Congratulations, you've made it so deep into the takeken manifesto that you hit the part where we talk about their characterizations and relationship in our own work. If you've read this much, you're surely converted to the cause. Thank you for participating in the Takeru/Ken corrective therapy program and welcome to hell!
This is the closest thing to a headcanons page on a normal ship shrine, but we won't generally refer to them as such. The reason for this is that they are "canon" in the context of our story; they pertain to things which are only applicable in that context, and aren't things we hold as headcanons to Adventure 02 generally. Therefore, feel free to regard them as headcanons, since there isn't really a better way to refer to them, but understand that we're discussing them in light of our work. If you think this sounds like hairsplitting, you are probably right, but I'm afflicted with a disease that forces me to be extremely specific about everything all the time, so you'll just have to deal. You can also regard them as some "behind-the-scenes" special insights and some (many) overall horny thoughts.
We showed some restraint on the main manifesto page, as hard as it might be to believe that! But there will be no more restraint from here on out. Welcome to the fuck zone.
This page, more than the main manifesto, is absolutely R18, adults only, and NSFW! Don't get in trouble reading this at work.
Warning: Some of the content found here will contain major spoilers for our story! We highly recommend finishing it before reading this section.
The most significant plot spoilers are initially hidden (click the arrow to expand or collapse the section), but proceed at your own risk.
Takeru and Ken in It's Only You I Can't Escape
The concrete inciting factors that separate It's Only You I Can't Escape from the canon (apart from the obvious; that is, Toei is not going to write thousands of words of noncon smut) are "what if the Dark Ocean's influence bled through to Takeru just enough to push him over the line when he's already in a precarious spot" and the simple happenstance of having the roof blown off significantly later and thus, giving enough time for Takeru to follow that urge the first time, setting the stage for the gradual downward spiral.
There's a lot to read on this page! While we recommend reading the sections in order, for convenience there is also an index of the biggest sections. Each item in this index is clickable and will jump you to that section. In addition, at the end of each major section will be a link back to here for easier reading or referring back to specific sections. You're welcome, mobile users.
Index
On TakeKen's basis in the text of 02
The nature of the characters in It's Only You I Can't Escape
- On TakeKen's basis in the text of 02 -
Now that we've gone in-depth on Takeru and Ken individually, we'll bring it together to discuss how their traits combine and how the events of a single episode show us everything we need to know about their "relationship" potential (or, rather, about just how perfectly it sets up for the best kind of noncon...)
Sparrow: That Scene in Digimon Adventure 02, Episode 19:
- The nature of the characters in It's Only You I Can't Escape -
Given the unique way in which our story diverges from, and subsequently branches off of, the canonical timeline of Digimon Adventure 02, it is obvious that the characters would be changed by it. Takeru is the most drastically changed, and it's his downward spiral we'll discuss first.
- Takeru's obsession and subsequent descent into madness -
Moro: This arc actually fell into place quite naturally without a lot of forward planning on our part. The series is set off by Takeru's decision - under the influence of the Dark Ocean - to push just a little further in that fight with the Kaiser than he did in canon, and to make sure the Kaiser really never forgets the lesson by first beating him down and then raping him.
The Dark Ocean continues to influence him past that initial incident, however, sort of reinforcing the changes that have begun to take shape in his personality, the subtle warping of everything that's already there. In episode 27, Takeru and the rest of the group are exposed to a direct conduit to the Dark Ocean, which we learn is what powered Ken's base when he was the Kaiser.
- The paradox of Ken's feelings toward Takeru -
Sparrow: It starts out as furious fear before his fall. After, initially, he lets it happen because he thinks he deserves it, but when he does decide enough is enough, time and again, Takeru refuses to let him be.
No matter how much or little culpability Ken actually has, Takeru's constant recounting of his sins continues to convince Ken to shut up and take it instead of letting anyone know. And the tiniest hints of comfort and affection Takeru offers leave Ken torn up inside.
As time goes on, Ken becomes resigned to his fate, until they leave for separate colleges. But the retaliation Takeru punishes him with makes sure Ken can't ever dare hope to escape.
At the same time, that total resignation allows Ken to live a life beyond Takeru. While his tormentor always looms, Ken lives his own life entirely separate from him. Including his engagement to Miyako.
Spoilers
His final attempt to put a stop to it on the wedding night permanently crushes Ken's resistance, as Takeru's mark mars his skin, and it's gone on so long, he can't even imagine telling anyone. Why would they believe him? What would they think of him? Clearly he likes it, to have allowed it to continue for well over a decade…
The slightest spark returns with his daughter's birth, but not for himself. Only for her. It is his singular defiance of Takeru, keeping her from ever even seeing his face. And while he doesn't use it to shield himself, a secondary effect pushes Takeru even farther off the deep end: he's increasingly isolated from group gatherings. Plus, Ken's fierce love for her feeds Takeru's furious, possessive jealousy.
Through all the years, Ken is somewhat aware, on a rational level, that this isn't okay. None of it's about justice; all of it serves to gratify the sadistic Takeru. But all the same, Ken's deep association of pain and pleasure convinces him that some part of him does like it, even once he stops believing he deserves it. And he's long since learned his lesson about trying to escape Takeru's grasp.
Moro: I'm far less of an expert, but I do have a few thoughts. Something else I found interesting that emerged over the course of the story is how effectively Ken manages to create his own fairly full life in spite of being Takeru's de facto prisoner.
Because Takeru must keep it concealed from their friends at all costs, he's actually more or less completely unable to control what Ken actually does outside of his relationship with him. Takeru's not willing to risk exposing himself, so he's also not willing to engage in too much overt manipulation or attempt to isolate Ken the way he might want to, since it would arouse suspicion.
Spoilers
I believe this is the reason Ken manages to maintain a semblance of stability for despite everything Takeru does to him - at the end of the day, Ken has a refuge in his friends and, later on, in Miyako and his family, and hence he's not truly alone. Unlike Takeru, whose obsession with Ken places him in an ever more precarious position and isolate him further from their friends, Ken never quite slides down the pit, until the very end.
- Further Reading -