Komi Can't Communicate: Why Najimi is the best LGBTQ+ Representative

gamerant.com:

Najimi fromKomi Can't Communicate is arguably one of the most respectful representations of the non-binary community. Tadano Hitohito and Osana Najimi are students at the Itan Private High School, where they help their friend Komi Shoko to overcome her extreme social anxiety and make 100 friends in the process. Tadano appears to be quite introverted, acting as Komi's translator, but quickly learns that his social skills are not much better than Komi's. He enlists the help of his popular and outgoing middle-school friend, but is bewildered to see Najimi wearing a skirt.

Najimi plays a crucial role in Komi's development, often taking the awkward girl out of her comfort zone and putting her up to tasks that require the shy girl to apply her communication skills better. Although Najimi's gender is not directly labeled inKomi Can't Communicate, most fans assume that they are non-binary due to their chosen pronouns and combination of a feminine and masculine wardrobe. There may, however, be an element of mistranslation, because in the Japanese version, Najimi requests the use of "-chan" alongside their name, which is a feminine identifier. Most fans can agree, however, that this androgynous character has gone through a transition and has done a respectable job in representing the LGBTQ+ community.

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After an awkward discussion between Tadano and Najimi, a common ground is found between the two, and Tadano realizes that not much has actually changed regarding their friendship. By the time episode 7 rolls around, the group of kids takes a trip to the pool, and Najimi's gender is addressed once more, providing a reaction from both sides of the coin. Again, Tadano