This Was Too Good A Question To Answer Anonymously

[redbrunja]

Okay, over on the Naruto what-if meme someone asked the question, "What if Kishi actually decided to make Sasuke and Naruto a couple at the end of the manga? Would fandom explode? How would this be seen by different cultures/the media (Naruto is a fairly popular manga)? Would this affect the way kids veiw gay couples at all?"

My instinctive thought was 'they wouldn't get it.' I think a lot of the casual, non fandom readers of Naruto would be REALLY confused and I would bet money on the American and Japanese parents flipping the fuck out.

However, what I'm pondering is whether or not having Naruto and Sasuke being gay for each other would change some children's perceptions about homosexuals. Would it make them more accepting? Would they start to see gay people as human beings who deserves the same rights everyone else does?

You thoughts, flist?

Comments

[redbrunja.livejournal.com]

I think the societies in general would react horrifically to homosexuality in Naruto... but I think on an individual basis, it could be a huge force for tolerance.

[mistaria.livejournal.com]

Yeah, it would be great if it could be.

It actually makes me think of this fic I read once where homosexuality was the norm and the main male character was supposed to be getting married but has this affair before the wedding with a woman. I'm pretty sure they were in love, but at the very least they figured out that they were straight and that was the forbidden fruit in this AU. She tried to convince him to not get married and he said there wasn't any other choice. It was good. I wish someone would make a film like that. I think it would help put things in perspective for a lot of people (or hopefully it would).

[redbrunja.livejournal.com]

That would be a really nice reversal.