(Kaoru from The Gene of AI)
I started watching The Gene of AI on a lark because the premise reminded me somewhat of Detroit: Beyond Human. It's sci-fi, mentions advanced AI, and there's a philosophical transhumanism element, so that falls into my interests somewhere, but totally didn't expect it to approach gender at all. Consider me pleasantly surprised and my interest peaked.
During Episode 2, Risa, Hikaru's assistant, returns to the office to find him giving his friend Kaoru an examination. Due to her obvious interest in him and the fact he's touching Kaoru's chest, this flusters and annoys Risa prompting her to ask him about their relationship later in the episode. Hikaru mentions they are former coworkers, and showing her a picture, Risa is surprised to see Kaoru presenting male. When asked about their gender, Hikaru says if questioned Kaoru would probably say they are neither and muses they are trying to move past these concepts. Also, I am referring to Kaoru using They/Them pronouns because Hikaru does the same and I don't believe it's stated for certain anywhere, at least so far. If this changes, I will update this.
In this world, life has evolved to where humans exist alongside human/machine hybrids with advanced AI. The core story follows Hikaru, a doctor treating the latter, and his exploits. Kaoru is a side character introduced early as his friend still working at the mysterious lab apparently overseeing or otherwise involved with the larger AI happenings of the world. Even though this type of setting is perfect for explorations of gender, you rarely see it. This has always frustrated me about these types of stories. If there was any setting perfect for exploring something like this it's futuristic, sci-fi, and/or cyberpunk worlds. It's infuriating to me there are fantastical universes with interplanetary travel, robots that are basically artificial humans, and even space magic, but gender identity and transitioning between it is never even approached. Though, I suppose that's a rant for another day.
Anyway, I’m not familiar with the source material, so I can’t say one way or the other if it will come up again or be handled respectfully and meaningfully, but I’m hopeful. If I find out it doesn't, I will update this post.
During their initial interaction with Risa, Kaoru mentions body modifications and how their appearance wasn’t always the same. Knowing about their situation, rewatching this interaction holds new meaning. Clearly Kaoru is happier presenting female, describing it as fun, and likes the attention their attractiveness gets from other men. They are happier. While I don’t know the intention of the creators, this reads as joy found after transitioning into their true self. It makes me smile to see things like this in the media I consume.
Of course, I’m worried this will turn into a tragedy or something else equally horrible, but time will tell (or I can go read the manga, I guess). Here’s hoping this isn’t the case. Given how these topics are usually handled, perhaps it’s best if it’s never mentioned again, but I feel so horrible saying that. It's just I worry about again enjoying a piece of media showing a tiny breadcrumb of anything queer only to have it ruined later. Having a clearly Queer series end with the main characters not only surviving but marrying and finding happiness last season may have ruined me. Or perhaps it wasn’t my being ruined, but it proved to me I shouldn’t settle for less. There are queer stories out there. It would be nice if more of them found their way into popular media though without the negative baggage typically forced on them.
Will continue watching this to see where it goes. Also, the queer series I mentioned above was Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury. Go watch it, just be warned, if you have abandonment issues like me the end of Episode 17 may traumatize you, but the overall end is worth it.
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