I read this more than 10 years after it was published. There are many things that make me angry and sad for the characters and the minority they represent. I want to believe that the world has improved, even if only a little, and that knowledge and prejudice are decreasing every day. Speaking of the characters, I really disliked the sister; she was so egocentric and cruel to Shun. Since I'm from a more recent generation, it surprises me that the classmates don't do anything about bullying. Perhaps is couse the culture is very different in Japan. I really liked the friends and the girlfriend, and the trans people who started out on the wrong foot, but were given a lot of help on their journey to find their sexual expression. Shun's parents were awful; they just ignored the issue (perhaps it's cultural). Mako's parents were real parents. Takaoka-kun perfectly illustrates the path of self-discovery, how difficult it is to accept oneself and present oneself to the world. She took a different path than Shun, but that's true for everyone; each path is unique.
I remember when I first watched the anime, I tried reading this and never finished. I'm rewatching it again and decided to come back but after reading all these comments, I might just stay satisfied with the anime itself alone cause what do you mean after the dysphoria that Takatsuki experienced, she ends up staying a girl?
Detransitioning can happen, but it seems like from what I've heard, the journey for the ftm character is not handled well and what in the world do you mean someone gropes a child???
I agree, it really just left a bad Taste in my mouth. As a trans man, the scene in which Takatsuki started wearing skirts again made me feel like garbage. Appearently she did it because she had to get her shit together, but to me it felt like capitulating and that is something I have no choice but to do. Otherwise I might even be kicked out of my parents Home. I know some people detransition, and thats completely valid. But especially when theres so few transmasc characters, this story sends the message that they'll grow out of it when they are older. Even worse is the fact that the only adult LGBT Characters present are creepy as hell. Why would an adult want to spend time with children they just met on the streets? And the first thing the only gay man present in the manga does when he meets takatsuki (whom he perceived as a cis middle school boy) is grope her genitals. So the only adults are one pedo molester and a woman who is friends with him, how nice. I know the author isnt queer, but if she/he wanted to be respectful, the first thing they'd understand is that accusation of pedophilia has been used as justification for violence and murder
I agree, it really just left a bad Taste in my mouth. As a trans man, the scene in which Takatsuki started wearing skirts again made me feel like garbage. Appearently she did it because she had to get her shit ... Soyborne
I can't say that I completely understand the experience of being trans, I'm demigender. But something I have noticed is how very underrepresented trans men are. There's this strange focus in media, transphobes and sometimes even our own community that solely focuses on trans women and not the experiences of trans men. And I hate to think that it comes from a place of misogyny and that fact that girls are more seen as going through a phase and simply being a tomboy.
The way that the people the kids should look up to in this is very much creepy too, I definitely agree. I grew up with the anime, and seeing that the two had adults to help guide them made me feel so happy as a queer kid still figuring things out but it really sucks now to see how it is in the manga and maybe how it might've been in the anime, as I may have missed it with the perspective of a kid. It's majorly disappointing because I recommend the anime so often, and now I can't do the same with the manga cause it just does not sit right with me.
I only watch the anime but I really love the main chara, she's so pretty, kind and determined. I hate the rest of the crew, not everybody because they are literally child and I watched it in my 30s so I understand a lot of them. But at the same time, some charas are disrespectful and they are like okay to everyone ??? How ??? The story of Yuki is ridiculous. The author has no experience in lgbtq+ things and it shows. The fact that Takatsuki changed her mind it could be a great things because, as a girl, I swear that this thing happens a lot and a very number of girls in their puberty, but for Takatsuki itself that didn't work well because it was forced and she was the only one whi was really determined at the beginning. Meh. Plus, maybe I am the only one but I kinda like Doi. I think he's curious and genuine (instead of Maho, she's lame. I hate her so much, she doesn't deserve a pretty boyfriend like him). I appreciate that Shu loves girls because gender and sexuality are two different things. (But at the same time I truly loved if Chiba and Takatsuki could be gfs ???? I love their friendship but it could be turn out so cute lol)
So it's like... Shuuichi is legitimately a girl, and Takatsuki is a girl who wished to be a boy? Delano
Literally all of this could've been avoided if he just went on estrogen since he knew from such a young age. Sigh. Don't know how it works in Japan though
chiba and her multiple attempts at a gaslighting into detransition speedrun ngl I'm disappointed at how transphobia is framed in this manga, it's depicted as this completely natural response, especially since multiple positive characters still propagate it, and it's only condemned when it's a part of bullying. The only adult trans person is a predator, and has a predator for a boyfriend This author has an issue with confusing gender identity and sexual orientation(having trans women call themselves "gay" because they like men, or "becoming" women because they're gay) and it seems to be a bit better in this one, even if there's the whole part about Yuki becoming a woman FOR shii-chan(and not for herself) that I found strange. Having the only existing trans masc character detransition later on was also weird, especially since Takatsuki had gender dysphoria even before puberty, which only intensified during it, so their experience was closer to a typical trans masc person than a typical detransitioner. Overall while there were some relatable moments, taking in the whole manga made it feel like the person writing it only kind of heard about the experience from other people and didn't really try that much to properly understand it making it feel very half-assed
I do agree but a lot of it unfortunately is just japanese “culture” and ignorance when it comes to LGBTQ+ topics, especially when it comes to trans people. Even amongst LGBTQ+ people themselves in Japan there’s this thick layer of ignorance both towards others and themselves, which, tbh, is not even their fault because they’re just treated by the society this way, so they kind of start belittling themselves too. Not making excuses for the author, by the way, just saying that it’s a major-scale issue.
I kind of disagree about Takatsuki, though. While, yeah, it’s disappointing to see the only seemingly trans masc person turn out to be not trans (I’d say “detransitioning” is a bit of a wrong term to use here since it’s typically referred to medical detransitioning and not social detransitioning), it’s low-key some good representation of people searching for their identity, showing that it’s alright to change your mind later on and you don’t really owe anyone anything. Takatsuki might discover that they’re non binary or choose to identify as a woman or realise that they’re a trans-man, after all; and all of the listed options are absolutely fine, it’s a long process and it really shouldn’t be anyone’s business besides the person in question and medical professionals, really.
But otherwise yeah, I do agree that the author doesn’t have a very in-depth understanding of trans issues and even the portrayal of Takatsuki was kind of dookie, they coulda gone more into it tbh.
I do agree but a lot of it unfortunately is just japanese “culture” and ignorance when it comes to LGBTQ+ topics, especially when it comes to trans people. Even amongst LGBTQ+ people themselves in Japan the... cream pie
I agree that on it's face Takatsukis exploration of gender would be an interesting topic in itself and could be a relatable representation, however them being the only instance of macs identity(while the mangas full of trans fem rep) creates this narrative that trans masc people will just "grow out of it" even if they go though the exact same experience trans masc people usually go which is extremely prevalent in the anti-trans circles. I think it could be very easily mitigated by adding another adult trans character that's masculine, it'd also help the whole "all trans adults are predators" background framing that forms due to the only adult trans character that shows up being a predator. I think the issues aren't really with the representation itself, but the bigger picture of the manga itself, which due to the specific characters and stories chosen ends up with harmful ideas. This author doesn't really have good track record with trans and gay identities, often conflating the two, so I do think that's mostly due to how they actually see trans people. I know it's just due to authors ignorance but my disappointment in the topic is due to this manga being hailed as the holy grail of trans representation, when it clearly propagates unfortunate and harmful ideas about trans identities.
I agree that on it's face Takatsukis exploration of gender would be an interesting topic in itself and could be a relatable representation, however them being the only instance of macs identity(while the mangas...
I wholeheartedly agree. I think with trans masc characters in particular, as you’ve mentioned, it’s kind of either belittling in its nature or creates this notion that “oh, they will grow out of it”, which is obviously harmful, given how many stories like this there are.
Maybe don't complain about the people who are looking for a TRANS manga to shut up about the TRANS aspects of the whole story. good lord it's almost like people can be mad about horrible writing even if it's "accurate" or set in a time where people were just that awful towards trans people and so forth & so on. The authors a grade A fraud btw. Shouldn't write about lgbt people so much if she clearly has no idea what she's yapping about. Also she pedophilia and incest btw don't support her she's gross.
Damn people are still horrible to trans people to this day more than ever. Point is she did not have to write an older trans women having a predator as a boyfriend. Outdated junk like that without any repercussions or nuance pisses me off so bad. What's the point author, if you can't write nuance when your core theme is about trans experiences. (If this comment gets uploaded twice oh well)
i hate that people are complaining about the drama aspects of the manga as if trans people don’t deal with other daily activities outside of just dysphoria. not to mention the takatsuki hate… the manga is set in a realistic environment. some people realize they are happy with their original gender and that should be OKAY ! #－.－) i personally really liked this manga, and i think the people who complain about it are too wrapped up in the trans aspect of it to appreciate anything else.
Bro this is a manga about trans people, why cant we talk about those aspects. Yes it is realistic, and some people do realise that they arent trans but its not stupid to say that this can have repercussions on the lives of queer people. There is already so little represantation for transgender men in media, and I dont enjoy the fact that they were written to stop wanting to be a man. Of course theres nothing wrong with writing villains go be queer, but theres a difference between a villain who is evil because they are queer and a villain who is coincidentally queer. People already believe that queer adults are Predators and that trans men/transmasculine people will just grow out of it as adults, and this manga doesnt serve to change that mindset. I'm sick of people telling me I'll change my mind and have a husband and children. You're missing the damn point. Detransitioners are completely valid, but you see transphobes constantly using them to invalidate trans people. Art isnt made in a vacuum, you can write about a cishet person being a nasty bastard who does terrible things but it wont reflect on real life cishet people. The same cant be said for others
tbh the story was good but god damn there was so much padding in the middle and i felt like i was reading the same arc over and over again but with different characters, and then all of a sudden at the end it sped up fast. unpopular opinion, but i actually like the authors choice to make takatsuki's character not transition because i feel like a lot of girls go through gender crisis during puberty age but it is disappointing there was no trans guy characters. anyways sasa chan on top periodddd
There's a lot of feelings in the comments. A lot of truly incomprehensible views on this story too. I think it might be because they read it with a strange viewpoint from the beginning. Like, they mark this as X type of story, when it is not. It's also important to understand that storytelling in japan is different than western storytelling, and in order to enjoy it you really shouldn't look at it with the same lens. The other thing to keep in mind is, and this will be useful for reading everything else too, you really shouldn't think a story is only going to showcase one single thing, or that it will focus and revolve around it.
For example here people are mostly focused on this being a story about transgender solidarity or something very similar to this sentiment. When it's simply, from the beginning, a story of Shu-chan's childhood and adolescence. It starts with Takatsuki-kun, because Takatsuki-kun was the hero and the giant who kick started Shu-chan's bravery and shaped her entire life by just being there. As they grow things start changing, and the dynamic change, they grow apart and experience bullying, love, fights and everything that comes with growing up. They started off as each other's mirror image, but end up as very different people. On their outings in childhood, Takatsuki-kun is shown as the braver of the two and more ready to embrace being the opposite of their AGAB, but as they enter middle school, Shu-chan is the one who is a lot more accepting of herself, and the one who can't really handle hiding. Sure, Takatsuki-kun is shown as wanting to have a dick, wearing a binder, and disdaining the girl uniform, but almost always conforms to the norm and even feels hesitant to defy it, only keeping a short haircut. And with the tension between them, Shu-chan still has Mako-chan to talk to, while Takatsuki-kun, even while receiving a lot less scrutiny and backlash than Shu-chan for their presentation, is still living their life being treated as a girl. Even more so when they go to different high schools, Shu-chan, finally experiencing puberty, can only see herself as a girl, and has no desire to live as a boy, while Takatsuki-kun, who has already been going through the changes for 2 or so years, ends up realizing they don't despise the girl clothes they used to hate, and so, as they were offered to try modeling a few times in the past, start to actually consider it. Here is where some people think the dysphoria was 'cured' by modeling, when modeling actually came after the dysphoria lessened. Not much thought is put into the fact that, for years, besides the school uniform, Takatsuki-kun only ever wore masculine clothes, while Shu-chan, only ever wore feminine clothes in short intervals, and as such, their level of superficial satisfaction has always been different. Takatsuki-kun ends up modeling, and realizing, that they don't want to become a boy, nor do they have to become one, we are left with that, but I really do wonder why people assume they are a girl, does not being a boy automatically mean you're a girl? As this story is focused on Shu-chan's journey, even if we are shown glimpses of other peoples paths, it's still just glimpses. There were many hints about Takatsuki-kun, but I don't think many people focused enough to pick it up, as they only take what is explicitly stated, so I will mention it here, during their school fashion show, when the 2 of them are holding hands on stage, people guess that both might be boys, even as they are both wearing feminine outfits, and then say that it doesn't matter, and then near the end, Takatsuki-kun is deciding to start dressing androgynously, and still they are almost always shown wearing masculine clothing, and truthfully, almost definitely still wearing a binder, which hints at Takatsuki-kun not being a girl, even if they are not a boy either. On the other hand Shu-chan has decided to work in a okama bar, and that she is a definitely a girl, even if she still presents as a boy in public. About the other characters, because people consider all of them evil, for me that is truly difficult to grasp, I suppose it comes from that fact that in their life, they have a lot of people who are very american drama accepting, and many out people as well, to be honest, that is a little bit of a problem when reading this, and stories like this, because the starting point is very different, and the expectations are also very different. I actually see this story as very very optimistic in terms of behavior of other people, as I actually assume irl the chances of it being a lot closer to horror are higher than it being this good, and how tiny are the chances f it being better. Very realistic to the bond between siblings, as they fight often but there's still closeness and affection. As for Yuki-san, I'm not sure how people missed the fact that she is trying to relive her school years in tandem with Shu-chan, as she had so many regrets from that time in her life, rather than stalking, she uses Shu-chan's trips as a trigger to make that step. The casual transphobia, yes, there is much of it, but 99% of the time it's very intentional to have it, as a show that these people are very much a part of japanese society, and they are very much children who still live under the mindset of those norms. Even Yuki-san,-back in the beginning- knowing that Takatsuki-kun wants to be a boy calls them a girl, even if she herself is trans and should be aware of the feelings that come with such rejection -can only judge per the tl not sure if in the raw she did acknowledge- tho here I do have to mention that I am uncertain if this is something that would be considered alright in japan, as I did see in other manga similarly acknowledging both the true gender and AGAB and it was also very nonchalant. As for the sister, who is shown to be judging then accepting than judging again, very understandable, it's not an uncommon character archetype, called tsundere.
Ngl, I stopped reading this bc it was getting really heavy and I, as a NitorixAnna shipper, didn't want to see them break up if I got more invested. So, I'm really happy to see that they're together in the end.
Topics
I read this more than 10 years after it was published. There are many things that make me angry and sad for the characters and the minority they represent. I want to believe that the world has improved, even if only a little, and that knowledge and prejudice are decreasing every day.
Speaking of the characters, I really disliked the sister; she was so egocentric and cruel to Shun. Since I'm from a more recent generation, it surprises me that the classmates don't do anything about bullying. Perhaps is couse the culture is very different in Japan.
I really liked the friends and the girlfriend, and the trans people who started out on the wrong foot, but were given a lot of help on their journey to find their sexual expression. Shun's parents were awful; they just ignored the issue (perhaps it's cultural). Mako's parents were real parents. Takaoka-kun perfectly illustrates the path of self-discovery, how difficult it is to accept oneself and present oneself to the world. She took a different path than Shun, but that's true for everyone; each path is unique.
I remember when I first watched the anime, I tried reading this and never finished. I'm rewatching it again and decided to come back but after reading all these comments, I might just stay satisfied with the anime itself alone cause what do you mean after the dysphoria that Takatsuki experienced, she ends up staying a girl?
Detransitioning can happen, but it seems like from what I've heard, the journey for the ftm character is not handled well and what in the world do you mean someone gropes a child???
I agree, it really just left a bad Taste in my mouth. As a trans man, the scene in which Takatsuki started wearing skirts again made me feel like garbage. Appearently she did it because she had to get her shit together, but to me it felt like capitulating and that is something I have no choice but to do. Otherwise I might even be kicked out of my parents Home. I know some people detransition, and thats completely valid. But especially when theres so few transmasc characters, this story sends the message that they'll grow out of it when they are older. Even worse is the fact that the only adult LGBT Characters present are creepy as hell. Why would an adult want to spend time with children they just met on the streets? And the first thing the only gay man present in the manga does when he meets takatsuki (whom he perceived as a cis middle school boy) is grope her genitals. So the only adults are one pedo molester and a woman who is friends with him, how nice. I know the author isnt queer, but if she/he wanted to be respectful, the first thing they'd understand is that accusation of pedophilia has been used as justification for violence and murder
I can't say that I completely understand the experience of being trans, I'm demigender. But something I have noticed is how very underrepresented trans men are. There's this strange focus in media, transphobes and sometimes even our own community that solely focuses on trans women and not the experiences of trans men. And I hate to think that it comes from a place of misogyny and that fact that girls are more seen as going through a phase and simply being a tomboy.
The way that the people the kids should look up to in this is very much creepy too, I definitely agree. I grew up with the anime, and seeing that the two had adults to help guide them made me feel so happy as a queer kid still figuring things out but it really sucks now to see how it is in the manga and maybe how it might've been in the anime, as I may have missed it with the perspective of a kid. It's majorly disappointing because I recommend the anime so often, and now I can't do the same with the manga cause it just does not sit right with me.
I only watch the anime but I really love the main chara, she's so pretty, kind and determined. I hate the rest of the crew, not everybody because they are literally child and I watched it in my 30s so I understand a lot of them. But at the same time, some charas are disrespectful and they are like okay to everyone ??? How ???
The story of Yuki is ridiculous. The author has no experience in lgbtq+ things and it shows.
The fact that Takatsuki changed her mind it could be a great things because, as a girl, I swear that this thing happens a lot and a very number of girls in their puberty, but for Takatsuki itself that didn't work well because it was forced and she was the only one whi was really determined at the beginning. Meh.
Plus, maybe I am the only one but I kinda like Doi. I think he's curious and genuine (instead of Maho, she's lame. I hate her so much, she doesn't deserve a pretty boyfriend like him).
I appreciate that Shu loves girls because gender and sexuality are two different things.
(But at the same time I truly loved if Chiba and Takatsuki could be gfs ???? I love their friendship but it could be turn out so cute lol)
Oh, I found Anna-chan so cute :)
Maybe I have to read the manga but I sense that I would be angry at it... :/
I wish they could just take puberty blockers or something it's sad to see the permanent changes being done
So it's like... Shuuichi is legitimately a girl, and Takatsuki is a girl who wished to be a boy?
Literally all of this could've been avoided if he just went on estrogen since he knew from such a young age. Sigh. Don't know how it works in Japan though
Anyways I really binge read that
Idk but an adult groping a child private part is just not it
chiba and her multiple attempts at a gaslighting into detransition speedrun
ngl I'm disappointed at how transphobia is framed in this manga, it's depicted as this completely natural response, especially since multiple positive characters still propagate it, and it's only condemned when it's a part of bullying.
The only adult trans person is a predator, and has a predator for a boyfriend
This author has an issue with confusing gender identity and sexual orientation(having trans women call themselves "gay" because they like men, or "becoming" women because they're gay) and it seems to be a bit better in this one, even if there's the whole part about Yuki becoming a woman FOR shii-chan(and not for herself) that I found strange.
Having the only existing trans masc character detransition later on was also weird, especially since Takatsuki had gender dysphoria even before puberty, which only intensified during it, so their experience was closer to a typical trans masc person than a typical detransitioner.
Overall while there were some relatable moments, taking in the whole manga made it feel like the person writing it only kind of heard about the experience from other people and didn't really try that much to properly understand it making it feel very half-assed
I do agree but a lot of it unfortunately is just japanese “culture” and ignorance when it comes to LGBTQ+ topics, especially when it comes to trans people. Even amongst LGBTQ+ people themselves in Japan there’s this thick layer of ignorance both towards others and themselves, which, tbh, is not even their fault because they’re just treated by the society this way, so they kind of start belittling themselves too. Not making excuses for the author, by the way, just saying that it’s a major-scale issue.
I kind of disagree about Takatsuki, though. While, yeah, it’s disappointing to see the only seemingly trans masc person turn out to be not trans (I’d say “detransitioning” is a bit of a wrong term to use here since it’s typically referred to medical detransitioning and not social detransitioning), it’s low-key some good representation of people searching for their identity, showing that it’s alright to change your mind later on and you don’t really owe anyone anything. Takatsuki might discover that they’re non binary or choose to identify as a woman or realise that they’re a trans-man, after all; and all of the listed options are absolutely fine, it’s a long process and it really shouldn’t be anyone’s business besides the person in question and medical professionals, really.
But otherwise yeah, I do agree that the author doesn’t have a very in-depth understanding of trans issues and even the portrayal of Takatsuki was kind of dookie, they coulda gone more into it tbh.
I agree that on it's face Takatsukis exploration of gender would be an interesting topic in itself and could be a relatable representation, however them being the only instance of macs identity(while the mangas full of trans fem rep) creates this narrative that trans masc people will just "grow out of it" even if they go though the exact same experience trans masc people usually go which is extremely prevalent in the anti-trans circles. I think it could be very easily mitigated by adding another adult trans character that's masculine, it'd also help the whole "all trans adults are predators" background framing that forms due to the only adult trans character that shows up being a predator. I think the issues aren't really with the representation itself, but the bigger picture of the manga itself, which due to the specific characters and stories chosen ends up with harmful ideas. This author doesn't really have good track record with trans and gay identities, often conflating the two, so I do think that's mostly due to how they actually see trans people. I know it's just due to authors ignorance but my disappointment in the topic is due to this manga being hailed as the holy grail of trans representation, when it clearly propagates unfortunate and harmful ideas about trans identities.
I wholeheartedly agree. I think with trans masc characters in particular, as you’ve mentioned, it’s kind of either belittling in its nature or creates this notion that “oh, they will grow out of it”, which is obviously harmful, given how many stories like this there are.
Maybe don't complain about the people who are looking for a TRANS manga to shut up about the TRANS aspects of the whole story. good lord it's almost like people can be mad about horrible writing even if it's "accurate" or set in a time where people were just that awful towards trans people and so forth & so on. The authors a grade A fraud btw. Shouldn't write about lgbt people so much if she clearly has no idea what she's yapping about. Also she pedophilia and incest btw don't support her she's gross.
Damn people are still horrible to trans people to this day more than ever. Point is she did not have to write an older trans women having a predator as a boyfriend. Outdated junk like that without any repercussions or nuance pisses me off so bad. What's the point author, if you can't write nuance when your core theme is about trans experiences. (If this comment gets uploaded twice oh well)
She writes about* now I'm the fraud for all the minor Grammer mistakes
i hate that people are complaining about the drama aspects of the manga as if trans people don’t deal with other daily activities outside of just dysphoria. not to mention the takatsuki hate… the manga is set in a realistic environment. some people realize they are happy with their original gender and that should be OKAY ! #－.－) i personally really liked this manga, and i think the people who complain about it are too wrapped up in the trans aspect of it to appreciate anything else.
Bro this is a manga about trans people, why cant we talk about those aspects. Yes it is realistic, and some people do realise that they arent trans but its not stupid to say that this can have repercussions on the lives of queer people. There is already so little represantation for transgender men in media, and I dont enjoy the fact that they were written to stop wanting to be a man. Of course theres nothing wrong with writing villains go be queer, but theres a difference between a villain who is evil because they are queer and a villain who is coincidentally queer. People already believe that queer adults are Predators and that trans men/transmasculine people will just grow out of it as adults, and this manga doesnt serve to change that mindset. I'm sick of people telling me I'll change my mind and have a husband and children. You're missing the damn point. Detransitioners are completely valid, but you see transphobes constantly using them to invalidate trans people. Art isnt made in a vacuum, you can write about a cishet person being a nasty bastard who does terrible things but it wont reflect on real life cishet people. The same cant be said for others
tbh the story was good but god damn there was so much padding in the middle and i felt like i was reading the same arc over and over again but with different characters, and then all of a sudden at the end it sped up fast. unpopular opinion, but i actually like the authors choice to make takatsuki's character not transition because i feel like a lot of girls go through gender crisis during puberty age but it is disappointing there was no trans guy characters. anyways sasa chan on top periodddd
There's a lot of feelings in the comments. A lot of truly incomprehensible views on this story too. I think it might be because they read it with a strange viewpoint from the beginning. Like, they mark this as X type of story, when it is not. It's also important to understand that storytelling in japan is different than western storytelling, and in order to enjoy it you really shouldn't look at it with the same lens. The other thing to keep in mind is, and this will be useful for reading everything else too, you really shouldn't think a story is only going to showcase one single thing, or that it will focus and revolve around it.
For example here people are mostly focused on this being a story about transgender solidarity or something very similar to this sentiment. When it's simply, from the beginning, a story of Shu-chan's childhood and adolescence. It starts with Takatsuki-kun, because Takatsuki-kun was the hero and the giant who kick started Shu-chan's bravery and shaped her entire life by just being there. As they grow things start changing, and the dynamic change, they grow apart and experience bullying, love, fights and everything that comes with growing up. They started off as each other's mirror image, but end up as very different people. On their outings in childhood, Takatsuki-kun is shown as the braver of the two and more ready to embrace being the opposite of their AGAB, but as they enter middle school, Shu-chan is the one who is a lot more accepting of herself, and the one who can't really handle hiding. Sure, Takatsuki-kun is shown as wanting to have a dick, wearing a binder, and disdaining the girl uniform, but almost always conforms to the norm and even feels hesitant to defy it, only keeping a short haircut. And with the tension between them, Shu-chan still has Mako-chan to talk to, while Takatsuki-kun, even while receiving a lot less scrutiny and backlash than Shu-chan for their presentation, is still living their life being treated as a girl. Even more so when they go to different high schools, Shu-chan, finally experiencing puberty, can only see herself as a girl, and has no desire to live as a boy, while Takatsuki-kun, who has already been going through the changes for 2 or so years, ends up realizing they don't despise the girl clothes they used to hate, and so, as they were offered to try modeling a few times in the past, start to actually consider it. Here is where some people think the dysphoria was 'cured' by modeling, when modeling actually came after the dysphoria lessened. Not much thought is put into the fact that, for years, besides the school uniform, Takatsuki-kun only ever wore masculine clothes, while Shu-chan, only ever wore feminine clothes in short intervals, and as such, their level of superficial satisfaction has always been different. Takatsuki-kun ends up modeling, and realizing, that they don't want to become a boy, nor do they have to become one, we are left with that, but I really do wonder why people assume they are a girl, does not being a boy automatically mean you're a girl? As this story is focused on Shu-chan's journey, even if we are shown glimpses of other peoples paths, it's still just glimpses. There were many hints about Takatsuki-kun, but I don't think many people focused enough to pick it up, as they only take what is explicitly stated, so I will mention it here, during their school fashion show, when the 2 of them are holding hands on stage, people guess that both might be boys, even as they are both wearing feminine outfits, and then say that it doesn't matter, and then near the end, Takatsuki-kun is deciding to start dressing androgynously, and still they are almost always shown wearing masculine clothing, and truthfully, almost definitely still wearing a binder, which hints at Takatsuki-kun not being a girl, even if they are not a boy either. On the other hand Shu-chan has decided to work in a okama bar, and that she is a definitely a girl, even if she still presents as a boy in public.
About the other characters, because people consider all of them evil, for me that is truly difficult to grasp, I suppose it comes from that fact that in their life, they have a lot of people who are very american drama accepting, and many out people as well, to be honest, that is a little bit of a problem when reading this, and stories like this, because the starting point is very different, and the expectations are also very different. I actually see this story as very very optimistic in terms of behavior of other people, as I actually assume irl the chances of it being a lot closer to horror are higher than it being this good, and how tiny are the chances f it being better. Very realistic to the bond between siblings, as they fight often but there's still closeness and affection. As for Yuki-san, I'm not sure how people missed the fact that she is trying to relive her school years in tandem with Shu-chan, as she had so many regrets from that time in her life, rather than stalking, she uses Shu-chan's trips as a trigger to make that step.
The casual transphobia, yes, there is much of it, but 99% of the time it's very intentional to have it, as a show that these people are very much a part of japanese society, and they are very much children who still live under the mindset of those norms. Even Yuki-san,-back in the beginning- knowing that Takatsuki-kun wants to be a boy calls them a girl, even if she herself is trans and should be aware of the feelings that come with such rejection -can only judge per the tl not sure if in the raw she did acknowledge- tho here I do have to mention that I am uncertain if this is something that would be considered alright in japan, as I did see in other manga similarly acknowledging both the true gender and AGAB and it was also very nonchalant. As for the sister, who is shown to be judging then accepting than judging again, very understandable, it's not an uncommon character archetype, called tsundere.
Ngl, I stopped reading this bc it was getting really heavy and I, as a NitorixAnna shipper, didn't want to see them break up if I got more invested. So, I'm really happy to see that they're together in the end.