>>1122
Yeah, it's very strange, but interesting. I'd say it's because us westerners have a very romantic view of suffering, contemplative underdogs and celebrate individualism, and they see Tomoko as this broken hero or misunderstood genius. She hits all the right spots: Young, impulsive, dominated by feeling, passionately led by her own ideas and views of an ideal world to the point of self-destruction, believes in one true love, hates the mainstream, always questioning, always at doubt, starving and unkempt, inspired and creative, and yet so hopelessly different… She is a true romantic. It's her versus the world. Or at least, that's how I see her.
I guess Japanese fans view her more sympathetically, but in the sense of a child that has gone astray and needs help and care instead of worshiping the unique character born out of that suffering. Perhaps it's because Japanese history didn't have a strong romantic period/Christian culture like Europe had(and Christian cultures REALLY celebrate martyrdom), but I guess more because Japanese are a more collective society adept at taking care of each other. They revere all life equally.
I didn't draw this(credits to Nick-Ian), but I think it really illustrates well how westerners see Tomoko, doesn't it?