In a surprising shift in popularity, Tokiyuki Houjouthe young protagonist of the anime “The Elusive Samurai”(Nige Jouzu no Wakagimi), reached the first place in Pixiv's popularity ranking. This achievement stands out not only for having surpassed recognized titles such as “Blue Archive”, but also for dominating the ranking in men's category. Otakus are more than enchanted by Tokiyuki's feminine appearance, despite being canonically a boy of only eight years old.

Tokiyuki Houjou's popularity highlights a growing trend in the anime and manga industry: the fascination with male characters with feminine appearance. These characters capture the attention and affection of fans, defying genre conventions and adding a layer of complexity and appeal to their stories.

Yuusei Matsui, author of “The Elusive Samurai”, knows this phenomenon well. In his previous work, “Assassination Classroom” (Ansatsu Kyoushitsu), Matsui also created a male character with a feminine appearance: Nagisa Shiota. Like Tokiyuki, Nagisa became a beloved character for her delicate appearance and complex personality.

The synopsis for “The Elusive Samurai” is equally captivating:

• Tokiyuki Houjou, an eight-year-old boy, is the next successor to the Kamakura shogunate, but he lacks talent in everything except concealment. One day, his carefree life is abruptly interrupted when Takauji Ashikaga brutally seizes power over Kamakura, ending his reign. Rescued by a self-proclaimed prophetic priest, Tokiyuki manages to escape with his life.
• Now, he must evade those who seek to kill him while recruiting comrades who can help him restore the Kamakura Shogunate to its former glory. Set during the Nanboku-chou period of Japanese history, Nige Jouzu no Wakagimi is a story of redemption, documenting the life of the forgotten hero who changed the fate of Japan by fleeing.

The anime adaptation of this fascinating story is currently broadcastwith CloverWorks surprises with spectacular animation work. The quality of the animation was highly praised, contributing significantly to the success and popularity of the series.

The rise of this type of character reflects a change in the preferences of the otaku audience, who seek new narratives and characters that challenge traditional stereotypes. Matsui's ability to create characters with these characteristics proved to be a key factor in the success of his works.

• «What does it mean that it is men who seek this…?».
• «He's only in 9th place as a protagonist, so that must be it.».
• «This post probably went viral and that's why it attracted attention».
• «The Blue Archive's reign in doujin has been abandoned».
• «I don't know which character it is, but I'd like to see him apologize completely naked.».
• «It's already a common fetish to masturbate with cute boys».
• «It's amazing how “The Elusive Samurai” is overcoming language barriers».
• «Refined Japanese culture crossed the ocean and spread».

Source: Otakomu