I read a rumor that Atsushi was originally planned to be a young woman (the same but they switched genders late editing). Regardless if it’s true, it made me think on how many of his qualities are traditionally feminine for this genre. He’s the heart of the group and very idealistic and wouldn’t be out of place in Sailor Moon. They really poke fun at it in the anime, but the manga plays these qualities straight. While it’s neat to see these traits in a male character, it makes a certain sense
Don't know if this rumor is true, because there are several weird rumors about BSD some people like to portray as true (without giving a source, of course).
Nevertheless, I don't think that in-universe much would change, if Atsushi was a girl, or that Asagiri would write his scenes vastly different. I answered a similar ask here and why I think that is.
However, I believe that we as the readers would definitely perceive a female Atsushi differently and also her relationships with other characters. Although I can’t decide whether the fandom would be more protective of a female Atsushi or if the fandom would be more critical of a female Atsushi.
But I agree that Atsushi can be described as female-coded. Starting from the way Harukawa decides to draw him and some of his poses
to the way he interacts with other characters, or some of his reactions in general.
Atsushi very often and publicly crying or showing irritation might put off (especially male) readers, since the typical, idealistic and popular male anime/manga hero acts nothing like this (at least, not the ones that I know).
Atsushi doesn’t get a dramatic entrance last minute to a fight, and heroically defeats the bad guy by himself. He doesn’t act like a funny brat or snorts cool one liners. He doesn’t wipe away his blood and smiles, and then gets hyped up for the thrill of the battle. He doesn’t “change people’s minds” because he was able to defeat them in battle, and thus they are mesmerized by his physical strength.
It’s way more subtle and if characters positively remember Atsushi later on, it’s mostly because through his words and not through his power. He admits that he is afraid of pain and getting hurt, we see him screaming in agony or being so paralyzed by fear that he is unable to move. He needs the help and support of others, he often doubts himself and doesn’t believe that he is able to do something by himself. Which are all things that are completely natural for someone with a backstory like his. But all those character traits make him as a male protagonist appear “whimpy” to the readers, because we are not used to see a male character acting like this.
