(no subject)

[meganbmoore]

I just watched the first episode of the super popular shoujo anime Honey and Clover. It seems pretty well done, but I am incredibly weirded out by all the 18-20~ year old dudes being so incredibly affected by a girl who looks and acts like a very shy 10-year-old? I know the character is actually their age, but her behavior matches her appearance? (There's also the weird infantilization when her uncle was talking about her background.)

Is this a continuing theme throughout the series, or does she begin to speak up more and act her age, despite looking younger?

Comments

[torachan]

I read four or five volumes of the manga (which is half the series) and had to give it up because of that. (Also because I was bored by some of the other storylines and didn't really like the mix of crack and realism, but Hagu was one of the main reasons.) She does grow up slightly, but not really.

[meganbmoore]

I think I wouldn't be bugged by even her behavior if their reactions hadn't been so...instant? Like, if they acted like that only after getting used to the idea that she actually is their age, I'd probably still be annoyed because of the infantilization, but it wouldn't be as odd.

[torachan]

Yes, exactly. It feels like they're attracted to her because she looks and acts like a little kid.

[mscongeniality]

I read about as much and gave the books immediately away after without finishing the series for basically the exact same reason.

[torachan]

I'm glad I'm not the only one! Everyone seems to love the series, but I just couldn't get into it at all.

[laceblade]

There are reasons she acts the way she does, and it does get much, much better. She will speak her age, act her age, and even look more her age.

Every character grows in this series, but Hagu-chan probably grows the most.

[wilhelminabenedict]

I read a few chapters in Shoujo Beat sometime ago and assumed she was, like, ten. I think I somehow, possibly through skimming, missed the romantic undertones and/or thought there was different female character around whom the undertones were directed towards. I was vaguely confused later on when I thought I read something indicating she was the love interest.