#anyway this is where i announce kyosuke is agender

[asmfic]

why have so many trans characters doesn't that seem like a bit much

Funnily enough, I initially agreed with this ask. In the original pitch for ASM there was only going to be one textually trans character, Homura. That's not to say that the others couldn't be interpreted as trans, but I wasn't putting intentional thought into writing them that way.

But then my cowriter convinced me to be more self-indulgent. Because ultimately, this is something we're writing for fun and so. Why not?

But it's more than just simply putting them in because I want to, though that is justification enough. One of the things that we are trying to do with ASM is to show a range of different experiences. This manifests through different viewpoints, philosophies, and yes, genders.

Even amongst all of the trans girls in ASM, they each have different experiences. Mami is someone who came out young, with the support of her parents. Kyoko is someone who didn't have a supportive environment and so had to make do with illusion when she could get away with it, someone grappling with a sense of self. Homura is someone who... well, as written in ASM, Homura realised she was trans soon before she made her wish. Kirika is someone who knew for a long time but buried it beneath an attitude of self loathing until she made her wish.

Even among people with similar gender identities, I wanted to show a range of experiences. Hopefully, so that people out there could connect with some of them. Because one of the major things to me about ASM is that if someone comes away from the story with even just one element of a character or bit of the story that sticks with them, then I've done my job as a writer. Yes, I want to tell a coherent and engaging story, but I also want my work to speak to people.

And besides, Trans people tend to flock together. Combine that with Kyubey's targetting of vulnerable people and you get a viable group of trans people.

Another part of showing off different experiences is the different journeys people have had. While a lot of the characters have realised things about themself before the start of the story, not all have. Kiori is currently actively unpacking his gender, and will be trying different pronouns and ways of address until they find what suits them. Sayaka is currently deeply repressing a LOT of things, one of them being their gender.

And while some have their gender be a important part of their story, some don't. Haruka being trans will barely come up in ASM, up until I put it on the blog it was never mentioned in anything at all honestly.

Also, the Kanames are there for the experience of older trans people in a setting filled with teenagers. We got the flashback to show a bit of the complexities that the both of them were struggling with as kids, but now, as adults, they've mostly settled into themselves. They're people who know who they are and are a sign that the kids can grow up and be adults.

In the end, ASM is supposed to be a story about differing people and experiences and, from my experiences as a trans woman, part of that is gender.

While the main cast has a lot of trans people, there's plenty of cis people too. A large chunk of the Oriko Magica cast are, and we'll meet more and more. There will be no shortage of cis people, I assure you.

Madoka Magica deals with a lot of struggles around identity. With Madoka unsure of who she is and who she wants to be, taking in advice and learning from the people around her and all their different experiences. Is it really a stretch to add gender to that?

#asm #a single moment #not putting this one under a read more unless people ask #i personally think its really important to show off these different experiences #and how gender can shape some people more than others #anyway this is where i announce kyosuke is agender #asked and answered