The Artistic Devotee

Manga colored by me

I love Chise Hatori x Elias Ainsworth, and if they ever did consummate there marriage in the future, I would be fine with it as long as it’s initiated by Chise first, and they are both emotionally mature with Chise being around twenty-five or so. The thing is, that isn’t my focus. While I do think about it, I don’t do anything weird. I would honestly rather see a canon adult version of Chise before anything like that. If that never happens I'm fine with it because not everything is about sex! holy shit.

I love them together, but they are still far from ready for romance. Elias didn’t even understand what marriage actually was, and that was very apparent in the manga. One thing I’ve noticed about this fandom, especially back between 2016 and 2018, is that everyone was so freaky in it. Some people would sexualize Chise even though she’s a minor, which is completely disgusting and gross. I don’t care how many people try to justify that.

Some even made rape fantasy stuff, and of course you’re going to get that type of thing because there are weird people on the internet. That doesn’t mean I have to be fine with it. If anything, I’m disgusted by it. If you can take Elias Ainsworth’s character and headcanon him as a rapist, I find you disgusting. How are you going to mischaracterize him into something that vile and depraved?

He isn’t a pervert. He isn’t a rapist. I don’t believe he preys on Chise at all. He also isn’t some “innocent cinnamon roll.” He’s a complex character who happens to be very attractive, but that isn’t all he is. He has so much depth, it’s crazy.

Let me list a few things.

1. His emotional naivety and curiosity about the world.

He doesn’t understand his emotions whatsoever. He studies humans like a scientist studying a new species. When he expresses to Chise that he doesn’t know what a certain feeling is, it’s genuine and not detached. His journey is to learn empathy, morals, boundaries, and love , things that come naturally to humans but not to him.

2. His power versus his restraint.

He isn’t weak. If anything, he’s incredibly powerful. He’s ancient and capable of doing horrible things, but he’s also childlike in how he handles that power. An example of this is when he threw a tantrum out of jealousy over Chise, or when he tried to sacrifice Stella because he was scared of losing her. Sometimes he lashes out when he’s jealous or confused, not because he’s evil, but because he hasn’t learned how to process emotions in a healthy way. His monstrous side and his gentle side are constantly in tension.

3. His identity and self-loathing.

He doesn’t truly know his origins or what exactly he is. He desires to belong, but he never truly can. This makes him lonely and dependent, especially on Chise. He often confuses love with possession or safety, which isn’t healthy, but I believe he’s getting better. He’s learning, and so is Chise, so that they can eventually have a fully healthy relationship.

4. His intelligence and ignorance.

He isn’t some stupid idiot who should be babied. He’s incredibly smart and knowledgeable, but completely ignorant of the social and emotional parts of life.

5. His growth through Chise.

Chise is like a mirror that forces him to see what’s missing in himself and grow as a person. Through Chise’s pain and healing, he learns compassion and mutual care instead of ownership and curiosity.

His relationship with Chise is complex. It isn’t romantic early on, and even now, it’s still more about emotional development. I hate when people dumb him down with labels that completely miss the point of his character. Calling him an “innocent cinnamon roll” or a “hot himbo daddy” pisses me off. The first one annoys me so much, and the second one just tells me you don’t actually like his character , you just reduce him to being attractive.

And of course he’s attractive, I’d hit, but he’s so much more than that.

it will always choose you. you cannot die. you'll always come back because it loves you so much. you are its right and left hand, its eternal weapon. it will drown you in its light. light as horror. darkness as horror. what if it thinks you are its best friend.