Ok ate that shit up
I totally agree with you. However, I believe toxicity comes from the relationship dynamics, not from ppl/characters themselves. That's why I can't find either ships desirable. Ian is an addict who now takes TJ as his drug, basically. TJ is an obsessive guy now totally focused on Ian. Not the yandere type of obsession, but every decision we see him making has Ian on the background. The obsession for an addiction feeds the addiction for an obsession and vice versa, leaving no room for growth, change or even love. Jo had a more fullfilling life than those 2 and even though he tries to drag Ian to his side of life, sharing experiences and interests, he is aware that his initial curiosity about Ian may be turning into obsession due to an uneasiness caused not only by TJ, but also by all the secrecy Ian keeps about himself and his past life. Either Jo steps back for a moment how many times it takes, or he will break in the process of trying to win Ian. But hey, this is all fictional, therefore anything may happen including a cow coming from space and shtting on everyone's heads
Anyway, remember Ian and Jo stargazing on the rooftop? Remember the story Jo told about that star or moon or planet or whatever it was? I believe it was a hint about the future of the story and one of the 3 will die in the end. Just a guess though...
I wish I could like this
I love your analysis, much better than I could do and overall on point. I would argue that dynamics are the cause of toxicity in a way you mentioned, but the situation makes the characters act in a very toxic manner. But deep down they are not completely bad people but somewhere in the grey area.. For me Ian and TJ are the peak of this comic bc of their ”unbreakable” connection, it kinda fills the fantasy of ”longing”. The deep sad desire to be so close to somebody but never quite able to just hits different. The tension in their expressions is kinda unmatched in the world of yaoi, that draws me in.
But I totally need to read that one again good observation omg!!
No one is completely good or bad, we all have both sides. But our good and/or bad traits surface only when we connect and interact with somebody else, who will reveal their own good and/or bad traits when connecting and interacting with us. The best example of this is that teacher we once had in a subject we didnt find particularly interesting, but who was so enthusiastic in their lessons that made us actually pay attention and have better grades than what we expected to have. We also had that teacher who was so bland and boring to the point of making us ditch class and hate something we used to like. But fact is neither us or our classmates are ppl who usually dedicate themselves to something we dont like only to dismiss something we actually like. That comes from what happens when 2 ppl interact. Just like you said, the situation makes characters/ppl act in a certain manner.
Ian for me is the most interesting character of the story till now exactly because we can see his both sides. We already know Ian the kid, the model, the addict, the slut, the killer, the gang member, the outkast, the guy who wants to change, the mysterious neighbour, the guy who went stargazing and camping for the first time, the helper and Im sure Im forgetting something. I wishthe author gives him a fullfilling future with a happe ending!
Some people seem to think that TJxIan shippers don’t understand the toxic context they formed their relationship. We do. It is arrogant to assume that just because someone finds character or situation hot, they don’t get what is going on. Tbh I think all main characters are toxic, TJ and Ian are just way more fucked up. If you are looking for a healthy relationship, you need a different series. Of course JoxIan is much ”healthier” but think them irl fr, if I was Jo’s friend I would say run boy, run. I think TJ and Ian match in toxicity, they might not get their happy ending but I am here for their heart-wrecking angst.