In terms of shipping, what is your favourite Saga in the Anime?

[Likeitornot.]

So... which saga did you feel was your favourite in terms of shipping and why? Could be because it had (some of) your favourite shipping(s), the hints might have been excellently conveyed in various shippings, it had a great potential in shippings, it had the best moments for your favourite ship (if you ship runs through more than one saga, for example, Pikashipping), it had a lot of ships in it, it had ships you'd never think of intially and you felt they were fantastic ships at that, or the character interactions in the main cast were appealing to you, or for many other reasons?

It doesn't necessarily have to be your favourite Saga as a whole, either- this is in terms of shipping, not generally. The Multiple choice is for the circumstances that you've more than one favourite saga, shipping-wise.

 

[Almonds]

Johto saga - The Silver Conference arc. For Palletshipping

 

[Likeitornot.]

Johto saga - The Silver Conference arc. For Palletshipping

Ah, just because you posted before I finished the poll, I forgot to mention that they would be the Sagas, as in OS, AG, DP and BW. Do you mind that yours would be considered as OS as a whole? ^^"

 

[Almonds]

Johto saga - The Silver Conference arc. For Palletshipping

Ah, just because you posted before I finished the poll, I forgot to mention that they would be the Sagas, as in OS, AG, DP and BW. Do you mind that yours would be considered as OS as a whole? ^^"

Well yes XDD Ah, and I'll also pick BW - I recently got into CafeMochashipping and Sommeliershipping (how do you even spell that?)

 

[Cybersai]

Are we talking about real in-show shipping? If so I think AG had the most.

Johto was pretty un-shippy as a whole, which is odd because Kanto/Orange had a lot of it. I felt like Johto abandoned shipping at least until the tail-end. DP had a number of Dawn ships I liked but oddly none of them really went anywhere or got any promotion in the anime.

As for BW I feel there's no real shipping in the anime anymore. Cilan and Iris don't really show any interest about love whatsoever, which I find strange as every main character, even Max, had a crush at some point.

 

[Likeitornot.]

Are we talking about real in-show shipping? If so I think AG had the most.

Not necessarily- it's focused on your favourite. By "real", I presume you mean hint-heavy, and I'll just say some people ship regardless of the hints a ship has or how canon it is. However, yes, prominent romantic hints is, of course, a valid reason for having a particular Saga as a shipping favourite.
And, yes, when I say the sagas, the characters and ships should be in the Saga itself too. So, in-show.

 

[Almonds]

As for BW I feel there's no real shipping in the anime anymore. Cilan and Iris don't really show any interest about love whatsoever, which I find strange as every main character, even Max, had a crush at some point.

Burgandy seems to have a crush on Cilan, imo

 

[CommanderPigg]

Hm, this is a pretty interesting question.

If I were to go solely by "canon-ness" (as in, romantic advances were pretty much EXPLICITLY stated), I'd have to go with Hoenn because of the prominence of ContestShipping (and in the fanon world, Advanceshipping).

But, my favorite ship is in DP, so I may have to choose that instead XD I think that during both AG and DP, the fan community was pretty vibrant with a large array of fan works. I feel like in DP, you had a lot more choices because there were more recurring characters. You had Pearl, Ikari, Coma, ColdCoffee, HeatTag, Penguin, TwinLeaf...and possibly one of the most Rocketshippy episodes ever :O

I remember having a good time shipping that saga.

 

[Cybersai]

But, my favorite ship is in DP, so I may have to choose that instead XD I think that during both AG and DP, the fan community was pretty vibrant with a large array of fan works. I feel like in DP, you had a lot more choices because there were more recurring characters. You had Pearl, Ikari, Coma, ColdCoffee, HeatTag, Penguin, TwinLeaf...and possibly one of the most Rocketshippy episodes ever :O

Yeah, I think this is why Johto was so un-shippy. With the introduction of new characters and new rivals, there are more shipping possibilities.

Johto just stuck with the same old cast, and the only new character we got was Casey who only appeared in like 3 episodes. Since there were no new characters to ship with, all Johto had was a fading Pokeshipping and the few times Gary showed up, so there wasn't anything to talk about.

 

[CommanderPigg]

Yeah, I think this is why Johto was so un-shippy. With the introduction of new characters and new rivals, there are more shipping possibilities.

Johto just stuck with the same old cast, and the only new character we got was Casey who only appeared in like 3 episodes. Since there were no new characters to ship with, all Johto had was a fading Pokeshipping and the few times Gary showed up, so there wasn't anything to talk about.

You have to keep in mind though, that some shippers prefer quality over quantity. And if you're a palletshipper, the scenes at the Johto league would have pretty much made your life. Regardless of how scarcely Gary may have shown, it's an event that the fandom will never forget, and is still referenced today. I'm not a pokeshipper, but considering how many moments Ash and Misty had together in Johto (them being trapped inside a cage and blushing at the mention of their possible romance being one that sticks out clearly in my mind), it's not fair to say that Pokeshipping was fading either.

The existence of more (visible) shipping choices do not determine the "shippiness" of the series - that's all subjective to individual tastes. OP did a wonderful job of explaining that.

 

[Cybersai]

I'm not a pokeshipper, but considering how many moments Ash and Misty had together in Johto (them being trapped inside a cage and blushing at the mention of their possible romance being one that sticks out clearly in my mind), it's not fair to say that Pokeshipping was fading either.

That was Orange Islands, not Johto. You're thinking of "Pokeball Peril" when Brock had left but before Tracey had joined.

What Pokeshipping moments were there in Johto outside of Misty's goodbye ep? I know she got a bit jealous of Macy during the league but that's about it.

The existence of more (visible) shipping choices do not determine the "shippiness" of the series - that's all subjective to individual tastes. OP did a wonderful job of explaining that.

I know that, but when you have multiple new characters introduced, there is by default more to talk about. Most of the shippings in DP and BW stemmed from all the new and extra rivals we got during those sagas.

 

[CommanderPigg]

That was Orange Islands, not Johto. You're thinking of "Pokeball Peril" when Brock had left but before Tracey had joined.

Really? I could have sworn Chikorita was somehow involved in all of this 0_0 *rubs brain*

What Pokeshipping moments were there in Johto outside of Misty's goodbye ep? I know she got a bit jealous of Macy during the league but that's about it.

I'm not a pokeshipper, I don't keep track. But I'd say that that's a pretty strong argument for it, wouldn't you say? Sometimes, just the acknowledgement that the two characters are still traveling together is enough to fuel the shipping along. It's completely up to audience participation/interpretation. and don't ignore my palletshipping-ness XP

I know that, but when you have multiple new characters introduced, there is by default more to talk about. Most of the shippings in DP and BW stemmed from all the new and extra rivals we got during those sagas.

Not necessarily. There could be a lot of characters popping up, but no apparent chemistry between them (again, subjective). Even though I like making a lot of pairings in BW because you CAN (several shippable rivals), it's hard for me to make a long term commitment to any ONE of them, save for Cafemochashipping (and even then, it's still not on the same level as my favorite).

I guess what I'm trying to say is (in fear of derailing the thread), there is no right answer or ranking to "what is the shippiest saga?" It's based on opinion.

 

[Itsuki]

Best Wishes, hands down.

Omertashipping. Chili and Cress. Holy sweet crap. Plus Cafemocha and a slight touch of Maplesyrup.

I also like shipping Stephan/Ash, Georgia/Burgundy and (surprise) Ash/Iris, so.

But Omertashipping really really makes it for me.

 

[DarkDreams]

fanon world?! >(

AG, It was AdvanceShipping's time of glory. From the very first episode to the end, there was a hint there and everywhere in the middle.

 

[Aestivate]

Hmmmmm. This is hard, because while aesthetically the AG-era ships stuck around with me more (Advance/Contest/Poke debates back in the day were FUN) and I thought the characters in general were more shippable and had more Freudian excuses to backup their interactions, I shipped more actively in the D/P era, and those ships were a lot more playful, fun, and interesting. And there were so many choices and so many recurring characters that all had really interesting dynamics with one another that make for good shipping fodder.

DP wins out.

 

[Likeitornot.]

Oh, sorry guys! I didn't even think of the special episodes when I made this. I hope you don't mind. ^^" If you do, you could vote on what Saga was running when they aired... My apologies, again.

 

[JennaJayfeather]

Well just going by how I personally ship it'd be AG and BW for me. For some reason, while there were multiple ships to support in DP I never got into it I kind of resented it a bit XD;

 

[pokemon fan 132]

Either OS or AG. Original series because of many cute romantic moments which shake things up making several episodes more vibrant adding extra flavor to it.While im not shipper myself i chuckled quite a few times and enjoyed in Misty romantic affection toward Ash trying to hide it which created fun, sweet/ innocent atmosphere and great interaction with several characters. Such as Melody,Rudy,Brock,Tracey(when being suspicious) TR etc.
Or when Ash got crush on Giselle being one of very instances where he showed interest for some girl, and vice versa with some chasing after him.This includes TR too with Jessie and James having some noteworthy moments which made people starting to ship them, and of course who could forget Brock who flirted with almost every girl he encountered in some cases trying to go further(Suzy, dr,Anna from episode where Zubat evolved, Temaku which wanted to marry him etc comes to mind).But its not only that there used to exist several moments where romance was implied in one or another way between pokemon like Nidoranin love,Totodile and Snubull which were in love etc.

It contributed to that lighthearted and relaxing humor making anime more interesting to watch.

AG because it was quite rich in romance as well. I mean it was rather blatant how there existed hints between May and Drew setting strong groundwork for which people started to ship those characters.His arguing with May, provoking behavior and at times arrogance caused revolt between characters increasing humor while also bringing that cute side of it leaving positive influence on May character and her growth as person.

Now that i remember May was shipped with good chunk of characters aside from Drew, like Ash,Misty, Sid and Ash and Anabel pairing became quite popurar during that era too.

Yeah, I think this is why Johto was so un-shippy. With the introduction of new characters and new rivals, there are more shipping possibilities.

Johto just stuck with the same old cast, and the only new character we got was Casey who only appeared in like 3 episodes. Since there were no new characters to ship with, all Johto had was a fading Pokeshipping and the few times Gary showed up, so there wasn't anything to talk about.

There are plenty of shows which keep same cast and promote concept of romance much more heavily than pokemon does, so should we apply same argument to them? You can get plenty of romance with same characters if its taken somewhere, so i dont think lack of new companions was main problem for lack of romance in Johto to begin with. It had more to do with writers not knowing in what direction to take show at that time with Johto being their first experiment for long saga which needed to be stretched out and at that time i believe writers wanted to drift sway from romantic aspect and focus more on story and promotion of new pokemon which is in reality main purpose of this show.

Lets not accuse characters because of writers lack of experience.

As for pokeshipping it was kept alive with there existing implications during whole course of saga. I remember Misty getting jealous not only over Macy, but other characters too when they complimented on Ash looks(like one of nurse Joys for example). Or in episode with Snubull how she giggled when Ash talked about stars thinking how it was directed to her, or in"Heartbreak of Brock"when Misty talked with Brock about romance she said how "she knows how its to like someone without other side reciprocating same feelings back".
Granted hints werent straightforward like it was case in early days when those two often argued, but it reached different dimension with Misty becoming more tolerant and teasing ad less violent matching maturity through which character went. Same goes for Ash he became less impulsive too, being prequel to his growth which was established in AG.

Pokeshipping wasnt prevalent and often like it used to be case in Kanto and OI, but it definitely existed with writers starting to increase romance in anime again by end of Johto and onwards in Hoenn.

 

[Cybersai]

So then why was Johto so un-shippy? Didn't Takeshi Shudo say something about this on his blogs?

It seems like when they thought the show was going to end with Kanto they didn't mind shipping, but once they knew the show was going to go on a long time they dropped it. I wonder if at the start of Johto they knew they would be removing Misty 3 years later, which by account as to why Pokeshipping was toned down. After all, why bother to build a plotline when you know one of those said characters would be removed from the show for the entire duration of the series run?

 

[pokemon fan 132]

So then why was Johto so un-shippy? Didn't Takeshi Shudo say something about this on his blogs?

It seems like when they thought the show was going to end with Kanto they didn't mind shipping, but once they knew the show was going to go on a long time they dropped it. I wonder if at the start of Johto they knew they would be removing Misty 3 years later, which by account as to why Pokeshipping was toned down. After all, why bother to build a plotline when you know one of those said characters would be removed from the show for the entire duration of the series run?

Takeshi Shudo, going by his blogs denied any possibility of shipping ever existing finding it wouldnt be suitable for pokemon anime, so i doubt it would be much different if show ended after Kanto either considering he was in charge. But than again this is debatable, because some scenes he included were highly questionable indicating how writers werent necessary against idea of characters pairings as long things are left open ended not going further aside from occasional hits here and there to spice things up and add more comedy.

Also i doubt it even occurred to them replacing Misty when Johto started hence being reason why OI was so heavy on romantic hints, pokeshipping was still kept alive but to lesser extent, along with her departure being rushed leaving many things open in story indicating how decision came rather late. Before ratings dropped writers didnt even planned to replace characters not being until mid Johto when they had dilemma whether to replace female lead or Team Rocket.

Its also interesting how after mr. Shudo left position as pokemon head writer from Master Quest and onwards it seems other writers decided to increase concept of romance in pokemon again seeming to be more open toward it(quality also improved with sidekicks getting notable better treatment in last Johto season. I think writers themselves werent sure what to do being probably reason why they kept pokeshipping alive in Johto(though to lesser degree), and afterwards at tail end and in hosos(referring to questionable "A Date with Delcatty", with staff itself probably questioning if they will bring back first girl to anime again or not at that time.