Another theory denies the theory that `Emperor Gensho ascended as a relay because the Prince Obito was only fourteen years old at the time Emperor Gensho ascended to the throne. (There is a theory that the issues of the imperial court at that time; including issues concerning Prince Nagaya or FUJIWARA no Fuhito, didn't allow the prince Obito to ascend to the throne considering his age). Also, Emperor Gensho ascended to the throne as a child of his father, Prince Kusakabe, not as a child of his mother, Emperor Genmei, however, Prince Kusakabe himself was also Male & Female-line Emperor having Emperor Tenmu for his father and Emperor Jito for his mother.
元正天皇即位当時、首皇子は14歳であり「首皇子が幼かったために中継ぎとして即位した」という説は成立しないとの説もある。（ただ、当時の朝廷の動勢（長屋王や藤原不比等など）により、年齢的に即位は不安と見られたとの説もある。）また、元正天皇は母の元明天皇の子としてではなく、父である草壁皇子の子として即位しているが、草壁皇子自身も父に天武天皇、母に持統天皇をもつ男女双系天皇であった。