MarissonShipping Thread (Manon and Alain)

[Almonds]

I don't know how popular this might be, but for those who have seen the Mega Evolution Specials of Pokemon XY, I think this would be an interesting topic to talk about. So far, there has only been three episodes (with a fourth episode set to air in 2015 fall), but they are special installments of the XY series. And seeing how it's possible that they might overlap with Ash's story at some point, I think it's worth keeping an eye on the shipping.

They might be just partners in a sense, but Manon had specifically stated in the first episode that Alain was her type. In the second episode, Lysandre comments that Alain got a small girlfriend, which means from an outsider's point of view, them being together looks fine.

In the third episode (spoiler)

Spoiler

Manon expresses her worry and concern for Alain, and he also does the same. When Alain is knocked out in the middle of the primal battles, Manon saves him. When he says his thanks, she gives him a hug, which he returns. She also follows him back to Kalos after he leaves.

Since Manon is a rookie trainer who received her first pokemon from Sycamore not too long ago, she's probably 10-12. Alain has a history of working for Sycamore, so he's very likely to be in his mid or late teens. I'd say 17. The age gap is a lot wider than the other ships in XY, most notably Ash and Serena who are probably of the same age or have a year or two difference. Maybe they can be viewed as more like a brother and sister relationship, but I still like the chemistry between them. I especially like how Alain grew to care for this ditzy little girl who needs watching over. Unlike Serena, who's a lot more shy and hesitant with expressing her feelings, Manon is very expressive, so I think maybe there might be a chance for their relationship to grow :3

 

[QuietDragon]

I love this ship so much! It's so sweet and I've actually been anticipating it from the first special. Act I really set out to make them contrasting foils: Manon was enthusiastic, friendly, cheerful, a bit naive, but very excited about everything! As Alan used to be, judging by his first flashback, and how much they both cherish loyalty and protecting those dear to them... now, he's jaded and quite gloomy and withdrawn, stuck in a self-imposed isolation ostensibly to keep Professor Platane's reputation clean and take the fall for the inevitable violent clashes when Mega Evolution becomes public knowledge.

The way she draws him out of his shell and we see him express more emotion in Act II is so heartwarming! As are the little Mega Evolution omake following the episodes of the main series, showing her becoming less clumsy (the influence of his guidance as well as becoming more experienced, perhaps?) and Alan becoming less aloof, even smiling fondly at her at her eventually.

And now, the embrace! ;O; I still haven't watched Act III because I'm waiting for the subtitles, but still.

I love them so much! ;_;

It's kind of sad to me how everything is sexualized so much that such a pure and sweet relationship can't escape being painted as something depraved. Fleurdelis' "small girlfriend" comment was creepy, due to his character rather than anything wrong with this pair themselves, but it's giving me a bad feeling that even if the ship goes further, the dub will continue to cover it up.

BUT, all that aside, here's some silly fanart I've done~

 

[Almonds]

@QuietDragon;

I know Alain changes from a moody, emo guy to this kind, big brotherly person who cares about a young child and wants to keep her safe. Manon really influenced him. I also agree that Manon would have learned a lot from Alain during their travels together - in ActIII, she's a lot more calm and steady with her actions compared to the complete ditz she was in ActI.

It's kind of sad to me how everything is sexualized so much that such a pure and sweet relationship can't escape being painted as something depraved. Fleurdelis' "small girlfriend" comment was creepy, due to his character rather than anything wrong with this pair themselves, but it's giving me a bad feeling that even if the ship goes further, the dub will continue to cover it up.

Yeah. A platonic relationship would be really cute. Shipping doesn't necessarily have to be viewed as a sexual interaction. Maybe it's because Alain's a lot older than Manon.


And that's a really cute fanart I love it!

 

[Olive]

This shot from today's episode just struck me as too cute to ignore.

Spoiler

Maybe if Alain starts working for Sycamore again he'll get sent out to travel the region to study Mega Evolution, giving him the opportunity to start a real journey with Manon as she tries to enter the Kalos Leauge.

It really is adorable how the dynamic between Alain and Manon played out of the course of the ME specials and then the actual show. They both genuinely care about each other on a personal, emotional level, and that really is something that I feel makes this ship unique. Their relationship isn't so much love or infatuation or attraction, it's genuine care for each other's wellbeing. They're just two people who met by chance, got thrown into a bunch of crazy situations, and then came out of it all together.

I use the word adorable a lot to describe ships I think are fun, but this ship almost transcends that word. Yes, it definitely has its cute moments, but those moments always come with some deeper feeling, something more meaningful. When you look at it all, Alain and Manon are really just two people who never want to see each other get hurt, and maybe that's what love really is.