disclaimer: I donāt know much about Japanese History so forgive me if I get certain things wrong
Also: I can, and might be looking too deep into this so take it all with a grain of salt!
One thing I really love about Kiku being transgender is the time period their in, which (correct me if Iām wrong please) is Japanās Edo Period.Ā
Feminism is a large part of modern culture though its all throughout history. In all forms and fashions we as people (for the most part) tend to be super honed in on this idea of equality. While I agree with most of the ideologies, I also think that understanding/acknowledging culture is super important to.Ā
What I mean, is that olden Japan(and maybe even current, im not sure) is very stark with its contrast between women and men. Itās neatly divided into theĀ āstandardā gender roles of women being at home while men take on work and provide protection, property, and what is otherwise considered to be a good life.Ā
What I love, and what stands out to me, is that Kiku, as a woman, WANTS to be in this environment, which mind you, isnāt inherently bad, but likely would be seen as offensive in todayās era. Thereās nothing at all wrong with wanting to stay home, raise children, and cook or clean, but gender roles suggest and emphasize that those things are actual jobs and identifiers forĀ women and men. That, as a woman, this is what you should do, what you should be like. And as a man, this is what you should do, this is what you should be like.Ā
Kiku however, desires this path, and this way of life. She wants to be a maiden and fit into thisĀ ādamsel in distress roleā and its really a big part of why I love her so much. It, in my opinion, accurately shows how perspective is an important thing when it comes to many topics concerning ethics.Ā
Aside from when Kiku is this badass female warrior whoās kind of like,Ā āFuck I just wanted to marry a hot man and live my life but now i have to kick ass againā I love her coy,Ā āfeminineā moments and it again plays well into the mentally of the real world century that sheās in and drives home the fact that despite the gender inequality, it is something normal for this time period and actually DESIRED.
Episode 905, when Kiku and Zoro end up fighting Speedsama is one of my favorite moments with these two, who in my opinion, need A LOT more moments together.
I just think its hilarious and kind of cute, to see Kiku let herself getĀ ācapturedā and she looks at Zoro with this pleading gaze only for him to be like,Ā āI wonāt help you.ā and run in the opposite direction. It feels like it should be annoying, but for me it isnāt because all sheās really trying to do is fit this role that society deems women should have (and that her, as a woman should abide by). I also feel like in her own way, she was trying to ego stroke Zoro, without realizing that heās a bit unlike most men when it comes to things likeĀ ārolesā.Ā
I can also appreciate that she shuts that coy shit down, the moment she needs to. She plays her fucking cards and I love this woman for it.Ā āOh, heās not going to fight for me? Fine.ā And then she breaks out as easily as breathing, and cuts the man who was holding her, before APOLOGIZING.
Of course, the apology could been some badass quote, but I like to think that it was an apology to the man, as well as one to herself. Not so much aĀ āI didnāt want to hurt youā as it was aĀ āIām supposed to be a woman, and act all quaint, but I had to defy that nature.ā Its fascinating because I truly believe that her and Sanjiās ideal parallel each other, and yet Sanji is the one who gets major flack for it. Double standards are a bitch.
I digress. Kiku apologizes, and then immediately runs to Zoro for instructions, which again, adheres to this submissive sort of āstanceā. Our marimo, without blinking, issues what he wants to happen and then it happens. I love these two, because its an interesting stand point and mesh of characters,Ā
Canonical Zoro, in my opinion, isnāt interested in women in a romantic or sexual way.(Maybe Hiyori but who really knows) So interestingly enough, all the parts of her that he respects/praises are all the parts that she considers masculine. Mind you, Zoro doesnāt think in terms of āmanly and girlyā, but thats what makes their relationship so fascinating and just all around fun.Ā
Watching them fight and communicate together is so amusing to me, its like seeing a battle of wills. Zoro knowing that Kiku is capable of fending for herself and Kiku wanting to just live her best life never having to fight anymore. If anything, theyāre like water and oil, Zoro always reminding of the life thats supposed to be in the past. But they make it work. I love them and I hope they get more moments together. Ah another of the scenes I really like is when Kiku tries to hide behind Zoro, and rather than sneer at her, or call her weak or do anything disrespectful, heās just like,Ā āLook this aināt gonna work.ā
I canāt explain it, and I donāt ship them but they really are adorable. And I love that in an unironic way, Kiku both defies feminism and represents it.
