoys it for any reason? Just, in this particular series, I feel like it took me out of it in a way that is hard to reconcile with the tone of the show.