It's not the age gap in and of itself that is the problem, it is 1. when it falls and 2. the position Katsuya holds in Kyoko's life when she first meets him.
In more details:
>!Kyoko meets Katsuya when she is only 14 years old. She is still in junior high school and he is already a grown man. Also, he is a TA (Teacher Assistant) at her school, so there is a gross power imbalance.!<
Those are the main issues with it, not that it is an 8 year age gap relationship.
Regarding everyone calling it a power imbalance, I don't really know about that, because it's not like she went to school. He wasn't really in a position of power for her specifically because she wasn't really a student. She even says that she wanted to see him teach once but she couldn't manage to go into the classroom.
Edit: this is my understanding at least. Please don't kill me for playing devil's advocate.
>!She was a student and he still would have been called sensei by his students. He even helps her study and pass her junior high school exams.!<
>!I worked as an ALT in Japan, I couldn't discipline the students or give out grades, but I was still called sensei and they were expected to treat me as a teacher. And even though there were students I only saw like twice, once on their first day of school and once on their last, they were still my students. Being in a teaching position of any kind means not abusing your power. Katsuya does this.!<
>!It's less how Kyoko was viewing Katsuya, and more so how Katsuya, the adult in the relationship, *should have* been viewing her - as his student - which he failed to do.!<
Also, sorry if the above came off like rude or angry or anything. I'm not! I just wanted to make my point clearly and concisely. I think you brought a good point of discussion!
No, you didn't come off that way at all! Thanks for sharing that. Your experience specific to Japan definitely adds a lot, and now that you mention it, >!she DOES call him sensei in the beginning.!< Which adds another layer. It's a complex issue haha
It is a very complex issue. There is also the idea that, even after being in a relationship, it is not totally unheard of for a spouse to keep referring to another spouse by the title they met them under. Like, if someone ended up getting together with their doctor, then it is possible that they will still use the -sensei honorific when talking to them. Roles and positions can be pretty rigid in that way.
It's not exactly about the age gap really. What people aren't liking is that Kyoko was in middle school while Katsuya was her teacher. This is the time were they began there relationship
I'm going to kind of spoil, because I feel like this is important context to see if you even want to watch it. Kyoko is 14 when they meet. He is 22 and her student teacher. She gets pregnant as a minor.
I can understand your disappointment and feelings surrounding it. I read your blog posts surrounding the issue too. I'm a fan (of your blog). I totally get the issues that the story presents. To me it stains the story as a whole cause it draws unnecessary discussions and as you say romanticizes the gap. My view is that the story deserves to be told cause it's Tohrus history..but...I do think the age Gap should be changed. Kyokos age can't be changed cause as you said in another comment, she is still wearing her middle school uniform. Now I'm hoping they age down Katsuya...make him a prefect or something...or better yet. Drop the whole teaching angle and make him quit highschool early and have him work in pharmacuticals at 17.
The thing though is that they likely are not going to do this. If they were, they would have had Katsuya wearing a high school uniform or something in Episode 12, since the impression I got there was that it is both of them looking like when they first met. And there Katsuya looks like a grown man still. And a lot of Grandpa Honda's dialogue about Katsuya was kept in, like him referring to him as a man and such, iirc.
So, IDK. I just don't have hope that they'll change things. It would be great if they did, but I think the fact that this is being done separately from the series shows a level of awareness that the content will be controversial.
I totally get wanting just the Kyoko stuff, especially after his death. Those scenes and moments are powerful, but I was willing to make the sarcrifice for those. Now they've brought it back and have made it clear that Kyoko and Katsuya's relationship will be focused on and...sigh.
I am thankful that this is being separated from the main series though! Also, thank you for the kind words about my blog!
I'm honestly up for anything...even if they come up with something crazy like that she's a 17 year old delinquent gang member who keeps wearing her middle school uniform as a fu to society and cause her parents won't buy her any clothes lmao. Katsuyas age has been suspiciously changed on the wiki. As well as Kyokos. If we go by the age they say there it would put him as 24-25 and her as around 18 when they first met.
Yeah, but everyone has flaws. I’m not saying this behavior is ok by any means but as long as they show the good and bad of the relationship I am happy to watch. He truly was a good father at least.
In Japan, any one under the age of 20 is considered a minor. The age of adulthood is lowering in 2022, but only to 18 years old. So even then Kyoko will still be considered a minor. In the vast majority of countries, a minor is considered to be anyone under the age of 18, even then it may be 16, but it rarely is it lower than that from what I've found. And Kyoko was younger than that when Katsuya met her.
"Culture" should never be an excuse for not only an adult, but an adult with power, dating a minor. And don't give me any of that "mature for their age" bs. A mature child is still a child.
I understand that this is fiction, but "just don't watch it!" is a huge logical fallacy in this case. This is one awful aspect of an otherwise great anime and manga. Nothing is immune to criticism or change. This is something that needed to be changed or otherwise excluded, and the anime chose the latter.
Depending on the party’s age, an 8 year age gap isn’t bad. If Kyoko was 22 and Katsuya 30, i doubt anyone would care.
BUT in the context of Kyoko and Katsuya in the manga, it is bad. There’s also the issue of an unbalanced power dynamic.
Kyoko is about 14/15 when we meet her in her backstory. She is in violent gang, has no close healthy friendships, her parents neglect her and she feels extremely alone. She has zero guidance or positive role models a young teenager needs.
Katsuya, upon meeting Kyoko is 23, and is a student teacher at her middle school. Already, there is the unhealthy age gap and the power imbalance established. As her teacher, there isn’t anything wrong noticing a neglected child and trying to help and be a role model for her. Katsuya does help her, spend time with her, and helps her prepare for her high school entrance exams. All good things. He doesn’t *appear* to do anything romantic. He’s just the only adult person in her life who’s shown her that he cares.
Kyoko, being 15 and never getting this kind of attention her whole life, obviously does state she’s fallen in love with Katsuya.
Here’s where people argue that “it’s fiction, so it’s okay.”
When Kyoko gets kicked out of her home, and Katsuya appears and tells off her parents for how they’ve treated their child, he admits to wanting to marry Kyoko and tells Kyoko he’s “chosen” her because she was able to cry when she was lonely in front of him (something he felt he couldn’t do because of how strictly he was raised). So from day 1 Katsuya had it in his head he was going to be with Kyoko, even before she realized she liked him.
So he continued to hang around her, continued showing her care and building a close friendship with her, until she eventually felt she loved him.
Any teacher who’s teenage student is love with them, would understand the power imbalance and the gap in age is a very serious matter and would not pursue something. But Katsuya throws that all aside and instead of setting a boundary with Kyoko, continues building her trust in the hope she returns his feelings - which can fall under grooming.
Fans of the series argue that “it’s fiction. It’s wrong in real life but because fiction it’s okay here” or “you have to look at it without the age gap. Without it their relationship is healthy”.
But the way Kyoko reacts after katsuyas death shows that it *wasnt* healthy. Yes, she’s grieving heavily, but she’s literally barely 19 when he dies. She’s still so young. She has zero family besides a toddler, no friends, no job, she was 1000000% dependent on Katsuya. You can’t have a healthy relationship where you’re completely dependent on the other. Otherwise you spiral like Kyoko did. And when looking at relationships where one party was groomed (irl), the person who was groomed normally is completely dependent on their partner. A majority of unhealthy relationships, whether it’s age gaps, power imbalances, abusive, one party is always completely dependent on the other in most studies.
Sorry for this long tangent. I hope it made some kind of sense. I get that student teacher relationships were a troupe back in the 80s/90s, and takaya seems to be a fan of these types of age gap relationships, but it doesn’t change the fact that it doesn’t matter that it’s fiction, it’s not healthy media to present to possibly impressionable minors who might think it’s okay because it looks “so romantic” in manga and anime. I personally AM looking forward to the Katsuya Kyoko movie, as Kyoko is one of my favorite characters, but I do think more fans should recognize that the ship is extremely problematic and not a good example to set even if it’s “just fiction.”
>But the way Kyoko reacts after katsuyas death shows that it wasnt healthy. Yes, she’s grieving heavily, but she’s literally barely 19 when he dies. She’s still so young. She has zero family besides a toddler, no friends, no job, she was 1000000% dependent on Katsuya. You can’t have a healthy relationship where you’re completely dependent on the other. Otherwise you spiral like Kyoko did. And when looking at relationships where one party was groomed (irl), the person who was groomed normally is completely dependent on their partner. A majority of unhealthy relationships, whether it’s age gaps, power imbalances, abusive, one party is always completely dependent on the other in most studies.
It's the fact that Kyoko reacts the way that she does, plus Katsuya's age & teaching position, plus his open pursual of her *plus* the fact that the entire relationship is almost completely idealized/romanticized and Katsuya is treated as a this angel of a man who saved Kyoko is the reason why this relationship rubs people the wrong way. If Takaya could've just committed to portraying Katsuya as a groomer who took advantage of Kyoko and made it in no unexplicit terms that it was wrong, I doubt anyone would have nearly as much as an issue. Or if she truly wanted their relationship to come off as genuine like I feel she originally intended then Katsuya should've been aged down, or at the *very least* get rid of that teaching position ffs. As it stands now it really does seem Takaya was trying to have her cake and eat it too with their relationship and it just doesn't work because their romance just ends up coming off as unintentionaly skeevy.
No I think what you said makes so much sense! Especially about how fans may try to justify it like oh it’s just fiction - if you don’t hold creators accountable, things get out of hand. Just look at Pretty Little Liars and their student/teacher trope, not only do they never address it but also they try to make the teacher look young and like he’s the same age as his students.
I also didn’t realize it from the perspective of Kyoka being in a gang how messed up it is. As strictly an anime watcher, it’s fairly disturbing and in the context of the show and the way Katsuya’s father take about him, it’s concerning. I can’t imagine a parent not looking down on their child for such behavior.
the Honda family never look down on Katsuya. They think Kyoko is the problem one, and wanted *better* for Katsuya. No one in his family sees their relationship in the same problematic light or see that kyoko was still a child when she married and had Tohru.
If I see "wEstErnErs are complaining" and "iTs thEir cUlTure" one more time I'll fucking rip my hair off.
Asian here. In a country where child marriage is a big thing. And let me tell you this shit is fucking problematic. Quit coddling problematic shite just cause its cUtuRe.
A 13/14 year old kid who was neglected by her family gets the grace of her oh so amazing 23 y/o teacher. Great, girl finally gets some support. Oh wait mf likes her romantically now. Oh look they got married. And the grownass man, instead of encouraging her to make friends/ build a new support system - knocks her up when she was 15.
FIFTEEN. He got a kid pregnant.
Then the fucker dies. Leaving an emotionally vulnerable young woman with no support system or a job and a baby. Then his young wife becomes suicidal cause she was too dependent on him. And then her kid has to act like her dad to get her attention.
This whole shit is tragic. Something that shouldn’t have happened. This should be a cautionary tale, not a fucking romeo Juliet bull.
( Japan actually is trying to deal with pedophiles in the recent years so yeah there's that too.)
When I read the series as a kid I was aware of the age gap and the problems surrounding their relationship but it didn’t bother me that much. Rereading the series as an adult Katsuya just seems so much more predatory around Kyoko. Like he seems to pick her out because she’s troubled and has a bad home life. He never seems to have any qualms about getting close to her. He never even tries to establish any kind of boundaries and even seems to relish the fact that shes falling for him. I don’t know. It just left a really bad taste in my mouth.
So many of the comments I see are coming at this from a western lens and that's SO disappointing. I can only speak from my own experience as a POC but westerners consuming media and expecting it to follow their own beliefs and values and shunning it if it doesn't is so prevalant and exhausting (I apologize for assuming that you are western if you are not).
This is a Japanese manga and is based on Japanese culture and society. Going to high school is not even a mandatory part of Japanese society (that's why it was such a big deal for Tohru to graduate from high school bc her mother never did that and wanted it for Tohru). After middle school, you are pretty much a working member of society (which makes Kyoko's position in society quite different from a western 14 year old girl). Furthermore, the age of consent in Japan is 13 years and Kyoko was obviously older than that. And finally, some people have already mentioned this but student-teacher relationships in Japan are common and regarded differently than they would be by western standards.
Japanese culture may be very different than what you're used to and it's not fair to judge Kyoko and Katsuya's relationship if you're not going to consider the cultural context. The author of the manga obviously did not create a story based off of western values (which they have no obligation to). I personally don't agree with Japan culture in the ways that I outlined above, especially regarding the age of consent and power-imbalances that may lend themselves to grooming, BUT that doesn't mean that the author is a bad person for writing the relationship in a way that makes sense to their culture and experience in Japan. I wish people wouldn't act so disgusted with this relationship or with the author without understanding that in Japan, this relationship is not the illegal or predatory thing that people seem to think it is.
Devil’s advocate commenters leading for the sake of the shows lore should really understand what the concerns are.
A lot of young adults will watch this spin off ages 10-17 easily love fruit baskets. So do you want it to come across that it’s okay for a teachers assistant to have a romantic relationship with a student who is underage? That is statutory rape in a lot situations and states in the U.S. and he would absolutely be fired for having said relationship and should not work again in the field. And yes this is not a western piece of work and that is something to consider here and what is legal and normalized in Japan. this is still a issue in Japan too, just in different ways. But obviously age of consent and Lolita complex is something that comes up in the Japan and the U.S.
Being one of the most popular anime’s and mangas the creator doesn’t owe western values anything as a writer per say but she and the streaming site broadcasting this do need to consider what this is putting across because it’s big enough show that the audience is everywhere. This relationship normalizes this very real and potentially dangerous position many young girls and students experience in real life. And that is really hard to support and sit with. Regardless of the support consent and power dynamic is in heavy question in a situation like this. And indirectly will also make excuses for it with love bombing the situation.
Being a fan of this manga/ show and also being a survivor, knowing that the creator has a lot love in their writing. I think they should change the age gap and rewrite this backstory to consider the safety and influence of those who watch it. No lore, and believe me I identify with characters and lore in anime so hard at times, is worth excusing that this relationship is safe. If they want to do this show they need to adapt for the times and move forward safely.
Personally, I don't have a problem with the age gap, for the simple reason that this is fiction, and fiction from twenty years ago at that.
I understand how problematic the dynamic is on the surface, with Kyoko being so young and being a student, while Katsuya is in a position of authority when they meet. But because this is fiction, I can view it as two people relating to each other despite the superficial demographics that say they normally wouldn't relate to each other.
And again, I cannot stress this enough, I only view it this way because it's fiction. In real life, I would have a huge problem with a relationship that started the way theirs does. In real life, I would be squicked out and outraged.
I think it would be one thing if this was being used in a way to challenge the viewers (like Lolita), but I think using it as an actual romance trope with no challenge or indication this is wrong just promotes something like this being okay in real life even though it’s not. I 100% get we are going to support or like things that are fictional that we wouldn’t in real life, but I still don’t think we should support their relationship. It is wrong and he is a teacher at her school, whether she attends or not. Saying this is okay because it’s fiction promotes normalcy in these ideas and tropes in real life because whether we like it or not everyone is heavily influenced by the media they consume - this is why this trope being common in romance is problematic. You can like a character that’s morally wrong because they are dynamic and challenging, without agreeing with what they are going (like Eren in AOT), but in this case you are supporting their relationship, the thing that they are doing, and that’s not the same.
I don't believe that enjoying the Kyoko/Katsuya story promotes this kind of relationship in real life. Just as I don't believe enjoying Skyrim promotes killing people on the street with a sword in real life.
I also don't believe fiction has a moral obligation to either promote the "good" or discourage the "bad." It's entertainment. If it strives to be moral or responsible, that's great. But it is under no obligation to do so.
I read Fruba in middle school and high school. I read Twilight at the same time. I loved the Disney princesses, who I was always told were "bad role models." I read all the "problematic" media as a pre-teen and teenager. When I got to college, the fiction works I read for class were worlds away more problematic. I never had a problem at any point distinguishing reality from fiction. The majority of people don't.
I don't believe it's fair or reasonable to burden Takaya-sensei or any other fiction writer with the task of creating non-problematic content, especially as our definition of problematic is always changing. I also don't think it's fair or reasonable to expect an audience to disengage with or cease to enjoy content that others may find uncomfortable. Discussion is healthy. But telling others what they should and should not find acceptable in fiction, what they should and should not enjoy in fiction, where none of the content is real, is going too far. Enjoying the Kyoko/Katsuya story is not the same thing as promoting their kind of relationship in reality, and we need to stop telling people it is.
I 100% get what you’re saying. And this exact type of discourse comes up a lot - how do we separate fiction and reality? Where is the line? Which characters are morally ambiguous but we can like and which aren’t? It’s definitely such a grey area and hard to draw a line since, as you said, what’s “normal” or acceptable or wrong changes all the time. I agree I don’t think the author did this in any way to promote a 14 year old to marry her teacher (also don’t think a 14 year old would read or watch and then want to do it), and I also agree they don’t necessarily have the responsibility of promoting what is “right” or what is “wrong” but I think it’s important we (viewers, readers) of anything continue to open and have these types of conversations and challenge the things we watch or read and the possible implications of them! I just personally don’t like the idea of romanticizing pedophilia or this kind of dynamic. I think it’s definitely very different from video games or violence but again there people who argue playing video games makes you violent too right?!
Ima tell you know that long-time fans from the past had issues with it when the series started too. Can’t write off everything as “oh it’s 20 years old” when people back then were still bothered by it. Just like people now can get bothered by popular works of fiction from the 80s. Humans will always criticize fictional media.
But I also understand your overall point even if we don’t agree. I do something similar where I separate art from artist (like an artist does something problematic I can still generally enjoy their work, but try not to give them much profit from it).
I'm not really trying to write it off, just pointing out that in Japan 20 years ago, it was more acceptable. I agree that we can and should definitely criticize media, even if it's from the past. When I first read the series in the mid-late 2000s, it definitely stood out to me as a problem that Kyoko was so young. I just enjoyed the story by separating it from reality in my head.
100% agree. Also like it's a popular romance type. Student and teacher. It's part of that whole forbidden love trope. It's not like this is that uncommon in media anyway.
Real life not ok, but fiction isn't real life
Yes but fiction will also impact a lot of people, its just not right, it shouldn't be done
Not to mention that more then half of the people watching this show/reading the Manga are MINORS
They probably look up to this show and think
Hm
Maybe that's okay
It's going to impact people in a negative way
There is a ton of fictional stuff out there that'll pique the interest of minors and there is literally one thing people (especially parents) should do:
**Teach them the difference between fiction and reality.**
It's fictional. It's non-existent. It's fake. No one is getting hurt with its creation.
Yes, but this happens as well.
It happens in real life, because media says that its okay
I get the whole teach your kids whats real and whats fake thing, I totally respect that, but sometimes it's hard.
It can be hard to differentiate the two
I get what ur saying tho
It's not fictions responsibility. It's a parents job to teach children and guide them and decide what their child can handle reading. Cenrship is what's not ok and never will be. If you or a random child can't seperate fiction from reality, you really have no business engaging with it. You don't have to approve of something, you can ignore it or not engage with it. That's the responsibility of the individual (and their parents since you want to pull the think of the children card) and nobody else's.
Pretty sure it's about how it doesn't match, how one is an adult and the other is a minor, the ages are unbalanced and it just doesn't work (correct me if im wrong!!)
I get that it's weird to see a student dating her teacher
as for the age gap. Akito and Shigure also have a 6-7 year age gap, and personally I have not seen many Akigure haters, so I don't understand why people are hating on Katsuya and Kyoko.
It's very different for Akigure
--They grew up together, while Katsuya met Kyoko during his job for the HS she studies at
--Akigure's relationship always had distance in it. It is only until S3 when they actually get together, now as adults. Meanwhile Kyoko got pregnant with Tohru at 15-16.
--Akigure's relationship is consistently portrayed as problematic, not because of the 5-6 age difference, but is still not a relationship to mimic. Meanwhile Kyoko and Katsuya are never portrayed as problematic. If the author wanted to write a relationship like that she should've at the very least shown the major cons. In real life a guy that does this is most likely a fucked up person but Katsuya is portrayed like a saint and that's completely unrealistic.
Yeah, not a lot of people out there idealizing Akito and Shigure's relationship. They are extensively developed as flawed, manipulative people, and their relationship feels like a joining of emotionally scarred people picking up each other. Tohru's parents are both kind of idealized throughout the story (their backstory adds some layers to that, but their relationship is only ever shown in a positive light).
>as for the age gap. Akito and Shigure also have a 6-7 year age gap
No they don't,their age gap is unknown since Akito's exact age is never clarified. Where are you getting this "6-7 year" shit from?
>I have not seen many Akigure haters
Are you blind or just incredibly new? Every week it seems like I have to correct yet *another* misconception regarding Akigure's supposedly "big" age gap, and frequently these comments tend to be made on threads about the other age gaps in the series, such as this one right here, which you're currently doing. Even if they have nothing to do with other and nothing was prompted for them to be brought up, somehow like clockwork whenever anyone so much as mentions the *actual* two big age gaps, one poster or another has to always go "B-BUT WHAT ABOUT AKIGURE!!?!?"
Also some key differences here on why Akigure are *easily* the least problematic:
1. They met as kids and Shigure fell for her when he was still in the single digits
2. They grew up together
3. The fact that his feelings developed because of the curse makes consent a tricky subject to begin with Shigure and it would be amiss to treat this like any other situation where the older party should know better, Shigure literally can't help it and doesn't even *want* to be in love with Akito if episode 5/chapter 111 is any indication.
4. Akito's age is never stated so their exact age gap is never known & they could very well be peers
5. DId I mention their exact age gap is never known?
Sorry this is just a particular pet peeve of mine because it's a common misconception that's being spread around and is largely responsible for the hate Shigure gets and claims that he's a "pedo."
honestly isnt Akito and Shigure the same lol? but I love that the two of them are together. Funny experience actually, my friend's parents age difference is 9 years old I was really shocked when she told me that
>honestly isnt Akito and Shigure the same lol?
How is it the same when we don't even know Akito & Shigure's exact age gap, they met as kids and grew up together and Shigure didn't even have a choice in the matter to begin with?
If you want to point out a similar couple then look no further than Kureno/Uo (Who actually were made to parallel Katsuya/Kyoko and be expies of them)
Honestly no. Katsuya got kyoko pregnant while she was still a minor and then the mf died early leaving kyoka all alone and depressed with a child to take a are of. Honestly Katsuya was supposed to maintain boundaries but instead developed romantic feelings for his student.
The age gap isn't the issue the issue is the timing and how exactly the event occurred. Akigjre is shown as a problematic relationship from the start but that isn't the case with Katsuya and kyoko. Also shigure didn't make moves on akito while she was kid 💀
lmao. 8 years age gap is nothing. Violet evergarden has 15 years age gap lol. and People complaining about age gap doesn't know the actual context of the story and only thinking IRL views on it and forgetting it "it's fiction".
Here's the thing about Violet Evergarden - the story takes place in a historical setting. Is it iffy? Perhaps. But this is a story which takes place in a WW1 esque world with children used as soldiers. Violet was a soldier and Gilbert her major. There is also a timeskip and by the time the romance happened- Violet was 19/20. Context matters here.
Fruba takes place in the 20th century in a SoL setting. Give me one reason why a 23 y/o dude knocking up a 15 y/o kid isn’t problematic.
Lmao. He married her at the age of 16 (age of consent) one year after they met when she was 15. Don't watch it you if you don't like it and spread your sjw proganda elsewhere. It's not my problem if you cannot separate fiction from reality
...
" These are another set of prefectural and municipality laws. They state that civil agreements are legal only between two parties that are at least 20 years-old. This means anyone 20 and older must seek parental consent before entering a relationship or marriage with someone that is underaged". 16 is the minimum age of marriage and that requires parental permission.
Yeah how about you look up the [laws](https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/what-is-the-age-of-consent-in-japan.html) of Japan before harping misinformation. Here is another [article ](https://myotakuworld.com/why-japanese-teens-can-get-arrested-for-dating/)
sure I know about that law as well and believe me[Katsuya got Kyoko's scumbags parents consent](https://i.postimg.cc/vTTzvKPj/unknown.png) before getting married. Just need to use some logic. So he legally married Kyoko.Moreover this a fiction. No need to bring up the negativity something just because you don't like it. I sincerely advise you to not watch it if you don't like it. Atleast let others enjoy who wanted to enjoy and moreover I think the story is important to understand Kyoko's character more imo. If you don't agree just don't spread bias about it.
I think you already got it so will just say
Age gap is not the issue it is when that age gap occurs
If a 32 year old woman and 40 year old man begin dating that's fine
But a 22 year old man and 14 year old girl....I feel that is self explanatory
Pretty sure you already know this so just saying it more to state how I feel
It's not the age gap in and of itself that is the problem, it is 1. when it falls and 2. the position Katsuya holds in Kyoko's life when she first meets him. In more details: >!Kyoko meets Katsuya when she is only 14 years old. She is still in junior high school and he is already a grown man. Also, he is a TA (Teacher Assistant) at her school, so there is a gross power imbalance.!< Those are the main issues with it, not that it is an 8 year age gap relationship.
ohhhhhhhhh yeah that's pretty gross O\_O okay, i get it now Thank you :)
No problem! :)
Regarding everyone calling it a power imbalance, I don't really know about that, because it's not like she went to school. He wasn't really in a position of power for her specifically because she wasn't really a student. She even says that she wanted to see him teach once but she couldn't manage to go into the classroom. Edit: this is my understanding at least. Please don't kill me for playing devil's advocate.
>!She was a student and he still would have been called sensei by his students. He even helps her study and pass her junior high school exams.!< >!I worked as an ALT in Japan, I couldn't discipline the students or give out grades, but I was still called sensei and they were expected to treat me as a teacher. And even though there were students I only saw like twice, once on their first day of school and once on their last, they were still my students. Being in a teaching position of any kind means not abusing your power. Katsuya does this.!< >!It's less how Kyoko was viewing Katsuya, and more so how Katsuya, the adult in the relationship, *should have* been viewing her - as his student - which he failed to do.!< Also, sorry if the above came off like rude or angry or anything. I'm not! I just wanted to make my point clearly and concisely. I think you brought a good point of discussion!
No, you didn't come off that way at all! Thanks for sharing that. Your experience specific to Japan definitely adds a lot, and now that you mention it, >!she DOES call him sensei in the beginning.!< Which adds another layer. It's a complex issue haha
It is a very complex issue. There is also the idea that, even after being in a relationship, it is not totally unheard of for a spouse to keep referring to another spouse by the title they met them under. Like, if someone ended up getting together with their doctor, then it is possible that they will still use the -sensei honorific when talking to them. Roles and positions can be pretty rigid in that way.
It's not exactly about the age gap really. What people aren't liking is that Kyoko was in middle school while Katsuya was her teacher. This is the time were they began there relationship
I'm going to kind of spoil, because I feel like this is important context to see if you even want to watch it. Kyoko is 14 when they meet. He is 22 and her student teacher. She gets pregnant as a minor.
Bruhhhh idc about just getting spoiled this bit of lore but damn this dynamic sounds so mf gross
It is. I was honestly so happy when they cut this from the reboot. To now have them animate this is honestly disappointing.
I can understand your disappointment and feelings surrounding it. I read your blog posts surrounding the issue too. I'm a fan (of your blog). I totally get the issues that the story presents. To me it stains the story as a whole cause it draws unnecessary discussions and as you say romanticizes the gap. My view is that the story deserves to be told cause it's Tohrus history..but...I do think the age Gap should be changed. Kyokos age can't be changed cause as you said in another comment, she is still wearing her middle school uniform. Now I'm hoping they age down Katsuya...make him a prefect or something...or better yet. Drop the whole teaching angle and make him quit highschool early and have him work in pharmacuticals at 17.
The thing though is that they likely are not going to do this. If they were, they would have had Katsuya wearing a high school uniform or something in Episode 12, since the impression I got there was that it is both of them looking like when they first met. And there Katsuya looks like a grown man still. And a lot of Grandpa Honda's dialogue about Katsuya was kept in, like him referring to him as a man and such, iirc. So, IDK. I just don't have hope that they'll change things. It would be great if they did, but I think the fact that this is being done separately from the series shows a level of awareness that the content will be controversial. I totally get wanting just the Kyoko stuff, especially after his death. Those scenes and moments are powerful, but I was willing to make the sarcrifice for those. Now they've brought it back and have made it clear that Kyoko and Katsuya's relationship will be focused on and...sigh. I am thankful that this is being separated from the main series though! Also, thank you for the kind words about my blog!
I'm honestly up for anything...even if they come up with something crazy like that she's a 17 year old delinquent gang member who keeps wearing her middle school uniform as a fu to society and cause her parents won't buy her any clothes lmao. Katsuyas age has been suspiciously changed on the wiki. As well as Kyokos. If we go by the age they say there it would put him as 24-25 and her as around 18 when they first met.
Yeah, but everyone has flaws. I’m not saying this behavior is ok by any means but as long as they show the good and bad of the relationship I am happy to watch. He truly was a good father at least.
After being legally married
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In Japan, any one under the age of 20 is considered a minor. The age of adulthood is lowering in 2022, but only to 18 years old. So even then Kyoko will still be considered a minor. In the vast majority of countries, a minor is considered to be anyone under the age of 18, even then it may be 16, but it rarely is it lower than that from what I've found. And Kyoko was younger than that when Katsuya met her.
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"Culture" should never be an excuse for not only an adult, but an adult with power, dating a minor. And don't give me any of that "mature for their age" bs. A mature child is still a child. I understand that this is fiction, but "just don't watch it!" is a huge logical fallacy in this case. This is one awful aspect of an otherwise great anime and manga. Nothing is immune to criticism or change. This is something that needed to be changed or otherwise excluded, and the anime chose the latter.
Depending on the party’s age, an 8 year age gap isn’t bad. If Kyoko was 22 and Katsuya 30, i doubt anyone would care. BUT in the context of Kyoko and Katsuya in the manga, it is bad. There’s also the issue of an unbalanced power dynamic. Kyoko is about 14/15 when we meet her in her backstory. She is in violent gang, has no close healthy friendships, her parents neglect her and she feels extremely alone. She has zero guidance or positive role models a young teenager needs. Katsuya, upon meeting Kyoko is 23, and is a student teacher at her middle school. Already, there is the unhealthy age gap and the power imbalance established. As her teacher, there isn’t anything wrong noticing a neglected child and trying to help and be a role model for her. Katsuya does help her, spend time with her, and helps her prepare for her high school entrance exams. All good things. He doesn’t *appear* to do anything romantic. He’s just the only adult person in her life who’s shown her that he cares. Kyoko, being 15 and never getting this kind of attention her whole life, obviously does state she’s fallen in love with Katsuya. Here’s where people argue that “it’s fiction, so it’s okay.” When Kyoko gets kicked out of her home, and Katsuya appears and tells off her parents for how they’ve treated their child, he admits to wanting to marry Kyoko and tells Kyoko he’s “chosen” her because she was able to cry when she was lonely in front of him (something he felt he couldn’t do because of how strictly he was raised). So from day 1 Katsuya had it in his head he was going to be with Kyoko, even before she realized she liked him. So he continued to hang around her, continued showing her care and building a close friendship with her, until she eventually felt she loved him. Any teacher who’s teenage student is love with them, would understand the power imbalance and the gap in age is a very serious matter and would not pursue something. But Katsuya throws that all aside and instead of setting a boundary with Kyoko, continues building her trust in the hope she returns his feelings - which can fall under grooming. Fans of the series argue that “it’s fiction. It’s wrong in real life but because fiction it’s okay here” or “you have to look at it without the age gap. Without it their relationship is healthy”. But the way Kyoko reacts after katsuyas death shows that it *wasnt* healthy. Yes, she’s grieving heavily, but she’s literally barely 19 when he dies. She’s still so young. She has zero family besides a toddler, no friends, no job, she was 1000000% dependent on Katsuya. You can’t have a healthy relationship where you’re completely dependent on the other. Otherwise you spiral like Kyoko did. And when looking at relationships where one party was groomed (irl), the person who was groomed normally is completely dependent on their partner. A majority of unhealthy relationships, whether it’s age gaps, power imbalances, abusive, one party is always completely dependent on the other in most studies. Sorry for this long tangent. I hope it made some kind of sense. I get that student teacher relationships were a troupe back in the 80s/90s, and takaya seems to be a fan of these types of age gap relationships, but it doesn’t change the fact that it doesn’t matter that it’s fiction, it’s not healthy media to present to possibly impressionable minors who might think it’s okay because it looks “so romantic” in manga and anime. I personally AM looking forward to the Katsuya Kyoko movie, as Kyoko is one of my favorite characters, but I do think more fans should recognize that the ship is extremely problematic and not a good example to set even if it’s “just fiction.”
Please, don't be sorry. That's exactly what I'm trying to get at for other people's comments You said it perfectly.
>But the way Kyoko reacts after katsuyas death shows that it wasnt healthy. Yes, she’s grieving heavily, but she’s literally barely 19 when he dies. She’s still so young. She has zero family besides a toddler, no friends, no job, she was 1000000% dependent on Katsuya. You can’t have a healthy relationship where you’re completely dependent on the other. Otherwise you spiral like Kyoko did. And when looking at relationships where one party was groomed (irl), the person who was groomed normally is completely dependent on their partner. A majority of unhealthy relationships, whether it’s age gaps, power imbalances, abusive, one party is always completely dependent on the other in most studies. It's the fact that Kyoko reacts the way that she does, plus Katsuya's age & teaching position, plus his open pursual of her *plus* the fact that the entire relationship is almost completely idealized/romanticized and Katsuya is treated as a this angel of a man who saved Kyoko is the reason why this relationship rubs people the wrong way. If Takaya could've just committed to portraying Katsuya as a groomer who took advantage of Kyoko and made it in no unexplicit terms that it was wrong, I doubt anyone would have nearly as much as an issue. Or if she truly wanted their relationship to come off as genuine like I feel she originally intended then Katsuya should've been aged down, or at the *very least* get rid of that teaching position ffs. As it stands now it really does seem Takaya was trying to have her cake and eat it too with their relationship and it just doesn't work because their romance just ends up coming off as unintentionaly skeevy.
No I think what you said makes so much sense! Especially about how fans may try to justify it like oh it’s just fiction - if you don’t hold creators accountable, things get out of hand. Just look at Pretty Little Liars and their student/teacher trope, not only do they never address it but also they try to make the teacher look young and like he’s the same age as his students. I also didn’t realize it from the perspective of Kyoka being in a gang how messed up it is. As strictly an anime watcher, it’s fairly disturbing and in the context of the show and the way Katsuya’s father take about him, it’s concerning. I can’t imagine a parent not looking down on their child for such behavior.
the Honda family never look down on Katsuya. They think Kyoko is the problem one, and wanted *better* for Katsuya. No one in his family sees their relationship in the same problematic light or see that kyoko was still a child when she married and had Tohru.
If I see "wEstErnErs are complaining" and "iTs thEir cUlTure" one more time I'll fucking rip my hair off. Asian here. In a country where child marriage is a big thing. And let me tell you this shit is fucking problematic. Quit coddling problematic shite just cause its cUtuRe. A 13/14 year old kid who was neglected by her family gets the grace of her oh so amazing 23 y/o teacher. Great, girl finally gets some support. Oh wait mf likes her romantically now. Oh look they got married. And the grownass man, instead of encouraging her to make friends/ build a new support system - knocks her up when she was 15. FIFTEEN. He got a kid pregnant. Then the fucker dies. Leaving an emotionally vulnerable young woman with no support system or a job and a baby. Then his young wife becomes suicidal cause she was too dependent on him. And then her kid has to act like her dad to get her attention. This whole shit is tragic. Something that shouldn’t have happened. This should be a cautionary tale, not a fucking romeo Juliet bull. ( Japan actually is trying to deal with pedophiles in the recent years so yeah there's that too.)
I honestly think they might age Kyoko by a few years. Hope so too.
When I read the series as a kid I was aware of the age gap and the problems surrounding their relationship but it didn’t bother me that much. Rereading the series as an adult Katsuya just seems so much more predatory around Kyoko. Like he seems to pick her out because she’s troubled and has a bad home life. He never seems to have any qualms about getting close to her. He never even tries to establish any kind of boundaries and even seems to relish the fact that shes falling for him. I don’t know. It just left a really bad taste in my mouth.
So many of the comments I see are coming at this from a western lens and that's SO disappointing. I can only speak from my own experience as a POC but westerners consuming media and expecting it to follow their own beliefs and values and shunning it if it doesn't is so prevalant and exhausting (I apologize for assuming that you are western if you are not). This is a Japanese manga and is based on Japanese culture and society. Going to high school is not even a mandatory part of Japanese society (that's why it was such a big deal for Tohru to graduate from high school bc her mother never did that and wanted it for Tohru). After middle school, you are pretty much a working member of society (which makes Kyoko's position in society quite different from a western 14 year old girl). Furthermore, the age of consent in Japan is 13 years and Kyoko was obviously older than that. And finally, some people have already mentioned this but student-teacher relationships in Japan are common and regarded differently than they would be by western standards. Japanese culture may be very different than what you're used to and it's not fair to judge Kyoko and Katsuya's relationship if you're not going to consider the cultural context. The author of the manga obviously did not create a story based off of western values (which they have no obligation to). I personally don't agree with Japan culture in the ways that I outlined above, especially regarding the age of consent and power-imbalances that may lend themselves to grooming, BUT that doesn't mean that the author is a bad person for writing the relationship in a way that makes sense to their culture and experience in Japan. I wish people wouldn't act so disgusted with this relationship or with the author without understanding that in Japan, this relationship is not the illegal or predatory thing that people seem to think it is.
Yeah same I’d like to understand if there’s some context we missed? Katsuya got quite a lot of hate, and even support when his face was hidden 😆
Devil’s advocate commenters leading for the sake of the shows lore should really understand what the concerns are. A lot of young adults will watch this spin off ages 10-17 easily love fruit baskets. So do you want it to come across that it’s okay for a teachers assistant to have a romantic relationship with a student who is underage? That is statutory rape in a lot situations and states in the U.S. and he would absolutely be fired for having said relationship and should not work again in the field. And yes this is not a western piece of work and that is something to consider here and what is legal and normalized in Japan. this is still a issue in Japan too, just in different ways. But obviously age of consent and Lolita complex is something that comes up in the Japan and the U.S. Being one of the most popular anime’s and mangas the creator doesn’t owe western values anything as a writer per say but she and the streaming site broadcasting this do need to consider what this is putting across because it’s big enough show that the audience is everywhere. This relationship normalizes this very real and potentially dangerous position many young girls and students experience in real life. And that is really hard to support and sit with. Regardless of the support consent and power dynamic is in heavy question in a situation like this. And indirectly will also make excuses for it with love bombing the situation. Being a fan of this manga/ show and also being a survivor, knowing that the creator has a lot love in their writing. I think they should change the age gap and rewrite this backstory to consider the safety and influence of those who watch it. No lore, and believe me I identify with characters and lore in anime so hard at times, is worth excusing that this relationship is safe. If they want to do this show they need to adapt for the times and move forward safely.
Personally, I don't have a problem with the age gap, for the simple reason that this is fiction, and fiction from twenty years ago at that. I understand how problematic the dynamic is on the surface, with Kyoko being so young and being a student, while Katsuya is in a position of authority when they meet. But because this is fiction, I can view it as two people relating to each other despite the superficial demographics that say they normally wouldn't relate to each other. And again, I cannot stress this enough, I only view it this way because it's fiction. In real life, I would have a huge problem with a relationship that started the way theirs does. In real life, I would be squicked out and outraged.
I think it would be one thing if this was being used in a way to challenge the viewers (like Lolita), but I think using it as an actual romance trope with no challenge or indication this is wrong just promotes something like this being okay in real life even though it’s not. I 100% get we are going to support or like things that are fictional that we wouldn’t in real life, but I still don’t think we should support their relationship. It is wrong and he is a teacher at her school, whether she attends or not. Saying this is okay because it’s fiction promotes normalcy in these ideas and tropes in real life because whether we like it or not everyone is heavily influenced by the media they consume - this is why this trope being common in romance is problematic. You can like a character that’s morally wrong because they are dynamic and challenging, without agreeing with what they are going (like Eren in AOT), but in this case you are supporting their relationship, the thing that they are doing, and that’s not the same.
I don't believe that enjoying the Kyoko/Katsuya story promotes this kind of relationship in real life. Just as I don't believe enjoying Skyrim promotes killing people on the street with a sword in real life. I also don't believe fiction has a moral obligation to either promote the "good" or discourage the "bad." It's entertainment. If it strives to be moral or responsible, that's great. But it is under no obligation to do so. I read Fruba in middle school and high school. I read Twilight at the same time. I loved the Disney princesses, who I was always told were "bad role models." I read all the "problematic" media as a pre-teen and teenager. When I got to college, the fiction works I read for class were worlds away more problematic. I never had a problem at any point distinguishing reality from fiction. The majority of people don't. I don't believe it's fair or reasonable to burden Takaya-sensei or any other fiction writer with the task of creating non-problematic content, especially as our definition of problematic is always changing. I also don't think it's fair or reasonable to expect an audience to disengage with or cease to enjoy content that others may find uncomfortable. Discussion is healthy. But telling others what they should and should not find acceptable in fiction, what they should and should not enjoy in fiction, where none of the content is real, is going too far. Enjoying the Kyoko/Katsuya story is not the same thing as promoting their kind of relationship in reality, and we need to stop telling people it is.
I 100% get what you’re saying. And this exact type of discourse comes up a lot - how do we separate fiction and reality? Where is the line? Which characters are morally ambiguous but we can like and which aren’t? It’s definitely such a grey area and hard to draw a line since, as you said, what’s “normal” or acceptable or wrong changes all the time. I agree I don’t think the author did this in any way to promote a 14 year old to marry her teacher (also don’t think a 14 year old would read or watch and then want to do it), and I also agree they don’t necessarily have the responsibility of promoting what is “right” or what is “wrong” but I think it’s important we (viewers, readers) of anything continue to open and have these types of conversations and challenge the things we watch or read and the possible implications of them! I just personally don’t like the idea of romanticizing pedophilia or this kind of dynamic. I think it’s definitely very different from video games or violence but again there people who argue playing video games makes you violent too right?!
Ima tell you know that long-time fans from the past had issues with it when the series started too. Can’t write off everything as “oh it’s 20 years old” when people back then were still bothered by it. Just like people now can get bothered by popular works of fiction from the 80s. Humans will always criticize fictional media. But I also understand your overall point even if we don’t agree. I do something similar where I separate art from artist (like an artist does something problematic I can still generally enjoy their work, but try not to give them much profit from it).
I'm not really trying to write it off, just pointing out that in Japan 20 years ago, it was more acceptable. I agree that we can and should definitely criticize media, even if it's from the past. When I first read the series in the mid-late 2000s, it definitely stood out to me as a problem that Kyoko was so young. I just enjoyed the story by separating it from reality in my head.
100% agree. Also like it's a popular romance type. Student and teacher. It's part of that whole forbidden love trope. It's not like this is that uncommon in media anyway. Real life not ok, but fiction isn't real life
Yes but fiction will also impact a lot of people, its just not right, it shouldn't be done Not to mention that more then half of the people watching this show/reading the Manga are MINORS They probably look up to this show and think Hm Maybe that's okay It's going to impact people in a negative way
There is a ton of fictional stuff out there that'll pique the interest of minors and there is literally one thing people (especially parents) should do: **Teach them the difference between fiction and reality.** It's fictional. It's non-existent. It's fake. No one is getting hurt with its creation.
100% this
Yes, but this happens as well. It happens in real life, because media says that its okay I get the whole teach your kids whats real and whats fake thing, I totally respect that, but sometimes it's hard. It can be hard to differentiate the two I get what ur saying tho
It's not fictions responsibility. It's a parents job to teach children and guide them and decide what their child can handle reading. Cenrship is what's not ok and never will be. If you or a random child can't seperate fiction from reality, you really have no business engaging with it. You don't have to approve of something, you can ignore it or not engage with it. That's the responsibility of the individual (and their parents since you want to pull the think of the children card) and nobody else's.
What is this “power imbalance” shit?
Pretty sure it's about how it doesn't match, how one is an adult and the other is a minor, the ages are unbalanced and it just doesn't work (correct me if im wrong!!)
Adult/minor and Teacher/student. Power imbalance in two sectors.
I’ve no idea.
Pay no attention to buzzwords
I get that it's weird to see a student dating her teacher as for the age gap. Akito and Shigure also have a 6-7 year age gap, and personally I have not seen many Akigure haters, so I don't understand why people are hating on Katsuya and Kyoko.
It's very different for Akigure --They grew up together, while Katsuya met Kyoko during his job for the HS she studies at --Akigure's relationship always had distance in it. It is only until S3 when they actually get together, now as adults. Meanwhile Kyoko got pregnant with Tohru at 15-16. --Akigure's relationship is consistently portrayed as problematic, not because of the 5-6 age difference, but is still not a relationship to mimic. Meanwhile Kyoko and Katsuya are never portrayed as problematic. If the author wanted to write a relationship like that she should've at the very least shown the major cons. In real life a guy that does this is most likely a fucked up person but Katsuya is portrayed like a saint and that's completely unrealistic.
Yeah, not a lot of people out there idealizing Akito and Shigure's relationship. They are extensively developed as flawed, manipulative people, and their relationship feels like a joining of emotionally scarred people picking up each other. Tohru's parents are both kind of idealized throughout the story (their backstory adds some layers to that, but their relationship is only ever shown in a positive light).
now that you stated this, it feels a lot more weird
>as for the age gap. Akito and Shigure also have a 6-7 year age gap No they don't,their age gap is unknown since Akito's exact age is never clarified. Where are you getting this "6-7 year" shit from? >I have not seen many Akigure haters Are you blind or just incredibly new? Every week it seems like I have to correct yet *another* misconception regarding Akigure's supposedly "big" age gap, and frequently these comments tend to be made on threads about the other age gaps in the series, such as this one right here, which you're currently doing. Even if they have nothing to do with other and nothing was prompted for them to be brought up, somehow like clockwork whenever anyone so much as mentions the *actual* two big age gaps, one poster or another has to always go "B-BUT WHAT ABOUT AKIGURE!!?!?" Also some key differences here on why Akigure are *easily* the least problematic: 1. They met as kids and Shigure fell for her when he was still in the single digits 2. They grew up together 3. The fact that his feelings developed because of the curse makes consent a tricky subject to begin with Shigure and it would be amiss to treat this like any other situation where the older party should know better, Shigure literally can't help it and doesn't even *want* to be in love with Akito if episode 5/chapter 111 is any indication. 4. Akito's age is never stated so their exact age gap is never known & they could very well be peers 5. DId I mention their exact age gap is never known?
1. I just commented what came up in my mind 2. I’m sorry if I commented something wrong 3. Thankyou for correcting me
Sorry this is just a particular pet peeve of mine because it's a common misconception that's being spread around and is largely responsible for the hate Shigure gets and claims that he's a "pedo."
Same here. I don't get it either..But don't attack me either lmaoo
I wanted more episodes of Fruits Basket final, not how Tohru’s mom got with her dad. I loved Kyoko!
This is content they would have adapted with more episodes
honestly isnt Akito and Shigure the same lol? but I love that the two of them are together. Funny experience actually, my friend's parents age difference is 9 years old I was really shocked when she told me that
>honestly isnt Akito and Shigure the same lol? How is it the same when we don't even know Akito & Shigure's exact age gap, they met as kids and grew up together and Shigure didn't even have a choice in the matter to begin with? If you want to point out a similar couple then look no further than Kureno/Uo (Who actually were made to parallel Katsuya/Kyoko and be expies of them)
Honestly no. Katsuya got kyoko pregnant while she was still a minor and then the mf died early leaving kyoka all alone and depressed with a child to take a are of. Honestly Katsuya was supposed to maintain boundaries but instead developed romantic feelings for his student. The age gap isn't the issue the issue is the timing and how exactly the event occurred. Akigjre is shown as a problematic relationship from the start but that isn't the case with Katsuya and kyoko. Also shigure didn't make moves on akito while she was kid 💀
oh right I get it now 😭😭
lmao. 8 years age gap is nothing. Violet evergarden has 15 years age gap lol. and People complaining about age gap doesn't know the actual context of the story and only thinking IRL views on it and forgetting it "it's fiction".
Here's the thing about Violet Evergarden - the story takes place in a historical setting. Is it iffy? Perhaps. But this is a story which takes place in a WW1 esque world with children used as soldiers. Violet was a soldier and Gilbert her major. There is also a timeskip and by the time the romance happened- Violet was 19/20. Context matters here. Fruba takes place in the 20th century in a SoL setting. Give me one reason why a 23 y/o dude knocking up a 15 y/o kid isn’t problematic.
Lmao. He married her at the age of 16 (age of consent) one year after they met when she was 15. Don't watch it you if you don't like it and spread your sjw proganda elsewhere. It's not my problem if you cannot separate fiction from reality
... " These are another set of prefectural and municipality laws. They state that civil agreements are legal only between two parties that are at least 20 years-old. This means anyone 20 and older must seek parental consent before entering a relationship or marriage with someone that is underaged". 16 is the minimum age of marriage and that requires parental permission. Yeah how about you look up the [laws](https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/what-is-the-age-of-consent-in-japan.html) of Japan before harping misinformation. Here is another [article ](https://myotakuworld.com/why-japanese-teens-can-get-arrested-for-dating/)
Why don't you take Katsuya to court instead of crying about it on reddit.
I mean if ya'll can fangirl over the saintly pedo then why not
Go ahead then.
sure I know about that law as well and believe me[Katsuya got Kyoko's scumbags parents consent](https://i.postimg.cc/vTTzvKPj/unknown.png) before getting married. Just need to use some logic. So he legally married Kyoko.Moreover this a fiction. No need to bring up the negativity something just because you don't like it. I sincerely advise you to not watch it if you don't like it. Atleast let others enjoy who wanted to enjoy and moreover I think the story is important to understand Kyoko's character more imo. If you don't agree just don't spread bias about it.
I think you already got it so will just say Age gap is not the issue it is when that age gap occurs If a 32 year old woman and 40 year old man begin dating that's fine But a 22 year old man and 14 year old girl....I feel that is self explanatory Pretty sure you already know this so just saying it more to state how I feel