Queer Characters in Komi Can't Communicate

*The intention of this video is not to offend, simply to enjoy. Please do not leap to any conclusions. Also the title uses the word 'queer' in a reclaimed sense*
Komi Can't Communicate is a slice-of-life/comedy/romance series that I happen to quite like, so I've chosen to discuss the show's LGBTQ characters as an excuse to gush about my latest hyper-fixation. Thank you for watching!
My twitter - / thepurple39

[@nopeface3371]

The ninja boy blushed when tadano kissed him

[@r.c.3415]

I forgot about that part lol

[@rinyaskyline]

Bi ninja my beloved

[@Milk-ck1wv]

I love him so much

[@Aquarius88846]

The ninja name is shinobino if you didn't know😅

[@LunaStarlun]

Tadano cross-dressed as a girl on School Festival. maybe that's why

[@That_one_Stranger]

I don't think Yamai's transphobic but just the writers using the 'haha, we don't know if they're a girl or a boy joke'.

[@oshkeet]

It's a pretty old trope, and still comes up even when its obvious the creator really likes the character (versus just being the butt of a joke), so I dont read any harm into it here. Though I do get it could get tiresome after a while like any running joke, but only in the way constantly joking about how unfeminine a random moeblob character would be in some other show, etc. Apparently the bigger complaint is there's a weird early tone of the manga that doesn't match the later stuff, which I guess was growing pains?

[@FattahWildaaa]

Bro yamai is lesbian

[@haiIeyy]

@@FattahWildaaa Lesbians can be transphobic too

[@MillerTheMagicalBoyDarkPrince]

​@@haiIeyyBecause they don't wanna date trans women?

[@haiIeyy]

@@MillerTheMagicalBoyDarkPrince What? No

[@justinmitchell2577]

Yamai’s sapphic competitiveness with Nakanaka, great, amazing, love to see it. Yamai’s horny Willie Coyote shtick, nah, miss me with that shit

[@Jessie_Rose1977]

You know what, I believe your “Made him ugly” theory

[@Electrosa]

The whole thing with Yamai and her "knife" almost feels like the author going for something, realising their mistake, and backing off in real time. The entire gag with Komi's characters is that every single one of them is built out of a single classic anime trope that then gets expanded such that they become a real person instead of a cardboard cliche. (If you speak even a word of Japanese, you quickly realise that literally every single character's name is a TRULY GOD AWFUL PUN. "Osananajimi" literally means "childhood friend".) So with this knowledge, it looks like the author was wanting to go for the total classic, dictionary definition yandere scene of "threatens romantic rival with physical violence" for Yamai, only to realise a few panels in that it was coming out WAAAAY too serious and played-straight for Komi's overall tone, and then had to back off hardcore and pretend it never happened. Unfortunately this leads to the exact jank you discussed.

[@r.c.3415]

Right?? Honestly Yamai is one of the more interesting KCC characters for me just because there's so much going on with her, even some missed potential

[@galactic_studio09]

I like to headcanon Tadano as Bisexual because of the photoshoot scene in the hotspring episode. There is no hetero explanation for that scene, it's gotta at least be bromance of some kind!

[@r.c.3415]

I have this little pet headcanon that Tadano is actually asexual or aromantic, just because of a couple of moments where the idea of romance seems to make him uncomfortable and whatnot. I didn't put it in the video (though it's referenced in the thumbnail) since it's definitely not intended, being largely contradicted by moments like the hot spring scene (as well as the actual plot lol)

[@galactic_studio09]

@@r.c.3415 maybe he's aromantic bisexual!

[@Pastellera2video]

@@r.c.3415 he gets into a relationship with komi later on, so I don’t think he’s aRomantic

[@localheaddealer1382]

​@@Pastellera2video then an asexual biromantic?

[@Pastellera2video]

@@localheaddealer1382 he kissis komi later to..... although I don’t think the manga is going to go any farther than that lol

[@jruler93]

Manbagi could easily be bisexual or pansexual (or at least could be headcanoned as such), given how she loves Tadano, but like Komi even more.

[@Thefoop]

Manbagi stays winning 💪

[@franziskavonmegan5840]

I think she said or thought of a line that was like "if I was a boy, I'd date Komi" and this gave me veeeery heteroflexible vibes as it was one of the things I've said about a same sex friend once, but I was sure that I was straight (I'm currently bi XD)

[@kahnadah]

She's showing admiration not romantic love. She's not saying man I wanna get all up in that, she's saying she's cool and I want to be part of that world.

[@rinyaskyline]

Nagimi annoys me to no extent but hey they're fine. Ren being the weird stalker lesbian is absolutely hilarious. But honestly Shinobino (the Ninja) is my absolute fave and is most definitely bi because he got so flustered when Tadano kissed him lol

[@r.c.3415]

Yeah I didn't do Shinobino justice lol.

[@OnimoIndustries]

The entire school is just a bunch of Tadasexuals (except the Komi loyalists)

[@mochamatcha3]

let me think... there's Komi (obviously), Shinobino (ninja dude), Katai, Manbagi and cross-dressing guy (I forgot his name) That's quite a lot considering Tadano isn't really physically attractive and isn't very popular

[@OnimoIndustries]

@@mochamatcha3 wait crossdressing? Who? Which one?

[@mochamatcha3]

@@OnimoIndustries the guy who likes other guys cross-dressing, who fantasized abt maid Tadano Sorry if I wasn't very clear

[@OnimoIndustries]

@@mochamatcha3 ohhh. Then that’s all the boys in the fantasy cult club

[@mochamatcha3]

@@OnimoIndustries no I mean the costume designer guy If you add the fantasy cult club, that adds two more people, since Shinobino is in the club

[@Paper_Jam200]

Najimi claiming to be male as a way to reject the dude hitting on her is "using her unique gender identity for selfish gain," she probably didn't want to hurt the guys feelings, so she just came up with an excuse

[@Milk-ck1wv]

Yeah but even when they aren't doing that they still call themselves a girl

[@Paper_Jam200]

@@Milk-ck1wv Yes... when she was put in an uncomfortable situation, she let the guy down easy by coming up with the "I'm a guy" excuse. After this, she goes back to indentifying as a girl.

[@Dannydevitoes]

i headcanon everybody in the manga Bisexual tbh💀 Theyre all kinda into each other lmao

[@r.c.3415]

There's definitely those vibes lol

[@crappybucket]

the raunchy jokes were kinda there since the beginning, in the pilot chapters of the manga, komi asked tadano if he would rather eat curry flavored poop or poop flavored curry, obviously not sexual but definitely out of place, bad words are also used, tbh i personally think around the time najimi was introduced it was still getting its footing and what comedy it would use, and where it stands and basically everything, i personally think the first chapters seem really out of place if you read the current ones or ones from like a year ago, things change!

[@AraAraArisan]

Love your personality showing in some moments. Especially for the "i gotta say and get this out NOW--" and that made me giggle. Nice job on your flow and composure. Gambatte!!

[@TheScrunker]

okay so as a closeted transfem i have to say i LOVE najimi not in an obsessive way but i adore them they are like a role model for me, i wish i had the confidence and the capability to be like najimi i wish i could present as whatever the hell gender i want like najimi, i wish i could talk to people like najimi and it makes me depressed thinking that i cant be like them i dont want to trama dump in a youtube comment section so ill keep this breif my life is the antithesis to najimis this show is like the ultimate fantasy for me were people are (mostly) wholely accepting of people's mental disorders and sexual and gender orientations (sorry for this comment sounding really scatterbrained im not good at writing cohesively)

[@alveloss7880]

Great video! I really enjoyed but I wanna point out that the title has a typo!

[@r.c.3415]

I am ashamed. Dismayed even. Pinning this comment so the whole world will know I failed.

[@diamondanddj2311]

You disgrace to the non typo family

[@yazzkwiinxwx2334]

There is no way you can convince me Tadano is completely straight. Or at the very least adhere to "traditional gender roles" Whether it be bromance, cross dressing, or just being the boy crush of other boys he is definitely not STRAIGHT™️

[@athenasimp9928]

16:04 THEY SHRUNK THE POOR BOYS FACEGFSGJFD

[@marvelouslee4427]

This is a really high quality vid with good points. It was so good that it stayed in the back of my mind for months and today i was like “I kinda wanna watch that again”. How does this channel have so few subscribers?

[@giorgiadiieso8641]

I don't think Yamai is exactly good lesbian representation but I think there is something to relate to. I'm pretty sure komi is her first crush and she doesn't really know how to react. It doesn't excuse her actions but there is something almost related.

[@bobjeezorham7658]

Honestly Fuwa has been my reason to actually read the manga lmao But seriously though I've had my eye on this series for a while, pretty neat to see it has some canonically LGBTQ+ characters

[@estarossa1847]

How do u only have 200 subscribers what!!! 😢 U deserve to blow up. Pls keep up ur great vids!

[@r.c.3415]

Thank you so much!

[@zcvp]

Najimi is a second character due to her not being present in all scenes and the reduced screen time shes getting. Tadano and Komi are the main characters since they participate in ALL actions + plus that the movie is only about them in the first place

[@CursedWithAGift]

You already did mention Sherlock but still, I did NOT except to be jumpscared by THEE destiel despair confession clip in a funny komi can’t communicate video essay 😭

[@TheHighlian]

That ending track 👌🏽👏🏼

[@wuba5456]

the ending omg amazing

[@skdkhoang1319]

11:09 she also wielded dry fish and tried to hit tadano 17:04 naruse is dating ase now

[@Milk-ck1wv]

16:50 Isn't there a moment between him and tadano holding hands and some other scenes? I didn't go to far bc spoilers but i did see alot of manga panels

[@r.c.3415]

They do a one-off joke where Kometani and Tadano look at each other in what could be interpreted as a romantic way, and everyone else acts with general confusion. It's pretty funny, just didn't fit into the video organically.

[@starscreamsniper926]

What about Nene Onemine and Otori Kaede. Nene Onemine is like the older sister type character and is always with Otori Kaede. Otori Kaede is like the slow talking, laid-back girl who is known to disappear when not watched. Onemine is always holding Kaede's hand and trying to keep her out of trouble.

[@r.c.3415]

I mention the ship in the tierlist videos linked in the description, it's a good ship. There's a bit in one chapter where someone asks Onemine why they're always holding hands, and Onemine demonstrates that as soon as she stops holding Kaede's hand, Kaede disappears instantly.

[@Kneevirus]

I feel like canon and explict gay or bisexual men in anime are so rare outside yaoi

[@Kneevirus]

Also sasaki to miyano is very good

[@localheaddealer1382]

​@@Kneevirus truee

[@Milk-ck1wv]

100%

[@pieberrpie2080]

"this series is kinda weird" omg i had noooo ideaaaaa

[@ur1c3hu33]

Nice video!

[@CursedWithAGift]

I fucking love the unserious presentation of this video lmfao

[@Milk-ck1wv]

I like the ending song

[@Lemniskaten]

Never having heard of this show I parsed the title of the video as "characters that are queer and appearing in the show 'Komi' (which, interesting, has the same name as the finno-ugric language) aren't capable of communicating". So I assumed it was a critique of the creators' choice to depict queer characters as socially incompetent. I guess not, huh.

[@r.c.3415]

Oh I can see that haha

[@topiaz]

yaknow i kinda forgot that yamai was queer. interesting

[@panpanmonday3585]

I personally headcannon kiyoko as an asexual lesbian who had a crush on asechan

[@crypticemeralds]

great video

[@kitty_catra]

You share a birthday with TASHIRO I LOVE HIM HXJZJZJJZJZJZNZNNZ

[@RavenclawFtW3295]

I never liked any aspect of Najimi's character, to be honest. Annoying, neglects academics, and interrupts just about every moment Tadano and Komi have had so far. As for Ren Yamai, she actually got dangerous considering she brandished a freaking knife at Tadano. I'm only on volume 6 right now. So, if something changes don't tell me.

[@alanpines4632]

Najimi is a najimi and best character so far for me

[@Dyah77]

Blue lock guy got me dying. as a july 7 person i agree 77 is pretty cool

[@clintwyatt8517]

I hope they get a season 3

[@anaisrios5504]

First, what a nice video! a while ago I was also thinking about the number of probably queer characters in Komisan. And two, WHY DO YOU REMIND ME OF CASS'S DEATH?, i just, o god, I laugh to avoid cry B)

[@thulitesguide]

i think tadano's a trans girl. i have no idea why or how, but the headcanon has a vicegrip on my mind and won't let me live- i share your pain with the birthdays... mine is on june 15th LIKE IT'S SUCH A COOL DATE! MIDDLE DAY! MIDDLE MONTH! but theres's so few charas who have that bday... anyways this video was great! loved the komi right at back ya cover. your voice is genuinely very nice! (also ace attorney 1 is very underlooked in the fandom i love it sm but like............. tgaa is right there and it's so good...)

[@Milk-ck1wv]

Him being emo in middle school

[@Milk-ck1wv]

21:19 YES SOMEONE SPEAKING MAD FACTS

[@bucket9144]

I like Najimi. The way I see it, they're comfortable enough with their gender expression to laugh whenever people get confused. Zero insecurities.

[@LetralXIV]

Tadano is straight, sorry shippers.

[@r.c.3415]

NOOOOOOOOOOOO

[@payasita01]

nooooooooo 😫

[@kahnadah]

I think you're reading too much into it. This show has a collection of anime and manga character stereotypes, with those stereotypes pumped up 1000%. Najime isn't trans in the way people think. They are the childhood-best-friend trope personified, and such they would have to be seen as both a male and a female because they're EVERYONE'S best childhood friend. Same with Yamai. She's the yandere stereotype taken to the most extreme ends. She's not in love with Komi in a romantic way, she's just being shown to have the -dere traits maxed out. Every character in the show is portrayed in the same way. Watch this video, it explains it all. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hnyWaKmMZsSfjtE

[@Jo-gn3nu]

I wasted 20 minutes waiting for a aro or ace hahahahahahahahahahahaha

[@Jo-gn3nu]

Oh you guys are so good and small yet, good luck

[@r.c.3415]

I'm sorry 😭 I headcanon Tadano as aro/ace but couldn't scrounge together enough evidence to include it...

[@riazcurrimjee2130]

I think Katai is gay

[@nikaonly2912]

Komi is straight she not gay

[@w__w7256]

Congratulations?

[@nikaonly2912]

@@w__w7256 Thanks I'm actually happy

[@faehame]

Bisexuality exists...

[@nikaonly2912]

@@faehame But she not she reject yami. So she straight

[@itzrainy_outside4450]

She still could be Bi? Honestly who wouldn’t reject Yami?

[@sheerave3577]

Everyday 1 little gay kid dies inside when they remember that Heterosexuality exists. You and you community can help stop this from happening by calling 6969Gaybaes and acting on Gay thoughts today. That's 6969Gaybaes, Thank you. This has been an international wide message from The bureaucracy of LGBT+ Nations.

[@itsyaboiskyler2519]

Youu my friend deserve an Oscar for comedy

[@Boko34566]

well shit