Nephthys
The Gr8est!!!!!!!!
Originally posted by NemeBro
Ignoring that this is offensive on multiple levels to actual rape victims, it still demonstrates that Satsuki is essentially unflappable, with the only vulnerability she's really shown being her uncertainty with what to do with her life in the bonus episode, now that her goal is finally realized. This makes Satsuki almost inhuman, and not relatable.
Oh snap, you mean the character who is explicitly superhuman both physically and mentally is superhuman physically and mentally? You don't say. In fiction characters "get over" physical and mental trauma that would cripple any normal person all the time because they're not bound by the limitations of the real world. She's obviously not intended to be an accurate depiction of an abuse victim any more than Uzu is an accurate depiction of a blind person. Her willpower and mental fortitude are literally portrayed as superhumanly strong. Remember when she was like 5 years old and talking about building fortresses in her mind? Her managing to control her emotions is simply in character for her. And even so you're exaggerating, since she clearly was effected by her mothers treatment of her and it was only her iron will that stopped her from flipping out when Ragyo was degrading her in the cell.
And you're ignoring that Satsuki was never intended to be relateable, since she was introduced as the villain and characterised as ridiculously intense and strong in her convictions and goals. She isn't someone we relate to, more someone we aspire to be as strong as.
Originally posted by NemeBro
Furthermore, this unfortunately puts Satsuki in close proximity to one of the worst aspects of Kill la Kill. The molestation. You don't put rape or molestation into your show unless you're willing to actually ****ing go the distance and portray the issue in a respectful manner. Satsuki is as stated wholly indifferent to the rape (She hates her mother, but for different reasons, the rape itself is never indicated to have had any lasting effects on her in the series proper, and to pretend otherwise is fanwank). It also doesn't play any part in any aspect of her character arc, or her character in general. Why was it in the show then? The most unflattering interpretation is it was there to titillate. A more flattering but still equally hackneyed and inappropriate is to give Ragyo, the rapist in question, some cheap, mindless heat, which is ignorantly done at the expense of Satsuki's character (And Ragyo's, for that matter). "Look, she's a rapist, she's obviously the villain!", this lazy characterization of Ragyo is also a serious problem with Kill la Kill but I won't get into that here. I've already gone wildly off-topic.
I could make the exact same arguments for Mikisugi constantly sexually harassing Ryuko and it being played for laughs. Or Senketsu molesting her in the first episode. Both characters portrayed as good guys who Ryuko is on good terms with.
But this is a subjective topic where there's not really a good argument either way. I had no issues with how the rape was handled. Ragyo was portrayed as a predator who used sex to dis-empower and control her victims (its implied she did so with Nui as well and I wouldn't be surprised if she did it to Rei too) and gratify herself and it was portrayed in a highly negative light in my opinion. Also it's not as if Kill la Kill is above using cheap story elements in the show.
Originally posted by NemeBro
The fact that Ryuko can, in fact, lose her way is what makes her an objectively better character than Satsuki. 👆
No, it just makes her a different character. Satsuki is a fun character precisely because of her incredible will and strong personality.
Originally posted by NemeBro
There's no tension on whether or not Satsuki can lose her way. It just can't happen, because she's apparently superhumanly immune to trauma of any sort. Whereas Ryuko, the younger sister, is still relatively immature, and we fear seeing her lose her way because we know it can happen. "Don't lose your way" fits Ryuko's character so well because she is well-rounded and human enough that it's a possibility. Satsuki doesn't need to be told not to lose her way; losing her way is seemingly impossible. Satsuki, as an actual character, is at her best when interacting with and juxtaposed against Ryuko. I won't say any more than that because I know Aura is reading this thread and I don't want to spoil Kill la Kill for him because I still need to force him to watch it.
There shouldn't have been any tension over whether or not Satsuki can lose her way because she was introduced having already lost her way as the tyrannical ruler of the school who instilled fear in everyone's hearts. She was the villain who's actions were completely shitty. So until her heel-face turn the audience isn't supposed to feel tension over her potentially losing herself and afterwards she's on track for a redemptive arc until she admits that her previous actions were flawed and starts to emotionally open up in the finale.
Although there was that point where Ragyo's plan was to get her insanely pissed off and force her into Shinra Kotetsu or whatever. Which given her extreme actions and quest for revenge was a possibility and something a lot of people thought could happen.
Not talking about KlK anymore. /discussion. You want to keep this up take it to PMs.
Originally posted by NemeBro
"We are supposed to find it funny but still realize it wasn't right, now here's some reasons why it was right."You've proven my point well enough.
I didn't say it was right, just not as bad as you're whining about. And why she's still portrayed as a positive character despite her obnoxiousness.
Originally posted by NemeBro
First of all, smugly disregarding Sokka because he's a non-bender isn't nearly the same as constantly putting down and belittling someone who is both physically and mentally ill.Beating up Korra for training is one thing, but the fact that Toph is being such a **** and treating Korra like shit, only for Korra to not "actually mind" is what makes Toph come off as a Jerk Sue. Toph is being a shithead and calling out Korra on everything, while also easily deflecting the merest accusation that maybe, just maybe, Toph isn't so perfect herself, and thus far the show seems to agree with her.
Toph didn't know she had PTSD, just that she was having issues. It is a similar situation because Sokka is self-conscious about it, but Toph isn't very sensitive so she takes shots at everything.
Well probably because Toph was actually helping her, Korra didn't mind. Though when Korra called her out on being a shithead, Toph didn't deflect it she just agreed and laughed about being a douche. And I don't see how Toph stating that helping people was pointless was supposed to be something we were supposed to agree with or was actually supported. Korra isn't going to call her an awful person because again, she is still a good guy who we're supposed to like, but the episode certainly wasn't portraying her as right for being a bitter, cynical jerk.
Originally posted by NemeBro
It's also different from Bitter Work because, well first of all Aang wasn't mentally or physically sick. Second of all, Aang needed Earthbending. Her harsh methods were more necessary then. Here, Korra is chilling with Toph on a quest for personal improvement. Finally, Aang did indeed man up and take his shit back from Toph, at her expense. She wasn't portrayed as infallible, but it was also shown that at least she isn't petty enough to let that get her down and she still felt pride for Aang progressing as a student.Here she's just a ***** who is bullying a mentally ill person, and apparently the audience is supposed to find this funny and cool.
Nah, she's a Jerk Sue thus far. Hopefully this changes soon. 👆
I wouldn't be surprised if it did.
Yeah and here Toph was still genuinely trying to help. She just wasn't sugar-coating anything, Korra does suck and she knows it. Toph is simply a bitter, crotchety old woman who likes lording how great she is over people. Which is still in character from the original series.
Maybe because it was funny and cool. 👆
Nah, you're just a whiny contrarian who loves to complain. Toph is a Jerk. She is also cool. Too bad nerd, cry moar.