I haven't even thought about the whole lying situation, but you're right. Can't believe you're getting downvoted when it's also helping readers protect themselves irl. Doesn't mean the story is bad of shouldn't be consumed or whatever.
Thanks so much. Yeah I don't mean to say the story is bad or you shouldn't read it, but it was just concerning to see no one else say something and made me worry they couldn't recognise it?
I can tell this is a lot of people's comfort read based on the comments so I was expecting downvotes and don't blame them.
I'm glad you pointed it out! Especially younger readers don't know much about consent yet, at least I didn't when I was younger...
Well, it's still a little sad that the initial reaction is to reject an objective statement just because you love the story. I think it's hard for many people to enjoy a story but admit it has flaws. Many fans treat it like a black or white thing. To them, a story is either bad or good, enjoyable or not enjoyable, but that's a harmful perception. You know, one of my favorite BLs and comfort reads is the novel Heaven Official's Blessing. One time, I pointed out how badly the women are treated in the novel—by the narrative, by other characters within the universe, and just the way they were written. I provided examples, said it in a way that wasn't blaming the author or fans, but genre conventions, cultural influences, etc., and I still received so much hate. It's strange because I love the novel so much, so I want to talk about it deeply, and acknowledge that there are flaws so future writers may be more aware of their internalized misogyny.
Same about consent! I do understand why people love Therapy Game. The characters feel very real, and I like how the ML acknowledges his bisexuality and actually stands up against his homophobic friends, and how the MC is confidently gay! That's not common in BLs. The art style is beautiful, too. Their relationship doesn't have to be perfect, it's fiction after all, but it's not the "super sweet" romance everyone makes this out to be. It doesn't have to be. Just people being aware of this is what we need.
Aw thanks so much. Well said and agreed, I've been in your position before and it can be alienating and frustrating to be misunderstood because of how people perceive it. I think it's great how unique and different people's perspectives are but it can definitely be sucky to be in the position of seeing something others don't, especially if it's morally wrong.
I'll have to give Heaven Official's Blessing a read, I've seen it's had a mahnwa adaptation so I wonder if the treatment of women was addresses in that?
Well said, nothings perfect and I know it's well loved for a reason. I hate how so many stories depict bisexuality so I definitely appreciate that.
Thanks for such a lovely and insightful response, definitely wasn't expecting that on here. <3
Thank you, too! <3
I don't think it's any different there. Only the demeaning narrative is missing, I guess. The manhwa cuts out a loooot of things, though, so it might be hard to follow (I only read the first two chapters bc I don't like the art style). I'd always recommend the novel haha (and anime).
Yeah, same. That's why I wish stories and dynamics were more diverse when it comes to BL in general. But every genre has its problems. Let's not stop talking about tropes and issues!
Its not that deep
yeah... exactly
Sorry but do people reading this need educating on consent? The uke tries to force himself on the seme and gets mad when he says no! Tough that the guy you slept with doesn't remember what happened, no means no! All the other instances of sex between them are also rape through coercion. If someone says yes because you guilt tripped them, that's not consent. Also lying to someone to initiate sex is also rape so his plan to get him to fall for him only to dump his is also a form of rape as they wouldn't have consented to sex knowing the person's full intentions.
There was no malicious intent behind what the seme did, but for the uke there most definitely was. Are people turning a blind eye because the uke is the one being rapey? If so, educate yourself plz because all of this is really important to know if terms of protecting yourself, validating other victims and not being a perpetrator yourself.