Does anyone see the parallel between Chara/Asriel and Kris/Noelle in the weird route?

The similarities stand out to me because the core dynamic is almost identical. You have two childhood friends who grew up together, but eventually reach a point where one believes the other has to move beyond their hesitations. Rather than accepting their friend’s desires, they push them toward crossing a line they don’t want to cross, arguing that it’s necessary to become stronger, evolve, or break through a perceived barrier (or literal barrier).

The emotional conflict isn’t only about getting stronger, it’s about one friend deciding they know what’s best for the other, even when the other person clearly doesn’t want to “proceed.” Their relationship becomes defined by that tension.

Obviously, that doesn’t mean the stories are identical. Plenty of stories explore similar themes… BUT the underlying character dynamic of two childhood friends, one urging the other to overcome their reluctance by doing something they’re uncomfortable with in order to transcend their limits, feels eerily similar.