What feels especially off to me is that they're sentient enough to be executed but also don't have any rights?
Yeah, something's definitely off there. With the info we have, it doesn't come together. Either the sentencing is just an affectation (like animal trials in real-world history) and they're less sentient than they seem, or this is awful in a way that doesn't fit with the worldbuilding at all.
because there's no such thing as inherent evil in the drama
Yes! And I really love that about it, so I really want a youchu explanation that fits in with this! (My current vote is on weird Dixing animal trials, LOL.)
no subject
Yeah, something's definitely off there. With the info we have, it doesn't come together. Either the sentencing is just an affectation (like animal trials in real-world history) and they're less sentient than they seem, or this is awful in a way that doesn't fit with the worldbuilding at all.
because there's no such thing as inherent evil in the drama
Yes! And I really love that about it, so I really want a youchu explanation that fits in with this! (My current vote is on weird Dixing animal trials, LOL.)