it’s frustrating how some people deny the clear predatory subtext in orochimaru’s obsession with sasuke. it’s right there in the text, whether you want to acknowledge it or not.
starting with the curse mark, it’s literally an ownership contract. it’s placed on sasuke’s neck, a symbolic and literal form of control. later, it’s revealed the curse mark could take away sasuke’s free will. orochimaru is forcing sasuke to seek him out.
now think about orochimaru biting sasuke’s neck. it’s violent and intimate, followed by sasuke screaming in so much pain. his body is being violated, changed against his will. this is not something sasuke willingly subjected himself to. it’s abuse, plain and simple.
orochimaru’s conversation with anko shows his taunting nature. he implies anko is jealous of his interest in sasuke, while also commenting on sasuke’s beauty. talking about sasuke’s body in such a context isn’t innocent, it’s clearly possessive and uncomfortable.
orochimaru refers to himself as a predator multiple times and refers to sasuke as “prey” and as “his”, showing possessiveness. and talks about being interested in his young body.
sasuke’s discomfort is clear throughout the series. he tries to keep the curse mark a secret to avoid worrying others. and in part 2 he is seen sleeping with shoes on, as if he was ready to flee at any point in time.
even with all of this, there are still people who claim sasuke was willingly groomed. they ignore the abuse he’s enduring. his body, his autonomy, all violated. it’s mind-boggling to hear people excuse it.
orochimaru’s behavior is even more disturbing when you look at how he’s drawn. he licks his lips in many scenes while talking about sasuke, which makes even kabuto shudder. the subtext is clear: his attraction is disturbing, and it’s there in the text.
sasuke isn’t the only one targeted by orochimaru’s grooming. there's kimimaro, kabuto and team taka. karin also bears bite marks on her body and chest, implying a pattern of sexual abuse. it’s intentional characterization of orochimaru as a predator.
many fans outwardly deny and challenge orochimaru pedophile subtext despite often being the same ones making unfunny rape jokes about orochimaru and sasuke. they disregard this as him only wanting to possess sasuke's body as a vessel but it's clear there was more to it.
the openings and endings team really tried to drive the point home with their animations showing how clearly predatory the relationship is. sasuke is seen mostly naked when around orochimaru, it’s creepy and unsettling.
the manipulation, coercion, and violation of sasuke’s autonomy are not hidden or unclear, they are an essential part of orochimaru’s character and his relationship with sasuke. while some may downplay it as "just interpretation," the text itself is clear. kishimoto's writing reflects orochimaru's predatory behavior and dismissing it as mere "subtext" seems like an attempt to sanitize the uncomfortable truths in the story.
snowghoul
janainaart
jacobvanloon
theartofmadeline
germansingergirl
turnnoffyourmind
yousharknotpass
dededos
