an aromantic person is someone who (fill in the blank here) // april 10 2024

I NEED TO MAKE MORE ARO ART

I love them SO MUCH. I love Aiko so much for not letting Tomoko undersell their bond.

They're Isokuma, Your Honor.

We have a long life ahead of us. We may not always communicate well. We may even hurt each other. Even so, the place where we can just have fun—where we can enjoy a delicious meal today—is right here. So I'm sure we'll be fine from now on.

KONYA SUKIYAYKI DAYO (2023); EP01 → EP12 dir. Ota Ryo

the way that both koisenu futari and konya sukiyaki dayo are also commentaries on gendered expectations around cooking

very cool how this scene destroyed me and changed me forever

i absolutely love what konya sukiyaki dayo says about communal living, child-rearing, and the many forms both can take. it's great when aro media takes a step into navigating the way de-centering monogamous romance and leaning on community can benefit all members of the group, not just aromantics. and, really, living right next door to your best friend so you can see each other all the time but have your own place, isn't that kind of the dream?

AIKO'S "FOOD BEFORE ROMANCE" SHIRT... bruh

watching episodes 4, 5, and 6 of konya sukiyaki dayo.

in these three episodes we have covered everything from the fleeting nature of youth, mentorship, toxic masculinity and gender roles, the salaryman archetype, class, exploitation of the working class, economic turmoil, and the plight of undervalued and underpaid artists. what a fucking show

also, i'm claiming "isokuma" as the new "family (subject to change)"

in a lot of ways this show, or at least tomoko's character arc, feels like a love letter to aro creatives. the drive to make something that resonates with YOU, that you feel connected to, even with the knowledge that other people may not get it. the satisfaction in knowing that your art has been meaningful to at least one person. this show makes me want to make more aro art

watching episodes 4, 5, and 6 of konya sukiyaki dayo.

in these three episodes we have covered everything from the fleeting nature of youth, mentorship, toxic masculinity and gender roles, the salaryman archetype, class, exploitation of the working class, economic turmoil, and the plight of undervalued and underpaid artists. what a fucking show

also, i'm claiming "isokuma" as the new "family (subject to change)"

sukiyaki tonight? sukiyaki tonight queen?

(on episode 11 now)

NOOOO TOMOKO GET OFF OF TWITTER

watching episodes 4, 5, and 6 of konya sukiyaki dayo.

in these three episodes we have covered everything from the fleeting nature of youth, mentorship, toxic masculinity and gender roles, the salaryman archetype, class, exploitation of the working class, economic turmoil, and the plight of undervalued and underpaid artists. what a fucking show

also, i'm claiming "isokuma" as the new "family (subject to change)"

happy aro week!! 💚 🤍 🩶 🖤

[Characters are from Koisenu Futari a really nice series about two people who are aroace that start living together]

Hi I saw you're poll about whether people realised they are aro or ace first and I have a question. Is it not an automatic thing that if you're aro you're also ace? Like I don't get it of you don't like anyone romantically why you would wnat to have sex? If people do that completely valid I just didn't really think about it? Like I just assumed it would be that if ur aro then ur automatically ace too.

Please don't at all think I'm trying to be rude or anything I'm just wondering and if people are ark but not ace then good for them,that's chill I just wanted to ask. It might just be my utter lack of understanding of attraction as a whole cause while I'm a lesbian I'm also 17 and have never had any kind of sexual attraction (I have considered that I may be ace before but I'm also a kid so that might also just be why).

But yeah anyway that's my question I hope it makes sense and doesn't come off as rude. Have a nice day:)

Not only can aromantic people not be asexual, there is even a term for it: allosexual aromantic, or alloaro for short. It is a very broad label as alloaros can be any sexuality that isn't ace.

It's important here to recognise that while sex can be an expression of romantic intimacy, it certainly doesn't have to be. Sex is just an activity that people can engage in for a variety of reasons. For some it's an expression of romantic love, for others it's about friendship, and for others it's just a fun way to spend their time. None of these are any more or less valid than any other.

I myself am not alloaro, so I certainly can't speak on their behalf. But I do hope that some people in my notes are willing to explain their own experiences of being alloaro.

So, I was thinking today about how, as an aroace, I started identifying as asexual several months before I started identifying as aromantic. I just found it more difficult to come to terms with my aromanticism than my asexuality, thereby taking me longer to accept it.

And that got me curious:

don't mind me. i just cried over onigiri as an expression of platonic love!!! it's fine!!!! it's cool!!

watching episodes 4, 5, and 6 of konya sukiyaki dayo.

in these three episodes we have covered everything from the fleeting nature of youth, mentorship, toxic masculinity and gender roles, the salaryman archetype, class, exploitation of the working class, economic turmoil, and the plight of undervalued and underpaid artists. what a fucking show

also, i'm claiming "isokuma" as the new "family (subject to change)"

(episode 7 now)

OHHH JESUS FUCK I'M IN AGONY

tomoko's internal monologue of "i'm supposed to be happy for her. why aren't i happy? this is how it Should be. i can't believe i want her to not get married. i am an evil person with evil thoughts" cut me so deeply to my core!!

watching episodes 4, 5, and 6 of konya sukiyaki dayo.

in these three episodes we have covered everything from the fleeting nature of youth, mentorship, toxic masculinity and gender roles, the salaryman archetype, class, exploitation of the working class, economic turmoil, and the plight of undervalued and underpaid artists. what a fucking show

also, i'm claiming "isokuma" as the new "family (subject to change)"

OH GOD... the end of episode 6 just peered deep into my soul. holy shit aro media hits hard

watching episodes 4, 5, and 6 of konya sukiyaki dayo.

in these three episodes we have covered everything from the fleeting nature of youth, mentorship, toxic masculinity and gender roles, the salaryman archetype, class, exploitation of the working class, economic turmoil, and the plight of undervalued and underpaid artists. what a fucking show

also, i'm claiming "isokuma" as the new "family (subject to change)"