Togashi's Trans Characters

[@machina5]

Honestly I think the cutest part about this is how Togashi kept trying over and over to represent them correctly until he got it right.

[@edralynmadriaga5746]

That's one of the many reasons why I respect him so much as a writer💖💖💖

[@Bris7k]

Luxury ball, Luxury ball.

[@emptyteacup8228]

Truue! ^~^

[@Mike.325]

Machina18 Facts he is the literal a GOAT for that👍🏾❤️🔥

[@GabeSweetMan]

It also highlights why it is SO SO SO important that folks stop attacking authors/writers in this age of callout culture for poorly implemented trans characters. Criticize the work or the character itself, certainly, but so often I see such criticism take a hard turn into personal attacks with little regard for the authorial intent of the character's inclusion. It's so appreciated that we have authors like Togashi to point to as an example of the progress that can be made regarding trans representation in fiction even if they might need a few tries to get it right. It's a hard topic to tackle so having folks coming down on them for fucking it up only serves to hinder future attempts at giving trans people representation in media because why bother with the hassle if you're just going to be attacked for every attempt you make? Oops! Back to square one of zero representation I guess! Odds are, if a trans character even EXISTS in a work of fiction, the author is already acknowledging that trans people have a right to exist so treating them with hostility does nothing to help your case.

[@or9422]

Representation is great and all, but look at how cool Killua's skateboard is.

[@MathWizHQ]

bring back the skateboard

[@Aleczandxr]

Wrong channel mate lol

[@totallynotamimic3522]

That is one sick ass slateboard

[@or9422]

@@Aleczandxr just spreading the gospel

[@megancraddock5501]

@@MathWizHQ And the fishing rod!

[@arat2028]

me trying to understand my gender identity be like "turns out our ms is a mr is a ms is a ms is a mr is a msmr is a mzzister is a ms is a mr is a mrmsmrmsester?"

[@unitymask]

eventually i turned out to be a msmsnimsniusmsisusns

[@arat2028]

@@unitymask being a mrmsmrmsmmsmsmrms actually isnt too bad

[@pedro_.]

Some people turn into pspspsps

[@BaalFridge]

wow ok how is that so relatable

[@michelepiocurci7924]

KEKW

[@MariaMouraYoutuber]

I see people saying that Togashi was against LGBT because of Yusuke attitude, but I think most of people forget that what a characters does/thinks doesn't necessarily need to be the same with autor. For example, I can create a homophobic character but I am not homophobic. It's up to the author to decide if their character has the same values as the own author

[@ChuuniKaede]

most of yusuke's transphobia is bad translation and even then it just seems more like "it's the 90's and we still don't really understand this shit yet" and the writing evolved with time.

[@MariaMouraYoutuber]

@@ChuuniKaede exactly but even if he was transphobic, that doesn't mean that Togashi is transphobic like I saw some people saying in other youtube's videos

[@ChuuniKaede]

@@MariaMouraKZbinr honestly what I get from togashi is a guy trying his best and getting better with experience.

[@MariaMouraYoutuber]

@@ChuuniKaede exactly I really love Togashi's work and I can clearly see how he used YYH's mistakes to make HxH incredible, he's someone that's always trying to improve and get better

[@spbspb2413]

@@ChuuniKaede Yusuke is one of the finest action-shonen MC if not the finest, so you can't really get better than that.

[@iScAre1]

I wonder if Togashi drew inspiration of his Trans characters from his spouse, Takeuchi (author of Sailor Moon) who also created many gender non conforming characters in her series.

[@axisboise]

Trino B now that you mentioned! As a kid, sailor moon was the first anime that opened my mind with the concept of playing and messing with gender stereotypes

[@axisboise]

Shaman Xeed Hey imbecile, GENDER is a social construct therefore how many gender exists at a certain point in time is determined by the society that dictates it. Christian and conservative communities tend to favor two-gender stereotype. But traveling in some islands of polynesia, other gender constructs exists such as the Mahu of Hawaii and Fa'afafine of Samoans. So no, there exists many genders not only two. What you're talking about is biological SEX where majority of human population fall either as XX or XY. And even then a minute population falls outside of the two categories; for example people born with XXY (kleinfelter syndrome), those born intersex, and many others. Generally, it's accepted that there were two SEXes but there were never only two GENDERS. It doesn't hurt to be educated instead of just merely showing your nasty homophobic side.

[@iScAre1]

Shaman Xeed man you’re bitter! WHO (The World Health Organization) acknowledges the complexities of gender identity and separation from it between biological sex (of which there is technically 3) I’ve even spoken to several psychologists/psychiatrists/health doctors about it and they are of course in support of it. So the only one living in a fairy tail is you unfortunately!

[@aniflowers1998]

@Shaman Xeed Just a smal heads up/explanation, you are talking about biological sex. In that case you are right becouse that is determined by our chromosoms and can therefor not be changen. (X and Y chromosoms for anyone interested) Gender however (in the simplest way of describing it) are just the outside features that seperate the sex, like male and female genitals. Therefor gender can be changed, since you can change your apearance, but your biological sex can't be changed since we can't rewrite a bodys code. Your biological sex however only really metters when it comes to doctor apointments and reproduction. I tended to get those two mixed up myselfe a lot, the pain of someone who doesn't speak english as there first language.

[@25254617]

Benno GB what you’re referring to biology is sex, not gender. and it is not only two, as there are intersex people; when a person is born with several sex characteristics including chromosomes, gonads, sex hormones or genitals that doesn’t belong to the criteria of male or female sex.

[@mystiquevue7454]

Togashi said trans rights

[@ohnoknux4163]

BASED

[@martinchristianaguilar5135]

Araki: Amateurs!

[@metaloopa6907]

🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍⚧️

[@enzojose4001]

@@martinchristianaguilar5135 Where Araki made a trans character? The only thing i know is that Joline was originaly planned to be a lesbian.

[@bethleeham]

@@enzojose4001 Yeah that’s part of it. Anasui, Jolyne’s bf, was originally a girl and was introduced a background character early on. However it’s rumoured the editorial team at Shonen Jump refused to let an explicit gay relationship be in the manga so Araki transitioned Anasui from female to male to keep the relationship he planned. His sex-change is never expressed other than Foo Fighters thinking he was a girl when she first met him. It is implied that he used his own stand to transition though

[@antonbrown17]

When watching the HxH sub I totally thought some people using 'he' for Alluka while Killua used 'she' was a translation error, can't believe I missed this whole layer of gender and what it implied about the family Dynamics

[@KonekoNaru]

Lmao same there's so often little mistakes like that in subs that I didn't even think twice about it.. glad I'm not alone

[@khalifeddie3718]

Damn made me rewatch the whole arc again. The metaphors and “read between the lines” with Alluka and Nanika goes way deep with how both of them were treated and treat others. Damn.

[@Sanafield]

same, i only realized it after gotoh misgendered alluka and killua yelled angrily at him correcting him saying that alluka's a girl address her as such

[@lexishere378]

So was alluka actually born a boy? I didn't watch this video lol i just went straight to the comments

[@Zero-rq9ti]

@@lexishere378 Turns out everyone in the Zoldyck family is a male except the mom. Yes even Illumi.

[@thecynicalone7655]

There's also Kite, who was reborn as a female chimera ant

[@ShouVertica]

That's not trans.

[@thecynicalone7655]

@@ShouVertica but it is an example of togashi messing with gender

[@ShouVertica]

@@thecynicalone7655 not really

[@thecynicalone7655]

@@ShouVertica a (presumably cis) man was violently murdered and reborn inside the body of a woman. Does that make this person trans? Or cis but one step removed? It's difficult to give a clear cut answer (at least from my perspective). Which thus makes it a clear example of togashi playing with gender

[@ShouVertica]

@@thecynicalone7655 it makes them reincarnated into an ant. I'm pretty sure reincarnation is not transgender or a comment on gender issues.

[@chuwyjoe8808]

Wait, Chrollo refers to Kurapika as "chain dude" in the manga? Laughing my as off. Imagine your last words being chain dude.

[@sladeclegane9709]

Translation’s a little loose. “Chain bastard” might be closer.

[@user-kx2zv7tg3u]

“Look spiders, that chain dude is really getting on my nerves”

[@cabbagesprinkles7322]

In the 1999 HxH dub Fetain calls him chain dude lol he says to Gon in broken English “You know chain dude?”

[@ramudaamemura_]

Here comes chain dude

[@EnciodesSilverash]

Mind you, Chrollo may use "dude" as a gender neutral term. Like, I've called so many people despite their gender "dude".

[@Lana-qp9qv]

I love togashi for trying over and over to get a trans character done right. And Alluka is personally my favorite transgender person in fiction.

[@moofz6550]

Lana who the hell said she is trans she litterally just femine that's it

[@blushpinkbunny]

@@moofz6550 did u not watch the anime? or read the manga? or watch the video?

[@ElCampeador99]

@@moofz6550 She's a girl. The show constantly reiterates that the only person that respects her is Killua. Killua keeps saying that Alluka is a girl despite everyone else thinking otherwise.

[@AgarioSplitrunner]

She is a girl. Her other family only sees nanika the boy.

[@fch1187]

You guys need to read the wiki and official databook. Her sex is male bur her gender is feminine. If she identify herself as a female, then her pronoun is she/her; despite her having a dick. Therefore, Alluka is indeed a transgender (trans-woman)

[@acelessx]

I actually like how HxH doesn't specifically comment on characters' genders, because that's how it is for most trans people. Yeah, they're trans, but that's not their entire personality. In fact, I highly doubt any trans person who has transitioned and/or is passing as their preferred gender will make it known that they are trans without being prompted to, since no one really needs to know!

[@krokulridgestalker7007]

It's true that most binary trans folks tend to do everything in their power to go unnoticed, specifically because being trans isn't exactly a part of your identity as much as a descriptor for the relation between your identity and physical body and therefore, not actually a part of one's daily life. (I hope I'm not being too confusing here) BUT,, I will say. We, totally passable AND pride-flag-clad trans ppl exist too! Personally I have three reasons for that. 1. Pink and pastel blue look great on blonde bimbos 2. I want any baby transes out there to see me and think "they're out there and someday I can be just like them" just as outwardly queer ppl have inspired me in my still ongoing youth 3. Most importantly. Cis ppl won't regonize a pride flag if you beat their ass with it. I sometimes like to wear straight up pride flags in my hair like trans chopsticks and people are still surprised to find I'm trans.

[@acelessx]

@@krokulridgestalker7007 Honestly you right I'm just (reasonably) scared but probably won't be as hesitant in the future!

[@axisboise]

Thank you for this perspective ^^

[@25254617]

omg YESS thank you. people keep pressuring for togashi to explore his charas identities, and to make a clarification or something. whereas supposedly, we shouldnt let gender or sexuality define a character or person like that’s the only thing that shapes them as a person🥺

[@IAm-zo1bo]

sometimes you need to know for certain things

[@machudaimarunrak6292]

Alluka is one of the most truthful representation of transgender people. Only one person who understand and accept them is enough to change their whole world. And does not need to be present in title or physical evidence that Alluka is boy or girl. It is that Alluka is Alluka and will always be Alluka. She's lucky that she has Killua. And again. A masterful writing by Togashi.

[@sblbb929]

So transgender people have a split personality?

[@machudaimarunrak6292]

@@sblbb929 Nah not in that regard. Just the fact that we appreciate being treat like normal people not being put in pedestal. Same can be said to every gender actually.

[@sblbb929]

@@machudaimarunrak6292 True true. I agree

[@QWERTY-gp8fd]

@@machudaimarunrak6292 if ur normal then why demand special treatment.

[@QWERTY-gp8fd]

@Pop they did

[@lizzie5973]

I love Killua and the fact that he respects his sister's pronouns and loves her for who she is just makes me smile.

[@sblbb929]

There are no pronouns in japanese. Her parents use words that fit talking about a "monster". Killua uses words that usually are used for girls. Parents see the dark continent monster nanika as the main person, killua regonizes the female human alluka as the main person. Both are wrong.

[@kareepan3382]

@@sblbb929 no pronouns in Japanese? 彼 and 彼女 would like to have a word with you.

[@jinkydinky8786]

Lizzie fax

[@sblbb929]

@@kareepan3382 You don't use pronouns at all in 99% of any sentence you say.

[@kareepan3382]

@@sblbb929 I'm fully aware of that. But saying that there are no pronouns in Japanese is just false.

[@kaifuyu1]

Day 43 in quarantine : I study about Gender from Togashi-sensei.

[@b1w1nd3x]

day 37something i study about gender from togashi-sensei

[@trashpandabebes6784]

As a trans guy, seeing Alluka's representation and how well it was done just really meant a lot to me. I also really love that Killua doesn't really bother correcting or insisting Alluka's gender much with his family, other than always using the correct terminology for her regardless. He understands they don't love her and aren't going to change just because he insists, so he doesn't even really spend energy on it. Where this contrasts nicely and really makes me love this decision, is when he firmly insists with Gotoh that she's a girl, even delivering the line as if it should be obvious and he doesn't even understand why Gotoh is confused about the issue. This really sends the message for me that he doesn't waste time on people who don't love them, but if someone is a friend and wants to continue to be his friend or in his life, they need to acknowledge his sister and her identity. The last thing is that I love that it's not even a conversation with Gon at all. From the moment we see Gon and Alluka in the same frame, it's not a conversation or a question. She's Alluka. She's a girl, and she's his best friend's sister. That's all he needs to know to love her.

[@bobthet-rex2718]

As a trans woman, I have nothing but respect for Togashi, he seems to have really dedicated a lot to try and understand and represent transgender people as best as possible. He definitely had a rocky start, but his care to make sure to improve upon every mistake he has made is admirable.

[@bannedaccount6016]

So you're a male?

[@fandomgaymertransgirl2.0]

​@@bannedaccount6016No. She's a trans woman. Trans women are women.

[@masspwnagedGames]

You are cringe

[@costelinha1867]

@@bannedaccount6016 No, she's female, she literally said so, learn how to read my friend.

[@bannedaccount6016]

@@costelinha1867 born male is a male for life lil guy

[@Aleczandxr]

Algorithmically contributory comment

[@MathWizHQ]

plot twist, your comment gets a heart instead! haha!

[@janosd4nuke]

Mah heart melts from such majestic use of language

[@mell5428]

People today use it for two things 1st they use it to conform to a natural standard of order; meaning what you are biologically is considered normal to them. 2nd they use it as a social norm; meaning normal is viewed as a group conduct as well as individual perceptions of how they live their individual lives.

[@vnilyaa]

Wow Such facts

[@thevioletbee5879]

Aleczandxr says trans rights.

[@aneonfoxtribute]

Alluka is baby and I luv. She cute.

[@animeking17]

Kawaaiiiii

[@aneonfoxtribute]

@Ecem ve Cerenin Dünyası Well let's start with the fact that she's a girl and go from there

[@jakovhrga5619]

@Ecem ve Cerenin Dünyası shitty forced asspull char thats why

[@epitaphboi4816]

We must protect her at all costs

[@UnifiedEntity]

@Ecem ve Cerenin Dünyası No clue. The character is pretty freaking annoying. Killuas sad scenes fell flat to me cause it didn't feel connected.

[@iwillcry]

I’ve heard enough of people misgendering Alluka, any video or post that talks positively about her identity is a big plus

[@HexManiacQuinn]

@HaremGodRance With that attitude, why enjoy discussion at all? Why visit this video?

[@tristan4206]

@HaremGodRance yeah, why does this human being react to stimulus, i.e. experiencing human emotions the way a human being would? such a weirdo

[@TheSynking]

Mental illness

[@HexManiacQuinn]

@@TheSynking Yeah, gender dysphoria is a bitch to live with. Your point?

[@tristan4206]

@@TheSynking yeah thanks for the dictionary's definition of dysphoria, captain obvious, what are you gonna do next, point out that we breathe in oxygen?

[@OccuredJakub12]

Togashi when writing Yu Yu Hakusho: Turns out I M I S S E D Togashi when writing his future works: Turns out our miss was A BULLSEYE

[@GrandLufaine]

OccuredJakub12 Grefkowicz what an interesting metaphorical conceptualization of self-improvement tho

[@hannahfischer6477]

Now *that* is what a quality profile picture looks like.

[@carebear1470]

"Being gay is normal. Being trans is normal." Why do those words fill me with so much emotion? Even though it should be obvious, I've never heard those words spoken and I've never thought them before.

[@sunny...3602]

Exactly. It’s so simple and it really should be obvious but I have never heard anyone says that it’s kinda refreshing. It’s so weird

[@prizma45]

it fills you with emotion because your brain is telling you it's wrong

[@theharshhack10]

@@prizma45 cringe

[@yandereboyenthusiast8149]

@@prizma45 Someone doesn’t get affection from their parents and live a sad worthless life where they feel tearing people down is the only way to get attention

[@Dj-fb8bs]

@@prizma45 You do realize most people are straight in these comments and they think otherwise 🤔. You’re just upset because you can’t accept the world being more diverse. Oh well you aren’t winning here it’s 2021 buddy. Stay mad

[@TheKingbigb22]

Y’all know togashi introduced us to non binary characters with the chimera ant arc pitou was addressed as well they or they’re

[@zwriel]

I didn't even notice that

[@ShadowAraun]

its really interesting when you realize every single chimera born from the Queen is biologically male and capable of reproducing to produce more queens, and Zazan exists completely identifying herself as a Queen ant when she would actually be classified as a stray commander attempting to become a King ant by the in world specialists on Chimera Ant nature. Gender identity was all over that arc due the nature of humans being consumed and our extremely minor sexual dimorphisms presenting themselves in the ants, along with a level of mentality retention that was telling them they were X or Y (legit chose x and y at random, subconscious is fascinating). The end result is many many many biologically male sapient lifeforms identify female, but for the most part the ants don't care about that shit, its not important to them as a species to worry about what each other claims to be as they were all something else once anyway.

[@RinXLen]

In dub he was addressed as him or he

[@JoseRamirez-rq2gj]

You Forgot about Kalluto

[@d3vilman555]

Cora Ladwin not entirely, there are times they are addressed as she as well

[@jasperl.8905]

God this was such a breath of fresh air in the anime community, thank you. I’m trans and Hunter x Hunter has been one of my hyperfixations for years and I’ve gotten really sick of all the transphobia in certain parts of the fandom, especially towards Alluka. Also, Kurapika’s character really helped me come to terms with my own gender identity/presentation. The fact that he presents more androgynous helped me break out of my own toxic masculinity and present myself more freely :)

[@bennogb5069]

Toxic masculinity is not a thing.

[@jasperl.8905]

Benno GB I really don’t feel like getting political here tbh, you can have your views and I can have mine. I’m just sharing my own experience as a transgender person who feels the pressure to present as hyper-masculine all the time to be seen as a “real man”.

[@bennogb5069]

@@jasperl.8905 Being manly is admirable. A real man is a real man. Not much to argue there.

[@jasperl.8905]

Benno GB There’s nothing wrong with masculinity. Masculinity is a good thing. I prefer to present as more masculine, personally. But there is a difference between masculinity and toxic masculinity. Toxic masculinity is pressuring boys to bottle up their emotions to be a real man, and to not seek help if they need it. Toxic masculinity is boys being terrified to wear a pink shirt in fear of being ridiculed (or anything perceived as feminine for that matter.) I’m not going to say anything more on the subject, as again I simply wanted to share my personal experience as a trans person.

[@bennogb5069]

@@jasperl.8905 It's a good thing that boys dont want to wear feminine clothing. That would invite a whole host of problems.

[@KrazyStargazer]

Personally, i think "problematic" issues are better than flat our maliciousness or indifference. Because at least thought goes into something problematic. It might be fool hearty but if the intent is pure that representation can mean a lot. Having any representation is better than having none

[@mudawott]

See the stuff presented here is fantastic because it shows the developmwnt of the writer. The messiness in Yu Yu Hakasho is so easily forgiven when you can contextualise it. Since Yu Yu Hakasho you see a lot of respect given to other trans characters that demonstrates than authors good intentions. Unfortunately the any rep is better than no rep thing can be dangerous since some stories blur the line between a malicious characture and a well intentioned but broken attempt.

[@KrazyStargazer]

@@mudawott I think that a work of art will always be in danger of being problematic. Something that is considered fine today could be considered really "problematic" in the future. If you let the fear of speaking out of turn prevent you from helping others than the situation could get worse. People aren't going to get it right the first time. But like this video shows Togashi had good intent. I can say that Yu yu Hakusho is one of the more progressive anime I've seen, yes it's problematic by today's standards but if he didn't ake Yu yu Hakusho their would be tons of people who never even got that exposure. If you expose people to a different way of life they are more likely to understand it..

[@vjgodlybang]

The thing is folks just need to ask others for help/edits to look over on drafts! Many marginalized folks are very open to look over scripts/writing for compensation/credit!

[@AlexiasPlaylist]

Being concerned with representation is a problem. Story's should be honest and shouldnt have forced representation ever, so no having "any representation" is not better than none. It clearly shows that you care more about their gender or sexuality rather than their gender and sexuality just being a part of them.

[@KrazyStargazer]

@@AlexiasPlaylist I can only speak from experience but being an African-American I looked up to heroes like Superman and Spiderman who obvious dont look like me. However wen i found oit that there were heroes who looked like me I finally felt included like even I could be a superhero. I will always respect someone making the attempt to be inclusive even if it's messy because for some people its the only hero they will ever see.

[@Ariel_is_a_dreamer]

Where is the "love it" button? I love how Togashi tried, did it "wrong", tried again and learned to do it better and better. It shows that he cares to learn unlike lots of people.

[@mangetsu9725]

Wait you're not Aleczandxr

[@theblaze555dbtrailer7]

They are brothers

[@mangetsu9725]

@@theblaze555dbtrailer7 wait really

[@theblaze555dbtrailer7]

@@mangetsu9725 nope im just kidding

[@theblaze555dbtrailer7]

@@mangetsu9725 but their content are very similar

[@skrillz_14th]

Hearteu Attack you really got me there

[@FranK-tg7ou]

I’m really happy about this video I’m kinda tired of anime fans thinking it’s just pandering or not real because they seem to think that lgbt people don’t exist in japan and japan is a fun sex land where the age of consent is 13 which is a whole nother conversation

[@FranK-tg7ou]

HaremGodRance I know that

[@vudi2103]

@HaremGodRance they meant that people think that, not that it's true dude

[@vudi2103]

@HaremGodRance ??? Bro what do you mean??

[@vudi2103]

@HaremGodRance they meant that some people believe that the age of consent is 13 and that japan is a sex land. they aren't saying these are true, dude.

[@emptyteacup8228]

Agreed.

[@AstralTaurus]

I can't get over the fact that the fight ends with Yusuke just...Throwing her at a Wall?

[@AstralTaurus]

He just... _Yeets_ her

[@Abdega]

It ends with calling her a Mr *THAT* was the final blow

[@AstralTaurus]

@@Abdega

[@HulktySSJ2]

Him. He didn't get the operation yet.

[@AstralTaurus]

@@HulktySSJ2 why do you anti pronoun people feel the need to do this. To purposely misgender others and then try to "correct" a comment i made a year ago...

[@kwakwakita]

Oh look, another trans character I can point to when weebs claim they only ever refer to non-canonically trans characters as tr*ps.

[@dofi7513]

i hate it sm when people see a feminine looking guy or a trans girl in anime and call them a trap. its unnecessary and it doesnt make sense... how are they a "trap"?? its not their fault if you thought they were a cis female, now either except them as they are and not be rude abt it or leave

[@HulktySSJ2]

@@dofi7513 Simple. "SURPRISE PENIS" Lol

[@vincentvice2786]

It bears consideration that Togashi's approach to Trans characters in yu yu hashiko was progressive by most considerations for the time of it's release and it's unfair to judge it by our current understanding when we stand on the foundation of those past advances in knowledge. Furthermore he has continued to move his understanding forward.

[@mercy5004]

Very true. How often we forget that just a few years ago the prevailing thought of the trans community (and their message to the public) was NOT that gender was a social construct, and that there was no need to transisition, or that it was an identity that was a choice. It was the "I have a brain that exists in the wrong body. I was born this way, and it is not a choice. I need to be allowed to transistion and be accepted as who I am because I did not and could not choose this." Seriously, 10 years ago that was the debate, and I remember having to discuss it with my grandparents and parents to try to get them to understand that. Then, sometime between 10 years ago and now...the consensus went from "This is not a choice! I should not be punished for something I can't control!" to "This IS a choice, and you need to respect that!". Both are valid, but I can definitely see why so many people have confusion over this. Again, that was just the (very abridged) change from within 10 years. Now lets imagine how much this same topic will change in another 10, 20 years. Suddenly any media made today will seem outdated, and potentially offensive. Same way that feminism is vastly different from 1st, 2nd, and 3rd wave. Listening to some old 2nd wave feminism, particularly this bit "We were fighting for the right to take risks, and be in danger. We wanted to do things that could eventually end in rape. If we got raped, that was just the price for this freedom (fighting for curfews on adult women to be lifted, curfews that were put in place to "protect" women from being raped while walking at night). " I sat there like "We'd be okay if we got raped".....wow that did NOT age well. Someone once put it that the progessives of today are the conservatives of tommorow. Not that we suddenly change political spheres...But that its the natural way of the world. What was once a progressive stance because the new norm. Then a new progressive stance is formed. That "norm" suddenly looks to be a bigoted stance. Then the new progressive becomes the norm...and the old norm becomes the new conservative stance. So on and so forth. That's how progress is made. But unlike progress which always moves forward (as it should) people and more importantly, media...are fixed to a point in time. Which is why, for the most part, media should be judged from the prevailing views of its time...while also not forgetting the inherent flaws that existed in those views.

[@nathannguyen934]

yeah, I look forward to the day we can look back at how Alluka was portrayed, and argue about Togashi not being progressive enough in 2011. not being sarcastic, just to be clear. I just like the idea that our future selves will have improved and progressed so much, that current, progressive representation in media can be looked back on, and judged as flawed or old-fashioned.

[@giraffes86]

Not just that he is married to the creator of sailor moon which also many lgbt characters so he could learn from her

[@eastkidd2563]

tUrNs oUt OuR mR. iS a MrS.

[@morallygary9098]

I really like this take. It’s better than most I’ve seen where people just look at Miyuki and discount the work of Togashi as all bad rep and hatred. Togashi wasn’t great. He cared, no doubt in my mind, but he didn’t understand entirely, but the man keeps trying and has been learning over time, and I’m glad that’s being acknowledged in some way.

[@averymon2292]

It’s better to make mistakes and learn than make mistakes and refuse to fix them!!

[@jordanjoestar-turniptruck]

To expect anyone from back then to have the understanding of today imo is ridiculous. Just from how awkward and confusing the dialogue in that scene was, it's clear that these concepts were yet to really be explored by society at large, much less a reclusive comic book writer. I think he needs credit for even starting to crudely explore these concepts outside of hentai (which, yeah, they were pretty popular in hentai at the time), and move on to refine these ideas in his later work, still far ahead of his time.

[@TheAnimefreak2001]

I'm so glad to see this video exists. I rarely hear people outside the trans community touch on the topic, and usually anime fans brush these things off as mistranslations or as the trans community trying to 'make everything queer' because some sort of conception that LGB and especially T people somehow don't exist in Japan, so I've seen a lot of ignorant comments made, often when referring to Alluka. Alluka's trans subtext made me so happy the first time I watched through Hunter x Hunter, as it's so rare to see gender touched on in anime, and also rare to see trans people in media outside of stories specifically about being trans. I do wish Alluka's transness was just a tad bit more blatant so it could be less easily brushed off as mistranslations, but how it's shown that she's misgendered only by the people in her life who see her as an object without personhood, agency or identity and is gendered correctly by those who legitimately have her best interests at heart really meant a lot to me. As a fan of both Yu Yu Hakusho and Hunter x Hunter it really makes me happy to see how Togashi has progressed and how he continues to include topics of gender identity into his stories.

[@wyattmund9286]

Lachlan M Great points - also tho, while Mathwiz is in the anime community, she also is a member of the trans community! Just pointing it out😊

[@grubblin]

Gay

[@TheAnimefreak2001]

Cunt Hell yeah it's gay

[@grubblin]

@@TheAnimefreak2001 you're gay

[@TheAnimefreak2001]

Cunt Oh shit how'd you know??

[@ChokingOnRazors]

The transphobia in the comments is kinda cringe

[@disky1784]

Real gamers respect people's genders

[@lil_crossgg1029]

@@disky1784 real gamer don't respect anybody not saying they shouldn't but they don.t

[@epicotakugamer4930]

Pwned

[@moofz6550]

disky ok band kid, "real games respect others gender" you never would survive in a cod lobby stfu

[@demetter7936]

@@disky1784 I agree with moof. Both genders get the most disgusting shit thrown at them on ingame voice chat.

[@derpedfox]

Don't let Togashi's progressive and really wholesome representations made you forget that Bungee gum possess the properties of both gum and rubber

[@somegal934]

I found this on a random hxh video essay binge and I love everything about it, the writing, your voice, the care you clearly put into it; you got yourself a sub from me

[@MathWizHQ]

thank you so much!! glad you enjoyed it! :)

[@pikaboi4408]

Yes, kurapika is indeed very beautiful :)

[@waspoppin4784]

Pika Boi he is

[@lordbendtner9328]

Kurapika? You mean Kurapichad am i right?

[@HxH2011DRA]

Oh yay togashi month WASN'T an April fool's joke

[@MathWizHQ]

had to build up some suspense there lol

[@veryvivid]

I'm pretty certain kalluto is a boy, and his feminine presentation is actually quite special to me. Kalluto is actually one of my favourite characters (I know he only shows up in like 5 episodes okay i still love him), and i grew attached to him after my own struggles with presentation =/= gender identity. I'm non binary, and for a long while i felt i had to present myself as androgynous so people would take me seriously, but i fuckin love skirts and pink and makeup and long hair, i like being feminine. Enter kalluto, a person who is always referred to as a boy by the people who know him, uses boku, and he wears a fucking kimono all the time. He doesn't need to act as a certain gender to know what gender he is. I also tend to find the argument "kalluto wears women's clothing and has a feminine haircut so they must be a trans girl" kind of small minded? It always feels like the fandom is trying to push a certain identity onto kalluto just because he dresses femininely, it's like "only girls wear dresses!! boys cannot wear dresses!!! Nonono!!!!!" I just like kalluto the way he is presented in the text, as a young boy who dresses femininely, and also murders ppl with confetti. I love my special boy

[@roastingghosts1302]

eris barnes honestly it reminds of how there are feminine men who love to dress up as female characters or just dress femininely in general but there are people pressuring them to “come out” as trans. I feel like despite people trying to be more open there’s a lot of people who still correlate someone following a gender stereotype as being trans instead of simply just being feminine or masculine and proud of it. People can dress however they want and act how they want (so long as it’s legal of course) and they shouldn’t have to deal with others trying to push them to be something they aren’t.

[@veryvivid]

@@roastingghosts1302 definitely!!! Even though trans and nb identities are (very slowly) becoming a bit more normal, the pressure of binary presentation is still very present even amongst the trans community. I know trans men who will shame other trans men for not binding or wearing something feminine, and i have personally had people refuse to acknowledge me as non binary because I dress hyper-feminine. I even had a teacher (in front of the whole class), tell me "you have to understand, that when i look at you, i see a girl" after i corrected her for using she pronouns (which we talked about before class, and she said it was okay for me to correct her). So anyways, yes, characters like kalluto are very important to me, there's also rui from gatchaman crowds, who is a boy and wears wigs and dresses casually for no other reason than it makes him feel pretty. This kind of gender fuckery is often overlooked, because people prefer more black and white gender identity stories, but to me, these stories are very very important

[@plzleavemealone9660]

I feel like maybe it has something to do with him being with his mother. Either he really liked how she dressed and wanted to wear feminine clothes too (I think in the movie his mother actually wore a Kimono just like him ) or his mother forced him to for some reason, right now we can't be sure. But yeah, I talked about this with a non-binary friend of mine a few months ago and it's annoying when people assume someone is trans just because they are more tom boyish or they are male and like ''feminen things''. I remember when the internet was full of ''trans boys'' that were just tomboys. It was sad to see and even I at the time started thinking I was trans because I liked to dress more flamboyant.

[@plzleavemealone9660]

@@veryvivid My friend wet trough something similar to that, it's more like they didn't understand why they felt weird when someone called them girl because they liked ''feminen'' things and at that time they didn't know that non-binary people were a thing.

[@25254617]

this is a really interesting perspective! like, personally the idea of kalluto just loving the feminine side of his and explore it more for his own never occured to me 🥺 imagining him picking dresses because he likes them and not because he wishes to change his gender is a heartwarming possible idea

[@marroemin7595]

As a trans person that yu yu hakusho moment just made me go "he's confused, but he's got the spirit"

[@HulktySSJ2]

Yusuke simply stated a fact. No confusion at all.

[@costelinha1867]

@@HulktySSJ2 Except there was no fact, as explained by the video, that's not how gender and transition works. It's not as simple as just "going all woman" or "going all man" Yusuke was ignorant, he was not stating a fact, he was confused.

[@jonascontreras4943]

This video is so refreshing to me cause the spanish speaking anime community is either purposefully transphobic or extremely confused about it. Thank you!

[@federicobacano6050]

Jonas C probably the former

[@wyattmund9286]

Shaman Xeed Shut the fuck up transphobe.

[@epitaphboi4816]

Shaman Xeed Then there is also nothing wrong with racism

[@oneandonlyrj9519]

Gtfoh trans weirdo

[@oneandonlyrj9519]

max because it was in my recommendations because I watch anime and it pissed me off.

[@aidenmconrad]

it always pissed me off how a portion of the hxh fan community refuses to see alluka as a girl and how it’s even a debate. glad to see that there are fans of the show with a bit more sense

[@aneonfoxtribute]

When it comes to Kalluto, I think that he crossdresses because he's envious of Alluka, as seen in the Zoldyck family chart, and things that dressing more feminine will make him more like her.

[@NaturalHypertrophy]

Agreed. It's a ploy to get Kirua's attention

[@aneonfoxtribute]

@@NaturalHypertrophy I wouldn't necessarily call it a ploy.

[@NaturalHypertrophy]

@@aneonfoxtribute Yeah the term is a bit too nefarious lol. Stratagem then?

[@aneonfoxtribute]

@@NaturalHypertrophy I wouldn't exactly call it a conscious plan on Kalluto's part. I just think that he envies Alluka and wants to be more like her, so he dresses feminine.

[@NaturalHypertrophy]

@Keehan Hadn't thought of it that way, interesting perspective

[@mudawott]

This analaysis was fantastic One of the most interesting and good things I noticed while watching is how all of these trans characters are drawn. They are all drawn like any member of their gender instead of their assigned sex. The trans women and girl look like a woman and a girl. And the trans man looks like a man. Which can't be aaid for a lot of other trans characters *coughcough magne* Not to say passing is necessary to be trans but characters like magne and her friend are terrible characters

[@MathWizHQ]

Magne getting killed off definitely isn't a great look considering she's the only visibly trans character in the story (Tiger exists, but his trans-ness isn't mentioned within the narrative as far as I'm aware, only in his character bio), but there are some things I like about her. I wouldn't give her a very strong defense, but I don't think her design not "passing" as female is all that bad, personally. I think she's interesting within the context of Hero Academia's setting given how Horikoshi generally portrays his villains, but explaining my perspective would take a lot of words and time I'm not willing to invest in a youtube comment lol.

[@jadelee4404]

I don't know, I actually really liked Magne. I can totally understand why someone wouldn't, but the idea that even though she doesn't 'pass', and even though her friends are definitely not good people and are the villains of the story, the fact that they still refer to her by her gender is really cool, to me. But, again, I can see why it could be seen as not great, especially since she's the only visible trans character, and the fact that she was killed off was a little disappointing.

[@mudawott]

@@MathWizHQ very fair. I do like somethings like how her friends respect her. but its more you can do a non passing design in much less uncomfortable ways. Then there is also her friend.

[@mudawott]

@@jadelee4404 mentioned it in another comment but I do like how her friends treat her and how her death has a place in the story that makes her an important turning point for the league of Villains. The problem is that she was fridged as the first onscreen death. Its also that her and Her friend shown in the flashback before her death are transphobix chaeacters

[@Champsr0ck2247]

I think Magne was fine in theory and even killing her off is fine in theory, it just doesn't look good since Magne is the only major trans rep. The death doesn't feel mean-spirited, just that he missed the implications of killing Magne off. I mean, the only 2 expendable members of the League were Magne and Spinner (they were the only ones that failed in the Training Camp but escaped) and I don't think anyone would care if Spinner got killed by Overhaul.

[@raiisaking]

This video is such a good watch. You discussed it pretty well, I'm glad Togashi-sensei has improved in writing trans characters, and his interest in exploring the idea is a good thing, it really shows how he wanted to make an accurate representation for my fellow folks. Anyway, yeah~ thumbs up.

[@yue1103]

I made a fandub of Killua and Alluka, and got people asking why I refered to her with female pronouns. I had people correcting me and telling me to change the pronouns because "all the Zoldyck siblings are male!". I had to remember everyone that the character I was playing was "Killua"! And that I had to refer to Alluka the way her brother would do. Alluka is Killua's little sister!! Killua and Alluka refer to her as a girl! I even quoted the japanese dialogue so they'd stop complaining.

[@GeenPoblin]

It's so interesting that both Togashi and his wife, who is the author of Sailor Moon, both had surprisingly progressive views of gender, sexuality, etc. Especially for 1990s Japan considering its conservative domination of politics and public opinion at the time.

[@tehawsumninja]

Much like many others have said in the comments as well, I got to say that even if I may not side with Togashi and his perspectives, I at least appreciate the fact that he even includes trans characters, to begin with. After all, no matter how "problematic" the way he presents them may be, it's still more than almost any other shonen mangaka has ever done for gender expression. Even acknowledging that a trans character exists is better than a world in which they don't. While there is always room for improvement and better representation as well as character portrayals, I can't help but appreciate that Togashi tackled such issues, especially in his medium of like-minded creators who rarely go outside of the norm. I've missed so many videos from you and Craftsdwarf over on the Nen Show and I can't wait to watch them now that I have internet again and have so much time due to quarantine. Apologies in advance if you get a lot of spam or notifications on comments if you even have alerts for those things lol It's good to be back and I'm going on to watch all the stuff I missed.

[@MathWizHQ]

ayyy, glad to have you back!!

[@lampad4549]

This may come off as transphobic but hear me out. Agree there's nothing wrong with a story that acknowledges and writes about characters that are transgender but there is nothing wrong with a story that chooses not to as well. There are plenty of shounen stories and stories in general that are great that don't write about transgender characters like march comes in like a lion, game of thrones, breaking bad, monogatari, mobile suit gundam. Again nothing wrong with having but nothing great about having it.

[@tehawsumninja]

@@lampad4549 I mean its great as in its great for representation of transgender individuals. Having any rep at all is great for rep. That's what I was saying. Didnt mean a story has to have rep to be great

[@B1izzardd]

I hate how fans push it off like “it doesn’t matter that they’re trans it has no effect” just because the concept makes them uncomfortable. Tons of hunter x hunter fans try to pretend alluka isn’t trans just because they dislike the real like concept.

[@morosiscat2030]

SAMEEE

[@MopedOfJustice]

I'm sorry that so much of the anime community is so reactionary. Thanks for making this video.

[@Layra151301]

I love that he never gave up. That's why I'm excited to see more. I hope he feels better eventually

[@nenmaster5218]

Trans-Hate is unfortunately raging right-now...

[@louvanhaute7659]

Trans person here, I'm just happy he's trying, it makes me happy that he cares enough to attempt to create positive representation. My standards might be low because of how starved i am for said positive representation, but i don't think there's any reason for me to be upset at him. Yes is clumsy, but it's never malicious, and I think that's what matters the most here. A guy is going out of his way to try to create characters I can relate to, and that alone means a lot to me.

[@vjgodlybang]

One major aspect of Hunter x Hunter is having a main/significant character to both its plot/world be a young transgender girl. It frustrates me immensely that many fans of the show try to dismiss these things even go so far as to not properly accept Alluka with rhetoric. That a creator has to properly come out in an interview, and be, like, yeah-she is transgender as if for cisgender characters this is never questioned by fans. Another example is of Lily from Zombieland Saga. Just folks look at the show, and lose super obvious critical thinking skills of Lily being transgender from her death, and dysphoria. Great work on the video! Reassuring, and glad to see this type of analysis work in anime circles!

[@ShouVertica]

I mean if the viewers didn't come away knowing the character was trans that's the author's fault.

[@underFlorence]

@@ShouVertica you're underestimating how (sometimes purposefully) dense cis people can be

[@_frms]

If you know that trans people exist, it's pretty easy to get

[@ShouVertica]

@@underFlorence Yes, it's the fault of "dense cis people", not bad writing and translation issues that have forever plagued HxH. /s

[@vjgodlybang]

Character is gendered specific way by entire family. Makes character outwardly upset, frustrated, and livid on each experience. One family member genders character in specific way. Makes character enthusiastic, outwardly glad, and comfortable with them. Yeah-miss me with that garbage reasoning.

[@FabbrizioPlays]

Honestly given all the strong LGBTQ rep in the original Sailor Moon manga, you can't convince me that Naoko Takeuchi didn't play a serious role in improving Togashi's writing of queer characters.

[@tylerhood5035]

I wonder if Naoko Takeuchi had something to do with Togashi's evolving views.

[@NaturalHypertrophy]

!!! Amazing topic, can't wait to watch! I was just thinking about the importance of Alluka's gender identity and how it shed a dark light on her childhood as a Zoldyck. Other mangas that include trans characters like One Piece, My Hero etc would be amazing to explore too

[@mudawott]

My Heroes trans c haracters are unfortunately a lot less interesting than this. Magne is a blatently bad and transphobic design saved only by her peers being not transphovic

[@naya3149]

@@mudawott What about tiger?

[@NaturalHypertrophy]

@@mudawott I don't disagree; but imo that's why it should be included when talking about gender identity. The less explored & caricatural representations of trans characters in manga tell as much (if not sometimes more) about the medium than properly written ones do. As you mention, Magne's nakamas acceptance of her gender identity would be a good way to discuss the League of Villains dynamics & mindset through the shared destiny that seems to link these outcasts together (since Magne is not developed much this would be a good way to explore the character in depth).

[@mudawott]

@@naya3149 Tigers only mention of his gender identity is a small comment in his bio at the end of a chapter. Hes also go that man wearing a skirt thijg going on.

[@mudawott]

@@NaturalHypertrophy i can definitely agree with talking about Magne for that reason. She does a lot in humanising the League of Villains, showing that they arent just villains. They take care of their own. But she is gone to quickly, as the first onscreen death of the series and her only humanising moments are the ones that lead to her death. Those momwnts also introduce another characture. I would love to see a retelling of this kind of thing though. Where a direct contrast with tiger is made. Like he passes so he is accepted while Magne doesnt and so she is rejected but im not sure that could ever happened

[@sedef7696]

i literally love togashi and his work. he's a genius at storytelling, representation, and receiving the point across. with the worlds that he has created, they're very warm, but meaningful and understandable

[@kbkksh91]

this is gonna be so much fun. EDIT: 15:20 jesus christ FINALLY someone says it.

[@magnumopusmarcenaria]

oh it's so refreshing to see an anime review channel talking about these themes with such clear and non-judgemental view

[@Justaperson10244]

In before transphobic comments. Anyway, great video, really does justice to the trans characters of these series. I really love that you tackled this.

[@Justaperson10244]

@Keehan guess i missed it going in before then lol

[@Justaperson10244]

@@godlike3591 there has been some posts that were deleted that were pretty tranphobic. Like saying what u have down stairs is your gender, you cant change gender etc.

[@Justaperson10244]

@@godlike3591 wont let me view your comment fully because some KZbin bsing But its not valid argument. If thats your argument your not doing the right search and you a transphobe. I used to get into hours and days debate with folk witj that argument but all it went is in circle. People are going to convince themselves of how they feel no matter how much evidence slaps them in tje face and tje world changes around them

[@mawatts40]

Wow, way to shut off comments.

[@HexManiacQuinn]

@@silver_soul Biology is not gender. Biology is sex.

[@prozacs7686]

Hey I really appreciate this video since it's really difficult to find people in the anime community with nuanced discussions about gender and LGBT issues and you managed to transform the qualms i had with that yu yu hakusho scene and my thoughts how togashi's writing has evolved over the years in a well-made video. I've subscribed!

[@jaxisvoid3070]

15:37 "It turns out our mrs. is a mrs." oh how the turn tables

[@UrbanTheMyth]

Based video. Also, the Yusuke edits were funny and good.

[@miistars]

thanks so much for this video! so many people misunderstand alluka’s character in the anime community

[@SebastianSeanCrow]

When I first saw this in my feed, I wasn't sure what to expect and I was honestly fearing the worst. I'm really glad I took the chance to watch the video because it's very well thought out and put together and nothing like my anxiety was telling me it could be. Thank you.

[@josem.dueneztinoco2388]

People may argue that "changing" your gender is unatural... What is unatural is to feel uncomfortable with yourself, do whatever suits you, whatever makes you happy, but do not expect everybody to accept it. Everybody has a different opinion, so you need to accept that life is hard. I support you, but not everyone has to.

[@joshuadixon01]

Togashi expresses his way of change down to just how strong the character believes they are what they want to be . For example. Meruem is a ant and he wanted to understand humans down to the very understanding so through all of the interactions he learned more and more and by the end of meruems life he became so understanding and beliefs of a human everyone who saw him let wolf guy(I forgot his name) live we all said he became a human. So if you believe you are something you have to change your way of thinking,acting,viewings to exactly what you want to be to actually be that thing or being.if you wanna be a lion think and act like one at all times. Not just when your with the pack.

[@Eli-zk4mp]

This is a fantastic video

[@Tsukikorao]

That Level E episode made me finally realize I was trans masc

[@MathWizHQ]

Congrats!! Mikihisa is very good

[@pkwytv]

Yo that’s cool af

[@No-zl3ui]

Cyrus Hell yeah! Just remember you are what you want to be, don’t let people tell you that you can’t. Be proud of who you are, and for being able to express it.

[@giganfan1everyoneelse451]

I love it whenever someone makes a point (not in a negative way) and let's the viewer think about it afterwards

[@pikaparty]

Always felt uncomfortable with that YYH scene, much as I love the show. I'm so glad HxH handled the issue better. I love Alluka ;_;

[@jmichael1holmes]

All this and people still think its impossible for Killua to be gay!

[@revolutionarymagic3459]

It feels so good to have an anime fan talk about this stuff and not be so out of touch

[@bigfloppywithasideoffries6547]

i'm really glad you tackled these issues in a tactful way

[@user-yv6vx]

I had never heard of Mikihisa or Level E! I cannot believe that an explicitly trans man existed before wandering son (and even then...) Or Boys Run the Riot! Or BNHA with Tiger, that's pretty awesome too. I can't think of any other examples of trans boys in anime or manga though.

[@foregroundeclipse8725]

You're analysis of this is much appreciated. As a Anime/Manga fan who's also trans , I'm a bit starved of representation. It's hard to find good LGBTQ+ representation. It's hard to find good trans representation .

[@aakash202]

can you explain why does representation matter? they still have shitty and racist representation of us Indians as well, i do rather have no representation than some flawed stereotypical one. plus people in west are very disgusting towards south asian people, so idc about representation.

[@SilverDemon456]

"Add even just one person to an empty room, and suddenly you're not alone anymore." I really liked this.

[@ali_p_q7920]

I really like how nuanced Togashi can be in HxH. The first time I watched it, Alluka simply came through as a lovely little girl. I thought the Zoldycks were simply treating all their girls as boys, because being an assassin is a male thing (in their minds). Then I learned more about the Japanese gender words and the whole Nanika thing grew in meaning. Considering Togashi's previous works, that was definitely intentional.For me, as a hetero male with no close relationships with any transgender person (closest thing was a transgender boss), that may have been the best example I have ever seen on how to properly acknowledge a transgender person. Being uncomfortable with a trans person's duality is (sadly) a typical reaction. I would definitely have felt less uncomfortable if back then my boss had been more clearly a man in her behaviour, but she wasn't. Sometimes she was so feminine. I was not judgemental, but that was not easy for a 20 year old male to understand. She was very fond of me, and in the end I think I did well just for not being judgemental. What others may perceive as an evil chaotic threat (Nanika) is just part of what that adorable cute girl Alluka is, and it does not make her any more or less cute and adorable. We learn that Nanika only returns evil when she receives evil amd selfish requests. When she receives good, she is just as good as anyone else. Nanika is not a problem to be fixed, as hard as it might be for many people to simply accept this fact. Kudos to Togashi-sensei.

[@whyh6876]

Well done. A great look at the evolution of Togashi’s writing ability in such a niche field.

[@25254617]

AAH this is such a wonderful and insightful video, thank you! while watching yyh, i kept thinking how direct togashi depict a character’s gender and the explicit surrounding comments through the eyes of his chara. but through hxh, now i can see the progressive and careful measurement of him wanting to give a better narrative for what he had mistakenly done in yyh or wasnt properly narrated in level e. togashi ily fr

[@Penkeychain]

I love how you recorded this footage on April fool's. :clap: Speaking of the actual content, these observations were really interesting. I mean, Togashi created these different characters over a span of 20 years during which a lot happened in the political/social landscape. It's likewise also always nice to see some Level E in the spotlight, as it is kinda overlooked in its awkward place a lot of the time.

[@katsukawamari]

In Yuyu Hakusho Togashi writes that he tried to convince Jump to publish a story where all the female characters were trans, and was rejected. Interestingly he is always playing with gender roles in the between. I think Aluka is when he finally comes to terms with this topic

[@EvynnexEvynne]

Amazing video, I always appreciate nuanced takes ^-^ I haven't read/watched Level E, so hearing your take on it gave some great context to Togashi's growth between YYH and HxH (and now I'm a lot more inclined to read/watch it)

[@MathWizHQ]

Level E is very good - maybe a lot to unpack, but good

[@EvynnexEvynne]

All the more reason to check it out ^-^ like you said, any type of representation can start a conversation/contemplation

[@HexManiacQuinn]

Even beyond conversations on representation, I will praise it to high heavens whenever possible, so yes I highly recommend it. Amazing comedy, one of my favorites.

[@AgentLayla526]

i have no idea if it's just my period making my brain go weeeeeee or not but this video literally made me cry. i'm nonbinary and i adore alluka, but i haven't really seen togashi's previous works so to see his progression in creating trans and gender non-conforming characters is really nice to see. thanks for the vid!!

[@StarlitBawka]

The running gag in this with the rather...embarrassing quote from YuYu Hakusho kept making me laugh every time

[@AmOkada]

I wonder if his wife also had some kind of influence since her hit series also had a gentle approach to the theme on her material and is very beloved across the world by the lgbtq a+ community.

[@Mariposa-11-2007]

Trans woman here. What you describe as homophobia is really just transphobia. For it to qualify as homophobia, the straight trans man would have to identify as a gay cis woman because homophobia applies to homosexual relationships. Thank you for making me aware of Level E! How fascinating. Love Hunter x Hunter. I read Kurapika as transmasculine and Neferpitou as transfeminine, but it's completely okay that we don't know because we don't really to know. 🦋💕

[@thevipez8740]

Your whole first paragraph perfectly describes the confusing contradictory mess that is the LGBTQ Cult You so realise that under Trans-ideology, lesbian and gay doesnt exist as it contradicts itself If a woman has 0 defenition and there is no quantifiable traits to what a woman even is according to the LGBTQ cult, then how can a woman only be attracted to women if womem have no distinguishing physical qualities or traits? Like if a woman is attracted to a guy for example, then shes straight, what if 5 seconds later that same guy now self-pescribed himself as a woman Is she now lesbian? As according to the LGBTQ cult, that guy is purely a woman now, even tho he was purely a man 5 seconds ago

[@김건우-r5f]

No matter what theory you put into it, the fact that I, as a gay person, momentarily felt the question, 'Does this mean there's something wrong with being of the same gender?' means that there was a problem with the portrayal somewhere.

[@mintytrash]

Rewatching this made me absolutely adore Killua more than I already did.

[@tashibalampkin8555]

This is such a good video. It's so detailed and for some reason I almost cried.

[@erathymc.8765]

Been watching this every couple of weeks and I just want to say, your end part on Alluka and Nanika (and abusive relations) is one of the strongest things I've heard in regards to trans gender identity. It's late so I'm not articulate, but HRT is saying your speech is cry fodder. Thank you Mathwiz :)

[@TsukasaSuou.]

Okay the alluka's part made me cry. As trans boy who hasn't come out to everyone yet bc I'm scared, seeing killua supporting his sister makes me emotional... he truly is an angel..

[@99luft53]

I give you all my support💞

[@yourbroskijack]

You can do it broski don’t give up

[@frooty_satyr]

aww, im non-binary and this is so cute and wholesome. tbh, i forgive togashi for kind of misunderstanding what goes into being trans, because he was probably the best there was at the time. °w°

[@enzojose4001]

I mean, yu yu hakusho is a manga made in 1992. Non binary and trans characters was something really rare at the time, and only shoujos/joseis used to have this representativite. Togashi is an author way ahead of his time.

[@frooty_satyr]

@@enzojose4001 i know, thats why i said he was probably the best there was at the time.

[@damiannova5207]

Also I liked the 6:46 use of The Bride Was A Boy, that’s one of my all time fav comics! It’s so adorable!

[@MathWizHQ]

I will jump at any opportunity to reference it lol

[@briannamay5459]

Togashi is married to Takeuchi and I love that fact so much because Sailor moon also explores gender identity and other lgbt themes

[@igornascimm]

great video man, love that you use multiple sources and different translations to solidify your claims

[@dd7588]

So basically if you can’t accept a huge part of someone’s life or identity then you would just be rejecting that person Entirely because it shouldn’t matter what you think is best for them what matters is what makes that person comfortable and happy and if your someone who wants to be apart of there life that is all that should matter to you as a hxh fan and a Christian I really enjoyed this video :)

[@calmsouls4502]

One bit that Western people don't realize is that men wearing women's clothes was a common occurrence in Japan in theater for a long time before anime came along. Kabuki is a good example of this, but it's not limited to that. Men wearing women's clothes has been a thing in Japan for a long time before it was everything in the Western countries, and it was wasnt necessarily linked to being gay or trans

[@darkfish7128]

Dude really said: "there is no trans people in japan"

[@mallardofmodernia8092]

@@darkfish7128 no he is just saying that western context clues for trans characters might not work in japanese contexts given their different histories. People either illogically headcanon their favourite characters as x or y (including straight and cis people) and keep it to themselves or spend an excruciating amount of time making videos like this without consulting the artist or researching interviews thoroughly or finding out about their home life (without invading privacy, ethical journalism is important). Im not saying none of these characters are trans but "traps" (which are completely cisgender) are a big thing in japan so people need to be careful where they throw the dart on the dartboard.

[@aakash202]

exactly bro judging everyone under same western light lmao.

[@jovanaavramovic2485]

togashi is very epic

[@demdem7946]

hell yeah

[@amyrose9889nenasonic]

I got multiple chills & found myself feeling a bit emotional hearing you describe the parallels of trans identity and nanika in regards to hunter x hunter! On my initial first watch I never would of thought of alluka/nanika in such a way but this puts in such a clear & true perspective and have me even more reason to love killua while having even more respect for this show. The character development of togashi is something serious!

[@macleanjackson-hartford7937]

I've been loving all of these videos, thank you for such a dedicated approach!