Makoto Saotome

MAKOTO SAOTOME

**Appearance**

Makoto Saotome is the Main Character of *My Girlfriend is a Trans girl.* Makoto was born perceived as a boy, but from childhood onward, had always known that they were a girl on the inside. This makes Makoto a male to female transgender person, or more specifically, as they identify themselves in the manga, a Bigender person. Makoto apparently transitioned and began presenting as a teen/tween girl after they graduated from middle school, but before they entered high school.

Makoto is of average height and average weight for her body size and shape. This means that she does not look grossly out of place as she presents as a teenage girl. She has a round face and a rounded chin. As soon as she could, given her perceived male status, she began letting her hair grow out. Makoto has jet black hair, with silver highlights, that is straight, soft, and silky, now down almost to her waist. She has big 'anime girl' eyes that have the color of tree bark. She has expressive jet black eyelashes, and thin, jet black eyebrows. A smaller nose and somewhat thin lips add to her femininity. Not so good is that fact that Makoto has a slightly thick neck, and broad shoulders. But she hides that by her choice of fashion styles. She has a normal waist and slender hips, as would a "male" have. She has average arms and legs, not muscular at all, and long, trim legs, allowing her to wear mini-skirts without embarrassment. She has average, not too big, feet.

Makoto's fashion style is that of classy standard female attire. She is most often seen wearing her high school uniform. It is a hybrid of the male and female uniform. The shirt and tie are from the boy's uniform. The lady's business jacket, the pleated mini-skirt, and the knee-high socks and oxford shoes are from the girl's uniform. For casual wear, Makoto always 'dresses nice', that is, always wearing a dress shirt and skirt, or a pretty dress, typical of an upper middle class girl. Makoto's fashion style fits her well, and does not draw suspicion of her previous life as a perceived male.

**Personality and Circumstances**

Makoto Saotome has a well-rounded personality, that has not been damaged by her transition to that of a teenage female. She has her good points and her less than desirable points. Makoto is loyal to her family and friends. Nothing is said about her family in the manga, but she has been and is now showing loyal friendship to Yuuko, her childhood friend. Both are very close to one another, and have been so all these years. Makoto's self-determination as to what she wants to do with her life is very strong. That strong desire has served her well all during the times of childhood and young teen/tween times when she wanted to transition to her correct gender of female, but could not do so. Strong motivation and self-confidence moved her to transition during the last year of middle school. Although the process of doing so could have been much better, given the bad information given to her by a teacher ignorant of transgender issues, she, nonetheless, did a public address before the student body announcing her 'coming out'. Such bravery ! Academically, Makoto is a good student, getting into and maintaining her status of being in a school known for it's high academic standards. She is well organized, and can study and work unsupervised, without any problems.

Part of what keeps Makoto and Yuuko's friendship ongoing and stable, is that Makoto many times is indecisive and prone to worriment. She has always relied on Yuuko for information, recommendations, advice, and helpful knowledge about a wide variety of subjects. Yuuko knew early on that Makoto was a male to female transgender person, this even before family became known of it. Makoto was good at masquerading as a male all through their childhood years, although that did lead to times of stress and gender dysphoria. She would 'keep it all inside of her', although doing so is not in the best mental, emotional, and social interest of Makoto as a transgender child. Makoto identifies as a Bigender person. This means that they are a combination of male and female elements in their mind and heart. Emotionally, she can present as either male or female, but mostly female.

Makoto, as they go through the teenage years, gradually moves from ordinary friendship, to falling in love with Yuuko. That is part of the premise of the manga story; can a Bigender person fall in love with a person with no gender ? The manga story seems to indicate that, yes, it is possible. Even though both characters identify as different transgender ideologies, they have enough personality traits in common that they can stay together as intimate friends and lovers. After Makoto's transitioning, she is now level enough emotionally, that she can handle daily problems and troubles that come up, one such is the psudo-relationship with Miki. Miki wants Makoto to replace Yuuko with her, Miki, in a lover's relationship. However, due to Makoto's strong loyalty to Yuuko, that is not going to happen. Miki does not come to realize that she could probably have a separate shipping with Makoto, but only spoils any chance of that by her ill-treatment of Makoto. However, Makoto is stable enough with herself as a Bigender teenager, that she can continue on in school to graduation, and live her life on her terms into adulthood.

**Trivia**

In the Japanese language, the first name "Makoto" is both feminine and masculine, and means sincerity at all times and in all matters.