Manifesto

This essay assumes that the reader is familiar with the source material. If for whatever reason you are unfamiliar with Hypnosis Mic, please feel free to check out the about! Another thing to note is that this essay is my—that is, the webmistress's—personal view. Others may interpret them differently, and that is completely okay! Nonetheless, whether you ship them or not, I hope reading this gives you another perspective on HifuGen.

Introduction

Rivals. Power couple. Enemies. Star-crossed lovers. Bickering pair. Narrative foils. The relationship between Izanami Hifumi and Yumeno Gentaro possesses a range of possible dynamics—romantic, platonic, and in between—and that is a big reason as to why I love them so much. Already fascinating characters on their own, pitting them against each other creates compelling conflicts that reveal sides of them you usually would not see. In a typical manifesto (from ye olde web, anyhow), one would present evidence for their ship, however HifuGen's interactions are few in canon, main story or otherwise, and many scenes they do share are antagonistic in nature. That being said, I like to think that canon has planted the seeds for potential—and from there, we, the audience, can take it from there.

First Impressions

Many would say that HifuGen hate each other, but in my opinion, it is not as simple as that. Perhaps it might be more accurate to say that Gentaro hates Hifumi; and Hifumi, quite frankly, could care less about Gentaro's hatred for him. An unrequited hate, if you will.

Looking back at their initial interaction, a careless comment is what starts Hifumi and Gentaro's relationship—and that careless comment alone brings out so much from Gentaro. It is the first time we ever see cracks in his mask; portrayed as a simmering anger in the drama tracks (Just a Friend) and an explosive rage in the manga (FP&M, Hook 10). This outburst may have been the closest to his true emotions he has allowed himself to show up to that point, and it is all due to Hifumi.

On the other hand, Hifumi is a friendly guy. A little too friendly. Suitless, Hifumi speaks without consideration, oblivious to any hard feelings he may cause. Such a blunt disposition is exactly what makes Gentaro hate Hifumi. He may have had good intentions, but in giving Gentaro advice on his clothes, he unknowingly offended Gentaro's brother, which in turn sparked Gentaro's rage. While Hifumi is able to realize what he has done, it is already too late.

This fight serves as the foundation for their relationship, a diss that hints at the depths underneath coloring their interactions afterward. As far as the mainline canon is concerned, their first impressions are a lasting impression—but that does not mean it is incapable of changing.

Not So Different

On paper, Hifumi and Gentaro appear to be opposites: Hifumi blurts out truths, while Gentaro shrouds himself in lies; Hifumi moves towards the future, while Gentaro is stuck in the past; Hifumi is full of life, while Gentaro is but a phantom. Indeed, there are many differences between them that add to their appeal, but digging deeper shows that they have many similarities as well.

Clothes are not only a point of contention for Hifumi and Gentaro—it is what makes them them. Hifumi's suit jacket acts as a suit of armor, turning him into a Prince Charming capable of serving the women he so fears. Gentaro's Meiji Era style belongs to his brother, keeping the spirit of Yumeno Gentaro alive while he is comatose. Both facade and solace, their clothes allow them to maintain personas they use for the public.

These personas, too, are an integral aspect that Hifumi and Gentaro share. Like his name, Hifumi's character revolves around 3s. His first personality is full of sunshine, his second host mode, and the third emerges when he's overcome by his phobia; though, eventually Hifumi learns to embrace every side of himself as one whole. Gentaro's sense of identity is more fractured, starting with the very fact that he's not living as himself. Gentaro, at his core, is acting as someone else. When his identity is called into question, he loses his composure and vacillates personal pronouns as if searching for his true self. As a storyteller, Gentaro takes on the character of the tale he is narrating, shifting personalities as he sees fit. Not to mention, the different voices he does when he is fooling around.

Hosts and authors also perform similar jobs: through their words, they make dreams come true. Hifumi serves his clients fantasies in which they are loved, while Gentaro weaves worlds that his readers can lose themselves into. Though rapping necessitates a certain verbal ability, their occupations in particular highlight their mastery over language. If not for their skills in articulation, they would not be able to provide their audience an escape from reality.

Here, I would like to mention a point that has been debunked by HypMic's developments. While no longer relevant, having experienced the theories in real time, I think it is worth mentioning since it shows that HifuGen have had parallels from the very beginning. Before it was confirmed that Gentaro had a brother, the friend in Scenario Liar was assumed to be real. This put Gentaro in the role of his dear friend's caretaker—similar to Hifumi's relationship with his childhood best friend, Kannonzaka Doppo. While their problems are different, Hifumi supports Doppo as best as he can, the same way Gentaro does his own friend. Had canon committed to this narrative, Hifumi and Gentaro could have related to each other in caring for a sick friend.

Though it turned out that Gentaro's friend is a fabrication, there is still something that connects HifuGen's backstories: family—or rather, the absence of it. Both of them have an older sibling that they are no longer able to speak to (at least, prior to Gentaro's brother waking up). To take this further, Keitoin Honobono is the cause in both cases, being the source of Hifumi's gynophobia and the head of the Kotosarai, the unit that purged Gentaro's brother. Their circumstances may not be the same, but they carry the burdens of a family torn apart. A family that they do not (or in Gentaro's case, cannot) discuss because of how painful it is. They are both younger brothers who can no longer turn to the sibling they so adore.

Despite—or maybe because of—their hardships, they put others before themselves. Hifumi is practically the embodiment of selflessness, going so far as to help those who have hurt him; Gentaro, meanwhile, gave up his entire identity to continue his brother's mission. In the manga's depictions of the DRB, they are both quick to sacrifice themselves if it means protecting their loved ones. They refuse to let their friends get hurt, taking on the pain for themselves. Some people would even say that they are the caretakers of their respective teams. However you see them, it is undeniable that both Gentaro and Hifumi watch over their teammates with particular care.

On a lighthearted note, both of them are silly guys. Though Gentaro would loathe to hear it, he can be as boisterous as Hifumi. Poor Dice is often on the receiving end of Gentaro's antics, jostling him around and teasing him—not unlike the way Hifumi messes with Doppo. Gentaro is always going around telling tall tales while Hifumi is very much buddy-buddy with everyone he sees, both traits that can be hit or miss depending on who they are dealing with. For all the flair they have in public, Hifumi and Gentaro have their strange tendencies, too.

One last point, trivial but true: both Hifumi and Gentaro are drop dead gorgeous—

Potential Dynamics

With their similarities laid out, I believe rapport between Hifumi and Gentaro begins when Gentaro realizes that Hifumi is human. Not a thorn in his side, not a wolf to be slain, not an enemy to lord over—but someone who is just like him. I say it has to be Gentaro because, honestly, Hifumi has no qualms chatting Gentaro up (whether or Gentaro would entertain him is another matter). That is not to say Hifumi's perception of Gentaro does not have to change as well, but Hifumi is a lot more open than Gentaro. Any real progress in their relationship cannot be made until Gentaro's grudge against Hifumi eases.

But Gentaro does not have to let go of that resentment. They can remain rivals, enemies, and still be drawn to one another. The depiction of HifuGen as enemies with benefits is quite popular, and understandably so. For a pair who appear to be picture perfect in public, they bring out the worst in each other—a side that not even those closest to them see—and thus can duke it out as they see fit. They can take out all their frustrations on each other, this messiness perhaps a semblance of the truths they deny, in ways that only the two of them understand. Using each other as substitutes for unrequited loves is optional but tasty.

Though you can leave their relationship at that, I find it fun when that sense of What are we? sneaks into HifuGen's dynamic. Long past their initial antagonisms, they have settled into a steady rhythm but are not quite anything concrete. They know each other well, but not well enough to be anything substantial. Hifumi, who would usually act on the instinct to close the distance between them, has been tamed by Gentaro's detachment; Gentaro, on the other hand, struggles with a desire he should not have when he has stolen this name. Fragile is their balance, capable of breaking at the slight tip of the scales. What they have can only continue as long as they do not acknowledge the feelings that have bloomed, and neither of them want to stop.

Of course, their relationship does not have to be as dramatic as that. It can start slow, with Hifumi worming his way into Gentaro's heart. Or should I say feeding? It is not uncommon to see depictions of Hifumi somehow making his way into Gentaro's home, cooking and cleaning and doing Gentaro's chores; and Gentaro realizing that Hifumi is actually a responsible man. Around Hifumi, Gentaro can let himself be taken care of instead of being the one taking care of others. It is a strange sensation, but not unpleasant. Gentaro would definitely need time to warm up to Hifumi, but he would come around eventually. In turn, Gentaro gives Hifumi a space to be himself without any pretenses, an intimacy that comes from having witnessed each other at their worst. This also plays into nuances of their age gap: where Hifumi, the older one, behaves childishly; and Gentaro, the younger, behaves more maturely—but together, they seem to act their age.

However his feelings for Hifumi develop, I think Gentaro would deny them at first. To start with, he has fallen for someone he hates—hated. The very fact that he has grown fond of Hifumi is frustrating in and of itself. Hifumi is also from an enemy team, making any relations between them a scandal. On top of that, Gentaro is not truly Yumeno Gentaro. This sense of normalcy he has built up with Hifumi, he believes, is based on falsehoods. He has tricked Hifumi into loving a lie. Yes, he may have formed a bond with Fling Posse, but Hifumi is different; Hifumi has absolutely nothing to do with the Party of Words. How could he drag him into his revenge? Worst of all, he has taken his brother's name and sullied it with his own wants. There are layers to Gentaro's denial, and as a liar, he will do whatever it takes to obfuscate his truth.

Hifumi does not have it any easier. As the type to follow his instincts, he is sure to feel that Gentaro will disappear on him some day. Every moment they share leaves him with this sense of that there is something off—that there is something that Gentaro is not telling him—and no matter how much of his love he gives Gentaro, he cannot stop him from leaving. It hurts especially since Hifumi would dedicate himself wholeheartedly to Gentaro. Being the son of divorcees, seeing firsthand how love can crumble, it is ironic that he would want something permanent with someone as fleeting as a phantom.

Moving away from the angst, HifuGen would make a strong partnership. The disses and insults they have exchanged make way for back-and-forth bantering, their rivalry present no matter how much their feelings have changed. While they will not yield to one another, they view each other as equals and acknowledge that there is no one else who can make them feel this way. They match one another's wit, their way with words unparalleled, and know how to manipulate a given situation to their advantage. When you put them together, they become a beautifully fearsome combination.

In private, Hifumi and Gentaro's personalities lend them to a playful relationship. Considering their occupations, too, their conversations must be anything but dull. Using anecdotes from Hifumi's club as inspiration, Gentaro can craft stories with the occasional input from Hifumi, the two of them creating a tale that is all their own. Gentaro would have grown a soft spot for Hifumi, no matter how much he acts otherwise; likewise, no amount of nagging can stop Hifumi from succumbing to Gentaro's whims since Gentaro's happiness is his priority. Gentaro himself would likely be well aware of how Hifumi is smitten with him, which, for better or for worse, he can use to his benefit.

Another Story

So far this essay has been focused on the main canon since that is where we are introduced to HifuGen, but we also get to see how they would be like in some of HypMic's other media. Interestingly, they present a more harmonious relationship.

The most notable instance of this is in the mobage, Alternative Rap Battle (ARB). In quite a few of the event stories they have been featured in together, such as Panic! at the Mountain, Time for a Showdown!, and Off We Go with the Teacher! A Naniwa Style Gourmet Trip, as well as the Switch exclusive stories, they speak to each other amicably and even help one another out in multiple instances. Though their relationship is not particularly deep in this verse, it is proof that they probably would have gotten along if not for Hifumi's offenses.

For what it is worth, the anime also shows cordial relations between Hifumi and Gentaro. While they do fight in the DRB, giving us that iconic golden rose scene (Rhyme Anima Episode 10), they had no prior dispute and thus lack animosity. At one point, Gentaro shows concern for Hifumi (Rhyme Anime+, Episode 12). Characterization is not exactly the anime's strong point, so take this with a grain of salt, but I mention it since they get to interact.

While it is nice to see them getting along, my personal opinion is that HifuGen would not be as compelling as they are without the bad blood. Part of the fun in their relationship to me is figuring out what would make their feelings for one another change and how they would navigate these feelings. Contrary to all the angst I write, I do enjoy happy endings—it is just that they have to earn it. Certainly I see HifuGen as a power couple, but it is all the more powerful if they work towards it rather than jump straight into it.

Conclusion

Since Hypnosis Mic is an ongoing series, there is so much room for HifuGen's relationship to grow. There are many directions they can go, and so many things they have yet to do together (HifuGen duet, manifesting!), it is exciting to think about the possibilities! Even if canon does not deliver, that is what transformative works are for. After all, we can always take matters into our own hands.

I tried my best to make this manifesto as comprehensive as possible, but I feel as though there may be things I have not covered—though, I think may be for the better. As mentioned before, this is my personal interpretation of HifuGen; I have themes and subjects I gravitate towards, which can be seen in my creative works, and I've coalesced as much of those as possible here. But there are other perspectives besides mine. You may have found yourself going There's also this... or What if this happened instead? while going through this essay, and I encourage you to take those thoughts further! I, myself, am still discovering new ways to think about HifuGen, and very much enjoy seeing what others come up for them. I would love to see what you can do, too!

Thank you so much for reading! I really appreciate you taking the time to do so. HifuGen means so much to me, so if I was able to get someone out there to consider them as a ship in some way, that would be my happiness. Take care, and may your day be filled with lots of HifuGen!