Thursday, April 14, 2011

There's something about Brycen (or, Pokémon Black is pretty gay, isn't it?)

And by gay, I don't mean dumb or lame. I mean literally gay. At the very least, the game's gym leaders seem to be a rainbow-flag-waving bunch.

The thought didn't cross my mind until I encountered the Icirrus City gym leader, Brycen. What caused me to think he may be gay? Well, there's his name, for starters--which is bested in terms of gayness only by "Crys." Then there's the fact that he's obsessed with strength and working out. Finally, he likes masks and über trendy clothing.

Your gaydar is going off now, too, isn't it?

Brycen isn't the only seemingly gay gym leader in Nintendo's oh-so-popular RPG. Drayden (right), Opelucid City's gym leader, seems to be a "friend of Dorothy," too, if you get my drift. (Nudge nudge, wink wink.)

Honestly, how could Drayden--with his fabulously-coifed hair, broader-than-a-lumberjack's shoulders and perfectly-fitted clothes--not be gay? Like Brycen, he has a fairly gay name. Also, he looks a lot like Anderson Cooper--and everyone knows which way he swings.

Granted, Drayden's facial hair is a bit questionable--it covers up his mouth, for crying out loud--but I'm sure the right man could convince him to shave it. After that, he could very well be the perfect catch--assuming you like silver daddy-ish types, of course.

Now that I'm thinking about it, maybe all of the gym leaders in Pokémon Black and White are gay. It wouldn't surprise me one bit if they were, especially given the game's emphasis on diversity. Lenora's got a definite butch-ness about her, for instance, and Burgh has that whole androgynous hipster thing going on. Oh, and Clay is a bear--no ifs, ands or buts about it.

Elesa and Skyla (right) aren't as obviously or superficially gay (or bi or transgender), but that doesn't mean they don't love the ladies. I mean, Elesa easily could be a lipstick lesbian, or she could have been born a boy, and Skyla could be one of those oh-so-earnest baby dykes (sorry for using that phrase, ladies--I couldn't think of better one) we all know and love.

Of course, it's completely possible I'm just off my rocker. It certainly wouldn't be the first--or, sadly, the last--time that could be said about me.

Note: My tongue was planted firmly in cheek while writing this post.

16 comments:

rinns said...

'tis true. Noone who dresses in clothes that fit so snugly and spend so much time on his coifed hair could possibly be trying to attract women.

A bit gay if you ask me :3

Bryan Ochalla said...

Yes, rinns, that's exactly it!

BTW, I hope people realize my tongue was planted firmly in cheek while writing this post :)

Gaelach Rose said...

I have been waiting for this post.

I know what you mean. I mean, I look at them and I think "wow." Even my non-gamer gay friends think so (they see the art I tote around often eough to know what it is)!

Maybe I can convince the anime club to participate in tomorrow's day of silence by sporting that their fave new gym leaders may be gay?

Bryan Ochalla said...

Hey there, Gaelach Rose!

You know, even though this post is supposed to be tongue-in-cheek, I do honestly wonder if some of the gym leaders are supposed to be LGB or T. After all, the one of the game's main themes is to honor diversity. Who knows?

As for your idea RE: tomorrow's day of silence -- I think it's a great one!

Viewtiful_Justin said...

HA! I love all of these. I think maybe it's possible that at least one of them is gay. Heck...why not all of them? Who's saying we can't ascribe whatever traits we want to each and all of them?

Bryan Ochalla said...

Yeah, I doubt they're all supposed to be gay (or bi or transgender), but who knows? Like you said, we really can ascribe whatever traits we want to each and all of them :)

Gaelach Rose said...

That is the beauty of fan fiction. If I were to write a Black/White fan fiction, I could easily make them all gay if I wanted to. They certainly act that way.

Good. I thought it seemed a bit manipulative, at first, but I think preaching a bit about diversity and acceptance will be a good thing to do tonight at the club. There are a few of the members who need to come out of their shell and meet some new people. I just don't want to give them culture shock. This seems like a good way to do this.

Bryan Ochalla said...

Well, I guess it's possible your fellow clubmembers could find it manipulative. I think it'll all depend upon how you bring it up/address it. Regardless, good luck to you!

Drunken Lemur said...

I'm surprised you didn't mention the first three Gym leaders. I mean, three cute guys dressed up like waiters? They look like they stepped out of a host club or something.

Bryan Ochalla said...

You know, I completely forgot about them. Doh! Well, there you go -- every gym leader in this game *is* LGB or T! Yay us :)

BTW, I'm sorry I haven't followed your blog until now!

Suki-chan36 said...

While I can certainly speculate about the other leaders (be it in a tongue-in-cheek manner or not), I truly and seriously believe that Burgh is gay. Never mind the flamboyantly fabulous outfit; when having a debate with Team Plasma, he is notably the only person to mention the many different lifestyles that people have - a hint, perhaps?

And if that's a hint, then the rainbow flag painting in his Gym is a downright billboard. xD

Bryan Ochalla said...

Oh, I agree, Suki-chan36 -- Burgh is as gay as a two-dollar bill, and I'm not saying that with tongue planted in cheek!

I also seriously believe the designers/developers meant to address gayness and gay rights both directly and indirectly throughout this game, which is all kinds of cool, if you ask me.

Suki-chan36 said...

Couldn't agree more! I'm very glad that the game designers decided to make that move.

Bryan Ochalla said...

Me, too, Suki-chan36. By the way, thanks for the comment! Hope to see you around here again :)

Sam+Brycen=FOREVER!!! said...

No! No! No! None of them are gay!!! There awesome!!! Especially Brycen...
And don't insult Cress either... DICKHEAD!!!

Sam+Brycen=FOREVER said...

Oh, so Mr. " Burgh is as gay as a two dollar bill" thinks that he can just insult the Unova Gym Leaders by calling them fat gaybos? Totally NOT ON!!!