I can't stop giggling.

So. BNHA fandom. Superhero high school anime. Lots of character dynamics and fanfic tropes that are strongly relatable to Harry Potter. (And probably a lot of other fandoms, but "high school students with exotic powers" apparently comes with its own trope package.)

Also, because we live in an antishipper hellscape, we get bonus drama that Harry Potter fandom managed to mostly keep isolated. Not that the Harmonians-vs-Harry/Ginny wars weren't notable (or so I heard; I really was barely aware of the het side of the fandom), but nobody in those circles bothered acknowledging the existence of the Snarry shippers.

Oh, and back then the discussion was on mailing lists & forums and fic was posted on fandom-specific archive, sometimes ship-specific archives - if you didn't like Harry/Draco, you just didn't hang out in the places where it was popular. These days, discussion is on Twitter, in public, with EVERYONE jumping in, and grumbling and salt takes place on Discord. And all the fics are posted at AO3 (well, when they're not posted on Twitter) (yes, that is exactly as painful as you imagine).

For those who don't know BNHA - which is probably most of my readers - it's like this:

Midoriya Izuku, nickname "Deku," is our Hero Protagonist. He's always wanted to be a hero, but he's had an abusive childhood (his mom is fine; kids at school harass him a lot), but when he's 14, he comes into Great Power and is on track to become the #1 hero in Japan.

Bakugou Katsuki, nickname "Kacchan," his childhood rival-maybe-enemy, has harassed, insulted, and attacked him since he was about 4 years old, when it became clear he didn't have a "quirk" that gave him a superpower. (Bakugou has a "great quirk for hero work" - explosions from his hands.)

They are the powerhouse couple in the fandom, with over 30,000 fics at AO3. Their dynamic is pretty similar to Harry/Draco, except they've known each other since young childhood, and Izuku has always admired "Kacchan" and said he'll grow up to be a great hero.

Anyway. This week. Someone posted. Two "anonymous" rants at AO3 about how BKDK (BakuDeku, or Bakugou Katsuku/Midoriya Izuku with Bakugou topping) is terrible and all good people need to ship DKBK (Deku on top) instead.

:bothisgood.gif:

I have "anon" in quotes because apparently they've been identified in the comments; their twitter is known for ranting on these topics, and they seem to have confirmed their ID in the comments.

"Shipping these two men is heteronormative because one of them is obviously femme-coded" - Johnlock flashbacks anyone?
Why DKBK is better than BKDK

1. BKDK is heteronormative.
2. Deku always saves Katsuki.
3. All characters have chemistry with Bakugou.
4. Bakugou is allowed to be vulnerable as the bottom.
5. Bakugou is a beautifully-written character.
6. Bakugou is the most popular character by a mile.
7. Omega Bakugou fics are very popular.
8. Deku is obsessed with Katsuki.

...thus ends the actual list bullet point things. Each of them has a paragraph or three of, err, "explanation." If you think those aren't compelling points that indicate why a certain character should always/never be a bottom in sex... Feel free to get yourself some popcorn and read the comments.

The other two list points, where the author has apparently forgotten how lists-of-evidence work:

9. STOP THE FUCKING CHEATING FICS THAT'S SO COMMON IN BKDK CIRCLES, BAKUGOU WILL NEVER CHEAT ON DEKU.
10. Why is BKDK heteronormative? Because a bottom Deku is always seen as beautiful, pretty, shorter, and shy.

Second rant: Why You Should Read DKBK. (Wayback version of 1st chapter only; sorry; failed to catch the full work before it got removed.) Opening paragraph:

1. Is it even okay for Bakugou to top when you consider their past? That would almost be like you are stripping Deku of his dignity if he bottoms, given his bullying history with Deku. But if Bakugou bottoms, then they are equals where Deku is not fully submitting to Bakugou like he did when they were younger. This is a healthier version of their relationship where Bakugou submits to Deku on his on will. Top Bakugou promotes the idea of "giving in" to your abuser no matter what. (emphasis in original.)

So, aaah, we have the full array of "bottoming in sex = submissive partner" (I wonder what they think of het pairings? Do they not think women can be the dominant partner in a relationship? Or they think that only works if there's pegging involved?) and "redemption for abuse = can never be on top in the bedroom."

They offer "Proof" for that one!

Google wengwengchim and you'll see how popular DKBK is compared to BKDK. They get at least 20,000 likes on twitter and they reach 200,000 likes too. No other fixed BKDK creator has managed to gain this much popularity and success on social media platforms.

aaah yes, this is the "correct" way to ship because it's very popular.

Comments include variants of:
1) STFU stupid jerk; people can ship what they want
2) Take your stupid ship-war hot takes back to twitter; they're not welcome at AO3. (They are. Ship manifestos are allowed.)
3) I'm reporting this because it's not fic. (You're going to have a harsh awakening.)
4) Ooh finally, someone who understands THE TRUTH and isn't afraid to say it! DKBK is the one true ship; BKDK supports abuse!
5) None of this is how real gay relationships work.

First rant: 248 comments. Second rant: 343 comments.

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OMG there's a THIRD one! This is from yesterday, and it looks like it's replying to those two, taking the other side.
Why BKDK is superior than DKBK

It has all the same logic skills as the first two: This ship is BETTER because it is MORE POPULAR. And also Deku is more feminine so of course he'd be the bottom in sex.