... so addressing the cat in the room
For the longest time, all I had to say about Kazui was that I didn't care for him and just didn't like him because he hurt a beautiful woman. Usually, yes, I don't extend a lot of sympathy to male characters that hurt women (ironic, considering who my favorite is, hence "usually", not always). And because of some fandom experiences I just really didn't want to care about the character.
I just also didn't expect them to be so forefront about his sexuality.
I'm openly a lesbian, here, and in my socials. But I'm not in real life. And while comparing my situation would be insulting since I do have a more supporting/less hostile environment, I still grew up with stigma and have experienced family members being openly homophobic to my face. There are still expectations placed on me even if not imposed, and a silver lining that in the future I will find a man to have a family with like my parents always wanted for me. I don't usually get this personal here, but I feel the need to. Because it was Kazui's character, and the way Yamanaka went over writing him this trial, that's made me face all these facts that I've purposely ignored for years.
And for a franchise as flawed and as disappointing as Milgram can be at times, I can only praise it for how the queer experience was portrayed here. It means a lot to me, as a queer person that still has to hide behind lies, that Kazui's character was handled the way that it was. It was raw, it was horrifying, it was too real. And as much pain as it has brought me, I wouldn't have it any other way.
I don't have an analysis to post like I usually do with other characters, specially Fuuta (who I do find more relatable than Kazui, funnily enough). But I had a need to talk about him anyway, even if it gets personal. I needed to just be sincere for once, somewhere.
I don't know what else is to come in this franchise, or what will be the ending for these characters I've grown to love. But I hope there will be a way for them to find peace.