Have you ever been frustrated over how the Utapri anime deleted Syo's illness?
Have you ever wondered how much it actually affects him, even after he's better? I do! Constantly! So I wrote about it and bullied Syo to hell and back! But it'll be worth it, I promise. Sorry, Syo fans (not).
Syo and Natsuki were visiting Syo’s old hospital for a reality TV show! They would play with the children, entertain them with some music, eat lunch together, and basically do everything admirable big brothers would do to lift the children’s spirits.
Natsuki was worried, but Syo reassured him that he'd be fine. It had been so long since he’d been here. Everything was just a distant memory.
…Right?
Or, five times Syo barely held it together, and one time he finally broke.
AO3
I usually wait until all my writing and editing are finished before posting a multi-chapter fic in one go. But I'm just so excited to post this, and I want to know what it feels like to be an author who writes an ongoing fic lol. Is that pretentious? Maybe a little.
Update (2026/02/26): This fic is now complete, with 30.9k words!!! What the hell is wrong with me
This is my NOTP in UtaPri and I’m going to explain why.
First to note;
I think this deserves a disclaimer because I am going to briefly bring up SA, children in peril, near death experiences, and also spoilers for both the anime and visual novel games. Also small mentions of Shining Live and Live Emotion. So just in case, take care of yourself and listen to me rant under the cut.
Opinions;
I personally think this ship is stale. I think it is based solely on aesthetic and not genuine interest in either character. Broccoli doesn't like BL but they do not speak up on it due to fujoshi and fudanshi helping stimulate their economy with fan content. Which is totally fine I enjoy BL and GL equally.
My issue is that NatSyo seems to be everywhere and I am actually sick of it. Because the ship is presented with both characters ooc to fit a narrative that doesn't exist. Again most people like the aesthetic of NatSyo and not the actual characters and struggles.
In my post I will explain why I dislike it and why it cannot work as a ship. I am going to be as unbiased as possible due to being a fan of Syo. Because I do care about Natsuki and his mental health issues and how he develops and grows as a character. Thank you for reading. And if you disagree with me?
Womp womp. I do not argue and I said what I said. I believe in productive conversation.
The Issue with Natsuki Shinomiya;
Natsuki Shinomiya does have an in universe disorder referred to as 'Gemini Syndrome' which can be equated to Dissociative Identity Disorder. A person living two lives and completely unaware. However we do get confirmation in different ways that Natsuki is somewhat aware of Satsuki's existence.
Screenshot from Season 4, Episode 7
So he is shown merging with Satsuki in the VN and even in the anime but I am not skilled or well versed on DID as a health issue and how it truly works. And Natsuki has 'Gemini Syndrome' so him merging and then Satsuki re-appearing is something possible. I know there is a term called 'splitting' where extreme stress can upset the person and cause the alter to return as a defense mechanism.
He likes physical touch and he likes words of affirmation. Along with wanting to be familiar and close with someone. Like asking and at some point pleading with Haruka Nanami/MC to stop referring to him as Shinomiya san and instead call him by his first name.
With Syo, Natsuki often disregards boundaries.
This includes in the anime we discover why Syo is afraid of heights (in the visual novel it's Otoya who is afraid). This shows that from as early as 5 years old Natsuki doesn't listen to Syo's complaints and asking him to stop.
Yes, the two of them are 'friends'. But they're moreso rivals. And I can excuse the behavior of a five year old. However it did almost kill Syo in the process and did leave him traumatized.
Screenshot from Season 1 Episode 5
Syo often complains when he gets a bone crushing hug from Natsuki. In his route he will complain to Haruka and Tomochika about it. In the anime and visual novel and even in parts of Shining Live Natsuki tends to torment Syo just because it's fun.
It is written into the franchise as a joke and the two get along as co-workers but in the context of ship I find this cruel. There is another point I want to make which will bring us back to 'Gemini Syndrome', specifically Satsuki.
Below is a translation from the Visual Novel Uta no Prince Sama: Repeat which does have implied/attempted SA
Screenshot from shiningwonderland - Natsuki Shinomiya's Route November / That Man is Pericoloso
It is suggested that Satsuki (in canon) attempted to assault Syo which is also the reason why the two of them have a more strained relationship. We see in Natsuki's route during this month as well that he attempts to undress Haruka.
Screenshot from shiningwonderland - Natsuki Shinomiya's Route November / That Man is Pericoloso
Again it is shown and heavily implied as to not upset the reader/player. As Ringo enters the room and Satsuki stops. As the game at the time is R15 so more explicit scenes and descriptions cannot be written in.
"If you want attention I'll give you some." And Syo openly being grossed out and uncomfortable to the point of no longer feeling safe in his own dorm room is enough indication of 'intention' without it being directly stated.
On the topic of Syo and Satsuki; There seems to be some confusion when this scene is depicted where some fans take it as ship fuel when it is in fact; attempted sexual assualt/harassment. This is a common trope in both heterosexual otome games and BL during the 2010's era where it is meant to make the player/reader fawn and swoon over the forcefulness. I would do a deep dive explanation on rape fantasy but that is for another time.
One example I will use is Love Stage!! which is a BL that was animated in 2014 and the manga was released in 2011.
Screenshot taken from this post by user askurry!
During this time a lot of content like this was created to stimulate viewers. I also have an example from Ouran High School Host Club where the anime came out in Japan in 2006 while the manga ran from 2002 to 2010.
Screenshot from Season 1 Episode 8 of Ouran High School Host Club - The Sun, the Sea, and the Host Club
Again there are a multitude of psychological reasons why this was happening and why readers enjoyed it. Which being applied to UtaPri can be a reason why the fuel was there for the ship. The disregard for Syo's no and stop can be translated into fan content as yes and keep going.
The dynamic is unhealthy and in my opinion; cruel. Part comes from Natsuki's disregard for Syo's boundaries. Part comes from Satsuki viewing Syo as less than.
And now to segway into Syo.
The Issue with Syo Kurusu;
There is a common misconception on how emotionally available Syo is. He often brute forces things that bother him by seeking logic instead of feeling.
Screenshot from Season 4, Episode 7
In this scene Natsuki had just had Satsuki front for him after a confrontation with Nagi Mikado.
Screenshot from Season 4, Episode 7
The scene was very short but you see Syo has a moment of processing what to say before simply saying "Don't push yourself too hard". In the scene after, you see Natsuki comfortably opening up with Haruka near the lake after some time has passed.
Screenshot from Season 4, Episode 7
This is another indication that Natsuki does NOT feel comfortable talking with Syo about emotions. Because Syo is not someone who is emotional.
Syo does talk about crying upon being rejected and he is capable of crying. But Syo doesn't handle other people's feelings well. He tends to dismiss Natsuki and tell Haruka/MC in his route that he's honestly dangerous? Or bad? That we shouldn't get close to him or he'll want to touch us.
Below is his interview page. Specifically I want to talk about question 5 for a moment.
Translation from UtaPri Translations and UtaPri All Star After Secret Book
5. If you were to suffer heartbreak, what would you do?
Well of course I'd cry. A man's cry, a man's (LOL) and, when I've cried as much as I needed and feel better, it's shopping. Buying a lot of things I like to relieve stress. Even so it doesn't seem like I'd forget about it that quickly though. I think I'm unexpectedly the type that drags things on.
Syo holds grudges. Which makes sense when you watch the anime or read the visual novel how he seems to actually despise Natsuki. Where in UtaPri repeat Syo actually refuses to tell us/show us that he can play violin. And he explains later in the route that he stopped playing and hated it because he could never outperform or be on an equal level to Natsuki Shinomiya. And when Natsuki vanished and stopped playing it crushed Syo.
CG from Uta no Prince Sama: Repeat Syo Kurusu's Route April / Mignon Prince
In Natsuki's route, taking place in December there is a scene where Haruka wants to confront and speak to Satsuki asking for Natsuki to return. That she will not abandon him or toss him aside.
I do understand why Syo went to attack Satsuki but also I do not think that was the right course of action.
Screenshot from shiningwonderland - Natsuki Shinomiya's Route December / Waltz of Tears
Jumping to violence only sets progress back. And shows that Syo is not someone interested in talking. Instead he resorts to action first. Which you can also see in Season 4 Episode 5 when we find out Shion is hiding in the closet and Heavens shows up, he is ready to get into a physical altercation with Yamato.
This is a screenshot I personally took from playing Natsuki's route because it did upset me.
スケコマシ <- Depending on translation can read as Playboy/Womanizer or in a harsher phrasing; slut. It can be a bit difficult for me personally to translate since Syo doesn't speak standard Tokyo dialect.
But Syo (again) tends to hold grudges even after years have passed. The scene was intended as a gag but also I think it was uncalled for. Considering this is Natsuki's route where he goes in to kiss Haruka/MC and not Syo's route where we actually see very little of Natsuki. Again with his negative view I do not think he could be in a relationship with Natsuki where if PDA upsets him who knows what else?
Syo doesn't hate Natsuki but it is obvious they are intended to be a gag with their differences and similarities. The extremely tall, the extremely short. They share a birthday which for some fans and often yume this can be frustrating. The two of them admire one another for different reasons.
Natsuki admires Syo for his strength.
Syo admires Natsuki for his skill.
But again this is not enough to create a solid and stable relationship. Syo has (had) a short fuse and often runs away, dismisses, or is upset with Natsuki. Natsuki doesn't listen to personal boundaries and is often messing with Syo for fun. In a case where Natsuki may need comfort he visibly doesn't feel safe or comfortable doing so.
Here is a small quote from Taniyama Kishow on the topic of Natsuki and Syo.
Someone who cannot stand you and someone who disregards boundaries for their own personal gain and comfort are not compatible. They are toxic for one another and shipping them is only going to lead to heartbreak.
Final Thoughts;
Everyone should feel free to ship what they want to ship. But I find NatSyo to be somewhat pointless..? There is no real good ending to this ship where they grow as people together since Syo makes it clear he wants a wall and a few feet between him and Natsuki. They function as co-workers and they can get along. But in context of partners let alone close friends is debatable.
Thank you for reading until the end. I appreciate you hearing me out.
Happy Birthday to my two original best boys & otp💗💛 This is a redraw from a birthday fanart I did in 2012. I'm glad I was able to do it! 8 years have passed but I still love both of them very much~
