I'm kind of afraid to join this discussion again, knowing how it developed – or rather how it didn't – last time. But, oh well, I'll give it a try. Please don't hurt me, Phoenix. ;_;
First off: No, I don't think Riku is gay. I think his friendship with Sora is, while very strong and deep 'n' everything, just, well, friendship. This line, however, is very easy to cross, depending on how you interpret certain aspects of the games. I'm not even saying that Riku x Sora is TRUE LUV. I got the impression that it would be more of an unrequited love kind of thing on Riku's part. Personally, some parts of the game, the first one especially, make more sense to me if I interpret it that way. But that might just be me.
I find it kind of difficult to explain why I think Riku = Teh Gay as a whole, without bringing up every point that has been made at one point or another in this discussion, but otherwise the idea doesn't make much sense. So, for now, I'll be lazy and post the link to the
Dissertation on Riku x Sora (
again), in the hopes of someone taking it into account this time. D:
To sum things up tough, as I see it, Sora likes Kairi, Kairi likes Sora and Riku cares more for Sora than he does for Kairi (whether that be friendly or romantic is up to the individual).
Enchanted Rose said:
What Sora really means here is that he doesn’t want to be together with Kairi everyday.
Matter of interpretation, really. He could also simply be surprised that Kairi felt the need to state the obvious.
Enchanted Rose said:
Although he returned the hug, it was very hesitant. […] Riku and Sora held hands quite a few times, and there was that notorious incident where Sora had to help Riku to walk.
The difference between these scenes is Sora's role. When Kairi hugged him, he was the passive one and thus had no direct control over the situation, whereas with Riku, he was the one who decided to make physical contact.
Also, while I have no doubt that Sora loves Kairi, I don't think he's really come to terms with these feelings yet. Hence the hug becomes even more awkward.
I'm kind of tired of people proclaiming that KH2 proves how oh so much more Sora cares for Riku than he does for Kairi. It's quite an exaggeration, in my opinion. Personally, I consider both relationships to be equally important and that KH and KH2 simply have a different focus on each of them. It's been said often enough how the circumstances under which Sora and Kairi departed were entirely different from the way Riku left.
Enchanted Rose said:
actually a sign of love – accepting someone regardless of appearance etc etc.
Works for friends, too.
Enchanted Rose said:
It is not only Sora and Riku who are gay. KH2 features Timon and Puma, who were officially the first gay couple in a Disney Film (confirmed through interviews and the like).
I tried to check that and found some sites stating that it was the voice actors, who mentioned this in an interview. I acknowledge that they were part of the official team and that yes, Timon and Pumbaa being gay would make very much sense to me, too, but I think that this bit of information is much too vague to be considered proof, especially since it could have been a humorous comment for all we know.
And I couldn't even find the original interview those sites claimed to quote from.
Enchanted Rose said:
Oh yeah, I also emailed Square Enix regarding this issue, as did Kay-El, and we were never told that they were NOT gay.
Because, what, they didn't reply at all?
Phoenix said:
I personally saw it come from Sora's shadow. At any rate, a lot of games have an anti counterpart you must fight. Remember Zelda: Ocarina of Time? It means nothing.
(Yeah, I know this post is old, sorry) I see where you're coming from. Personally speaking though, I think they could've created a different setup for the Anti-Sora easily and it makes me wonder why they chose that one (because, really, strategically it doesn't make sense for Riku to do what he did, does it?). For example, when I played the game for the first time – and knowing there would be a Shadow version of Sora from spoiling myself and stuff – I half-expected it to happen during the scene where Darkside appears for the first time.
… Which, of course, would be lame, but I you get the idea, right?