POLE STAR - Vol. 3 Ch. 25 - Team

[MangaDex]

 

[brndndss]

i hope Akira finds the affirmation they looking for

 

[WaddleDont]

Don't mind me, I'm just getting my seat early before the comments go crazy.

 

[Brackass]

Akira's face of disdain and discomfort when saying "Look at this thick arm" prompts me to say "estrogenwouldfixher" at least one time. Now I'm done. I swear.

 

[Brackass]

Maybe I lied: I feel like it'd be worthwhile, not in a "proving any particular assumption about Akira" way but just in a "understanding Akira" way, to dig in a little to what the "The Hannya!" "o_o ...I see" interaction meant. Back on this page (Chapter 20, page 12) Akira described the Hannya mask as "supposed to represent a woman's jealousy and resentment", and "the eyes have a sorrowful look but the mouth conveys a suuuuper angry expression".

Akira seems very struck with recognition when Yayano suggests a parallel between the Hannya and Akira, so it seems implied that Akira sees some sense in the idea that Akira feels "a woman's jealousy and resentment". This phrase seems important for understanding Akira.

 

[Soneca]

Honestly, this situation endears Akira even more as a character to me. The struggle to me feels as it's more connected to a sense of identity, both in how one appears to the world and how they'd like to focus their energy to achieve their dreams and aspirations, both which I don't think necessarily need to be tied to one's sexuality and attraction (to others). It reminds me of Subaru, from Kasane to Subaru, his sense of taste and aesthetics and his struggles(great manga btw, I wholeheartedly recommend it).

Though we didn't see any snapshots of the other parts of his (I think it's fair to call them a he for now) personal and social life, I feel like I resonate to Akira's struggle, not in a gender norms sense, but in aesthetics and place in life. I'm eager to see how things develop.

As always, thank you very much for the scanlation!

 

[agrypnie]

Interesting detail with the Adam's apple, I was never sure with Akira wearing the (padded?) sports bra etc. but at least it's clear now. Gyaru Akira hits hard.

 

[Yuriko_Weise]

Damn. I was completely wrong. Akira is more feminine presenting. They seem like they'd prefer gender neutral they or she/her pronouns

 

[DumFck]

cool

 

[benderboyboy]

Damn. I was completely wrong. Akira is more feminine presenting. They seem like they'd prefer gender neutral they or she/her pronouns

My translator keeps bugging me about this, so I'll make this super clear, even though I don't really care, because Akira doesn't really care. But my TL is annoyingly anal about this accuracy and making sure people got this right.

Japan has pronouns in the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd person. You can choose, prefer, and care about all of them differently to different extent, and that's your complete identity and expression. Fashion expression is different from gender identity. They have dozens of different pronouns for 1st/2nd/3rd person, that varies depending on the levels of femineity and masculinity.

Akira's chosen 1st person pronouns are he/him. To be more accurate, it's "masculine".
Their 2nd person pronouns are whatever. They don't care. Choose whatever you want.
Their 3rd person pronouns are whatever. They don't care. Choose whatever you want.
Akira's chosen fashion expression is feminine.

English does not have the words to properly translate this culture. So I have chosen the "I don't care" route like Akira, and just went with a neutral proofreading on 2nd and 3rd, unless the writing specifically states otherwise. And since there are no gendered 1st person pronouns in the English language, it doesn't matter.

 

[Friendly-Sentence710]

Its only gay if poles touch.

 

[mangadexamc]

They seem like they'd prefer gender neutral they or she/her pronouns

You really missed the last page with TL's comment.

 

[mangadexamc]

Oh, you missed the page so much you summoned the TL himself.