Dungeon Meshi Episode 17 SPOILERS (Mostly Toshiro ramblings)
I think a big reason why I became so interested in his character is cuz as a Black person, I know exactly what it's like to hold your tongue and not say your piece and feel like your opinions may not matter. Especially in the face of Whyt people. I've had my fair share of speaking up and attempting to set boundaries with a couple of Whyt friends in the past and lets just say...we're not friends anymore lmao.
However, there definitely comes a point where that become a You Problem. That in some cases it's *you* who's holding yourself back. And it was VERY refreshing seeing Toshiro admit there are things he should've said. And that's he's envious of Laios' very open nature. Because I too get envious even 'till this day of those who are readily open about their thoughts and feelings. And it's something that is hard to try to do yourself, to try and be like that when you've grown up the opposite. It's envy and self loathing, but also a lot of admiration for the other person. A lot.
I definitely noticed how Toshiro spoke more after the fight. It made me happy to see lol If he reaaally hated Laios, he honestly would've just left him to die. However, despite appearing as this Law Abiding Citizenโข๏ธ (not affectionate) that some of the audience want him to be, he literally was like "ring this bell and I'll help you escape the police โ๐พ" And that's something I'm not surprised quite a few people are willing to ignore.
Toshiro and Kabru, in my opinion, are very similar in that they're shown in what appears to be bad light first. But it's up to the audience to pick up what's been put down in order to understand that they're also valid in their thoughts and feelings. Laios and The Gang are not the only ones who deserve understanding, and this is something that's suggested so far throughout the story.