Kuro Gyaru

We've covered fetishization here before, and how it can affect society negatively, even when it's presented in a lighthearted way. Occasionally though, we find things that are probably supposed to sexualized, but wind up being rather affirming, and this time, it has to do with gender.

Kuro Gal ni Natta kara Shinyuu to Shitemita is a strange short form adventure in genderfuckery and pansexuality. What starts with two characters who very much portray the fuckboy stereotype, we see a wonderful journey of self discovery for everyone involved. This has the character growth that I wish we could see in more serious series, but unfortunately has become something rare.

That being said, the first few episodes have some poor examples of consent, that may turn you off to the series, but I promise, in the end, it's worth it.

Two best friends, both guys, attempt to pick up women wherever they go. One of them, while sneaking off with a girl, gets cursed to have his body transform into a female's whenever he thinks about someone he's attracted to. While processing this first transformation, his friend comes in, and assumes it's a girl that was planted there for him, until he sees the scar that proves his identity. The friend then does what a good friend should, and takes him to his place to help him sort out the situation. Very quickly we see that they are a solid support structure for each other, and do whatever they can to help regardless of the problem.

Over the course of the show, we see various flirtations on one side, while our main character struggles with the idea of his body changing whenever he contemplates attraction. He becomes afraid to leave the house because he may change, but at the same time is trying to manage a solution to this curse, and gain control over his body. Much like someone transgender when they don't feel comfortable in their body and how it's presented, whether before or during transition, we see the same sort of foreign feelings presented. Likewise, we see characters reframing what attraction means for them, looking less at the physical, and more at an emotional connection.

As the series continues, we see that while still uncomfortable with the transformation, our two best friends start to acknowledge an attraction toward each other. By the end of the season, our cursed boy confronts his friend, asking if he loves him, or just the female body he is cursed to have, ultimately becoming a way for our characters to admit to the romance they probably had all along. We see a case where someone finally learns that they are capable of love regardless of gender, and that the love of friendship can turn romantic under the right circumstances. It's adorable, and intimate in the truest of terms, as they explore what that means for their friendship and future. Not only do we have the struggle with things like gender presentation, but we also see someone exploring sexuality, and finding love at the end.

This series is such an odd example of literal forced feminization and gender fuckery, but at the same time, encourages people to look at others regardless of gender and the relationships we have. While some of the scenes may be difficult to watch for a host of reasons, with the short episode format, if you can handle the lack of consent present in a lot of porn, I highly suggest giving it a watch, and good digging into. Somehow, this one takes a fetishized topic and turns it wholesome.