Thread by @squidcxndy

Here's a thread I'm calling "what the fuck is his issue" where I talk about Toshiro. Very scattered and unfiltered, be warned.

The very first question people usually ask is "well why didn't he say anything to Laios"
The explanation to this is pretty hefty and we'll have to look at his cultural background as well as his home life. Many people have already pointed out that being an Easterner, Toshiro is

used to more subtle language. This meshes poorly with Laios' lack of social skills.

But there's more! Kabru points out that he was an outcast back home and from Hien and Maizuru's profiles in the Adventurers Bible we know that his father's eccentricity and infidelity were well known.

They pretty much summarize the origins of Shuro's 'meekness' here, alongside various mentions of the fact that he was heavily gossiped about in the profiles of other party members.

So what we end up with is an already sickly, shy kid, with an eccentric father, living a life surrounded by gossip and rumors. The logical outcome to this situation is to learn how to hold your tongue no matter what.

The reason Toshiro turns to an authority like the elves when confronted with dark magic is because he is so used to the whims of his father that his first instinct to any situation is to freeze up, let himself be pushed around, and hand things off to someone in more 'control'

You see this happen over and over again. Hell, even when Laios was describing how they used to defeat dragons, you see Toshiro unable to work in sync with Marcille, just standing in place and being blown away. When Falin attacks, he is unable to give effective orders to Tade.

Toshiro cares a lot about how he, and other people he associates with will be perceived, but unlike Kabru, never felt like he could do anything about it. Laios frustrates him, not just because of his indecipherability, but also because he *envies* him.

Furthermore, I think his retainers being so overbearing play a part in this concoction. We know he had no control over who his retainers were thanks to this page from daydream, but we also know that they followed him to the island against his will.

Their excessive consideration is probably why Toshiro isn't used to voicing his demands. They're either already fulfilled, or he just decides it'd be better to endure. He endures. A lot. That's why his outburst at Laios is important for him too! He's standing up for himself,

Albeit in a very sporadic, exhausted, and primal way. But instead of seeing this as much needed catharsis after a lifetime of repression, Maizuru's remarks suggests she views it as an utter fault in upbringing. Her response, coupled with her extreme and overbearing disciplinary

Methods pretty much solidify to me that she doesn't quite understand Toshiro at all. Nobody does. He never says what's on his mind. Even when he fell in love with Falin, all he could do was stare at her.

In that sense, Laios was the first person to hear what Toshiro was truly thinking, even the uglier thoughts that Maizuru would rather quash. And I think the ugly thoughts are what make him a very real character.

I don't think Kui intended Toshiro to be immediately sympathetic but it's crazy to me how so many people have access to the supplementary materials outlining a legitimately trauma inducing childhood and miss any possible repercussions of that

Laios and Toshiro are more similar than you'd think, but while Laios' social situation allowed him to be unbounded because he didn't have much to lose, Toshiro was taught that he had Everything to lose, all of the time. So if he did nothing, he would lose nothing.

And then there's the matter of "why did he fall for Falin?"

It's quite obvious that he had become infatuated with the idea of her, without ever communicating his feelings directly, but what caused that infatuation?

My pet theory is that Toshiro saw *himself* in the insect that Falin was holding. The idea that Falin was 'like no other woman' because she didn't look at it with disgust or shun it, is what infatuated him.

He just wanted someone, anyone to look at him like Falin looked at that bug LOL. And then from there he romanticized every other aspect of her. He's completely socially inept so he doesn't know how to approach her and just simulates conversations in his head. He has no good role

Models in the romance department, unfortunately. It's very reminiscent of how you'd conduct yourself around a crush in middle school. Except he has the weight of being an Heir on his shoulders so his brain jumps to marriage proposals.

@hexxerman The fact of the matter is that Laios and Falin aren't the same person. And while Falin and Laios do display similar tendencies, Laios considers Toshiro a friend, while Falin sees him as an acquaintance. The distance between him and Falin is more 'comfortable' for Toshiro.

Adding onto this that Toshiro probably likes Falin so much more than Laios because they're 'acquaintances' and not 'friends'. He seems more comfortable at a distance with people. A cute detail is that he often tails behind the group.

That distance is another thing that comes up. He was closer to Hien in childhood, but Hien never seems to be properly aware of the root of his emotional wounds. As far as she's concerned, Toshiro is her crybaby childhood friend who suddenly decided to create distance between them

Because he isn't involved with Falin, Falin presents no discomfort to him, and so he's attracted to her. Laios on the other hand, barges into his space and forces him to confront things he would rather suppress. All because he believes them to be friends.

While I have your attention

https://twitter.com/squidcxndy/status/1782244259673919525?t=-52OdxMWtMK_V3m0aP5IWw&s=19

@davidanagy3 @Heatth4 and it's apparent that Toshiro feels social pressure to conform. Even if he was against it, he wouldn't say anything, because he's a coward. Ultimately all we know about him is that he keeps his distance from all of them and is uncomfortable with having them around. That's all.

I'm getting a lot of followers from this . guys I mainly tweet about a nugu ensemble stars unit and feudal Japan. I cannot guarantee I will continue Toshiro posting. Therefore I do not recommend this. What I do recommend is checking out my nugu enstar unit's music. 紅月world.

Anyways back to Toshiro (and from here on we enter manga spoiler territory)⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️

He does develop as a character! Unlike what he had told them all before, post Laios fistfight toshiro has a more experience in 'taking risks' and acting autonomously, which means when he's silent about Marcille's use of dark magic after returning to the surface it's a CHOICE.

While he still believes that Falin is beyond saving, he at least doesn't want to be the one incriminating them. Later on he even stops Namari from accidentally spilling the beans.

The big landmark of his development, of course, is when he rebels against the elves and sides with Laios and his party. Despite being unsure of the situation he has faith in Laios as a person and is able to use it as a source of conviction to will himself to act.

I also wanted to point out something neat, which is that Namari is also someone who struggles with a bad reputation and social pressure, so it's nice that they're both overcoming their respective apprehensions and prioritizing their friend.

I am muting this thread because it's gone crazy however you can talk to me about Toshiro here. I love Toshiro.
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