Guess the Gender of the Utawarerumono Twins

[PGilis]

Oh my...

Thinking well, wasn't something around episode 14 or 15 the twins were searching Eruruu at morning to ask for some special "ointment"?

[thundrakkon]

We should really stop with the game references. We already know that they are male in the game by now, but as an anime veiwer, no one would think twice that they are anything besides females at this point. There have been no explicit points to show that they are male, but 2 very explicit points that would show that they are female

1) The merchant states it
2) This bed scene cuddling Oboro with their chests covered

Animes do not hide the chest and hip areas unless you are female, especially holding the blanket up close to your chest and cuddling (that is a female trait).

As for the Boku comment, as previously stated, it is probably a hommage to the VA.

[Onizuka-GTO]

the sheet/hand covering?

By haruhi. he's got a point!

[Flame-X]

WOW 11 pages of figuring out what gender these twins are..
well at first i thought they're females, then changed my mind to males seeing wiki's info, then after watching ep 17... this one scene before hakuro leaves to see kuuya the 2nd time, he said to look after oboro while he's drunk or something. the twin's response sounded VERY feminish.
so my final answer is females ^^

[Ddadain]

They're a big big mystery.

I think they are most probably males. From this, I can say that either:

1.) The twins are gay
==> They sadistically made Oboro drugged and had their way with him! Made themselves looks like girls so Oboro would do this and that with them *_* ~ Twins are male

2.) Oboro sleeps bare-chested.
==> The picture doesn't definitively say they were naked, noting to the fact that the middle part of their bodies *the crotch* is covered. So in this scenario, they just cuddled up with him, bare-chested! ~ Twins are male.

3.) Oboro slept with them.
==> Implying they were all naked and had sex. This scenario would constitute "child sex" which is very improbable. ~ Twins are female.

[Ddadain]

They're a big big mystery.

I think they are most probably males. From this, I can say that either:

1.) The twins are gay
==> They sadistically made Oboro drugged and had their way with him! Made themselves looks like girls so Oboro would do this and that with them *_* ~ Twins are male

2.) Oboro sleeps bare-chested.
==> The picture doesn't definitively say they were naked, noting to the fact that the middle part of their bodies *the crotch* is covered. So in this scenario, they just cuddled up with him, bare-chested! ~ Twins are male.

3.) Oboro slept with them.
==> Implying they were all naked and had sex. This scenario would constitute "child sex" which is very improbable. ~ Twins are female.

[Skane]

The sheet-covering could just be the producers' way of being coy. What better way to fuel series discussion than to give fans material to argue over. If everything was straightforward, it would end up like ARIA, which is well-loved by many( me included), but not much discussed about, because well... there's not much to discuss about in the first place( not that it's a bad thing, mind. I love ARIA for what it is). :P

I'm willing to wager that the producers will hold back the answer until just before the final confrontations, probably in the last 'peacetime' episode. If only to screw up the minds of all the viewers who have never played the game before, and had assumed that the twins were females all along. :P

Cheers.

[Flame-X]

this arguement will last a while

[Shinji103]

Dude, they're female.

For Oboro's sake, THEY BETTER DAMN WELL BE FEMALE.

[Tsuki-Tsu]

Hmm ... well, even after seeing how feminine they looked in Ep. 17, I still say they're male. Dunno why, but they always looked like guys to me (which I'm sure is the opposite of most people here).

As for the whole 'chest covering' thing, although it may imply that they're female, I've actually watched anime that had guys doing this ( of course, it was shounen-ai ... ).

[Shinji103]

Originally Posted by Tsuki-Tsu

As for the whole 'chest covering' thing, although it may imply that they're female, I've actually watched anime that had guys doing this ( of course, it was shounen-ai ... ).

Unfortunately, if the twins are indeed male, then shounen-ai rules and trends would have some ground here...

[Alu]

Originally Posted by PGilis

Oh my...

Thinking well, wasn't something around episode 14 or 15 the twins were searching Eruruu at morning to ask for some special "ointment"?

I did post something regarding that on episode 13.., it was something like..

That scene kind of strenghtens the fact that Oboro is having sex with them; altough not compleatly "willingly"

As I saw described in a post in the Game's thread, it seems that one time Oboro was trying to get Hakuoro drunk in order for the twins would take him instead of himself.., this would imply that Oboro realy isn't looking forward to the "events" that the twins often surely propose..

And what better scene to show us that then the one where is shown walking towards Benawi, Karura & Ururotori all upset and angry, and he clearly demonstrates that by beeing angry by no reason at something realy trivial he asked Benawi.
Then the twins scene show up where they are asking for Eruruu.., for.. some "ointemnt"

Adding to the look that Karura gaved to the Ururotori.., it realy, REALY gaved me the idea that Karura knew what it was for ^^

And altough I have not seen episode 17 yet, as I have been reading there seems to be another similar scene to this one.., after they where in bed with Oboro as displayed in that picture ?

True that the "ointment" doesn't specificaly say that they are gay.., Therefor I am more interested in seeing Oboro's reaction after he wakes up with both with them in bed (again?), and/or how he behaves after through out the rest of the day ^^

Never the less though.., it still strikes me as a bit strange that the twins REQUIRED to get Oboro drunk (as it happened in the past?) to be in bed with him.., something that probably wouldn't be necessary if they where female.

[Urzu 7]

Originally Posted by thundrakkon

We should really stop with the game references. We already know that they are male in the game by now, but as an anime veiwer, no one would think twice that they are anything besides females at this point. There have been no explicit points to show that they are male, but 2 very explicit points that would show that they are female

1) The merchant states it
2) This bed scene cuddling Oboro with their chests covered

Animes do not hide the chest and hip areas unless you are female, especially holding the blanket up close to your chest and cuddling (that is a female trait).

As for the Boku comment, as previously stated, it is probably a hommage to the VA.

Hmm, my take on these view points...

I'll start off with this...you say the "boku tacchi" comment is an hommage to the VA. I couldn't disagree more, I must say. For one, the VA is female, how that is an hommage to the female VA doesn't make sense to me. I think the "boku tacchi" comment is a pretty clear indicator of them being male. Also, I think there are certain things which pay hommage to scenes and humor from the game. For example:

1) Relating to your first bulleted point. The merchant probably mistook them for females. My grounding to how this is an obscure reference to the game: there is an amusing scene in which Hakauro mistakes them for females.

2) Relating to your second bulleted point: they show characteristics of males in shounen ai works. They sure do look feminine in that scene (as someone else mentioned, again typical of males in shounen ai works), but they have been feminine and typical uke fare throughout the series. What makes them look very feminine is their hair being down. But, kinda makes sense that their hair would be long and womanly. I kinda figured if their hair was down, it'd be at least shoulder length. Usually, with their hair, they have long bangs held up by a head band and their hair is pulled back and put into big pony tails. If you think about that, it wouldn't be all that surprising when their hair is down and so long.

And again, this could very well be another obscure reference to a scenario in the game, again, with them taking advantage of a drunk Oboro, and then him complaining the next day about being sore and feeling funny around his body. Also, now that someone mentions it, it is suspicious that the twins wanted that ointment a few episodes back.

Someone said to just disregard what they are in gender in the game because many people watching the anime won't be familiar with the game, but I disagree with that mentality. There will be viewers that are familiar with the game, and I think the creators of the animation would throw in references to in game scenarios, and I think some of the things I just analyzed could very well be references to things found in the game.

They were gay for Oboro in the game, and it certainly is a possibility that this is the case in the animation. And as someone said, you find them fitting the role of the typical androgonous pretty boys found in shounen ai animes, what with being feminine but also showing signs of masculinity and holding feelings for some male character, which are typically cool, tough, and a bit of the wild type (Oboro ).

[Urzu 7]

I'd like to ask...does anyone here know spoken Japanese really well and has the raw for episode 17? I'd like someone to post a rough transcript of what the characters say in that scene, especially at the part where the scenary goes gray it seems like Hakauro and Oboro are speaking to each other through telepathy and Oboro is freaking out (wtf, telepathy, I know, but that is what it seems like ) and also what Hakauro says about Oboro as he is walking in the town square immediately after that scene.

[thundrakkon]

Originally Posted by Urzu 7

For one, the VA is female, how that is an hommage to the female VA doesn't make sense to me.

The VA refers to herself as "Boku".

Akeno Watanabe

Originally Posted by Urzu 7

1) Relating to your first bulleted point. The merchant probably mistook them for females. My grounding to how this is an obscure reference to the game: there is an amusing scene in which Hakauro mistakes them for females.

So far, there is no mistake mentioned on what they think the gender is. No point in the anime have they rebuked that claim by the merchant. Either way, as a harem type anime, it will be unlikely to display shounen-ai scenes as it will turn off most viewers, which the producers definitely want to avoid.

Originally Posted by Urzu 7

...them taking advantage of a drunk Oboro, and then him complaining the next day about being sore and feeling funny around his body. Also, now that someone mentions it, it is suspicious that the twins wanted that ointment a few episodes back.

I think Green² mentioned that Oboro just wanted medication for his hangover in the episode, nothing about soreness or feeling funny around the body. As for the ointment, when I first heard it, my thoughts went straight to the idea that they were practicing their daily archery routine with their men, and probably someone's arm/shoulder was sore. As for the knowing look from Karura and Ururotori, it looked like, "oh Eruruu and Hakuoro are both gone... hmm... Yeah, let's get these two some medication so they won't bother the lovebirds" instead of any insinuations of wrongdoing by the twins.

Originally Posted by Urzu 7

...I think some of the things I just analyzed could very well be references to things found in the game.

Or they could be altered references from the game, to make it more public friendly (i.e. not both males). The producers have already altered this bed scene from what was originally described in the game, so that the twins are portrayed as feminine. Otherwise, they would have kept the twins on the floor, as mentioned a few post back concerning the game scenario.

Originally Posted by Urzu 7

you find them fitting the role of the typical androgonous pretty boys found in shounen ai animes

Except this is definitely not shounen-ai anime.

In all, the case is still very strong that they are females in the ANIME. I am sure that the producers intended it that way for the ANIME, since the majority of anime viewers prefer to see pretty girls over pretty boys.

Edit:

Originally Posted by Alu

Never the less though.., it still strikes me as a bit strange that the twins REQUIRED to get Oboro drunk (as it happened in the past?) to be in bed with him.., something that probably wouldn't be necessary if they where female.

It might have to do with the fact that they know he has a sister complex and probably would not consider anyone else. The girls (twins) do need some loving at times from their master any way they can... Then again, Oboro could have seduced the twins while he was drunk, and I doubt they would resist their master...

[Urzu 7]

Originally Posted by thundrakkon

The VA refers to herself as "Boku".

Akeno Watanabe



So far, there is no mistake mentioned on what they think the gender is. No point in the anime have they rebuked that claim by the merchant. Either way, as a harem type...

...way for the ANIME, since the majority of anime viewers prefer to see pretty girls over pretty boys.

Edit:


It might have to do with the fact that they know he has a sister complex and probably would not consider anyone else. The girls (twins) do need some loving at times from their master any way they can...

The anime is certainly not a shounen ai anime, but it is also certainly not a harem anime. The comments about "Hakauro's Harem" are in jest. He isn't doing anything with the ladies, not even the one who obviously has strong feelings for him, Eruuruu.

Also, the case isn't that things strongly indicate they are female. Or male, for that matter. It is still very much a gender bender issue, and there are things that indicate them being male and female. Just like in the game, they were gender bender type characters, and just as androgonous. You said if they were male, the bed scene wouldn't be mainstream, but it quite really could. It would be very comedic to the veiwers that these guys got Oboro drunk to sleep with him. Shounen ai is not mainstream, you are right. However, sexual innuendo type humor, including this type (if it is this type) sure is common place in anime. If the case was that it was shounen ai type sexual innuendo humor, it wouldn't be too out of place, as there was already some yuri themed humor (when Eruuruu first met Karura in the cell). Yuri isn't mainstream, either, you know, but humor centered around it is common place.

Also, about Oboro having a sister complex - I don't think so, and I've never seen any one think that about Oboro other than you. Furthermore, you use that arguement (twins use Oboro's sister complex in their favor), but I think that is dispelled, as I really don't think Oboro has a sister complex. Also, someone mentioned, if the twins were female, I don't think they would need to get Oboro very drunk to sleep with him. It is more fitting, IMO, that they would be male and have to take such drastic measures to be in the same bed as him.

Also, the scene isn't portrayed as exactly in the game, and it would fit your arguement that most anime viewers wouldn't want to see pretty males - in this case, in the nude. Rather than showing blatant nudity, they have them nestled up against him. This would touch upon shounen ai, but wouldn't delve too far where it would really bug viewers, and at the same time, fit in with the possibility of it being a comedic scene playing with shounen ai sexual innuendo, but it being light in tone, like that of Eruuruu and Karura. And it sure is possible it could be such a comedic type scenario as that, as I watched most of the raw for this episode, and the whole scene where which this occurs is played out in a comedic and humorous way, with the intent of being a rather funny and amusing scene.

[Lost]

Dang all that can be said has been said.. (will read thru later when i've the time, see if I can add anything). Only one more thing, if both of them are males, they're going to need serious Oinment after this. So if we see another oinment scene in 18....

One last thing, is the poll closed already? I think it wouldnt be fair for those who voted from the start if it was kept opened. we are supposed to guess after all.

[Shiroth]

Originally Posted by Lost

One last thing, is the poll closed already? I think it wouldnt be fair for those who voted from the start if it was kept opened.. we are supposed to guess after all.

The poll would be closed, not the thread.

[Onizuka-GTO]

Originally Posted by Skane

The sheet-covering could just be the producers' way of being coy. What better way to fuel series discussion than to give fans material to argue over. If everything was straightforward, it would end up like ARIA, which is well-loved by many( me included), but not much discussed about, because well... there's not much to discuss about in the first place( not that it's a bad thing, mind. I love ARIA for what it is). :P

I'm willing to wager that the producers will hold back the answer until just before the final confrontations, probably in the last 'peacetime' episode. If only to screw up the minds of all the viewers who have never played the game before, and had assumed that the twins were females all along. :P

Cheers.

I like that.

What can be even better is that they mess with both pack of fans by making one female one male, which would make Oboro bisexual.

Now THAT would be fantastic.

It'll drive everyone mental. hell yeah!

[Shiroth]

Remember, Oboro was drunk/passed out - that doesn't make him anything. ^^;