A 2017 news story involving China's rag subculture has resurfaced and trended on Japanese comment forums, sparking a new wave of debate and backlash. The original controversy revolves around an incident in which a wealthy follower discovered that his favorite streamer, who introduced himself as a “trapito” in his live streams, was actually a biological woman. This discovery led the follower to accuse the streamer of fraud, who had cultivated a large fan base under the premise of being a man disguised as a woman.

In the incident, which occurred seven years ago in China, the follower in question had been a dedicated fan for years, investing large sums of money in gifts for the streamer. However, her devotion collapsed when she requested the streamer to sing a military song in a male voice, and she was unable to comply with the request. This made the follower suspect that the “trapito” was actually a woman, which he later confirmed, leading him to file a fraud complaint with the authorities.

The news caused a stir in the “femboy” community in China at the time, prompting several prominent media figuressuch as CC-chan (CC醬) and Xuan Mo Bao Bao (軒墨寶寶), known as “China’s first “trapito”, They had to come out to defend their masculine identity. Both issued statements on social media assuring that, despite their extremely feminine appearance, they were “authentic men”. However, this defense was not enough to calm the waters, as supporters demanded proof beyond mere words.

This old incident has once again caught the attention of Japanese netizens, who have begun discussing the authenticity of the “rags” on their own forums and comment platforms. In Japan, where the “otokonoko” culture has also gained popularity, many users wonder whether similar situations could occur in their own country. Reactions were mixed, with some defending streamers' right to present themselves however they want, while others expressed concerns about transparency and honesty in these communities.

As the discussion intensifies, some members of the “otokonoko” community in Japan have begun issuing their own statements to reaffirm their identity and avoid misunderstandings. However, as in China, verbal statements may not be enough to appease all followers, who are now more vigilant and critical than ever.

Source: Hachima Kikou