What do you think about him?
Summary:
- Itsuomi’s behavior caused a small controversy in the fandom.
- Some viewers find him completely inappropriate.
- It all depends on your opinion about his character.
A Sign of Affection (Yubisaki to Renren) has just started airing and already caused a small controversy among fans. And the main reason for it is Itsuomi, the love interest of the main protagonist.
The series follows Yuki, a hearing-impaired student. The girl meets Itsuomi on a train and it’s almost love at first sight. These two quickly start getting to know each other and form a bond.
What is the issue?
Some fans have found Itsuomi’s behavior questionable and even problematic. He completely ignores Yuki’s personal space and the girl herself mentions it a few times in the anime. Itsuomi keeps touching her head or her face, he comes really close, and it feels like he doesn’t even care if she likes that or not.
But don’t worry, she does. It took Yuki just two episodes to realize that what she feels for Itsuomi is love, so it’s natural that she doesn’t mind him getting close and touching her. Besides, every time he does get close, she loses her mind. In a good way, of course.
It depends on your view
It’s like the Dobler-Dahmer Theory from How I Met Your Mother that says “if both people are into each other, then a big romantic gesture works, but if one person isn't into the other, the same gesture comes off as serial-killer crazy.”
The same with Yuki and Itsuomi. His behavior would have been extremely inappropriate if Yuki wasn’t reciprocating his feelings, but she does, so she doesn’t see anything wrong with it.
That’s why fans suggest that A Sign of Affection will only work for you if you like Itsuomi, too. If he seems attractive to you, you won’t mind his behavior and will find his little gestures endearing and cute. But if you don’t really see his appeal, the word “creepy” will be your best friend when describing him.
Although Yuki doesn’t express her consent, she feels it, and her behavior says it all. The girl is completely smitten by Itsuomi, so every touch of his sends butterflies to her stomach. That’s why those viewers who find him charming, too, will consider him invading Yuki’s personal space a part of his charm and a way of flirting.