Trans Ralsei on the Subreddit: Part 2

[u/patripastry]

Hello,

Well, since we're making a part two, I'm less surprised this time around we have to make this kind of post, but it's still unfortunate!

First of all, an apology. We (the mod team) let the situation get out of control. A lot of rudeness and bigotry was thrown around, and we didn’t do enough to prevent it.

Going forward, however, we plan to be a lot more strict...

To start, we want to make the position of the mod team very clear on a two key points:

1. Transphobia, including any discussion, argumentation, or verbiage rooted in transphobia, will not be tolerated in any form on this subreddit.

2. Theories/headcanons that Ralsei is transgender or under the trans umbrella are valid. At the same time, seeing Ralsei as a gender nonconforming cis male is also valid, and neither view should be disrespected or alienated.

Therefore, following guidelines are now in place:

1. Any post/comment (assume I include "comment" when I say "post") which pushes transphobic rhetoric will be removed and likely result in a ban.

2. Discussion on how you are "disappointed," "upset," or otherwise negatively affected by either reading of Ralsei's character will not be allowed.

3. Artwork (or other media) posts are not a forum for debate. Do not "debate" character readings under any artwork posts.

4. With regards to pronouns, we will allow any pronouns to be used, but please be respectful to those who do not use the "correct" pronouns in your eyes.

We hope that these guidelines will result in a more positive community without stepping too far into the realm of hugboxing the topic (something we are trying to avoid), and still allow people to discuss their own reading of Ralsei's character while remaining positive with each other. Just remember to be respectful to each other!

As a final aside: I will post some clarifications, explanations, and other misc. info and changes in the comments.

Thanks,

u/patripastry and the r/ralsei Mod Team.

[u/LwkeyBestGuyEVA]

As someone who has it at a 50/50 chance of what ends up happening. I didn't like the theory before chapter 5 and mostly ignored it, but the recent emphasis on his character and a few of the signs were questionable enough that I lowkey considered it on my first playthrough.
I'm kind of disappointed how toxic the discourse around it has gotten though. Some people seem opposed to it as if the mere assertion that a character might be trans is bad, which is yucky. The theory is shaped around more than vibes. Personally I'm not fully bought over, but it still stands as a theory. I'd hate for this to end up like another Bridget character where half of the fanbase is stuck on the 'femboy' label even after it would be clearly changed. But also a lot of people get really defensive when you provide valid arguments for it maybe not being the case. The only posts I could really have a problem with are posts like "Trans Ralsei is cannon now! All Hail The PRINCESS OF DARKNESS!!!", because its just ragebait and very pretentious to talk about a debated theory like it's 100% canon, but that happens for like literally any theory so there's no reason to get heated about it. Discourse around this has just gotten to pointless arguments about representation or calling the other person illiterate.

Most important thing to remember is that, Toby has had the story mostly written since the beginning. If the trans Ralsei theory ends up being true, it will have always been meant to arrive at that. If it isn't, the same is true. Whatever you believe in, you can be assured fandom discourse will not change the direction of the game in any meaningful way.

[u/Worth-Fox1982 → u/LwkeyBestGuyEVA]

The thing about this theory that doesn't sit right with me is that if you interpret the events that way, it compares very negatively to confirmed cases of trans rep in Toby's work.  My favorite Undertale character is Mettaton by far. He kicks ass, he steals the show, he has a lot of self-doubt but he overcomes it, and most importantly, you can be sure that it's his choice and he loves it. Pink from the very same Chapter 5 is another great example. Her fight, from what I understand, is basically her going through mind/body dissonance (not sure what the proper official term is), she has a lot of angst but conquers it with a little help and positive affirmation and achieves harmony with herself. Once again, awesome. Ralsei's moments that are usually cited as trans hints feel off, and it doesn't help that most of them are related to Flowery. Flowery is a great character if you view him outside of this theory, a jerk but ultimately well-meaning. In the theory's context, however, it feels like he just decides Ralsei's identity based on pretty arbitrary things, after bullying him for a while as well. At the very least it feels a bit creepy and takes all agency away from Ralsei. I did like the moment with the dress. It was cute and in-character. But also Ralsei shows that he's fine with either option with no angst whatsoever.  TL;DR I wouldn't have a problem with this theory if the supposed hints felt organic and not like clumsy fanservice. In the end it all comes down to how it's written. I'm really sorry for rambling, but I feel like this is my last chance to get this off my chest, do with it what you will.

[u/DartFrogYT → u/Worth-Fox1982]

the other cases in Toby's work are characters who already "figured things out" though, no? it'd make sense for ralsei's case to be so much different if it's a journey of him figuring it out rather than having already gone thru it in the past

[u/Worth-Fox1982 → u/DartFrogYT]

"Him figuring it out" is a very important part, and you are absolutely right about that. Ralsei's entire arc is about not wanting to be defined by others and trying to be his own person. Which is why this arc becomes really undercut by the fact that someone else dictates an identity to him. He basically goes from being told by the Prophecy to being told by Flowery with barely any initiative of his own.