is a protagonist whose gender you don't reveal considered genderless?

[Tsuru]

Go check R18 archiveonourown website
Some authors write some series "genderless" BUT with a penis

So basically it can be futa or man or maybe a woman that added herself a penis with technology
Closest thing i seen of being "genderless"
But in short, dont mention hair, gender, products related to gender, preferences that easily differentiate gender of the person, etc etc

Maybe there are genderless non-R18 hence they are truly genderless compared to R18 version

 

[RaizarP]

Just make him a slime, done

 

[TheEldritchGod]

Woman is originated from Wifman which just means, Female Human.
Werman is Male human
Man is gender neutral, however, it had come to mean male, while still being gender neutral.

With the advent of the industrial revolution, the term werman was phased out for males being referred to by their job. Policeman. Gentleman. Fireman, Etc etc etc. Women are human beings. Men are human doings. If a man isn't doing something, what good is he?

Fun fact: A female werewolf should be called a Wifewolf.

So if your character is Genderless or the gender is not revealed, you would just refer to the character as 'Man', because man is already as neutered a word as you can get. If that's a problem, give them a title, like, 'The Wanderer' and simply refer to them by the title at all times.

 

[Deleted member 68927]

Not really. You will reveal the name, won't you? Yes, some names work for both genders, but people can still imagine what they want the gender to be.

 

[StrongArm]

I feel dumber having read this comment thread...

 

[radraccoon]

Unless the character's gender is some major, utterly mind-blowing reveal it's going to be more effort than it's worth to hide it from the reader. There's probably going to be a point where you've used so many linguistic and narrative tricks (e.g., awkward phrasing to avoid a gendered pronoun, characters getting interrupted just before they might say something to indicate the protagonist's gender) where you'll begin annoying the reader and at that point the payoff better be amazing otherwise they'll (rightfully) be pissed off at the end.

 

[miyoga]

It depends on how you, the author, chooses to see them. It's completely your choice.

Not really. You will reveal the name, won't you? Yes, some names work for both genders, but people can still imagine what they want the gender to be.

These would probably be the best answers regarding a human character. If you look at the different novels on SH, you'll find BL/GL tags, bi- and nonbinary MCs all set in our world or a made up one. For the made up worlds, whose to say that a name has to be 1 gender or another? As the author, you may have one thing in mind, but as a reader I'll most likely see it differently which leaves the identity up to the reader to decide for themselves. For non-human MCs, like slimes (since they were mentioned), what does the gender matter? Not going too deeply into this debate, but if your slime/demon/god MC is being portrayed as showing a preference for male or female pronouns then go with that, and if they change preferences then they go the other way.

Set the tone and leave the rest to the readers, you may or may not be disappointed!

 

[Alfir]

Its mindblowing.

I feel dumber having read this comment thread...

I feel you, fellow mortal...

 

[autumnveir]

Whenever I read a story and a character's gender is unspecified, I'd completely ignore it since it wasn't emphasized in the first place.
If there is a scenario where gender is an element (e.g. going to the bathroom, wearing dress, enlisting, etc.), I'd make an educational guess.
However, if it's romance, I have to request a divine miracle to almighty God, ask the absolute question, and toss the holy coin. Whatever side it goes to, there goes God's judgement.

 

[zmikez]

Male, Female, futa.

If it has male genitalia it's male, if it has female genitalia it's female. If it has some combination, it is a futa.

Gender fluid and non-binary nonsense shouldn't be considered, there's a reason that type of thinking is protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act and not the Civil Rights act.... just sayin.

It should be considered a gimmick to keep the reader interested in finding out. Assuming non-gendered would ruin the authors attempt at anticipation for the reveal.

 

[Hisaxia]

Yes and no. A good example is Chrona in Soul Eater. Many many a debate has been held over them lol.