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Lurker that likes to argue sometime. MT is peak fiction.

[Zanzaban @Goliayrd]

@tropotropotropo Agree to disagree i guess.

[Zanzaban @Goliayrd]

@tropotropotropo I don't believe that the point of both stories is "lol they're both pedos". I think framing it that way is very reductive

[Zanzaban @Goliayrd]

@tropotropotropo Animanga about hikkikomori frequently explore the detrimental psychological effects of that lifestyle. Welcome to the NHK also has a shut in protagonist whose similar to Rudeus in many ways.

[Zanzaban @Goliayrd]

@tropotropotropo Everything about the WN suggests that his attraction is learned behaviour from decades of self isolation, unchecked trauma and porn addiction.

[Zanzaban @Goliayrd]

@tropotropotropo Due to bullying, Rudy cannot tolerate the autonomy of others because their free will threatens his sense of security, so he resorts to manipulation to retain a sense of control over his immediate surroundings. He gravitated towards porn and VN "because they could not say no"

[Zanzaban @Goliayrd]

@tropotropotropo Do horrible people grow on trees? Does every single criminal have a villainous backstory? I think it's really interesting how something as mundane as bullying destroyed his moral compass. Although I think you reserve your right to judgement.

[Zanzaban @Goliayrd]

@tropotropotropo I totally get it if it's not your thing, but yea maybe spare the accusations?

[Zanzaban @Goliayrd]

@tropotropotropo Attraction or not, he takes advantage of others "because he can". His sexual abuse was never about attraction, it was always about control. It's metacommentary on the power struggle b/w the Gods, not indulgent fanservice.

[Zanzaban @Goliayrd]

@tropotropotropo Rudy is not a pedo, he took advantage of others "because he could", this goes well beyond pedophillia, into power dynamics, the contempt for free will which is his actual character flaw. I don't understand why people can't understand this.

[Zanzaban @Goliayrd]

@tropotropotropo ?

[Zanzaban @Goliayrd]

The internal conflict that drives much of rudys predatory behaviour towards others is modelled after the power struggle between Hitogami and Orsted. His internal monologue has always been metacommentary, it represents their contempt for free will

[Zanzaban @Goliayrd]

It's in the image you quoted, Hitogami is the personification of rudys predatory fears desires and insecurities and rudys final words to him are a call and response to the man he once used to be

[Turbo @Terribledefen]

I mean this in the most honest way. When did he ever judge himself for being a predator

[Zanzaban @Goliayrd]

@DomboDucky @flockinify @SuenoImpos1ble In S2E9 we even learn that Nanahoshi limits and restricts her life as much as possible because she is afraid the world will punish/erase her for changing things to much, which might be a nod to her original fate in a timeline without Rudeus.

[Zanzaban @Goliayrd]

@DomboDucky @flockinify @SuenoImpos1ble I do think MT tackles rudys predation through the power struggle between Orsted and Hitogami. I think there is a significant overlap of motivations there, between the 3 characters.

[Zanzaban @Goliayrd]

@NotAbotepex @NBuddy24293277 @aeolian550 @Wassimouu Sorry but your ignorance is getting boring. It was fun chatting but I think I'm done.

[Zanzaban @Goliayrd]

@NotAbotepex @NBuddy24293277 @aeolian550 @Wassimouu For example, Orsted represents the powerlessness/helplessness of being bullied. Similarly Hitogami represent something else.

[Zanzaban @Goliayrd]

@NotAbotepex @NBuddy24293277 @aeolian550 @Wassimouu The emotions you feel when Rudeus does something likable/despicable are both important and you have to reconcile them to better understand the true intentions of a character. Again really fun metanarrative stuff.

[Zanzaban @Goliayrd]

@NotAbotepex @NBuddy24293277 @aeolian550 @Wassimouu This way the story can respect the free will of the viewer - it remains a purely objective framing of the characters thoughts and feelings inviting the viewer to form their own opinion.