While your analyses have given me a new perspective on Fairy Tail, I've noticed in your writing that you're very "detached." How do you view unhealthy relationships and bad characters in Mashima's manga?
Prior to delving into this ask, be cognizant that I’m principally an analyst, not a fan-fiction writer, personal-commentator, etc. So I’m speaking solely as such; this isn’t a commentary for someone who is predominately “other” but dabbles in writing analyses. When it comes to analysis, it’s my contention that, to make any “universally” applicable point, you remove any personal element to your logic (realistically as much as you can). That’s not to say that you can’t add your own thoughts that parallel your reasoning, but your subjective feelings shouldn’t be a means to an end; they shouldn’t supplement your argument; they should “humanize” your analysis if anything. My “detachment” lies in a desire to be as unbiased and objective as possible and thus remove any questionability of intent. So when making an argument regarding relationship “health,” in regards to a fictional work you’re inexorably evoking a personal and, with respect to a Japanese work, often ethnocentrically inclined perspective. For example, outside of the context of literature, let’s look at relationships as they pertain to mathematics. Take Y = -X, objectively, this relationship is defined as being directly proportional. In this function, as the value of Y increases, X decreases by a proportional amount. That’s all there is to this relationship; there’s no “baggage,” connotation, or anything subjectively construed. That being said, this model can serve as the foundation of any material, causal, etc. relationship by attaching “labels” to these variables. Personally, I have no intention of adding “labels” to these variables. In my analytical endeavors, I’m just trying to discern the connection between these characters; I have no other agenda. In other words: how do these relationships function, change, serve the narrative at large? In analyzing these relationships, I compartmentalize my personal feelings, intuition, etc. and ultimately, if not in opposition, at best they serve as a corollary of what I’ve come to find. Just because I can appreciate how a relationship functions in the narrative doesn’t necessitate that I like it, personally. For Gray and Juvia, I appreciate the thematic aspect (which I won’t get into), but otherwise, I’m wholly indifferent to their relationship. An analysis should serve to educate; it’s not a therapy session for your personal feelings nor an affirmation for others’ confirmation bias. That’s in part why I make analyses. I don’t care if you think Y = -X is an “unhealthy” relationship because as Y continues to “lose value” X continues to gain it and so you label the variables to fit your perspective. If your perspective, by happenstance, is in accordance with this mathematical model, so be it. However, it’s not because of your feelings that this relationship is defined as such, the relationship exists independent of your subjective perspective and “baggage.” That’s why you won’t find me on psychology-today or w/e to vindicate or tarnish a literary relationship in its own universe with its own principles. FT first and foremost is an artistic work meant to convey and reference various themes. While certain relationships may be correlative to reality, some are predicated on serving a purpose and thus are, ultimately, differentiated by the judiciousness of the reader. Take Natsu, for example, with respect to functionality, at this point I’m nigh sick of asserting this, but again he’s predominantly a static character meant to personify the FT guild and themes of the manga. (1, 2) Do the core qualities of the manga or the guild change? Of course not, and as such while the “lesser” facets of his characterization pertaining to the archetypal shōnen MC are arguably curtailed as the manga progresses, they’re irrevocably true to form. Natsu’s not supposed to be a dynamic character as the very notion undermines the totality of what he’s meant to convey. The assertion that character growth = character quality is a subjective and asinine argument as there are various literary works backed by, notable, static characters (ex. Sherlock Holmes and Hannibal Lector). That’s not to argue whether or not Natsu’s execution is notable, comparatively, but rather exemplifies that static characters aren’t inherently a bad thing. Natsu’s characterization is, therefore, a prime example of “form following function.” All of this stems from an understanding that Fairy Tail is a manga predicated and driven by relationships and, as such, the plot serves as a medium through which these relationships change, grow, end, etc.; the plot is subservient to these interpersonal narratives. In the end, various characters and their relationships, by and large, serve to supplement this overarching story of bonds. That is especially true for understanding the nature of these relationships; alas, not every relationship serves romantic intent (or does so solely). The “difficulty” lies in the readers’ ability to discover and make this distinction in nature and function between relationships (and characters). Anyway, I’m glad you gained something from reading my analyses and I appreciate the personal ask, you scrub :)
