Reader’s Question:
I’m not in a rush for a response, but I would appreciate an answer soon. I want to hear general opinions on this matter. I’m not particularly a fan of “fujoshi” or “yumejoshi,” but I can enjoy those aspects if I choose to. Recently, I watched a Conan movie
and developed a liking for Takami Moriwaki, and I’ve gone through the Conan anime. When I mentioned this to my friend (who is a fujoshi), she started asking me about my favorite pairings, both fan-made and official. I genuinely like characters like Takami Moriwaki and the police academy group, and I don’t think much about pairings. If I had to choose an official pairing, I like Sonoko and Kyogoku. However, whenever I look up Conan online, I keep coming across fujoshi content. If I were to tell someone in high school that I find Conan interesting or that I like Takami, would they assume I’m a fujoshi? I’m really worried about this. My fujoshi friend isn’t a bad person, but her comments have been bothering me. I apologize for the long message, and I look forward to hearing from many people.
Finding Your Own Path in Fandom
Hey there! I totally get where you’re coming from. It’s such a weird feeling when you find something you genuinely enjoy, like Conan and Takami Moriwaki, only to feel a bit boxed in by labels like “fujoshi” or “yumejoshi.” I remember when I first got into anime, I was super nervous about what people would think of my tastes. I was worried that if I mentioned my favorite characters, everyone would jump to conclusions about my interests! Just the other day, I was chatting with a friend about a new comedy show I found, and he kept trying to steer the conversation toward shipping and pairings. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good ship as much as the next person, but sometimes you just want to enjoy the story the way it is without all the extra baggage. I mean, have you ever been in a situation where you just wanted to munch on some snacks while binge-watching, and your friends are analyzing every character’s relationships? It’s like, chill a bit! Sometimes, I think we overthink these things. Your friend’s questions about pairings can be a bit overwhelming, especially when you’re not in that headspace. It’s like being at a party and everyone’s dancing, and you just want to sit back with a bag of chips and enjoy the music. You can appreciate the art or the characters without having to dissect them into little boxes. And honestly, if you told someone in high school that you like Conan or Takami, it shouldn’t automatically make them think you’re a fujoshi! Everyone has different tastes, and some folks might even be surprised that you’re into the mystery and action side of things. Just because you enjoy something that overlaps with those communities doesn’t mean you have to identify with them. It’s all about how you engage with the content. Now, I had a friend who was really into one specific genre of anime, and every time I brought up a show I liked, he would immediately jump to shipping characters. One day, I finally said, “Hey, can we just appreciate how cool this character is without pairing them up?” He laughed and said he hadn’t thought about it that way. Sometimes, it just takes a little nudge to remind people that there’s a whole spectrum of fandom experiences. So, don’t worry too much about what others think. Enjoy your love for Conan and Takami. Embrace it! There are plenty of fans out there who appreciate the story and characters just like you do. Plus, finding that balance between enjoying something while not being tied to a label can be liberating. I’d love to hear more about your favorite moments from Conan or any funny interactions you’ve had with your friends about it. Have you come across any surprising fan theories, or maybe even some hilarious memes? Share your experiences in the comments—I’m all ears!