About A Confusion In The Fandom
It was bothering me for a while. Please listen to this rumbling, because I really think Fandom should learn about it.
First of all, I must clarify, I have been playing otome for roughly about 3 years. I mainly play mobile otome, and I prefer Japanese otome games for their deep plotline and originality. I tried Voltage inc. game (SLBP, Princess in the Mirror). I am a great fan of ikemen series, playing most of their available EN games (Ikemen Sengoku, Ikemen Prince, Ikemen Villains, and downloaded Ikemen Vampire just yesterday). I also tried Ciagram's games that is available in Primula Drops. I recently downloaded Tears of Themis and Empress Rule— two Chinese otome, because their art and premise intrigued me, but I am yet to play them for having less time for gaming. I intend to try Court of Darkness, but it is untouched, too.
Recently, a Fandom fire was lit in ikevil fandom for the rape themes in Darius's route. Some people said that, "Cybird has a tendency of forcing the MLs themselves on the heroine". They blindly judged the whole series only by ikevil. I will talk about it with prove.
First of all, Cybird's MLs are really, really decent than other otome games. Their games' premise are interesting, and it does not feel that the MCs are forced to deal with a ML. It MIGHT feel forced, like how Mai was thrown in the Sengoku period or how Emma was kidnapped to the palace, or how Kate stumbled upon Crown. But these premises are far more interesting than other mobile otome games.
For example, in Voltage's Kissed By The Baddest Bidder, the MC is sold in an auction and had to interact with cold and dangerous men even if she did not want to. At first glance, this premise is much more attractive than Ikemen series' that. But think about it. You are sold in an auction and a man bought you. It will be all fun unless you experience the MC's personality. Personally, I really, really hated this thing. It would have been been fun if the MC would have been sassy. But she is too timid and that spoils the fun.
In many other Voltage games, their are forced marriage— in many games. Like— Oops, I Said Yes?!, or My forged Wedding, Liar! Scheming Socialites etc. In Ciagram game Princess Engagement, it was a bit dull game, but the heroine had a choice to choose her master, not forced to interact with. But I will say, it was a pretty dull game.
It's not like I hate Voltage of anything. I am just stating the truth. Why I am saying this, has a reason. Voltage surely has pretty big fandom, and I do not intend to degrade it.
But in Ikemen series, the interaction with the ML is not forced. Mai got transported 500 years back. But she was genuinely considerate to the MLs, not out of obligation. Mai had a chance to return to the future, bit she CHOSE to stay. Emma was more free. She chose to interact with everyone and gave time to one the most. Ikemen villains is pretty chill, too. Kate interacted with the MLs with her own volition. She was free to leave the dark world after her tenure, but she CHOSE to stay. These were all their own wish, not forced.
Well, the games above have a pretty forcing in it, in my opinion.
Let's talk about something else. Everything I wrote is just a personal feelings. But the main course starts here.
About sexual force in Cybird games.
In one word, I would say, Ikemen series has quite decent tone in it. I am breaking it thoroughly, with my experience.
In SLBP, MC got molested three times in Inuchiyo's (Toshiie's) route. First from Lord Juami, then by Toshiie himself, then by Lord Nagamasa. In Nobunaga's route, Nobunaga drew his sword to dominate MC to make her consent to give her body. In a second attempt, he literally tried to assault MC.
Well, I am not badmouthing SLBP. This was the reality then, and Voltage portraited it to make it more realistic but these sexual attacks.
I also saw mild molestation in Ciagram's Princess Engagement.
These are only some tiny example for what I say next. Why I am writing this post, I will explain it in the last.
In Ikemen series games, there are too little example for molesting MC.
In Ikesen, in Nobunaga's route, Nobunaga ordered Mai to warm his bed. When Mai refused, he respected her, and challenged her in a game of Go. It might seem a clear molestation, BUT!!! Nobunaga had every chance to force Mai or draw his sword. He was more powerful than Mai, and even if he raped her, he would not have been hold responsible. But he DID not do it.
Even in a game of Go, he could have claimed Mai's private parts in the first move. He still did not. First, her right hand, then right ear, then her leg. Then, when he fall in love with her, he claimed her HEART.
In Masamune's route, same. When Mai and Masamune first kissed, Mai did not see it as forced, because certainly she knew that she was attracted to him, but was confused and just could not figure it out. Later, Masamune tried to make love with her in her empty room. But he did not. He was so much stronger than Mai and they were alone in the room. He could have taken her immediately. But he DID not. (Well, later, Hideyoshi came and they deceived him, so time's up!)
Ieyasu respected her. Of course Mitsunari, too. Hideyoshi never touched her bad.
And Sasuke? He beat all the enemies unconscious because they called Mai "Nobunaga's slattern"!!!
I am in Kenshin's route now, and I heard his route had molestation. I will read it and find then.
Yukimura and Yoshimoto is out of the question. Shingen is a flirt, but he respects women. Kennyo, Kicho and Motonari, too!
And remember when Yoshiaki disgraced Mai to make her his bed partner and Mitsuhide taught him a lesson in the play? It's unforgettable!
In ikepri, Emma never was forced to pleasure the princes. In Nokto's route, Nokto tried to take her in bed and once kissed her too, but read them carefully with context. In the middle of his route, Emma read Nokto books in this playboy's room, alone. But Nokto never put a finger on her. He is a playboy, but women were safe with him if they were not consent.
I am looking forward what it is about Jin in his route.
The routes in ikepri I read so far, I never found any disgusting molestation.
At first, I must clear that, Ikevil is NOTHING LIKE SWEET. The game clearly says it is for MATURE AUDIENCE. Even so, there are too little example of dub con or rape in this game, even if they were all villains.
Take for William. He had every power to rape Kate. He DID not. Victor. He had everything to do it too. Harry and Liam is out of question. I was bracing myself for rape theme when I saw Elbert's CW of main route and thought Kate was going to sexually assaulted, but it was not Kate, it was Elbert himself. He has ravenous greed, but he still did not touch Kate without permission.
In Roger's route, Roger and Kate shared their body many times, but did not go all the way. Roger had every power to rape Kate. But he DID not do it until the end, untill Kate gave him the permission. Same is for Jude and Ellis.
Now. The main point: Alfons, Darius and Nica. (Ring is out of question)
Alfons is quite a complicated character. DON'T JUDGE HIM WITHOUT DEEP KNOWLEDGE ABOUT HIS ROUTE. His route has dubcon and you might feel bad that he applied his power on Kate and did it with her. But this dubcon was really, really needed for his character formation and plotline. Imagine Alfons slowly seducing Kate to bed. It is not his character at all. He would resort to the easiest way that he feels will be good for the other person. And Kate definitely did not count is as rape, cause she knew she gave consent, even if it was an illusion. Well, this sentence might disturb you, but try to think about it deeply. This thing was really needed for the story. Otherwise, it was hard to express his character fully and urge Kate to uncover the truth in a short 25 chapters story.
About Nica. I did not read his route translation. But from the trailer, it seems he manipulates Kate's feeling. I got a feeling that there will be like this— feelings for convenience. Again, there will be a deep story behind this, I am sure.
Here comes Darius, the star of the recent fire.
I am 10000000% sure, the rape element in his route is a MUST for his character development, just like Alfons. If you have read the Alfons part carefully, you will know what I am saying.
Now is the point why I am writing this post.
Please, please don't think that Cybird games have a tendency to force the MLs on MC. Remember, ikevil is an exceptional game of theirs. This game does not have traditional otome love. No sweet ending. Keep that in mind. And it need deep understanding. It needs feelings and attachment. It needs patience. Of course one of the best mobile games out there.
Please, please don't judge other Ikemen games for this exceptional gem.
