Summary
Crunchyrollis finally bringing a more nuanced take on gender identity to the anime industry withthe LGBTQ+ animeSenpai is an Otokonoko. Although there’s a plethora of transgender manga, not many series that explore gender identity outside of gender benders have been adapted into anime.
In Japanese,otokonokois a word used to indicatestraight boys who identify as male but who dress in ways that are associated more with girls. The main premise ofSenpai is an Otokonokomight explore how the eponymous otokonoko named Makoto Hanaoka must deal with how a bisexual girl and his male childhood friend have a crush on him, but there are many poignant and heartfelt moments that explore LBGTQ+ issues in a much more nuanced way as soon as episode 1.
Arguably, the most heartfelt moment in the first three episodes so far is how Makotohides from his mother that he wears women’s clothingand enjoys cute things that young boys aren’t traditionally known for liking at the end of the first episode. Before going home, he changes back into more masculine clothing and puts all of his “girly” apparel and items away in a locker.When he closes the locker door, he says “Goodnight, me.”
Senpai is an Otokonoko’s One Big Scene Outweighs Most Series Based On Gender Identity
Based on the manga by Pom; produced by Project No.9
The immensity of that scene cannot be overstated. Having to hide their true identity from family, friends, and loved ones is a common, unfortunate occurrence in the LGBTQ+ community. The fact that Makoto actually says goodbye to the things he must hide about himself and refers to them as “me” is heartbreaking.He’s literally locking and storing himself away. There are few anime that explore this dynamic as effectively as this one moment inSenpai is an Otokonoko, especially gender benders.
Of course, the relevance and impact that previous gender benders likeRanma1/2 have had on those in the LBGTQ+ communitycannot be disregarded or belittled.However, sometimes series that are more direct about gender identity, likeSenpai is an Otokonoko,can be more profound than anime that tackle the topic as a metaphor, like gender benders. In many cases, the moments when gender benders adopt a more serious tone or make more emotional juxtapositions don’t occur until much later.
Gender Identity Shouldn’t Be Belittled As “Shock Value”
Then there’s also the problem of too many gender benders that only dissect the subject of gender identity superficially or appear to only use them as some sort of “shock value” by relegating them to a minor plot point without getting into the real, more substantial issues. Also, characters who identify as male but wear clothing traditionally made specifically for women are usually portrayed in anime as comic relief, or they aren’t the protagonists.
WhileSenpai is an Otokonokodoes sometimes favor comedic moments, the serious scenes effectively outweigh them when they do happen, and they occur immediately.Crunchyrollfans who enjoy theLBGTQ+issues and more nuanced takes from gender benders should definitely giveSenpai is an Otokonokoa try. After that final scene from episode 1, it will be difficult to stop watching or caring.
