91 Days & Gay Subtext: A Forbidden Love Amidst Violence

Is this an excuse to ramble about Nero and Angelo’s relationship for over 30 minutes? Yes. I have no regrets folks, this was super self-indulgent, I'll be surprised if anyone even watches this.
The first part of the video is on gay subtext of old Hollywood films, particularly the cigarettes as a symbol of queer subtext. But the rest of the video is a modern interpretation of what overseas viewers can interpret as queer subtext and romance tropes which could be seen in the show itself.
Also, this is MY PERSONAL interpretation, you can disagree with me that this isn't queer subtext, but I wanted to delve into the possibility that the creators unintentionally created a forbidden romance between Nero and Angelo since many scenes for me, personally, I interpreted them as romantic. Different audience members interpret media differently folks!
Anime: 91 Days
References:
Red River (1948) Directed by Howard Hawks
The article on the Hayes Code: arquives.ca/program/code-read...
Tumblr Post by sapphywatchesyousleep I quoted: seananmcguire.tumblr.com/post...
Ursula from Disney's The Little Mermaid (1989)
the scenes in the Cigarettes and Prolonged stares sections are from Rope (1948) Directed by Alfred Hitchcock

[@katejames2633]

Ever since the first few episodes, I too sensed some queer subtext in the way Angelo and Nero interacted with each other and was very eager to see how their stances on each other played out. The scene with Barbero monologuing about Nero in episode 11 left me slack-jawed because it sounded so romantically charged. In the subtitled version, Barbero's words go a little differently. He says: "Don't call Nero! No! Nero won't kill him!" (He makes a little choked gasp before he says this, in a completely panicked and angered voice.) "Nero said you were like an empty shell. He said he would give you something to live for." Holy, does it get more romantic than that? This further proves Nero's affection for Angelo and the fact that he said those exact words to Barbero in an earlier scene is so damning (Plus, Nero's face while he was having that conversation with Barbero.) "You drove Nero mad." This is the best line and it left me reeling when I heard it. Barbero didn't say it in a "You made Nero make some questionable decisions" kind-of-way (because Nero did nothing _because_ of Angelo during the show, and if he did, it was certainly anything stupid or irrational) and he didn't say it in a "You're the reason Nero turned out this way" because Nero is Don at that point in time, he turned out just fine. He says it in a way that highlights Nero's absolute infatuation with Angelo and how it has led to him being so much more trusting and buddy-buddy with Angelo than literally anyone else, all the while Angelo being the traitor. Driving someone mad with the meaning of making them like you so much that they become blind - if that isn't romantic, I don't know what is. "You're the devil who possesed the family and infested Nero's mind..." He literally is indirectly saying that Angelo is constantly on Nero's mind. As a person Angelo has literally broken in Nero's mind and his feelings too. Barbero's jealousy, though!

[@casualfandomview]

wow thank you for leaving such a thoughtful comment on this video. i really appreciate it!😊 your analysis of the subtitled version adds so much more depth to the potential subext in this series!!

[@infamousdj9428]

I just watched this anime again after so many years today and man I'm feeling empty yet somewhat optimistic inside. Idk but the ending was something I really liked, in the end we don't really know if Angelo dies or not but him dying would make sense to the story to finally end his suffering.

[@casualfandomview]

yes, the open ending is magnificent! either ending is a possibility and I think it all depends on how each viewer interprets the show.

[@shrutiwayne7440]

Nah actually they both living would be better. Probably the cycle of violence broke with both of them without a reason to live but still living cuz you don't always need a reason to live but you still keep going on. Or Maybe He did shoot Angelo to do what he was originally supposed to do and free him. While he goes on to live and atone feeling exactly what Angelo felt all this time which I find more on the nihilistic side.

[@infamousdj9428]

@@shrutiwayne7440 i can see what you mean, they both atone to their sins and just just live life. Like Nero said about happiness within life isn't certain or something but you still keep living on

[@casualfandomview]

Timestamps: 00:00 - 00:40 Intro 00:41 - 3:32 my attempt at explaining homoerotic subtext during the Hays Code Movie Era (I AM NOT AN EXPERT) 3:32 - 6:34 Modern Day Queer Coding vs. Queer Subtext 6:35 - 6:53 Video Outline/Plan 6:54 - 9:40 Cigarettes 🚬 9:41 - 12:37 Prolonged Stares Part One 12:37 - 13:17 Corteo getting jelly 👀 13:18 - 20:43 Prolonged Stares Cont'd 20:44 - 25:33 General Romantic Tropes in Media 25:34 - 30:04 Barbero's Statement 30:05 - 33:36 The Spy Romance Trope [a.k.a. Enemies to Lovers] 33:37 - 34:45 My Final Thoughts Also, this is MY PERSONAL interpretation, you can disagree with me that this isn't queer subtext, but I wanted to delve into the possibility that the creators unintentionally created a forbidden romance between Nero and Angelo since many scenes for me, personally, I interpreted them as romantic. Different audience members interpret media differently folks! Updated note: I've recently discovered that the kiss between Yuri and Victor in Yuri on Ice was NOT censored and this was simply misinformation within the Western anime community. There are no censorship laws against showing a kiss between two same-sex characters. (there are plenty animes that do so and even in a shonen show, there was a gag where Naruto and Sasuke kissed apparently so there is no way it was a censorship issue). As of today, I would say it is deliberately queer rather than being queer coded!!! Also, I am not an expert on the Hays Code Movie Era, so I do not think my video properly explains the history of it. I simply wanted to make a video that explores the examples of gay subtext between Nero and Angelo (I think when I originally made this video I tried to tackle too much and did not research the cinematic history fully). In the future, I will do more thorough research for my essay videos! TLDR: I am not 100% confident in this video being accurate information in terms of the Hays Code and the definitions of queer coding and queer subtext. I didn't do thorough research on the history. I stand by my personal interpretation of Nero and Angelo's relationship as being romantic simply because there was too much romantic subtext (both of them looking up at the moon at the same time, and longing stares) and how Barbero framed Angelo as driving Nero "mad" which is often associated with people who are SO blinded by their love for someone that they "go crazy" for them so to speak. I stand by my analysis of the anime, but the historical aspects I applied could've been more well-researched!

[@kreestenkreesten]

Just something to add... When the two look up at the stars, they are looking at Altair and Vega. The two stars are separated lovers who are only allowed to see each other once a year (at most). Look up the story behind the Tanabata festival for more details.

[@riverbanzachamploo9725]

This is a great video you really broke it down. I loved your other video on 91 days too. I found their relationship to be so complex so it's nice to hear someone pick it apart.

[@casualfandomview]

Thank you so much! I worked really hard on this one so I really appreciate it, and i'm so happy you liked it. Yeah, their relationship is very complicated and interesting, so I had a lot to work off of for this video.

[@suvanipoudyal648]

I was quite shocked that this topic was not as popular as I thought it would be cuz I too noticed all the romantic gestures between them throughout the series. This really requires more attention. Great analysis, thankyou for the video!

[@marthakwon878]

I love this anime so much, and these two's dynamics is just so amusing. And, god, this video is awesome. This is such a great break down of their characters and relationship! Also, one thing that made their relationship so... tragic, so bittersweet, I think, is that in the end when both of them had nothing left for them, all they had was each other. That hurt me for YEARS.

[@casualfandomview]

thank you! i'm so glad you enjoyed how i break down their relationship. And YES, i totally agree the fact that they only had each other in the end was very tragic and bittersweet.

[@scrodiemcboogerball9414]

12:45 and this turns out to be right! And also says more about it being romantic feelings, this man murdered your family yet you cant kill him even tho you killed everyone else, that says to me he does love him😅

[@user-hw8hn1wr7t]

Your video was super interesting to listen to! I guess I don’t agree on there being gay subtext, but I still really enjoyed hearing you talk about the scenes you saw it in. Different interpretations are always fun. It’s also interesting to think what they would have been like as a couple, how they’d complement each other. There’s a mutual understanding, and by the end, both carry the same pain. If they could have stayed together and if their relationship had become more romantic, I wonder how they would have approached it.

[@teabag4273]

I'm not sure if you have said this in the video, but there's a moment when angelo got to meet don vannetti, at first glance and he told angelo to take care of nero. I guess that say sth about them too

[@OutlawKING111]

By going with this logic My personal thought would be that perhaps by some twisted form of irony, both Angelo and Nero came to love each other even up until the end. Angelo had chances to kill Nero yet he chose not to. He either got attached or wanted Nero to experience his loneliness. Nero probably felt the same since the ending is open ended. Whether he killed Angelo or not, both endings imply that Nero also came to have an attachment to Angelo thus either killing him out of mercy or letting him live despite Angelo destroying his entire family. I do think their relationship is very tragic no matter how you look at it. Like lets say Angelo truly felt no attachment for Nero, then it would be sad for Nero since he came to trust Angelo. Basically betrayal. Or like you said, by some romantic undertones, they both did come to love each other in a way, then their separation at their end is also tragic. Like a forbidden love type shit 💀 Or even just seeing them as friends, its still sad.

[@Jdove-fk4ii]

This video deserves way more likes and attention it's obvious how effort you put in to it great job

[@carlacaribe]

Another thing that made me notice thoose two where too close is when they played with the kids together, that's something couples usually do both to see if they are ready to have kids also to see how their partner would be as a parent (Don't know if u already mentioned dat, my understanding of English isn't the greatest)

[@casualfandomview]

I don't think I mentioned this in my video, but that is also a great point! Personally, that entire episode felt very domestic and was the start of Nero wanting to know more about Angelo, I think. (I think Nero could tell the kids were reminding Angelo of something important to him. and he was right, the kids reminded Angelo of his dead little brother he had lost and the times they used to play together).

[@carlacaribe]

@@casualfandomview and that so dramatic thing was the start of something romantic, I think that was the first time angelo smiled with nero and opened to other people in the show, doing things like jokes and also gotta mention he ended holding Nero's back which is a pretty romantic act in my opinion, maybe I'm wrong, dunno

[@shadowkelly8952]

This has just made me want to re watch 91 days been a all time favourite for 6 years but never noticed this gay subtext but now I want to watch it again just to find it because I always thought they had a good friendship (now I would use massive quotation marks on friendship) also maybe because its like twenty to 3 in the morning but at some point I thought you were giddy and to be honest i don't blame you I'm very exited to re watch this video/the anime

[@casualfandomview]

there's always more than one way to interpret a series so if you saw their relationship as solely a friendship, that's also a possibility. But I'm glad to hear you might want to rewatch the show a reconsider your previous interpretation of them! It's also a fun show to rewatch so I def recommend rewatching it if you have the time lol. I forgot to mention it in the video but Angelo's relationship with Corteo could also be seen as having gay subtext as well, I just focused on Angelo and Nero for this video because they had alot more screen time/moments to work with. So I don't want to discredit any other possible responses people had to the show, and as usual everyone has their own perspective so have fun with it 😊

[@shadowkelly8952]

I understand what you mean by that but before this video i have never even thought about the gay relationship that could take place because of the setting but after watching this video and seeing your points and the video i have to agree because like i said long time favourite for 6 years 6 years ago i didn't even know what gay meant but now being older and watching this video I can't say anything but "i agree" now to me another thing is the type of relationship it was weather it was sexual or not is up to debate I view it as i can't imagine L from death note in a sexual relationship because of his character i think the same for angelo but i can imagine it for Nero but like I said very up to debate and even though you forgot to mention about corteo I'm kind of happy you did not because i don't like him i just feel like that it wouldn't have fit in with the video since you know corteo and Nero 2 completely different people and I just find them as brothers because it was for me established since episode 1 that they were brothers but i still love them in the same scenes there incredible

[@casualfandomview]

@@shadowkelly8952 i also agree with you about seeing corteo as more of a brother to angelo or simply a childhood friend he grew up with closely. As you said the series established them being similar to family members to one another since episode 1! thanks for the awesome comments i really appreciate hearing people's feedback/responses to my videos :)

[@shadowkelly8952]

Yeah like with those type of characters I really can't see it its like with mondo and taka in danganronpa if you seen it they established there friendship is like a brother relationship but i still love them to bits even though i don't ship them and i feel the same about corteo and angelo even though I don't see it that doesn't mean i don't love the times there on together because there's so many layers on a brotherly love that it's just such a great feeling to see them on together but i still reckon you could make a video about the gay subtext from corteo and angelo even though I don't see it myself I'm sure there is one person out there who sees it and wants to see a video about it and the video could also still be very educational like i found this video really educational on some things because i love reading into thing that love homosexuality even back before when i throught I was straight i still loved looking into to help be supportive to my friends who were gay and i reckon you could probably still teach more in another video if you were going to do one on angelo and corteo in my personal opinion i think you should do it because it would be nice to see a different mindset about it from a fellow fan yes you will have some more people disagree with you on that video than this (pricks they are by the way) but i and probably more people would love to see the video and support it and no problem on the feed back its a great video that deserves great feedback

[@scrodiemcboogerball9414]

It was episode two or three, fongo offers his thick sidekick over to Angelo and he legit says no, one is made to beleive it's due to his trauma, but generally think he said no because he is legit gay and desires lay elsewhere, also the moments where Nero truly could've kicked angelo out or killed him but chooses not to even after everyone's dead, until he finally comes to terms with the fact Angelo cant live with himself anymore

[@yours_eve2001]

i was on a site watching anime and i was watching "banana fish", which is BL and in the recommendations for other similar anime next to it, they had many bl anime and also " 91 days" . So yeah.

[@nurganymbalgazy8540]

Great video thank you! I want to add that official mv opening video imply to romantic context. In the mv you can see different couples old, lesbian, gay, straight. And in the first they hug each other like they are happy, but then they start arguing shouting to each other. Finally they all kiss their partners

[@casualfandomview]

thank you for the info! i really appreciate it!

[@Someone-sf2il]

Another moment that could hint at Angelo’s sexuality was when he went back to Lawless from Chicago to meet with the Don and one of Nero’s henchman asked Angelo if he had enjoyed the women while he was away and Angelo just outright ignores the question.

[@izayah8745]

How does that make him gay cause he ignored a question wen he wasn’t doing anything with the women

[@scrodiemcboogerball9414]

I also like the use of cigarettes in the anime, I think your right, also u have his little brother whom doesn't smoke but when he begins to admire Angelo he begins smoking, also when he tries to sperate from him he loses it

[@shrutiwayne7440]

On the ending Probably the cycle of violence broke with both of them without a reason to live but still living cuz you don't always need a reason to live but you still keep going on. Or Maybe He did shoot Angelo to do what he was originally supposed to do and free him. While he goes on to live and atone feeling exactly what Angelo felt all this time. On gay subtext : They both are as straight as a circle.

[@0rua]

Good video you earned a sub! You got some discord or patreon to connect with fans?

[@casualfandomview]

thank you for subscribing !! I'm glad you enjoyed this video. Sadly, I don't have a discord or a patreon atm. If I ever decide to make one I would definitely let my viewers know in a video I post or in my channel description. But for now, I don't have one sorry about that

[@user-dh7uf4zr2h]

I really liked your video about their relationship and was a really interesting video. It has been a long time, since I have watched this anime, but I always thought that the reason they were together at the end was due to the similar circumstances as one another where they had both lost their family in similar ways which is why at the end, they ended this cycle with Nero ending it himself with the gun. At least that is my interpretation of the end of the anime. Correct me if I am wrong, isn't Angelo and Corteo like a couple. Also, last question, how do you find the clips for anime, I wish I could edit as well as you do in my videos. You got a subscriber.

[@casualfandomview]

I forgot to inlcude this in my video but due to it's length I cut it out, but I was planning to mention Corteo and Angelo could also be interpreted as having gay subtext and if you interpreted them as a couple that is also a possibility! Personally, I chose to make the video on Nero and Angelo because there were just more scenes of subtext between them than of Corteo since Nero and Angelo are the two leads (therefore there would be more to analyze and talk abotu for the video). Also I just prefer Nero and Angelo as a ship personally so it was in my comfort zone! For my clips i use qbittorrent (so i torrent it) and this website called "nyaa" I don't think i can link it to you through a comment but you can look it up.

[@user-dh7uf4zr2h]

@@casualfandomview My ship was definitely corteo and angelo.

[@user-dh7uf4zr2h]

@@casualfandomview Hello, I was wondering if you know of any way to get subs into the anime?

[@casualfandomview]

@@user-dh7uf4zr2h if you mean an anime episode with english subs on the nyaa website you search for english translated section rather than the 'raw' section which is without subs. then you torrent the one that works for you. hope this helps!

[@user-dh7uf4zr2h]

@@casualfandomview Thank you so much. I really appreciate your help.

[@ShizuruRavenRobin026]

I just watch this anime over the past couple days and I was glad I wasn't the only one getting the vibes that they had these like undertones and vibes to the characters were it's like they were romantic coded towards each other kind of cuz I could just feel it but I'm like maybe that's not it and I'm just thinking that but it really did feel like they were like romantic code it for each other with a vibes they were giving off on like it can't just be me

[@Vinncheng]

Me when gay: POG POG POG POG

[@James_The_Bara_Dude62391]

I can see Angelo and his childhood friend. I can not spell his name . I mean that bought food tighter lived tighter and wanted them to start over and ends up letting his "friend" kill him to protect him.

[@Melissa31179]

Gay subtext be like: "man that's kinda gay"

[@danmcmurphy2823]

7:48 i disagree with this point. I personally saw this scene as Nero accepting Angelo into his "Family", which angelo was working desperately to join.

[@cerene11]

There are actually quite a lot of academics who believe Holmes is gay lol. Just saying.

[@LooisAngel-cl5fj]

LMAO.. sure.

[@leviackerman2060]

B R U H

[@marshallaw645]

@casual fandom view Take this ratio of 1.6k views and only 61 likes

[@shadowkelly8952]

Make it 68

[@dratuang2962]

bros before hoes

[@jameskozy7254]

😂 There wasn't a gay subtext. It's literally two male friends.

[@ereb9658]

Vanitas no carte too please🙌

[@redisanuber]

Goofy ahh video