In a surprising turn of popularity, Tokiyuki
Houjou , the young protagonist of the anime “ The
Elusive Samurai ” ( Nige Jouzu no Wakagimi ), has
reached first place in Pixiv's popularity ranking . This
achievement is notable not only for having surpassed recognized titles such as
“Blue Archive”, but also for dominating the ranking in the men's
category . Otakus are more than delighted with Tokiyuki's feminine
appearance, despite him being canonically a boy of only eight years old .
Tokiyuki Houjou's popularity highlights a growing
trend in the anime and manga industry: the fascination with
female-looking male characters . These characters capture fans'
attention and affection, challenging genre conventions and adding a layer of
complexity and appeal to their stories.
Yuusei Matsui, the author of “The Elusive Samurai,”
is no stranger to this phenomenon. In his previous work, “Assassination
Classroom” (Ansatsu Kyoushitsu), Matsui also created a male character with a
female appearance: Nagisa Shiota . Like Tokiyuki, Nagisa became a
beloved character for his delicate appearance and complex personality.
The synopsis for “The Elusive Samurai” is equally
captivating:
- Tokiyuki
Houjou, an eight-year-old boy, is the next successor of the Kamakura
shogunate, but he lacks talent in everything except hiding. One day, his
carefree life is abruptly interrupted when Takauji Ashikaga brutally
seizes power over the Kamakura, ending his reign. Rescued by a
self-proclaimed prophetic priest, Tokiyuki manages to escape with his
life.
- Now,
he must evade those trying to kill him while recruiting comrades who can
help him restore the Kamakura Shogunate to its former glory. Set during
the Nanboku-chou period of Japanese history, Nige Jouzu no Wakagimi is a
story of redemption, documenting the life of the forgotten hero who
altered the destiny of Japan by fleeing.
The anime adaptation of this fascinating story
is currently airing , with CloverWorks surprising with
a spectacular animation work . The quality of the animation has been
highly praised, contributing significantly to the success and popularity of the
series.
The rise of this type of characters reflects a
change in the preferences of the otaku public, which seeks fresh
narratives and characters that challenge traditional stereotypes .
Matsui's ability to create characters with these characteristics has proven to
be a key factor in the success of his works.
- « What
does it mean that it is men who are looking for this...? ».
- " He's
ranked 9th only as a protagonist, so that must be it ."
- « This
post probably went viral and that's why it attracted attention .»
- " Blue
Archive's reign in the doujin has been abandoned ."
- " I
don't know which character it is, but I would like to see him make an
apology completely naked ."
- " It's
already a common fetish to masturbate with cute boys ."
- « It's
amazing how “The Elusive Samurai” is overcoming language barriers ».
- « The
refined Japanese culture has crossed the ocean and spread .»
Source: Otakomu
