Wow! This is wonderful! I really like Ashitare and it's nice to find someone who also supports him. His screen time was short, but he was still an important character. I think that you did a great job with this. I'm sure that at least one Ashitare hater must have been swayed to think that he wasn't so bad. Only one thing; please space out your paragraphs. It makes the essay much easier to read.

Hydra-Star

Yet again, I must say: Beautiful. I haven't seen episode 33 (although I probably know it's outcome just as well as anyone who has), but I always have pitied Ashitare. Not solely for what Nakago did to the poor creature, but also for what he has endured during his entire life. Although I don't agree with what happened to poor Nuriko, he doesn't deserve to be hated for what Nakago made him do.

Peach

To tell you the truth I never hated Ashitaire. I don't blame him that much for the killing of Nuriko. It was Yui I blamed on what happened to Nuriko. Where it not for Yui telling Nakago where to find the shinzaho, Nakago would not have ordered Ashitaire to go to Mt. Black. Lest I forget, where it not for Tamahome's mistake in trusting Yui with that confidential information, in which Yui had used even though she could have not told them to Nakago if she really wanted to, Nuriko would have not died.

Well put. It certainly helps us understand the character of Ashitare a little better. As angry and deeply saddened as I was that Nuriko had to suffer the fate he did, I can't help but feel some pity toward Ashitare. He was ultimately put to death by the one man who gave him something of a chance at life, as you pointed out. It's hard to digest at first, but it does help put Episode 33 in perspective. Very good essay. Keep up the excellent work.

Chao-chan, I agree with you completely. I loved Nuriko very much and even when Ashitare killed him I was angry. But after Nuriko's death, watching Nagako kill Ashitare, now just an animal, I cried for him as well. He did only what his master wished and never got any acknowledgement for it from the person he 'loved' and obeyed as his master.

Only death came to him. That was his life. Death and Pain, and it made me hate Nagako all the more. But then I read Seiryuu Den and understood him more as well. You can't decide unless you know the whole story.

Thanks, this made me think and gave me some inspiration again for my story. I was going to touch on this topic in it.

that was excellent!! it's nice to know someone actually bothered with Ashitare.. i never liked Nuriko much anyway, so i never saw any reason to dislike Dog-boy. but with Tomo it was love at first sight! ^_^ it's true, Ashitare, Tomo & Miboshi certainly got the short end of the stick!! Good work!

You. Are. Great.

I sincerely expect to one day pick up a book and see your name on it. Thank you for writing this.

Luv your in-depth and touching analysis, Veronica-chan!! ^^ By supporting your opinion about Ashitare, that didn't make me a least of suzaku seishi's supporter ... but it's the EMPATHY that have to bloom inside our heart, ne? No matter hideous, or no matter different someone else be. I strongly belief that the tragedy of Ashitare has to be considered again by all of us!

Fantastic! *applauds* it's so hard to find ANYTHING that shows Ashitare in a good light. I hate the way people hate him... and it's not because he's a murderer (Nakago had killed far more, including two Suzakus) but because he's hideously ugly.. how unfair and shallow is that?!

Why don't you send it to aoiryuu.com? There are fantastic Seiryuu essays there, and I think this one will be most welcome ^-^

*standing ovation*

Well-done, Chao-chan. Well-done. And, just so you know, I agree with you on all points, particularly concerning Ashitare. For killing a beloved character, it's easy to dislike or even hate him, but I've always been of the belief that he was a creature more to be pitied than hated. I've been tempted several times to write a fic about Ashitare, either as himself in the series, or in some reincarnated form in present-day. Your essay has put me in the mood to try it again, so perhaps I will. ^_~.

But, anyway. This was an articulate, intelligent, and incredibly-well-written essay, and I extend my thanks for posting it. Excellent work. *handshake*