#i'm avoiding main tags because i dont consider my thoughts on the subject particularly constructive

[heartbeatbookclub]

what are your thoughts on trans natsuki? do you actively headcanon it or is it more of a “yeah i can get behind this” thing?

I personally don't have any super strong opinion one way or the other. I like both cis and trans Natsuki like I like both exclusive lesbian and bisexual Natsuki. Reality can be whatever you want, that's the benefit of fiction.

This is, incidentally, why I avoided bringing up the topic of gender the one time I discussed my view on all of the girls' sexuality (and, of course, because I don't think it's particularly relevant.) I am a cis man with cis experiences (inb4 i come back to this several years later with a new gender), so I don't feel super confident or insistent on assigning any particular gender headcanons to them. I just play with the concept like I'm playing with dolls; the heavy thinking I leave to people more versed in the field than I.

I think the idea of Natsuki being trans is a very interesting concept, though, especially when you pair it with the many, many avenues of angst (and, of course, the remedies for that angst) surrounding her. When I think of the trans experience, I think of all of the logistical realities surrounding transition (one of the oldest hyperfixations i have is medicine & human anatomy/physiology so it's hard to ignore lol), and I think of the nature of identity. Natsuki has a hard time being honest with herself, and with others. She struggles to create a view for herself which doesn't revolve around all of the insecurities she has, and has a sharp outer shell as a defense mechanism to keep people from getting too close. I could see why trans people in particular might identify with that kind of struggle.

And of course I think of her support network, helping her every step of the way. I think regardless of who's what, the Literature Club would absolutely be a trans-friendly space. Monika would probably stop a club meeting dead to kick a transphobe out of the club. Sayori, despite not necessarily getting the idea off the bat, would absolutely do her best to respect your identity, whatever it is. Yuri would be very intrigued by the idea and find the different ways people express their gender identity to be liberating for her, because social expectation weighs heavy on the mind of an autistic teenage girl. Natsuki would kill transphobes with hammers. (Do you think this would be enough for Mr. [BIG SHOT] Tumblr CEO to ban me?)

Alright, maybe that was a little corny there at the end, but I feel like for as unfortunate as the beginnings of the idea of trans Natsuki are (I remember when the game first came out, and I mostly used Twitter and Reddit as opposed to here. Dark times...), the fandom has really taken charge on terms of making some really nice things out of it. That feels sort of...odd coming out of my mouth, given my gender identity, but it's my honest opinion.

I've made comments before about trans MC, and I really do think that is a neat idea to more thoroughly flesh out a character for them that isn't just a thick-headed redditor. I actually do have a good few thoughts for a direction to take that idea, but...the Coil calls I'm afraid.

I might post misc thoughts on it at some point though.