Elf's Random Musings
Sexual Preference Analysis Part One: Matou Shinji Really Needs To Come Out of the Closet
by , April 24th, 2012 at 09:09 PM (20343 Views)
So, several fellow fic writers are doing character studies. Which is really neat, but it's not something I can really do. Most of my characterization is internal, it's a gut reaction. There's a lot of going with my gut when I write. There's also a lot of analyzing too (at one point I need to do a blog about Archer and Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome), but there's a lot that only makes sense to me. Because I'm crazy.
However, there is something I can share involving analyzing and characters.
And that is their sexual preferences! Well, not exactly that, but their sexuality and so on and so forth. Also, there maybe some characters that I analyze that may surprise you. I hope. Some not so surprising, but others . . . I know at least one character that may shock others that will be on this list but I've put a lot of thought into because it fascinates me. Plus I may use that character in the future so there you have it.
Shinji- I told you there would be some surprises here.
I'm not too sure about my feelings on Shinji as a character, but there are hints here and there that fascinate me. Honestly, most of the stories I write has him dead, or as an Asshole Victim (by request). I do have a story idea that has a Shinji redemption plot as a secondary story line, but that's another story for another time.
Anyway. I actually see Shinji as at least bisexual with some heavy homosexual leanings. Just the boy's in denial. He might act like a playboy at school, but when he gets an object of "affection" of the opposite gender he wants to rape her. His actions towards Rin don't strike me as someone who has a crush and is trying to get close to the school idol. His actions towards Rin smack heavily jealousy; he's jealous that Rin's a true magus.
At first he attempts to date her in attempts to ride on her coat tails. If she's an accomplished magus and paying attention to him, that has to mean something to him. However Rin (smartly) gives him the brush off. Which makes him angry.
Once he gets angry he wants to hurt and defile Rin. It's not about lust, it's about showing his power over her. Like he gets to with Sakura.
. . . Sakura, that brings me to another point. Someone else he's jealous of, because Sakura is a magus and stole his place from him, but he is ordered to subdue the worms inside of her. A nicer boy would have just eagerly gone for the sex, Shinji however wants to make it as degrading as possible. At least that's the subtext of it.
He's angry and jealous towards Sakura, but he gets to show power and dominance over her. Once Sakura starts to openly defy him in HF does he attempt to "do his duty" again. And then there's the facet that she's been sleeping with Shirou.
I could argue that part of the reason why Shinji doesn't like Sakura hanging out with Shirou is that she gets to have time alone with Shirou that he can't have. That Sakura's taking something else away from him. Sakura can also be around Shirou in a romantic context and it's smiled upon, but Shinji can't. Which brings me to my next point.
Even in today's "enlightened society" male homosexuality is frowned upon, while lesbians will get branded with "cool and awesome" by the majority of the straight male population. There's still heavy homophobia towards gay men. It's dangerous to come out of the closet, especially if your grandfather is a centuries year old worm man who is determined to continue the magus blood line. Even though Zouken really wouldn't give a loose toss either way if Shinji was gay, bi, or straight, Shinji would think he would. So this brings along major repression, because, whoo, Shinji is throwing off signals like mad.
Just look at Shinji in UBW with both Gil and Archer.
Shinji is constantly touching Gil. I mean seriously. Every time Shinji and Gil are in a scene together where Gil's not
punching Ilya's dead heart through his chest Shinji is touching him. Actually touching Gil in a rather possessive way. Plus he's happy to be around Gil, because Gil's a "useful servant"and powerful. Shinji makes a point to touch Gil's shoulder, back, or arm when around him.
Then he outright tells Archer that he wishes Archer had been his Servant, or that they could have teamed up before Archer pretty much burned his bridges with everyone. Shinji's dialogue there sounds more like a guy asking someone out on a date than a missed partnership. During that whole exchange Shinji's actually rather flirtatious and turning up the charm. It could be argued that he was wanting to get to Rin and trying to charm Archer, but if Shinji had really wanted Rin then and there, he could have just ordered Gil to kill Archer.
He didn't.
Then there's his actions with Shirou. If anything, Shinji acts like a scorned lover towards his former friend.
So, that's my feelings about Shinji and his sexual preference. The boy is in denial.
I . . . ended running on longer than I'd intended. So let's just call this "Part One".
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