Thank you for reading and for this very nice, thoughtful response!
I see more basis for IchiIshi in the manga than a lot of other yaoi pairings, but I believe (even though I love to write & read IchiIshi)that a lot of what people interpret as "gay" in Ishida's character has a precedent in old time Chinese and Japanese literature and today in bishounen representations in manga and anime. A bishie is sometimes gay, sometimes not--his character breaks gender molds.
From Wikipaedia: These are often depicted with very strong martial arts abilities, sports talent, high intelligence, or comedic flair, traits that are usually assigned to the hero/protagonist. In some cases bishōnen are depicted with either outright homosexual content or some level of sexual ambiguity in their relationships and sexual identity, though most are depicted as exclusively heterosexual.
From a structuralist's POV that takes the manga-ka's intent and traditions of the form into consideration when interpreting the story, I see Ishida as not gay. Kubo once said that he identified with Ishida more than anyone in Bleach. Kubo has claimed to be heterosexual (and had people going ??? at inferences that he is XD). Kubo has said that he doesn't like BL manga (damn but he loves to throw in yuri references all over his own manga, doesn't he?) I take these things into consideration when looking at Ishida's character.
Now the ANIME is another story. It fanservices everywhere and throws what one friend of mine who ships IchiIshi calls "a fresh minty breath of gayness" all over the place. The cross covers on Ichigo's bed, for example, exist only in the anime. But even so, the colorless cross (not blue, not Quincy-ish) is a common design marker in lots of Japanese clothes (the fascination with JudeoChristianity is behind Ishida's whole priest-wear, imv). I swear, though, the tensions between Ichi and Ishi in the manga are pure cartoon sex.
The protecting business is impt to Ishida's character if only from the foretelling remark from Souken: "One day you will know what you want to protect." What we SEE Ishida protecting wildly is any damsel in distress. Ishida has chivalry issues about protecting women. Ichigo wants to protect mountains of people, whatever their gender. Interestingly enough, I think its Ishida who will learn that Orihime can defend herself--so far he seems particularly sensitive to her motives and abilities. This sensitivity to her hasn't been displayed much by any other character except Tatsuki (and Tatsuki's attitude towards Orihime is patronizing as well--even as it skirts the erotic).
IchiIshi is a vast, lively ship and I "get it" but to me, "getting it" isn't the point of shipping in any way--poetic liscence runs free. I happen to ship Kenpachi/Unohana (yes, I know... but I do ^^) on no canon evidence and Aizen/Ulquiorra on slight (but arguably there!) evidence.
These manifesto thingies celebrate ships for the most part and when we write the things, we're asked to tell *why* we love the ship. Being a little on the analytical side, I tend to ship some couples because I see them as reasonable or likely to occur in the story. Not very postmodern of me. I do believe we'll see some IshiHime in the manga soon.
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Date: 2007-04-21 01:57 pm (UTC)Thank you for reading and for this very nice, thoughtful response!
I see more basis for IchiIshi in the manga than a lot of other yaoi pairings, but I believe (even though I love to write & read IchiIshi)that a lot of what people interpret as "gay" in Ishida's character has a precedent in old time Chinese and Japanese literature and today in bishounen representations in manga and anime. A bishie is sometimes gay, sometimes not--his character breaks gender molds.
From Wikipaedia:
These are often depicted with very strong martial arts abilities, sports talent, high intelligence, or comedic flair, traits that are usually assigned to the hero/protagonist. In some cases bishōnen are depicted with either outright homosexual content or some level of sexual ambiguity in their relationships and sexual identity, though most are depicted as exclusively heterosexual.
From a structuralist's POV that takes the manga-ka's intent and traditions of the form into consideration when interpreting the story, I see Ishida as not gay. Kubo once said that he identified with Ishida more than anyone in Bleach. Kubo has claimed to be heterosexual (and had people going ??? at inferences that he is XD). Kubo has said that he doesn't like BL manga (damn but he loves to throw in yuri references all over his own manga, doesn't he?) I take these things into consideration when looking at Ishida's character.
Now the ANIME is another story. It fanservices everywhere and throws what one friend of mine who ships IchiIshi calls "a fresh minty breath of gayness" all over the place. The cross covers on Ichigo's bed, for example, exist only in the anime. But even so, the colorless cross (not blue, not Quincy-ish) is a common design marker in lots of Japanese clothes (the fascination with JudeoChristianity is behind Ishida's whole priest-wear, imv). I swear, though, the tensions between Ichi and Ishi in the manga are pure cartoon sex.
The protecting business is impt to Ishida's character if only from the foretelling remark from Souken: "One day you will know what you want to protect." What we SEE Ishida protecting wildly is any damsel in distress. Ishida has chivalry issues about protecting women. Ichigo wants to protect mountains of people, whatever their gender. Interestingly enough, I think its Ishida who will learn that Orihime can defend herself--so far he seems particularly sensitive to her motives and abilities. This sensitivity to her hasn't been displayed much by any other character except Tatsuki (and Tatsuki's attitude towards Orihime is patronizing as well--even as it skirts the erotic).
IchiIshi is a vast, lively ship and I "get it" but to me, "getting it" isn't the point of shipping in any way--poetic liscence runs free. I happen to ship Kenpachi/Unohana (yes, I know... but I do ^^) on no canon evidence and Aizen/Ulquiorra on slight (but arguably there!) evidence.
These manifesto thingies celebrate ships for the most part and when we write the things, we're asked to tell *why* we love the ship. Being a little on the analytical side, I tend to ship some couples because I see them as reasonable or likely to occur in the story. Not very postmodern of me. I do believe we'll see some IshiHime in the manga soon.