Boundaries of Human and Non-Human Romance: Taboo, Contrast, and Unconditional Love
When exploring romantic tension points (push-pull elements) between humans and non-human beings in relationships, what barriers can be created aside from fear? Non-human romance fans, let’s discuss! Here are some ideas:
- Biological Barriers: Differences in lifespan, thought processes, and species’ traits. Despite these obstacles, there’s something thrilling about being attracted to an alien. So far, I can only think of the allure.
- Taboo Sensation: Especially psychological taboo. Years ago, the niche genre of “boys’ love” (BL) carried a strong sense of taboo because it wasn’t widely accepted, even with human characters. Now, it’s mainstream, and the sense of taboo has faded. With non-human relationships, there’s a similar vibe. Beyond physiological differences, the psychological taboo is a big draw.
- The “Push” Element: There can be various internal and external obstacles, but for me, the most important part is the “pull” from the non-human being. Their love is purely instinctual—absolute and undivided. Humans might betray or weigh pros and cons, but the non-human being loves unconditionally.
- Taboo on Both Sides: There’s an ethical and physiological taboo for both. For the human, it means going from self-disgust to total surrender in accepting an alien. The non-human might go through a transformation similar to the journey of a wanderer turning into a romantic. Physiologically, they likely wouldn’t even consider the idea of two species being unable to bond.
- Contrast and Uniqueness: When creating characters, it’s exciting to think of traits like the powerful being feared by everyone showing a unique tenderness only toward the protagonist. This obvious favoritism allows the protagonist to see traits hidden from everyone else, creating emotional development and deeper connection. Plus, there’s room to explore some unique dynamics.
- Lifespan Differences as Heartbreaking: The disparity in lifespan could be the most heartbreaking.
- Non-Human Traits I Love: Unconditional acceptance—what humans find intolerable, the non-human fully accepts. For the non-human, humans aren’t quite equals but closer to beloved pets, accepting them with indulgent fondness. Non-humans may express love differently—perhaps seeing fighting and consuming each other as the ultimate union of love.
- Cognitive Differences: Differences in physiology, social structure, and instinct lead to vastly different worldviews. Even when non-humans try to blend in with humanity (purely for observation, devoid of emotion), their subtle inhuman traits will show, reminding humans that their “harmony” was just an illusion, a coincidence of certain similar perceptions. This gives a sense of dangerous allure—the human knows they’re walking a tightrope, while the non-human is driven by a dangerous curiosity to understand a strange new species.
