Why is Horikita so hated?
Honestly , I think a lot of the hate Horikita gets comes from people just not *getting* her character. I know, that's like, the standard Horikita fan line, but hear me out – it's true!
She's straight-up said she was isolated for the better part of a decade. So, realistically, what do people *expect* from someone like that? She's still struggling when it comes to leading and just interacting with people. Of course, she's going to stumble more than seasoned players like Ryuen or Ichinose.
The whole 'fraud' or 'potential girl' label? That's tied to what I just said. How's she supposed to flex her true capabilities when Ayanokoji's always got her back? Knowing there's a safety net makes you less likely to push your limits? I'm not even blaming her for that – if I had a certified genius in my class, I'd probably slack a bit too.
Next year, though, with Ayanokoji out of the picture, we'll finally see what she's really made of. People are quick to sing Ayanokoji's praises, but then they scoff at the idea that Horikita could be seriously smart and a real threat if she puts her mind to it. Even Ayanokoji himself and Manabu have stated it.
Her actions are totally within reason, and we've seen Honami pull the same move in the third-year island exam, letting Ayanokoji take the reins without lifting a finger. Yet, she's practically deified! I'm starting to think the Horikita hate isn't about comprehension; it's just plain dislike.