I LOVE TRAGIC MEDIA

I don't know exactly what it is with tragic media in itself, but it's so ADDICTING. The characters are always beautifully written with layers on layers of depth, the plots are so fulfilling and leave me with so many questions, and everything is just generally well thought out. You can tell the author was devoted to writing it.

What gets me the most though is the ships. I sound shallow saying this, but they really do bring a series together. They're not official, they're never official, but they're official enough to get you invested in their storylines and them winning. I honestly believe if Banana Fish didn't have BL elements, I wouldn't be half as interested in the story. 

That isn't me saying "I need BL in every piece of media! Male friendship doesn't exist!". I wholeheartedly believe the romance aspect makes Ash and Eiji's bond so much more special. Ash - once a coldhearted and untrusting killing machine, ruined by the world around him - changes when it comes to Eiji. He warms up. He trusts. He believes. By taking away the romance part, would he have changed so drastically? Ash has sexual trauma. He's afraid of loving. Eiji changes that. I refuse to believe making Banana Fish a 'male friendship' story would align with the themes.

Same thing goes with other fandoms, such as Alien Stage. All of those relationships are so fundamental to the plot. Even throughout a time in the future where humans have lost their sense of identity under the rulership of aliens, the 6 individuals survive and make their way through life with love. They may not have much to live for, but they live to love. For love. That's a beautiful sentiment. They are ready to die for those they trust, and even when they are desperate to live they would give themselves up in a heartbeat to protect their lover. Without that, would the plot really be interesting? it IS the plot. Take the love out of alien stage, and you have a bland and flavourless animation. 

Love is something beautiful. It won't always be canon, it almost never is. But if a piece of media is good enough to make you feel a relationship is real, it's doing a good job. You won't always feel a connection with a pair, but it's undeniable there is underlying chemistry in most doomed ships. Devilman Crybaby, Jujutsu Kaisen, Madoka Magica, Evangelion. There is something.

So yes, I cry over fictional characters. But if you really connected, you would too. Tragic media is amazing.