Azumanga Daioh: Is Kaorin a lesbian?

[Senshi]

Ok firstly let me state that I'm sorry if this has been done before (search returned nothing) or if in some way this topic offends you (I honestly dont think it should but what do I know)... I was debating it with a friend over this topic for a while ago and after rewatching some episodes it got me thinking about it again

This is a bit of a mixture of an anime discussion and a Japanese culture discussion...

So... In Azumanga Daioh Kaorin's obsession with Sakaki is obvious... However, is it necessarily a sexual attraction or simply an admiration thing? As I mentioned I was debating with a friend of mine a few months ago about this very same topic.

I am convinced she is a lesbian while he was stating it was just a "big sister" type of relationship that you sometimes see.

I mean I think its pretty obvious when you look at the various moments within the anime... but please correct me if I am wrong here... after all she never clearly stated that she did in fact like her in that way...

honestly I hope she is cause that makes Azu Dai even more awesome ;)

but anyways if she is does this show that Japanese is more tolerant than our homophobic American culture?

[Darkmessenger]

she is a lesbian

[DarkKanti]

I think she very well could be. In episode five when she was looking at their summer vacation pics and she got very interested when she saw Sakaki in her bathing suit and the pic where Tomoe rolled over on her she looked very jealous.

[Senshi]

I think she very well could be. In episode five when she was looking at their summer vacation pics and she got very interested when she saw Sakaki in her bathing suit and the pic where Tomoe rolled over on her she looked very jealous.

Yeah I know right... but then again she could just be jealous that Tomo got close to Sakaki or something...

Shes like the Ambiguously Gay Duo... Its like I KNOW she is, but I just cant confirm it...

[Revolution boi]

I think she is too, there's so many hints that she is, and i doubt someone would deny that the fact that she isn't. Kaorin got to be one of the cutest lesbians (if she is) in anime IMO.

[UZ_white]

Yes, and... Yes.

[Shiva]

She likes Sakaki, but I don't believe that makes her a lesbian. I'd say that it's more of a school girl crush as there isn't anything sexual in her behaviour, she admires Sakaki and her qualities. I suppose Kaorin wishes she were more like Sakaki.

[Lavi]

she's not lesbian, she's just japanese

[Lex]

I think the crush Kaorin has on Sakaki is a result of what they call "displacement" in the psychiatry business; she really has the hots for Kimura.

[Zee'd]

She likes Sakaki, but I don't believe that makes her a lesbian. I'd say that it's more of a school girl crush as there isn't anything sexual in her behaviour, she admires Sakaki and her qualities. I suppose Kaorin wishes she were more like Sakaki.
I believe its just a little (maybe a lot) more than that... It might have started out like a crush, but the way they portray the "crush" gets more suggestive over time...

One thing for sure: she might not be realizing that her feelings are borderline (crossed-over?) lesbian.....

[Tremolo]

I've always wondered this as well and I think she could well be - there are more than enough hints.

One thing for sure: she might not be realizing that her feelings are borderline (crossed-over?) lesbian.....

My thoughts exactly.

[Tsukushi]

Hmmmm. I think so. What made me tilt towards the yes is when she has her dream about Sakaki after the New Year's. It kind of depicted Sakaki as a prince charming.... Kaorin also said that Sakaki was cooler than all the guys in the school therefore comparing them. She also gets too nervous when she talks to Sakaki and when she sees the photos where Sakaki and Tomo are in the bed together she just overreacts for Sakaki to only be considered as a friend.... :cat:

[Leonef]

I would say she probably was. If the dream episode didn't confirm it, then at least the end of festival dance did. She was pretty happy there. I somehow can't imagine her feeling that way about Kimura though....

[HenyTran]

I would say she is, but she might not realize it yet. I think the dancing with sakaki and feeling like she's in heaven is one piece of evidence. The bikini at the beach scene is another. The only way to truly confirm it is to hear Koarin, or her creator, say that she's a lesbian.

And yes she's one of the cutest lesbians characters!

[Immigrant]

Undoubtedly, with all that's been said previously, its no surprise. By the way, here's an interesting, unrelated phenomenon in some Massacheusetts (is this the roght spelling?) high school. About 80% of the girls there are bisexual. Also, some teens are sometimes easily aroused even by the same sex because of high hormonal activity. Back to thr topic, what girls can be so obsessed with someone and NOT be lesbian? Practically almost every scene on the series featuring her involves Sakaki, the blushing, the admiration, c'mon no way she'd like that freak Kimura.

[Kuma]

Of course she is, The dance should be proof enough. Never mind everything else, the blushing, the drooling admiration......

[Tamanegi Sensei]

Hmm.... interesting. I too have been debating (who he is a master of) shut up!.... the sexual preference of Kaorin. At first I thought that she had that Selena vibe thing goin on, but the more I looked into her actions (takin pictures of her, gettin near her, the sight of kitty panties) it's obvious that it's more than just a crush. So just like my magic 8-blueball says, "As I see it, hells yea." Although, it still ponders to know how far she will go to get Sakaki's attention.

[Moe]

i think she is b/c cause whenever kaorin goes into the dream state meant there are hearts all over the place in the background

[Senshi]

Hmm.... interesting. I too have been debating (who he is a master of) shut up!.... the sexual preference of Kaorin. At first I thought that she had that Selena vibe thing goin on, but the more I looked into her actions (takin pictures of her, gettin near her, the sight of kitty panties) it's obvious that it's more than just a crush. So just like my magic 8-blueball says, "As I see it, hells yea." Although, it still ponders to know how far she will go to get Sakaki's attention.

its true... she DID blush pretty hard at the sight of those kitty panties...

which is kind of disturbing (and hot) in a way.... cause if she is, every day Sakaki is changing for gym only to have Kaorin in the locker room with her peeping at her...

[Leonef]

its true... she DID blush pretty hard at the sight of those kitty panties...

which is kind of disturbing (and hot) in a way.... cause if she is, every day Sakaki is changing for gym only to have Kaorin in the locker room with her peeping at her...

For some reason I never got that scene in the manga, just finally figured it out in the anime. Also, talking about disturbing, this mention of Kimura and changing room unfortunately reminds me of a (male) PE teacher we had back in high school.

*shudder*

[Tamanegi Sensei]

i think she is b/c cause whenever kaorin goes into the dream state meant there are hearts all over the place in the background

Not only are there flowers in her dream state, but a river of flowers, church bells, and the blue angels with rainbow colored smoke. But since it's just a crush, who knows if Kaorin is a lesbian or not.

[TypicalIdiotFan]

Before you can call Kaorin a lesbian first you have to figure this out:

"What makes someone a lesbian?"

Have fun kids!

[Tamashii]

I'd like to think of Kaorin as a lesbian. It makes the show more interesting. It'll be even better if Sakaki was a lesbian, too. Can we all say: "Yuri!" ?

[Leonef]

I'd like to think of Kaorin as a lesbian. It makes the show more interesting. It'll be even better if Sakaki was a lesbian, too. Can we all say: "Yuri!" ?


That would be interesting. Though remember Sakaki also like cats, so there would need to be some of that in the relationship as well. Just get Tomo and Chiyo-chan to dress up in their cat costumes and they're all set.

"I'm spreading lesbian tendencies throughout the school"!

[chibigaltaylor]

no i don't think she is. it's just admiration.

[jiffyjimbothe3]

id been wondering that as well

id belive either way but if i had to guess id guess she was indeed a lesbian

[Tamanegi Sensei]

Before you can call Kaorin a lesbian first you have to figure this out:

"What makes someone a lesbian?"

Have fun kids!

Through mental alterations, a few obsessions, maybe add in some love of another person, add a dash of some crazy f-ed up dream about that person, and you got yourself a lesbo. Might I refer you to Jenny from Cosplay complex? or Tomoyo as examples?

[soundchazer]

Before you can call Kaorin a lesbian first you have to figure this out:

"What makes someone a lesbian?"

Have fun kids!

Being like TIF but with boobs? (as in, enjoys F3, likes to give people crap and loves as much female nudity as possible). Only difference is this version of TIF would be a democrat.

[Airman]

Undoubtedly, with all that's been said previously, its no surprise. By the way, here's an interesting, unrelated phenomenon in some Massacheusetts (is this the roght spelling?) high school. About 80% of the girls there are bisexual. Also, some teens are sometimes easily aroused even by the same sex because of high hormonal activity. Back to thr topic, what girls can be so obsessed with someone and NOT be lesbian? Practically almost every scene on the series featuring her involves Sakaki, the blushing, the admiration, c'mon no way she'd like that freak Kimura.

Uh...where the hell are you getting that 80% of Massachusetts females are bisexual?

And I think Kaorin just doesn't like boys yet, and admires Sakaki.

[hekikuu]

In my estimation, Kaorin has a crush on Sakaki. I don't know what the folks here who say that it's more than a crush mean, really. Kaorin doesn't seem to be truly obsessed with Sakaki. She's not in love (she hardly ever even has a conversation with Sakaki), and she's not desperately enfatuated. From what I've seen, Kaorin's feelings have reasonable boundaries. I don't think that Kaorin has come to grips with her feelings and really explored and tried to understand them. Because of this, it's not for sure that she's a lesbian, or even a proto-lesbian. It's cute because Sakaki is completely oblivious, and, as with most crushes, I don't think Kaorin would know what to do if Sakaki reciprocated. It's a thing that will never happen. All we can do is speculate. But I think the writers made it that way on purpose.

[icelava]

It's cute because Sakaki is completely oblivious, and, as with most crushes, I don't think Kaorin would know what to do if Sakaki reciprocated. It's a thing that will never happen. All we can do is speculate. But I think the writers made it that way on purpose.It's all done in the name of comedy.

All her actions suggest she is a lesbian - compare versus the feelings the rest of the girls have for each other as well as your very own relationships with female friends.

BUT, you are unable to accurately prove this in court simply because, as with my first paragraph - it's all a joke, meant to be cute and something acceptable for kids to watch.

If you so want smoking gun evidence you'd need it to be a serious, realistic direction and have a scene of her masturbating while murmuring "Sakaki! Sakaki!"

[Senshi]

All her actions suggest she is a lesbian - compare versus the feelings the rest of the girls have for each other as well as your very own relationships with female friends.

yeah its true, but ive just heard about relationships between females (maybe males too) in Japan that one respects the other so much that it may seem like a sexual attraction. So its hard to compare a situation like this that is a cultural difference.

Then again it might be like Midori No Hibi where Kouta THINKS he just respects Seiji alot, but its really obvious that its a sexual attraction that he hasnt admitted yet...

If you so want smoking gun evidence you'd need it to be a serious, realistic direction and have a scene of her masturbating while murmuring "Sakaki! Sakaki!"

OMG It would make AD... the. Best. Anime. Ever. (not that it isnt already)

...

What can I say I like lesbians. :)

[icelava]

OMG It would make AD... the. Best. Anime. Ever.If you watch koi kaze, well, that ain't what i consider "best behaviour"....

[Leonef]

If you so want smoking gun evidence you'd need it to be a serious, realistic direction and have a scene of her masturbating while murmuring "Sakaki! Sakaki!"

Oh dear god! Now that is something I would watch!
Way to ruin the innocence of the series though, but hey....

[icelava]

Oh dear god! Now that is something I would watch!
Way to ruin the innocence of the series though, but hey....And to produce such that is not flavoured like hentai, can be rather difficult. And that would really go all out of the original appeal of Azumanga diaoh.

Another story, another cast of characters. But certainly not this group of girls.

[chibigaltaylor]

Through mental alterations, a few obsessions, maybe add in some love of another person, add a dash of some crazy f-ed up dream about that person, and you got yourself a lesbo. Might I refer you to Jenny from Cosplay complex? or Tomoyo as examples?
well, i quess so. but, i think it runs in tomoyo's family. remember nadeshiko and sonomi?

[TypicalIdiotFan]

Being like TIF but with boobs? (as in, enjoys F3, likes to give people crap and loves as much female nudity as possible). Only difference is this version of TIF would be a democrat.

Ouch. That's cutting below the belt there. Democrat? Jesus. I am insulted.

However, my question still stands.

What makes someone a lesbian? It's interesting that people can just throw out labels like that, when the truth is nobody really knows what makes someone gay or not. You just wanna call her a lesbian without any sex involved? There's no actual attempts at admitting she loves Sakaki. And hell, even now I'm using generalized terminology to prove my point.

What makes someone a lesbian? If you can answer that first, then you can call Kaorin a lesbo or not.

[soundchazer]

In the most strict use of the word, she should be from the island of Lesbos, so Sakaki wouldn't be a Lesbian.

Being a little less strict, being a Lesbian would involve a woman disliking males and liking women in a love relationship. We don't actually know if Sakaki is indeed a lesbian... she could very well be a bisexual.

[Tamashii]

She's a lesbian, damn it. A lesbian. It's no fun without lesbians. Bisexual? Pfft.

[L. Peanut]

I think Kaorin has a school girl crush. I don't necessarily think it's sexual because a lot of girls that age have crushes on boys that aren't sexual either (just a function of the age). But I think she feels the same way about Sakaki that a girl that age would feel about a boy, attraction, idealization, etc. etc. It's definitely more than just friendship or big sister/little sister feelings.

[Leonef]

And to produce such that is not flavoured like hentai, can be rather difficult. And that would really go all out of the original appeal of Azumanga diaoh.

Another story, another cast of characters. But certainly not this group of girls.

Well, you got a point there. They'd just have to be really subtle and do something clever with it, nothing too drastic. AD wouldn't really be the series to benefit from some huge close up of a young schoolgirl doing....something....

Tamashii is right though, we need lesbians. And to be honest, who actually cares about the 'why' in this case? :XD:

[Senshi]

Well here is a question... has there been any other relationships like this in anime that WASNT a homosexual one?

And since we are on the subject... this is my new favorite smilie: :la:

[genki sakura]

well, i quess so. but, i think it runs in tomoyo's family. remember nadeshiko and sonomi?
Actually, I think I read somewhere that Nadeshiko and sonomi were actually cousins(that's why Sonomi hates Sakura's father so much) and so it's like I think Sakura and Tomoyo are also somewhat related, although I think I read somewhere Tomoyo saying something like "I love you Sakura." Although I don't know if that was in a friendly way or if she was lesbian. Now just remember she's like what? 10, 11?

Is Kaorin lesbian? Who knows...but if the dream wasn't enough to make a clear arguement for her being lesbian, then I guess that's it... that and the festival scene. Maybe there's some story behind their relationship that wasn't in the anime/manga. Although who knows, after graduation she could've become a slave(if you know what I mean ;)) for some 50 year old guy. Lesbian then? Debatable. Desperate? Oh yeah.

[hekikuu]

In the most strict use of the word, she should be from the island of Lesbos, so Sakaki wouldn't be a Lesbian.

Being a little less strict, being a Lesbian would involve a woman disliking males and liking women in a love relationship. We don't actually know if Sakaki is indeed a lesbian... she could very well be a bisexual.


I think Sakaki is a nekosexual.

Really, I wouldn't want to see an episode of Azumanga Daioh in which Kaorin masturbates while thinking of Sakaki. Nor do I hope for a love scene between the two. I enjoy the purity of AD. If people want to write fanfics with illicit activity between characters of AD, then that's fine. Let your imagination go wild. I'll stick with the story as it is.

[Tamanegi Sensei]

...

What can I say I like lesbians. :)

Senshi ain't the only one that likes em.

Ouch. That's cutting below the belt there. Democrat? Jesus. I am insulted.

However, my question still stands.

What makes someone a lesbian? It's interesting that people can just throw out labels like that, when the truth is nobody really knows what makes someone gay or not. You just wanna call her a lesbian without any sex involved? There's no actual attempts at admitting she loves Sakaki. And hell, even now I'm using generalized terminology to prove my point.

What makes someone a lesbian? If you can answer that first, then you can call Kaorin a lesbo or not.

Going back to the mentality thing TIF, it's all in the head. Just like calling myself ameteur doesn't mean that I'm an ameteur. But through different summaries and a few prono flicks, I've come up to the conclusion that lesbianism is all in the head.

[Midnight]

When I first saw this, I didn't give it much thought. At one point, I'd settle on admiration, the next, deeper feelings. But as i saw more anime series, it turned out to be quite common. Recently, I saw Air Master, and that one takes it to further heights (not to mention volumes).

Also, for Azumanga, we should take the age factor in mind. These are school girls right? Is Kaorin even aware of the true nature of her feelings? Us using the word lesbian may be a bit premature.

[Senshi]

Also, for Azumanga, we should take the age factor in mind. These are school girls right? Is Kaorin even aware of the true nature of her feelings? Us using the word lesbian may be a bit premature.

Yeah but they are highschool girls which is like ages 15-17...

when I was 15, I knew what team I was batting for... She may be a bit confused or not accepting of it, but she is definitely old enough to figure out what her feelings mean...

[Neo-Hunter]

I think she is but she wants to compete with Sakaki after she heard she is good in sports.

[Readordie]

Eeeh, she's g a cute crush. That much is brought to light with startling obviousness. However, whether she's a lesbian is debateable. Maybe she's notmally straight, but somehow Sasaki just seems perfect enough for her that she would extend that little rule. Or maybe, like someone else(I'm too lazy to check who) it's displacement. Or maybe she's always viewed Sasaki like she's viewed friends of hers that are guys, and that mentality lead to a deeper emotion.

Or maybe she's just awkward. Who knows?

[Senshi]

I think she is but she wants to compete with Sakaki after she heard she is good in sports.

I believe your thinking about Kagura there chief...

[loplop]

She may be, but it all could be worship from afar. I imagine that there is a doujinshu out that trying to prove that she is . . .

[rurouniDisciple]

I would want to say lesbian, but I would have to go along with Midnight and saying its deep admiration. Though the wedding bell scene makes me wonder :/

[Tamanegi Sensei]

I would want to say lesbian, but I would have to go along with Midnight and saying its deep admiration. Though the wedding bell scene makes me wonder :/

Dreams are dreams, they are not real. Yes it's a deep admiration, but I wonder: how can you admire someone from just kitty panties?

[hekikuu]

how can you admire someone from just kitty panties?

Kitty panties are extremely admirable.

[Leonef]

Dreams are dreams, they are not real. Yes it's a deep admiration, but I wonder: how can you admire someone from just kitty panties?

Yes, but dreams can often have some sort of basis in reality and, in certain ways, can come true. Like, as a recent example, attending some wierd anime convention type thing in a church. Also, it's not unusual for someone to dream about things they wish would happen.

[soundchazer]

I would be game to admire a girl in Kitty Panties. In fact, I would ask her to meow for me.

[Leonef]

I would be game to admire a girl in Kitty Panties. In fact, I would ask her to meow for me.

Ah! Well, thankyou very much, I now have quite the image forming in my head! I may not sleep at all tonight....

But would it be Sakaki? Who knows?

[chibigaltaylor]

well, i quess so. but, i think it runs in tomoyo's family. remember nadeshiko and sonomi?
Actually, I think I read somewhere that Nadeshiko and sonomi were actually cousins(that's why Sonomi hates Sakura's father so much) and so it's like I think Sakura and Tomoyo are also somewhat related, although I think I read somewhere Tomoyo saying something like "I love you Sakura." Although I don't know if that was in a friendly way or if she was lesbian. Now just remember she's like what? 10, 11?

Is Kaorin lesbian? Who knows...but if the dream wasn't enough to make a clear arguement for her being lesbian, then I guess that's it... that and the festival scene. Maybe there's some story behind their relationship that wasn't in the anime/manga. Although who knows, after graduation she could've become a slave(if you know what I mean ;)) for some 50 year old guy. Lesbian then? Debatable. Desperate? Oh yeah.

yeah, they were cousins. she says"i like you alot" after sakura repiles"i like you alot too" she replies " but, she 's thinking of a different type of like".

[Mira]

she's not lesbian, she's just japanese

Exactly! Trying to use your cultural standard to sort out who's gay in anime is a useless enterprise. Most especially when considering school girls. In Japan there is this idea that it's completely normal for girls to have crushes on other girls and not have it be overtly sexual. It's the "big sister" phenom. The undertones may be there etc. but it's not as cut and dried as "she's a lesbian" or "she's not a lesbian". Don't misunderstand, some are definitely lesbian but I would venture that there are no more than the standard numbers across the world. At that age it's seen as innocent confusion and not a formative or definitive event. In the case of Kaorin, I'd say she's having an innocent crush and doesn't quite understand all the implications.

It was said that they are 15-16 and should "know who they are batting for". This is a bit of cultural-centrism. I hosted japanese girls as exchange students and got to know many quite well. For all the exposure to sexuality in their culture these girls are incredibly innocent and immature by our standards. For example, disney movies, sponge bob squarepants, Brittany Spears and lip gloss were big deals to this group. My 11 year old had more in common with them than the average american 16 year old. They have a lot of social pressure to stay focused on school and same sex friendships. My first exchange student is now 19 and has her first real boyfriend. Her parents are furious. They think she's too young. It boggles my mind that such a pretty (and she is very pretty) bright and funny girl would just now be dating. But, oddly enough, the other three girls I know are younger and seem to be following the same path. Maybe the high school romance in manga is all about providing in fantasy what they don't have in reality?

The Japanese are also more comfortable, presumably, with the fact that gay or straight, we are attracted to all kinds of people. Many close moments in anime, where we see two characters blushing, don't necessarily denote sexual tension. Invading someone's physical space is a bigger deal for them. It's an unearned intimacy and thus embarrasses them. So if this happens with two girls it could be simple embarrassment not something happening under those skirts. ;)

Japan has some interesting twists to how it considers sex and gender roles. The Takarazuka is an all female theater in Japan that had a huge influence on shoujo manga. The catch is; these women are male impersonators. It is considered perfectly normal for young girls to have huge crushes on these women. Often they are treated like idols. Yes, everyone knows they are really women. No one would dare accuse these starstruck girls of being gay. One mother, interviewed by Antonia Levi (a prof. I know who has written books on japanese culture through anime and spoke at length at Kumor-con) said "Isn't it nice that a girl can have her first love be one of these beautiful Takarazuka and not some nasty man."

According to Antonia Levi, bishounen characters are also products of the influence of the Takarazuka. Bishounen characters are not necessarily, homosexual or bisexual; part of the tradition stems from the historical male-to-male distanced, non-sexual romances of samurai times. But many of them are gay and manga that depicts gay bish characters isn't even made for gay males but almost exclusively for heterosexual girls and women.

So it just isn't the same folks. I don't care one way or another if a character is gay as long as the show is interesting to me. For those of you that must know I'd say you CAN'T unless the creator shows you something fairly obvious. But that doesn't always happen. I think what I've gotten out of my study of Japanese culture surounding this issue is that ambiguity is OK. If anything, it makes for an interesting plot device.

[HenyTran]

Yeah in response to that, Japan before western intervention did not distinguish between straight and gay. It was normal and somewhat expected for men to have sex with other men.

I also agree that Kaorin has a crush, and it may not be sexual on Sakaki, but I also think that the creators had the intent of it being a lesbian relationship. It just makes it more humorous in my opinion. I don't really care the sexual preferences of the characters I watch but it definitely is funny to see Kaorin swoon over sakaki.

[chibigaltaylor]

Yeah in response to that, Japan before western intervention did not distinguish between straight and gay. It was normal and somewhat expected for men to have sex with other men.

I also agree that Kaorin has a crush, and it may not be sexual on Sakaki, but I also think that the creators had the intent of it being a lesbian relationship. It just makes it more humorous in my opinion. I don't really care the sexual preferences of the characters I watch but it definitely is funny to see Kaorin swoon over sakaki.

i understand.

[J-Syxx]

Sorry for digging up an old thead, but I came across this in a web search. I believe the reference to the rainbow flag mulitple times with Kaorin makes the anime's creators' intentions clear and trumps previously stated pretentious knowledge of "Japanese culture." Japan with the rest of the world is coming closer to the US notions (and better understanding minus ignorance) of homosexuality. However, some people still like to pretend characters in their anime aren't gay so they don't contradict their pre-programmed preudices. I've seen this for many anime even where its obvious its sexual as well, like say B-Ko in Project A-ko. But good god is that horrible that anime fans demand there to be sexual attraction stated as an undeniable fact between two same sex characters for them to accept it. If it was between a guy and girl you wouldn't even question it for a second. Its sickening. Karorin is in love with Sakaki. If you have romantic love for someone of the same sex you have homosexual feelings for them, end of story. She is a teenager, not a little prepubescent kid. If you don't think Kaorin is in love with Sakaki you are delusional or have some other kind of mental failings and need to watch something like Dora the Explorer that you can comprehend.

[Saya-biki]

Sorry for digging up an old thead, but I came across this in a web search. I believe the reference to the rainbow flag mulitple times with Kaorin makes the anime's creators' intentions clear and trumps previously stated pretentious knowledge of "Japanese culture." Japan with the rest of the world is coming closer to the US notions (and better understanding minus ignorance) of homosexuality. However, some people still like to pretend characters in their anime aren't gay so they don't contradict their pre-programmed preudices. I've seen this for many anime even where its obvious its sexual as well, like say B-Ko in Project A-ko. But good god is that horrible that anime fans demand there to be sexual attraction stated as an undeniable fact between two same sex characters for them to accept it. If it was between a guy and girl you wouldn't even question it for a second. Its sickening. Karorin is in love with Sakaki. If you have romantic love for someone of the same sex you have homosexual feelings for them, end of story. She is a teenager, not a little prepubescent kid. If you don't think Kaorin is in love with Sakaki you are delusional or have some other kind of mental failings and need to watch something like Dora the Explorer that you can comprehend.
I don't disagree with the notion that Kaorin loves Sakaki

However, don't you think by saying
But good god is that horrible that anime fans demand there to be sexual attraction stated as an undeniable fact between two same sex characters for them to accept it.
then saying
If you don't think Kaorin is in love with Sakaki you are delusional or have some other kind of mental failings and need to watch something like Dora the Explorer that you can comprehend.
is basically doing what you seemed to hate. The pot calling the kettle black if you will...or whatever that damned saying is.

Just saying. :/

[Mira]

Sorry for digging up an old thead, but I came across this in a web search. I believe the reference to the rainbow flag mulitple times with Kaorin makes the anime's creators' intentions clear and trumps previously stated pretentious knowledge of "Japanese culture." Japan with the rest of the world is coming closer to the US notions (and better understanding minus ignorance) of homosexuality. However, some people still like to pretend characters in their anime aren't gay so they don't contradict their pre-programmed preudices. I've seen this for many anime even where its obvious its sexual as well, like say B-Ko in Project A-ko. But good god is that horrible that anime fans demand there to be sexual attraction stated as an undeniable fact between two same sex characters for them to accept it. If it was between a guy and girl you wouldn't even question it for a second. Its sickening. Karorin is in love with Sakaki. If you have romantic love for someone of the same sex you have homosexual feelings for them, end of story. She is a teenager, not a little prepubescent kid. If you don't think Kaorin is in love with Sakaki you are delusional or have some other kind of mental failings and need to watch something like Dora the Explorer that you can comprehend.


My comments are not based on delusion or pretense but on a lecture about the subject of "gay" themes in Anime, put on by a Professor of Anthropology who is also a published expert on Japanese cultural themes in Anime and Manga- her name is Antonia Levi (you could look her up). She even used the example of Kaorin in her lecture (among others). Ultimately, what you think is your opinion. At least I have one with a reputable source behind it. Btw, no need to be rude (unless you are a troll with two whole posts to your name....which I guess is the whole point right?)

mira

[Moe]

or we could let this thread die...

[Mira]

or we could let this thread die...
Uh...yeah. Didn't I say that though? :deadhorse

[Moe]

Uh...yeah. Didn't I say that though? :deadhorse

idk didn't read your post... just saw people post ina 2 year old thread and decided to say what i said...

[J-Syxx]

is basically doing what you seemed to hate. The pot calling the kettle black if you will...or whatever that damned saying is.

Just saying. :/
I'm not contradicting myself. I said sexual, which means that unless Kaorin was shown to be sexually aroused by Sakaki, certain fans wouldn't believe it. I've seen it disputed even when the characters kissed eachother, lip inside lip.

My comments are not based on delusion or pretense but on a lecture about the subject of "gay" themes in Anime, put on by a Professor of Anthropology who is also a published expert on Japanese cultural themes in Anime and Manga- her name is Antonia Levi (you could look her up). She even used the example of Kaorin in her lecture (among others). Ultimately, what you think is your opinion. At least I have one with a reputable source behind it. Btw, no need to be rude (unless you are a troll with two whole posts to your name....which I guess is the whole point right?)
Thanks, I guess since I only have two posts I won't bother responding to you.

[kLaUS]

hey, shes not neccesarily a lesbian, is more common in their culture to be atracted to other person from the same sex, i mean is not normal, but is more common, specially on teenagers with selfstime problems, like kaorin...

ey , you are also taking advantage of this zombie thread !

[J-Syxx]

I wouldn't have revived this thread if it didn't come up when I googled Azumanga. If you don't want old threads like this resurfacing, I would suggest the admin doing something about that.

While Kaorin may be influenced by old Japanese cultural stereotypes I was aware of before I read this thread, modern Japanese fiction isn't only made up of them. Kaorin easily transcends those, and Azumanga is an extremely contemporary show. Most conservatively Kaorin could be bi-sexual. They tried to hard to pound the fact into this show for it not to be true.

[Moe]

can we let the thread die by calling her a bisexual... geez... therefore leaves the option thats she does/can like both genders...

now may this thread die... and never respawn from the grave

[J-Syxx]

^I'm fine with agreeing that shes at least bi. Theres no way in hell she is straight.