I appreciate his Ryukyuan identity being prominent. I think his existence alone, along with the discussion about him and AKATSUKI, brings awareness to Okinawa, its history, and the issues they encounter with mainland Japan. Culture awareness and education will never be a bad thing!

I definitely wouldn’t say I’m an expert on Okinawa itself or its indigenous peoples, nor will I ever claim to be, so I don’t think I should be seen as any kind of authority about how good or bad it is. I think it has the potential to be handled… very not well, and that does worry me a lot. A lot a lot, to be honest. But I want to have faith until the writing proves me wrong.

That being said, I would love to learn more about Ibuki’s culture through whatever he’s going to be doing with AKATSUKI. When Ibuki was first announced, I was like “omg, RYUSEITAI helped Konata and Hoshijima, maybe AKATSUKI can help Ibuki with something”, so I really hope he takes them back to Okinawa. Kuro clinging to the dock like a cat because he doesn’t want to get sick for weeks again, while Souma pulls at him trying to get him on the boat. Keito buying a load of guidebooks, and chattering facts at Ibuki that Ibuki literally knows already. AND THEY CAN MEET MIZUSABA. PLEASE. HAPPY ELEMENTS. CONFIRM IF MIZUSABA AND IBUKI ARE BROTHERS— (dragged away)

But yes, I feel like because I’m not an expert, that makes me really really hope we see and learn more about Ibuki and his culture.