discriminatory? yes. Racist? no.
I do not perceive much variation from one anime to the next, and the artstyle feels like a different take on things by the same artist ad nauseum.
And I think it is safe to say that a lot of anime depicts women horribly. They definitely fall into an always passive/submissive role.
What!?! Wait WHAT!?! *Checks the thread topic* DANG I can't retort this is the western animation thread.
Also western animation also depicts women horribly anyhow
Assuming this is the same "West" that created Sky from Carl Squared... Who is the typical "Unpleasable Girlfriend" archtype.
---
What about the blushing? Wasn't there some obvious blushing somewhere?
I might just be underestimating my shipping tendencies.
There were plenty of signs that don't fit what people in... let's say mainstream relationships aren't prepared to detect.
But it started being a thing that looked like more than just teasing between Seasons 3 and 4 (with a few scenes building it up in 3).
No, I watched the entire thing carefully. They couldn't do any real signs because that would have affected the ratings. All the "Hints" were things that she would have done without any romance involved.
And this is also Legend of Korra... They don't do "Subtle" Romance.
Though given that it was the best handled Romance on the entire show ANYHOW because the series does nothing but romance tumors.
Baolin's second romance being the WORST romance type that PLAGUES western animation... the "Unpleasable Girlfriend you have to change yourself to please her and do everything in your power to do things for" Girlfriend and I honestly don't dislike her character but I dislike her so immensely whenever they are coupled together.
Seriously Baolin's FIRST romance was better handled because at least in that they later reveal that Baolin actually liked the way he was treated, he just was too scared to admit he was in love even to himself.
Ohh look Baolin didn't have to prove himself to his first romance either, he never had to do tests of loyalty, and they were actually shown to enjoy spending time together.
And no I didn't want him to end up with either of them... But when the joke romance that made Baolin so unhappy ends up being the superior romance go back to the writing board.