At a time when transgender people were just stepping their toes in the water (1984) Moto Hagio was a fresh air. And she still is. Despite what Michelle Smith says, we have to remember what 1984 really was. It was a little better... but things were really bleak.
A, A' is set in the future. The earth was moving out to the various planets and moons (Mars, Jupiter, etc.). Also, humans developed Unicorns. Unicorns were engineered to replace people. The people who worked out found they worked... almost. In a seemingly innocuous mention, Adelaide (clone) wants coffee - but she wants it black, rather than have it with cream and sugar. (original Adelaide)
First, let's look at A, A'. Unlike the newer manga which show a single sheet , the older ones show two pages, therefore showing a double sheet. There are three interrelated stories:
A, A'
4/4
X+Y
The first two stories don't seem to be transgender related. However, Mori is important in two of the three chapters. In the end of 4/4, Mori is grieving over the death of Trill. Fast-forward five years (X+Y), we meet Tacto, a seemngly male unicorn. He meets up with Merimé, who is nonplussed at Tacto's lovemaking - until he might be winning an award. Suddenly, she 'loves' him. At first, Tacto is interested in Merimé, until a professor throws a really big wrench. Tacto is really a woman. And in comes Mori.
I won't tell you any more, but Moto Hagio is prescient in 1984 than most Americans (especially middle and Southerners) are aware. Hopefully they'll learn a little.
