this would be the first trap I've seen played seriously/for drama rather than for comedy
I don't think it's very common in popular media, but there is precedent in the genre even with Ryo Akizuki from THE iDOLM@STER first appearing in 2009 (when it definitely wasn't a woke thing) and keeping the fact he's a boy secret. Though in that case, it's also clear from the beginning to the player that he's a boy.
I can't say for sure that they aren't trying to do a "trans" plotline with Mizuki, but I don't think we can make that conclusion with what we have. Japan seems much better at keeping their entertainment and their politics separate, and often things like this are just as fantastical as a titan or alchemy.
I don't think it's very common in popular media, but there is precedent in the genre even with Ryo Akizuki from THE iDOLM@STER first appearing in 2009 (when it definitely wasn't a woke thing) and keeping the fact he's a boy secret. Though in that case, it's also clear from the beginning to the player that he's a boy.
I can't say for sure that they aren't trying to do a "trans" plotline with Mizuki, but I don't think we can make that conclusion with what we have. Japan seems much better at keeping their entertainment and their politics separate, and often things like this are just as fantastical as a titan or alchemy.