OTP confirmed (Eden spoilers, re: 5.4)

[Theodric]

FTFY

Also, because they are adolescents of dating age, being around 15~16, which is a pretty normal time to start dating the world over. Also also, because they are the characters on display.

That's still considered 'underage' in the vast majority of countries and I'd hazard a guess that many of those obsessing over Ryne and Gaia potentially being into each other are much older than that. Which is why it comes across as creepy to many.

As a gay guy, I'm pretty tired of seeing potential or actual lesbians pushed as 'progressive'. They're an easy sell since a lot of people find the idea of lesbian characters to be appealing even if it's left vague/teased. It's far rarer to find two male characters who are adults who are in a healthy relationship - especially one that doesn't involve the tiresome trope of being shunned.

[rance-sama]

You can't spell Gaia without GAI.

[TyrTry]

I guess what I'm having the most trouble understanding is how holding hands automatically means, "They're together!"

You're telling me that it honestly cannot be ANYTHING else? Just that one thing?

Not a representation between light and darkness joining hands? Not a representation of a growing bond between them: finally growing as friends? Just that one thing?

[rance-sama]

I guess what I'm having the most trouble understanding is how holding hands automatically means, "They're together!"

You're telling me that it honestly cannot be ANYTHING else? Just that one thing?

Not a representation between light and darkness joining hands? Not a representation of a growing bond between them: finally growing as friends? Just that one thing?

Squeenix better keep it ambigous because otherwise they will be accused of "queerbaiting" if they deny it.

[Vyrerus]

That's still considered 'underage' in the vast majority of countries and I'd hazard a guess that many of those obsessing over Ryne and Gaia potentially being into each other are much older than that. Which is why it comes across as creepy to many.

As a gay guy, I'm pretty tired of seeing potential or actual lesbians pushed as 'progressive'. They're an easy sell since a lot of people find the idea of lesbian characters to be appealing even if it's left vague/teased. It's far rarer to find two male characters who are adults who are in a healthy relationship - especially one that doesn't involve the tiresome trope of being shunned.

I know it sounds awful, but being underage does not mean child. And I'm sure those folks you assume are much older than the characters on display would also be equally and perhaps even more excited, if they were giving us an older couple. They aren't though, so we have these two to be excited over.

Frankly, I don't really care for the pairing, but I'm not the writer. I just really don't like when people try to infantilize adolescents. Most people know what they're up to, even if it's legally not the case, by the time they are teens. That's why some places trial older teens as adults, in the case of murder and such.

As for the last bit, I'm sorry. I can't honestly relate. But considering how this seems to go down each time we have a thread like this, it seems like we're still at the stage of getting folks comfortable with open displays of homosexuality. Not too mention countries. I'm still getting used to it myself, honestly. Last show I watched with openly gay relationships was a show called, "What If" on Netflix.

Teenagers dating is normal, adults being this into it isn't though.

I disagree. Plenty of parents get excited when their kids go on a date for the first time. Some even get excited to the point that it's cringey. I know that's not the same reason for this excitement, but again, this is the pairing we're shown, and people can only really get excited for what we're given.

[SannaR]

Considering that besides the primals most of Eden is a love letter to FF8 to the point Gaia literally went through a female Squall version of emotional and character growth in a very small amount of time should be a hint as to the relationship. Specially how the two have interacted with each other. With Ryne behaving very much like Riona did early in the relationship. I would be all for a Haruka and Michiru relationship. I'm just wondering what role Lahabreha plays in it.

[Canadane]

Remind me never to touch anyone’s hand.
Wouldn’t want to give the wrong impression.

[Divinemights]

You guys are definitely lack the understanding of Asian teenager culture.
It is quite common for females best friends to hold their hand like this, it does not necessarily means they are lesbian....

[BokoToloko]

...

It would save you a lot of text if you paid attention to the part where the signaled party is the depiciton in most Japanese media, not overall media. If you would binge the stereotyped and often sexist depictions of woman and lesbian relationships that appear in a huge part of Japanese content, suit yourself, you're open to fall for that kind of thing.

It's laughable that you try to put me in a case of being intolerant with depictions of LGTB when there are lots and lots (kinda big hyperbole) of references in Western (and some even in Japanese) media where lesbian are shown as a developted characters and not shallow token cutesy girls with the emotional depth of a spoon. And it is of special note that it's not the anime fetishistic depictions of lesbianism that get the intolerants upset. Far from it, they like. Because most homophobes can't view LGBT as anything other than a fetish, which is why they're wholly okay with anime depictions while take issue with almost anything that defines LGBT relationships as a normal part of our society. it's not the yuri novel that gets them riled up, it's (prime example here) Tracer being confirmed lesbian what creates ragestorms. Anything that doesn't place LGBT as a fetish is just political propaganda for them.

It's worth taking into account that, from the beggining, I don't believe holding hands makes for a declaration of relationship Ryne and Gaia. But to believe Japanese dev give so much of a thought towards minorities when creating content is to decieve oneself.

[SavishSalacious]

Ryne and Gaia are gay. It is confirmed. I am loving it!

So because two girls are holding hands they are gay? Does holding my dads hand make me gay? Does hugging my guy friend make me gay?

Like wheres the line? Have you even played the eden raid? Ever read the text? They are not gay. Ryne wants to help Gaia and be her friend. Not her lover. Christ.